This week Mercury, the Moon and the Sun encounter the ferocious fires of Leo, at their climax, before moving into orderly, rational Virgo. When shifting from fixed fire to mutable earth, we get the chance to distill passion into manageable, practical actions. Like no other sign, Mercury-ruled Virgo assesses, organizes and articulates with laser-like clarity. 2020 has been a tumultuous year to say the least, thus making the presence of calm, clear-headed Virgo more welcomed than usual. But Mercury’s home sign advantage will be brief, from August 19th-September 5th, and the overall Virgo Sun cycle will contain some highly contentious aspects, which include a cardinal sign T-square. Keeping calm and carrying on through the chaos and confusion could be tricky. But with a Virgo mind focused on factual accuracy and utility, this sign’s remarkable serenity is well within grasp.

The week kicks off with a boom. On Monday Mercury, in the late degrees of Leo, links up with the blazing Leo Sun under a resonant Leo Moon. Remember, at this point the Sun and Mercury will still be basking in the afterglow of Sunday’s trines to feisty Mars in audacious Aries. The potent Leo Moon will fan those flames on Tuesday when it trines Mars, shortly before launching into its new Moon phase, at a considerable 26 degrees of royal Leo. Leo loves to live large. In its highest expression, its confidence, playfulness and creativity inspire others. At its worst, its stubbornness, self-absorption and pomposity are repellent. In order to succeed, the Lion’s legendary generosity must exceed its grandiosity, and that generosity must be sincere and heartfelt, Monday’s Sun Mercury connection is also capable of telling a very tall tale, and forcefully so with the assistance of Mars and the Leo Moon. By Wednesday, when the Moon and Mercury enter discerning Virgo, facts will begin distinguishing themselves from fiction. We’re leaving largess for logic.

In devoted, service-oriented Virgo, the Moon, Mercury and Sun will receive support from weighty planets in both fellow earth signs. Trines from Uranus in Taurus and from Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn will activate the Moon on Wednesday and Thursday, Mercury through September 5th and the Sun from Saturday, when it changes signs, until September 22nd. With the firm backing of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto, careful Virgo is methodically making sure that even the most magnificent (Lion-sized) plans are sound, grounded and fact-checked. Aspirations are coming down to earth, and Virgo is gently preparing us for autumn 2020.