Mercury zips through Leo and enters his home sign, Virgo, on August 2 at 7:07 p.m. Eastern, where he remains until August 25. Mercury represents the mind, communication, and short travel. In Leo, he is bold and magnanimous. In Virgo, Mercury is analytical, discriminating, detailed, mentally organized, and practical.

During Mercury's transit in Virgo, it's best 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 best used for planning. In Virgo, Mercury's organized and practical mind can draw up plans with exacting details and alternate avenues to take for anticipated obstacles.

Have an idea? This is the time to formulate how to get it off the ground or determine if it's feasible. Have a project? Mercury in Virgo can help break down complex concepts into manageable steps. Even those of us who are most impatient and easily bored might find this period a time when we can somewhat appreciate the meticulous details that help make up the success of the whole.

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

• August 3 ~ Mercury trine Pluto. A great time for projects or tasks that require deep concentration. This transit allows for the ability to focus with intensity.
  
• August 7 ~ Moon oppose Mercury, while Mercury sextile Venus. Our thoughts reflect the love we hold inside. Find a way to express them. Watch out for early evening (Eastern time) when the Aquarius-Moon will oppose Mercury. We may say or think things we don't mean or regret later.
• August 10 ~ Moon quincunx Mercury is intensified by Mars' (aggression) conflict with Saturn (obligations) that's also happening today. Keep anger and frustration in check if we are to have a constructive day.
  
• August 15 ~ Moon square Mercury. Easy for misunderstanding now. Misinterpretation of intentions. Be patient in our conversations. Lest we allow frustration to become a greater influence in our interactions that it should be.
  
• August 17 ~ Mercury conjunct Saturn and quincunx Jupiter, while Moon sextile Mercury. Our dreams may seem very far away when comparing to our present realities. Keep holding on to those dreams, however. When obstacles are presented, that's all they are ... hurdles to jump over. Once they're dealt with and out of the way, the path to your dreams is once again easier to view. Allow this Mercury in Virgo to analyze and deconstruct, as necessary, in order to manage the limitations Saturn is presenting. Let Jupiter give hope but careful of avoidance/escapism. Listen to your heart (Moon) that's reminding you of the ultimate goal.
  
• August 19 to 21 ~ Mercury quincunx Chiron & Neptune; and oppose Uranus. With Saturn's influence just days before still fresh, take these next few days to "heal" what's "broken" ... What doesn't work? What holds you back? Chiron heals; Neptune enlightens; Uranus promotes radical change. If you've been feeling stuck, this transit will help you get unstuck. Healing and change may be difficult and painful but rewarding and advocates forward movement. Those with natal planets/house angles within 23-24 degrees of Aquarius & Pisces may feel this energy more strongly.
  

Where will this Mercury transit fall on your birth chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Virgo. 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 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 them below then click here for a brief explanation of Mercury's transit in those 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 by clicking here (opens a new window) for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required. Or request a quote for a personalized reading.

Love and relationship take on a more serious tone as Venus leaves light and carefree Gemini for the deep, complex waters of Cancer. Enjoy Venus in Gemini until July 31st at 9:28 p.m. Eastern; she then enters Cancer, where she will remain through August 26.

• August 1 ~ Venus oppose Pluto. Avoid the compulsion for control or manipulation. Do not act or make decisions based on fear. Listen to intuition openly and without fear. That might be more than enough to satisfy obsessions or paranoia. Investigate, if you must, but be prepared for what truths may be uncovered.
• August 7 ~ Moon trine Venus & Mercury sextile Venus. Our heart and mind represent the love we hold inside. Find a way to express them. In money matters, make decisions that reflects your heart's desire. Watch out later in evening (Eastern time) when the Aquarius-Moon will oppose Mercury. We may say or think things we don't mean or regret later.
  
• August 10 ~ Moon square Venus. Everyone feeling this tension may react by inciting an argument or fight. Do not give in to this fight or flight energy. With Mars & Saturn also tensing up, learn to channel the tension toward something productive, instead ... unless you plan on hiding inside the house all day and avoiding all interactions :)
  
• August 17 ~ Moon conjunct Venus. Our heart blending with the love we feel so, take your loved ones and/or significant out for a show of your love and affection. Parents, spend extra time with your children and those with spouses, declare your love all over again! The day, however, may have less of a romantic feel with a dose of reality from Mercury (communication/thinking) and Saturn (obligations/limitations) also blending energies today. Choose which energy you want to yield to or merge the two and appreciate the beauty your life holds, despite whatever the harsh realities are of your situations.
  
• August 19 ~ Venus sextile Saturn & quincunx Jupiter. In love, we may feel the romance is gone and all that's left are the detailed chores and obligations. Be careful not to respond to this by overspending or overdoing anything that might be regrettable when the moment has passed. In money matters, take this day to assess your financial worth and make the necessary changes to living within our means. Truth may be harsh, but accepting it leads to a more fruitful life in the long term.
• August 22 ~ Venus quincunx Neptune & trine Uranus. In love and money, expect the unexpected. Be more discriminating in choosing your "hook-ups" ... love connections made today may be fun but fleeting. So, enjoy but no expectations :)
  
• August 24 ~ Moon square Venus. Ouch! Libra-Moon and Venus in a challenging alignment. Our hearts are objective and ready to accommodate but the Cancerian Venus might want more than the Libra-Moon is willing to give. Avoid making decisions rooted in fear. Communicate. The Libra-Moon is patient and willing to make amends.
  

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 Rising Signs below then click here for a brief explanation of Venus transiting those houses.

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

• Mercury in Leo ~ July 17 to August 2, 2009
  
• Mars in Gemini ~ July 11 to August 25, 2009
  
• Saturn in Virgo ~ September 2007 to October 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
• Triple Conjunction with Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune ~ Long term influence

Venus gives us a treat before leaving Gemini! She fortuitously links herself to the promises of the triple conjunction between Jupiter (ideals/opportunities), Chiron (wounds/healing), and Neptune (dreams/insight), giving our relationships and finances a chance for healing and renewal. Now, isn't that nice of her? and who of us doesn't have a need for that?

Venus represents our relationships (of all types, including that we have with the self), our material worth (as well as our self-worth), and our aesthetics. With the help of Saturn in Virgo, the Sun in Leo, the Moon in Libra [July 27] / Moon in Scorpio [July 28 & 29], Mars in Gemini, and Uranus in Pisces, we are able to stop avoidance and face up to some harsh realities (Saturn in Virgo). Our willfulness (Sun in Leo), objectivity (Moon in Libra), and determination (Moon in Scorpio) give way to our eagerness in finally making movements (Mars in Gemini) that settle these relationship and/or financial issues which may have been lingering for some time. Our way to solving money matters and relationship issues may be through unconventional means (Uranus in Pisces).

While Venus is linked with the triple conjunction, she also forms a challenging alignment with Uranus (radical change), so expect the unexpected ... be open and think outside the box when searching for solutions to common issues. Each situation is original and so might be their answer to repairing them.

We have the blessing and protection of the triple conjunction's long term influence on our side to help us get through the rough patches. So let's get things moving these next few days, while we are still within the new moon phase with the super charged Solar Eclipse in Cancer at our heels; and as the energy is building to a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius [August 5] which encourages improvement at any cost, including those of radical changes. Mars in Gemini will also make his own alignments next month [August 13-18] and hopefully, he will pick up to continue what will have been started during this period.

Although we are all beneficiaries of this celestial alignment between Venus and Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune, those with natal planets/house angles at 24-26 degrees of fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio) or air signs (Aquarius, Libra, Gemini) may be influenced more strongly than others.

Unsure if you have natal planets/house angles at 24-26 degrees? Cast your own birth chart if you don't already have one -- birth date, time, and place required. Or request a quote for a personalized reading.


Related articles on the Triple Conjunction:

• Triple Conjunction Transiting Natal Houses
• Triple Conjunction with Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune ~ Long term influence
• Jupiter-rx Conjunct Neptune-rx ~ July 10, 2009
• Jupiter-rx Conjunct Chiron-rx ~ July 22, 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
  

• Saturn in Virgo ~ September 2007 to October 2009
• Sun in Leo ~ July 22 to August 22, 2009
  
• Mars in Gemini ~ July 11 to August 25, 2009
  
• Eclipses in Astrology Explained
• Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius ~ August 5, 2009
  
• Mars Trine the Triple Conjunction & Square Uranus ~ August 13 to 18, 2009