This month you'll be eager to cook up plans with someone who holds an important key to your future. If you have been dating someone who has become your whole world, you may become engaged or married in July. If so, this coming month would be one of your best to take that big step.

If you are already married or committed to another, you'll find more time for your partner. Here's your chance to make up for all those weeks when both of you were going along your separate ways like trains in the night. Modern life can often be that way, but this month you both seem to crave "couple up time," and your timing will be perfect. Don't let this time get away! Reconnect! (When Venus enters Leo, your affectionate "touch-me" sector, your time together may increase significantly, so note the time from July 12 to August 6 as great for being physically demonstrative to your partner. You'll get a great response, too.)

The house that is shining brightly for you is your seventh house of partners, the house where two people come together to share a dream, each contributing their experiences, visions, talents, and that brilliant spark that will start your relationship spinning like a colorful Fourth of July pinwheel.

If a personal, romantic match-up or closer link-up doesn't seem possible or likely for you now, you can still use this month's lovely energy to create a powerful business partnership or alliance. You may have a 50-50 business partnership, or alternatively you may successfully hire an agent, publicist (or, if you ARE the agent, a new talent), or other expert to help you. Anytime two people come together in a serious, committed way for a common goal, it becomes a seventh house matter. In most cases, a contract is involved.

The new moon, appearing July 2, will put things in motion. Venus will be unusually prominent at this lovely moon, giving any serious relationship a warm glow that will be rare and special in its intensity. You will have two weeks in which to initiate your actions, and the closer you act to July 2, the better. You don't have to actually get married or sign papers, but you would have to open the conversation in that time for best results.

There are other reasons to be excited about the new moon July 2, for Jupiter, now in Capricorn, will stand across the star-studded skies and look directly at this new moon (180 degrees away), which is considered a sensational aspect. Since Jupiter is the planet of happiness, luck, and financial abundance, this shows that if you want to pledge your love forever, or if you want to merge energies in a business way, you could not wish for a better time because the union is likely to be successful on many levels. Also, Mercury, a planet that was so lethargic in June, will now be moving at a brisk pace. You will no longer experience so many delays and cancellations that so often derailed you last month, nor will you likely go down a blind alley. If you need to sign a contract this month you can do so on July 14, 18, 22, or 26.

If your birthday falls within five days of January 2, this new moon will have a very powerful effect on you. Some sort of new beginning appears to be in the making, and just the right person seems to be at your side.

Your other big moment will occur at the full moon in Capricorn on July 18 (plus or minus four days), making this full moon a vital one for you. An endeavor or relationship of enormous importance will reach a brilliant culmination now, much to your satisfaction. You'll feel gratified and accomplished - aware that sometimes life really does work out the way you had hoped. Jupiter will surround you again at this full moon too, seeming to ensure a happy outcome. With Uranus buzzing around as well, whatever comes up will have an element of surprise or spontaneity. You'll enjoy a double dip of this trend if you were born within five days of January 15.

Now let's turn to another big trend of the month, travel and your one-to-one interactions with people based at a far distance. You seem to be working on an international project, or planning to travel a far distance sometime soon, as Mars will enter your ninth house, ruling adventuresome journeys and expansive international projects and relationships. Mars will remain in this house from July 1 to August 19.

If you are not traveling or dealing with people in foreign cities, you could be concentrating on preparing to enter a university or getting ready to take a major exam, or will be deeply involved in a broadcasting or publishing project. All these matters fall under the ninth house, for this house rules information you take in (such as when you study at a college) or give out (when you are invited on TV or radio, teach others, or write an article, as a number of examples.)

If you do plan to go back to the university now or next semester, you'll likely be making important preparations in July. Are you finished with your degree program? In that case, this month look into classes, seminars, and trade shows you can attend soon that will help you stay up-to-date on your specialty.

When it comes to distant travel, whether for work or play, you'd be smart to delay your journey until later in the season if you are supposed to take it during the first half of July. Saturn's proximity to Mars will present you with frustrating obstacles, especially on or as you approach July 10. It looks like the friends or colleagues you aim to see on your trip won't be available when you need them to be, or worse, they could be called away just as you arrive. If you do choose to barrel forth, check to be sure everyone is still available before you leave. Even so, you may have to remain flexible as things could easily change once you get there. Ideally, if you can, postpone distant trips for late August or September.

To be clear, short trips will be very favorable for you throughout July, but distant trips could bring delays or problems during the first half of July. Your prospects improve for taking long trips as you move into the last ten days of July.

One of your best days for spontaneous travel will be July 14. If you do hit the road, you won't go far, but it would still be fun. Even if the trip is for work, which it very well could be (as the ruler of your third house is in your second house of earned income), this day will be so delicious that you'll love all the amazing twists and turns that come up.

Your luck with quick travel will keep coming up. If you can take a few days off, you may want to go away at the full moon on Friday, July 18, and stay away through Tuesday, July 22. That Tuesday, July 22, should be a grand day, when someone will clearly make an effort to make sure you truly enjoy yourself. This would be an ideal weekend to travel for pleasure, and although it does not seem likely that you'll go far, this trip would be a memorable jewel of a weekend.

The thrill of seeing new vistas will become even more enticing at month's end, thanks to a rare Mars to Jupiter meeting on July 26. At that time you seem to be ready to hop a jet to enjoy a truly exotic experience. This would be an ideal weekend for your long-distance trip abroad or to fly to the opposite coast. Your accommodations would be first-rate, too.

Romantically, the new moon, July 2, would be hard to beat if you feel ready to commit to your partner. That's obvious, but what if you are single and hoping to meet someone new this month? You, too, have reasons to be excited. Due to a special interplay between Venus and Uranus on July 6, you have a great possibility for an unexpected meeting that day with a new romantic interest. Uranus will be in your travel sector at the time, so you may meet over the July 4 to 6 weekend. Go to a scenic spot in a town not far from home - that town will be lucky for you.

The first half of the month will be best for increasing a feeling of closeness between you and a partner, because Venus will move through your relationship sector from July 1 to 12. That's your best phase, so that's an extra reason to be out and about.

Your most romantic evenings include: July 2-3, 11-12, 18, and 25-26.

Financially, you seem to be entering a very powerful period. This month, July 14 and 22 will be your best days - however, much bigger days are on the way, thanks to the coming eclipses.

The first, a total eclipse of the Sun, will arrive on August 1, and will light your second house of earned income. This eclipse could change one source of income dramatically, either immediately or within coming weeks. The second, a lunar full moon eclipse, will bring a conclusion to a matter involving "other people's money," such as a matter involving a bank loan, division of property, venture capital, mortgage, grant, inheritance, insurance payout, or other infusion of cash from an outside source. Or, you may need to make a hefty payment to take care of an obligation you have committed to sometime ago. Eclipses are always the most dramatic way the universe creates change. I will post Astrology Zone early to help you get ready for them.

Summary

In July, you'll find you won't have to do everything yourself because your partner will want to dote on you - a wonderful and very welcome surprise! Clearly you'll be adored, and this month you'll see the truth of this when you see the array of activities your partner is cooking up for the two of you to enjoy.

It's also a time to make serious commitments to someone important to you for your future. Are you ready to get engaged or married? This will be your month to do so. Already attached? You'll want to make your partner a priority, for if you do, the rewards that flow to you will make you realize why you fell in love in the first place. No romantic partner in sight? You may meet someone on July 6.

You can use the same exciting energy of July 2 for moving forward on a business partnership or collaboration. In fact, you can use it for love and business, for a new moon in your seventh house of partnerships is not mutually exclusive - you may form alliances on both fronts! It's a grand time to do it, too.

Travel will figure nicely into your plan. Circle July 3-6 and July 18-22 when a road trip to a pretty locale within a day's drive may come up spontaneously. While you will probably be traveling more for business than pleasure in July, you'll still be able to set aside at least one romantic weekend of quality time with your one-and-only.

Yet in the first half of the month, you may become, at times, frustrated if you find things are not jelling. This would be due to the coming conjunction of Mars and Saturn. Once these two planets meet on July 10, your toughest moment, things will gradually start to improve. You may have to find a fix, but you can, and after that, things seem to improve day by day.

Perfect times to schedule a sumptuous, sexy, and surprising romantic evening: July 5-6 or July 10-14.

If you work in publishing or broadcasting, talks will proceed slowly in early July - have patience. You can get what you want, but you'll need to be a long-distance runner, not a quick sprinter. Pace yourself to provide yourself the staying power.

Romantically, your best phase will occur from July 1-12. If you are in an established relationship, the stars are twinkling just for you. With Venus in your marriage / commitment sector during that time, you'll experience heightened emotions, as Venus will open the floodgates, allowing many tender feelings to flow forth.

The full moon July 18 is sure to be an important time for you, too, as it will mark the full moon in Capricorn. Something dearly important is about to reach fullness, putting you in a highly celebratory mood. You may be centered on a special endeavor or a relationship.

If you were born on or near January 15, this full moon will speak directly to you and be extra special. Still, all Capricorns will have something to cheer about, so look forward to this full moon with gusto!