Astrology by Lisa Stardust 

The second Capricorn full moon of the summer is here! July 21 brings the last lunation in the earth sign to us at 3:17 AM PT and 6:17 AM ET. It’s the second of the double Capricorn full moons, the last one occurred on June 21. If you’re wondering why this lunar vibe is occurring, it’s primarily due to the effect of 2024 being a leap year and causing the moon's phases to not be in sync with the calendar. 

The full moon on July 21 falls at 29 degrees of Capricorn, while the full moon on June 21 is at 1 degree of Capricorn. We are dealing with two extremes of the earth sign, urging us to rush into making changes on a whim and without forethought. With Neptune retrograde in Pisces galvanizing the full moon on July 21, we will be torn between living our dreams versus the reality we face daily. Finding a middle ground to harvest and develop our goals could be beneficial if we stay grounded and focused.

Desirous asteroid Eris and healing centaur Chiron (in the sign Aries) square the full moon, intensifying the overall energy. We will be pushed to lean into projects and relationships that we are passionate about. We can work through the obstacles standing in our way if we don’t choose the immediate fix that the full moon wants. Please don’t put a bandaid on matters; take the time to work through hurdles to repair them and avoid shortcuts correctly. The fixed stars Albireo and Altair (both of whom are in aspect by the degree to the full moon, even though they are part of the Aquarius constellation) want us to be compassionate and kind through this process — not just to others, but especially to ourselves. 

The same day, Mercury in Leo (who entered its pre-retrograde shadow on July 17) squares Uranus in Taurus, adding unpredictability to the energy. We’ll want to embrace our individuality and push our beliefs onto others. The caveat is that there could be misunderstandings, so try to be mindful of what’s being said. Venus in Leo harmonizes with Jupiter in Gemini, heightening our passions and emotions. Mars (who moved into Gemini on July 20) connects with Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, urging us to fight for what we believe in. With all this frenetic energy in the cosmos, it’ll be hard to find our footing. All the more reason to take a moment to understand our feelings before reacting. That way, we can process things clearly and have a thoughtful discussion that can improve matters and bring growth to our hearts. 

Manifesting self-love can bring us closer to ourselves and help us heal old wounds. Use this lunation as a chance to heal the past. Reflect on your emotions. Connect with your inner child and talk to them. Let this part of yourself be seen and heard. Then do something nice for your inner child by offering them acceptance of who they are and the choice they’ve made. Give yourself a hug.