ChipWitch Today

Reliable astronomical and space-weather context for your daily practice.

17 July, 2026

Retrogrades in effect

Mercury, Neptune, Pluto.

Editorial

Retrogrades favor review over brute force. When something resists, try editing the plan instead of pushing harder.

Solar System at a Glance

Daily chart wheel

The Moon

Moon phase image

Waxing Crescent, 3.3 days old, in Virgo at 4.82°.

Illumination: 11.7% · Distance: 372261 km

Next new moon: 2:43:19, 1 Aug 2026 · Next full moon: 21:04:55, 15 Aug 2026

Planetary Positions

Planet Sign Position Motion
Sun Cancer 24.8° Cancer Prograde
Moon Virgo 4.8° Virgo Prograde
Mercury Cancer 18.2° Cancer Retrograde
Venus Virgo 8.4° Virgo Prograde
Mars Gemini 13.0° Gemini Prograde
Jupiter Leo 3.7° Leo Prograde
Saturn Aries 14.7° Aries Prograde
Uranus Gemini 4.5° Gemini Prograde
Neptune Aries 4.4° Aries Retrograde
Pluto Aquarius 4.5° Aquarius Retrograde

Planetary Detail

Notable today

Mercury in Cancer

Position: 18.2° Cancer · Motion: Retrograde

Mercury is in Cancer

Mercurial Crabby Vibes

Alright, let's get into some serious astrological jargon, shall we? Mercury, the planet with a major god complex and a penchant for communication, is currently chilling with Cancer, the celestial crab. Now, before you start picturing a planet-sized crustacean, let me clarify - it’s not literal! And no, Mercury hasn't developed a sudden craving for seafood. It's all about the vibes, man!

So, what does this mean? Well, Mercury in Cancer is like having that emotionally intelligent friend who always gives great advice and makes you comfort food when you're down. It's a time when our brains and hearts start dating, resulting in some serious emotion-packed brainstorming sessions.

When our cosmic messenger is hanging out with the Crab, we channel our inner Care Bears, expressing love and protection with ease. You might even feel a sudden urge to write poetry or send heartfelt texts to your loved ones at 2 a.m. Don't fight it, just go with the flow - it's the cosmic waves, dude!

Mercury's vacation in Cancer also amplifies our Spidey senses, making us more attuned to our gut feelings. You know, those weird hunches you get when something feels off? Yeah, it's time to trust those. They might seem illogical, but remember, logic is just one slice of the cosmic pizza.

And lastly, Mercury in Cancer turns us all into stellar listeners. It's like we've suddenly been gifted with elf ears – we hear everything, we understand, and we care. So, if you find yourself actually listening to your partner's rants about their favorite conspiracy theories or your aunt's lengthy descriptions of her gardening techniques, thank the stars, or well, Mercury in Cancer.

So folks, let's ride this cosmic wave and remember - keep it groovy, keep it real, and always listen with your heart, not just your ears. Until Mercury decides to switch things up again, happy star-gazing!

Neptune in Aries

Position: 4.4° Aries · Motion: Retrograde

Short note: Neptune is in Aries.

Pluto in Aquarius

Position: 4.5° Aquarius · Motion: Retrograde

Pluto is in Aquarius
Alright, my cosmic crew, grab your telescopes and don those space onesies because we're venturing deep, deep into the cosmos today. We're talking Pluto-in-Aquarius deep! Now, you might be thinking, "Pluto? Isn't that the little runt they kicked out of the planet club?" Well, yes, but no. Despite its reputation for being the solar system's underdog, Pluto is a heavy hitter in astrology. It's the planet equivalent of that quiet nerdy kid in school who one day becomes a billionaire tech mogul. It's all about transformation, baby! You see, when Pluto waltzes its way into Aquarius, it's like the universe is putting on its favorite pair of dancing shoes and cranking up the volume on the cosmic jukebox. It's not just a shuffle or a two-step; it's a full-on, disco-ball-spinning, boogie-down-the-aisles kind of dance. Now, Aquarius. Ah, the water bearer. The zodiac's resident mad scientist, humanitarian, and technological whizz. When Pluto takes a vacation in Aquarius, we're not just talking about a slight change in your morning coffee order. No, this is more like swapping your regular java for an alien beverage that gives you the ability to see sound and taste colors! What does this mean for us earthlings? Well, imagine worldwide shifts in science, technology, and even space travel. Picture profound evolutions in civil rights and humanitarianism, where kindness is the new currency and empathy is as essential as air. Basically, it's like all the world leaders got together for a group hug and decided to play nice for a change. In our personal lives, Pluto in Aquarius is like that annoying gym instructor who keeps yelling, "Feel the burn!" It's urging us to transform, to rethink who we are and where we fit in this vast cosmic puzzle. It's not enough to just consider what's best for us anymore. The universe is nudging us rather forcefully to start thinking about what's best for everyone. So, are you ready to answer the call? Or are you going to let the cosmic operator keep you on hold? Remember, the future is calling, and it doesn't like to be kept waiting!

Everything else (compact)

Planet Sign Position Motion
Sun Cancer 24.8° Cancer Prograde
Moon Virgo 4.8° Virgo Prograde
Venus Virgo 8.4° Virgo Prograde
Mars Gemini 13.0° Gemini Prograde
Jupiter Leo 3.7° Leo Prograde
Saturn Aries 14.7° Aries Prograde
Uranus Gemini 4.5° Gemini Prograde

Aspects

Sun

Sun · Conjunct

You may feel like expressing yourself today through your thoughts and words. You feel a need to be heard, that you have something of importance to say. Say what is on your mind, but give equal time to others and listen to them. You might learn something new. Your thinking today should be sharp and focused.

Sun

Sun · Conjunct

You should be feeling very well and alive today. This aspect gives generosity, vitality, and a desire to express and expand. Now is the time to broaden your horizons. You really like people today and have warm-hearted feelings about them. And they feel the same towards you. Consider new ideas and seek to widen your experiences. Guard against pride, over-optimism, self-indulgence and trying to take on too much.

 

Sun

Sun · Opposite

Power struggles may be likely today. You may encounter others who try to force their will on you or others who resent feeling as if you are forcing your ego on them. Try to compromise and find a balance. Transformation can come about if you are open to change and if you can keep your ego from becoming all-encompassing. Today may be an intense day. Control your arrogance and your domineering attitudes. Be reasonable. People born under a challenging aspect between the Sun and Pluto are prone to inner tension and negative, self-destructive behavior. When things are going well, they suffer from fears that something will come along to change that. Their thought patterns can be negative, and if not kept in check, they can seriously undermine their happiness. Constantly worrying that the rug will be pulled from under their feet can easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sun-Pluto have tremendous power and strength–when they learn to accept and use that strength, instead of fear it, they are some of the most effective, insightful, helpful, and healing people around! One of the most prominent characteristics of these aspects is the tendency to be intensely dissatisfied with their personal accomplishments and expressions of self. These people put a lot of pressure on themselves regarding their own endeavors. A child, for example, with a challenging Sun-Pluto aspect may work hard at a piece of artwork, decide it’s not right, destroy it, and start all over again. This same child will be especially disturbed if they feel people are watching as they create their artwork. This is a simple example, but it’s quite descriptive of the tendency for these people to be dissatisfied with their creative self-expressions, and to want to hide their expressions from others until they feel the output is “right”. This is largely due to a perceived inability to express or reveal their true personalities to others. They experience a simultaneous urge to express themselves and to hide themselves. They struggle with a deep need to control themselves and life itself. Rarely are Sun-Pluto people completely satisfied with themselves. They are especially sensitive to criticism, and feel the need to “redo” themselves often. There is a marked fear of losing control, and this might stem from some traumatic event in childhood, or the childhood might have been crisis-ridden or emotionally-charged in general. As such, these people are often intensely fearful of, or threatened by, change. This can express itself through attempts to control their lives such that they can manage their fears of being taken off guard. Of course, this generally backfires! Another characteristic of these aspects is an intense need for privacy. They fear being exposed or invaded. Again, this is an expression of their dissatisfaction with the self they are projecting, and they are generally uncomfortable with their evolving ego. They seem to undergo many identity crises, and they feel the need to control what others know about them and think about them. Their fear of exposing themselves might cause them problems with others, who may begin to mistrust them, presuming that if they are so protective of their privacy, they must have something sinister to hide. The truth is, they struggle with a dissatisfaction with themselves and their fear of being exposed is really about a fear of being vulnerable, as well as a manifestation of their own identity crisis. These people are quick to read between the lines. They need to be careful, however, to avoid reading negative or dark things into situations or people. They need to know that if their tendency is to hunt for dark “truths” rather than unbiased truths, this is a self-destructive behavior that stems from fear. Many people with these aspects are overly attached to things, habits, people, and their past. At the root of this is an intense fear of change that would threaten to make them vulnerable. Still, Pluto’s goal is to transform through change. Inevitably, Sun-Pluto people will have to face their fear of change and accept that they need change in order to grow. We all have a dark, irrational side, but people with Sun-Pluto in hard aspect are forced to confront it and integrate it into their personalities. It can be a challenging process, especially because the Sun rules all that is “light” – the rational, conscious mind. The Sun is noble and righteous by nature. Aligned with Pluto, it can have a hard time accepting the darker, intense, and often irrational Pluto energies into one cohesive whole. This is the challenge that Sun-Pluto face. If these people find themselves using manipulative tactics to get their way, or attempting to control others through subversive tactics, it is a clear cue that they are mishandling Pluto energies. It is a powerful indication that their self-image is low. There is little satisfaction derived from getting our way through manipulation. It only serves to make us feel less effective in the long run and on a personal level. If I were to win a favor by using subversive tactics, what will it prove to me? It will reinforce my feeling that I am not effective just by being myself. And, effectiveness is something Sun-Pluto craves. Especially with the opposition, these people might attract manipulative, possessive, or jealous people into their lives. With the square, there is more of a tendency to attract dangerous or upsetting situations in the life. Either way, these people need to get in touch with the reason why they are attracting these people and situations. In all likelihood, they are not handling their own fears effectively, and they feel they are not in control of their lives, and a looping pattern is thereby created. They eventually come to realize that they are very strong people with enormous resilience. They need to identify with, face, and accept their “dark” side. Self-acceptance is the key to handling this aspect. Channeling Pluto energy into constructive channels is also important. Famous people with Sun in hard aspect to Pluto: Squares – Wynonna Judd (Sun square Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto), Jamie Lee Curtis, Sally Field; Oppositions – Muhammad Ali, Robert Duvall, John Travolta, Elvis Presley, Steve Allen, John Hurt, James Earl Jones; Oppositions – Nicole Brown Simpson, R.D. Laing, Maya Angelou, Jeffrey Archer, Brooke Shields, Margaret Thatcher, Steffi Graf, Barbra Streisand, Farrah Fawcett.
Mercury

Mercury · Square

Your thinking may be concentrated, obstructed, morose or limited today. Saturn has a way of throwing cold water and constraints on things. Depression is possible, but it will pass, so try to stay optimistic. There may be delays in mail or letters or phone calls. A negative mental outlook along with an unwillingness to accept the ideas of others is characteristic of this aspect. Don't be worried over a lack of inspiration. It won't last long. People will challenge your ideas. Saturn connected to a personal planet in hard aspect has a censoring effect on the planet involved. With Mercury in hard aspect to Saturn, whatever the person says and writes is self-censored to some degree. It’s hard for these people to pour out their emotions, no matter how emotional or needy they feel on the inside. This is because they are always aware of what others might think of them with what they say. They are not necessarily deliberate talkers or thinkers. In other words, they don’t always pick and choose their words carefully or speak slowly. However, they are careful with what they reveal to others. They make plenty of disclaimers, and often come across as negative or sarcastic without intending to. These are people who review conversations they’ve had with others, and who often kick themselves for saying something they didn’t intend to, or for not saying something witty. Saturn tends to have a hobbling effect, and when it’s attached to the planet of communication in hard aspect, there can be some feelings of insecurity about how we speak and communicate in general. These people tend to worry about what they’ve said and how they could have said it better. Some older astrology texts suggest that there can be learning disorders or “slowness” with this aspect, but this is rarely the case. In fact, many people with this aspect are very strong academically. The flow of their communication is blocked in some manner, however, and this is due to an automatic “self-censoring” tendency. Self-consciousness and hypersensitivity is experienced with regards to their intelligence and ability to get ideas across to others, especially in youth. These people need plenty of positive feedback from others in order to feel more confident and less “blocked”. If you have this aspect in your chart, recognize that you are most likely harder on yourself about how you communicate than others are. Ask people close to you for an objective point of view. Chances are, they find you to be astute, intelligent, and an effective speaker or writer. We often tell our kids “don’t worry about what others think”, but telling this to a person with a hard Saturn aspects is not enough, nor is it realistic. They will worry. Instead, I have found that the best way to handle difficult Saturn aspects is to get objective feedback from others! Mercury-Saturn people don’t accept compliments whole-heartedly, yet they crave them and need them. Others around them tend to stop complimenting them, feeling that they either don’t need compliments or don’t want to hear them. Nothing can be further than the truth! Mercury opposition Saturn Your intellectual capabilities are well developed, and you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. You are likely to possess academic “smarts” and writing ability. In some ways you are a loner. This is likely because your greatest feelings of security arise from a job well done. Be sure to exercise caution in entering into contracts. Don’t overlook the important details that can boomerang against you later. It may be best to hire an attorney or other advisor to help you with these tasks. You might find that you are the victim of “red tape”, mix-ups, and communication problems more than most. You sometimes come across as more stern or harsh than you actually are! There is likely to be a negative or sarcastic style to your speech that you may not always be aware of, but that others pick up quickly. You will find that others often misunderstand your intentions rather easily, or that you misrepresent yourself unwittingly. You often kick yourself for saying (or, more often, not saying) something after a conversation is over. — Interpretation from our LoveStyles Report. Some Famous People with the Mercury in Hard Aspect to Saturn: Squares – Sheena Easton, Kevin Kline; Oppositions – Steven Seagal, Kurt Russell, Tiger Woods, Robert Redford, Patrick Duffy.
Venus

Venus · Square

Your involvement with the opposite sex today may not be as harmonious as you would like. There's just some sort of tension going on today between you and they. Take the time to give and take, to find some kind of balance. There may be some sort of love-hate emotion that is present today. It will pass, but as long as it seems to be present, just keep your cool and remember the Golden Rule. Focus on the needs of others today and forget your own needs. The problems today may come through your own selfishness, if you give in to it. Communicate. It might clear up any misunderstanding. Whether it’s an infatuation or a full-blown love affair, relationships get these people out of bed in the morning. They are passionate people who seem to need an active romantic and sexual life to drive them. Often, this area of life is somewhat challenging, especially in youth. As much as they want to be involved in a passionate affair, their timing can be off and/or it’s difficult to find a relationship that mirrors their strong desires and expectations. Especially when they are young, there can be a real awkwardness in their social skills–this may or may not be apparent to others, but these people most definitely feel it themselves. These people are highly creative and generally are driven to express that creativity. Their passion for romance is often channeled into their creative output. For example, challenges in relationships may be a large part of the drive behind their poetry, music, or other art. Love and hate are very much mixed together for people with Venus square or opposition Mars in their birth charts. They are prone to love-hate relationships with others, likely because their passions are such that the old saying “there’s a fine line between love and hate” rings especially true. Some level of competitiveness, anger, frustration, or angst is present in their romantic relationships. In some cases, abuse is present, either in the form of receiving or giving it. Although they are quick to anger, they are generally just as quick to forget about it. Interpretation sample from the Karmic Insight report — In this lifetime the erotic impulses of human love, desire, and sexual relationships are a highly charged focus of your attention. Expressing your sexual energies and personal magnetic attractiveness in ways that are loving and respectful or at least not harmful to yourself and others will be one of your issues. Dominating others through your sexuality or allowing yourself to be dominated in this way is also a theme. Dissonance or turbulence in intimate relationships, especially over differences in sexual drives or needs, must be handled with care. Expressing your passion in ways that are compatible with your own values and sense of beauty is the key here. On another level, balancing and integrating masculine and feminine energies within yourself is the challenge. Carrying or wearing watermelon tourmaline can be quite useful along these lines. Some Famous People with the Venus in Hard Aspect to Mars: Squares – Woody Allen, Antonio Banderas, Tyra Banks, Linda Blair, Albert Camus, Geena Davis, Phil Donahue, Richard Dreyfuss, Jodie Foster, Stephen Foster, Patty Hearst, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Jeremy Irons, Kevin Kline, D.H. Lawrence, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bill Maher, Johnny Mathis, George Michael, John Travolta, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Bruce Willis, Alicia Witt, William Butler Yeats Oppositions – Billy Corgan, John Bobbitt, Judd Hirsch, Naomi Judd, Jay Leno, Julianne Moore, Dwight Yoakam.
Venus

Venus · Square

Unstable romantic infatuations and impractical or irresponsible attitudes and conduct in relationships should be guarded against. There is a desire to break free from binding partnerships. Impulsive spending may be your idea of breaking free. Be careful during this transit because you are probably not thinking with your head, only your heart, which is your wild side right now. Your behavior now may be so bohemian or bizarre that people turn against you. Settle down and apply self-discipline. The need for stimulation and the need to break the rules with regards to love and romance is apparent when Venus squares or opposes Uranus in the natal chart. These people can confuse their partners readily with their on-again off-again energy when it comes to matters of the heart. With the opposition, this is especially pronounced–when they are given too much space, they feel unloved, yet when they get the love they seem to crave, they can feel smothered by it. They can alienate partners by adopting an “I don’t care what you do” stance when they feel threatened. The truth is, they do fear rejection like anyone else, but they don’t always want to admit it, and they can turn quite cold when they suspect their partner doesn’t care. The energy of Venus-Uranus in hard aspect is embodied in the expression, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. When close to a loved one, they can eventually feel smothered or antsy if the relationship becomes too predictable. They can also detach themselves from living in the moment and enjoying the love they have. When apart, they feel more free to love. This aspect is common in the charts of people who maintain long-distance or otherwise erratic relationships. There can be abrupt beginnings and endings in relationships. They are not very “good” at endings–they can appear quite insensitive, aloof, and brusque. The “let’s be friends” attitude might hurt a partner who felt there was much more to the relationship. These people have a disdain for conventional, traditional, or otherwise “normal” relationships. They need to learn to balance their need for closeness and their need for freedom. They truly detest social pretenses, and insist on being sincere. Being well-liked takes second place to sincerity. There is a strong attraction to all that is different, and all that “shouldn’t” be done in love and in sex. Taste in clothing and art is unusual, original, and unique. There is a tendency to react spontaneously and intensely to others, and there is marked emotional impulsiveness with these aspects. Their most successful relationships are unconventional ones. Whether they do so publicly or privately, they delight in defying convention. They tend to move on and outgrow friendships. Some possess considerable romantic charm and humor, and they can pretty much charm the birds out of the trees when they choose to do so! Their love feelings are easily aroused and their romantic relationships begin with suddenness. There is a marked inner craving for emotional excitement and a need to feel spontaneous and free. Alternate interpretations: Venus square Uranus or Venus opposition Uranus: *Your love feelings are easily aroused and your romantic relationships begin with a sudden electric attraction, but they often end abruptly, and you may be in and out of love frequently – especially in your younger years. You crave emotional excitement and need to feel spontaneous and free, so you may avoid making firm personal commitments. Unusual or nontraditional forms of love and relationships appeal to you, and you are attracted to unique, creative, or unstable people. #You tend to fall in love instantly, and you need to discriminate between passing sexual fancy and something that can last “forever.” As your intuition develops, you will be able to identify the difference more clearly. When you “fall,” that is a good time to marshal all your respect for yourself and your partner, and to take things one day at a time until you have forged a deep connection. From Your Spiritual Path report. Some Famous People with the Venus in Hard Aspect to Uranus: Squares – Angelina Jolie, Diana Princess of Wales, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Corbin Bernsen, Naomi Campbell, Chevy Chase, Alice Cooper, Juliette Lewis, Anais Nin, Jean Piaget, Elvis Presley, Valerie Harper, Kirk Douglas, Johnny Depp, Barbara De Angelis, Kim Hunter, Tony Curtis, Carson Daly; Oppositions – Getrude Stein, Dionne Warwick, Sharon Stone, Carl Sandburg, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Pattinson, Deborah Kerr, Jack London, Jesse Jackson, Sean Connery, Ian Fleming, Ellen DeGeneres.
Mars

Mars · Sextile

Action combined with self-discipline and perseverance are highlighted today. You have much stamina and can accomplish whatever you feel like doing. You are organized and systematic in your actions. Plan your future goals now and begin putting them into action. You are in control of your energy and your resources. You know how to get to your goals in life by steady, patient, and persistent progress. You have good, practical overviews of the final result of your efforts. You are good at planning a strategy and sticking to it. You build your projects and your life with bedrock security in mind, with as little risk as possible. Discipline, patience, hard work, and the blessing of good judgment work together to form a picture that looks like “luck” to others. — Interpretation sample from the In Depth report. The trine aspect is the more dynamic of the two harmonious aspects. Those with the sextile can call upon these traits when needed, and those with the trine between the Mars and Saturn have incorporated the traits of the aspect into their personalities, expressing them naturally and consistently. Mars sextile Saturn or Mars trine Saturn: *You possess the gifts of endurance and perseverance, the willingness to work hard and seriously to achieve your objectives. Once you decide you want something or make a commitment, you’ll do it “even if it takes forever”. Self-discipline is natural to you and you instinctively realize that any creative achievement is “10% inspiration, 90% perspiration”. You choose practical, realistic goals and pursue them step-by-step in a well-planned, orderly way. You like to concentrate on one thing at a time and do a thorough job. You enjoy working in solitude, and often feel your best work is done when you are alone. #You may find that you go from one transformational situation to another, never really settling into any one thing. Yet you have the endurance necessary for the long haul. Some Famous People with Mars in Harmonious Aspect to Saturn: Sextiles – Thomas Edison, Alfred Adler, Galileo, Camilla Parker Bowles, Freddie Prinze, Corbin Bernsen, Catherine the Great, Omar Sharif, Ben Stiller, Barbara Walters; Trines – Denzel Washington, Rudolph Steiner, Josef Stalin, Yves Saint Laurent, Emily Post, Marilyn Monroe, Sinclair Lewis, David Letterman, Annie Lennox, Leonardo Da Vinci, Andy Griffith, Dwight Eisenhower, Eric Clapton, Kevin Butler, Kareem Abdul Jabar.
Jupiter

Jupiter · Sextile

You may receive unexpected benefits out of the blue. Unexpected and unusual opportunities for growth can occur now. New friendships can be made which will enable you to grow and to expand your horizons. Your intuitive powers may surface at this time. You are open minded and receptive to new thought. Generosity and broad mindedness are extended to groups and organizations.
Jupiter

Jupiter · Trine

You have religious, spiritual, imaginative, and intuitive inspiration at this time. Feelings of mystical contact and Oneness with the Universe give you the desire to expand your consciousness. You have greater understanding, generosity, and empathy towards others. You may seek to share your good fortune with those less fortunate. Money can come to you suddenly as a result of past good deeds. You may be able to tap your subconscious mind for valuable knowledge and inspiration.
Jupiter

Jupiter · Opposite

You may try to inflict your religious or cultural beliefs on others at this time or they on you. This can be a transit of religious fanaticism. Your desire to reform others may be accompanied by your neglect to improve yourself. There may be radical changes in your religious beliefs. Conflict may arise over financial matters involving taxes, insurance or legacies. Don't take on anything in which you haven't laid the proper foundations. Pride and arrogance may bring your downfall. Your enemies may come out of the woodwork under this transit. Make sure all your dealings are above reproach.

Space Weather (Snapshot)

  • Snapshot: 2026-07-17 08:21:43 UTC
  • Kp: 0
  • NOAA Scales: 0 / 0 / 0

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