"There’s a wildness in the air that basically makes me want to lie in the grass."

Embracing Wild, Messy Magick in the Heart of High Summer

As July surges in, the earth becomes a vibrant jungle of shoulder-high nettles and flourishing mugwort along every verge. There’s a certain wildness – an untamed pulse running underfoot and through the air – calling us to let go, soften, and surrender to the heat and abundance. July is no ordinary month for witches, earth medicine folk, and nature lovers: it’s loud, ripe, fragrant, and sometimes overwhelmingly alive. If you’re feeling the urge to drop your inhibitions and simply be in the world, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into the energies, allies, rituals, and astrological happenings to make the most of this hot, magickal month.

The Pulse of the Season

Even those better suited for cool spring or autumn can find the magick of July. The foraging is “unreal”: my garden bursts with strawberries, blueberries, redcurrants, and my favourite, raspberries. Even my neighbour’s apple tree has begun to share its bounty. This is the season for barefoot mornings, hand-stained with fruit juice, the scent of herbs, and the promise of a crumble in the near future.

July’s riot of growth isn’t just found in the hedgerows—it’s mirrored in our energy. The month can feel “full-on,” a time where everything seems ripe to the point of collapse. But as I say: “There’s magick in the mess.” Not all of us thrive in heat, but the real invitation is simply to notice what stirs within us as the wheel turns.

Astrology: Full Moon in Capricorn & New Moon in Leo

Full Moon in Capricorn (10th July)

Capricorn brings grounding, focus, and a no-nonsense attitude. This moon asks us to examine where we’re pouring energy that isn’t feeding us in return. Are you feeling the urge to declutter, firm up boundaries, or complete the tasks you’ve been avoiding? That’s Capricorn’s clarity.

New Moon in Leo (24th July)

In contrast, Leo’s new moon is a burst of creativity, confidence, and visibility. If you’ve been playing small or shrinking from the spotlight, this is your cosmic permission to step forward and be seen. Set intentions for courage, self-expression, and truly owning your space.

Mercury retrograde in Leo on the 17th may tangle your words or summon ghosts of ideas and exes. No need to panic; just breathe. Mercury retrograde is a time for all things ‘re’: rest, reset, regenerate, and revive.

Plant Allies for July

Mugwort

There’s no escaping mugwort’s silvery, dream-tinged presence. She lines roadsides and footpaths, thriving in disturbed ground. Symbolic of dreamwork and journeying, mugwort can be burnt for cleansing, steeped for tea, or stuffed into dream pillows. My recent studio opening included mugwort smoke cleansing sticks, dream oils, and a guided journey, a testament to this plant’s deep, mystical power. Just be cautious if pregnant or breastfeeding as mugwort can be quite potent.

Meadowsweet

Found by riverbanks and in damp meadows, meadowsweet’s frothy cream blooms smell unmistakably of almonds. Beyond its historical use as a wound-herb, meadowsweet is my go-to for acid reflux, digestive comfort, and emotional ease. It softens the rough edges of overwhelm, whether from noise or heartache. Dry the flowers for teas, bath blends, or calming rituals, and let its gentle clarity pull your energy back to your centre.

Yarrow

July is a time when boundaries fray in the heat, and yarrow is a stalwart protector. Known for both physical and energetic boundaries, yarrow is the plant to reach for when the world feels too “people-y.” Its coagulant and anti-inflammatory properties make it a battlefield remedy—literally. Yarrow’s energetic protection is visceral: it helps you hold your ground, claim your space, and heal both skin and soul.

Crystal Allies for Fiery Times

Moonstone

The perfect companion for July’s emotional currents, moonstone steadies and reflects without numbing. Excellent for sleeping, journaling, or quiet introspection, moonstone is especially attuned to new moon energies and can help soothe overwhelm and emotional storms.

Carnelian

As Leo surges in, carnelian stokes your creative fires without the risk of burning out. It encourages slow, steady motivation—ideal for tackling projects, reigniting confidence, and working with creative intention.

Amber

Not a true crystal but fossilised resin, amber embodies the sun’s warmth. Use it for ancestral connection, calming the nervous system, or simply keeping it together when everything feels a bit too much.

Grounding Stones

When July’s energies threaten to toss you about, reach for black tourmaline or smoky quartz—or even just a heavy stone from your garden—to ground and centre yourself.

Rituals and Maintenance Magick

July doesn’t demand grand rituals. Instead, look for maintenance magick: pruning what’s grown wild, making herb bundles, or burning a to-do list in a focused release. Herbal baths and foot soaks with nettle, lavender, or meadowsweet are both practical and magickal. An offering of garden raspberries or rosemary left in a cherished spot is a simple act of gratitude and connection.

Perhaps most importantly, remember that lying in the grass, bare skin to earth, is magick too: “Witchcraft isn’t always about production. Sometimes it’s about feeling the seasons on your skin.”

July is wild and overwhelming, yes, but also achingly beautiful—if you pause long enough to notice. This is your invitation to sink into the riot of the season, tend what needs tending, and let yourself be nourished by the abundant, untamed magick all around.

Curious for more insight, ritual suggestions, and seasonal wisdom? Watch the full video on The Wild and Untamed Way YouTube channel and journey deeper into July’s witch’s guide.