July 2022 Monthly Horoscope: Retrograde Season + Pluto-Mars Square

With the karmic north node in conservative Taurus (an earth sign that rules the economic markets and material goods) and the south node in Scorpio (which rules investments, violence, and the body's reproductive system), these events sadly do track with astrology. 

But that doesn't mean we don't have a say in our future or the power to influence the outcome of humankind. Let's not forget that we have more options besides suffering, helpless outrage, and denial. With outspoken Jupiter, wounded healer Chiron and (until July 5) fire starter Mars in Aries, 2022 is a year that we have to (mindfully) fight and raise our voices. Because, well, it's gotten real. 

Our suggestion for navigating these reactive times? Learn about the four pillars of nonviolent communication—a practice that allows you to express your feelings and needs without blame or criticism, then to offer the same in return to the other party—also known as compassionate communication. We can all (present company included) benefit from even the smallest use of this technique.

Reader, thanks for allowing us to make these statements. We're sometimes asked why we "politicize astrology" (i.e., practice the longtime art of mundane astrology). Our answer is this: The Earth is one of the planets, and as above, so below. The events of our lives on this spinning orb are affected by the energies of our neighboring heavenly bodies, and it's our duty as astrologers to report on them. While we try to take a 30K-foot view, certain events can't be approached from a totally neutral place (we're humans, not aliens…at least, as far as we know). And luckily, the Gemini/Sagittarius nodal cycle has ended, making us feel a bit safer to voice an opinion.

Never mind those July 4th fireworks. Keep your own volatility in check on July 1 and July 19, when triggering Pluto in hardheaded Capricorn gets into two combative aspects. On July 1, Pluto will clash in a 90-degree square with vitriolic Mars, stirring up some obsessive behaviors and power struggles. Stay away from button-pushing people and topics over this holiday weekend, as pent-up aggression could come out in severe ways. 

The month opens with three of the slow-moving outer planets in powered-down retrograde, which is typical for summer. These heavenly bodies spend four to five months of the year in reverse, which tend to be felt more mildly than the inner planets like Mercury and Venus, which affect our day-to-day lives. If anything, these outer planet retrogrades give us a chance to step back and observe from a less reactive place, which can be helpful.

It ain't over till it's over, and the last day of July serves up a real show. For the first time since 2007, the karmic north node and radical changemaker Uranus, the planet of sudden events, will make an exact conjunction. They'll be traveling in close contact all month, so we'll feel this throughout July. 

This could be a major moment for the financial markets. And with unpredictable Uranus here, that could be a surge, a drop, or a shake-up. Optimistic outlook: The north node does point us in the direction we're supposed to go. Maybe we'll see large financial institutions begin to regulate digital currency or an important moment in the shifting landscape around money.

Alas, the Taurus tendency is not to do the right thing for everyone (i.e., compromise) but rather to simply be "right." The materializing of firm decisions and outcomes at month's end is unlikely to create the kind of satisfaction that leads to peace. Um, onward into August…