Your calendar isn’t the only thing that can give you insights into the month ahead. In our monthly column Workstrology, the expert astrologers at Sanctuary chart the energies, oppositions, and smart moves for your sign.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)
Expect workplace shake-ups between the 11th and 12th of this month, Leo. You may need to act fast to fill someone’s shoes, prep last-minute meetings, or take a hard-line position on a nonnegotiable agenda. As Mercury stations retrograde in your identity house on the seventh, everything feels personal, but the reality is you feel boxed in because you’re thinking too small. The lunar eclipse on the 16th further hammers this lesson home. Start looking for ways to use the practical skills you’ve developed to do something more inspired, holistic, and creative with your time. Tap your dreams for source material. A visionary idea could prove lucrative if you surrender the expectation of immediate success. Your career will continue to evolve in unpredictable ways over the next seven years—and if you meet changing circumstances with your best attitude, you won’t go unrewarded.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
July’s solar eclipse on the second emphasizes community engagement. You’ve spent years refining your skills, longing to contribute your talents to the public—but when the time comes to put yourself out there, you might think, “Yes, I’m good at what I do, but who am I to be taking up this space?” It doesn’t help that Mercury stations retrograde on the seventh, making you even more introspective and prone to waffling. The lunar eclipse on the 16th signifies tensions with those who have supported your enterprises. Don’t make promises you can’t keep or you’ll leave others scrambling to fill the space you would have occupied. Some peer pressure is actually a blessing in disguise, because you have no idea what could open up for you creatively if you take a risk. What initially seems like the end of the world is the beginning of something more aligned with your potential.
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
This month you’re especially reflective of your legacy, and aware that you’ll need to challenge an inherited idea of who you were “meant” to be. Think back to the goals you set in January: Were they more indicative of your objectives, or what others implied your goals should be? You’re the boss of your destiny now; don’t dismiss opportunities for advancement because of expectations instilled in early life. Mercury stations retrograde on the seventh, and forms a positive connection to Mars in Leo, so listening before speaking is key. Since you’re especially spotlighted in the workplace, your mistakes will have visibility. Be sure to review all correspondence before hitting “send.” The lunar eclipse on the 16th forecasts tension with family members who may blame your job for encroaching on domestic duties. Be patient with their concerns but assert that you’re capable of negotiating both. (You are!)
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
With Mars in your career house all month, you’re aspiring for professional success, but Mercury’s retrograde on July 7 could ignite insecurity about your trajectory. Why did you gravitate toward your current work? What do you enjoy about it? What have you learned from it? This will be an especially frustrating time if you’re at a job where you’ve already hit the ceiling; you may find yourself on the hunt for new employment. It is eclipse season after all, a time of new beginnings and rapid endings. If it’s time for a change, start laying the groundwork for an exit and make sure you have a backup plan. Don’t make unwise exits until Mercury stations direct after the 31st, or you could find yourself in a bind. In the meantime, take all opportunities to expand your contact list, research classes and educational opportunities, and explore new careers you think would be a good fit for you. You’ve got this.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)
Eclipse season will change your relationship to money, Sag. Jupiter, the planet of wealth and abundance, has been in your identity house for the better part of a year now, so you’ve probably noticed that “prosperity” isn’t a linear goalpost. If you’re going to grow your portfolio, you need to lose the scarcity mentality. Fortunately, the solar eclipse on the second has huge transformation potential, and though the lunar eclipse on the 16th pokes at your self-esteem, it also encourages healing with trust in yourself and others. It’s time to bring a project to life that will be both gratifying and lucrative. It might look different than you anticipate, and that’s great too. That’s part of the magic and mystery that keeps your evolution exciting.
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)
This month the sun moves through your house of partnerships, prompting cooperation in all one-on-one relationships, including business associations. The lunar eclipse on the 16th elicits edginess, so you’ll want to be sure not to insult those who can help you. You’ve probably been burned by spurious collaborators in the past; but while putting your trust in others still feels a bit cringy, in order to flourish, you’ll want to create alliances with people who have similar goals. Mars in Leo fills you with ideas of how to share without sacrificing your autonomy. With Mercury retrograde all month, don’t sign contracts unless it’s an emergency. There’s a very good chance of missing the fine print. Contracts could dissolve with both parties on different pages.
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
This month spotlights your skill set, Aquarius. You have unique services to offer, but you may feel awkward advertising yourself and risking scrutiny. To complicate matters, you could be called to facilitate a service that you have not formally offered up for public consumption. Even if you’re not totally ready to unveil an offering, tackle the fear of exposure by meeting it head-on! Another idea: Become a mentor for someone younger or less experienced than you. Teaching lets you share what you know and flex your muscles before venturing into the big time. Just know that Mercury retrograde could put the kibosh on a permanent mentee arrangement. During the lunar eclipse on the 16th, you may long for solitude, but feel obligated to show up for those who need your wisdom. Share your knowledge even if you struggle with the delivery, because what you really need now is practice.
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)
Try not to be frustrated over a lackluster social calendar, Pisces. Over the past year, finding like-minded peer groups and support networks has been a challenge for a few reasons: One, you’re dimming your glow to adjust to the collective, and that’s not what they want from you! Two, you’ve latched on to a standard of professional etiquette that is preventing you from taking creative risks. In July, don’t settle for being a helpmate on someone else’s dream. Ditch your artistic inhibitions and show off your talents. The lunar eclipse on the 16th challenges you to ask friends for the same support you so often give. It might feel awkward, as you pride yourself on your self-reliance and dread being let down by those you trust. Still, better to know who would ghost in trying times—it will be their loss when you embody your star power.
Aries (March 21–April 19)
Huge career opportunities have materialized over the past few months, Aries! Perhaps you’ve received a promotion, new responsibilities, or heightened visibility—whatever the situation, you may feel like obligations to your role are making you unapproachable as an individual. This month, get perspective from close friends and family on how to make professional goals personal again. On the seventh, Mercury stations retrograde; wait until after the 31st to give presentations or you might leave out important information in your eagerness. On the 16th, a full moon and a lunar eclipse in your career house closely conjuncts Saturn, the planet of restriction, highlighting a work-life balance dilemma. Superiors might make unreasonable demands on your personal time. Keep a cool head and advocate for your dedication as well as your need for rest.
Taurus (April 20–May 20)
This year you’re reevaluating your priorities, and with that comes a reassessment of core convictions. You might want to distance yourself from friends who act as an echo chamber of your beliefs. Coworkers can become a source of inspiration, as you benefit from bouncing ideas off those who don’t think exactly like you. Join in water-cooler banter, after-work karaoke, and constructive debates over who has the best vision to lead the next project. Venus conjuncts the North Node in your communication house on July 17, a day after the lunar eclipse. This is an ideal time to purge yourself of limiting beliefs to attract creativity and beauty into your life. Collaborate with those who share your curiosity, and experiment with vulnerability by exposing opinions you’d normally keep quiet. You’ll have to navigate this month on intuition and insight, so beware of job offers that look intriguing but feel “off” in your gut.
Gemini (May 21–June 20)
July kicks off with a Cancer solar eclipse in your house of values; it’s a suggestion to look at resources differently. Where you invest your time and energy reveals what you truly value, but since you’re a master of multitasking, this is not always obvious. Over the past year, your understanding of shared debts, expenses, and income has matured, enabling you to recognize investments not only for their monetary potential, but energetic potential. For you, this also means drawing boundaries with the types of people you do business with. This month, you can broaden your definition of “resource.” Compassion is a resource. Relationships that don’t hinge on excess emotional labor are a resource. A workplace where you thrive instead of merely survive is a resource. With Mercury stationing retrograde on the seventh (and Jupiter retrograde in your house of partnerships), don’t force negotiations or make power grabs; you might be missing the bigger picture. Stay future focused by prioritizing self-care.
Cancer (June 21–July 22)
It’s time to establish your own voice within partnerships, Cancer, but how to do that with Mercury retrograde for most of the month in your houses of identity and values? Doing collaborative work doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your ambitions. You’re a hard worker. You have a strong moral compass and you see commitments through to the end. But you also have a tendency to agree to projects expecting a certain give-and-take and end up shouldering the brunt of the task. The truth is it’s scary to center your own objectives, because if you try and fail to come out on top, there’s no one to “blame” but yourself. Use the new moon eclipse on the second to dismantle this limiting mind-set by prioritizing your own goals. Don’t forget, you have some serious collaborators who will support you if you demand accountability, but you’ll need to flex your leadership skills, projecting authority instead of explaining why you deserve it.
Nyssa Grazda is a Los Angeles-based astrological consultant, writer, and intuitive. She speaks to planetary transits and personal empowerment at @neongeometryastrology.
Sanctuary is a member at New York’s WeWork 12 E 49 St.
