After two and a half long years, Saturn leaves Virgo (on July 21). A few days later, Mercury joins Venus (until August 6) and Mars (until July 29) in Virgo. In the analytical and practical sign of Virgo, Mercury is dignified by rulership (Virgo is governed by Mercury) and by exaltation (best placement for optimum potential). Things are really looking up for Virgo-Suns and risings. Yey!

Mercury transits Virgo on July 27 at 5:43 p.m. EST and stays through October 3. While in Virgo, Mercury retrogrades from August 20 to September 12 and retraces his steps from 19 degrees, all the way back to 5 degrees and then back again. The complete retrograde cycle with the shadow period is July 31 to September 27.

Mercury governs all manners of thinking, communicating, transportation, and commerce. In Virgo, Mercury is analytical, discriminating, detailed, mentally organized and practical. His transit in Virgo is an ideal period to take advantage of focusing on the day to day, getting those minute everyday details under control, and taken care of. The mundane chores that leave little to be desired but require handling and completion are what we need to tackle these next few weeks. This is also a period ideal for planning, especially while retrograde. Time to fine-tune ideas or tweak the step by step detailed action plan. In Virgo, Mercury's organized and practical mind can draw up plans with exacting details and alternate avenues to take for anticipated obstacles.

On the day Mercury enters Virgo, he forms a fatefully frustrating alignment with Uranus. The key is adjustment. Mercury in Virgo needs tangible proof, a logical train of thought, reason that explains what is what or why things are. This link to Uranus challenges Virgo-Mercury to think outside the box, see beyond what's tangible and understand that the inexplicable but true also exists. The answer, clarity, insight or resolution may lie in the realm of becoming conscious of the unknown which exists all the same.

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

• July 27 ~ Mercury quincunx Uranus-rx. covered above. Also today, lingering Saturn-Uranus Opposition triggering Cardinal T-square and cardinal climax.
  
• July 30 ~ Mercury trine Pluto-rx and quincunx Jupiter-rx. There might just be a way to have your cake and eat it too. Think hard. Really concentrate. You'll need to adjust your point of view or consider that there is still an avenue you have not considered.
• August 20 ~ Mercury Retrograde at 12:59 p.m. PST / 3:59 p.m. EST
• September 3 ~ Mercury-rx conjunct Sun. Choose words wisely. Ensure what you want to communicate is being conveyed by the most appropriate word you can use. In Virgo, it's easy to judge and make critical comments. It's never easy to take spoken words back.
• September 12 ~ Mercury Direct at 4:09 p.m. PST / 7:09 p.m. EST
• October 1 & 2 ~ Mercury quincunx Chiron-rx & Neptune-rx; and oppose Jupiter-rx & Uranus-rx. Seek truth. Become consciously aware of what lies in the subconscious. Make a difference even through small acts. Entertain ideas that aims to help others. Healing. Release. Letting go. Breaking away. Pushing for independence. Opting for solitude.

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

• Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 6th house
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 5th house
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 4th house
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 3rd house
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 2nd house
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 1st house
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 12th houses
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 11th house
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 10th house
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 9th house
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 8th house
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 7th house

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required. I am also available for personal astrology readings.

Are you celebrating a birthday? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Have a question? Ask me here. Or cruise on over to our free public forum -- AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start or join a discussion.

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
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• 2010 Cardinal Climax & Its Long-term Impact
• Sun in Virgo ~ August 22/23 to September 22, 2010
• Mercury Retrograde ~ August 20 to September 12, 2010
• Mercury Direct ~ September 12, 2010
• Jupiter Retrograde ~ July 23 to November 18, 2010
• Saturn Returns to Libra ~ July 21, 2010
• Uranus Retrograde ~ July 5 to December 5, 2010
• Neptune Retrograde ~ May 31 to November 17, 2010
• Chiron Returns to Aquarius ~ July 20 to February 8, 2011
• Pluto Retrograde ~ April 6 to September 14, 2010

*Click here to learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.

"Winged Mercury" image credit and copyright to Spark68 via Flickr.