The negative polarity of the feminine earth sign of Virgo gives her a receptive, internal nature. She is a humble, practical archetype, striving to serve through self-improvement, healing, and mentoring. The word “humble” comes from the Latin word for “ground” or “earth.” Virgo is the embodiment of humility, grounded in the material world, keenly aware of the physical needs of humanity, and our interdependence and interconnectedness with the earth’s ecology. Virgo “tends the seed” with dedication and dependability. She wants the earth and its inhabitants to function more efficiently and healthily. She mentors others by passing along her guidance, skills and practical wisdom.
The key phrase for Virgo is “I Analyze.” Virgo studies the objects of her attention carefully and precisely. Her focus is on the details, symbolized by the individual grains of wheat on a stalk. Virgo analyzes and categorizes in logical, methodical ways, assimilating essential facts. Virgo can efficiently divide a task into manageable parts. She is a careful planner, capable of integrating diverse aspects of her projects. She is discriminating and discerning, scientific, conscientious and thorough in her efforts to create order and perfection.
Although Virgo appears to be concerned with the constituent parts and details of the whole, her goal is unification through refinement, realignment, and integration of parts into wholeness. In this manner she represents the holistic healing disciplines. The Divine Feminine energy of Virgo is devoted to the integration of body, mind and spirit.
Virgo rules areas of our life which prepare us for being of service in the world, including our work related skills, habits and competency. Virgo is represented by people in the service industries, social services, law enforcement, and organized labor and unions. Virgo strives to improve and perfect herself so that she can serve in higher and better ways. She learns new skills and works diligently to perfect and apply them.
Virgo also rules our physical well being and health-related habits such as diet and exercise. Virgo serves others with her healing skills, and is represented in the health profession by doctors, nurses, midwives, nutritionists, and holistic practitioners. Parts of the body ruled by Virgo are the organs of digestion and assimilation, including the intestines and gall bladder. With Mercury as her traditional ruling planet, Virgo also governs the nervous system.
The ecological sciences are ruled by Virgo. Through studying the components of ecosystems, the plants, animals and environments they are dependent upon, ecologists come to understand the interconnectedness and interdependency among the parts of a whole system. They analyze, categorize and explain energy flow, food webs, and relationships between species, populations and their physical environments. They provide understanding of the workings of the unified whole.
The domestic sciences are in Virgo’s domain. Housekeeping and household chores including cleaning, laundry, preserving and putting away food for the winter are Virgo activities. Virgo creates useful items through her crafts, sewing and weaving. She tends domestic animals and pets, and through animal husbandry produces food and useful products.
We cultivate our Virgo energy when we tend to our pets and domestic animals. By feeding, exercising and caring for their needs, we contribute to their health and well being. We learn the meaning of dedication and duty. We come to understand the importance of methodical, efficient habits and routines. Our animals become our teachers and healers in life.
Archetypal representations of Virgo include the Divine Feminine, the Earth Mother, Goddess of Fertility, and the Virgin. Isis and Mother Mary embody the energy and healing power of Virgo. Colors for Virgo are navy blue, gray and orange. Navy blue and gray are the colors of the uniforms worn by workers in the service industry. Orange is a color from the late summer harvest. Gems for Virgo are sapphires, agates and jasper. Quicksilver and nickel are its metals. Pansies and nut-bearing trees are Virgo plants. Small domestic animals and pets are Virgo animals. Parts of a house that are ruled by Virgo include bathing rooms and showers, laundry rooms, closets, cabinets with cleaning supplies, pantries and shelves.
“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” -Robert F. Kennedy