Libra, with all its charm and balance, can find itself indulgent, reactive, and materialistic. Scorpio, for all its more obvious associations with death, sex, and poison, often brings sweetness and loyalty. This month our journey begins with Libra’s ruling planet Venus retrograding in Scorpio starting on the 3rd, the same day that Mars in fiery Leo will form an opposition to Pluto in Aquarius. This day in particular will acutely activate a realistic (perhaps uncomfortable) review of our relationships with money, sex, and desire. Often, these patterns are rooted in subjugation. I’m not gonna lie: The astrological weather outside is hot garbage. We have concentration camps, unlivable wages and expenses, multitudes of endless war, and climate destruction. The planets are asking this month: How are we navigating our place within a corrupt system without being swayed to complacency or escapism? The new moon in Libra on the 10th will invite us to pour out our internal buckets of fear and anxiety. Optimistic Mars in Leo can lift our heavy hearts, reconnecting us with the most beautiful aspects of both Libra and Venus—namely the principles that guide our shared leadership in building a more equitable, beautiful future. Scorpio’s ruling planet Pluto will end its six-month retrograde in Aquarius on the 15th, a cycle that has torn our hearts out of our chests, shown them to us, and is now handing them back lovingly. Mercury will start its own retrograde in Scorpio on the 24th, followed by the full moon in Taurus on the 25th, the same day Venus reenters Libra. These transits are here to ground us in our assurance that it’s always darkest before the dawn.
ARIES
Humans have long looked to the stars for guidance, but Aries is perhaps least likely to take heed, and your inner primal fire might be far more impactful. Your sister sign Libra is more receptive, and this month’s Venus in retrograde in Scorpio and Libra will go toe to toe with your ruling planet Mars in fiery Leo. Receptivity and reflection can be helpful, but don’t forget to keep feeding your flames.
TAURUS
Taurean inner landscapes are often dictated by your sign’s fixed, earthy nature. That inner landscape can be both soft and stable, but when it goes untended it can become hard and brittle. Your role as an earth sign is also one of a steward, and this Venus retrograde through your sister sign Scorpio will encourage a look at your commitment to the earth. It could also point to relationships that need to end.
GEMINI
As the furthest and closest planets to the sun, Pluto and Mercury can find themselves at odds with one another. Mercury moves fast, Pluto moves slow. Mercury initiates, Pluto destroys. On the 2nd they will form a dynamic aspect (square) to one another, and this day and the days to follow might coincide with immediate and potentially life-changing impacts. Build what needs to be built, and let Pluto in Aquarius show you what needs to decompose into the soil from which your next chapter blooms.
CANCER
You and Libra share many attributes, such as your wit, charm, and capacity for care. This Venus retrograde will occur primarily in your 5th house of pleasure and romance, which could mean revisiting patterns of over-extending yourself in search of something deep and true. The sun will enter fellow water sign Scorpio on the 23rd, hopefully providing you the clarity you need.
LEO
The 3rd house is a place for play and exploration, and the sun’s transit through yours this month coincides with Mars’ continued movement through your sign, which could cause you to take on too much. Pluto moving direct in your sister sign Aquarius will invigorate your relational energy, but it is important to remember that you also have limits. Slow down, move with intention, and conserve enough energy to meet the moments to come.
VIRGO
Wealth might be an uneasy topic for you as you naturally resist the exploitative nature of our multitude of broken systems. Libra’s rulership of the sun’s transit through your 2nd house is a repeated invitation to find and define what abundance looks like to you outside of these systems. It doesn’t have to be extravagant as long as it’s beautiful, loving, and sustainable.
LIBRA
Happy You season, Libra! Unfortunately, this season’s Venus retrograde (starting on the 3rd) will dominate the majority of your season. This retrograde will be occurring in your 12th house, making it a particularly strange and moody time to be having a fabulous birthday party. You might find yourself seeking new healing modalities beyond your usual scope—perhaps something more private like meditation, which can invite more profound types of love to form.
SCORPIO
Pluto’s six-month retrograde began during Taurus season and is ending on the 15th in your fellow fixed sign Aquarius. On the 3rd, Pluto in Aquarius and Mars in Leo form an opposition, kickstarting a cycle of intense developments in both your Leo-ruled public life (10th house) and private life (4th house). Mercury retrograde in your sign will add tension to this dynamic, and when the sun enters your sign on the 23rd you might come to a necessary conclusion about holding strong boundaries.
SAGITTARIUS
Free spirits can get a bad rap. What you call autonomy, others call detachment, and unfortunately this pattern can haunt you until you come to a solid agreement with yourself. The sun’s transit through your 11th house could guide you in the right direction this month as your autonomy becomes less of a concern when you put your energy toward collective efforts. Perhaps attend a meeting with a new organization and see what’s possible when you put your values center stage.
CAPRICORN
Your nervous system is built to withstand many storms, but at a certain point you might find that they hit at times when you are uncharacteristically unprepared and vulnerable. Scorpio’s influence over the sun’s transit of your 10th house dictates that your success is tied to your ability to protect yourself without self-sabotaging, so be sure to ask for help if the storm winds become too high.
AQUARIUS
As someone who is usually very locked in, this month might feel like a surreal reprieve from your usual grind. Pluto turning direct in your sign on the 15th will ease some tension that’s likely been sitting in your heart and body. The sun’s transit through playful Libra in your 9th house brings beauty and exploration—be sure to make the most of it.
PISCES
Libra’s rulership of your 8th house likely throws you for a loop every year. You might find that this season often coincides with deep emotional or material changes, perhaps fundamentally shifting your sense of safety or security. This Venus retrograde warns against acting on impulse at this moment. Your fellow water sign Scorpio will reward your intentionality once the sun enters it on the 23rd.
illustrations by Anneliese DePano
