How to Embrace Your True Self During Cancer Season

Welcome to W magazine’s monthly astrological forecast. We’ll be bringing a rotating catalog of the hottest young astrologers into the fold this year, so each personality can give their take on what’s to come for all signs. Next up: Cole Prots aka @jkitscole, combining his deep astrological knowledge with a healthy dose of sass and realness for his nearly 4 million followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Hi chickadees, this is Cole. I’m here to share some cosmic insights for July. We kick off the month with a beautiful full moon in Capricorn on July 3. This particular full moon invites us to reflect on the balance between our actions and emotions. With the full moon aligned with Pluto, it’s important to think about whether our emotions control us or whether we have set routines that allow us to control our emotions.

As we move through the month, the nodes shift to Aries and Libra on the 17th, with the North Node in Aries and the South Node in Libra. This marks an 18-month period where we collectively seek the perfect balance between individuality and honoring our relationships while staying true to ourselves. This journey of self-expression doesn’t stop there – as Venus, the planet of self-expression, love and beauty, goes retrograde in Leo from the 22nd. This Venus retrograde lasts until September 3 and encourages all of us to take our time and think about how we can limit our self-love and appreciation. It’s a great opportunity to embrace playfulness, silliness and let your inner child shine.

Now let’s take a look at a sign-by-sign analysis and discuss what each of you can expect this month. Please read for your sun, moon and rising signs!

Ram

This month I encourage you, dear Aries, to think not only about what you want, but who you really are – and how you can ensure that your authentic self is integrated into your daily life. Currently, there is significant energy that emphasizes aspects of identity, security, and creativity in your astrological chart. Therefore, in July, it is critical that you evaluate whether your efforts are driven solely by performance or whether they also enable you to become the best and most dynamic version of yourself. While it’s always fun to achieve and win, it’s just as important to stay true to who you are throughout the process.

Taurus

You’ve been going through quite a challenging period over the past year and a half. Fortunately, things are about to take a turn for the better as of this month. However, I urge you to reflect on how you have neglected your home and your sense of security during this time. It is understandable that there have been countless changes and shifts in your life, but the chaos often makes us forget to cherish the aspects that make us feel truly human. So in July, set aside some time to look around your home and ask yourself what steps you need to take to ensure that this space remains your sanctuary.

Twin

You can observe a slight slowdown this month. It’s a great opportunity for you to put more effort and attention into self-care and activities that bring you relaxation. As a Gemini, your interests span a wide range, but during this month it’s critical to focus on and narrow down those activities that truly leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Prioritizing these aspects is essential. If you feel like you’re not making significant progress or you’re feeling scattered, remember that’s okay. Allow yourself to reconnect and rediscover all the things that bring you a sense of calm and peace.

Cancer

As the full moon ushers in the month in your house of relationships, I encourage you to consider the context of your reactions to others. We cannot control people, we can only control our own reactions to them. You are caring, giving and nurturing by nature, but it is important to recognize that not everyone can match those qualities to you. Therefore, with the full moon activating your house of relationships and the mid-month new moon in your house of identity, think about ways to take more control of your own identity within relationships and in situations where others may trigger or challenge you .

Lion

This month marks the start of a two month period with a special focus on Venus as it hangs exclusively in your sign. Venus retrogrades happen every 18 months, and it’s quite remarkable that it happens in your sign. This celestial alignment offers you a precious opportunity to question your true identity and whether you are truly connecting with your authentic self. As a Leo, you are naturally attuned to how others perceive you. So this month I invite you to reflect on whether your relationships, actions, and self-expression truly reflect the essence of who you are, or whether they are merely shaped by other people’s expectations or your assumptions about how they want you to be. are. . Embrace the joy and opportunities to reconnect and restore how people see you. Don’t be afraid to let your true colors shine brightly.

Virgin

This month, Virgo, several planets shift into your sign, creating a very favorable period for focused attention. More importantly, however, is that you explore your dreams and deepen your connection to spirituality. As a Virgo, it’s easy to become overly practical or caught up in overthinking. Therefore, I urge you to take steps to embrace the unknown and surrender to a journey that will allow you to connect with your heightened sense of imagination. Instead of telling yourself what you can’t do, change your mindset to one of curiosity and openness. Remind yourself that even when you face challenges, there is always something valuable to learn along the way.

Scale

With the lunar nodes transitioning into your sign and its sister sign, you are entering an 18 month transformation cycle. This month I challenge you to think about the things you hold on to that may no longer serve you. It may sound like a cliché, but these aspects will be highlighted over the next 18 months. You must be willing to let go of certain parts of yourself in order to embrace the most authentic version of who you are meant to be. In addition, this is a crucial time to reflect on your relationships and your role within society and communities. Consider whether you truly belong and feel accepted in a way that connects organically and naturally with your true self. If not, are you open to a new journey to discover a place that really suits you?

Scorpion

I’m excited for you this month as it promises to bring a refreshing change. What’s really fantastic is that the lunar nodes come out of your sign and its sister sign, giving you a chance to decompress all the recent changes. Plus, Venus will retrograde in a way that will finally allow you to receive the recognition and achievement you’ve been striving for these past few months. Most importantly, there is a great opportunity for you to enjoy some travel or exploration, free yourself from previous commitments and celebrate your resilience in the face of difficult times. Grab the chance to have fun and try something new this month!

Archer

This month, you may notice a significant increase in momentum, especially in your career and professional life. Mars will make some amazing moves to motivate, inspire and hopefully get you back on track to achieve your goals. There may be a time when Mars opposes Saturn, which can cause a sense of fear or doubt about your readiness for certain endeavors. However, I encourage you to focus on the tasks at hand that will get you one step closer to where you need (or want) to be. Even if it may not come naturally to you, embrace Virgo’s meticulous and detail-oriented energy. Pay attention to the small details and make sure you have all your bases covered. This will help you stay organized and prepared as you go along.

Ibex

Pluto has recently returned to your sign, and this month we have a full moon in Capricorn at the start, followed by a new moon in Cancer halfway through. Capricorns have a natural tendency to control, not because they think they are superior, but because they recognize that tasks are best completed when done by themselves. This month, however, I invite you to think about how you can allow others to step forward and take charge, bringing a sense of ease to your life. Letting go of control can be challenging, but the most important thing is to stay aware of the ways you can inspire and empower others by asking for their help. Asking for support is both a vulnerable and a powerful act, and it is an important theme leading up to the month of July.

Aquarius

Venus, the planet of love and beauty, will move through your house of relationships – and not just moving, but backwards. If you happen to notice the return of old flames or have a desire to check someone’s social media, it’s totally normal during this transit. These moments serve as a reminder or opportunity to revisit the lessons you learned from previous connections. As an Aquarius, you have a natural inclination for collective energy, but it’s critical to also consider the individual and what they bring to the table. While it’s great to keep everyone in mind as a group, this month I encourage you to reflect on the lessons your one-on-one contacts have taught you. How have these connections shown you ways to shine, support, and celebrate others?

Fishing

This month, Pisces, I urge you to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. It is essential to reconnect with your mind, body and soul. As the most sensitive and spiritual sign, you are well aware of the impact your emotional state can have on your physical well-being. I encourage you to establish a nurturing routine that allows you to be fully present and address your emotional needs. This may include taking a nap, going to the gym, or being moderate in indulgences, such as limiting yourself to one glass of wine instead of an entire bottle. Take time to think about how your habits and actions can have both positive and negative effects on the relationship between your mind, body, and soul. Strive to create routines that promote a harmonious and symbiotic connection between these aspects of yourself.

To conclude…

I want to remind everyone that we are currently navigating a challenging retrograde season. At the beginning of the month we have Saturn, Neptune and Pluto in retrograde, and towards the end of the month Venus and Chiron join in as well. July will be a time to step back and reevaluate. Venus retrograde in Leo, the sign of individuality and self-expression, brings forth the energy of clarity, beauty, love, self-care and creativity. It is important for each of us to take time in July to connect with and embrace our true selves. Wishing you all an abundance of love and a joyous July.