Chodesh Tammuz 5785:Pain into Purpose; Exile into Elevation
Cancer the Crab from the Michal Mahzor, Germany, 1258
Chodesh Tammuz 5785
June 26 – July 25, 2025
Constellation/Mazal: Cancer (Sartan) ♋︎ – The Crab
Tribe: Reuven | Letter: ח (Chet) | Sense: Sight (ראיה)
Element: Water (Cardinal – Initiating Emotion)
Planetary Ruler: The Moon
Tammuz begins the somber seasonal arc of descent into the Three Weeks, culminating in Tisha b’Av. This period is astrologically and historically associated with destabilization, intense emotions, and deep soul work.
The Midrash Tanchuma (Bereshit) teaches that Reuven, tribal ruler of Chodesh Tammuz, was the first human being to do teshuvah—repenting not from fear, but from love. That is the potential of Tammuz: to transform pain into purpose, exile into elevation.
The letter Chet, symbolizing life-force (חיים), and the sense of sight (ראיה) are bound to this process. “Reu-ven”—“see, a son!”—is the exclamation of Leah, and echoes the Moon’s gift in this month: the ability to see ourselves and our world more clearly through the waxing and waning of emotion.
Tammuz is ruled solely by the Moon, making it the most emotionally charged month in the Hebrew calendar. Just as Cancer is ruled by the Moon, Leo—the Sun Sign that begins in the last week of Tammuz—is ruled by the Sun. Thus, the Moon–Sun polarity plays out through the emotional intensity of Cancer and the dramatic flare of Leo, setting the stage for both inner and outer conflicts.
According to the Zohar, the months of Tammuz, Av, and Elul were allotted to Esav, whereas Nissan, Iyar, and Sivan belong to Yaakov. Yet through spiritual struggle and teshuvah, the months of Elul (and even Adar, opposite Elul) were reclaimed. This suggests a cosmic blueprint of battle and redemption encoded into this season—pain is not the final word.
Planetary Movements and Key Dates
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz (June 26–27)
New Moon in Cancer conjunct Jupiter in Cancer: Hugeness of Heart. Expect BIG feelings, maternal yearning, and an instinctive reach for safety.
Mercury sextile Uranus: Expect flashes of genius, chiddushim, or “download moments.” Surprising news may jar the emotional atmosphere.
Sun sextile Mars: A push toward courageous emotional expression.
Mercury enters Leo on Shabbos Korach: Don’t fall for theatrics or verbal drama. With Mercury trine Saturn and Neptune, root your words in wisdom.
June 29: Mercury opposes Pluto
This is a high-stakes power struggle. In the Modern State of Israel’s natal chart, Mercury aligns with her natal Moon in Leo, opposed by transiting Pluto. Emotional manipulation, rhetorical warfare, and deep psychological undercurrents surface—national soul reckoning.
First Quarter Moon in Libra – July 2
The balance between justice and emotional reactivity is tested. Avoid knee-jerk reactions; seek peace and pursue it.
Venus conjunct Uranus in Taurus, entering Gemini – July 4–6
Unpredictable shifts in financial markets, values, or relationships. Could tie into material resource themes, such as rare earth minerals, as oligarchic systems shake.
Neptune stations retrograde (July 5): Vision clouds or clarifies depending on one’s inner integrity.
Venus sextile Saturn and Neptune (July 6): Anchoring creativity with conviction.
July 7: Uranus enters Gemini, Venus trines Pluto
This could bring major upheaval or innovation in tech, finance, or media. A “quantum jump” day. Markets may pivot hard. Expect volatility.
Full Moon in Capricorn – July 10/11
Practical vs emotional needs peak. Decisions have long-term implications. Hold or sell? Build or burn? Choose the mature path.
Saturn stations Retrograde – July 13 (17 Tammuz)
The beginning of the Three Weeks is marked by Saturn—the planetary teacher of structure and endurance—reversing course. Collective and personal accountability are themes.
Last Quarter Moon in Aries – July 18
Mercury in Leo stations retrograde and sextiles Venus. Watch for communication snags, ego-driven squabbles, or creative rethinking. Let silence do some of the talking.
Sun in Cancer square Chiron in Aries – Shabbos Pinchas (July 19)
Tender wounds surface. Don’t retreat from discomfort—name it, claim it, and tend it.
Sun enters Leo – July 22
From Moon to Sun. Inner tides now become outer fire. Confidence swells—but must be tempered with humility.
July 23: Sun sextile Uranus, Venus square Mars
A clash of needs: assertive vs receptive. Possibility of sudden outbursts, relationship surprises, or impulsive spending. Don’t act rashly under emotional pressure.
New Moon in Leo – July 24
The Leo Moon trines Saturn and Neptune. This is the reset point: structure your dreams with courage. Let the heart lead but keep it on a disciplined path.
Sun opposes Pluto – July 25 (Erev Rosh Chodesh Av / Shabbos Matot-Massei)
Epic forces face off. This is not a time to wrest control from others—control yourself. Let go of the illusion that you can dominate external forces.
