In north hemispheres, it's a time when most people have beach, suntan lotion, and vacations on the brain. Even in southern hemispheres, ski trips and other outings are often the preoccupation in July. If you're smart however, you'll stay back and interview for a new and better position. You may find your new dream job in a new environment, or, in your present company. In fact, as you read this, you may already know what I am referring to, as the offer before you on the table may hark back to talks you started in mid-May.

If so, this job has real potential. If you didn't get any interesting offers in May, you still have an excellent chance in July, and the offers are likely to get better and better. This could well be your best time in two years to find a job that is "you" in every way. Last month Mercury was retrograde in the behind-closed-doors sector, making it hard to get solid information or feedback. You can be sure the people interviewing you weren't precisely sure about what they wanted either, compounding the confusion. The situation in that office was in flux, so hopefully you followed my advice and did not accept a job offer just yet.

That situation will clear up in two steps. First, just after Mercury turns direct on July 9 you should be able to get certain indications. (I should add that you wouldn't likely hear anything on that day, not until July 16, because you have to leave a bit of space around July 9).

Your next big moment for news will come as soon as the Sun illuminates Leo, July 23. That's when you'll learn much, much more, and since the Sun will be in your sign, you'll be favored. The time from July 23 - 31 will be excellent for seeking employment. Chances are, you'll soon have a stunning victory to show for your efforts. Self-employed? The client or assignment that you've long dreamed of can now be yours.

If you are in a creative field (many Leos are), Jupiter's retrograde motion may have caused you to go back to the drawing board to fix certain elements of the project. Take it in stride and do your best. By next month, things will proceed much more smoothly. Watch the days surrounding the move of Jupiter to direct speed: August 6.

If you do get a new job offer, do all that you can to make your salary agreement far before July 28, for Venus will retrograde from then until September 8. You probably won't get as good a deal in late July, August, or early September.

Money has been a sore spot for you lately - especially in March and possibly also in April - but this month, two special days could help you reverse this trend in an unexpected way. Watch for a chance to receive a fat commission, be approved for a bank loan with attractive terms, or receive an early birthday gift.

Also take your chances with a raffle prize on July 11 or 20, two dazzling days! Enter, because you never know! On the first day, the Sun and Uranus will be perfectly angled, sure to be a dazzling day filled with surprises. In fact, you may want to go into the raffle with a partner, because you could find your luck emanates through that person. The second day, Mars will beam a golden glow to Uranus, so as you see, surprises you get in regard to money will be happy ones!

When it comes to romance, you seem to be lacking your normal fantasy life that used to make your love life so exciting. It could be that you are simply tired from dealing with too heavy a workload, or you may have become a bit wary about love after a disappointment you suffered some time ago. If you don't feel ready for love, you may simply enjoy the peacefulness and complete lack of drama in your life this month. Admittedly, having a relationship takes energy, and you seem to be in greater need to regain your composure than to dive into another relationship that could drain you.

Jupiter, the planet of bounty and happiness, is currently touring your fifth house of love, but as mentioned earlier, is currently retrograde, a condition that started in early April. When any planet retrogrades, it settles down for a nap, and hence, it withholds all its strongest powers. Jupiter will "wake up" and switch on full power on August 6, so it would be best to wait until next month to circulate again.

With Venus about to retrograde in Virgo and Leo, too, if you were once attached but broke up, you might now be thinking about reconciliation. If so, it's the right month to go over old ground, but if you do, take your time. No guarantees, but if this person does still mean something to you, it would be worth seeing if you could make a go of it.

If you are with a steady partner, you may decide to broach an old subject that seems never to get settled. You can find an answer now.

All month, make an effort to you look your best for doing so will boost your confidence. Should things not go the way you want (no reason to expect that they won't, but should that be the case…) at least you'll look like sexy "date-bait" for the other fish in the sea. Splurge on an expensive stylist on any day while Venus tours Leo, July 1 - 14.

You have apparently learned a great deal from your experience in matters of the heart, and it is clear that you are not about to repeat your mistakes. You will carry your newly gained enlightenment in years to come. All this will become especially apparent at the full moon on July 29, to shine in your relationship sector. It will mark a milestone.

This full moon will also show you clearly the wealth of life experience you've gained so far and are about put to good use. What you hear at this time should make your heart expand, for finally you'll say, "Life is good."

Most romantic evenings: July 7, 11, 14 - 15, 20 - 21, 25, and 29 - 30

Summary:

It's July and you're feeling excited about life. Nature is bursting with foliage and flowers, and inside, you seem to mirror the verdant, creative world around you. If you have a hobby, focus on it this month. You have the power to bring your artistic expressions to a whole new level by August, but it wouldn't hurt to get your motor humming this month. With the Sun in the quietest sector of your chart, you'd do best to work behind closed doors, in solitude. Be confident that you will impress not only others, but yourself with what you turn out. You have Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, in your creativity sector, about to switch on full power in August, so 2007 will be the year to show the world how talented you really are.

If you are in a position that will draw on your interests and talents, then no doubt you already feel like you have the world in the palm of your hand. If not, this month would be a superb one to look - possibly the best month of the year to uncover new opportunities. Mars' rare (once in two year) visit to your fame and honors sector will make all that possible. Don't settle for anything less than the perfect job for you - with your sterling star power, you won't have to accept second best.

On July 11, you could luck into a fabulous money making opportunity - follow up on that lead! July 20 is also a stunner when it comes to earning or winning money. Be out and about, wheeling and dealing!

With Venus close to Saturn, an older, wiser, and experienced person may be instrumental to your progress. This person may be a mentor, employer, parent or older relative, friend, or even a kindly neighbor. Who will be your mentor, dear Leo? Keep your eyes open - this person cares about your progress.

Relationships have tested your mettle over the past 18 months, but this month you seem to reach a positive watershed point. You are about to see a culmination to a close relationship, and this time you'll be pleased with the outcome. Clearly, your relationship is flourishing. You have apparently learned a great deal from your past relationships and you are not about to repeat your mistakes. You will carry the enlightenment you gained for years to come. All this will become apparent at the full moon on July 29, due to fall in your relationship sector. (Give this date a plus or minus four days.) It will mark the first indication of the wealth of life experience you've gained and put to good use.

If your birthday falls on July 29, or within five days of this date, this full moon will be doubly strong for you. Having a full moon on your birthday always suggests that the coming year will be filled with projects and relationships that reach culmination. Revel in it - soon you'll be anxious to choose a new mountain to climb, dear Leo.

You may have deep feelings for someone now, but if not, before the year is out, you will. This should be your year to find true love, dear Leo. Just wait until what you see this coming December!