Virgo

Virgo at a Glance

Zodiac Symbol: Virgin
Duality: Negative
Triplicity: Earth
Quadruplicity: Mutable
Opposite Sign: Pisces
Constellation: Virgo
Domicile: Mercury
Detriment: Neptune/Jupiter
Exaltation: Mercury
Fall: Venus
Day: 5, 8
Numbers: Wednesday
Birth Dates (Tropical): August 23 - September 22
Birth Dates (Sidereal): September 16 - October 15
Birth Dates (Solar): September 16 - October 30

Virgo in Depth

Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the god of intellect, and Virgos always need to be usefully occupied. They enjoy working hard to attain the skills they require to lead a useful and productive life. Unlike neighbouring Leo, Virgos are content to stay in the background, using their organisational abilities to help those with extrovert talents. Their deepest satisfaction comes from knowing they have done a job well.

Virgos are well-known for their finicky, critical natures - qualities which can be very annoying to other signs. They are perfectionists who need to have everything just right. No sign is more critical or more demanding of itself than Virgo, and they are fully aware of their own shortcomings, being quite adept at reproaching themselves and modifying their behaviour.

They are often underestimated and ignored, and although Virgos know they have great skills and talents, their lack of confidence prevents them from showing it. This sign is ruled by Mercury, planet of communication, so in spite of their many inhibitions, Virgos can talk non-stop and be quite audacious and witty in the process.

Virgos are attracted to organisational roles and practical analysis and their determination for perfection means they are often exceptionally fine craftsmen and artists.

Virgo is often associated with the mythological figure of Omphale, Queen of Lydia, from the myth of Heracles. It is also associated with the Greco-Roman god Hermes (Mercury), and sometimes the gods Hephaestus (Vulcan), Loki, Asklepios (Aesculapius) and Veles, and the goddesses Athena (Minerva), Themis, Demeter (Ceres), Astraea, Hestia (Vesta) and Ate.

At Play

Virgo loves to be on the move and needs to feel useful in either mental or physical activity, although given the choice, they prefer to exercise their brains rather than their bodies. They love doing word games, crosswords, jigsaws, and are one of the most well read signs of the Zodiac.

They are just as happy by themselves or joining in with a group activity, and they prefer less physically demanding sports such as golf, bowls and snooker in which their quick, logical minds usually allow them to become very successful. Computers and other hi-tech equipment interest them and they enjoy surfing the Internet. They enjoy being out in the open and many take up hiking or rock-climbing.

Although not competitive, they are highly adept at games involving skill such as chess and bridge. Mathematics intrigues them and many enjoy using their skills as treasurer, accountant or auditor to leisure and charity work.

At Work

Virgos will often take on the jobs that nobody else wants - tedious routine tasks that take organisation, concentration and time. Virgos need to be of service to others and love to be occupied, working well behind the scenes in almost any kind of situation. They are good with money and their logical attitude makes them perfectly suited to banking or accountancy work. Because they are bright and efficient, they are sometimes intolerant with those less able than themselves.

Virgo is an exceptionally adaptable sign with many abilities. With planets in Fire or Air signs they can go far within their chosen profession if they learn how to push themselves and make others notice. They might take up work as an administrator, computer operator, welfare officer, cartographer, writer, accountant or secretary.

Health

The sign of Virgo is the central figurehead for all health concerns. People of this sign sometimes become obsessed with health matters, becoming hypochondriacs, and most Virgos worry constantly about their health. Some of them manage to do this is a positive way by taking care of their diet and lifestyle, others in a negative way by imagining they have every disease known to man, which in turn can often produce the symptoms they are trying to alleviate.

Virgos need to learn to relax and accept that they are just as healthy as everyone else - in truth they are usually one of the healthiest of the 12 signs. Their constitutions are sturdy and they grow old gracefully, often retaining a remarkably youthful appearance. However, Virgos appear to thrive on the attention that poor health can bring, as it often gives them the affection they crave.

Whatever they choose to eat, they often suffer from indigestion and intestinal problems such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Virgos need plenty of physical exercise but often reject exercise in favour of mental pursuits.