When the worker bee of the zodiac decides to duck out of the office to take a long trip, that's news. So what if it should be for business? It looks like the locale you're headed to will be mighty special, filled with incredibly sensuous sights, sounds, and flavors. You'll be excited about your trip and that's what counts.

The whole month will brim with chances to get on a plane, so if you do have to take a business trip, try to arrange to go a day or two earlier, say, over the preceding weekend, to satisfy your curiosity about the new surroundings where you are headed. Yes, you have deadlines to keep - it's clear that certain paperwork or documents will be due by July 30, due to an insistent full moon - but before that happens, you will have some leeway in your schedule to design your life the way you please.

As you begin July, you may also be thinking about a love relationship that appears to have just reached a high point, or soon will, within the first three days of July. That full moon was a positive one for you, especially if you were born at the end of August or very early September. You may have recently met someone, connected closely with someone you have been dating or live with, or discussed a pregnancy or the welfare of a child. If not, you may still do so in the first few days of July.

Regarding a relationship, you need to be careful, because Venus was opposed to Neptune at the end of June - a very glamorous, but alas, somewhat unreliable vibe. This aspect will still be strong in the first days of July too. Go slowly, dear Virgo.

There'll be other pleasures in July, and those will center on the joy that comes from being with caring, supportive friends. While work may continue to be pressured, your friends will lure you way anyway after the new moon appears on July 14.

That new moon will be doubly beneficial for those born September 14.

New people will want to make your acquaintance, too, and you should try to accept their invitations and discuss their ideas. You have much personal growth to be gained from mixing and mingling, so take a "Let's see what happens" attitude. If you've been toying with the idea of joining a club or charity, mid-month would be the best time to do so. In fact, your timing could not be better.

The people you will be meeting now will play a role in your life both at year's end and into the first four or five months of 2008. You are about to meet a great many people, and all of them hold a piece of the puzzle to your future. So while this period may feel fun and flirty, in truth, there will be a lot more substance to it all, for the people you are meeting now will form the underpinnings to much of what you are building for your future.

One day that you will notice just how wonderful your friends are to you is July 20. On that day, one friend in particular will come out and help you in ways that will surprise and touch you. It's a gold-star day, so do pay attention to it!

I need to mention something now that I forgot to tell you earlier. Last month, your ruler, Mercury, was retrograde, so there were parts of June that probably proved frustrating. This month, Mercury will move to stronger, direct orbit on July 9.

My best advice is to not buy anything expensive nor make any big commitments until after you pass the new moon, July 14. It is never wise to resume normal decision-making activities on the day that Mercury turns direct, because there'll be even more static in the air then than usual. The beginning and end dates of a Mercury retrograde are really dreadful, I am so sorry to say.

Keep your health up to par at month's end, as you'll be running thin by July's last weekend. A hot stone massage, seaweed wrap, or oxygen facial - the spa has various goodies to entice you if your budget allows. You tend to be a Spartan soul, but at July's end, don't deny yourself a route to relaxation. Even a shoulder massage from a loving partner would be welcome. No partner? A hot and sweaty workout followed by a warm sauna and cool shower could also do the trick. Allow yourself a sensual treat to stay strong and healthy.

If you are attached, the past year or so has brought a rollercoaster of emotions. Even if you were in a strong union, you never quite knew which way your relationship was headed because your partner seemed to be acting so erratically. Happily, this month, your alliance will be on the upswing.

Two stellar days that will prove this to you as true will be July 11 and July 28. Both are red-letter days. On those days your partner is likely to surprise you in all the right ways. The latter, July 28, would be an ideal day for a little trip. See how you want to use this lovely energy.

On top of all this, Venus will move into Virgo on July 15 for an unusually long visit to your sign. However, Venus will begin to retrograde in Virgo from July 27 until September 8.

This is both good news and not-so-good news. It'll be positive in that Venus will be in your sign - that's ALWAYS a plus. It's not great news that Venus will be in a weakened, retrograde state for six weeks. During the retrograde phase, you'll find life is more "no frills" and a bit more practical. If you want to give an important party, it would be best not to do it during Venus retrograde. Anything having to do with Venus - love, romance, adornment, and enjoyment - will go into a more serious, no-frills mode.

Most romantic evenings: July 1 - 4, 8 - 9, 11, 13, 17 - 18 and 28

My women Virgo readers: If you want to treat yourself to a day of beauty and conjure up a completely new look, do so in the week of July 16, and put a double star on July 17 and 18, days that fall prior to the retrograde. My men Virgos: You can use these days to style your hair differently and to get a massage too, of course!

It is also true that when any planet retrogrades, it provides a chance to think about past relationships and situations and fix what's broken. Don't just focus so much on analyzing the relationship (something you are prone to do) but rather, think about your own needs, too. You too often put others first and yourself last, dear Virgo. Make this the month where you reverse all that!

The month's full moon, July 29, will bring a work project to fullness. If you are offered a new job at this time, be careful that it truly is a step up and not a lateral move. It appears to be a lovely position, with great working conditions, but one that is very similar in level to the one you have now. Other possibly more important opportunities will come up between August 7 and September 26 when Mars moves through Gemini and your solar tenth house of fame. With such superb options on the horizon, why rush?

On the other hand, if you are self-employed and searching for new business or looking to hire underlings, then you will find excellent opportunities on both fronts on July 11 (a great day for a presentation or interview) and also on July 29, plus or minus four days. The latter date is sure to be a time of wrapping up talks and moving forward.

You may be thinking about the next season, and how much fun it will be to buy new clothes. If so, you may also come around to the idea that they would look so much better if you were trim and fit. If so, this full moon would be the ideal time to begin a diet. In fact, this could be the best time of the year to begin. If you are so inclined, do so several days AFTER it appears on July 29.

Summary

Mercury was retrograde during much of June, but now, in July, your ruling planet is due to go direct on July 9. This means after this day, your plans won't be subject to any more delays, mishaps, and haywire communications as they probably were in June. You can buy that important electronic item, too - wait to do so until any time after July 16 for best results.

With Mars in your ninth house, you may alternatively choose to travel or to attend classes / seminars or college for any number of reasons. In fact, you may decide to combine the two, and study abroad. No such luck? There are other possibilities. Virgo is often highly talented in communications, so you may receive a stunning assignment at a magazine, radio, or TV station or get to work on a highly successful Internet site. The work would be so enjoyable; your assignment would feel like play.

The biggest news of July is the strong social influence that is just getting started. You may already have lots of friends, but according to your chart, you've not seen anything yet. Aside from walking on air as you begin July, due to whatever developed in your love life over the full moon June 30, you'll have reasons to be excited about various social episodes you are about to experience in July.

The new moon on July 14 will bring new friends, more leisure activities, and reasons to spend time with your favorite group of old pals, too. In fact, your friends will become the dominant part of your life. Join a club - any kind! Even a health club would direct new people to you, and the new people you meet now would have a very positive influence on you.

If you are attached, the past year was likely difficult. You never knew which way your relationship was headed because each day brought unforeseen news. Happily, this month, things will be on the upswing.

This month two happy days for love and friendship include July 11 and July 28. On both days someone close is likely to surprise and delight you. The latter, July 28, would be an ideal day to take a trip. See how you want to use this lovely energy.

On top of all this, Venus will move into Virgo on July 15 for a very long visit. Specifically, Venus will begin to retrograde in Virgo on July 27, and remain in retrograde until a week after Labor Day, September 8. You'll love having Venus at your side, for Venus will work to bring our your charms, but Venus retrograde can also be a bit of a drag in that Venus tends to be more practical than carefree and loving during these retrogrades. Yet when any planet retrogrades, it gives us all a chance to think about relationships, situations, and what we really want in life. Make this the month when you decide what you want, and go from there.