August 23-September 22



Mutable Earth
Feminine (-) Yin
Key: "I Analyse"
Symbol: The Virgin
Ruler: Mercury
Exaltation: Mercury
Detriment: Jupiter
Fall: Venus
Critical Degrees: 4 & 17

Virgo the Virgin, an earth sign, is the sixth sign of the tropical zodiac. The Sun on his annual journey shines in Virgo between Aug 22 and Sep 21, though it can vary depending on the year. The Sun in astrology stands for our inner nature, the stamp of our true character.



A mutable (fluid and changeable) sign, Virgo governs critical analysis, intellectual subtlety and service. Virgo people are inclined to be practical and industrious, yet adaptable, with a remarkable eye for detail. Virgo is an intellectual and discriminating feminine sign ruled by the magical trickster Mercury, the messenger of the gods.



The emblem of Virgo, a virgin holding sheaves of wheat in her hands, symbolises wisdom, garnered in the fields of experience. Like the true virgin, most Virgos are shy and, like a virgin waiting to give herself to the perfect lover, Virgo is also idealistic.



Disappointment, however, can harden you into a cynic and a skeptic. Virgo consequently becomes quite critical with self as well as circumstances, due to the effect of such disappointments on a sensitive and discriminating nature.



The planet Mercury, governing our intellect and communicative faculties, rules Virgo, where tradition also places the house of its exaltation, so Virgins have a truly intellectual, critical and analytical approach to life. Communication is important and you love books, magazines, and writing.



A Critical Eye



A critical eye for detail, combined with your ceaseless pursuit of perfection, endows you with an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone (whether they need it or not!). Service-oriented Virgo seeks to improve the environment, by pursuing careers in health-related fields, or in other structured areas such as teaching, labour relations, or counselling. Intensely personal situations can be somewhat inhibiting, but other circumstances can produce a very dynamic Virgo indeed. Hmmm.



Although you often have altruistic motives in helping others, you do have a teensy tendency to act the martyr when your offerings are ignored. It is not unheard of for you to use guilt as a weapon. Helping others to improve is one thing, my dears, but pushing them toward goals of perfection they cannot hope to accomplish is quite destructive, as well as impossible.



Health Conscious



Health-conscious Virgo makes an effort to stay physically fit and you don't mind repetitive exercise routines, if you can see achievable outcomes. You enjoy tennis, racquetball, swimming, sailing, fishing, and biking, even though athletically you are not overly competitive. It's just that you always seek to perfect whatever skills you may have, primarily for the sake of doing a thing well. Talented in various crafts, dressmaking and designing, you may also take a particular interest in such things as cartography, travel, and philately.



Virgo rules the sinuses, respiratory system, and bowels. Colds, flu, allergies, problems with intestines and constipation are common Virgo complaints. You are also subject to black moods and despondency from time to time, which can adversely affect others in your vicinity.



Your birthstone is the sapphire, a variety of corundum. This gem was considered by ancient societies to be a love charm. Though they come in a variety of colours and can even be transparent, the most valuable sapphires are blue. Blue is also the principal colour associated with Virgo. Flowers and plants for Virgo include the aster, chrysanthemum, ivy, and fern.



Always seeking perfection, you find it difficult to accept situations or people as they are. You must learn to be more sensitive, my dear, and restrict your passion for constantly finding fault, for even well-meaning criticism can be hurtful and badly received. Practicality and conservatism feature strongly in your personality. While you do not favour flamboyant displays of affection and can even present an excessively puritanical facade in public, you can nevertheless be quite sensual and sexually-oriented in private.



You can be totally organized and attentive to details in some areas, while at the same time be appallingly disorganized and sloppy in other areas. How confusing. How contrary! You are health conscious to the point of obsession and should your natal sun or moon be in one of the Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces) or in Capricorn (which tends toward excessive worry), this concern with health can develop into severe hypochondria.



Ruled by Mercury, the messenger of the gods, you are extremely talkative and prone to gossip. Endlessly curious about everything that goes on in your immediate environment, at times you seem to be everywhere at once. Ideas and projects to take up every waking moment. The knack for collecting and communicating your ideas and information effortlessly attracts information and news from everyone else as well. You readily absorb stores of information which you are happy to share with anyone who takes the time to listen.



Virgo rising gives a talent for communication and attention to detail that makes super salesmen, efficient negotiators, and eager travellers. You like to keep busy and useful. You are nosy, so you would make a great researcher or journalist. Sitting around doing nothing makes you nervous and irritable, but you enjoy collecting such things as recipes, postage stamps, or medical remedies. Respiratory illnesses, nervousness, and allergies are apt to be common physical complaints



Traditional Associations



Plants: Narcissus, chrysanthemums, asters, all brightly colored small flowers, particularly blue or yellow
Trees: Cherry, nut-bearing trees, not just edible
Animals: Pets, particularly cats & dogs, solitary animals
Colors: Navy blue, dark brown, green, lilac
Metal: Mercury, nickel, platinum
Countries: Greece, the West Indies, Turkey, Brazil, Crete, Yugoslavia, Jordan, Switzerland