Starcodes July 11, 2025
This week the planets ask us to slow down and get organized, get ready for retrograde season. It’s a great time for summer vacation or a chance to complete of projects but brings the potential for snafus in the bigger picture. We have this week to prepare, align, and clear the decks.
Retrograde planets appear to dance backwards against the Zodiac, when retrograde the events symbolized by those planets won’t go as they normally do- offering a cosmic pause to review lessons and make sure we have our toothbrush, and the gas is off before starting out on our next chapter.
Neptune, arbiter of water, intuition, compassion, and spirituality, turned retrograde on July 4 as storms stationed over Texas (on the intersection between the paths of two recent eclipses and conjunct Saturn) and floods of angry waters with rocks swept through, calling for compassionate action.
This Saturday, Saturn — arbiter of structure, from the skeleton that holds us up, through our national infrastructure, to the authority systems that can protect or oppress — turns retrograde. Here it wants us to review our foundations, traditions, and chains of authority and could be synchronous with a few metaphorical or literal earthquakes. Pluto retrograded in early May.
Mercury now slows to retrograde July 17 to August 11. We usually have a series of planets appear retrograde through summer, but trickster Mercury is a special case; the planet of movement and communications retrogrades roughly 3 x a year for three weeks and we feel it most directly.
Mercury retrograde is not something to be afraid of, it’s something to use wisely, the old astrological adage is anything that begins RE, remember, re-edit, rebuild, rediscover, return, revisit, reconnect — all work well under Mercury retrograde. Mercury retrograde gives us a chance to review the past, read the constitution, reconnect with old friends and projects, but it’s important not to get stuck in the past or perseverate on an old trauma. Take a healing approach if tough memories arise.
This Mercury retrograde- from July 17th to August 11th-in expressive Leo, is a wonderful time to sit around a campfire or bar and tell stories. Record old family history. Review wonderful moments, remember personal victories, visit dear familiar places. Step out of a tight schedule and take a summer vacation. Do confirm all reservations and schedules, prioritize safety, take a good book, and make the most of any delay.
Introspection is a powerful Mercury retrograde pastime, but with Mercury retrograde in Leo, we need to make a conscious effort to get out of our own perspective and into others’ mindset and needs for breadth before coming to conclusions. Watch for bombastic statements in the news, ego issues that cloud people’s ability to see or articulate a position clearly, and let’s be careful when feeling melodramatic ourselves. Notice nasty bits of history returning for review. Mishaps can reveal lies, mistakes, and bad intentions. Pay attention because slapstick and accidents accrue when we hurry or get distracted. Respect the “check engine” light in the car.
This weekend begins under a sociable Aquarius Moon, we move into our personal life Sunday through Tuesday under a tender Pisces Moon, then kick into action just as the retrograding Mercury calls us to slow down on Wednesday and Thursday under a dynamic, action-oriented Aries Moon. Keep it slow, thoughtful, and let life be a dance of attention.
Friday, July 11: Makes important adjustments this morning in response to what the family, team, or community needs as the Moon enters Aquarius and trines Uranus. Midday, assess the work needed for the next few weeks, make phone calls and get organized. Also-listen for a flash of intuition or imagination mid-afternoon as the Moon sextiles Neptune. Tonight, we may need time and gentleness to integrate a tough week or find ourselves longing for something missing or recently lost as the Moon conjuncts Pluto. Hold hands and share comfort; let this longing take any conversation to a deeper note.
Moon enters Aquarius 11:20 AM MDT, Moon trine Uranus 11:42 AM, Moon sextile Saturn 2:54 PM, Moon sextile Neptune 3:19 PM, Moon conjunct Pluto 4:41 PM.
Saturday, July 12: Notice any tension between our personal needs and social or interpersonal obligations; find a way to honor both under this collective Aquarius Moon trine Venus. As Saturn retrogrades, systems, structures, and the chains of command are challenged. The mood is thoughtful- if not introspective- critique is too easy as Mercury semi-sextiles Mars. Watch the snippy rejoinders. The challenge will be to find answers and support what’s working instead.
Moon trine Venus 3:07 AM MDT, Moon opposed Mercury 1:44 PM, Saturn retrogrades 10:07 PM.
Sunday, July 13: Deal with people, get logistics organized, teams made, contacts reconnected, camaraderie supported this morning while the Moon is still in Aquarius. We’ll need more privacy, drop more into our hearts, and grow sensitive and easily insulted as the Moon enters Pisces near dinnertime then squares Uranus tonight. Be flexible under changing circumstances and celebrate differences rather than get self-righteous.
Moon enters Pisces 5:44 PM MDT, Moon square Uranus 6:15 PM.
Monday, July 14: Cut people slack for a slow morning. Enjoy a sensitive, potentially beautiful morning as the Pisces Moon trines optimistic Jupiter and squares Venus, though this will be easier on vacation than at work. Midday, don’t take a socially awkward moment personally, focus on the other person’s comfort and self-consciousness disappears. We may need to feel acutely the world’s pain, feel it echoes in our own systems, and open our hearts to it. Watch for mild accidents tonight as the Moon opposes Mars, a passing sense of urgency may be inaccurate.
Moon trine Jupiter 7:45 AM MDT, Moon square Venus 1:52 PM, Moon opposes Mars 10:15 PM.
Tuesday, July 15: A productive good day to work together in a sensitive way, an in-breath and out-breath of connection and privacy. Celebrate little victories and moments of empathetic concern. Note a touch of natural beauty. Use an ambient interpersonal openness to clear the air before Mercury retrogrades, clear out misunderstandings and find out what they really meant. Speak personal truth. Tonight, the mood shifts into higher gear as the Moon enters feisty Aries and conjuncts Saturn and Neptune after midnight.
Moon trine Sun 11:09 AM MDT, Moon enters Aries 10:32 PM, Moon sextile Uranus 11:11 PM.
Wednesday, July 16: Check the headlines this morning, watch for clues to a new agenda. Feel the natural impatience, but don’t rush. It’s an important day to pace oneself, not to overshoot the mark or rush into an accident. Breathe through spikes of temper; we are safe if we don’t dwell in the past or the future but instead move efficiently in the present moment- and make the best of it. Manual labor furthers, being physically tired can actually make us safer.
Moon conjunct Saturn 1:52 AM MDT, Moon conjunct Neptune 2:14 AM, Moon sextile Pluto 3:23 PM, Moon square Jupiter 1:02 PM.
Thursday, July 17: The Aries Moon wants us to rush but that is problematic as Mercury is stationary and retrogrades tonight. Slow, easy, and mindful, does it. Prioritize efficient safety and plan extra time in the schedule. We can too easily jump to conclusions or rush to assume unless we consciously deepen. Ask good questions, and don’t accept the first the surface answer. Strong emotions can swirl like a high wind; share the love but take any anger outside.
Moon trine Mercury 1:20 AM MDT, Moon square Sun 6:37 PM, Moon conjunct Chiron 9:02 PM, Mercury retrograde 10:44 PM.
