Mercury Enters Virgo: Neurosis Anyone?

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“The good writing of any age has always been the product of someone's neurosis.”

-- Edwin Styron

Mercury, the messenger god, moves into the earthy -- and uber practical -- constellation of Virgo from August 31 to September 16. This is one of the home-turf positions for Mercury, where he operates at his efficient-and-speedy best. It’s time to get down to brass tacks because efficiency is key.

When it comes to communication and all matters of wheeling and dealing, cut out the superfluous and keep it real. This is a flexible-but-grounded position for Mercury, where only sensible and clean solutions are favored.

Virgo is known for its ability to analyze and yes, criticize. Sure, there is the perfectionist tendency when Mercury is back in his home sign. It’s easier to catch the mistakes, fix the flaws and refine the rough patches during this phase. Expect tons of analysis, perhaps to the point of obsession and problem-solving overkill. The downside of this transit is to get so caught in the details that we overlook the big picture.

Conversations can go on endlessly when one gets trapped in recounting every scrap of minutiae. Of course this is all to unearth the issue into its most refined essence, but in the process it could drive the listener into a neurotic frenzy trying to figure out what the actual point of the reportage might be.

The best part about this transit is it brings our brains into sharp focus, providing the ability to truly refine our craft. If you have projects that require serious focus, now is the time to take advantage of Mercury in Virgo’s precision.