According to Sandy

The 3^rd Mercury Retrograde period of 2023 begins on 8/23 and ends 9/15/23. The planet Mercury is concerned with all types of information, travel, education, tech stuff and small appliances. Labeled “the Communication planet”, it’s often confusion generating “backward” period gets blamed for the unexpected snafus that occur in life. (Some may have already been experiencing the effects. Mercury starts the slow down about 2 weeks before the actual day of Retrograde. It’s called the “storm period” and electronics,gadgets,  personal contacts, can start to go sideways all of a sudden.)

The possibility of communication issues are intensified because Mercury is currently in one of the signs it rules, Virgo (the other is Gemini). When going direct, all the Virgo/Mercury traits are pumped – analyze, write, speak, teach, work, service. With the sluggishness of Retrograde, energy may be blunted and slips of the tongue or pen, Freudian or otherwise, can occur.

Project initiation/creation would be best delayed if possible. Take this time to use those “re” words– revitalize old projects, re invent an approach, review, rethink, rework, revisit ideas, etc.

However, life goes on and things have to get done. We can mitigate potential misunderstandings and snafus by paying attention & being prepared. Be meticulous. Be careful. “Back up”your stuff. Stay grounded & alert to what you say, write & sign. Verify deadlines, read directions carefully, etc. (Jump all over the details.)

Regardless of reputation, Mercury Retrograde doesn’t have to be tragic. We can manage.

FYI: Mercury just “appears” to go backwards. Planets only move forward, however, due to the earth’s changing speed as it orbits around the Sun, the positions are such that it looks like a reverse motion from earth.

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The Sun moves into Leo, the Fire sign it rules, on Thursday July 22, 2021. The stage is set. The lights are lit.  Showtime!

The 5^th sign of the Zodiac is upbeat, dramatic and drawn to the spotlight. It shines and heats the creative, fun and love areas of life. Expect things to be livelier for the duration, regardless of your actual birth date. (Don’t be surprised if there are sudden, unexplained cravings for sparklers, sequins and confetti. Just go with it.)

~ Venus – 6/28 – 7/23/21

Just to add to the love, Venus the planet of romance moved into Leo in June . Beautify self and surroundings – be royal but in moderation. Money will be very easy to throw around, ignore the urge to show off. People will be drawn to you regardless.

~ Mars – 6/12 – 7/30/21

Adding to the energy will be aggressive “Warrior” Mars in Leo. Overly confident and perhaps impatient for attention, we may be more willing to take risks to be first in the spotlight which can make us reckless.

*Sun into Leo: July 22, 2021 * 10:26AM EDT / 7:26AM PDT

**Gemstone – Tiger’s Eye *Power colors- Gold, orange (Sun colors) * Body Part – Heart (…of a lion!)

(Next up – Virgo Sun 8/22/21)

BTW: The date when the Sun transits into a sign can fluctuate year to year – from the 19th to the 23rd. If born on one of these days, you are considered a cusp baby – close to two signs- but regardless, there is only one Sun sign in an Astrology chart  (however, the individual will often exhibit a combo of characteristics from both signs).

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The Moon is in earthy, analytical Virgo for the weekend. The Lunar orb will also reach “New’ stage this Sunday 9/9/18. (New Moon: both the Sun & Moon are in the same Zodiac sign at the same degree) We will experience a double dose of the efficient work /service / health focused 6^th sign of the Zodiac – use it to organize and de-clutter both mind and surroundings.

Like all “New” Lunar phases, the next 2 weeks are a great time for beginnings. Take advantage of Virgo’s natural “I’ll handle it” approach to take a look at fitness and nutrition. Are there things to be improved – diet, exercise? Don’t spend too much time being critical of yourself. Take care of needed changes now.

*Virgo New Moon:  9/9/19  2:01 PM EDT / 11;01 pm PDT

On Thursday March 1, 2018, the Moon (Virgo) is opposite and reflecting the Sun (Pisces) = “Full Moon”. The hard working 6^th sign of the Zodiac is about health, service, handling the details and getting things done. A “Full” phase is a great time to finalize whatever projects and plans you have been putting off. Just be careful not to do too many things at once. Juggling might be exciting and a personal test of skills, but don’t go overboard. Think “pace”. The universe will support you in being productive, useful, healthy and whole.

The influences of this Lunar phase will last for several days even when the sign changes to Libra on 3/3/18

BTW: Virgo’s planet ruler Mercury will be joining imaginative, nebulous Neptune in Water sign Pisces until 3/5/18. This can be great for creativity, but, not so much for reliability. Be steady and discriminating while being a genius, even if those around you are not.

*Virgo Full Moon: March 1, 2018 – 7:51 PM EST / 4:51 PM PST 

It started in Earth sign Virgo on 8/12/17 and reverses into Fiery Leo where it will go Direct on 9/5/17. The possibility of communication snafus are increased because Mercury is in one of the signs it rules, Virgo (the other is Gemini). When the planet transits the detail focused ^6th sign of the Zodiac, its concerns are amped – analyze, write, speak, teach, work, diet, service. With the added mischief of “Retrograde”, misunderstandings, slips of the tongue or pen, (Freudian or otherwise), can occur.

However, chaos is not inevitable. We can mitigate potential missed and mixed messages by jumping all over the details. Little things can impact larger things big time. Back up, fine tune your gadgets, computers and phones. Project initiation / creation would be best delayed if possible – if not, be meticulous, pay attention.

Remember my usual suggestions for Mercury Retrograde – see it as an opportunity to review, reconsider, re-think, revise. However, note that as we do this, we are not going backwards into the past, we are pro actively making any needed changes, re evaluations for the future – a good thing.

*Mercury Retrograde: 8/12/17 – 9:01 PM EDT / 6:01 PM PDT

FYI: Mercury just “appears” to go backwards. Planets only move forward, however, due to the earth’s changing speed as it orbits around the Sun, the positions are such that it looks like a reverse motion from earth.

The Virgo Full Moon energy on Sunday March 12, 2017 inclines us to take care of ourselves and our work. Ruled by clever Mercury, this responsible, hard working 6^th sign of the Zodiac is about health, service, self-improvement, handling the details and getting things done. Just be careful not to do too many things at once. Juggling might be exciting and a personal test of skills, but don’t go overboard. Think “pace”.

A Full Moon phase is a great time to move towards finalizing whatever project or diet regimen you may have been planning. The universe will support you in being healthy and contributing. Its influences will last for several days even when the Astrology sign changes to Libra.

*Virgo Full Moon: March 12, 2017 – 10:54 AM EDT /7:54 AM PDT 

(the Moon, Virgo is opposite and reflecting the Sun, Pisces = “Full Moon”.)

HEADS UP – Daylight Savings Time begins at 2AM 3/12 – Set clocks one hour ahead (Spring Forward!)

There will be a New Moon, and Solar Eclipse, in Earth sign Virgo on Thursday, 9/1/16. The energies of this solid 6^th sign of the Zodiac will be intensified. Since it is ruled by communication planet Mercury, analytical Virgo’s written and verbal interaction is revved up. Don’t spend too much time being critical of others or yourself. Being constructive will be better appreciated.

Like all “New” Lunar phases, the next 2 weeks are a great time for initiating, creating = new beginnings. Use it to organize and de-clutter both mind and surroundings. Take care of needed changes now, start fresh.

*Virgo New Moon:  9/1/16  5:03 AM EDT / 2:03AM PDT

*Alert!  Communication planet Mercury, which rules both Air Gemini and Earth Virgo, will go reverse on Tuesday August 30, 2016. It went backwards in the other Earth signs earlier this year, (Taurus in April and Capricorn in January). What does that mean to us? General Earth sign attributes, stability, responsibility, practicality may be impacted, especially interactions with others – writing, speaking, teaching, etc. Stay grounded and pay attention to contracts negotiations, deadlines, missed and mixed messages. Gadgets, computers, phones may become uncooperative but “fixes” could be unreliable too. If it can wait, repair, replace after Mercury goes Direct, 9/21 PDT & 9/22 EDT still in Virgo.

Of course, we still gotta show up, life will go on, there are chores and plans that must be dealt with regardless of what Mercury is doing. Retrograde chaos is not inevitable. We can mitigate potential misunderstandings by “sweating to the small stuff”, checking things twice, details, details, details. My usual suggestions for Mercury Retrograde: see it as an opportunity to review, reconsider, re-think, revisit. As we do this, we’re not going backwards into the past, we are pro actively making any needed changes, re evaluations for the future – a good thing.

FYI: Mercury just “appears” to go backwards. Planets only move forward, however, due to the earth’s changing speed as it orbits around the Sun, the positions are such that it looks like a reverse motion from earth.

*Mercury Retrograde: 8/30/16 – 9:04 AM EDT / 6:04 AM PDT

Virgo Full Moon energy inclines us to take care of ourselves and our work. Ruled by clever Mercury, this responsible, hard working 6th sign of the Zodiac is about health, service, handling the details and getting things done. Just be careful not to do too many things at once. Juggling might be exciting and a personal test of skills, but don’t go overboard. Think “pace”.
A Full Moon phase is a great time to move towards finalizing whatever project or diet regimen you may have been planning. The universe will support you in being healthy and contributing.
The influences of a Full Lunar phase will last for several days even when the Astrology sign changes.

 
*Virgo Full Moon: February 22, 2016 – 1:20 PM EST /10:20 AM PST (the Moon, in Virgo, is opposite and reflecting the Sun, in Pisces = “Full Moon”)

Upbeat and dramatic, Friday and Saturday’s animated Leo Moon can be a fun kickoff to the weekend. This Fire sign always sends us into attention getting activities, which can often lead to melodrama. Relax, its not all about you, share the spot;ight. Be creative, kind and generous in spirit, have a good time.

Sunday changes our energy when the Moon travels into Earthy Virgo. Its traits of practicality and responsibility will give focus to doing what is needed. Take care of loose ends, pay attention to the details, handle your business – accomplishment is exciting and makes you feel proud  😀

Go with the flow. Make it a weekend to remember!