VIRGO: 22 August – 21 September

What will 2009 bring, Virgo?

By Shelley von Strunckel  

Finance, Work and Achievements

As a Virgo, one of your strengths is your ability to analyse situations. Often you'll do this without even thinking about it. And when you do, you're equally alert to both opportunities and flaws. Usually, once you've done this analysis and reorganised things, you tend to assume that they'll remain as they are. That's been the case in the past. During 2009, however, with ongoing aspects involving Saturn and the disruptive Uranus, things won't be as straightforward. On the contrary, you'll need to make frequent adjustments to plans, if not dramatic changes, particularly in February and September. This especially involves your goals, your daily activities or your work and your approach to finances. Disruptive as this is, each change will allow you to leave old attitudes behind and, better yet, it encourages you to come up with new ideas. You're creative by nature, and will find that even complex situations get you thinking about things from a new, and exciting, perspective. Some of what arises will even result in insights that previously wouldn't have crossed your mind, particularly during the final two months of the year. The more inquisitive you are, therefore, the more you and your activities will benefit from this year's unsettling, but dynamic events.

Health and Wellbeing

You're the envy of the zodiac for your seemingly effortless way of looking great, and for your abundant energy. That's because most Virgos have an instinct for what's good for them and, more importantly, act on that knowledge. You tend to eat well and exercise wisely, and enthusiastically, without making a drama of it - or even giving it much thought. Yet, it would appear that with the expansive Jupiter actually accenting this area of your life for all of 2009, unexpected encounters or new ideas could add an exciting zest to this area of your life. It could be that somebody you meet inspires you. Or, perhaps, you realise that it's time to update your way of looking after yourself or your diet. Because of this, you'll want to explore your options as they arise and if somebody appears with a programme that interests you, try it out. Be bold, venturing into unfamiliar territory. Don't allow past experiences or even the opinions of others to overshadow this opportunity to have fun exploring, and to learn. This won't just make this side of your life more interesting. What you encounter and who you meet could be rewarding now, but could bring substantial benefits in the years to come as well.

Love and Close Relationships

While you understand that times change and life changes with it, you look to your closest of relationships - friendships, those with family and partners - to create stability. You actually rely on these as a touchstone. When things around you are worrying or unsettling, you like to know that there are one or two individuals who know and understand you, and who you can trust. It's to them you'll go to discuss your doubts and to work out ways to deal with problems. So when there are tensions in these fundamental relationships in your life, or when there is upheaval - as is possible during 2009 - you can feel concern, if not real distress. Yet, as you'll have already learned during 2008, and will continue to learn this year, sometimes upheaval is inevitable and, equally, sometimes it can actually bring you closer. When changes arise, talk things out with others, discuss both your concerns about them and listen to their advice. These exchanges alone will benefit you. But, more than that, it could lead to breakthroughs. You'll think carefully about these fundamental alliances, and in doing so will eliminate habits that have interfered with that all important intimacy, and begin to create a new bond between you.

Mind, Body, Spirit

Being an earth sign you have an instinct for what's good for you, for what's in your best interests. Yet, sometimes you're so busy doing what you must, you forget to pause. You neglect yourself. Now is the time to analyse what you need, to reflect on the bigger picture. During this year these reflections will be triggered by issues with others, situations that require both reflection and detachment. Ironically, if you're able to sit quietly with others, not only will your brainstorming yield wonderful insights, it will also remind you that there's something bigger guiding you. And these insights will reassure you again and again.