By Emma Vidgen

Horoscopes July 15-21: Why You May Be Feeling Irritable This Week

Spicy tempers are on the horizon. Astrologer Emma Vidgen helps you make sense of the astro weather and navigate the week ahead.
horoscopes
Art: Kimberlee Kessler

Courage, confidence and grit define the first few days as the sky serves up some serious saltiness. Second guessers and people pleasers could find themselves feeling uncharacteristically sassy. With Mars and Uranus concocting a zesty vibe, the mood is “act first, think later”. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius rising folks will feel the force most.

But on the flip side, this space weather emboldens already spicy types to turn the attitude up to 11. Losing your temper – or your balance – could be a real risk. Thankfully the irritability eases from Thursday onwards (AEST and GMT).

Remember to always read for your rising sign, rather than your sun sign to get the most accurate read. Cast your chart at theastrologyofyou.com to learn your sign.

Want to learn more? Check out my book The Astrology Of You: Finding Love, Creativity and Soul Purpose In Your Birth Chart or find me on Instagram at @emma_vee.

ARIES AND ARIES RISING

If you find yourself checking to see whether there is an actual hole in your wallet this week don’t be surprised. With Mars and Uranus igniting an unexpected spending spree, cash may feel like it’s slipping through your talons. A longer-term story that’s been unfolding around financial security over the past six years is agitated by this week’s astro weather. If you can step away from the “final reductions” department, stop and consider what the deeper learning about money, possessions and worth is; if you pause and look a little closer, you’ll find it.

TAURUS AND TAURUS RISING

Hold onto your Hokas, things are about to get sweaty! You’re on fire this week with big Mars weather promising to get you all hot and bothered. With the planet of surprises and rebellion (Uranus) also involved, you could find yourself wielding an unusual combination of uncharacteristically feisty AND spontaneous. It’s a peppery mix that could deliver a PB on your 5k…or see you finally tell Janet at work what you really think. Use the energy as you will, safe in the knowledge that where you choose to exert pressure, you’ll most definitely see a result.

GEMINI AND GEMINI RISING  

There’s a fiery undertone this week that could have you feeling a little edgy. With major Mars vibes igniting tension, it’s definitely for the faint-hearted. Your challenge is to tap into the glorious Gemini levity and keep things chill. Remain philosophical,  and when the people most likely to lose their cool do exactly that, feel free to step away from the situation. This ain’t your rodeo. Let them huff and puff. It will blow over – probably around Thursday.

CANCER AND CANCER RISING

Did someone dial “D” for drama? Friends and acquaintances seem all over the shop as Mars and Uranus get crazy. Erratic behaviour, unexpected outbursts or last-minute decisions to cut and run are all possible manifestations of this very spicy weather. However it shakes out, trust that they’re going through their own stuff. Offer support, but don’t be surprised if they don’t take you up on the offer. As out of character as it may seem, sometimes a girl’s just gotta make excuses and ghost. And you, more than anyone, understand the right to bail.

LEO AND LEO RISING

Hot on the heels of last week’s dramatic Venus ingress (Friday/Saturday), the excitement continues this week. Shock, awe and sudden change are all possible markers for this kind of Astro weather. Not an amazing week to ask for a raise or take a risk; with so much uncertainty in the mix, it’s just a little too dicey to put yourself out there. Instead, look forward to the weekend when a blue moon shines a light on your health and wellbeing. How have things progressed since late June? If you’re off course, consider this a little mindfulness bell to get back on the green juice.

VIRGO AND VIRGO RISING

With the last full week of Cancer season activating your platonic relationships, it’s an excellent time to double down on people who make you feel safe and loved. With the broader Astro weather looking especially wild this week (blame Mars and Uranus) –  especially before Thursday, finding solace in familiar faces is key. After the dust settles on Thursday, energy builds towards a second full moon in Capricorn. It’s a potent day to indulge in things that make you feel joy – and take a chance on something new professionally (if you’re so inclined).

LIBRA AND LIBRA RISING

There’s fire and spice and all things “wtf!” influencing this week with Mars and Uranus casting an intriguing shadow over proceedings. A snap decision by someone close may come out of nowhere. Their actions may seem spontaneous – and they may be – but chances are the reasons behind their sudden move have been brewing for some time. Expect the impact to shape the week, at least through to Thursday (AEST and GMT), before a full moon over the weekend gives you a fresh perspective on a big work/life balance issue that’s been playing on your mind.

SCORPIO AND SCORPIO RISING

The heat is ON this week, with your closest allies and loves getting a boot up the backside to take action and go for broke. It’s the sort of weather that will have your partner arrive home early to announce they’ve resigned on the spot so they can go back to school and become a vet… or a voice-over artist. Random, unexpected, mildly chaotic? Yes, all the things are a possibility. Your job as the yin to this temporarily unwieldy yang is to stay calm in the face of it all. By the weekend, things look less flighty. Enjoy the steadiness of a full moon in Capricorn (Sunday), and treat yourself to a little alone time – you may need it.

SAGITTARIUS AND SAGITTARIUS RISING

Big changes afoot at work could make for an extremely interesting week. With Mars and Uranus joining forces to cook up something a little crazy, expecting the unexpected is a safe game plan. With more junior team members most likely to embody spontaneity, keeping a low profile and staying out of office politics will serve you well. A check-in on Sunday courtesy of a full moon Capricorn brings light to your financial situation. There’s no time like the present to discuss how you’re doing and whether your goals are on track.

CAPRICORN AND CAPRICORN RISING

Single Caps could find themselves at the centre of an unexpectedly steamy attraction this week with the sky delivering some major chemistry. It’s ‘wake up and realise you’re in lust with your neighbour’ kind of weather as Mars and Uranus join forces for what can only be described as “magnetic chaos”. For the rest of the Cap population, it’s a week of unexpected motivation for anything that feels like a guilty pleasure (shopaholics take note). On the weekend, a juicy full moon in your home sign pulls focus on your closest bonds. Double down and love the one you’re with.

AQUARIUS AND AQUARIUS RISING

There are some weeks where a little foresight can save you a whole lotta heartache and this, dear Aquarius, is one of those weeks. As your domestic front get some serious activation by both an inner and outer planet (Mars and Uranus respectively), the most harmless comment has the potential to ignite a “robust” conversation with your nearest and dearest. Careless remarks will amount to much more than the sum of their parts, so unless you’re in the mood to spar, keep it to yourself. By the end of the week, things look significantly less spicy.

PISCES AND PISCES RISING

The gentle waters of Cancer season feel less calm this week as Mars and Uranus deliver some unexpected drama. With the sphere of your chart ruling technology activated, it’s a good time to back up your files and make sure you use a laptop sleeve on your morning commute. This is definitely not a week to decide “I think I’m going to ditch my phone cover and see how it goes”. That’s not to say things will definitely go awry, but sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry and in the scheme of precautionary measures, a little extra tech casing never hurt anyone.

This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.