We’re coming close to the halfway point of 2023, so now is the perfect time to start preparing for the major astrology coming in the second half of the year.
It may not be as challenging as the first half, thankfully, so we can look forward to that!
THE Most Important Transit: Venus Retrograde
My pick for the most important transit for the second half of 2023 is Venus retrograde, which occurs from July 22nd to September 3rd, 2023, and comes entirely in Leo.
A planet or body is called retrograde in astrology when it appears to be moving backward through the zodiac. It isn’t actually, and just looks that way, but normally motion is forward, and the energy of the body can get thrown off.
Venus retrogrades roughly every 1 1/2 years for about 1 1/2 months. The last time Venus was retrograded was from December 2021 through January 2022 in Capricorn.
Venus is the planet of love and relationships, so we tend to see many relationship issues emerge during Venus retrograde. These aren’t issues that come out of nowhere, though. They are issues that have been building for some time or have been ignored for a long time and come bursting to the surface where you can’t hide from them.
We see lots of breakups with Venus retrograde and even more on the verge of breaking up. In solid and healthy relationships, you usually don’t experience this but instead find new ways to strengthen your connection.
If the relationship isn’t working or is unhealthy, it’s up to you to figure out what to do about that. You can work on it and try to get to the core if you’re both willing to do that, but you can also walk away if that’s your best option.
On the flip side, Venus retrograde can also be a time to reconnect with people from the past since retrogrades are like do-overs. If there’s someone you’d like to reconnect with, this Venus retrograde might be the time for it.
The impact on love is strong with this retrograde since it occurs entirely in the Fire sign Leo, which is the sign of love. So, those love issues really do become extra prominent, and we have to work on improving as best as we can.
It can be great for bringing love back, restarting the old flame, and being romantic, if you’re in a relationship. You may want to plan for some alone time together or a little getaway to rekindle.
Leo is also a highly creative sign, so this can be a time when some feel extra inspired, and some lack it completely. It’d be a good time to reconnect with an old hobby, make revisions, and redo creative projects.
Leo also rules our children, so if you have kids, they may be extra rebellious during this time and can be quite stubborn. Normal if they’re teens, sure, but it can be even more than usual!
Generally speaking, Venus retrograde can also be a time of stagnation, and we don’t get as much done. Venus can tend toward laziness and win Leo; this can be the case even more since it’s a Fixed sign. We do need to be mindful of slowing down too much, not moving at all, or being inflexible when we need to be more open.
The Most Important Transits for the Second Half of 2023 by Month
Now let’s go into the most important transit for each month of the second half of 2023, so July through December, along with for the zodiac signs.
Most Important Transit for July 2023: Anaretic Pluto
The Venus retrograde does start in July, and that is the biggest, but I wanted to spotlight one other major event for July 2023, and that is anaretic Pluto in Capricorn. Every zodiac sign is split into 30 degrees, and 29 degrees is the very last degree.
Called the anaretic degree, this is crisis energy when it’s the transit planets like this. Pluto goes back from Aquarius to Capricorn on June 11th, 2023, and is anaretic at 29 degrees Capricorn until July 27th, 2023.
This begins in June, but we can feel it strong through almost all of July, and there can be important developments when it comes to matters related to governments, leaders, corporations, and large entities.
We’re at the threshold of Pluto in a new sign as it’s only just entering Aquarius this year for a few months, and we have a lot of wrapping things up to do, and we need to finish what we’ve started in the last decade with Pluto in Capricorn.
It may feel like we’re in a rush to get things finished while we still have the chance. We want to get this done before Pluto moves on (and so have we).
Most Important Transit for August 2023: Virgo Mercury Retrograde
Mercury will retrograde starting August 23rd, 2023, and this lasts until September 15th and occurs entirely in Virgo. Virgo is one of the signs that Mercury naturally rules, so this can really amplify the effect of Mercury retrograde in Virgo.
We can feel extra stressed, have even more on our plates, and try to take on anything and everything but end up burned out and in need of a break. Anxiety can run high, and we really need to take it easy on ourselves, yet we seem to demand even more perfection.
This retrograde challenges us to find new ways of being productive without the need to make everything perfect. That is the enemy of done, after all.
This would be a great retrograde for going back to work in a job you have before or with an employer you have before, to redo work projects, to revise schedules and routines, and to do some routine maintenance. It’s also great for general wellness and prioritizing taking better care of ourselves.
Read this next: Your Ultimate Guide to Controversial Mercury Retrograde
Most Important Transit for September 2023: Venus Square Jupiter
On September 17th, 2023, Venus in Leo will square Jupiter in Taurus. This is the third and final square with them in these signs (the first was June 11th, and the second was August 22nd during Venus retrograde).
A square occurs with the two planets or bodies 90 degrees, or three whole zodiac signs, apart. Squares are considered challenging aspects with internal friction.
This final square is important because Venus retrograde ends on September 3rd while Jupiter retrograde begins on September 4th, and they are square. With them moving slowly since they’re changing direction, we feel this square for most of September.
Both Venus and Jupiter are considered beneficial planets, so when they make a challenging aspect, it’s usually not *too* challenging. What it can do is amplify laziness, stubbornness, and frustrations, especially with the two in Fixed signs.
We likely need to be mindful of not letting things slide too much. The Mercury retrograde may be draining us, and this makes it all too easy to give in to laziness and not move at all, but this isn’t the best approach.
If we can keep moving, even slowly, that can lead to more opportunities and help set us up for when energy starts moving quickly again.
Read this next: Why You Need to Know About Sextiles, Trines & Squares
Most Important Transit for October 2023: Eclipse Season
I couldn’t pick just one! We have a Libra Solar Eclipse on October 14th, 2023, and this is the first eclipse in Libra in some years.
This Libra Solar Eclipse can help us focus more on coming together, working together, and being together. We can be more commitment-minded, and we can enjoy more time with others.
This would be a great time for taking the next step in healthy relationships and meeting new people, and forming new partnerships and alliances. We likely want to keep the peace and can be more charming and pleasant.
We have a Lunar Eclipse in Taurus on October 28th, which is the final eclipse in Taurus for some years. This is the third year in a row we’ve had a Taurus Lunar Eclipse around this time of year, and it’s the last.
There can be a lot of wrapping things up as a result. This may be years in the making going back 1-2 years, and we can see the end result, come to a conclusion, or let it go.
This may be emotional, but we can also be ready for it since it has been building for some time. Jupiter in Taurus at the same time helps, and we’re focused on the opportunities we now have, thanks to the work from the last few years.
Read this next: The Ultimate Guide to Lunar & Solar Eclipses
Most Important Transit for November 2023: Singleton Venus
On November 8th, 2023, Venus will enter home sign Libra and will become a singleton when it does. A singleton occurs when a planet is the only one in an element, quality, or house type (though house type doesn’t apply to the transit planets like this, just element or quality).
Venus will be the only planet in an Air sign the entire time it’s in Libra! Venus tours Libra until December 4th, 2023.
Venus in Libra is normally strong since Libra is one of the signs. Venus naturally rules, and we’re extra focused on our relationships and connections, commitments and partnerships, alliances and compromises. We can be pleasant, charming, and enjoy company, and want to keep things civil.
This is much stronger with Venus as a singleton, and we can give much more attention to our relationships and connections. They can become a source of opportunities, and we can benefit from the people in our lives and the alliances we’ve cultivated.
At the same time, the challenging relationships can become more difficult, and any struggles with commitment, compromise, and balance can become more strained. We need to work through this and try to improve, and this may mean getting to the heart of the matter.
Everything seems to get amplified under a singleton, so the good gets better, and the bad gets worse. But even the good can turn worse if we focus on it too much for too long, so we do need to make sure we’re giving our relationships some breathing room.
If we can use this well, it can piggyback off of the Libra Solar Eclipse in October, and we can make some strides in positive ways.
Most Important Transit for December 2023: Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn & Sagittarius
Mercury will retrograde from December 13th, 2023, to January 1st, 2024, so we’re ending 2023 and starting 2024 with Mercury retrograde. It begins in Capricorn and moves to Sagittarius on December 23rd, 2023.
This is the last Mercury retrograde impacting Capricorn, who has been impacted for a few years. This can help us finish, end, and release, and this is especially helpful since Pluto is also at the end of Capricorn.
Issues around our goals, life path, direction, and responsibilities, as well as with countries, leaders, governments, and institutions, can reach a climax and endpoint. We’re ready to pivot to something else.
This is the first Mercury retrograde impacting Sagittarius for some time, and Mercury retrogrades are moving to Fire signs in 2024. This can bring out issues around having enough space and opportunities for what we want, and we may push too much to get it.
Our beliefs may be central to our reasons why, but we may be narrow-minded in this pursuit and need to open our minds. There can also be difficulties with travel, learning, and the law with Sagittarius.
It would be excellent for re-learning, re-teaching, revising, and revisiting. It can also be good for tackling blocks that have been in the way of seeing the big picture.
The Most Important Transits for the Second Half of 2023 for the Zodiac Signs
Aries: Aries Full Moon
An Aries Full Moon occurs on September 29th, 2023, and Full Moons in your sign can be important times for endings, culminations, and results. You can reap what you’ve sown and see where your decisions, plans, and actions lead.
This Full Moon may bring endings related to what began in March or April of this year, and you can get an idea of where things are going for you now. Your emotions can also run high, so try to avoid lashing out or being impulsive, and have some patience, understanding, and healthy outlets.
Make sure to check out: Your Ultimate Guide to Full Moons
Taurus: Taurus Lunar Eclipse
On October 28th, 2023, a Lunar Eclipse will occur in your sign, and this is the final one in this eclipse set, Taurus. This is the third one in three years, so you’ve been dealing with this since late 2021.
With this being the final eclipse, you may see things fully realized, see final results, or see culminations. It’s done, and you can move on.
Gemini: Gemini Full Moon
There’s a Gemini Full Moon on November 27th, 2023, and this can be a time when you see the results of the work you’ve put in, get rewarded for what you’ve done right and believe in, and experience setbacks and delays for what you’ve done wrong or don’t care for.
Full Moons in your sign are times to end, have high emotions, and you can get easily triggered. Try to have healthy outlets for the energy ready, and keep a cool head.
Cancer: Cancer Full Moon
On December 26th, 2023, there is a Full Moon in Cancer, and Full Moons in your sign can bring endings and high emotions, and you can see where things lead. You’re especially sensitive to Full Moons since the Moon is your natural ruling planet, and you can feel them strongly.
This may be a time to take it easy, take care of yourself, and make your needs a priority. With Mercury retrograde at the same time, this is extra important, and you should make sure to maintain balance and manage stress.
Leo: Venus Retrograde in Leo
Venus retrogrades in your sign, Leo, from July 22nd to September 3rd, 2023. Venus retrograde likes to slow things down and increase stubborn, indulgent energy, and you’ll likely be the poster child for that.
You may feel off in a variety of ways and need to cut yourself (and others) some slack. Maybe try to avoid planning anything requiring a lot of energy during this period.
Virgo: Mercury Retrograde in Virgo
Your ruler, Mercury, will retrograde in your sign from August 23rd to September 15th, 2023, Virgo. This generally throws you off, and you can be extra stressed.
You likely need to work on managing stress better and focusing on taking care of yourself more. Taking a little time to tend to yourself is not a bad thing.
Libra: Libra Solar Eclipse
A Solar Eclipse occurs in your sign on October 14th, 2023; this is the first eclipse in your sign for this new eclipse set. This can signal big energy for new beginnings and new ventures, and you can start a whole new chapter in your life.
You can get excited by what’s possible now and go forth, ready to move. With your ruler, Venus, done with the retrograde by this time, this leaves you with a greater ability to get something started fast.
Scorpio: Mars in Scorpio
High-energy Mars tours your sign, Scorpio, from October 12th to November 24th, 2023, and this can give you lots of energy and drive for what you want to get started. What you begin now can be a focus for the next 18 – 24 months of your life, and you can get excited and feel ready to take the initiative.
You get extra help by the fact that your ruler, Pluto, ends its retrograde a few days before October 10th so that you can feel more like yourself and you can have a clear head to get going.
Sagittarius: Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius
Mercury retrogrades in Earth signs all of 2023 until the very last retrograde in December, which comes to your sign, Sagittarius, from December 23rd, 2023, to January 1st, 2024. This can throw you off, and you may need to be easier on yourself as the year comes to an end.
The year may not end the way you think it will, or something unexpected occurs that you have to adjust to quickly. Instead of new resolutions, giving old ones a second chance may be on the brain.
Capricorn: Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn
Mercury retrogrades in your sign from December 13th to 23, 2023; this is the last time you’ll have to deal with this energy in a few years. This may signal an ending of some sort, and something that began as a focus or challenge 1-2 years ago can come to an end, be resolved, or be understood now.
You can be ready to move on from it, and this pairs up really well with the fact that Pluto is nearing the end of its time in your sign as well. You have major chapters ending, maybe even entire books ending, and whole new ones can get started, which can be exciting, though you may need to give yourself time to adjust to the change.
Aquarius: Aquarius Full Moon
A Full Moon occurs in Aquarius on August 1st, 2023, and this can bring out emotions, make you more focused on what you’re working toward, and you can feel more attuned to your intuition and subconscious. You can strive to succeed in some way and want to make sure you’re working toward something you believe in.
Giving yourself more attention can be a good thing as well, and taking care of your own needs. Venus is retrograde at this time in Leo, bringing more attention to the people in your life, so the Full Moon can help balance this out a little bit.
Pisces: Pisces Full Moon
On August 30th, 2023, a Full Moon occurs in Pisces, and Full Moons in your sign can bring endings, results, and reaping. You can be especially sensitive to Full Moons as an emotional Water sign, and it also tends to stir up strong emotions and a need to have better boundaries.
This is the first Full Moon in Pisces with both Saturn and Neptune in Pisces, though it doesn’t align with either of them. Still, it may bring out more subconscious issues, karmic baggage, and past emotional challenges that need to be addressed and resolved.
Have a Fabulous Second Half of 2023!
So that’s your general 2023 horoscope layout for what to focus on through the end of 2023. Thankfully, it’s not quite as wacky as the first half of the year, and we’ll have some time to adjust to what’s come to pass (especially all that’s happened in March and April).
Remember, you can use the free astrology calendar to keep track of the astrology every month, and don’t forget to follow your horoscope for more astrological guidance.