Think about what was happening in your life in January. Did you feel unsettled, restless, and also excited about the possibilities the new year would bring? This month, you could revisit some of those themes as Mars, the planet of passion, opposes Saturn and squares Uranus on July 1 and July 3, respectively. We feel a surge of tension and a driving force pulling us forward while, at the same time, anything unresolved from the past needs our attention and healing.

There's an opportunity for big healing if you are willing to spill your guts, come clean about a situation, let down your guard, and let others into your heart. The Sun is in Cancer - we crave more connection and feel nostalgia. We have to be careful not to idealize past relationships or situations or let guilt keep us in a state of perpetual self-punishment, creating resistance to joy.

On July 6, Venus in Leo will oppose Saturn in Aquarius, and then, it will square Uranus in Taurus on July 8, making freedom a critical theme. These transits help us appreciate what is while also seeking ways to improve our situations. If you are coming to a break-up point, hang in there. There could be a breakthrough instead. Consider this part of an epic summer adventure!

The Cancer New Moon on July 9 is an excellent time to be with family and loved ones. Because this New Moon comes on the heels of some challenging transit at the beginning of the month, this can be a moment of reprieve as the planetary energies relax. This lunation highlights the theme of nurturing self and others. You could look black back at how nurturing was modeled in your childhood.

In preparation for Cancer season, I've given a lot of thought to the subject of nurturing. Here are my observations.

We feel nurtured when we feel safe to be ourselves. It's when we're loved so that our needs and wants are honored and respected. So, when we push our bodies too hard or deprive ourselves of sleep or the food we crave, we practice neglect and not nurturance. It's not nurturing to judge our wants and, therefore, shame ourselves.

To truly nurture ourselves, we need to think of our most basic needs— the ones we had as infants. Food when we're hungry. Sleep when we're tired. Play. Love. Comfort during fearful or sad emotions. Permission to smile or feel joy. Care. These are our themes in the first part of the month, and if you're in a relationship that doesn't feel nurturing, you will notice and make changes.

On July 15, Chiron stations retrograde, allowing us to rethink past experiences of pain, rejection, or abandonment.

When the Sun enters Leo on July 22, it invites us to play. Leo says, "Relaxation leads to healing." If you hope to take a vacation, it's an excellent time to travel.

The Full Moon on July 24 highlights honoring your talents and sharing your gifts with the world. How can you shine your brilliant light? Where is your spark of genius? While the Leo/Aquarius axis is fixed, your urge for freedom will lead to change. This Full Moon's relationship with the Saturn/Uranus conjunction is helping you find creative ways to break free from oppressive beliefs, outworn ancestral patterns, and fear. Let your inner rebel go wild at the end of the month. You might be a disruptor for progress and a change agent in your world.

On July 28, Jupiter enters Aquarius again and opposes Mars in Leo. Fan the flame of passion, and let it fuel movement in your life.