Leo Monthly Horoscope

Ease into the month, Leo, and conserve your solar power. Your true time to shine doesn’t start until three weeks into July. The Sun is making its annual sojourn through Cancer until July 22, casting its rays across your twelfth house of rest, healing and closure. You might be a bit sleepier than usual, or you could crave a (well-deserved) retreat. Use this dreamy time to tie up loose ends, engage in creative or imagination-fueled tasks and complete lingering projects. Do some behind-the-scenes work rather than seeking the spotlight.

The silver (really, golden) lining of this? You’ll have a clean slate in time for Leo season, which starts on July 22. Wouldn’t you rather celebrate your birthday without that mountain of unfinished tasks dogging you? By the time the Leo new moon arrives on July 28, you’ll be ready to launch into your personal new year and say “yes” to what lights you up now.

Tired or not, you’re likely to be teeming with big ideas all month long. Expansive Jupiter is in Aries and your visionary, adventurous ninth house, helping you see limitless possibilities. For the many Leos who are already total rays of sunshine, you’ll be a force of positive energy and optimism. Grouchier Lions (you know who you are) will hopefully tap into joyous Jupiter’s influence to ditch the drama and focus on all the glittering opportunities that await.

Pounce on them early, though, because on July 28, Jupiter will turn retrograde (backward), making you think twice about taking that leap of faith. No need to freak out: The slow-moving outer planets, which span from Jupiter to Pluto, go retrograde for four to five months every year. Saturn, Neptune and Pluto are already in reverse, giving you a chance to evaluate your big-picture plans. Truthfully, Leo? You might be grateful for a slightly decelerated pace. There’s been SO much happening this year that Jupiter’s backspin, which will last until November 23, could give you a chance to properly integrate it all. 

The month ends with a jolt to your career house as shock-jock Uranus and the karmic north node unite in Taurus and your professional sector. You could be pushed onto a bold new path or into a leadership role. Brace yourself because it could happen MUCH faster than you expect! 

Feeling sluggish and having trouble getting the usual pep into your step? It’s not you; it’s Cancer season. Until July 22, the Sun is in Cancer and your sleepy twelfth house of rest, closure and transitions. This is your annual retreat period, a time when your batteries are in low-power mode. The weary Sun is completing its journey through the zodiac in preparation for your birthday and a solar calendar reset. Catch up on sleep and self-nurturing and tune in to your creativity during this intuitive time. While you’re at it, prepare for some vivid dreams as the Sun travels through your subconscious sector! Don’t just wave them away, either—your nocturnal or naptime visions could be sending you important messages and clues. Write them down or do some freestyle journaling. You’ll be amazed at what takes shape!

Don’t be jealous if you see your friends having fun while you’re shouldering a big responsibility. This is THE time to clear the decks of loose ends before Leo season kicks in. You'll want to be refreshed for all those epic birthday celebrations!

Where's the fire, Leo? You could be trying to get things done at warp speed, but a controlling micromanager seems to be opposing you, demanding paperwork or nitpicky details that slow down progress. Or you might be the one riding the brake as someone rushes ahead recklessly. Today's intense face-off involving rash Mars and domineering Pluto sends you hunting for the middle ground between being foolishly optimistic and paralyzed by fear. Calculated risks are the best kind, but don't let perfectionism stop you from pursuing a big opportunity.

The July 13 Capricorn full moon in your task-driven sixth house of health and organization could bring stress to a breaking point, reminding you to honor your body's limits. This once-a-year lunation prompts you to prioritize your wellness. Schedule those overdue checkups, take inventory of your eating and exercise habits and make any necessary changes. If you're doing too much by yourself (and let's face it, Leo, when aren't you?), delegate. At this full moon, you could hire new service providers and upgrade ones you've outgrown. Time to add an intern or employee to Team Leo—and to cut the slackers loose? This is THE moment.

On July 19, the Sun will oppose power-tripping Pluto in your micromanaging sixth house, so don't be surprised if your inner control freak makes a showing. If you don't feel well today, look to the mind-body-spirit connection for an underlying emotional cause. Codependent relationship cords might need to be cut so you can shift to a more empowering dynamic.

Life might get WAY more intense as "wounded healer" Chiron begins a five-month retrograde cycle today, starting in trailblazing Aries and your ninth house of education, travel and philosophy. You may begin to systematically ponder the “deeper meaning” or “greater lesson” in events that befall you for the rest of the year. Chiron doesn’t get a lot of press, but when it makes a major move like this, it can be a game-changer. Questioning your personal beliefs is challenging—but it’s the most direct path to a richer understanding of your life.

Leo season begins on July 22, kicking off four weeks during which YOU rule the scene. Shake off any heaviness from the emo past four weeks and refocus on your own goals. Bid adieu to guilt, codependence and needless self-sacrifice (as best as you can…you’re only human) and prioritize your desires. 

On July 28, the year's only Leo new moon amps up your confidence and independence. A new moon in your sign is like a personal new year, so set some intentions for the rest of the year—the next six months, actually. Where would you like to be by the end of Q1 in 2023? Plant the seeds for a powerful new chapter and start tackling your vision a little bit each day. The only way is forward, Leo!

Press “hold” on those travel plans! On July 28, fortuitous Jupiter turns retrograde (backward) in Aries, rudely interrupting the action in your ninth house of adventures and overseas jaunts. The ninth house also rules entrepreneurship, study and any kind of growth. Jupiter is retrograde until November 23, a period of reflection and slowing down on grand schemes that have been brewing since May 10, when bountiful Jupiter moseyed into this risk-taking sector of your chart. If you’ve been jetsetting here, there and everywhere, now would be a good time to press pause on the frequent flier miles. For the next four months, add a little more caution to any activities that are too uncertain. Chances are, you have a million irons already in the fire—so tend to those before you add any more. 

Retrogrades turn our attention to the past. Perhaps you can revisit an old publishing project, blog idea or course of study you were once passionate about (since the ninth house rules media and knowledge). Instead of green-lighting a big launch, use this period to refine your plans; with your wings folded a bit, you have the focus needed to make this venture a smashing success—provided you don’t pull the trigger too soon. When in doubt, remember the divine has a moment for everything. 

Whoa—that was a jolt! Electrifying Uranus and the karmic north node make an ultra-rare meetup this July 31. As the two connect in Taurus and your tenth house of career, major change could sweep through your professional sector. Stay alert (and get your profiles polished up in advance) because an opportunity could arrive out of the blue—and you’ll have to act fast on it. On August 1, Mars will join up with this duo, turning up the heat even more. Ready, aim, fire!