Virgo
Virgo Zodiac Sign - Character traits
Virgo, the Maiden, is the sixth sign of the zodiac, following Leo, and represents those born between Aug. 23 and Sept. 22. The constellation carries the bright star Spica, the “Ear of Corn” in the Maiden’s hand. In Greek myth the Maiden was most often identified with Justice (Dike), also called Astraea, who lived among people in the early ages and left the earth when humanity grew violent.
Virgo as a Goddess
The oldest full account of the Maiden is in the Phaenomena of Aratus. He describes the Maiden under the feet of Boötes, holding the shining Ear of Corn, and says that she is either the daughter of Astraeus, whom men call the father of the stars, or the child of another father. Another tale, he says, tells how she once lived on earth, met people face to face and was called Justice. She gathered the elders in the market-place and urged kinder judgements on them (Aratus, Phaenomena 96–136).
In the Golden Age people lived simply, with no war and no ships, and Justice lived among them. In the Silver Age she came down from the hills only in the evening and spoke harshly to the crowds, warning that worse generations would follow. When the Bronze Age began, with men who first forged the sword and ate the flesh of the ploughing ox, she turned away from humankind and flew up to the sky, where she is seen as the Maiden near Boötes (Aratus, Phaenomena 100–136). Ovid tells it of the Iron Age: Astraea was the last of the gods to leave the earth, which was soaked with blood (Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.149–150).
Her parentage was told in more than one way. Hyginus reports that Hesiod made her the daughter of Zeus and Themis, while Aratus considered her the daughter of Astraeus and Eos, the Dawn (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.25). Hesiod does call Justice a virgin daughter of Zeus, who sits beside her father and tells him of men’s crooked judgements (Hesiod, Works and Days 256–262). The name “the Maiden” comes from the Greek Parthenos, “maiden”; the Latin name Virgo means the same.
Other Maidens in the Sky
Hyginus lists other stories about the same constellation: some called her Fortune or Ceres, since her head is hard to make out; some called her Erigone, the daughter of Icarius; and others made her a girl named Parthenos, the daughter of Apollo and Chrysothemis, whom Apollo placed among the stars because she died young (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.25). Erigone went searching for her father Icarius, who had received the vine from Dionysus and was killed by shepherds who drank his wine and thought they had been bewitched. Her dog Maera led her to his body, and she hanged herself in grief (Apollodorus, Library 3.14.7). Hyginus adds that Zeus, pitying them, placed Icarius, Erigone and the dog among the stars (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.4). Virgil calls the constellation Erigone and places it next to the Claws of the Scorpion, the later Scales (Virgil, Georgics 1.33).
The constellation of Virgo
Aratus pictures the Maiden carrying the bright star Spica, the Ear of Corn, in her hand, below the feet of Boötes (Aratus, Phaenomena 96–98). In the Roman poets, her return would mean the return of the Golden Age: Virgil says in his fourth Eclogue, “Now the Virgin returns, the reign of Saturn returns” (Virgil, Eclogues 4.6).
Virgo is home to many bright stars and interesting deep sky objects. One of its most notable stars is Spica, which is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Spica is actually a binary star system, consisting of two stars orbiting each other.
Virgo in Astrology
Virgo Ruling Planet and Sign
Virgos are ruled by the planet Mercury, which confers a sharp intellect and an ability to communicate effectively. Virgo is an earth sign, and as such, the Virgo personality is all about practicality.
Virgo Personality and Character traits
Virgos are logical and level-headed, and they’re always looking for ways to improve things. If something isn’t working properly, a Virgo will be the first to point it out.
Virgos are also known for their attention to detail. They’re detail-oriented and picky, and they have a tendency to worry about everything. This can sometimes make them seem high-strung, but it also means they’re usually prepared for anything.
Virgos are hard workers, and they’re not afraid of taking on a challenge. They’re loyal and reliable, and they expect the same from others. At the same time, they can be a bit stubborn and inflexible at times.
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