By Debra Infante.
Venus in Taurus: Love, Healing, and Nature
Venus, planet of love and healing, transits its own sign of Taurus most of July. Saturn, planet of discipline, goes retrograde on July 12, 2025. Mercury, planet of communications, also goes retrograde a few days later on July 17, 2025. The Mars/Ketu conjunction occurs on July 20 and 21, a time to be mindful. The last phase of Kala Sarpa Yoga occurs from July 15 to 20, then Mars moves past Ketu and transits the sign of Virgo on July 28, 2025.
Venus, planet of love, diplomacy, and finance, transits its own sign of Taurus from June 29 to July 25, 2025, and brings the desire for greater stability in love and increased social contact, especially with our family and good friends. This is a wonderful time to let nature be your healer and spend more time outdoors in beautiful, natural settings. Venus in Taurus is also positive for any type of artistic endeavors.
While Venus is transiting Taurus, it will be influenced by Saturn in Pisces, with the exact aspect occurring on July 5 and 6. This aspect asks us, despite any feelings of restriction, to connect to our true center, have faith, and open our hearts to deeper levels of commitment and responsibility in our lives.
Saturn Retrograde: Discipline, Boundaries, and Inner Strength
Saturn, planet of responsibility and discipline, goes retrograde at 7 degrees Pisces the evening of July 12, 2025 (Pacific Time). It will eventually retrograde back to 0 degrees Pisces and then go direct on November 27, 2025.
Saturn goes retrograde every year for about four months at a time. During the Saturn retrograde period, we may experience events that show us just how strong and stable we are internally, despite what is going on in the outer world. Saturn retrograde can also bring up inner doubt or feelings of lack of self-worth, in order for us to heal these issues.
We may re-examine our duties in life and work on our personal boundaries. This is a time to have trusted, supportive people around you. Saturn retrograde can give greater self-discipline and focus. Surrender and let go of judgment are positive expressions for this transit.
Mercury Retrograde: Thoughtfulness and Creative Reflection
Mercury, planet of communications, goes retrograde at 21 degrees Cancer the evening of July 17, 2025 (Pacific Time), and remains retrograde until very early the morning of August 11, 2025.
Mercury retrograde periods can affect our thinking, speaking, and all forms of communication. Watch your words before speaking to avoid any misunderstandings. This is also a good time to double-check transportation and travel plans.
We can also be a bit more preoccupied with our own thoughts or feel mental frustrations. Creative outlets, such as working on art projects or writing in a journal, are remedies. This is also a great period for meditation and going on retreat.
Kala Sarpa Yoga: Moral Clarity and Spiritual Awakening
Kala Sarpa Yoga occurs briefly from July 15 to July 20, 2025, and then ends when Mars travels outside of Ketu, the south node, on July 20, 2025.
We have been experiencing Kala Sarpa Yoga for some time, on and off since April 2025. This yoga occurs when all the planets fall between the nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu. We can feel more restricted or experience heightened sensitivity during this time.
This is a period to embrace high moral principles, along with compassion, helpfulness, and proper perspective. Take time to connect deeper to your essence, along with detachment and no resistance, as the benefits of Kala Sarpa Yoga can be of a more spiritual nature.
Mars/Ketu Conjunction: Directing Fire with Awareness
The exact Mars/Ketu conjunction occurs at 25 degrees Leo on July 20 and July 21. The period surrounding these exact dates are times to be extra cautious and non-reactive, as Mars/Ketu can bring rash or impulsive behavior.
Direct the Mars/Ketu energies to more courageous actions along with the acceptance of your power within. Stay balanced and do practices that calm the mind and bring you back to your center. Sattwic (pure) activities are always remedies when we feel challenged, and examples are meditation, yoga, pranayama, retreat, and a clean diet.
Mars then begins its transit through Virgo on July 28, 2025, finally leaving Ketu in Leo.
Summary
July 2025 brings a powerful blend of grounding and transformation, as Venus in Taurus encourages stability in love and creativity, while Saturn and Mercury retrogrades prompt deep inner reflection and recalibration of boundaries and communication. The Mars/Ketu conjunction and final phase of Kala Sarpa Yoga heighten emotional intensity and karmic awareness, calling for conscious, non-reactive responses and spiritual discipline. This is a month to slow down, stay centered, and align with higher values amid cosmic shifts.
Debra Infante is a practicing Vedic astrologer and teacher. She began her studies of Vedic astrology in 1995, and was certified by The American College of Vedic Astrology as an approved teacher (Level I) in September 1999. She has taught Vedic astrology to the students in the yoga teacher trainings at 7 Centers Yoga in Sedona, AZ from 2002 to 2020. Debra can be reached at (928) 639-0623 or dinfante108@gmail.com for astrological consultations by phone or in person. Contact her to receive her monthly Vedic astrology article. You can also find her at https://ayurveda-sedona.com/yoga-and-vedic-astrology/about-vedic-astrology/
