It’s clean up time! The Mars in Virgo transit blows the whistle on stressful habits. Systemize your way to success from July 10 to August 27, 2023.
Let’s bring some order to the court here, folks. As Mars leaves hedonistic Leo (where it’s been since May 20), your refrigerator might resemble a snack bar and your stationary bike, a stylist’s clothing rack. Zero judgments—and we hope you had fun. But some good things must come to a pause—or rather, get upgraded to a more salubrious option. So, let’s try again: Calling all healthy hedonists! Mars in Virgo is officially here!
How Mars in Virgo is sure to make you feel
What happens when Mars is in Virgo?
Productive: Go-getter Mars in efficient Virgo helps you plow through those tasks. When the red planet is grounded in earth signs like Virgo (also Taurus and Capricorn) you get pumped about your routines. There is no better time than the Mars is in Virgo transit to kick off (or pick back up) a fitness regimen, or take on an ambitious project at work or around the house. You’re likely to stick to goal now, and see results.
Healthy: Robust Mars in Virgo helps us all to feel grounded and comfortable in our own skin. Don’t dwell on what you ate last week or all the workouts you missed. Consider this seven-week cycle a healthy living reset. You may notice some aches and pains or low energy as you begin to become “embodied” again. Be warned that Mars can be overarching! Ease in slowly with gentle exercise, stretches and incorporating greens and lean proteins into your meals. If you’ve been putting off checkups and wellness appointments, get those on the books, ASAP. Needless suffering does not earn anyone a merit badge.
Discerning: What’s right for you becomes crystal clear during the Mars in Virgo transit, and when it does, you can take action at once. That might mean backing out of certain activities or saying no to requests you formerly would have pushed yourself to do. Check your combative streak! Before you cut people off or storm away in a huff, is there a chance you might negotiate better terms? A win-win may be within reach if you give people a chance to satisfy your terms.
Critical: When perfectionist Virgo collides with feisty Mars, people can get judgmental or critical. Everyone’s got an opinion and nobody wants to be wrong. Think before you speak, or at least let that first wave of emotion wash over you before you formulate a response. Remember to listen before you offer suggestions, if you do at all. (How would you feel if someone dished out that advice to you?) Simple conversations can also combust into heated debates that get nasty. You’ll catch more flies with honey than you will with your “helpful hints” no matter how badly you want to share them!
What earthy-sexy Mars in Virgo can do for your love life
As racy Mars visits purist Virgo, romance could get downright Victorian. But, hey, that was a time of high romance. Those “will they or won’t they?” lingering gazes and flashes of skin create a slow-burning heat that might feel even sexier when the attraction finally combusts into something physical. Have fun courting the object of your affection.
Coupled? Give your relationship a wellness check. Are you communicating clearly—and regularly? Have you created a safe enough space for each of you to be honest? there’s no more stepping over stuff—the little things mean a lot. “Acts of service” is Mars in Virgo’s love language so make sure to “be there” for each other.
Single? Be open to meeting someone through wellness pursuits or even sports (competitive Mars loves physical activity). Walking counts! Try a “walk & talk” date. Since Virgo is the sign of service, you might meet a match with solid character from a volunteer activity. Being helpful and considerate is more of a turn-on than looking hot in your summer selfies. That said, meticulous glamazon Virgo loves a good dressup date!
Romance advice for everyone: Watch out for a critical streak! The planet of power can dial up your flaw-finding tendencies while in this analytical sign. Remember: you don’t have to settle…aaaaand, nobody’s perfect! Save the improvement missions for your own life and avoid making someone else your project. Be each other’s loves, not life coaches!
The Astrology Advantage
Your Mars in Virgo transit horoscope
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Summer playtime may require more advance scheduling for the next seven weeks as your cosmic ruler Mars decamps to no-nonsense Virgo. While “all work” will never be the Aries way, between July 10 and August 27, you eagerly embrace the call of duty provided it comes from a meaningful source. Before you dive into a mission during the Mars in Virgo transit, establish sustainable routines that will keep you organized on the day to day—which runs the gamut from eating clean to taking stretch breaks. Remember, Ram: Establishing a new habit is simply a matter of doing the same (small) thing over and over again until it becomes second nature.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Hopefully, you’re well-rested, Taurus, because once red-hot Mars blasts into Virgo and your celebratory fifth house on July 10, your summer goes from siesta to fiesta. Slip into your cutest summer attire. While attention-grabbing Mars hangs here until August 27, there will be no shortage of passion, romance and selfie-worthy moments. Already attached? The coming seven weeks of the Mars in Virgo transit could bring an exciting milestone, possibly involving jewelry or crib shopping. Single Bulls could meet an intriguing prospect just about anywhere “summery,” like mingling on a dock, beach or rooftop deck. But no matter your romantic status, reserve a portion of your mojo for one of your personal passion projects. Fame could follow!
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Blow up the air mattresses and mix up a pitcher of iced tea. The Gemini nest becomes a buzzing hive of activity starting July 10 as energizer Mars zips into Virgo and your zone of home and family. Between now and August 27, you could be hosting a rotating cast of visitors. Much as you love a houseguest, keep a few empty slots on your social calendar to indulge in some sacred “me time. Otherwise, you could become agitated and moody. Motivation is there to tackle a home improvement project, but take heed! Impulsive Mars here could cause you to rush in before you’ve thought through a proper plan.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Farewell phonies, begone energy vampires! If your friend lists could use pruning, take-no-prisoners Mars hands you the psychic scissors on July 10. The combative red planet barrels into Virgo, heating up your communicative third house until August 27. Your time is precious and now your marching orders are clear: Fill your social calendar with rich and rewarding interactions during the Mars in Virgo transit. Live music, pool parties, barbecues on the beach—spearhead these activities and assemble a new (or renewed) crew of healthy people who want to see you win in life. You might even form an inspiring collaboration that will put you on the fast track to success. Hello, dynamic duo!
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Life’s been moving at a supersonic pace ever since adrenalizing Mars moved into your sign on May 20. But we have to ask, Leo, are you exhausted yet? You’ll have plenty of moments to regain your chill starting July 10 as the red planet moves on to Virgo and your slow-and-steady second house until August 27. Pump the brakes and give yourself a chance to organize everything from your summer schedule to your spending and savings plan. Momentum for a moneymaking project WILL increase during the Mars in Virgo transit. So if there’s any place to exert yourself it’s for projects that bring the promise of greater financial security. As long as the work falls in line with your core values, you’ll find it rewarding.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
You won’t need the kiss of a handsome royal to wake you up on July 10, Virgo! (Although that would be kinda nice…) The jolt into action comes courtesy of motivator Mars, who races into your sign until August 27 and pumps you full of mojo and magnetism. Since the energetic planet only visits Virgo once every two years, you’ll want to make the most of this turbocharged cycle. Reshuffle your priority list so that your needs and aspirations sit in the top spots. Even a personal passion project could end up generating dividends. Your sex appeal reads off the charts now, but you’re happy to revel in your freedom for the time being. That won’t stop others from trying to win you over though. Enjoy!
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Too. Much. Stuff. Motivator Mars decamps to Virgo and your transitional twelfth house on July 10, inspiring you to scale back in an epic way. This cycle only comes around every two years, and when it does, it’s like a planetary prompt to do a major decluttering. Letting go of what you no longer want can still yield some profit. Send a bag of clothes to the RealReal and list the couch you want to replace on OfferUp. Support and courage will be plentiful during this seven-week cycle should you need to do some inner healing. Look those demons squarely in the eye, Libra. When feisty Mars lands in your sign on August 27, you’ll see that your future does not have to be dictated by your past!
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
You’ve been perched at a high elevation since May 20, when motivator Mars (your co-ruler) stormed into your career zone. But even autonomous Scorpios can get lonely at the top (or perched on a high horse). So you may be happy to hear that on July 10, the red-hot planet blazes into Virgo, and energizes your team-spirited eleventh house for the first time in two years. You have until August 27 to revel in the communal fun that Mars has in mind for you. Rally friends for summer festivals, campouts, sports games and block parties. Bear in mind, however, that combative Mars can agitate conflicts that have been brewing with your crew. It’s probably long past time to hash this out, but try to set some ground rules so no one winds up devastated in the process.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
“Up!” is the only direction you want to think about starting July 10, as make-it-happen Mars blasts into Virgo and your tenth house of success until August 27. Yes, it’s going to be a busy, hardworking summer, Sagittarius, but the rewards you reap during this cycle will be well worth every “work from pool” day you put in. The trick to mastering Mars’ momentum? Be proactive! Rather than waiting for the exclusive VIP invites to magically show up in your inbox, get yourself on the influencers’ radar during the Mars in Virgo transit. Put your best foot forward by showcasing your unique mix of finesse and originality. You’ll have ‘em at hello.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Antsy, much? For the coming seven weeks, you’ll find it hard to sit still for long spells or do anything that feels rote and familiar. As energetic Mars grooves into Virgo and your expansive ninth house July 10 until August 27, the time is ripe to travel, explore and fill your head with novel ideas. So do that, Capricorn—and don’t overthink the practicalities of every plan. It’s okay to do things for pure enjoyment, even if the action isn’t tied to any greater ambition or result. Sometimes you have to take that first brave step into the unknown before the entire path forward reveals itself. Mars only visits this daring, intrepid part of your chart every two years, so carpe diem during the Mars in Virgo transit!
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Are you in or are you out? That question won’t hang in the balance for long starting July 10 as make-it-happen Mars pulses into Virgo and your eighth house of rock-solid commitments until August 27. Free-spirited though you may be, Aquarius, you don’t mind giving your all to a relationship that feels expansive. Over the coming weeks of the Mars in Virgo transit, you could decide to go “all in” with someone who you know you can grow with; or, alternatively, you might cut and run from a situationship that will never trully be more. Single Water Bearers, keep your hearts open and your souls shining. That way, a worthy candidate will recognize you.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Pair up for the win, Pisces! Go-getter Mars charges into Virgo on July 10 and sends waves of excitement into your seventh house of partnerships. This competitive energy might even find you vying for someone’s affection—a slippery slope if you start to forget that YOU are the prize, too! That said, with action-oriented Mars at this helm until August 27, passively waiting for a soulmate to appear probably won’t send out the right invitation to the universe. Create space by cutting ties with perpetual playthings and cutting to the chase quickly, letting dates know what you want from a relationship. Already attached? When Mars visits this zone every two years, it acts like a catalyst. The question is, do you want to zoom closer together or further apart? Don’t shy away from an honest exploration during the Mars in Virgo transit.
Where will Mars be for the rest of 2023?
When the Mars in Virgo transit ends on August 27, it will enter:
• Libra until October 12
• Scorpio from October 12 to November 24
• Sagittarius from November 24 to January 4, 2024
Mars is the last of the personal inner planets—the planets before Jupiter which are closest to the Sun. The red planet hangs out in a zodiac sign for approximately 6-8 weeks, directing the global temperament and fighting style. Lusty Mars is the forthright companion to seductive Venus and can bring out the “cosmic cave(wo)man” in us all. Our raw desire is on display during certain Mars cycles, while other zodiac signs provoke a more discreet style of pursuit.
You can read about other recent Mars transit 2023 cycles:
• Mars in Leo transit
• Mars in Cancer transit
• Mars in Gemini transit (plus the retrograde, which occurs every two years)
Want even more Mars?
Do you know your Mars sign? Is Mars in Virgo a good placement? Calculate your birth chart here and read your Mars sign meaning here!