Astrology Forecast for July 20-26, 2026

💫 To Make the Most of This Week:

The extraordinary line-up of planetary alignments continues this week. Jupiter opposes Pluto on July 20 and sextiles Uranus on July 21, and Neptune sextiles Pluto on July 24. The once-in-a-lifetime Cradle alignment is now complete. Read more about it here.

Mercury comes out of retrograde on July 23, and Saturn turns retrograde on July 26. And the Lunar Nodes move into Aquarius and Leo on July 27. The eclipse season is less than 3 weeks away.

Here is what to prioritize — and sidestep — in the week ahead:

• On Monday, the Cradle alignment peaks. Your best move? Check your natal chart for the signs and degrees below 👇🏼 and start strategizing about what you'd like to shift in your life.
  
  
• On Tuesday, a lovely Opportunity Period arrives! It supports many undertakings, but keep in mind that Mercury is still retrograde.
  
  
• The Sun moves into Leo on Wednesday. Happy Birthday to my Leo readers! The Moon slips into a lengthy void of course (dates and times below 👇🏼). Don't initiate anything that you want to succeed and grow.
  
  
• Mercury turns direct on Thursday, but stay on guard for Mercury Rx-related mishaps until the end of the week. Mercury is still finding its footing.
  
  
• If you ruffled any feathers during Mercury Retrograde, Friday is an excellent day to make amends.
  
• On Saturday, the Moon slips into another lengthy void of course (dates and times below 👇🏼). Neptune and Pluto form a sextile - the rare and powerful Cradle alignment is now complete.
  
  
• On Sunday, Saturn turns retrograde and the Sun opposes Pluto. Watch for power-hungry or manipulative individuals.

💫 Key Astro-Events:

Here's the detail behind each event:

✨ July 20-21: Jupiter Trine Neptune, Opposite Pluto, and Sextile Uranus

The highly beneficial Cradle (or Basket) configuration - the big astro-buzz of July - is about to peak. But its energy will still be felt until mid-August.

After, Jupiter will have moved off. But Pluto, Neptune and Uranus will keep forming aspects to one another, on and off, into 2028!

Check your chart. If you have planets or Angles between 2–9° of Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, or Sagittarius, July 2026 opens an incredibly powerful window of opportunity for you.

Because so many planets are involved all at once, trying to tell you how it will play out in a post won't do it justice. But, you can always book a reading with me, to learn what it means for you.

✨ July 21, 3:49 p.m. to July 22, 7:48 p.m.: Opportunity Period!

If you're new to Opportunity Periods, think of them as "electional astrology lite". If you don't have time or knowledge to build a full electional chart, an Opportunity Period is your next best option for timing something important.

And this is a nice, long one! It's favourable for pretty much anything, from the arts to finances to romance. Just keep in mind that Mercury is still retrograde.

✨ July 22: Sun Enters Leo 🦁♌

Happy Birthday to my Leo readers! ♌🎁🎂 If you have a special Leo in your circle, don't forget to check out my Leo Gift Guide.

Note the Moon slips into a lengthy void of course today: from July 22, 2:48 p.m. to July 23, 6:07 p.m. PDT. Avoid starting anything new that you want to succeed, during this time. Routine tasks and chores are perfectly fine.

✨ July 23: Mercury Turns Direct

Hallelujah! Agreements, contract negotiations, and purchases of vehicles and electronics get the green light again.

But, stay on guard until the end of the week - miscommunication, technology glitches and scheduling issues tend to happen in the days right before and after Mercury changes direction.

✨ July 24: Mercury Sextile Venus; Neptune Sextile Pluto

Mercury sextile Venus is a gentle, harmonizing aspect — ideal for smoothing things over, having a difficult conversation with grace, or simply reaching out to reconnect.

Best For:

✅ Making amends, especially if you inadvertently ruffled any feathers during Mercury Retrograde.

✨ July 26: Saturn Turns Retrograde; Sun Opposite Pluto

Saturn will retrace 14-7° Aries before it turns direct on December 10.

When Saturn squares or opposes your natal Sun, it usually brings a life lesson. And when it turns retrograde, it gives you a chance to correct your course. That's you if your natal Sun is between 5-19° Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn.

Best For:

✅ Considering how you view responsibility and commitment. Do you take on too much? Or do you shirk your share of responsibility? Are you all work and no play? Or the opposite?

Avoid:

⚠️Getting sucked into power games.

🕰️ Moon Void of Course

And here is a quick summary of the void-of-course times this week. Avoid starting anything new you want to succeed during these periods:

• July 21, 4:06 a.m. to 6:35 a.m. PDT
• July 22, 2:48 p.m. to July 23, 6:07 p.m. PDT — this is a long one. Pay attention!
• July 25, 7:58 a.m. to July 26, 6:44 a.m. PDT — another long one.