Virgo Career Horoscope: After a Year, Did I Get a Raise?
Early 2024, with nothing better to do, I searched “Virgo 2024 Career Horoscope” during my coffee break, hoping to see if this year would bring a turning point at work—especially: Would I get a raise?
Online articles claimed:
“Mercury retrograde in April and September—negotiations prone to hit snags!”
“Jupiter enters Gemini in June—fortune opens wide!”
“A benefactor emerges by year’s end—promotion and raise are within reach!”
Honestly, I just laughed after reading—it’s just “generic advice,” right? Sounds impressive, but could apply to anyone.
But then I thought: “Why not treat this as an experiment? I’ll actually arrange my work based on these ‘astrological tips’ and see if I get that raise by year-end.”
So I opened my calendar, marked several “key dates,” and created a Google Doc to track every pay raise negotiation outcome. Below is my unfiltered, year-long record—no mysticism, no spin, just the raw truth.
Step 1: I asked for a raise at the start of the year. Result… no luck.
In January, before the horoscope articles could “work their magic,” I couldn’t resist approaching my boss about a raise.
I said, “I delivered great results on last year’s projects, and market salaries have gone up. Could you consider a raise?”
Boss replied, “The budget hasn’t been approved yet. Let’s talk next quarter.”
—This had nothing to do with zodiac signs, but everything to do with company procedures.
Reality Lesson #1: Bosses don’t care about your zodiac sign—they care about the company’s bottom line.
Step 2: Mercury Retrograde Hit in April, and Chaos Ensued
Horoscopes warned: “From April 1st to 18th, Mercury is retrograde. Avoid important discussions—things tend to go wrong.”
I didn’t believe it—until—
April 3rd: The company suddenly announced a departmental restructuring.
All promotions and salary adjustments were suspended. HR said, “We’ll address this after the restructuring concludes.”
I thought: Wow, what a coincidence!
Was Mercury to blame? Or did the company just happen to be in disarray at this moment?
—It doesn’t matter. Either way, my raise got postponed again.
Reality Lesson #2: No matter what the stars say, when the company goes haywire, employees suffer.
Step 3: June’s “Jupiter Brings Wealth”? I Earned Side Income, But No Raise
The horoscope article claimed: “Starting June 20th, Jupiter enters Gemini, ushering in a period of career abundance!”
I thought: “Here it comes—my chance for a raise!”
Result? Not a penny added to my paycheck.
But—through a friend’s referral, I landed two side gigs and earned 3,000 yuan extra.
So, “financial luck” did arrive—just not from the company. I “picked it up” from outside.
Reality Lesson Three: Don’t wait for the company to pay you. Finding your own money-making opportunities is more reliable.
Step Four: September Salary Negotiation – A Rollercoaster Ride
Horoscope warning: “Mercury retrograde again in September – avoid scheduling important meetings!”
But I couldn’t wait. On September 4th, I scheduled a raise discussion with my boss.
Result? Boss’s child got sick. Rescheduled.
Rescheduled again. Company system crashed. Rescheduled once more.
Finally, it dragged on until September 28th—with Mercury still “retrograde”—before we could meet.
I prepared data, market salary comparisons, and my performance reports, presenting everything clearly.
Result? The company offered only 2%.
I argued my case, and they “rechecked the budget,” raising it to 4%.
—Still too low. I felt discouraged.
But! Mid-October brought a sudden reversal.
Due to new equity policies, the company mandated all salaries must “align with market rates.”
So HR proactively approached me and adjusted my pay to the industry average.
I didn’t rely on horoscopes or negotiation skills—I leveraged the company’s fear of non-compliance.
My Year-End Review: How Accurate Are Horoscope Predictions?
Looking back on this year, I have to admit:
Horoscope said “April and September will be chaotic” — True, the company was in disarray then, and my raise got stalled.
Horoscope said “June brings financial luck” — I did earn extra income, so half-accurate.
Horoscope said “year-end brings a turning point” — my salary did increase in October, though not because of a “helping hand,” but because “the company feared trouble.”
So, are the stars useful after all?
—They didn’t get me a raise, but they reminded me: “Don’t rely too much on the company these weeks; find your own path.”
For those waiting for “lucky raises”: 3 practical suggestions
Don’t wait for horoscopes to pay your bills—try these 3 things:
1. Don’t just chase “company raises”; open another “income stream”
Like me, find side gigs, take on projects, learn marketable skills.
If your company won’t pay, the market will.
2. Before asking for a raise, prepare your “evidence”—don’t just rely on “I think I deserve it”
Organize your work achievements, industry salary benchmarks, and how much money you’ve saved/earned for the company.
Your boss isn’t unwilling to give you a raise—they need “reasons to convince others.”
3. Company policies matter more than horoscopes
Keep tabs on new company policies, adjustments, or compliance requirements.
Sometimes raises aren’t about your “performance”—they’re because “the company has to adjust.”
Final thought:
Stars won’t pay your salary, but you can use them as “alarm clocks.”
Mercury retrograde? — Reminder: “Don’t rely too heavily on the company these weeks; keep your own backup plans.”
Jupiter entering? — Reminds you to “actively seek opportunities instead of waiting passively.”
Year-end transition? — Reminds you to “organize your achievements and prepare for year-end negotiations.”
I no longer believe zodiac signs can “bless me with a raise,” but I’m grateful for them —
They kept me from giving up during chaos,
They drove me to seek new opportunities when disappointed,
They made me more prepared before negotiations.
In 2024, I didn’t rely on the stars for a raise.
But I relied on myself and earned what I deserved.
— A worker who once trusted horoscopes, now trusts data + action
留言
張貼留言