By Emma Vidgen

Horoscopes July 22–28: Welcome To Leo Season

A major shift is on its way this week, says astrologer Emma Vidgen. Read your weekly horoscopes now.
Art: Kimberlee Kessler

We may be entering the tail-end of July but there’s nothing dreggy about this week’s energy. After an inspired start –courtesy of the sun and Neptune– things kick up a gear as we welcome the fiery delights of Leo season.

If you’ve been finding the sensitive shades of Cancer season a little too sleepy (or highly strung) prepare for a major shift. With Mars also shifting gears (into Gemini), motivation and courage are also getting a serious boost.

Adding a layer of intrigue, communications are both surprising and potentially spicy as Mercury clashes with Uranus (mid-week) and then Mars over the weekend.

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 ($24.95, Hardie Grant) or find me on Instagram at @emma_vee.

ARIES AND ARIES RISING

Drumroll please! Leo season is upon us (from Monday GMT) which can mean only one thing – things are about to get a whole lot more extra. Single Aries could find themselves having to balance friends and benefits mid-week as the Sun and Pluto bring tensions to a head. For the rest of the Aries army, the sudden burst of creative inspiration is too potent to ignore. Quit second-guessing yourself and go start the thing. This space weather is too major to sit on your hands.

TAURUS AND TAURUS RISING

With the sun illuminating your homebase (as of Monday GMT) there’s a shift in focus, away from being “out there” in the world, and more towards feathering your nest. That’s not to say it won’t be without a little drama. With the Sun and Pluto involved you may be challenged to stand your ground– whether it’s over a paint colour…or how you stack the dishwasher. A surprising bit of information in the first half of the week should also assure things are anything but boring on the home front.

GEMINI AND GEMINI RISING

Ladies and gentlemen, Gemini Spice has entered the chat. With Mars moving into your home sign and immediately joining forces with Pluto, you’re a force to be reckoned with early in the week. Remember, What one person considers “a lot” is someone else’s “just right”. Leap that in your back pocket as you make your way through the week, and especially next weekend when a sharp tongue is matched only by your pressing need to get sh*t done.

CANCER AND CANCER RISING

What’s really going on in your bank account? If you’ve been burying your head in the sand, this week it’s time to bite the bullet and truly look under the hood to see what’s really going on. With the Sun and Pluto setting the scene for a moment of truth, especially in the first half of the week, now is the time to be brave and see what’s real. Mercury and Uranus are also piling on, which means whatever you’re expecting to find may not be the case. Pleasantly surprised, mayhap?

LEO AND LEO RISING

If not now, then when? That’s the question this week as the Sun storms into your home sign, bringing courage, confidence and charisma to boot. With Pluto opposite, challenging you to show up or ship out, expect to feel activated to take a leap. With Mars also in the background offering support, putting yourself out there should feel almost effortless. In other news, a brainwave, or intriguing piece of intel could shift the way you’re thinking or doing something at work. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

VIRGO AND VIRGO RISING

With Leo season signalling your most low-key month of the year, now is the time to bunker down and prioritise self-care. Of course that’s easier said than done, especially when Pluto is activating your day-to-day routines and forcing you to stand your ground. With Mercury and Uranus delivering a surprising bit of intel in the first half of the week, staying nimble and thinking fast could help you deliver a bullseye next weekend.

LIBRA AND LIBRA RISING

Come out and play! That’s the vibe this week as the Sun fires up your social sphere. As Leo season activates friendships, and Mercury and Uranus deliver a random invitation, saying no will be easier said than done. It’s all fun and games but if you’re feeling stretched the flurry of busy-ness could highlight the need for you to stand up for yourself and manage your people-pleaser tendencies. You can’t be everywhere all the time… and that’s OK.

SCORPIO AND SCORPIO RISING

Bombshell, incoming! There’s a wildcard vibe to this week that could have even the stealthiest Scorps feeling shocked. With the Sun and Pluto signalling a moment of revelation while Mercury and Uranus suggest unexpected developments, whichever way you cut it, it looks like an intriguing week to say the least. While you may not be at the centre of the drama, those closest to you, especially at work, will likely be involved. Keep your cards close to your chest and wait to see how things shake out.

SAGITTARIUS AND SAGITTARIUS RISING

A work opportunity or change in dynamic could appear seemingly out of left-field this week as several planets collude to suggest some big changes. As you’re left to process what it means for you, you could find yourself facing larger rhetorical questions around autonomy, self-actualisation and your comfort (or lack thereof) being seen. Watch your words next weekend when an especially sharp wit could fire off some painful quips without too much effort (or intention).

CAPRICORN AND CAPRICORN RISING

It’s all about cash for you this week as the Sun and Pluto activate your personal finances. Realising your worth… or just realising your actual financial situation could all be manifestations of some potent astro weather. It’s a good time to get real and be honest with yourself – and any other notable parties – about what it is you’re working towards. Now is not the time to be a wallflower. Be truthful, and don’t let your own fears get in the way of asking for what you want.

AQUARIUS AND AQUARIUS RISING

When the rubber hits the road, do you step up or stand back? That’s the big question hanging over your head this week. Power, honesty and control are all big themes this week as Leo season brings the heat. The drama is unfolding not so much for you, but those closest to you. And your role will be dependent on your willingness to speak up. With a surprising bit of information landing around the same time (mid-week) you’ll have no choice but to figure out where you stand on the matter.

PISCES AND PISCES RISING

Are you ready to be step up? A situation with tricky people, or work (or both) could have you asking yourself that very question. As a power dynamic unfolds, managing your own internal push/pull around being seen, and maintaining the status quo will be tricky balance. Thankfully you’ve got Mars in Gemini cheering you on behind closed doors, emboldening you to dig deep and find the courage to trust your heart and move forward with courage. You’ve got this!

This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.