HAPPY HERMES, THE ISLAND ASTROLOGER: Higher Purpose Hiccups
Everyone’s favorite astrological scapegoat is upon us once again – and no, I’m not talking about your two-faced Gemini ex-partner. Mercury has stationed retrograde in the sign of Virgo and will be in apparent retrograde motion until Sept. 15. Prepare yourself for the usual Mercury retrograde trouble: communication breakdowns, technological glitches, travel frustrations, indecision. These issues will most certainly arise. However, with Mercury retrograding in the sign of Virgo, which is a very special sign for this little planet, I invite you to query the higher purpose for these logical and logistical disruptions. Reflect upon your communication methods, reconsider your relationship to technology, and redirect your focus. With Mercury stationing (seeming to stop and turn around) in a 120-degree aspect to Uranus, we can expect this Mercury retrograde to either propel us into greater freedom or disrupt our routines with an extra dose of eccentricity. It all depends on how you respond to the hiccups.
Here are your horoscopes for Mercury retrograde in Virgo. Read for your rising and sun signs.
Virgo
Aug. 23 – Sept. 22
Happy birthday to all you Virgos out there! Unexpected excursions support your reflections and reevaluations of who you are and how you show up in the world. There is always something new out there to discover, and there is always a new way to express the vastness of your self. Right now, these two truths coincide in you. This birthday season, reinvent yourself, even if it is just the slightest alteration.
Libra
Sept. 23 – Oct. 23
This Mercury retrograde period offers you a time of retreat and peaceful solitude. You might literally head off to a meditation hideaway, but you might also just take some time to calmly withdraw a bit from the sometimes chaotic world around you. During your quiet time, pay attention to any surprising investment opportunities because they might help you to quickly pay off some old debts.
Scorpio
Oct. 24 – Nov. 21
Unless you are living in a sitcom, the people who surround you and form your network of support tend to ebb and flow, and you do have some control over what that crew looks like. This Mercury retrograde, think about who you keep around you and how they are supportive or unsupportive of who you want to become. An unexpected partnership will likely form amidst the shuffle.
Sagittarius
Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
Work has certainly been at the center of life for a little while now, and for the next few weeks it’s time to take stock on the changes that have taken place. How is everything panning out? Do you feel like you’re in the right place? The answers to those questions are all yours to determine, but really be honest with yourself. You might surprise yourself with how you change your routines.
Capricorn
Dec. 22 – Jan. 19
What you believe may not always be at the forefront of your mind, but our beliefs constantly structure our world because they form the basis of all of our choices. What do you believe, Capricorn? Is life random? Is there divine purpose? Is it turtles all the way down? This Mercury retrograde season, take some time to reflect on your fundamental beliefs. You may be surprised by the creativity that emerges.
Aquarius
Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
When we are invested in other people, power dynamics are always at play. Who is making the decisions on your investments of time, money or energy? Sometimes it’s in your best interest to relinquish control. Sometimes you are the one being taken advantage of. Assess the dynamics at play in your most important investments, and you might be surprised by how your home life changes.
Pisces
Feb. 19 – March 20
This Mercury retrograde may throw you a curveball in an important partnership of yours. Rather than throwing your hands up in dismay, however, use the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. Take a step back and try on some new lenses. You might be able to communicate your needs differently when you rethink your position.
Aries
March 21 – April 19
Time management is increasingly difficult in our accelerating world, but this Mercury retrograde is a prime time for you to take stock on how your schedule is organized. You don’t have to sit down and rearrange everything, but even making a slight adjustment to your routine will provide substantial benefits. You might even be surprised by a financial opportunity when you do!
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Get your daydream on, Taurus! This Mercury retrograde is providing you with a time for creative reflection, so let your imagination wander. Better yet, daydream your way into new creative projects and unexpected ways of expressing yourself. You’ve been freeing yourself from society’s constraints for the past few years, and now you have a real opportunity to let loose.
Gemini
May 21 – June 21
What does “home” mean to you, Gemini? Is it a place? Is it a person or group of people? Is it a mental state? Don’t answer that question right now because you have a few weeks to ponder what brings “home” into your life. Really digging deep into this question will bring a new level of personal freedom into your moments of solitude.
Cancer
June 22 – July 22
Under this Mercury retrograde, you are being asked to consider your siblings. These can be the siblings you grew up with, certainly, but also the people in your community that are your brothers and sisters. Do you treat your neighbors as family, or do you tend to be surrounded by strangers? If you find family among friends, you might be surprised by the support you discover.
Leo
July 23 – Aug. 22
Money is what we use to exchange value in our world, but it is also something that we use to reflect our personal values. What you spend money on, how you make your money, how much money you hold on to – your personal values determine the details. Under this sky, you have a real opportunity to reflect on your values. As you do, you will probably make some monetary changes, and you can probably expect a surprise career revelation.
