These 4 Rising Signs Are About to Think Clearer Than Ever

If you happen to have been born with your rising (aka your ascendant) in one of the following four signs, you’re about to experience a game-changing shift around your mental energy and self-expression. This grounding, cerebrally-supercharged chapter is fueled by Mercury, the messenger planet, moving into one of its home signs, Virgo, the service-oriented mutable earth sign, on August 25. In Virgo, Mercury is exalted, or capable of functioning at its highest power as the planet of communication. As the author of Mercury Magic: How to Thrive During Retrogrades and Tap Into the Power of the Messenger Planet All Year Long, I can reassure you that, until September 10, we’ll all have the ability to tap into an especially precise, analytical way of thinking, and a brilliantly detail-oriented style of curating and sharing information. But if you have your rising (or natal Mercury) in Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, or Pisces, the effects of Mercury’s 2026 turn through Virgo will be particularly stunning.

Taurus Rising

For most of August, you’ve been leaning into the more reserved, homebody side of your personality, Taurus, because Mercury has been activating your 4th house of home life—a rather private sector that emphasizes healing old wounds, tending to your familial bonds, and nurturing your sense of security. Now, as Mercury shifts into your 5th house of romance and self-expression, you’ll feel so much lighter, more creative, playful, and fun-loving. You could be inspired to take a spontaneous trip with your S.O., to tap into your artistic impulses, or to pause working toward deadlines in order to get together with friends or flirt up a storm with someone new. When it comes to making the most of connection and sharing what’s on your mind, your heart is leading the way now. You can look forward to September 1 for Mercury’s sync with bold Mars in your 3rd house of communication, which can spark even more fulfillment from your social life.

Virgo Rising

Eclipse season has been doing a number on your energy, thanks to the August 27-28 lunar eclipse activating your 7th house of partnership, Virgo, which can feel draining, given the weight of what’s going on for you emotionally. But as Mercury, your ruling planet, moves into your sign on August 25, you’ll enjoy a surge of mental energy that feels illuminating and inspiring. You may want to make your mark in a whole new way (think: heading up a major initiative at your current job or leaning into your entrepreneurial spirit), and you’ll be feeling more assertive, ambitious, and confident when speaking your mind and connecting with others. On August 27, the confident sun joins forces with Mercury to empower you even further, and on September 1, it’ll form a friendly sextile to go-getter Mars in your 11th house of friendships, inviting you to pair your most dynamic game plan with bold action and teamwork.

Capricorn Rising

With Mercury having just spent time in your 8th house of intimacy, you’ve been keeping a low profile, opting for privacy over opening up (even more than usual), Capricorn, but as Mercury moves into your 9th house of adventure and higher learning, your wanderlust and desire to get out into the world take flight. This is one of the best opportunities of the year for you to soak up knowledge, work with a mentor, book a long-distance trip, or connect with people outside of your typical social circle. For instance, attending a wellness retreat would be especially apt. On September 1, Mercury forms a friendly sextile to dynamic Mars in your 7th house of partnership, and linking up with a significant other, dear friend, or colleague can fire you up to pursue an aspiration you’re ready to go to bat for.

Pisces Rising

Life may very well feel emotionally heavy until we move past the eclipse in your 1st house of self, Pisces, but once Mercury begins its trip through your 7th house of partnership on August 25, you’ll be empowered to share even more openly than usual within your one-on-one relationships. Your appetite for feeling heard and seen by a significant other, dear friend, loved one, or colleague soars, and you’ll have a bolstered ability to be vulnerable and articulate even the most challenging feelings that are surfacing for you throughout this season. On September 1 in particular, when Mercury forms a lighthearted sextile to take-charge Mars in your 5th house of romance, you could be presented with a unique chance to speak straight from your heart or to dive into gratifying creative self-expression. Either one could feel gratifying and therapeutic.