It's already time for Mercury to leave his home sign of Virgo and enter Libra on August 25 at 4:18 p.m. Eastern, where he remains through September 17. He will retrograde on September 7 to 29 then will re-enter Libra on October 9 to 28.

Mercury governs all manners of mental activity, communication, writing/publishing, and short travels. In Virgo, he is practical, analytical, and discriminating. In Libra, Mercury is social, friendly, and requires understanding both sides on any situation before making any judgements or decisions. At best, Mercury in Libra is fair-minded, charming, and diplomatic. At worst, indecisive, gullible, and indulgent.

On the day Mercury enters Libra, Mars will have also changed signs a few hours earlier to transit Cancer. But before both planets switch signs they square each other beginning at 29 degrees of their current signs through to zero degree of their new signs, thus forming a T-Square with Pluto, who is in Capricorn at zero degree. A T-Square is a very challenging relationship between planets and is comprised of two squares and one opposition. The combination of these three planets aligning in the sky results in tension and the need for immediate action/decision. There is impatience and aggression in the air. Find a way to channel this energy toward something constructive and beneficial -- impatience to decided action; aggression to self-assertion.

While Mercury is in Libra, he will make alignments with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect Eastern time zone; give +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• August 25/26 ~ Mercury square Pluto. Focus. Deep concentration. Penetrating logic. Uncover what's hidden. Secrets may be revealed. Words exchanged may cut deeply.
• August 28 ~ Mercury sextile Venus. Love fills the mind. Money matters also get some attention. There is cause for hopefulness in both love and finances. Go ahead, take a chance, and make a gesture toward the object of your affection. Analyze all details in money matters and make plans.
• September 3 ~ Mercury square Mars. What we say doesn't reflect what we do. What we think is difficult to express. Miscommunication. Frustration. Anger. Aggression. Conflict. Allow for the possibility of misunderstanding and the need to ask question/explanation with diplomacy and perhaps, the energy of this square can become more bearable.
• September 7 to 29 ~ Mercury Retrograde in Libra & Virgo
• September 17 ~ Mercury-rx square Pluto. Deja vu? We've been here before, right? hmm... events or issues from the end of August may be revisited now. Our minds are sharp with logic that penetrates through lies to arrive at truths. Our words may be insensitive and hurtful. Easy to get frustrated and angered. Secrets revealed. Ability to focus, concentrate deeply.
• October 9 ~ Mercury Re-enters Libra
  

How will Mercury's transit in Libra influence in your life? Look to the Libra-ruled house/s in your birth chart. Match the signs with the house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Libra zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation of Mercury transiting those solar and/or natal houses.

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For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and/or Rising Sign below then click here for a brief explanation.
Unsure of what house/s Mercury in Cancer is visiting? Cast your own birth chart -- birth date, time, and place required. Or request a quote for a paid personalized reading. (both links open a new window)

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.


Related articles:

• Transiting Mercury in Natal Houses
• Pluto in Capricorn Returns to Aries Point ~ August to October 2009
  
• Mars in Cancer ~ August 25 to October 16, 2009
  
• Venus in Leo ~ August 26 to September 20, 2009
• Mercury Retrograde in Libra and Virgo ~ September 7 to 29, 2009
• Mercury Re-enters Virgo ~ September 17 to October 9, 2009
• Mercury Re-enters Libra ~ October 9 to 28, 2009
• Jupiter Retrograde in Aquarius ~ June 15 to October 13, 2009
• Neptune Retrograde in Aquarius ~ May 29 to November 4, 2009
• Chiron Retrograde in Aquarius ~ May 30 to October 31, 2009
• Uranus Retrograde in Pisces ~ July 1 to December 1, 2009

Illustration courtesy of GravityGlitch.