Summer is winding down already, when it seems it only just got here! Time to focus on the bounty of late summer and the approach of autumn, which is right around the corner. We’re almost to that switch that gets thrown, Labor Day, where the weather suddenly changes and fall is in the air. Tourists go home, school starts and life returns to the new normal.

Mercury goes direct in the sign of Leo on Thursday, and it will take several days for it to stabilize before it is able to accurately transmit its signals, so let’s give it until early next week before we can count on what it’s telling us.

Venus moves into Virgo on Monday, boosting the power of benevolent Jupiter in fellow Earth sign Taurus. This will be especially beneficial to the Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

Aries (March 21- April 19): If it weren’t for Jupiter holding strong in your sector of money/resources, you’d be pretty darned miserable. Your hard work is paying off and while the rest of the world is falling apart, you’re managing to inch forward. Mercury is still retrograde and I know a couple of Aries natives who have sustained injuries of one kind or another. Be careful and know that Mercury finally goes direct this week! Hunker down, keep your attention close to home and don’t take any chances.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Integrity is something that shines through you during times of trouble, considering you’re not the type of Taurus native that thinks what belongs to everyone else is yours and what’s yours is also yours! One of the most interesting and delightful of your traits is your ability to turn trash to treasure and make the most of what’s there. That includes people! Avail yourself as a worthy advisor to someone who’s having a hard time without getting sucked in. Mercury goes direct this week, finally! You’ll be amongst the first to feel the relief!

Gemini (May 21- June 20): As much as you want to be everywhere at once, the restrictions are just too great. Mercury goes direct this week, and you’ll feel better having more latitude. If you’ve been having crazy dreams and feeling frantic for no obvious reason, you’re picking up on the collective vibes of angst due to this extremely difficult time of planetary chaos. Stick with what you know and don’t venture out into the great Unknown out of boredom, or you’ll be one very pathetic little Twin!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Mercury finally goes direct this week, and the relief you will feel will be enormous. There will be some things that lift your spirits and give you that sense of certainty you crave. Benevolent Jupiter in your sector of Friends/Goals brings your nearest and dearest out of the woodwork on your behalf, and you really enjoy the company. Do whatever you can to keep your spirits up without going into denial. You need to face facts squarely (don’t we all!) and look them in the eye. Of course you can!

Leo (July 23 – August 22): You are happiest when your light shines on the faces of others and makes them smile! This is especially needed now, and once you manage to lift the spirits of others, you have accomplished the mission of the moment. Mercury goes direct this week in your sector of Finances/Resources, finally able to receive and transmit the full energy of lucky Jupiter in your sector of Career. If you’re looking for work, you’ll grab the prize soon and if you are employed, look for a shift that is to your advantage. You’re one of the lucky ones.

Virgo (August 23 – September 21): Mercury finally goes direct this week, so if you feel you’ve been abandoned, this will stop in short order. You may have had some things go sideways in these past weeks but they will be right as rain very soon so don’t worry. Hopefully you have learned that self-depreciation or overly indulging in humility doesn’t do any good and you are able to focus on the quality of your life, inner and outer. Keep good company and enjoy your people, both two and four-legged!

Libra (September 22 – October 23): You’ve been entirely too busy and it’s very likely you’re run down now. You must take time to rest and recover! Even if it’s a few hours, it’s still rest. What is our mind doing? Is it running around like a wild monkey or is it still? Just watch it, don’t try to force it to do anything. Time to take stock of what you have direct control over and what you don’t, and now that Mercury is coming out of retrograde you’ll have the opportunity to get organized this week. This is very good! Look for this week to end very well, with you on your feet!

Scorpio (October 24- November 22): You are one who sticks to your principles no matter what, and this is what makes you stand out. Even though you may wind up behind the pack, you eventually win the race like the proverbial tortoise. Jupiter holding strong in your sector of Relationship gives you the ability to draw solid people to you, and this is what you crave. If someone is waffling or being just plain unreliable, withdraw your attention from them. Mercury comes out of retrograde late this week and you’ll feel this profoundly (maybe you’ll even find your sunglasses)!

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 20): Don’t get yourself all upset over finances…if you spent what you’ve had well, there is more to come once Mercury goes direct. This week may be a bit anxious, but if you stay within your means you’ll be fine. Give Mercury a change to come out of retrograde fully and spend this weekend enjoying the last remains of summer. Your Ruler Jupiter is still singing to Pluto so your Big Picture is excellent. Go with your guts and aim true, Archer!

Capricorn (December 21 – January 20): Jupiter in your companion Earth sign Taurus is still singing to transformative, stealthy Pluto in your sign. This is where you draw your strength as Mercury prepares to move into direct motion this week, ending a messy three weeks of stupid things happening. The other boon to you is esteem-building Venus moving into your sector of Expansion; this week will end on a very good note and the good stuff will go into next week with you. Smile!

Aquarius (January 21 – February 20): Mercury comes out of retrograde this week and not a moment too soon! You may feel like you’ve been Florence Nightingale to everyone around you and you may be pretty run down. This week ends on a very good note but getting to the end of the week is what you need to focus on as Mercury endeavors to stabilize. Hold your cards close to your chest and don’t announce plans this week if you can help it. Just wait, there are good things to come!

Pisces (February 21 – March 20): It’s easy to feel self-righteous sometimes, but it really doesn’t do anyone any good. As Mercury prepares to go direct this week, flex your muscles in the boundaries department and watch your thoughts. Hopefully whatever spiritual practice you are engaged in doesn’t encourage you to deny or alter the facts of what’s going on in your life. You ooze compassion but you can also become outraged; this is a good week to use hindsight and target how you came to participate in whatever it is that’s bothering you. Keep an ear to the ground!