Astrologically Speaking

Virgo 2002 edition ...

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Virgo In the early hours of the morning of the 23rd of August (12:17 AM) the Sun moves into the sign of Virgo for a month long stay, until September 22 at 9:55 PM when the Sun moves on into Libra. This is the last summer month in preparation for autumn and winter. The autumnal equinox takes place when the Sun moves into the sign of Libra.

To skip intro just read signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces.

Virgo is one of the zodiacal signs that with a human symbol, a woman holding a sheaf of wheat. Harvest time, reaping what has been sown, where the Virgin comes in, who knows… As I contemplate the significance of Virgo, its uniqueness, a poetry book lands in my mailbox - "Goddess in the Garden" by Carolyn Zonailo. The cover is a nude statue lying on her side, plump and fertile surrounded by flowers and bathed in sunshine. What an incredible image for Virgo - not a maiden but a woman pregnant with life.

The image above to the right of the menu (precision is a Virgo quality) has a Caduceus in the left top corner it is a symbol for medicine. There is a cornucopia filled with autumn harvest in the bottom left corner and in the right top corner a mortar and a pestle, the kind you would find in an apothecary for mixing of medicine. All of these are reflective of matters we assign to Virgo. A great time for annual health check ups, planning for the autumn and winter with canning of fruit and vegetables as well as taking positive steps toward a better sense of well being.

The quote from above beautifully reflects the innate nature of this earth sign.
"Order is a lovely nymph, the child of Beauty and Wisdom; her attendants are Comfort, Neatness, and Activity; her abode is the valley of happiness: she is always to be found when sought for, and never appears so lovely as when contrasted with her opponent, Disorder."

The harvest Moon takes place on the 21st of September this year; I have always loved the look of it. It is low on the horizon, a huge red ball in the sky and the feel of the accompanying crisp autumn air. It marks the time of year when the harvest of the summer is reaped. School begins, although with the subsiding of the agrarian way of life, kids are no longer needed at home to help with harvest, thus school can start earlier.

The planet Mercury rules the sign of Virgo. Virgo associated with analysis, organization, schedules, and chores, routine and processing of facts and details. Need to find the best way or best product check in with a Virgo friend, as she/he is likely to be in the know. This month is excellent to accomplish things that come more naturally to those of us with strong Virgo energy in their make-up. This marks the beginning of a new solar year for Virgo. Astrologers cast solar return charts to analyze what the year will bring.

This particular Virgo month promises to be quite eventful in terms of planetary activity, which typically translates to earthly events as well:

* On August 29, 2002 Mars moves into Virgo as the morning star, that is he rises before the Sun.

* On September 7, 2002 Venus, who is racing along as the Evening Star, moves into the zodiacal sign of Scorpio. She is really getting ahead of the Sun and preparing to station at 15°Scorpio 36', to do her retrograde phase of the typical 40 days and 40 nights. The phase starts October 10 and ends November 20. So for those of us with birthdays during that span, there will be a year where our values are likely to change in at least two areas of our lives. More about Venus in the Libra column.

* September 14, 2002 Mercury will do his third retrograde phase, these last three weeks, stationing at 14° Libra.

So let's look at these stellar events one by one, to give us a few clues about what the Virgo month has in store for us. While looking at these inner planet changes we need to stay mindful of the fact that since last November pressure has been building in two contrasting areas of our lives, doubly so if you happen to be one of the mutable signs, these are Virgo, Pisces, Gemini and Sagittarius. This build up has reached its crescendo but it isn't over yet. The past is free to emerge for a while longer. Some of us may be dealing with emotions left unexpressed back then, only to feel the full force of our inner world. Remember you are only responsible for your own karma, that is your own actions, not those of anyone else.

Mars is the planet of action, doing - it is the verbs in our sentences. Even the most disorganized among us will notice a need for better organization, a want to create order and feel more comfortable. Virgo is discriminating, refined and sometimes critical. No point doing it if you aren't going to do it properly, right? Mars travels through Virgo by mid-October, he typically races with the Sun once every two years. Next year this time Mars will be on the opposite side in Pisces and moving retrograde. The cycles have their themes; the one to watch out for is what longer-range decisions you make now, that are likely to culminate a year from now? You might not end where you planned, either make more flexible plans or be prepared for curves and intersections on your route down the road. There is a strong need to be discerning and to make researched choices - and hey what better time than when we have both the Sun and Mars in the discriminating sign of Virgo. The other thing to watch for is not to be overly critical of self and others.

The cycle of Venus as the evening star, the wise woman, is drawing to an end. She will be in one of her own signs, Libra, from mid-September to mid-October. When a planet is in her own sign, she will be strong. Libra first and foremost is a relationship sign, the right words, the harmonious atmosphere, the perfect colours, and equilibrium is important to Libra. Venus can take the edge off the potentially criticizing Mars energy by putting a nice spin on things. In October Venus moves into a sign of its fall, where she isn't that comfortable for a lengthy stay. Now we plant the "seeds" of our later discontent, we may find ourselves making "foolish" choices in love and otherwise. Venus is about money, values, self-worth and our desires; it isn't only the planet of love. Venus has five distinct cycles, the Venus retrograde cycle in Scorpio started in 1962 and ends in 2058. It occurs at 8-year intervals (1994, 1986, 1978, 1970, 1962) and last those 40 days and 40 nights.

In mid-September Venus, Jupiter and Neptune line up in a harsh configuration, this energy has the potential to have us chasing pies in the sky, to fall for a get-rich-quick-scheme or fall in love with someone, who ends up having clay feet. Lets just call it a gullible aspect, should this trigger off something in your life, you would be forearmed and perhaps create a positive outcome despite the choices made. Cycles help us tune into the energies available to us, with the Venus cycle beware of being swept away by the moment.

Mercury retrograde for three weeks is a breeze in comparison, we know more acutely what it tends to bring to the forefront. Miscommunications, lies, broken wiring and annoying little problems with cars and transportation. The grander theme for this year's Mercury retrograde periods is the creation of new ideas, new inspiration and making rational decisions in the long term.

Let's run through the signs...

Aries

Organize schedules, time and get rid of clutter. Make a list of what has to be accomplished, what can wait - don't work too hard; remember it can affect your well being. Investments, mortgages, taxes, etc. are typical Venus issues for you now - investigate to avoid regrets later. Relationship issues surface, handle these with utmost tact - avoid loosing your cool. Set aside time for FUN.

Taurus

Children's lives come to the forefront, remember you can advise but you cannot schedule their lives forever. Excellent time to haul out creative projects from those proverbial desk drawers, review them with a critical eye to pull out the feasible ones. Those that give you pleasure meet that criteria. Offers of work or ways to obtain status in life, that sound too good to be true, probably are; don't go chasing after fool's gold. Stay tactful and diplomatic with co-workers; rock the boat only after you have weighed both the pros and cons on the situation.

Gemini

Time for that spring cleanup that somehow got missed, organize don't agonize. Check that your house insurance is up to date. You are likely feeling so busy now, that you have the urge to take time out to just flop if that's what feels right. Work, chores and responsibilities can be overwhelming, go for long walks - do something physical. This is not the year to skip that physical, do take care of your body. Should relationship issues emerge, don't go making snap decisions - work things out.

Cancer

Cease the opportunities to learn new things, go through your papers and books, create that family album and get ready for a busy winter. You like to keep your home a place filled with harmony and warmth; this month this can prove challenging. Count to ten before opening your lips. Relationship ups and downs are temporary, you need to strengthen these, do not allow temporary upset ruin a good thing. Hard work and effort pays off now.

Leo

Optimism galore except when money matters are brought to your attention. Agonizing over what isn't is counter-productive, instead make a budget - the time's right. Now might not be the best thing to enter into contracts, if you choose to, go over the details with a fine-toothed comb. Changes at home or homebase are in the air, let things take their course, don't insist that your way is the only one. You know chants are quite powerful, even when they are non-religious. One of my personal favourites, she says tongue in cheek, is "it isn't my shit, not my responsibility".

Virgo

Happy birthday, the angels are on your shoulder this year. When receiving a compliment say thank you, don't analyze what it really means. Watch your pennies and the dollars will watch themselves. Avoid over-committing your time and energy, sometimes you need to know the power of saying NO, I simply don't have the time. Luck sometimes wears the oddest garb, just take it all in your stride. Take it or leave it, it is your call this month.

Libra

Spending time on your own, which you desire and taking the limelight are at loggerheads. Don't say no, when opportunity comes knocking. You could be blindsided by love, it typically finds us when we least expect it. Stay here or move - move would probably be the better choice. Take note of your dreams, it is your subconscious communicating. Flashes of intuition may also take you by surprise, get ready for a spectacular birthday month - it may be the stuff dreams are made of. If you can dream it…you can create it.

Scorpio

Do you feel you are headed in the right direction - take stock! You are the master of your fate. There are choices and decisions to be made, trust that what was meant to be will be. Creativity is in high gear at the home base - want to launch a business? Now is the time to lay down the foundation. The Venus cycle drawing to an end will be up close and personal for you, it not only affects this autumn, but your entire year. Remember that first and foremost it is about you, time to start reclaiming your life - follow your own desires!

Sagittarius

Time to put your best foot forward on the career front. Bosses may be a touch difficult to deal with at the moment, just don't go giving them a piece of you mind, weather the tempest in the teacup, and speak you mind when it is clear sailing again. Keep a strong focus on your long-range goals, stay the course. Listen to your own intuition, but if you start being overly critical of yourself, revert to positive affirmations - you will succeed! Life is a journey, not a destination - stay flexible.

Capricorn

Money, money, money! Investigate saving strategies instead of ways to spend more. An excellent time to explore the so-called mysteries of our existence, to find deeper insights into why you exist. Travel might be high on the agenda, go and play, as work will take up even more of your time when the autumn truly starts. Research and investigate any business propositions with ultimate care - remember the axiom if you have reservations then the answer ought to be NO.

Aquarius

Recall that Elvis song - only fools rush in - well, watch out. You might find yourself head over heels in looooove. Is it right - only you can tell that. How does it feel, the question isn't what do you think! Dot your I's and cross your t's both in written documentation and verbally, in particular work related matters and when filing anything with a government body. Keep good records this month, keep those receipts and acknowledgements, these may become handy.

Pisces

It is once again about others, being there for a friend in need. Keep your radar tuned, you can be quite gullible, as you strive to believe in the best in people. Educational issues, bettering yourself can be high on your priority list. Don't sign up for anything on a hunch, investigate all of your options and choices. This phase was around eight years ago as well, learn from the past - think along the lines of themes. What are the themes repeating?