Mercury governs all manners of mental activity, communication, writing/publishing, and short travels. In Libra, he is social, friendly, and objective. In Virgo, however, Mercury is analytical, discriminating, detailed, mentally organized, and practical.

During part of this transit in Virgo, Mercury retraces his steps as he passes through 29 degrees all the way back to 21 degrees a second time while retrograde and a third time while direct. Retracing his steps multiple times give attention to issues and situations that may need resolution or a second/third look or a simple reflection to see how far we've since his first pass at these degrees this year around the period August 17 to 25.

Mercury re-enters Virgo on September 17 at 11:26 p.m. Eastern and will stay through October 9. As he re-enters Virgo, we are still feeling the tension from Mercury square Pluto, who recently changed directions, is now moving forward, and has returned at Aries Point in Capricorn. Elsewhere in the sky, the Virgo-Sun (self) blends energies with Saturn (restrictions) and seeks balance with Uranus (breaking away). Mercury's change of signs along with the tension in the air between the Sun, Saturn, and Uranus bring focus to our personal goals/aspirations and where working towards them might fit in our lives now.

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

• September 22 ~ Mercury conjunct Saturn. Our mind is filled with the obligations that restrict us and other realities that limit us. We can choose to allow this energy to bring us down or give us less hope or make us feel as if our dreams/desires are far from our reach. OR we can choose use this energy to accept our reality/limitations and brainstorm/plan how to work through them as we go for our true desires. Virgo-Mercury first blended energies with Saturn on August 17.
  
• September 23 ~ Mercury quincunx Neptune & oppose Uranus. During Virgo-Mercury's first link up with Neptune and Uranus on August 20 & 21, Saturn's influence also preceded these alignments with Neptune and Uranus. Neptune enlightens; Uranus promotes radical change. If you've been feeling stuck, this transit will help you get unstuck. Also today, Mars quincunx Jupiter, where our actions/decisions are driven by making BIG things happen.
• September 28 and 30~ Mercury quincunx Chiron. Allow this energy to "heal" what's "broken" ... What doesn't work? What holds you back? Healing and change may be difficult and painful but rewarding and advocates forward movement. This is also a time where you can help someone else heal their wounds. Virgo-Mercury first made this same alignment with Chiron on August 19.
• September 29 ~ Mercury Direct in Virgo. (article forthcoming)
• October 1 ~ Mercury sextile Mars. Our well-intentioned, well-planned actions produce intended results.
• October 4 ~ Mercury sextile Mars, quincunx Neptune & oppose Uranus. Similar to the energies of the previous weeks, our actions reinforces our mental activity, producing intended results to well-intentioned and well-planned actions. As Mercury makes his final pass through at 24 degrees of Virgo this year, let's go ahead and get ourselves un-stuck. Neptune enlightens, while Uranus promotes radical change. Also today, Mars quincunx Neptune & trine Uranus, to reinforce our faithful steps towards becoming un-stuck.
• October 8 ~ Mercury conjunct Saturn. Once again and for the last time this year, Mercury blends energies with Saturn to remind us of our reality, limitations, restrictions. As we move forward and toward our goals, we must not neglect our existing obligations/situations. Take the time now to establish or re-establish the balance between working towards our aspirations and living in our current situations. Virgo-Mercury previously united with Saturn on August 21 and September 22.

How will Mercury's transit in Virgo influence in your life? Look to the Virgo-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 Virgo zodiac sign on your birth chart click here for an 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 an explanation of Mercury transiting those solar and/or natal houses.