Mary Jo Wevers

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Mercury retrograde from Libra into Virgo

In the solar month ahead we enter into the third Mercury retrograde cycle of this calendar year. A Mercury retrograde takes on the flavor of the one or two signs of the zodiac through which Mercury is traveling. Therefore each retrograde cycle has its own style, tone and manner, expressed through the sign and degrees that are transited. This month Mercury retrogrades from 8 degrees Libra to 24 degrees Virgo.

The signs and degrees of the retrograde are in one or more houses in your horoscope, or natal chart. These houses represent the areas of life, associated themes, subject matters and issues, where you will experience the affects of the retrograde cycle most strongly. The houses in your horoscope where 24 degrees Virgo through 8 degrees Libra fall signify the area, or areas of life that will come under review during this retrograde.

A planet moving retrograde moves through the same part of the zodiac three times. It is as if the planet is walking back and forth over this area looking at its issues and processes from different perspectives. We may feel a sense of stuck-ness in these areas, or as if matters are not moving along smoothly, or at a more satisfying faster pace. This “sensitized” part of the zodiac is referred to as the Retrograde Shadow area.

On August 21st, the day before the Sun’s ingress into Virgo, Mercury enters the Shadow area of its retrograde. During its first pass through the Shadow area, issues emerge that will be revisited and re-examined during the remainder of the retrograde cycle. In Libra, themes concerning maintaining balance in one’s life, or within relationships, may surface. Notice what is coming up in your day to day life. Pay attention to your internal responses. Any issues that come up now can be reviewed, revised, and re-worked during the retrograde. 

In Libra, we may have tendencies to be other-centered, and compromise our self. We may have difficulty with anger, in ourself and in others, and want peace at any price. If we are a people pleaser we may be flattering, or dishonest at times. We might tend to be superficial, concerned with outward appearances, and strive to maintain an appearance of graciousness and refinement. We may be ambivalent when needing to make decisions, vacillating, or indecisive out of fear of displeasing or going against the wishes of others. This may make us unable to act, or act in our own self-interest.

Mercury moving back into Virgo guides us to go back and reconnect with the grounded, discerning, practical real-world attitudes and approaches of Virgo. What qualities do we need to foster that will help us regain our balance, in ourselves and in our relationships? What steps do we need to take to improve our health and well being? Where can improving our life skills and competency lead to better outcomes? Can we place improving and problem-solving ahead of people-pleasing? Can adopting the approach of Virgo to be of greater service help us be better partners in our personal and business partnerships?

At the end of its first pass through the Shadow area Mercury slows in preparation to change direction, or station retrograde. We may feel a slowing down of energy in us, or in our life, or a reversal of energy. Mercury stations retrograde at 8 degrees Libra on September 9th and begins its second pass through the Shadow area in reverse direction. During this time it is helpful to slow down, re-direct our attention internally, and review what has happened during Mercury’s first pass through the Shadow area. We have an opportunity to go back and retrieve missing information, consider other perspectives, and look at matters from other viewpoints in order to consider issues differently.

As Mercury reaches the end of its retrograde phase it slows down once again in preparation to change direction. On October 2nd Mercury stations direct at 24 degrees Virgo and begins moving in a forward direction, making a third pass through the Shadow area. This is a time to gain insight and better comprehend issues that recently emerged. We can integrate new or missing pieces of information retrieved during the retrograde, and absorb new understanding and different perspectives on issues.

On October 18th Mercury leaves the Shadow area, having completed the current retrograde cycle. Mercury moves into new territory, with its associated themes and issues. Our awareness moves into new areas in life, with different matters and issues.

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Addressing the Novel Coronavirus through Virgo

The coronavirus pandemic has upended our lives and gravely disrupted institutionalized economic and social systems by exposing their flaws and magnifying the need for fundamental change. On a global scale we have watched, often in disbelief, COVID-19 spread into far corners of the world causing sickness and death. On the personal level we have also experienced its impact on unforeseen aspects of our daily lives, including how we work, play, interact with one another, school our children, shop, and pay our bills. As we struggle with new challenges and fears about the future, we often long for “the way things were.” Rather than wishing for “the good old days,” which we are discovering weren’t so great after all, we can see this as a very difficult transition we must make into a new way of life. The sign of Virgo and the archetypal energy it brings to situations such as the coronavirus pandemic is needed now more than ever.

A mutable feminine earth sign, Virgo adapts to changing conditions and responds to problematic circumstances in improving, practical, real-life ways. Archetypal Virgo uses critical thinking to analyze problems by breaking down enormously complex situations into manageable bits. She processes details with discrimination, absorbing and digesting pertinent information gleaned from her research. She finds simple, realistic ways to solve problems, and tests or ground-truths them for effectiveness and practicality. 

Humble and modest, Virgo does not assume she is “right” in her approach or assessment. She carefully checks and rechecks her work, exploring other avenues of inquiry in order to generate models that better describe conditions, that promote greater understanding of causes, and ultimately find the best cures and remedies. Her work is never done, because she is continually absorbing new information and digesting experiential facts, to improve her understanding of problems. 

Virgo uses iterative processes to continually adjust, refine and redirect her research. She makes efficient use of time and resources while being thorough and precise. She diligently strives for perfection in all she does. While highly competent, she takes self-improvement seriously so she can be of better service in the world.

Virgo rules, or is associated with, areas of science that pertain to health and hygiene, and are service oriented, such as medicine and epidemiology. Health care professionals who work to protect and improve physical well being, and social workers who serve the emotional and mental needs of people are examples of Virgo in action.

Many people complain that medical experts are changing their recommendations for dealing with the coronavirus, or that they gave us misinformation at the beginning of the epidemic. They want immediate and fixed answers, recommendations, solutions and cures, so they can “get back to normal” as soon as possible. However medical science is constantly changing or updating and refining its research and understanding of the novel coronavirus. It is cautious in making recommendations for preventing and treating COVID-19 unless sound scientific substantiation can be provided. 

Taking a Virgo approach in our personal lives concerning the coronavirus, we must validate “facts” we come across in the media, and not succumb to conspiracy theories, political opinions or wishful thinking. When doing your own research, ask if “facts” are backed up by empirical science. Be cautious about unproven treatment methods or remedies. Be careful, thoughtful, logical, and separate the wheat from the chaff.

According to the humanistic astrologer Dane Rudhyar tolerance, compassion, and charity are the great virtues of Virgo. He writes that these virtues “are manifestations of the same deep root – the willingness to grow by experiencing and assimilating … aspects of truth, of love and of sacrificial action.” This speaks to the mutable modality of the sign: it is flexible, adaptable, modifying and changing. We can adopt these virtues and show tolerance by being more flexible in a profoundly changing world. We can show compassion and charity towards others, especially the vulnerable, by wearing masks in public, social distancing, and lending caring support in our community. 

This month set aside time to appreciate and value the Virgos in life who are working tirelessly to check the spread of the coronavirus. Biologists are working quickly and carefully to discover as much as possible about this novel virus. Medical workers are skillfully and compassionately easing the suffering of those who have contracted COVID-19. Researchers are diligently working to find vaccines and treatments to alleviate the devastating havoc it produces in the human body. And others are working to provide social services for vulnerable members of our communities. They are sacrificing their health and personal needs to be of greater service in the world right now.

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The Asteroids

The asteroids are minor planets of the inner Solar System. The large majority of known asteroids orbit the Sun in a diffuse belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid belt consists of what some astronomers believe to be innumerable pieces of a planet which broke apart and fragmented. Symbolically these fragments represent different parts of ourselves that have become fractionated, disconnected, compartmentalized, and are wounded and hurt. 

While the traditional ruler of Virgo is Mercury, many modern astrologers feel the more appropriate rulers are the asteroids and the centaur Chiron. Rulership of Virgo by the asteroids is more congruent with her description and aligns more closely with the character of this feminine earth sign than placing her under the rulership of masculine Mercury, who more appropriately rules the intellectual air sign of Gemini. 

Although there are thousands of asteroids, the four largest are the ones most commonly used by modern astrologers in chart interpretations. These asteroids are named after goddesses in Greek and Roman mythology, which represent female archetypes. Each archetype symbolizes a different facet or fragment of feminine earth energy found in the human psyche. Through Virgo, the broken fragments, represented by the asteroids, can be recovered and reclaimed. Using the Virgo powers of analysis, discrimination, categorizing, and healing we can recover, mend and integrate these disconnected parts of ourselves, assimilate them and become whole.

Ceres

Ceres was the largest of the asteroids, before its reclassification and promotion to ‘dwarf planet’ in 2006. In mythology Ceres is the Roman version of the earlier Greek goddess Demeter. Da mater means “earth mother.” Ceres/Demeter is the goddess of the abundance of the land, agriculture, and the harvest. She is known as the Goddess of Grain. Pagan farmers saw her as the source of all food crops. Ceres’ daughter Persephone learned to tend the crops and nurture living things at the side of her mother. 

In the astrological chart Ceres represents the need for nurturing as well as the capacity for nurturing others. Ceres shows what we need from ourselves and others to feel unconditional love. The sign of Ceres in your astrological chart shows how you need to be nurtured and nourished, as well as how you express your propensity to nurture and nourish others.

While the Moon rules the protection, caring and feeding of babies and very young children, Ceres rules the nurturing of older children and the caring for adults. She rules mentoring and apprenticeships, relationships where the Ceres archetype instructs and guides the protege how to grow and flourish.

Ceres rules the growth of crops and animals and their major life cycles including life and death. As the goddess who has control over nature’s resources and natural life cycles, Ceres is associated with environmental and ecological causes in our modern world. Here the care-taking function of Ceres is broadened from interpersonal relationships to instinctive nurturing of the environment and the global community dependent upon it.

Ceres governs mother-child relationships, attachment and dependency. In our culture women tend to express Ceres’ energy more easily than men. A woman with a strongly place Ceres in her astrological chart yearns to be a nurturing caretaker. Men and women with a strong Ceres make good parents.

The dark shadow side of Ceres, expressed problematically, include withholding of nurturance, or over-controlling others for the sake of nurturing. Modern topics that fall under Ceres realm include nourishment, eating disorders, women’s reproductive rights, custody struggles, empty-nest syndrome, environmental issues and work stoppages.

Pallas

The asteroid Pallas was discovered shortly after Ceres, and is the second largest asteroid. In Greek mythology Pallas Athena is a Warrior Goddess. She was born fully grown and armed from the head of her father Zeus, after Zeus swallowed her mother. She is one of the first goddesses of the new patrilineal and patriarchal culture, where power and inheritance from the mother line was subjugated to the sole power and authority of men. She is the archetype of the daughter who learns to identify with her father and live in a man’s world.

Pallas is a somewhat androgynous goddess who refused to marry. She was known for her absolute chastity. She channeled her efforts into achieving success by aligning herself with the patriarchy, its goals and measures of success. She is willing and able to do the things that will please those in power, even if it means denying her feminine self. The armor she wears walls off her emotional vulnerabilities, and protects her from patriarchal judgments against feelings. 

Pallas represents feminine wisdom and intelligence that is holistic and inventive. As a great warrior and political strategist, she has a unique ability to recognize patterns, see a situation in its entirety, and devise a plan of action to achieve a goal. As a warrior goddess Pallas is a protector of those in battle. She uses compassionate wisdom to teach merciful justice and peaceful resolution of disputes. She supports the political and corporate state through her keen and perceptive intelligence and strategic efforts. 

Pallas’ intelligence is not only strategic, but also creative. In mythology she is revered for teaching the practical arts and crafts that enabled humankind to develop culture and civilization. As a patroness of the arts, her wisdom inspires artistic vision in artisans and craftspeople.  Pallas is also associated with healing and holistic therapies that integrate mind, body and spirit. 

Pallas is associated with the father-daughter relationship. She carries wounds from her relationship with her father, her lack of a mother connection, and from her allegiance to male authority. Because she identifies with men more than women, she loses a part of herself, her ability to be feminine. The dark shadow side of Pallas can be seen in selling out to the powers-that-be, or conversely, fear of success. Modern topics that fall under Pallas’ rulership include incestuous and abusive relationships with a father figure, and conversely, women who abuse men. 

Pallas helps us devise strategies that allow us to have healthy, productive relationships with those in authority, and an energetic drive to have a career. She is a promoter of professional excellence. The dilemma of professional women who sacrifice relationships or children for career falls under Pallas’ domain. Pallas at her best represents the ability to balance the male and female parts of ourselves in order to live our life fully and creatively while interacting with others effectively.

Juno

Juno is one of the two largest stony asteroids. Juno is named after the highest goddess in the Roman pantheon, the long-suffering wife of Zeus/Jupiter. She was one of only two legally married goddesses on Mount Olympus, Venus being the other. Unlike Venus, Juno honored her marriage vows, despite numerous obstacles and her husband’s legendary infidelities.  

Juno represents committed partnership. Of the four asteroid goddesses, Juno alone represents steadfast loyalty to a relationship for the sake of the relationship. In her highest and best expression, Juno represents transcendence of the personal ego that committed partnership can offer. Through partnership we can move beyond the separateness of our self by joining forces with another at the deepest levels: physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Juno represents the wife-husband relationship. She symbolizes attitudes towards marriage and other committed, long-term, stable partnerships. If a partnership does not contain mutual respect and support, the shadow side of Juno appears revealing co-dependency and power struggles. In many of the Roman myths Juno acted out her fears of abandonment and infidelity. She experienced the “double standard” and had power struggles with Jupiter in her marriage. She experienced jealousy and indulged in score-keeping and cruelty for retaliation.  

Juno represents what we are looking for in any committed personal or professional partnership. Modern partnerships, including long-term commitments without a legal ceremony, and same-sex unions fall under Juno’s jurisdiction. Marriage contracts, separation and divorce are ruled by Juno. Other issues include co-dependence in partnerships, financial dependence, spousal abuse and powerless wives.

The Juno principle is expressed at its highest and best when rather than relinquishing total control of yourself and the relationship, or losing your identity in it, you are able to harmonize and find complete and transcendence with and through the other, your “soul mate.”

Vesta

Vesta is the brightest of the asteroids and can at times be seen by the naked eye. Vesta in Roman mythology is the goddess of the hearth known as the “keeper of the flame.” The altar of Vesta was placed in the spiritual and secular center of a community, usually in the central town square. The “vestal virgins” were priestesses of the Goddess who tended the perpetual fire in the public hearth. The vestal virgins served their community by keeping the divine flame lit not only in the town center, but also in the hearts of those they were dedicated to serving. Vesta represents the ability to keep the “home fires burning” and to sustain our connection to the sacred source of life within us.

In pre-patriarchal times vestal virgins practiced sexual rites in the temples to initiate disciples and pilgrims into the sacred mysteries. Through the sexual act they channeled the spiritual power of the Divine Feminine and provided the means through which the common man could experience Her. They were not “virgins” in the modern sense of the word, but in the original sense of belonging to no one, of being independent and in sacred service to the Goddess. 

In modern patriarchal times accessing the Divine Feminine and sharing Her powers with others through the act of sex is taboo. The collective memory we have of this aspect of ourselves is repressed and distorted. Fully connecting with our Vesta principle is not honored and respected in a culture where God is viewed as a male principle. Rather, female sexuality that is not other-centered is debased and judged as evil. When our Vesta principle is repressed we can experience sexual repressiveness, fear, alienation, frigidity and impotence, or conversely, promiscuity. In our modern times we need to learn how to re-integrate our spiritual and sexual energies.

Vesta represents devoting oneself to being of service to others and a commitment to finding meaningful work. This work is a high calling, not merely a job to earn a livelihood. In our modern society Vesta transmutes her sexual energy and channels it through her creative abilities to do meaningful work. She is dedicated and shows devotion to an altruistic cause that is sacred to her. 

Working side by side with her sister vestal virgins, Vesta represents the sister relationship. She demonstrates denial and self-sacrifice for a greater good. She keeps her emotions at arms length in order to meet the demands of her work and achieve her goals. Vesta’s shadow side is using work as compensation for other interests. She sublimates her personal interests for her vocation or career. It can also manifest as sacrifice or denial of the self for a “greater goal.”

Vesta describes our inner center, or focus, where we feel safe and whole. She represents the way we connect with our inner center, which houses our divine flame, and how we maintain it with spiritual purpose. She defines the way we use our inspiration and creativity in the world to be of greater service to our community.

“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.”
– Tori Amos

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Virgo: Sign of Healing and Integration

The negative polarity of the feminine earth sign of Virgo gives her a receptive, internal nature. She is a humble, practical archetype, striving to serve through self-improvement, healing, and mentoring. The word “humble” comes from the Latin word for “ground” or “earth.” Virgo is the embodiment of humility, grounded in the material world, keenly aware of the physical needs of humanity, and our interdependence and interconnectedness with the earth’s ecology. Virgo “tends the seed” with dedication and dependability. She wants the earth and its inhabitants to function more efficiently and healthily. She mentors others by passing along her guidance, skills and practical wisdom.

The key phrase for Virgo is “I Analyze.” Virgo studies the objects of her attention carefully and precisely. Her focus is on the details, symbolized by the individual grains of wheat on a stalk. Virgo analyzes and categorizes in logical, methodical ways, assimilating essential facts. Virgo can efficiently divide a task into manageable parts. She is a careful planner, capable of integrating diverse aspects of her projects. She is discriminating and discerning, scientific, conscientious and thorough in her efforts to create order and perfection.

Although Virgo appears to be concerned with the constituent parts and details of the whole, her goal is unification through refinement, realignment, and integration of parts into wholeness. In this manner she represents the holistic healing disciplines. The Divine Feminine energy of Virgo is devoted to the integration of body, mind and spirit.

Virgo rules areas of our life which prepare us for being of service in the world, including our work related skills, habits and competency. Virgo is represented by people in the service industries, social services, law enforcement, and organized labor and unions. Virgo strives to improve and perfect herself so that she can serve in higher and better ways. She learns new skills and works diligently to perfect and apply them.

Virgo also rules our physical well being and health-related habits such as diet and exercise. Virgo serves others with her healing skills, and is represented in the health profession by doctors, nurses, midwives, nutritionists, and holistic practitioners. Parts of the body ruled by Virgo are the organs of digestion and assimilation, including the intestines and gall bladder. With Mercury as her traditional ruling planet, Virgo also governs the nervous system.

The ecological sciences are ruled by Virgo. Through studying the components of ecosystems, the plants, animals and environments they are dependent upon, ecologists come to understand the interconnectedness and interdependency among the parts of a whole system. They analyze, categorize and explain energy flow, food webs, and relationships between species, populations and their physical environments. They provide understanding of the workings of the unified whole.

The domestic sciences are in Virgo’s domain. Housekeeping and household chores including cleaning, laundry, preserving and putting away food for the winter are Virgo activities. Virgo creates useful items through her crafts, sewing and weaving. She tends domestic animals and pets, and through animal husbandry produces food and useful products.

We cultivate our Virgo energy when we tend to our pets and domestic animals. By feeding, exercising and caring for their needs, we contribute to their health and well being. We learn the meaning of dedication and duty. We come to understand the importance of methodical, efficient habits and routines. Our animals become our teachers and healers in life.

Archetypal representations of Virgo include the Divine Feminine, the Earth Mother, Goddess of Fertility, and the Virgin. Isis and Mother Mary embody the energy and healing power of Virgo. Colors for Virgo are navy blue, gray and orange. Navy blue and gray are the colors of the uniforms worn by workers in the service industry. Orange is a color from the late summer harvest. Gems for Virgo are sapphires, agates and jasper. Quicksilver and nickel are its metals. Pansies and nut-bearing trees are Virgo plants. Small domestic animals and pets are Virgo animals. Parts of a house that are ruled by Virgo include bathing rooms and showers, laundry rooms, closets, cabinets with cleaning supplies, pantries and shelves.

“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” -Robert F. Kennedy

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Healing Divides and Improving our World

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