Despite the lingering yawns and sleepiness, this is a great week for getting work done. Indeed, you might give yourself a Friday deadline for accomplishing everything on your to-do list in preparation for next week’s unpredictability.

Mars is in diligent Virgo, where he’ll stay until next July. That’s right, we’ll have Mars in Virgo for nearly eight months, due to his retrograde phase starting in January. Normally, Mars remains in a sign for about six weeks. Check your natal chart to see what houses contain Virgo, and that’s where you’ll feel the active, dynamic energy of Mars in practical, helpful Virgo.

This week, Mars trines Jupiter in Taurus, with both at a close angle to Pluto in Capricorn. This lovely earth trine lends itself to manifesting your thoughts into reality. You’ll fare best if you visualize what you want as specifically as possible and place it in a supporting structure. For example, if you want a new job with a great salary, don’t just visualize a paycheck, but imagine yourself in the job environment with your co-workers, customers and clients (if applicable). Also get specific about how you feel doing the work you anticipate. Does it excite you? Stimulate your creativity? Fulfill your desire to help others solve problems?

Lastly, think of what you could do to make this scenario happen. Then do it! At least take a concrete step. Action is a keyword for Mars, and it also sends out a vibration that sets into motion the energy that eventually will coalesce into what you want. This is also just plain Virgo logic. If you want a new relationship, for example, you’re not going to get it by sitting on the couch watching reruns of The Love Boat.

Speaking of re-runs, Mercury turns retrograde next Thursday (November 24), and since Mercury rules Virgo, Mars is likely to behave badly, as though he, too, is retrograde. Be mindful of how you criticize others, as this is a perfect setup for being so insensitive and cutting that you could alienate someone to the point of destroying a relationship. It will be hard to patch up this type of falling out later. Driving also is going to be more of a challenge, with lots of minor fender-benders. This likely won’t be an overwhelming concern this week, but it can’t hurt to start thinking about your survival strategy for the three weeks while Mercury is in reverse.

On the positive side, you could have some wonderful opportunities for repairs and remodels, depending on what house in your chart Mars is transiting. Remember, Virgo is an earth sign, so this will pertain primarily to material projects, including helping others with a physical, material problem.

Back to this week, the Moon enters Virgo on Friday, conjoins Mars, and trines Jupiter and Pluto. Normally, I’d be wary of the Moon-Mars conjunction, as it can be associated with unchecked emotions. However, in this case, I think the Moon’s energy will act as an amplifier, so keep up that visualization work.

The only other major aspect this week is the Sun-Neptune square on Sunday. This energy can be a bit of a downer, and with Neptune still moving slowly, you may want to plan for a lazy Sunday in bed watching your favorite movies. If you tend to be psychic to start with, you may get a flash or two of otherworldly images. Also be forewarned that if you use alcohol or mind-altering substances, go easy. It won’t take much to get into place in your mind that could leave you feeling troubled or disturbed.

If you don’t get your to-do list done by Friday, you’ll still have three days next week to wrap up, but the closer we get to Mercury’s station, the more frustration you’re likely to encounter. Also, here’s another reminder to back up your computer data. Just do it, and save yourself a lot of grief later. (This has been a public service announcement by your friendly Internet astrologer.)

Before I go, I’d like to announce that the December/January issue of The Mountain Astrologer is out, with my article on Ophiuchus. If you don’t already subscribe, you can buy the individual magazine online for $7. Readers of RealAstrologers will recognize some of the material from a post I wrote back in January, but you’ll also find lots of new information, based on extensive research.

Much love and courage to all,
Pat