Astrology Practices For Self-care and Self-discovery

Each astrological season brings a different flavor, supporting us to choose daily rituals and practices that help us flow with the current cosmic energy.

Because intuitive Cancer, grounded Taurus, and optimistic Leo are active in July, here are some exercises that can help you better integrate the energy of these signs in the following period. We recommend picking one or two from the list below and repeating them for at least 21 days in a row.

INNER CHILD HEALING:
THE SUN AND VENUS IN CANCER

With the Sun in sensitive Cancer until the 22nd, joined by Venus, the planet of love and relationships, on the 17th, July is a month when allowing ourselves to linger on the past isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yes, we can be easily swept away by our emotions, but this is where a conscious approach to our inner world can help.

Often, the parts of us that react by getting angry, feeling helpless, or sulking are wounded parts that reflect unmet childhood emotional needs. Here are a few ideas to work with these parts and help them feel safe and nurtured during Cancer season:

LOOK AT OLD PHOTOS AND CONNECT WITH YOUR PAST SELF

How did she/he feel at that moment? Name the emotions and acknowledge what you would have needed back then: perhaps a hug, a sympathetic ear, or someone to validate your feelings and encourage you.

Perhaps you would’ve needed stronger boundaries or more certainty about what is good and bad for you. Listen to your inner child and help them feel safe in the present: you can give yourself a hug, speak kindly with yourself, journal, or cry it out. 

WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR INNER CHILD

You can offer support, reassurance, and encouragement to this past version of you. Our Leather Journal with Stone can host your self-discovery and healing process: it’s good to stay in dialogue with your sensitive side this Cancer season.

CARRY A SMALL TOKEN THAT REMINDS YOU OF YOUR INNER CHILD

It can be a toy you used to love when you were young or an object that makes you think of innocence and vulnerability. You could use a few Rose Quartz Tumbled Stones – this crystal’s soothing vibes promote unconditional love and support.

When you feel emotionally reactive in your daily life, touching this object can help you put your emotions into perspective: when you feel sad, anxious, angry, or helpless, remember that a wounded part of you is trying to get your attention and validation. Through this tangible reminder, you can connect the present with the past, make space for your inner child, and stay curious about their needs. 

BOOSTING SELF-ESTEEM
THE SUN AND MERCURY IN LEO, A NEW MOON IN LEO

Starting from the 19th, Mercury, the planet of learning and communication, enters Leo, followed by the Sun on the 22nd. If Cancer energy is introverted, nurturing, and protective, the second part of July encourages us to express ourselves with more courage, daring to showcase what makes us unique as we follow our heart’s desires. Leo season is all about fun, love, and confidence: it’s a time to trust that we deserve the best that life has to offer. 

Because this expressive, charismatic sign is ruled by the Sun, the planet of ego and willpower in astrology, the following month is a great time to work on your self-confidence. Here are a few ideas:

MIRROR WORK

Place a hand on your heart and meet yourself in the mirror: you can start with turning an appreciative eye toward the parts of your body that you like the most and go deeper by gazing into your eyes and telling yourself words of affirmation.

If it’s difficult, think of what you would like to hear from others or imagine how you would speak to the person you love the most in the world. The purpose of this exercise is to help you feel seen, appreciated, and empowered. You can light a Solar Plexus Manipura Yellow Crystal Journey Pillar Candle in the background, setting the intention to take your power back from contexts where you felt insecure or diminished.

You can extend this exercise by writing down positive affirmations about yourself and placing them around the house. Make sure they’re realistic; if you don’t feel confident, “I am always brave and assertive” can be a stretch. Choose an affirmation that you can feel and embody.  “I am becoming better and better at… (expressing myself, standing my ground, setting boundaries)” can be a good option.

SELF-ESTEEM JOURNAL

Grandiosity and social comparison can put a damper on our self-esteem, especially during the summer, when it’s tempting to look at social media and wish it was us sitting on that beach or having that amazing adventure. Even if we know that reality is not as perfect as it seems, it’s still difficult not to compare ourselves with others.

Keeping a self-esteem journal can help: every evening, write down a few things that you’re proud of or a few positive experiences that you’ve had during the day. Focus on what you’ve accomplished and congratulate yourself for small wins. The purpose of this exercise is to improve your self-esteem and your sense of agency.

CONNECT WITH YOUR INNER ROCK STAR

Leo is the ruler of celebrities and heroes, people who have stepped outside the ordinary life and gained extraordinary strength or fame. It might be easy to project this creativity and power on others, but we all have Leo somewhere in our birth chart: we’re meant not only to admire successful people, but to be creators and leaders in our own lives.

What traits make you special? What’s your gift and how can you confidently share it with the world? Use conscious breath and visualization to connect with the best version of yourself. You can wear a Sunstone Phurba Pendant w/ Double Dorje to remind you of your inner royalty this Leo season.

GROUNDING AND HONORING THE BODY
MARS IN TAURUS, URANUS CONJUNCT THE NORTH NODE IN TAURUS

Taurus is the sign of stability and comfort, but the presence of action-oriented Mars and changemaker Uranus in this sign can pull us out of our comfort zones this July, especially around the 31st, when these planets activate the North Node of destiny and prompt us to embrace changes in the practical area of our lives (work, finances, resources).

Because Taurus rules the physical form, activating the senses and nurturing a feeling of safety within our bodies can help us successfully navigate these transits. 

GROUND YOURSELF

Whether you’re barefoot on the ground or cozy in your 10th-floor apartment, you can activate your root chakra by imagining a wide column of light that connects you with the Earth’s center.

As an alternative, you can visualize roots going down from the soles of your feet, piercing the structures that separate you from the Earth’s surface, and tapping into the powerful energy found within. As if you were a plant, you can imagine drawing nutrients up from the depths and visualize as every cell is revitalized. You can also use the Mini Chakra Singing Bowl Red – Root for grounding and stability.

EFT TAPPING

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique, a practice that uses fingertip tapping to apply pressure on the meridian points and release blocked emotional energy. Studies have shown its benefits for anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, but it can also be used to improve mood or sleep quality.

You can purify your space with some White Sage Smudge Sticks and focus on the emotion that you want to release as you start tapping from the top of your head. Other key areas include the side of the eye, the area above the upper lip, and the collarbone points.

SOMATIC PRACTICES

Somatic exercises are based on intentional, gentle movement that allows us to connect with our bodies, notice where we hold tension, and find what feels good in the moment. Progressive muscle relaxation can be a great practice for relieving stiffness in the body: just clench, then release each muscle group, focusing on the difference between pressure and relaxation.

For something less complicated, you can simply dance mindfully to your favorite song, noticing how your body feels and what emotions come to the surface. To make it more fun, you can imagine that you’re holding a color-soaked sponge in each hand and spreading the color around the room.

Check Out Your FREE Monthly Horoscopes And See How July Will Play Out For You!