VIRGO HOROSCOPE

The Solar Eclipse in Libra on October 2nd heralds a change in income. Your first reaction may be to batten down the hatches – like tightening your budget, ransacking your closet for items you can sell on eBay, or maybe even taking up canning. Yet the point of this eclipse isn't for you to curl up in a ball, but to reach out. Libra is an air sign, and air signs know that your greatest resources are your human resources. Put out the word that you're free and looking for a new position and you'll discover more takers than you ever imagined. You are that valuable.

Sometimes you have to go round and round so many times that you just can't take it anymore. And that's exactly where you'll be on September 26th. You've analyzed, strategized, and rationalized to the point of mental exhaustion. It's funny how instead of hitting upon the solution to your troubles, it's your spinning around like a rudderless ship that frees you to go with what feels right. We may not pick the beaches we get washed ashore on, but after feeling lost at sea courtesy of the Mercury/Neptune opposition, you'll discover that this outcome is a lot better than anything you could have hoped for.

What you see isn't going to be what you'll get, so put off signing papers or finalizing any agreement on September 20th. This won't be easy because time is short and that window of opportunity is closing, but this is also something the other party wants you to believe. Why? Because they're under pressure to seal the deal. Maybe they're in financial straits, need to get out of Dodge fast, or are being manipulated by some behind-the-scenes third party who's yet to make their presence known. In any case, this isn't the time to proceed – not until you've learned everything that there is to know.

Jupiter arcing over your solar midheaven brings more opportunities than you ever imagined. The not-so-wonderful thing is you can find yourself being driven into the ground by the very success you prayed for, which is why you’ll want to bring things to a halt on September 12th so you can assess your situation. And if you have to shut down operations so you can formulate a plan to better manage your workload, then so be it. Meanwhile, don’t worry about losing sales. You’ll regain your momentum eventually, and when you do, you’ll be running the show – not the other way around.

We all want to be the best that we can be, but Virgos want to be better. People often talk about Virgo's perfectionism, but not so much about their competitive side. Now, you might not think of yourself that way because you're genuinely modest and self-effacing; however, you were born under Mercury, and Mercury always enjoys outwitting and outperforming. Over the next 8 ½ weeks, you'll be introduced to someone who's clearly better at what you do than you are. Instead of treating this person like a rival, why not study what makes them so good? That, in and of itself, will improve your performance.

Uranus retrograde on September 1st brings a downshift in gears. It's aggravating considering the time spent getting your information in order for a review, application, or interview. Does this mean that the whole thing's off? Let's say it's not the burning priority for the other party like it once was. This is good news if you were being targeted by an inquiry, investigation, or lawsuit because the whole thing may blow over. But what if this was something you pinned your hopes on? Start looking for another door to knock on because the one you're standing in front of won't be opening anytime soon.

It's hard to know what to think when Venus squares Jupiter and opposes Saturn on August 19th. For months, you and another party have struggled to work out terms to a settlement that you'd both find acceptable. This planetary configuration shows you're close, and of course, now that you're on the verge of finalizing matters, you see a bazillion faults. This often happens to Virgos when they're on the verge of making a big decision that's conclusive. Take the time you need to get used to the idea, and once you do, you'll be able to move forward with what you know is right.

Everyone has an ego—even a selfless Virgo. Your ego is like the Sun. It sits at the center of your own psychological solar system, generating that core feeling of self that keeps things like your intellect, spirit, appetites, and emotions from hurtling off into space. It's prideful, but it's also authentic. Weeks ago, you did something that didn't feel like you. Maybe you backpedaled or sidestepped when you should have stepped up. On August 14th, you will have a chance to make things right. You may have to eat some humble pie as a result, but at least you'll be able to live with yourself.

Mercury turning retrograde in your sign on August 5th will impact you most of all. You can expect to deal with all of the misunderstandings, last-minute cancellations, and unforeseen technical glitches that are associated with this planet’s reverse direction. However, Mercury retrogrades are also famous for revealing things that lay underfoot. Oftentimes we don’t take notice of the path we’re on if it’s a well-trod and familiar one. We just do what we always do. But if we are forced to tread back over it, then we might spot something that went unrecognized before. This could prove to be fortuitous on August 24th.

Venus, planet of love and beauty, enters Virgo on August 4th. Venus always pumps up the powers of attraction when she's in your sign, so you can expect lots of invites, offers, and introductions. Yet Venus has a hard time in Virgo because where most people would revel in the attention, you know that opportunities come with strings attached and you don't want to feel beholden to anyone. Sift your way carefully through these entreaties and you'll eventually separate the wheat from the chaff. There's nothing wrong with being discriminating – especially in this day and age. Venus will be in Virgo until August 29th.