Virgo Season Begins!

The Astrology

The Sun enters Virgo on August 23, 2023 at 5:02 am EST. Then, Mercury stations retrograde here, in its home sign, on the same day. Earth energy gets its wings when Mercury is in the sign of exaltation. Even so, the retrograde period encourages us to first observe, dig deep into the details and make some discoveries. After that, we’re free to make and implement plans for improvement or even cuts while Mars is also there.

All month, Neptune is in Pisces and sextile Pluto, creating tension with each planet as they move into the last degrees of Mutable Earth. There will be moments of confusion. Not even Virgo is immune to making mistakes. Therefore it will be important how we respond when our expansion efforts meet with limitations. That and the consequences of our fervor or over estimations will determine how quickly we can recover the gifts of the retrograde and put them to use.

On August 27, Mars enters Libra. Mars moving into Cardinal Air will quicken our thoughts and shift our focus slightly toward relatability, aesthetics, and fair relations with others. It’ll be important not to get so wrapped up in the interpersonal dynamics of our lives that we lose our sense of agency, self-awareness, and authenticity.

On September 4th Venus in Leo stations direct, activating a new phase of embodying confidence creatively channeling the individual will. Creativity will continue to be high as Venus retraces it’s steps through fixed fire. So too will egoic impulses. While an audience is nice, try to let most of the adoration come from yourself.

You can check out the rest of the astrology as it plays out at Astreaux & Woo YouTube channel or right here on K-Woo.com where I explain the aspects playing out for each day.

Collective Outlook

August 23 – September 23, 2023

Virgo Season is likely going to bring us face to face with our self-indulgence. In fact, the collective psychological foundation is the 9 of Cups. In numerology, the 9 refers to the self that is separate from its surroundings. the cups refer to emotional satisfaction or in the case of this deck, happiness. We’re literally learning to fill, and then refill our own cups. Nevertheless, that which we perceive around us very much exists in some form or fashion.

During the season of mutable Earth, our environments are represented by the Hanged Man. A perspective shift in which we are compelled to pause, recognize how our perceptions are directing our actions and then make a change that might bring us closer to alignment with our intentions. As the problem shows up as the 4 of swords, our quietude or ambivalence about engaging others may have led to coping through consumption. As a result, the material abundance implied by the 9 of cups has the potential to be undermined by our refusal to connect, collaborate, and openly directly commune with others

In particular, the collective intention is represented by the Queen of Disks. This court card suggest one who effortlessly creates and attracts material abundance, but by establishing security within first. As a result of our steady constitution, we wish to be put in a position to nurture new beginnings until abundance manifests. There are prerequisites of course. We’ve gotta be like the Queen, baby! That means we handle our bodies with respect and care, feeding them what they need, eating mindfully and consistently (a keyword for earth energy). Also implied is taking care of the resources that already exist and giving of the self in a way that provides more for the self. However, we must first do some balancing of the books the mind, and the soul. That’s what’s implied by the cards that denote the collective’s emotions and approach to the main issue.

Justice as the approach to our silence is honesty, detachment, and a weighing of the intentions with the impact. Moreover, it represents objectivity in bearing witness to results. This is karma in the traditional sense of the word. We are judged as much for our intentions as the actions we take. People often mask intentions with a plethora of words and behaviors, but if the energy exists inside us or them, you can bet your ass it impacts relations.

Specifically, applying this energy to the 4 of Swords, protector of rest and revitalization, it may mean verbalizing, or considering the retrogrades, re–stating? a need for silence and rest. We are telling the truth about what causes the issue and making effort to mitigate its effects. It is certainly not dismissing it (that wouldn’t be fair to us). It also means being fair enough to state our intentions regarding whether or not to reengage after this much-needed break. We are acting on our impulse for self-nurturing, but with integrity.

What’s Gone & Going

Basically, the spread suggests Virgo Season will show us emerging out of the 2 of Swords: ambivalence, self-denial, ambiguous communication, and outright avoidance. Nevertheless, I can‘t help but see many of us choosing to remain silent in the 4 of Swords, which also denotes intentional withdrawal, this time in order to heal and recover. I wonder if we are simply learning to use the silence and solitude differently.

Accordingly, the 4 of Swords does imply replenishing energy in order to re-engage. It is followed up by the currently diminishing influence symbolized by The Fool. Indeed, we seem to have been preparing to start anew, shedding what no longer fits, mustering enough curiosity to take another step toward the unknown. In this case, the 4 of Swords serves like an idle engine, gas is flowing and we can move anytime. The cards say “Now O’clock”. Asé.

What emerges

As we shed the energy of The Fool, we do not seem to lose steam this month. Thank goodness, because it seems much will be demanded of us collectively and individually. The Ace of Wands as the emerging influence this season is very telling. It is about a new beginning imbibed with enthusiasm, confidence, creative intensity, and will power. It’s also about action. Since that seems to be the theme for the tarot forecasts this astrological year, let’s keep the greater part of our focus on walking it like we’re talking it.

Equally important will be Justice as a response to the 2 of Pentacles. In our silence, and even through our avoidance, we’ve reacted by clarifying priorities, redefining them, and learning consistency with what we now know for sure matters most to us in the larger scheme of life. If you, like me, are just now getting to this point after the upheaval of these past few years, don’t beat yourself up. Allow the continued slow down. As the planets one by one station retrograde, start working to embody a truer version of self. See how it impacts your most familiar routines and bonds. Then, start planning for a better future with this new understanding in mind.

As a result of investing all of our energy into authentic re-engagement with the outside world, we may find the end of Virgo season shows us barely reaching the finish lines we set for ourselves. The 9 of Wands suggest this month draws from many of us a second wind like no other. It’ll be one that’s fueled by memories of what happens when we allow ourselves to give up. This time around, we probably won’t.

Other Aspects to Consider…

• The 2 of Swords essentially opposes the 2 of Pentacles. It is hard to remain ambivalent once you’ve identified something in your life that provides value or has emotional significance. This is where we are called to prioritize and become more pragmatic. Justice compels a fair decision and right action to back it up. If this represents people in your life (earth and air signs are indicated), be honest & direct!
• 9 of Wands as an outcome suggests taking action in spite of exhaustion or fear of failure and defeat. Despite the impulse to continue resting implied by the 4 of Swords, this month we are being encouraged to push through (if it’s possible within your individual situation, of course).
• The way the past (2 of Swords) leads to the current problem (4 of Swords) I find interesting. It’s as if we’ve gotten used to silence and separation as a means of gathering energy and a healthy bout of solitude became and unhealthy self-isolation. Justice seems to compel an honest assessment of the consequences and our hand in any dissatisfying dynamics we’ve experiences recently.