Mutable, service-oriented Virgo is not the sign we typically associate with power. Initiating Cardinal signs like assertive Aries and ambitious Capricorn, or determined Fixed signs like firm Taurus and Pluto-ruled Scorpio, usually come to mind long before the mild-mannered earth sign. In part this is due to cultural conditioning that has mislead us into regarding values like love and peace as signs of weakness, instead of strength. Further, we’ve been lead to think of masculinity and its aggressive characteristics as being more powerful than femininity and its communal qualities. Phrases like “dog eat dog” and “survival of the fittest” have infiltrated our collective psyche and distorted our perceptions. One tap of any news app shows us how much damage these misconceptions are reeking: war, economic inequality and environmental abuse are threatening our very extinction. 2014’s Virgo cycle concludes with Pluto stationing to turn direct on September 21st, the United Nations Day of International Peace. Between now and then we are being called to redefine how we think of and use our power. Courtesy of Mercury, we’ll also be given a cosmic emotional intelligence evaluation. At the same time, Mars will energize new pathways and possibilities. As noted in my article of 2010, the constellation Virgo is home to the mythological Goddess Astraea. She was the last Olympian deity to leave earth and its inhabitants as they plunged into their self-created darkness of greed, war and competition. She desperately wanted to help humankind restore the world to a perfect state. The cycle ahead will give us the chance to immerse ourselves in the thoughtful, healing essence of astrology’s altruistic sixth sign.

     In 2014, all three Mercury retrogrades involve the planet of thinking and communication moving from a water sign backward into the preceding air sign. The Pisces/Aquarius retrograde took place from February 6th-28th and the Cancer/Gemini one take place from June 7th-July 1st. The next one begins on October 4th with Mercury at two degrees of the fixed water sign Scorpio. By October 25th it will have traveled all the way back to 16 degrees of the Cardinal air sign Libra. This is important for the cycle ahead because Mercury will first reach 16 degrees of Libra on September 14th. If either of this year’s previous Mercury retrogrades effected you significantly or your chart is heavily influenced by Mercury, preparing for the next one now is a good idea. You can check your chart to see which planets and houses fall in the signs of Gemini and Virgo because both are ruled by Mercury. Also look to see where your natal Mercury is. If it’s in a water or air sign, especially Libra or Scorpio, you may be more impacted by the coming retrograde than others. But universally, water represents the emotions and air represents our thinking, so we can all benefit for this one.

New Virgo moon with Saturn and Mars conjunction.

     This year’s theme of bringing our feelings to the surface for analysis, review and revision is clear, and this final retrograde will give us yet another chance to resolve the issues our emotions call our attention to. To underscore the cosmic mandate to decode the messages that our emotions are sending us, this retrograde will take place during the year’s second set of eclipses. The first set took place in the midst of the Grand Cardinal Cross and during the last Pluto/Uranus square. This time, under shamanic Scorpio’s influence, our emotions are likely to feel their most intense, yet simultaneously the Libra aspect will be working to restore equilibrium and inner peace. Paradoxically, one of the clearest indications that we are actually on track is the experience of discomfort. Esther Hicks describes this energetic disturbance as a contrast wave, merely our awareness of what we want instead of the present reality we are experiencing. She says that once we understand that, we can appreciate its meaning and make needed the changes. One emotion that is particularly good at getting our attention is anger.

     Astrologically, anger is associated with Mars. The planet of war takes two years to travel through the zodiac, a cycle that correlates to our development. Can you say terrible twos? Much like the temper tantrums thrown by children, our conflicts need love, patience and wisdom. Instead of repressing anger, or any of the uneasy emotions, the cycle ahead is asking us to cradle them with the same compassion we naturally give to the innocent and vulnerable. Mars is also our inner call to action. Coincidentally the red planet will move into Sagittarius on September 13th, the day before Mercury hits the shadow point of its next retrograde, and it will be there until October 26th, the day after the retrograde ends. Hopeful, inspirational Sagittarius shows us possibilities. Symbolized by the Archer’s bow, the optimistic fire sign points to the horizon and directs us toward solutions. Couple that with Martian courage, energy and enterprise, and you begin to see the value in uncovering and clearing blockages while taking action toward your heart’s desires. To round out this Virgo Sun cycle, Pluto stations to turn direct on September 21st. Another source of celestial fuel, Pluto imparts the gift of transformation. It will be powering up as we head into the autumn. With fresh analysis and motivation, we can plot the coordinates on our map to a happier and more peaceful future. The celestial recharge begins now.

     “You now allow yourself to experience your power. Being powerful is safe for you, knowing that you express your power with love. You have all of the power of your Creator within you! All the power of Divine love, wisdom and intelligence is available to you. You have the spiritual power to see angels and the future. You have intellectual power to tap into the universal wisdom of the One Mind. You have emotional power to empathize with others, and physical power that is truly unlimited. The angels ask you to give them any fears you may have connected with being a powerful person. Your angels see a quiet and beautiful aspect of your true power streaming from the only power in the universe: Divine love. Allow yourself to shine with this radiant love, so that your true power can radiant out into the world in miraculous ways.” Dr. Doreen Virtue, Ph. D.