Wednesday August 22nd the Sun leaves the courageous and charismatic fire sign of Leo and enters the humble and service-oriented earth sign of Virgo. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign. Virgo directs the heart-felt creativity of the Sun to be of practical service in the world. A mutable sign, modest Virgo applies its powers of discrimination and analysis to perfect our human existence: to heal, make corrections and ameliorate harmful conditions.
We have completed a season of eclipses, where the Sun and Moon align with the lunar nodes, activating problematic karmic patterns for release or renovation. The last two eclipses in Leo provided opportunities for us to connect with our inner divine spark of life, to rededicate ourselves to living with enthusiasm and joy, and to upgrade our unique creative self-expression. This coming month we are invited to apply ourselves and utilize our gifts to improve human conditions and help heal the planet.
Mercury completes its retrograde phase four days before the Sun enters Virgo. After its review period, we can absorb and integrate the new awareness and perspectives we gained during the retrograde. Mercury will continue moving through the retrograde Shadow Area, the portion of the zodiac affected by the retrograde, until September 2nd. During this time we can make use of our newly gained insights, apply new information, and implement alternative strategies, as we integrate newly found knowledge. Have courage, encourage others with your generosity, and lead from the heart. Having gained clarity about issues and ideas, Virgo will assist us as we implement our improved plans and approaches.
As the Sun enters the sign of Virgo it forms a Grand Earth Trine with retrograde Uranus in Taurus and retrograde Saturn in Capricorn. Uranus in retrograde motion disrupts our internal comfort and complacency, prompting us to review, reflect, and resolve any issues related to our physical existence, including our relationship to our physical body and dependency on the Earth’s ecology. Retrograde Saturn asks us to take responsibility for reviewing rigid, outmoded structures and systems in our world. What is no longer working? Uranus will help us break down and sweep away the old, paving the way for creative innovative change. The three planets in the earthy trine support each other in grounded, stabilizing ways. The practical receptive energy of Virgo, which naturally wants to analyze, improve and perfect, can help us find practical solutions to our problems, methods for improvement, and implement them with diligence and devotion.
The Moon in Capricorn is positioned between retrograde Mars and retrograde Pluto. It provides an emotionally receptive influence as Mars and Pluto review and reconsider the use of power and actions taken in patriarchal institutions. The Moon trines Ceres in Virgo, lending committed, purposeful support to nurturing others by improving conditions and healing divides. Through Virgo we can bring together disparate factions, bridge the gaps, and realign systems to be of greater service for all.
“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” -Robert F. Kennedy