Mercury Retrograde in Virgo

Mercury in retrograde. If these words mean anything to you, they probably carry connotations of confusion and unstable communications. They may rouse memories of misunderstanding, or of decisions made and later regretted. Integral to the retrograde cycle of Mercury, our great communicator (and nimble trickster), is the notion that our communicative processes are not in sync: not within ourselves, and definitely not with others. Mercury retrograde is a time to double check every agreement you make and scour your agenda for any little details that may surface later as larger issues. The trickster Mercury tends to bury his foolery in the minutia of our day to day lives, and therefore we must be very detail oriented and attentive to our critical tendencies.

You do not have to believe in the existence of a God, a higher organizational force, or a trickster deity to understand the effects of Mercury retrograde. The trickster is within us, the trickery involving no malicious foul play but rather a distortion of perspectives. Such is the astronomical nature of this cycle; Mercury has not actually changed directions, but only appears to move backwards in our sky when the Earth (in its shorter orbital ellipse, being closer to the Sun) passes it.

Although Mercury retrograde happens rather frequently (about every four months), it always seems to take a different approach to putting certain things in perspective. Similarly, its effects on our relationships can vary from cycle to cycle. Just as we use context clues to discern the meaning of a complicated or obscure word, so we must observe the context of this retrograde cycle to decipher its meaning and anticipate its effects. This is not so much predictive astrology as an attempt to tap into the energies of the orbital bodies to help us emerge a benefactor rather than a victim of this predictably cruel astrological weather.



Most prevalent in our sky at the moment Mercury began its retrograde motion two days ago (the 20th) was a conjunction of Mars and Venus in Libra. As these cosmic lovers move at different speeds, their brief meeting (and most ideal situation for connection and compromise in the harmonious Libra scales) is tainted by a lack of trust. Trust, the ability to take your partner's word as fact, is the most fundamental operator in intimate relationships. Without it, there can be no development as individuals or as a team; you are stopped cold at the surface of this other individual. This is not an impass, but rather an obstacle that (should both partners acknowledge its existence) can be worked through with very direct and honest dialogue.

The Sun's transit to Virgo (which is both ruled by Mercury and home to this retrograde cycle) on the 23rd will set the tone for the next few weeks. The theme is details, details, details, and there's no better place to iron out the little wrinkles in the fabric of our socio-romantic lives than in critical Virgo. Now is not a time to make plans or move forward, but rather reflect upon and learn from the ups and downs your relationships have experienced over the past several months. Mercury retrograde in Virgo is an ideal time to assimilate knowledge into practical, useable information that can be utilized for self-improvement.



I consider this Mercury retrograde to be the third (and most powerful) in a series, in that this is the third consecutive retrograde cycle occurring in an Earth sign (last winter in Capricorn, last spring in Taurus, now in Virgo). In each of these cycles, Mercury draws strength from its proximity to the Sun, giving it an added burst of energy that seems to shorten our tempers and limit our patience. However, patience and caution are the only proven counters to the trickster's woes, so don't be fooled into making decisions in an angry or emotional unstable state. The Earth sign context of these happenings gives us a firm grounding, and prevents us from completely losing ourselves in the mayhem; however, Earth signs also have us at our most self-critical, rendering us weak and subject to persuasion, most notably in our professional lives. Especially challenging for our aspirations will be Jupiter's retrograde transit to Pisces on the 9th. Be sure of yourself; you know what your goals are, and don't lose sight of them.

One last caution: Venus' transit to Scorpio on the 7th will likely inspire you to seek new intimate friends or even sexual partners. Remember, new acquaintances are hard to read, especially when our perspectives are distorted by Mercury's slight of hand. It's okay to be adventurous, but beware of any agreements you make or permanent changes you make to any of your relationships; you may realize how deeply you regret your decisions after Mercury stations direct on the 12th. Proceed with caution.

And remember: it's all in the details.

From Examiner.com.

Weekend Forecast

This week has been a bit more dramatic than you had hoped it would be. Moon conjoin Sun in Leo is a very energetic combination; tempers run high, and people feel pressured to assert themselves more than usual. Everyone around you has a need for attention, and they are not doing a very good job of hiding it right now. The constant clamoring for applause and appreciation may have you at the end of your patience. Keep a cool head for a little while longer, and as Uranus departs from Aries late Friday night, you should feel some relief of your increasing aggravation.

The Moon has joined our ever powerful cardinal cross, opposing Jupiter, squaring Pluto, and conjoining Saturn in the earliest degrees of Libra. This has raised our awareness of our connections with those around us as well as our importance in the grander schemes of our society. You are likely to feel more emotional about a certain issue that until now has felt somewhat distant, be it the war, the oil spill, or any other large-scale issue.

Now, the Moon moves through Libra alongside Mars and Venus. As these planets move towards conjunction, we will start to feel a decrease in the pressures of our relationships. An increase in comfort and a decrease in tension will enable us to communicate better with one another, ultimately strengthening our intellectual connections.

A Moon in Scorpio Saturday and Sunday combined with a short list of planetary aspects should make for a rather uncomplicated two days. Take some time to get to know and get closer with one of your friends or acquaintances. Jupiter opposite Saturn will have you feeling stressed overly self-critical next week, but save your worries for then. Right now, enjoy the beautiful weather, and appreciate the simple things in life that we sometimes take for granted, i.e. a trustworthy relationship.

From Examiner.com.

August: Sun sign horoscopes

Aries:
August for the Aries ram should be a month of reaffirmations and reevaluations. Jupiter retrograde in your sign encourages you to check up on your goals, and reminds you that a goal without plans is merely a wish. When Mercury stations retrograde (20th) in Virgo, it's time to inspect the minutia of your life. Be sure to double and triple check any work you do at this point; the planets suggest that you will miss something somewhere.
Taurus:
Venus slips into Libra on the 6th, beginning the bull's August with an air of comfort and stability. However, retrograde Uranus is headed for Pisces, and when it lands there on the 14th, it is sure to cause a disruption. Uranus in your 11th house of friendships suggests imminent upheaval in your social circle. Use Venus' conjunction with Mars on the 20th as an opportunity to take some initiative in forging a new friendship.
Gemini:
Jupiter retrograde in your 11th house of hopes and wishes has you thinking big. However, sobering Saturn (in Libra) opposes Jupiter, informing you of the faults that stand between you and your dreams. Sun in Virgo at the end of the month will help you to fix these faults. You should probably lay low and avoid major commitments when your ruling planet, Mercury, goes retrograde on the 20th. It's stationing direct in early September will be your time to shine; until then, play your cards conservatively.
Cancer:
The New Moon in Leo on the 9th will renew in you a sense of self-worth (a concept you've been questioning recently) and may even inspire you to assume a leadership position amongst your peers. Take on a project that will challenge your intellect and exercise your creative impulses. The Full Moon on the 24th occurs in your 9th house of growth, which indicates that you are likely to learn a lot from any attempts you make to come out of your protective shell this month. Be adventurous.
Leo:
You always tend to shine amongst your social circle, even if its in your own subtle way. But this lion's Sun is no time to be humble. Upon the New Moon in Leo on the 9th, start working on a project that will show off your strengths and creativity while consuming all the excess energy you seem to be generating. When the Sun transits to Virgo, its time to focus on someone else besides you; you can discover a lot about yourself by listening to others and helping them with their problems.
Virgo:
Venus transits to your 2nd house on the 6th, enabling your occasional propensity for overspending. You will find yourself valuing money and materials more than usual. The Moon in your 4th house from the 17th-19th will hopefully remind you that the most valuable thing you own comes at no cost: your family. You may feel immobilized by everything seeming like it's up in the air right now, but when the Sun transits to your sign on the 23rd, your adaptability and practical nature will kick in, enabling you to problem solve like a pro.
Libra:
Tempestuous emotions abound under the Leo Sun, amplified for Libra by a concentration of planets in your sign. Unfortunately, your restlessness will continue until Mars and Venus conjoin in Libra on the 20th. The Sun's subsequent transit to Virgo should restore you to your normally balanced self. Retrograde Uranus enters your 6th house of health on the 14th, advising you to take care of yourself. A sudden accident could jeopardize your physical well-being if you're not cautious.
Scorpio:
Patience, scorpion. Pluto retrograde in your 3rd house of communications does not bode well for hasty decision making. In fact, it may even pressure you to come to conclusions that you are not ready for. Mercury in retrograde, beginning on the 20th, seems to agree; life is a marathon, not a sprint, so move at your own pace. Don't be pressured into action by your peers. Thoroughly investigate every situation (as you love to do) and avoid at all costs rushing to any judgements.
Sagittarius:
Your self esteem may be at a low at the beginning of the month as Jupiter (your ruling planet) in your 5th house of self-expression is opposed by critical Saturn. Both planets squaring Pluto along the cardinal cross brings emotional issues quickly to a heated point, so don't get too caught up in your feelings. Things will cool off a bit after Mars conjoins Venus on the 20th, and when the Sun transits to your 10th house of career on the 23rd, it will bring back into focus your aspirations and practical plans for achieving them.
Capricorn:
Your practical, responsible, level-headed approach to any situation is at its strongest this month, so have confidence in your endeavors. Your ruling planet, Saturn, has entered your 10th house of careers, cautioning you to avoid any unnecessary risk taking. Opposite Saturn is Jupiter in Aries, which tames your ambitions and reminds you that growth is a process. Hasty attempts at yielding immediate results are predestined to be fruitless. Uranus retrograde in your 3rd house of communications (14th) combined with Mercury in retrograde (20th) are going to wreak havoc on your interpersonal interactions the end of this month; be prepared for tricky social situations, mixed signals, and sudden cancellations.
Aquarius:
Although you are a rebel at heart, you tend to go with the flow in the interest of appeasing the masses. However, now is a time to be independent and confident in your solo act. Pluto retrograde in your 12th house of inevitability and entrapment may force certain decisions upon you that you are not ready to make. You will be tempted by Neptune and Uranus in retrograde to escape reality; while you don't have to make all your decisions right now, that does not mean that you can ignore them. The second half of the month will try your patience, and you will feel as if your friends do not understand you. Odds are, at this point in your life, they probably do not.
Pisces:
Jupiter in Aries has your energies at a pinnacle early this month, so take advantage of your extra enthusiasm to do some light traveling or exploring. Retrograde Neptune in your mystical 12th house suggests that you get in touch with your spiritual side. Retrograde Uranus entering your sign on the 14th will bring about some sudden changes, so try to be flexible to avoid disruptive conflict. The Full Moon in your sign on the 24th will have you most compassionate, so reach out a helping hand to a friend in need.

Be sure to check out the August general reading for the major astrological events of the coming month.

From Examiner.com.