Get ready, Virgo. You’re a person who likes to be effective, and 2017 will provide you exactly that opportunity. Naturally, there will be intermittent growth challenges, but overall, as we follow Mercury, your Ruling Planet, we see a repeated emphasis on being productive and practical. Just what Virgo loves.

The year opens with your Ruling Planet in retrograde motion until January 7. This isn’t particularly shocking since Mercury is in this condition about twenty percent of the time. One in five people is therefore affected; you might be one of them! These folks often have it very easy during the regular repeated times when Mercury is retrograde. This particular year, the Earth signs are emphasized in this process, and that’s very handy for you since Virgo is one of them (the others are Taurus and Capricorn). You are provided with several extended opportunities to put your best where it does the most good, and only you get to decide where that is.

An eclipse on February 26 highlights your Relationship Sector, showing that you’re ready for changes in that department of life. All one-to-one partnerships, both personal and professional, are affected. You might think of it as cleaning house. Apply your usual high standards to help you sort out the wheat from the chaff among these people involved in your life, without going to the extremes that would create a total vacuum there. A good litmus test is to “check in” with your body after you’ve been in someone’s company. A yucky feeling means no go. A pleasant, buzzing vibration and they’re in the club.

Trouble brews in March when information comes to the surface that completely changes the nature of a financial transaction you’re involved in. There are delays, setbacks and reversals. Money you thought was a sure thing is now curtailed or cut off by a powerful person or authority structure. You didn’t see this coming and you feel blindsided. Truthfully, much of this is beyond your control and due to forces that are bigger than any individual. That’s why it’s best for the Child of Mercury to diversify and not to put all those precious eggs in one basket.

From April 21 through the middle of May, you have a unique opportunity to completely revision the way you handle your joint resources and financial obligations. Consulting with a financial advisor, even if you’ve never done something like that before, will help you be aware of new banking programs or instruments that could help your long range financial plans. Don’t get stuck in the past. Be willing to learn some new things and to look at your money and your future in a whole new way.

What was supposed to be a fun activity with friends from June 27 – 29 turns into a money nightmare. Perhaps there’s a fundamental misunderstanding or miscommunication about resources and who’s handling what. There could be an attempt by one person or faction to overthrow the proceedings, which leads to an angry backlash. Whatever goes down, you’re right in the middle of it, ready to stand up and fight for what’s right and proper. You feel very strongly about this. Could that passion possibly, just an iota, affect your thinking? Something to think about, Virgo.

Your Ruling Planet is retrograde from August 12 – September 5. Since this happens mostly in your own zodiac sign of Virgo, long associated with good health habits, you can personally benefit. Better self-care rises up the totem pole of priorities. You’re motivated to improve yourself on all levels; body, mind and soul. Moderation becomes your mantra, in case you’d forgotten. You re-dedicate yourself to yourself.

The first part of this process includes what you’d refer to as a “cleanse.” Mercury retrograde is a perfect time for Virgo to pause, rest and reconsider. Catch up with yourself. Purge and organize your drawers and closets. The funny thing is, while you’re doing that, you’re cleaning house internally too. You don’t even really have to do the unpleasant physical part if you do a good enough job in the metaphysical.

Hidden secrets come to light at the huge eclipse on August 21. Skeletons that have been lurking in the family or even the national closet start rattling a little louder. A lot louder, actually. Attending to that crisis leads to other shocking revelations that reverberate up and down the family line. Long-obscured or even totally forgotten connections and relationships are revealed. The eclipse is in August, but the effect lasts for months before and after. Be ready to welcome your new relations with open arms.

The final period of Mercury retrograde occurs from December 2 – 22 in your House of Home and Family. Now you can really sort out and integrate everything that has surfaced in this important year. Make a record of it in some way; the mode doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you give voice to what has happened and how it’s brought you to where you are. Now you can launch confidently into your future.

By Linea Van Horn