By Lilith
This week's Venus flitting into entertaining Gemini is an effervescent, multi-coloured butterfly. Just don't try to clip her wings or pin her down…
ARIES: With home and property interests prominent on July's storyboard, this week's about doing what's best for everyone. Listen to other people's input and let them know their contributions are valued. Don't give too much credence to harsh words, or add fuel to a war no one can win.
TAURUS: This week's high-pressure emotional climate may not be amenable to facts and common sense, so rely on instincts and intuition. Make decisions based on what feels most comfortable in your body. Keep your feet on the ground with physical activities: sport, walking, gardening, cooking, being supportive, giving and receiving TLC…
GEMINI: Geminis are charismatic networkers, and this week two heads will definitely be more successful than one. That doesn't mean both of yours, rather someone else's to give you reality checks on finances, earnings and expenditure. This isn't the time for stop-gap measures or being seduced by easy-money schemes. Think long term.
CANCER: Cancer is one of the zodiac's four cardinal signs, meaning you're an initiator – but you knew that. And this week needs you taking the lead: whether that's making a stand, staking a claim, breaking an old habit or just waking up to a larger reality – any or all of the above.
LEO: July for Leos is rather like the tension before a storm, the pressure test leading to a fresh start. This week examines past mistakes so you can reframe present behaviour accordingly. The metaphor is cleaning house, on all levels. Avoid dramatising and dummy spits. Focus on desired outcomes, not hard feelings.
VIRGO: With the present astral emphasis on friends, colleagues and social groups, don't let mood swings, mind changes or altered arrangements play havoc with your week. Stay gracious, generous and even-tempered in the face of squabbles and frayed nerves. Make each cancelled plan an opportunity to do something better.
LIBRA: If your totem planet in a fellow air sign stimulates a profusion of choice and options, you'll find it smoother and less confusing to stick with essentials this week. Which likes your Libran style and diplomatic wit, but also stirs up old family discords that need arbitrating with feeling rather than logic.
SCORPIO: As nostalgic thoughts stir a sense of adventure or deep exploration, you won't be satisfied with easy answers. So dig deep and examine some of the beliefs you take for granted. Do they need updating? Because sticking to a particular story does eventually mean getting stuck with it…
SAGITTARIUS: July's astral emphasis is on financial and contractual transactions. Not as grim as it sounds, because Archers are reputedly the luckiest sign of the zodiac, and this week's luck comes from going with gut feelings. Key word: co-operation. Give yourself some restorative space in nature's great outdoors sometime during late-week Sagittarius moon.
CAPRICORN: Everyone's extra sensitive this week, so choose your words carefully because feedback can hit where it hurts and forgiveness may be slow to follow. Of course Capricorns know best, but be willing to let others have their turn. Would you really rather fight and be right than agree to disagree?
AQUARIUS: If sabotage makes an appearance on this week's menu, it's worth checking it's not an inside job. Are your own critical feelings undermining effectiveness? You know what they say about acid corroding the container. Cut back on stressful commitments. Do an internal review. Make some changes. Then do something nourishing and fun.
PISCES: With your ruler Neptune retiring into the general subconscious, this week's abuzz with non-verbal understanding. You'll definitely be feeling the love, but are you also sending mixed messages? Can you even begin to understand how confusing that might be for others? If something's unclear, or you're undecided, say so.