“Jove, I thank thee. I will smile, I will do every thing that thou wilt have me.”
Malvolio in Shakespeare’s 12th Night (II.v.83)
Horoscopes for 7-15-2025
- Mercury RX 7/17 11:46 PM 15°34’ Leo
- Sun into Leo 7/22
- New Moon 2°8’ Leo 7/24
Horoscopes for 7-15-2025
Cancer
Happy birthday, Cancer, the children of the moon: Don’t fight with your significant other. As someone who is a frequent confidant? What I’ll hear? “He’s so wrong about this.” I’ll agree that he, maybe she, is so wrong about this, but I would also urge restraint. Just because you’re right? That doesn’t mean you can win an argument. Facts are facts, and don’t leave much, if any, room for interpretation, but the facts themselves, and the ability of other people, especially a significant other? The ability of other people to realize that your Cancer, moon child, Sign of the Crab is right? This is going to take longer than you would like, longer than I would like, as well, but there you have it. Eventually, you get to hear, “OMG, you were right!” The problem? Probably not this week, and struggling to point out the errata in others’ eyes? Gets you no where, fast. Don’t fight it, smile, and wait. Happy birthday.
The Leo
I’ve used a variety of fishing line in a number of locations, and it all depends. Conditions, fish, bait, weather, water, like I suggested, all depends. A recent experience made me think of The Leo, and what to do with the week, weeks ahead in Leo, what with Mercury, Mars, and Venus in their respective positions. It’s called “braided line,” and it doesn’t have much “give” to it. Strong. Almost like a steel wire. Great tactile feedback, and that’s what this is about.
the Portable Mercury Retrograde
Along the shore of the lake, early morning, just an idle line in the water, with a bobber to indicate any action, I had a pole from the previous day, still loaded with that braided line. As such, I could “feel” the action from a fish, a little dinky bass, I could feel her long before that bobber even registered a motion. I watched the diminutive float, stationary in the water, and yet, with the line in hand, I could detect a nibble, a sample, an indication that a fish was about to take a big bite out of the small bait. With Mercury (retrograde in Leo), Mars in Virgo, and Venus back in Gemini? It’s all about feeling that action before there is visual confirmation. Usually, it’s just an image, but relying on just an image alone? How does it feel? You feel it before you see it.
Virgo
It’s a pretty even break; statistics don’t lie. Roughly 80% of the Virgo population is thusly affected: Mercury is in Retrograde. Usual warnings apply. Not bad, not good, just unsettled and rather unpredictable. What’s worse? This mercurial miscue occurs in the sign that precedes Gentle Virgo. In others words: problems. Plus, for that remaining 20%? You still have to deal with us. Let’s fold in a layer of Mr. Mars on top of this mix, Mars, now in the Tropical Zodiac Sign of Virgo, just to make this more, ahem, interesting. Mars doubles, triples, even quadruples the normal Virgo efficiency, and therein is our plain obstacle; Mercury is Retrograde so that means Mars is compounding the mistakes. Usually, these are mistakes that other people are making, but it doesn’t matter much, the source of the problems are the planets, and the typical Virgo reaction isn’t too good. Understanding the dynamics and what is pushing your Virgo psyche to react in a way, even though I think you’re correct? Doesn’t make this work, and these current cosmic conditions are just, feels like, stacked against you. Simple guideline, if it’s not working? Set it aside, and we’ll return in a few weeks to look at again. The problem with that thinking? Mr. Mars drives you to compound a bad situation and make it worse, if you don’t set it aside. But it’s up to you, Virgo, all up to you.
Libra
Understand the difference between the promise, the suggestion of success, and the actual delivery of such a win. I was thinking of this in terms of coffee, more because it was such a dietary staple for so long, but the way it works? It takes up to half an hour, maybe longer, for the actual caffeine delivery-system to work. For me, there’s an emotional charge, my blood quickens, my senses are heightened, just as soon as I smell the coffee beans. Open that canister, rip apart the top of the sealed bag, just the smell alone starts a muscle-memory, evokes an emotional response, and that’s one where the coffee isn’t even made yet. The process, grinding, boiling water, or coffee pods, with the hiss and gurgle of the machinery? A Mr. Coffee, dripping water into a pile of grounds sitting in the filter, and the aroma of that? Each instance, every instance, triggers an emotional, physical response. The coffee starts working before the chemical caffeine is actually in the bloodstream. Understand that the physical triggers, the sounds, the smells, the sense that a stimulant arrives soon? Chemicals will be introduced into the blood, thereby sharpening intellect, improving concentration, and spreading joy, but understand, this about that emotional, physical sensation, that heralds the arrival, rather than the actual arrival. Soon. You can just taste it, can’t you?
Scorpio
“First we do this, then we do that, and finally, the whole scene comes together when this happens like I want it to.” As soon the good Scorpio utters those words, “when this happens like I want it to?” That’s the phrase you should guard against. It’s not going the way you want it. The difficult part of this translation from regular language into a dialect only understood by the good Scorpio? It doesn’t go the way you think it should go, but it does go the way that befits you best, in the grand scheme. Mercury in Retrograde is not a hinderance, just a course-correction, and the way you were going might not have been in your own enlightened best interest but seemed like that at the time. The best action? No action or listen to the whims of others who keep pushing and shoving you around — might be better if there is less resistance from Scorpio.
Sagittarius
I looked down at the counter. There was a garland of yellow, orange, and green cotton-ball-like appendages strung on yarn with sun-burst looking-leaflets in between. I glanced down, fingered the string between the ornaments, “Getting ready for Fall?” In the middle of blistering hot week, such a comment wasn’t welcome.
“I thought it looked summery,
but, apparently, it looks like Fall.”
As a Sagittarius myself? I like the upside, the upbeat, the positive spin, “But we can look forward to cooler weather, right?” I got a smirk, maybe a small grin, I’m not sure. Given what I know about summer, the months ahead, and Mercury in Retrograde? Look forward to what happens in the Fall, and Sagittarius? Start planning now.
Capricorn
One of the joys I derive from my professional prognostications? I get to survey more than one school of astrology. I’ve watched as acknowledged masters of the art and science of astrology get dug into just one school of thought, and that precludes any other method of analysis. “This ‘one way’ is the only way!” Therein is our very Capricorn problem, “This ‘one way’ is the only way!” Yes. No. Yes. Maybe? What is best? Try it out, see what fits. I borrow from several schools, and I can’t rely on just one interpretation because that limits the scope. See the problem? Capricorn rewards structure, order, and the opposite of chaos. But just one system of metrics, one way to see this, just one set of glasses? That doesn’t work, not now. I’m not saying you must embrace alternate realities, but at least look at more than one system to measure. Can’t use a single lens to see the Capricorn weeks ahead.
Aquarius
One bit of metaphysical tripe I ran across? It suggested that delays, like what’s happening even now in Aquarius? The little obstacles that seem to impede forward progress? Maybe that’s the Universe, or whatever deity you do — or don’t — believe in? Maybe that’s operating with your highest Aquarius good in mind, rather than as a mere inconvenient problem. Maybe that delay saves you from being in a compromising position. Maybe that obstacle slows you down enough so you don’t get hurt. Maybe it’s for your own good. Sotto voce, one Aquarius suggests that I’m the pain in the butt, and maybe I’m a little too mystical. Or that I’m a little too hopeful. Or a little too full of something. There’s got to be positive spin, and understand that will be delays, what seems like hurdles that must be surmounted, and you’re probably not going to make on the first try. Build in a little extra time to allow for that. Give yourself a break, and then, give the rest of us a little bit breathing space, too.
Pisces
Mars, in opposition to Pisces? Results vary, but most often, this is about trying to run over a situation that requires finesse. This is a time when Pisces finesse is worth about three dollars, and not a one of you wants to spend a penny. As Mars opposes you? There’s a sense of urgency, Mars, and with that? The direct, straightforward answer is best. Brutally honest? While that works with me, I am probably the only one that will work for, that brusque, in-your-face, short, clipped tones. Noting that? The most expedient Pisces path forward? Take a beat. Take about three breaths. Inhale goodness, exhale badness. Repeat as needed — before you let that Pisces reply get started. “Look here, you ignorant, dumb, small-minded ….” Although true? That might not be your best Pisces foot forward.
Aries
It’s a question about structure. Fundamental building blocks, really, the way I see it. This is about the elements that support, hold up, form a foundation, and otherwise help define the basic Aries structure in that Life of Aries. The problem, the challenge, the issue just up ahead on the Aries radar screen of life? Defining those structures themselves. Understanding the components. Strip away at the useless adornments, and get to the pieces that hold it all together in the first place. I like to think of this as foundations, the basic building block, the material that is originally there, but you can call it whatever you want. The immediate problem is about understanding what’s the true foundation, and what’s just an accessory — what’s the granite bedrock of Aries, and what’s just the layer of paint?
Taurus
I peeled a piece of paper off the front of my refrigerator — a schedule. It was stuck under magnet, and it was for “All of 2025!” Shifts and changes. Adapting to the new traffic patterns, making way for the current direction business takes, and running with whatever works. But that idea of a year-long schedule, printed up, and published as such? Great idea. I use one of those as a backdrop for planning. However, I also allow for changes, emendations, editors’ recommendations, and the odd Virgo proofreader. People change. Situations change. Locations, traffic patterns, motivating drives, and other ancillary influences mutate. “Things change.” There are two missives here, for Taurus. One is about change, and like I’ve always suggested, the latest information on my own appearances, locations, and availability is on the schedule page. But also? Be willing to change, mutate and adapt to new situations that appear, new opportunities, fresh perspectives for Taurus. All I had to do was throw away a piece of paper with outdated information.
appearances, &c.
Gemini
Over the course of this career, I’ve played with publication dates. Looking back on 30 plus years of horoscopes themselves? The weekly started on a Sunday, moved to a Monday then Thursday, bounced back to a Monday and wound up where I’m happiest with a Tuesday date. There was sound reasoning behind each move, and to this day, I still have one Gemini regular who refers to my weekly as my monthly horoscope. Each adjustment in publication window, the time when the horoscopes go live, was made for sound reasons, the shift from Monday was two-fold, the server was hardest hit on Monday, burning bandwidth and traffic, and the Thursday date was picked with an aim for regular print publication. All of that is out the window, as I am a web writer — electronic distribution. Couple of points to think about for Gemini, about being fluid with commitments, like when the material gets published, what’s easiest for you, what makes you happiest, and then? Not being worried when, as an example, my weekly horoscopes are referred to as monthly horoscopes. After all, in some Gemini terms? Each week is about a month long.
