Virgo, your planetary ruler is fast-moving Mercury, so your mind is naturally quick and alert. As Mercury spends the better part of January in practical, like-minded earth sign Capricorn, it’s time to reassess/follow up on your New Year’s resolutions and set new goals. Feeling ambitious and determined is a fantastic way to start the year.There are also the usual three infamous Mercury retrograde periods to watch out for: March 14 to April 7 (from Aries into Pisces), July 17 to August 11 (in Leo), and November 9 to 29 (from Sagittarius to Scorpio). Because you’re Mercury-ruled, you probably know by now that these backward transits will do their best to bring things to a standstill, but don’t worry - your positive actions during these cycles can be very effective. As this year’s Mercury retrogrades all visit excitable fire signs, keeping your cool in the face of frustration and disappointment will be necessary. As always, the sun shines in your critical, precise sign from the end of August until the end of September, shining a light on your practical, hardworking ways. The final days of summer are the perfect time to clear out the stuff you don’t need and get a little more organized. This is also an excellent time to take care of health issues, especially preventative care, so be sure to schedule your yearly doctors’ visits and follow up on any tests or lab work you have done.