Born in July: zodiac sign and personality

July holds two signs. Those born from 1 to 22 July are Cancer, cardinal water ruled by the Moon, and those born from 23 to 31 July are Leo, fixed fire ruled by the Sun. July is the one month of the year given to the two great lights of the sky, the Moon of feeling and the Sun of the self.

What July gives its people is heart. The Cancer born love through care, memory and protection; the Leo born love through warmth, loyalty and generosity in full view. Both are attached to those they call their own, both are proud in their way, and both need to be needed.

Born 1 to 22 July: Cancer

July Cancerians belong to the second and third decans of their sign. In the first ten days of the month Mars colours the decan through Scorpio, and the shell hardens to show the claws: these natives are intense, secretive and fiercely protective, and they hold on to a grudge as firmly as to a friend. From around the twelfth, Jupiter enters through Pisces and the sensitivity widens into compassion: dreamers and peacemakers who sense trouble in a family before anyone speaks of it.

All of them trust their feelings before their arguments. They make a home wherever they go and keep the family's stories alive.

Born 23 to 31 July: Leo

Those born from 23 July to the end of the month are Leo of the first decan, where the Sun rules both sign and decan and shines without a cloud. They walk into a room as though someone has announced them, and they spend their warmth as freely as their money. July Leos are proud, theatrical and fiercely loyal, and they give their best when someone is watching. Indifference wounds them more than criticism.

The Cancer Leo cusp: 19 to 25 July

The Sun passes from Cancer into Leo around 23 July, and the days either side of the crossing mix the Moon's sign with the Sun's. This stretch is known as the cusp of oscillation, because it swings between the Moon and the Sun. People born here are both shy and theatrical, sensitive and bold, and they do their best work when feeling and confidence pull in the same direction.

July born in love and marriage

Cancer loves protectively and for good. They want a partner who is faithful, patient with their moods and serious about a home. Scorpio and Pisces share their depth, Taurus and Virgo give them security, and Capricorn, the opposite sign, brings the structure they lean on.

Leo loves openly, with grand gestures and real devotion. They need to be admired by their partner and to admire them in return. Aries and Sagittarius share their fire, Gemini and Libra bring lightness and charm, and Aquarius, their opposite, teaches them that love includes freedom. A July marriage, Cancer or Leo, is built around family and kept warm by loyalty.

July born at work and with money

Cancer works best where they can care, keep or remember: teaching, hospitality, food, property, history, family businesses and the caring professions. The Scorpio decan of early July adds a talent for research and quiet management of money. They save steadily and never feel safe without a reserve.

Leo belongs in front of people: leadership, performance, entertainment, events, teaching, politics and any field with an audience. They work hard for recognition and spend generously on style, gifts and celebrations. Their income grows with their visibility, and they do well to keep one sober adviser close.

July birthstone and colours: ruby

The July birthstone is the ruby, called in Sanskrit ratnaraj, the king of precious stones. Its red is the colour of the heart, which Leo rules, and tradition makes it the stone of passion, courage and protection: it was set in crowns and carried into battle. For the July born it is a stone of love that does not hide.

July's colours are ruby red, crimson and gold. Cancer adds silver, pearl white and sea green; Leo adds gold, orange and the warm yellow of high summer.

The spiritual meaning of July

July is named after Julius Caesar, who was born in it, and the old calendar gave its heat to the dog days, when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises with the Sun. Its spiritual reading is the marriage of the two lights: the month begins under the Moon and ends under the Sun, and those born in July learn to join what they feel with who they are.

In the tarot, Cancer answers to the Chariot, the card of the armoured will that carries the soul forward, and Leo to Strength, the card of the gentle hand that tames the lion. The July soul learns that real power is tenderness held steady.

What zodiac sign is July?

July has two signs. Those born from 1 to 22 July are Cancer, and those born from 23 to 31 July are Leo.

Is 23 July Cancer or Leo?

Leo opens on 23 July on our table, and Cancer closes on 22 July. Since the Sun crosses at a different hour each year, the time of birth settles any birth on the change day.

What is the birthstone for July?

The July birthstone is the ruby, a deep red stone traditionally worn for passion, courage and protection.

What are people born in July like?

July people are warm, loyal and protective of those they love. The Cancer born are sensitive, intuitive and devoted to family; the Leo born are generous, proud and natural leaders.

Which signs are compatible with people born in July?

July Cancerians match best with Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus and Virgo. July Leos match best with Aries, Sagittarius, Gemini and Libra.