Virgo, August 2015

"Perfectionist" is a word that haunts Virgo in every Sun Sign book or website. Can we replace it with "flawless"? Flawless sounds a little less anal, a little more fantastical and special--like everyone's favorite Virgo, Beyoncé. Venus, a planet all about love and money, went retrograde in your flawless sign on July 25. It was only there for a few days before entering Leo on July 31, but those few days may have been intense… anything not living up to your flawless standards was likely axed. It can be hard to say goodbye, but hey, it's all for the best. Venus is now retrograde in Leo, feeling a little grumpy and out of the spotlight, but you've always enjoyed being behind-the-scenes, haven't you, Virgo? In any case, your birthday is coming up soon, so let's figure out how you can have the most flawless month possible!

August begins with Saturn going direct in Water sign Scorpio on August 2, after being retrograde since March 14, 2015. Retrogrades, in general, give us an opportunity to rework our lives and reflect on our path; when taskmaster Saturn goes retrograde, we have an opportunity to reexamine our fears, boundaries, and structures. All these themes are pretty intense, even more so in emotional and transformative Scorpio. All the zodiac signs have special relationships and influences over each other: Scorpio's knack at solving mysteries and seeing below the surface inspires Virgo's laser-like mental acuity. Saturn's transition through Scorpio, whether retrograde or direct, will challenge the way you communicate with people. Saturn loves boundaries and rules--since it first entered Scorpio on October 5, 2012, have you developed a new code of honor around communication?

Saturn also represents hard work, and over this chunk of time, you may have felt inspired (or pressured) to really put pen to paper and pump out some awesome writing or to develop some projects. You've also likely taken serious stock of who your friends are and who you want to stay close to. The retrograde gave you an opportunity to rethink these situations; now that Saturn's moving forward, so are we. Saturn will enter Sagittarius on September 17, beginning a new phase in your life more focused your home and domestic sphere. Think back to December 23, 2014 through March 14, 2015. What were going through then? Saturn was briefly in Sagittarius during that time, giving you some clues about what themes and structures in your life you'll be working with for the next two or so years while Saturn is in Sagittarius.

Speaking of Saturn, August 3 will feel tense and uneasy as Jupiter in Leo, a very proud and very over-the-top combination, squares Saturn in Scorpio. Jupiter is the planet of growth and expansion, and Leo is a passionate, warm sign. It highlights a portion of the zodiac that, for you, Virgo, represents the subconscious mind, intuition, and how you find peace or even spiritual fulfillment. Jupiter has been in Leo since July 2014, so this last year has likely felt super deep to you, especially in terms of connecting with your inner voice and vision. If you've collected more crystals and sage bundles over this past year than most people do in a decade, I'm not surprised.

Again, Saturn's in Scorpio, sharpening your communication skills, so being contacted by Jupiter in Leo, which heightens your psychic ability, could be an amazing combination; however, you'll have to work with this duo very consciously. Squares can make us feel under pressure. My advice: Check in with yourself about what your responsibilities are. Be proactive around doing whatever your job is. Respect your authorities, and remain conservative. This combination may reveal something about you or your environment that you previously hadn't been able to acknowledge--luckily, over this last year, you've likely gained a lot of tools for managing your emotions and your thoughts. If not, Saturn and Jupiter's contact today may be a great time for you to develop these skills.

August is a really busy month for Mercury, your ruling planet. Like you, Mercury likes to collect information, share news (and gossip!), figure things out, solve puzzles, and enjoy intellectual pursuits. Whenever Mercury enters a new sign or contacts another planet, we feel a shift in the collective mentality. Since you are ruled by Mercury, these transits will likely resonate with you on a deeper level than the rest of us.

Early morning (as in, last call at the bar) BFF pacts on August 6 have a great chance of survival, with go-getter Mars in tenacious and caring Cancer working harmoniously with Saturn in Scorpio. This aspect will encourage you to be social and to network, and connections you make today will be strong and lasting. During the day on August 6, communicative Mercury will meet with luxurious Venus, making this a lovely day to reconnect with your inner poet. However, hold off on hitting send on any mushy texts--Mercury will be in a tense square with Saturn later today. Saturn loves to impose limits when in a bad mood, so expect to hear plenty of nos. It's probably best to send your love letters another day.

The following day, August 7, is a huge day for your planetary ruler, Mercury. Mercury meets with Jupiter in Leo super early in the morning (again, by "early in the morning," I mean late last night). As mentioned earlier, Jupiter is the planet of expansion, abundance and good luck, so I want you to get your calendar and circle late night August 6/early morning August 7 as the night this summer to have the philosophical midnight extravaganza of your dreams. If you're looking to get deep with a lover, plan the best party of the summer, or reconnect with a dear friend, tonight's a great night. Mercury and Jupiter will be sitting together in a very personal, mysterious and psychic part of your chart--this will be an evening you won't soon forget.

Later on August 7, Mercury enters your sign, Virgo! The world sees things through your eyes now with a little bit more ease. Verbalizing feelings or thoughts that previously baffled you will be a little less challenging now. On August 8, Mars enters Leo, energizing your desire to explore the unknown (and on a bad day, to possibly act without thinking--but with Mercury in your sign, I have faith you won't face a huge risk of that occurring).

Mercury isn't the only planet going into Virgo: Jupiter enters your sign on August 11, and the Sun enters Virgo later in the month as well (on August 23, to be specific). The Sun in Virgo will certainly make you feel like you're the center of attention (after all, your birthday is coming up), but Jupiter in Virgo is even better--it'll bring almost a whole year of jovial good luck vibes to your sign! Jupiter will be in Virgo till September 9 of next year. The last time Jupiter was in Virgo was Summer of '03 to Summer of '04. What were you doing back then? You know, other than watching Mean Girls and longing for a Juicy tracksuit? Those same themes may repeat this time around, but this time they'll be bigger and better, and you're older and wiser.

On August 12, Mercury opposes dreamy Neptune in Pisces. This will be a super imaginative day, and by "imaginative," I mean that there's a strong probability of delusion and lies. Don't make any commitments today. The dreamy vibe continues on August 14, but less precariously: There's a New Moon in Leo that night, making it truly a special time for you to connect with your spirit and to tap into your mystical powers. Leo comes right before you on the zodiac wheel; as such, it represents a part of you that is hidden, not easily accessible. This is a great New Moon for you to find a fresh start around spirituality. You'll also find it easier to address habits or tendencies you have that you usually have a hard time confronting. The next day, August 15, Mercury (your ruler!) trines Pluto, a harmonious aspect. Pluto is the planet of transformation, of mystery and the unknown. Did you know Mercury was the only god allowed to visit Pluto in the underworld and get out alive? They have a pretty sweet arrangement. Pluto's power and Mercury's smarts make quite a combination. Between Mercury meeting Pluto and the New Moon in Leo, this will be an amazing month for you to do deep work around self-exploration and to heal the parts of yourself that you're maybe usually afraid to address.

Mercury in practical Virgo will sextile Saturn in Scorpio on August 26, creating a "get shit done" kind of vibe. Remember on August 6 when Mercury and Saturn were a little annoyed at each other? Now they're on good terms, helping one another out. The next day, August 27, Mercury leaves Virgo and enters Air sign Libra. Libra is a sign that highlights the portion of the zodiac that rules your finances and what you find valuable, so expect some news around cash flow. Use this energy to plan or organize your bills or talk to someone about how you can get more bang for your buck.

The month wraps up with the Full Moon in Pisces, your opposite sign, on August 28. In astrology, when we think opposites, we think relationships! Full Moons bring things to light, so expect to feel some clarity, closure, or consciousness around relationships and partnerships of all kind. Virgo is a down-to-earth sign that seeks to simplify, and Pisces is imaginative and dreamy… can these two energies find balance? Sure they can! With so much energy in the sky this month encouraging you to develop your psychic abilities and get in touch with your creative, spiritual side--and with plenty of other planets supporting your realistic Virgo nature--you haven't really had a choice this month except to experience both ends of this spectrum. As your relationship issues come to light at the end of August, Virgo, show people what you've learned this month: that you can be whimsical and still brush your teeth, walk the dog, and pay your bills every day.