TheVirgo

2012 -Lady Hekate

Virgo in Mythology There are many identities represented by the constellation VIRGO, all of them related to maidens, purity and fertility. In India VIRGO was Kauni, mother of the great god Krishna, whilst the Babylonians linked her with the goddess Ishtar. When she descended into the underworld to reclaim her husband Tammuz, god of the Harvest, the earth went dark and nothing grew. The great gods were forced to intervene, she and Tammuz were saved, and the earth bloomed again. In Greek mythology, too, there is a similar theme. Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter, had been abducted and taken to the underworld by Hades. In revenge her mother ruined the harvests, the earth became infertile and the people were starving. Zeus was forced to issue a decree stating that Persephone should spend only a short time each year in the underworld, and when she was released Demeter permitted Nature to resume its natural course. Yet another Greek myth suggests that VIRGO represents Erigone, who hanged herself after finding her father Icarius' dead body. (From the book "Astrology for Lovers" by Liz Green)

The Virgo Myth

Modern language sometimes does some very funny things with words and concepts that come from the pre-Christian era. For example, take the Latin word virgo. It's usually interpreted as virgin, with all its sexual implications. So that the typical Virgo portrayed in popular astrology is virginal, i.e., prudish or inhibited or sexually cool. One need only look at some well-known film personalities born under Virgo, like Sophia Loren and Jacqueline Bisset and Sean Connery, to feel a little silly about equating

Virgo with a lack of sexual interest or appeal. But more of that later. Let's go back to what the word virgo once meant. It had, in fact, nothing to do with sexual virginity, but simply meant intact, self-contained. The great mythical figure that stands behind Virgo is the Great Goddess, the Magna Mater, and she was no virgin. In fact she is often portrayed in myth as the Great Harlot, the fecund one. There is a magnificent statue of the virgin goddess Artemis, one of many names for the Great Goddess, portrayed with fifty breasts to show that she represents the nurturer and giver of life to all of life. But she is virgo in the sense that she is self-possessed, her own person. In early mythology, from which we inherit the figure of the Virgin Goddess, before the Hellene invasion from the north into the agricultural civilizations of the Aegean in around 2000 B.C., the goddess did not owe her powers on her status to a divine husband as we see her in later mythology. She ruled alone, self-contained, husbandless, yet offering her femininity freely as she chose. She was the consort of all life. This is a clue to the deepest meaning of Virgo: the ultimate goal of this apparently humble sign is nothing less than the self-possessed psyche, the person who integrated within himself and can therefore give freely because he need not fear losing himself in another. He can choose life's experiences from his own place of completeness, rather than because his need for finding himself in another drives him into relationships or situations which destroy him or rule him. Sometimes you see this pattern of becoming one's own person lived out in the lives of Virgos through the necessity to live alone for a period of time. In fact his seems to be almost a requirement for Virgo to develop himself or herself. Difficult as it is for any person to face loneliness, many Virgos impose it on themselves, not because they don't need others, but because something in them says that you must learn to be yourself and love you own company before you can allow another person to be himself.

The zodiacal circle of twelve signs is divided into halves. The first half Aries through Virgo - is often taken to symbolize the stages of individual development. The second half - Libra through Pisces - is often taken to symbolize the individual's relationship to the larger society, other people, the world.

Virgo is the last of the first half of the zodiac, the cycle of individual development which we mentioned earlier. This means that Virgo in its deepest sense is about the real synthesis and integration of the individual, the refinement and ordering of all the experiences which have come from the first five signs. In an odd way you can see this in Virgo, just as you see it in Pisces, the last sign of the second half of the zodiac. In Pisces, you see the world, for the sign stands at the end of the great round. Pisceans contain the whole of human experience. It's why they can identify with anybody, sometimes much to their cost. Virgo contains all the stages of individual development. He's been through the rash impulsive courage of Aries challenging life. He's been through the building and acquiring stability of Taurus. He's been through the curiosity and fascination with ideas of Gemini. He's been through the need for warmth and family and roots of Cancer. He's been through the need to be creative and individual in Leo. You can see a sort of matter-of-fact 'Yes, I've done that' quality in many Virgos when they watch those other signs. It's as thought it's stored somewhere in their memory banks. And their job, their business, is about taking all those different stages and kinds of experience and not specializing in one but rather making a refined and well-functioning whole out of it. It's one of the reasons you find so many Virgos obsessed with health and diet, and equally many obsessed with psychology and selfhelp. They're trying hard to knit the whole thing together, to become the efficiently functioning person who can deal with any experience. But because Virgo is the final summation of the first cycle, any experience means any personal encounter, not an encounter with a group. Virgo isn't ready to go out into the bigger life of society. He keeps himself to himself. That's Libra's job. The compulsive self-perfecting that you find in so many Virgos, the endless stream of books and workshops and talks and lessons about how to be healthy, how to learn this, how to master that, all these things have a deep symbolic root. It's the need to prepare the vessel, to craft it, shape it, refine it, for some vaguely sensed next phase for which Virgo waits without really knowing what it is he's waiting and preparing for.

All myths are profound, and unless we make a little effort to think on a level of life other than what's for dinner, and on a level of astrology other than that Virgos make good typists, there's nowhere out of the snakepit of meaninglessness we have built with out own smallness. As we watch our Virgo friends and lovers and children busily rushing about with their dietary fads, their psychological self-development techniques, their new methods of do-it-yourself house building or auto repair, their obsessions and compulsions, we can see here - as with every other sign - a deep drive and a profound myth trying to express itself. Ashtray-emptying aside, the Goddess as self-contained nurturer of life is a fitting and noble image for this underplayed sign.

Virgo is also connected with the strange picture-language and concepts of medieval alchemy. Every Virgo, in some way, little or big, is an alchemist. Now, medieval alchemy doesn't really have anything to do with the practice of making gold, any more than Virgo has to do with virginity. If you read old alchemical texts, you'll hear them constantly saying that alchemical gold isn't ordinary gold. It's transmuted substance, inner gold, spiritual gold, creative gold. It's about purification, of taking something clumsy and crude and base and transforming it so that the real potential shines out of it. Whether it's his car or his body or his psyche, this laborious process of transmutation goes on throughout Virgo's life. One way or another, whether it's himself or other people or the disorderly world, his business, his environment or the products of his skilful hands. Virgo is attempting the alchemical transformation. It isn't really the outside world he's trying to order and synthesize. It's life. And life, ultimately, is himself.

Virgo Astrology August 23- September 22 Virgo's symbol is the virgin, and is often considered a shy, "lady in waiting" personality that is a little naive. Though Virgos are seldom celibate, they often keep their personal identity intact throughout their lives. This composure is virginal in nature.Virgo's symbol is sometimes shown as a woman carrying a sheaf of wisdom, representing the harvesting of wheat at the time of year of the Virgo (late summer). Virgo is a large equatorial constellation between Leo and Libra, in which the brightest member is the first-magnitude star Spica. Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac, which is entered by the sun on or about August 22nd.

Virgo is the only female figure among the constellations of the Zodiac. The Maiden has been attributed to many female deities over history. Among others, she has been identified with the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the Roman goddess of justice, Astraea and the Greek goddess of the harvest, Demeter. As such, Virgo is usually depicted either holding an ear of wheat or carrying the scales of Libra the adjoining constellation.

The glyph for Virgo is thought to depict the sexual organs, with a tail that wraps inwards, closing itself to the world. This, in contrast to the symbol for Scorpio, which is similar, except that the tail points outward and upward in an arrow.

Virgo. Element Earth, earthiness Quality Mutable, changeable and dynamic Rulers Mercury, on its earthy side Natural houses The sixth house Alternative names The virgin Virgo Strength Keywords: - Analytical - Observant - Helpful - Reliable - Precise

Virgo Weakness Keywords: - Skeptical - Fussy - Inflexible - Cold - Interfering Virgo and Independence:

Virgo is a very independent zodiac sign. They are fully able to put their intelligence to use and get things done for themselves. It is possible however that their narrow mindedness causes their creativity to suffer and they may lead regular routine lives. They may dwell too much on the past and over complicate things and this may limit their ability to move forward and confuse themselves. In conclusion, Virgos are able to be independent but the less evolved types will have difficult if someone is not there helping them to achieve more and not be so critical of themselves. Virgo and Friendship:

People look up to Virgo for friends because they are straight thinkers and solve problems logically. They are truthful, loyal and determined. Some people might find them cold or emotionally detached because they live in their minds, not in their emotions and feelings. It might be hard to pin down how a Virgo friend is feeling because they easily live in denial. A person who is able to read deep into another person will notice when Virgo is not well but if they confront them about it, they would rather retreat then talk about it. It is best to keep your emotional distance from a Virgo friend

unless they open up to you first. Virgo might try to analyze and control a friend's life but only with the idea that they will improve their life, not purely for the sake of controlling. Be patient with your Virgo friend and understand that their recommendations are only to make your life better.

Virgo and Business:

Virgos are very intelligent, they have an excellent memory and a highly analytical mind. This makes them good investigators and researchers. They also have the ability to probe into a person's emotions and they can often see into people and detect what their motives are. This makes them great policemen or interrogators. Virgos are very good at problem solving, this is what they do best. They are confronted with a problem, they will pick apart the pieces and put it together in the proper order. They are rational thinkers and are good at settling other people's disputes and putting them on the right track for reconciliation. Any position that requires the above features, which is a very long list, is perfect for the Virgo. They keep the world in order. Teaching, especially linguistics, as they tend to be exacting, and often like to correct others. Specifically when Mercury is also this sign. Information analysis, eg. financial analysis Accounting Computers, as they have a knack for the logics of this field Any technical work - fixing appliances, mechanics, etc Virgo Temperament:

Before a Virgo plunges into anything, from a problem to a vacation idea, they need to analyze all the facts and know all the details before they plunge in and make a decision. This makes them seem indecisive and slow. Virgo's perception is their reality, more so then other astrology signs. What they believe is what will be, if they have a negative outlook on life, things will present themselves to be negative and they will be very moody and isolated/detached. If they are positive, the same events that occur will be held in a positive light and they will be a pleasant, well adjusted person. A Virgo mind is a very powerful mind and they must have the proper attitude for their life to be happy and successful. Virgo needs to get in touch with their feelings, this is why they usually seem cold or detached. They are very prone of living in denial. They will say the feel okay or everything is alright even when it's not. This is an easy way out, the one thing that Virgo does not like to analyze is their feelings so pretending everything is okay is a good defense mechanism for not having to take a closer look at their feelings. Virgo has an unpredictable and sometimes unstable temperament. Virgo Deep Inside:

They need to be organized in their mind, sometimes all their energy is taken from organizing their mind that they have a difficult time organizing their surroundings. They easily look too deep into an issue and over analyze what they percept. Virgo is ambitious and strives to always know more and have more. This is in their eternal quest to bring order to chaos. Even if order is obtained from an outsiders' point of view, Virgo will not be settled for they have a very active mind that is always thinking and can never be silenced. Virgos want to be of use, they need to be important and essential to everyone in their lives and in everything they do. Virgo's major life lesson is to learn to trust in and have faith in the unknown. They have to understand that things in life happen for a reason that is not always known to them, they do not have to always know everything. They need to learn to calm down and not over-analyze a situation or event. Deep inside, Virgo is very sensitive and they need to be appreciated for all the things they do. When is Virgo is offended or hurt, they may never show it.

Virgo in a Nutshell:

Virgo exists in the mind, everything is inside. To the world, Virgo presents a calm and collected exterior but on the inside, nervous uncontrolled intensity in the mind, trying to figure things out, how to improve everything, analyzing and thinking. Virgo can tire itself out without even moving! Virgo has a constant drive to improve and perfect, this can lead to extreme pickiness and finickiest. They .never malicious and they want to accomplish something. Resource: Luellyens Book of Astrology Virgo the Goddess in Astrology "Virgo; The Virgin Goddess" Virgo is named after a virgin in Greek mythology, but it is a matter of debate which one. Some say it is Demeter, while still others claim it was Erigone. It is the second largest constellation (after Hydra). Virgo is easiest to see in April.

In other cultures besides Greece, this constellation is also presented as a "maiden". In Egypt, this was the constellation of Isis, goddess of the living and the dead. In the Sumerian culture, she was Ishtar, the Queen of Heaven. In Roman mythology she is Ceres, the Roman version of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. The sun passes through Virgo in the fall, and therefore is the constellation that announces the harvest.

Spica is one of the brightest stars in the constellation Virgo. It means "ear of wheat" and is what the "maiden" is carrying. Porrima is the Roman goddess of prophecy.

"Virgo; The Virgin Goddess" Author unknown A being of pure, innocent, lightness of spirit the Virgin Goddess looks serenly out upon the darkness that threatens to pervade her realm. She reveals purity in never hinding her bareness. Indeed she is so innocent, she does not know the darkside for she has never walked anywhere but in the light. She is beauty and symmetry and everything in this world that is light and true.

The Elements The Classical Elements - the building blocks of everything. Going back to basics, searching for your roots etc etc... always a good thing.

Back in the days when astronomy was still astrology, chemistry was alchemy and the zero wasnt yet around, our ancestors who were by far wiser than us, established that everything that exists does so in a Reality that emcompasses Four Principles.

These 4 principles or 4 Elements are not separate from one another but act upon each other to comprise the whole. We can relate the process to the 4 phases of the Moon which make up a Lunar Month - New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter.

Other associations we can make are:

the 4 points on the compass - North, South, East, West the 4 seasons in a year - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter the 4 stages of human life - Birth, Growth, Maturity, Death The four elements are:

Fire Hot and Dry Light The Source Intuition Enthusiasm Inspiration Water Cold and Moist Fluid Connecting Emotions Feelings Soul

Air Hot and Moist Atmosphere Dispersion Thought Logic Mind

Earth Cold and Dry Solid Stability Sensation Physical Body

In Astrology each zodiac sign is associated with one of the four elements. The Sun, the Moon and the planets are found in different signs in each natal horoscope. Most people assume that their predominant element is the one of their SunSign, but this is not necessarily the case. One has to consider the whole horoscope holistically. Having said that, very few people have a completely balanced chart. Most people tend to exhibit one or two predominant elements. Earthy types reflect common sense, Fiery types are orientated towards action, Airy types are the thinkers and communicators, and Watery types consider life from an emotional point of view. Earth signs are Taurus Water signs are Cancer Fire signs are Aries Air signs are Gemini Leo Libra Virgo Scorpio and Capricorn and Pisces

and Sagittarius and Aquarius

The Elementals of Earth Earth: Gnomes "The type of gnome most frequently seen is the brownie, or elf, a mischievous and grotesque little creature from twelve to eighteen inches high, usually dressed in green or russet brown. Most of them appear as very aged, often with long white beards, and their figures are inclined to rotundity. They can be seen scampering out of holes in the stumps of trees and sometimes they vanish by actually dissolving into the tree itself." Paracelsus

More commonly known as dwarves or goblins, they are concerned with the products and treasures of the earth. Being of the earth, Gnomes usually live in the soil, rocks, beneath the ground, and under the tree roots. Gnomes will only help humans if they have been considerate of nature and treat it well. They are very helpful of those who have established a connection with them through prior acts of kindness. When working with humans, Gnomes are most helpful with healing the bones. The subgroups of the Earth Gnomes consist of Brownies, Dryads, Durdalis, Earth Spirits, Elves, Hamadryads, Pans, Pygmies, Sylvestres, and Satyrs. In Hawaii, they are your menehunes.