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As the feeling of fall begins to fill the air and the last fruits are harvested from the orchards, the sun moves into the sign of Virgo. If you were born between August 22 and September 22 (see note above regarding exact dates), you probably know that Virgo is your "sun sign;" you may also know that Virgo is the sign of the Virgin — which no doubt requires a little explaining. The sixth sign in the astrological cycle, Virgo introduces the concept of responsibility, the realization that true fulfillment involves more than merely the satisfaction of personal needs. In this stage of growth, there is an awareness of the desire to step outside of one’s self, to find ways to be of service and to make the world a better place. Above all, Virgo wants to be ethical and efficient, to see the results of her hard work, and to know her actions have had a positive effect. What does all this have to do with the Virgin? Partly, this symbolic connection can be explained by the high standards held by Virgo, and her need to be nearly perfect in all she does. This is a concept easily related to the role of a virgin in mythology, who, because she was "pure and unspoiled," was deemed to be the only one worthy to be sacrificed to the gods. Other archetypes for Virgo include the Perfectionist, the Analyst, the Servant, the Martyr — you get the idea. Virgo, you are most fulfilled when you find something that isn’t working and you are able to figure out how to fix it. The subject of this "repair" may be your relationships, your home environment, your physical body, other people’s problems, or some other aspect of life. The main requirement is the potential for improvement, which you usually see very clearly. Your gifts include the skills of analysis and patience, the ability to envision an ideal, an awareness of what will and won’t work, and a strong attention to detail. You are an earth sign, blessed with a knowledge of how to get things done in this physical reality. Your ideas are usually grounded and practical, even while being inspired by an ideal that may or may not ultimately be attainable. Virgo is also known as a "mutable" sign, indicating your adaptability to change. Your gifts are expressed most naturally in the physical world, inspiring you to find work through which you can improve and heal situations and people around you. As with all the signs, there are both positive and less desirable expressions of your talents. Your strong analytical skills can become overly focused on all that is wrong, turning your analysis into criticism. Your perfectionism can be so unyielding that it does not accept the human side of yourself or others. Your awareness of the unattainable ideal can fill you with destructive doubt and a sense of futility. Your desire to be of service can result in unhealthy self-sacrifice. The keys to avoiding those traps are simply stated, yet difficult to implement. You must release judgement, absolutely accepting yourself and others for who and what they are, even while keeping your eye on the growth that is needed. You must learn to live in the present, even as you are aware of the potential of the future. You must love yourself unconditionally so that you do not unconsciously sacrifice yourself on the altar of perfection. Strong self-esteem is essential if you are to find peace of mind. Each of the twelve signs is said to be "ruled" by a certain planet; traditionally, Mercury has been Virgo’s ruler. Mercury is the messenger god, relating to Virgo’s mental acuity and analytical skills. However, with the discovery of Chiron in the 1970s, many astrologers are exploring a possible rulership by that planetary body, known as the "wounded healer." In mythology, Chiron the centaur was gravely injured, and yet, being an immortal, could not die. He was destined to travel the land, seeking his own healing and healing others along the way. This relates to your own process, Virgo; as you strive to improve yourself and others, you emulate Chiron, being always painfully aware of your own imperfections, yet being required to look beyond them if you are to fulfill your higher destiny. In the physical body, Virgo corresponds to the intestines, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder — organs that help process food, converting it into nourishing substances the body can utilize for growth and healing. These are areas of your body that can be susceptible to stress, Virgo, especially if you tend to store rather than process negative experiences. It is important for you to learn about nutrition, to eat healthy foods, and to pay attention to any messages your body gives you. If you have difficulty accepting life’s imperfections, you may also have trouble assimilating the food you eat. Since Virgo is an earth sign, relationships with other earth signs may form most naturally, through a shared sense of practicality and realism. Water signs can supply nurturing for you, while you offer a solid foundation for them. Air signs share your mental characteristics, but may not be practical enough for you; fire signs may be harder for you to relate to, given their tendency to go with the inspiration rather than the sensible solution. Pisces, which is the sign exactly opposite Virgo in the sky, offers additional perspectives on your most fulfilling path, Virgo. Detail-orientation is integral to your overall goals, but at times you can get lost in the minutia and lose perspective. This is when you can call on Pisces’ resources: understanding the transient nature of this reality, surrendering your anxiety to a higher power, and releasing the need to control final outcomes. Your gifts are many, Virgo. With your help, we find solutions to our questions and healing for our wounds. We count on your skills to make our lives better in practical ways. Once you have learned to love and appreciate yourself for the imperfect yet growing soul you are, that ideal you aim for may even be possible. Pam Younghans is an astrologer and teacher, offering personal consultations and classes at Longevity Holistic Center on Old Main Street in Bothell, Washington. To schedule a consultation, to receive Pam’s free weekly forecast by email, or if you have questions: call (425) 445-3775, e-mail <astrologerpam@aol.com>, or see Pam’s Web site at <http://www.pamsastrology.freeservers.com/>. |
This
is the sixth article in a series exploring the 12 astrological
signs. In Western Astrology, the heavens are divided into 12
equal sections, beginning with Aries at the Vernal Equinox and
continuing through the rest of the zodiac. The dates given below
are approximate; exact dates for the beginning and ending of
the signs vary from year to year. Please consult an ephemeris
or a qualified astrologer to verify your sun sign and to get
a more complete picture of your entire astrological chart. Although
the description below applies especially to those who were born
when the sun was in Virgo, it is also applicable in varying degrees
for everyone, as Virgo appears somewhere in each individual’s
chart.