Last week Venus and the sun both entered new signs—Venus moved into Virgo one day before the sun entered Leo on Thursday. When planets move from one sign to another, it’s like a scene-change in a theatrical performance; the story progresses, and we get to see a new iteration of the character’s expression.

The sun in Leo asks us to settle deeply into our heart’s wisdom, while Venus in Virgo takes us to the center of our inner knowing. Leo rules the heart and the upper back, and the sun in this sign asks us to stand tall and proud while remaining courageous and playful. Simultaneously, Venus, the goddess of love in her priestess position, asks us to stay true to our integrity.

Adding to the cosmic energy, the week ahead brings two more critical planetary ingresses—Jupiter retrogrades back into Aquarius, after having been in Pisces since mid-May on Wednesday. Mars then leaves Leo, joining Venus in Virgo on Thursday. With Jupiter in Aquarius for most of the year, his return to the sign of the water-bearer concludes our short preview of Jupiter in Pisces, which he’ll re-enter on December 28, 2021. Until then, Jupiter in Aquarius wants to break barriers, amplify out-of-the-box thinking, and encourage groups of diverse people to come together to honor our collective best interest for a future we are (hopefully) co-creating together.

Jupiter in Aquarius wants to break barriers, amplify out-of-the-box thinking, and encourage groups of diverse people to come together.

So, consider this: What has emerged in your life since Jupiter entered Pisces on May 13, 2021? What shifts have you noticed? What wisdom are you integrating? And what do you feel called to accomplish between now and the end of the year, during Jupiter’s remaining months in Aquarius?

Meanwhile, Mars’s entrance into Virgo this week (Mars joins Venus in Virgo on Thursday, July 29) asks us to settle into the joy of Leo season without negating attention to detail or a distinct focus on what you and your body most need from a health perspective. So often, fun comes with an all-or-nothing attitude, and with Venus and Mars in Virgo, we are asked to have all the fun without throwing caution to the wind. To do so, cultivate your joy by doing things that align with your values.

This is especially important because right after Mars moves into Virgo, Venus (who rules our values) makes an in-conjunct (also known as a quincunx) to both Saturn and Chiron. An inconjunct asks us to eliminate that which isn’t necessary and stay incredibly focused on the highest-ranking priority. Given Venus’s role and the impact of her simultaneous inconjunction to both Saturn and Chiron (who are sextiling), the universe will command our focus at the week’s end.

Just as the moon comes into her waning quarter phase, at 9:15 a.m., ET, on Saturday July 31st, we are asked to let go of something that no longer serves us and simultaneously harvest seeds planted in previous seasons of our lives. Doing so is especially important as we enter August. Early August brings us to the cross-quarter holiday, Lammas, which is the time when we, here in the northern hemisphere, celebrate the beginning of harvest season. It’s officially the half-way point between the June solstice and September equinox, which means the sun is beginning to set a bit earlier, and our attention may shift to honoring the abundance that exists in our life with a sense of gratitude.

This might feel hard, especially as the world endures record-breaking temperatures, wildfires ravishing large swaths of forests, and mass flooding. To be sure, we no longer have the luxury of taking the environment for granted or turning a blind eye to the climate crisis. Instead, we live in an age where calamity is the norm, not the exception. This requires all of us to actively care for ourselves, each other, and the world accordingly without slipping into despair or shortchanging joy. (Hello, Jupiter in Aquarius.)

Remember, joy and happiness is not an either, or situation. We can hold ours own pain and that of the world’s with reverence, devotion, and commitment to a better tomorrow, without negating our ability to focus on the good today. This is precisely what the week ahead calls for. Everything may feel nuanced, and nothing is totally straightforward, and this is even more of a reason why the best thing to do right now is to get quiet and listen to your inner voice, the voice of your soul.

Astrologically speaking, tuning into your heart, values, and inner guidance is absolutely the most efficient way to be with what is and attune yourself to what you need to focus on next. We are standing at a crossroads of time, and despite the overwhelming problems we face, there’s still so much to remain grateful for. Hold space for both your blessings and your pain, and stay true to yourself. Because ultimately, what matters most is staying in line with your values, purpose, and self.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—which she uses to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success. Order her book, Cosmic Health, here.

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