There is a lot happening in the zodiac for everyone in the coming weeks. The floodgates of the summer solstice has welcomed itself, and the energies hit heaviest on June 26. The Strawberry Moon came through dripping lunar manifestation power, there will be a solar eclipse happening on July 12, and the longest lunar eclipse that has ever taken place in over a century happening on July 27.
Related: Your Monthly Horoscopes: July 2018
From June 26 to August 27, there will be six planets that will be in retrograde. These planets will bring about reflection of career, stability, security, emotional baggage, introspection, secrets, synchronicities, communication, thought, and action.
This read will reveal how each astrological sign group will be affected by some of the most powerful retrogrades, and how each individual astrological sign will be affected by the Summer Solstice Gateway. It will also suggest a divine July 12th and July 27th affirmation to recite during the solar and lunar eclipse, so bookmark this page!
Planetary Retrograde Energy
Jupiter Retrograde
Jupiter will be ending its retrograde on July 10, and has everything to do with ambitions, long-term plans, and travel.
Earth signs will be pushed to let go of any fear or doubt around the aforementioned categories. For whatever reason, you have been holding back on any of these things, you will release blockages, stop making excuses, and make an ultimate move! Put your earthy energy into play, and hit the ground running! Many will struggle with going back into negative patterns in any area of life.
Water signswill learn to take matters into their own hands when it comes to Jupiter energy, if you have been wanting to go on a vacation or make a long-term plan contingent upon other people. If people rock with you, or contribute financially, that is great...but ultimately, if you want it, you have to go get it yourself. This is "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" energy.
Fire signs might make plans with groups of people only to see the true colors of some people in their crew under this energy. With this retrograde, make sure you aren't grouping up with fair-weather friends, or those who just want a piece of your glow up. Not everyone in your circle may actually be for you, and this energy will bring it to light.
Air signs will find themselves moving further away from people who are not like-minded, or as free-spirited as they are. Under this Jupiter retrograde energy, you'll find more than ever, that birds of a feather flock together. The retrograde energy will pull air signs out of their comfort zones, and move closer to authenticity of self and surroundings.
Pluto Retrograde
Pluto has been in retrograde since April, and will go direct on September 30. This energy involves revelations and releasing baggage.
Earth signs will feel the heat when it comes to any kind of codependent relationships, behaviors, or addictions. This Pluto retrograde energy will be putting what it is you need to let go of in your face. If anyone or thing is siphoning your energy, Earth signs will have to build enough strength to acknowledge it, and let it go.
Water signs will be pushed into following the rules and playing by the book! This wave of Pluto retrograde energy will make it near impossible for you not to engage in the status quo. This could mean paying off all of your bills, abiding by legal or technical procedures, or doing "the right thing," by your friends, family, and spouses.
Fire signs will be faced with deciding not to engage in petty conflict, dirty games, or unhealthy competition. The Pluto retrograde will push many fire signs away from toxicity, and this even includes where you have been too difficult for your own good. Ultimately the choice is yours not to stoop down into low vibration.
For air signs, the Pluto retrograde energy might have you revert back to old drama and pain, for the sake of seeing if there was something that you missed. Many of you might be wondering if salvaging a tainted relationship is worth it. One part of you might be missing old friendships, while the other part wants nothing to do with it. It's up to you to see if any of it is worth the backtracking.
Mars Retrograde
Mars entered retrograde on June 26 and will go direct on August 27. It has everything to do with how your energy is vibrating, and what actions you need to take for your life.
Earth signs will really be feeling the Mars retrograde pressure when it comes to finances and love. Earth signs love the lap of luxury and all the nice things, but this retrograde might cause you to overspend and dip into savings. It is summertime, and we all want to splurge, but be careful! When it comes to romance, be wary of making decisions and advances under the influence. Spur-of-the-moment energy might be cause for regret later on.
Water signs will be hit with a wave of retrograde energy that will amplify their introverted nature. Mars is a volatile planet energetically, so when paired with self-love, self-care, and self-introspection, water signs might go through it internally. Instead of fighting this energy, openly communicate with your inner self to uncover what is truly important for you and your life in the moment and what makes you whole.
Fire signs are in for a bumpy energetic ride under this Mars retrograde. This energy will cause a lot of fire signs to want to spend time on their own and get grounded. With your spitfire energy, you could attract a frenzy of people around you who could either make things better or worse in your experience. This energy will cause you to do more pre-screening and observation of those around you before allowing them into your space.
Some air signs might be feeling a bit aloof in this Mars retrograde energy. You might have a hard time with memory, making decisions, calling shots, or being inactive. There could be a lot of waiting until the last minute to get things done, and wasting a lot of time. The summer time is the best season to pick up new hobbies, try new things, and gain new experiences. Get active, get out there, and enjoy life in the present moments.
Now that you have an idea of how each retrograde will affect your life, check out what the summer solstice gateway has in mind for your individual zodiac sign by clicking through the gallery below:
1.Aries
The summer solstice energy has influenced many Aries signs to purge out any leftover grievances of the first half of 2018, and make way for moving forward with your life. It's all about letting go of what no longer serves you, and what holds you back from manifesting the life that you want to live. The summer solstice gateway is sparking energy and enthusiasm back into your to-do lists and goals. There is no more sitting on what you have lost, and more focus on what there is to gain.
Eclipse Affirmation: "It's out with the old, and in with the new, what's in the past is in the past, and I feel brand new. I'm ready to manifest all of my heart desires and transform my experience, and vibrate higher."
All astrological Tarotscopes channeled via Tarot Cards! For your own Intuitive Channeled Healing Session, follow @Melanade_Stand on IG and send an inquiry via DM!
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In fact, aromatherapy is quite powerful when it comes to promoting calm and relaxation, helping to put you into an optimistic mood, reducing stress, preventing insomnia, and improving how soundly you are able to sleep throughout the night. And so, since I’m such an essential oils fan (and I truly am!), let’s get into 10 that will help you to rest well — thanks to the way that they smell along with a few other benefits that they are able to offer you too.
Essential Oils for Better Sleep
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1. Lavender
When it comes to essential oils that are best for you in the “rest and relaxation department,” lavender may be the most popular one. That’s because it is well known for doing everything from reducing pain and inflammation and making menstrual cramps less intense to lowering anxiety and increasing your melatonin levels. On a super scientific note, something else that’s cool about lavender oil is it works with your body’s neurotransmitters in order to reduce restlessness if you happen to be someone who doesn’t sleep soundly due to tossing and turning all throughout the night.
2. Cedarwood
Although I’ve always liked the earthy scent of cedarwood, something that caused it to earn my respect was reading about how it’s an all-natural way to improve the attention span of children who’ve been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Beyond that, as far as calming oneself goes, cedarwood oil is able to soothe arthritic discomfort, reduce coughing (if a cold is what’s keeping you up), decrease the itchiness and irritation that comes with eczema, lower your stress levels, and, yes, improve your quality of sleep if you’re someone who happens to rest yet not really…rest well.
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3. Patchouli
Another oil that has a solid reputation for decreasing bodily inflammation is patchouli. Some other things that make it stellar are the facts that it helps to ward off depression-related symptoms (if that is what keeps you up at night), puts you in a better mood, boosts your immunity (so that being under the weather doesn’t prevent you from catching some zzz’s) and it even intensifies your libido — ‘cause chile, ain’t nothin’ like the sleep that you get after having an orgasm…or two. Oh, and it absolutely must go on record that patchouli oil also acts as a sedative if you’ve been dealing with insomnia as of late as well.
4. Marjoram
Women who are looking for an all-natural way to regulate their hormones (check out “5 Signs Your Estrogen Is Too High. 5 Signs It's Too Low.”) might want to speak with their doctor (or homeopath) about trying marjoram oil. Some research says that it can help to balance hormones which can make PMS and the latter stages of perimenopause more tolerable (which can make falling and staying asleep easier to do too). Marjoram is also helpful when it comes to reducing pain, easing digestion, and alleviating anxiety.
Plus, since marjoram is an oil that is high in magnesium and magnesium is a nutrient that can help you to get to sleep, stay asleep, and then wake up feeling refreshed — so long as you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding (you should consult your doctor first if you are because it can sometimes produce side effects in your case), you definitely should give marjoram a shot.
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5. Ylang Ylang
Typically, when I think of the essential oil ylang ylang, what comes to my mind is how it can make for a very eventful evening…if you catch my drift (check out “Ultimate Climax Hack? 10 Scents That Make It So Much Easier To Orgasm”); however, it can actually help you out in more areas of your life than just your bedroom. Ylang ylang is another oil that helps to reduce pain and anxiety. Something else to keep in mind about ylang ylang is if you’re having a hard time falling asleep due to something like a headache or even respiratory issues, putting a couple of drops into a diffuser could bring some relief. That’s because ylang ylang is also classified as being a sedative — one that can even help to lower the blood pressure in your bae (healthy men) if need be.
6. Fennel
As a doula, something that I’m well aware of is the fact that fennel seeds can help (some) mothers to produce more breast milk. It doesn’t stop there, though. If sleep is evading you due to gas or constipation, fennel oil can help you out there. Some scientific research also says that it’s the kind of oil that can help you feel less anxious if you’re trying to rest after a long hard day. And, since fennel is known for making sleeping better when it’s in tea form, I don’t see why it wouldn’t do the same thing as an essential oil too.
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7. Valerian Root
If you’re looking for the kind of essential oil that will help you to relax, on pretty much every level, look no further than valerian root. The properties in it are going to help to calm your nervous system, soothe headache tension, lower your stress levels, decrease menstrual cramp discomfort, bring relief to hot flashes (that come with perimenopause) and yes, it’s an all-natural approach to insomnia as well. Although many choose to use it in supplement form, applying valerian root oil to pressure points like your feet can also provide a very relaxing and impactful effect.
8. Jasmine
If you check out my article, “8 Natural Aphrodisiac Scents, Where They Go & How To Make Them Last” from back in the day, you’ll see that jasmine is another essential oil that is considered to be a pretty potential one if you’re looking to boost you (or your partner’s libido). I get why too because its floral-meets-fruity scent can be quite sensual. Beyond the bedroom, jasmine can help you to feel less stressed and anxious, experience less menstrual-related discomfort, and make you feel less depressed — and yes, it contains properties that qualify the oil to be a sedative. This is especially the case if you blend it with another soothing essential oil like lavender.
9. Clary Sage
If pretty much nothing but perimenopause symptoms are what’s keeping you awake at night, you might want to keep a bottle of clary sage oil on your nightstand because it can help to decrease night sweats by naturally “leveling out” the estrogen that may be on a bit of a roller coaster ride in your system right through here. Other things that this oil can do is reduce stress and help to relax your system. Not to mention the fact that if menstrual cramps are what’s keeping you up, some women say that rubbing some of the oil (add a carrier oil like sweet almond or avocado to the oil to dilute it a bit, please) to your abdominal region can provide quite a bit of relief.
10. Vetiver
Final one. In my opinion, it’s kind of surprising that vetiver essential oil isn’t mentioned more in the holistic care space. For starters, it has been celebrated for providing support for children with ADHD as well as decreasing nervousness and anxiety in adults. Some other ways that this oil can benefit you is it’s the kind of aphrodisiac that raises testosterone levels while lowering cortisol ones (cortisol is a stress hormone that’s in your body) which can intensify orgasms and promote great rest — and yes, it’s also mentioned quite often in the sleep-inducing space.
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You know, I once read that since 2010, the amount of people who rely on sleeping pills to get to sleep has pretty much doubled. Since the side effects of the long-term use of over-the-counter sedatives include things like headaches, muscle weakness, digestion issues, and even louder snoring and sleeplessness, consider trying one of these essential oils before popping a pill. As you can see, not only can certain oils help to lull you to sleep — but they can help in so many other areas too. Happy resting, chile.
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