Virgo
Like the other members of your terrestrial tribe, you are EARTH incarnate. Virgo is the sign that governs healing and productivity. Virgos are the worker ants of the Zodiac. These Mercury-ruled folks feel in the zone when tending to mountainous piles of work. They are typically happiest when busy with some project or other, until their ultimate goal of perfection has been reached. Virgo is the sign that follows Cancer and Leo, serving to complete what I call the “career quadrant.” The signs falling within this quadrant take a vested interest in finding work that they are happy with.
This last sign in the career-focused quadrant of the zodiac is associated with the ages 35-42. That division of life represents the dreaded mid-life crisis. Adults at this point often realize that their hard work has led them to a place in life that is more frustrating than ever. Just like those struggling to get through some serious mid-life sadness, Virgo is a sign plagued by vexation indeed. Individuals facing mid-life disappointments are known to spend ample time searching for solutions, just as Virgos spend a lot of time trying to discern what is needed for improvement in their own life. Those experiencing mid-life crises deal with having to manage their own cynicism and bitterness toward the world. Yet these people also possess great wisdom, budding families, and the patience of a saint. This kind of saintly patience is a virtue which is essential to the nature of Virgo.
On the topic of saints, Virgo is pictorially represented as the Virgin. Steeped in Christian imagery, this Virgin stands as a model for purity and holy perfection. She is often shown carrying a staff with a stalk of wheat atop it, alluding to her connection to the powers of the earth and the harvest that historically occurs around the Virgo time of year. It is true that Virgo views everything as having room for improvement. This pervasive urge to tweak everything, for the better, often makes Virgo look like a callous person. Other consequences due to Virgo’s need to perfect things include them giving bad first impressions, their reputation for social isolation (no one wants to feel critiqued all the time), and a their pessimistic and serious outlook on life.
It is hard to blame Virgo natives for their cynical nature, since seeing the world as full of flaws and disappointment is a daunting ethos to maintain at best. It is not Virgo’s fault that they were born to notice flaws. Most folks would not choose to experience life through such a depressing lens. However, without the meticulous Virgos of the world, newspapers would be full of errors, babies may be given to the wrong mothers, surgeons would not be as steady-handed, films would never be edited properly or on time, and I bet grammar would cease to exist! Who knows what else would deteriorate without a Virgoan perfectionist on hand to double check that things are correct and at their best!
While the critical eye of Virgo falls on everyone, Virgos apply the same level of criticism to themselves as they do to others. Consequently, the virgin is known to struggle with self-esteem throughout life. Regardless of how good-looking and talented they are in reality, Virgo natives tend to naturally possess the kind of mental distortions seen in people who suffer from depression! Virgo is no stranger to contributing to their own feelings of anxiety, hypochondria, and dysmorphia. They are truly their own harshest critic. For example, consider the case of Virgo Michael Jackson. Most people would agree that he looked his best before he chose to go under the knife; however, he kept finding things he felt needed improvement. Living on Virgo’s self-imposed perfectionist plateau can cause this earthly sign to feel lonely at times. Lacking the raw confidence displayed by some of the other signs in the zodiac, Virgo finds it hard to compete with his more boisterous peers as a young person. Shy Virgo can on occasion wind up a target for school bullies, which leads to the development of a rather wounded adult persona.
Unfortunately, Virgo’s negative self-view eventually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. More often than not, Virgo gets stuck feeling socially outcast. Once young Virgo natives discover that their peers have no interest in their suggestions for improvement, they learn how to suddenly broaden their social circles. Remember, while Virgos are famous for having some rather obvious negative traits, their consistent perfection is prized more than most things in our modern society. Virgos got the best and the worst astrologically. Notorious for being great students, and exceptional managers (later in life), Virgo’s talent for metaphorically turning lead to gold gives this Virgin the final edge in the adult world.
One of the best forums for Virgo’s perfection is in the creative world of art and music. Perfection is usually demanded of any artist who aims to make their “hobby” into a successful career. Many of history’s musical greats had the sign of Virgo in a prominent place in their chart. Virgo is such a hard worker. Most people know they can typically trust a Virgo native with responsibility. Virgo’s need for organization and respect for the importance of details (and deadlines!) makes them excellent managers. Virgos are exceptionally skilled when it comes to editing, design, and marketing, as well as any other vocations requiring fastidiousness.
In terms of Virgo’s seasonal disposition, this sign occurs during the end of summer while autumn is attempting to slowly creep in. Therefore, Virgo is a mutable sign. Like Gemini, the mutable air sign before Virgo, the Virgin is a sign that is highly adaptable. They can bend and flex with the rigidities of others, just as the Virgo time of year bends and eventually gives in to fall’s arrival. Being mutable is a blessing in a lot of ways. The mutable signs of the Zodiac are good at avoiding confrontations. Due to their malleable nature, Virgos and other mutable signs also keep a shorter list of adversaries, compared to the other signs. Always willing to compromise, mutable signs prefer to people please rather than stir up trouble. Generally this is a positive trait. It becomes a problem when signs with this kind of temperament have difficulties asserting their boundaries.
Saying yes, when they feel no, is a common occurrence, as is doing many favors for friends and family. Virgo is lucky to be a discerning sign, so the Virgin is not likely to be taken advantage in this way. However, Virgo natives do seem to have a hard time being assertive. Virgo is a sign that experiences strong feelings, yet these emotions are often ignored and kept bottled up. Sometimes there is so much pent up frustration festering in the Virgin (you’ve got to love the irony here), that Virgo’s desperate attempt to assert can wind up coming out as aggressive. This is only in the case of the Virgos who never define their boundaries. One can only endure being walked over for so long, before they understandably snap. For the most part though, mutable Virgo keeps on behaving so they may stay on track toward becoming a success. Their kind of flexibility is something that every employer values, without a doubt.
Virgos happen to be the resident neat-freaks of the Zodiac. Health and bodily maintenance are important to this typically attractive sign! Active gym patrons, Virgos are usually lean. They are very choosy in terms of what they eat. They know the importance of a healthy diet and know how to keep everything in moderation while “partying.” The good news is that Virgos still know how to have a good time! They also have a sarcastically dry sense of humor that makes them great comedians, and hilarious friends.
It seems contradictory that the sign notorious for embodying many of humanity’s worst traits also possesses all the qualities that parents, teachers, employers and friends desire most. Many see Virgo as a paradox. Even I have personally found the Virgos I know to be rather enigmatic. These people will always remain puzzle to me, as I never know what to expect! Unless you know them very well, Virgo is a sign that chooses to say very little. Yet what is said by these natives, will often speak volumes. The Virgos in my life are deep and emotional beings. They are compassionate and like their opposite, Pisces, they may drop out of your life for long stretches of time. But you can be sure that Virgo will come to the rescue when you really need it.
On a bad day, Virgo is antisocial, insecure, judgmental, sullen, distrustful, conservative and anally retentive. These traits cannot be helped considering the sharp eye that Virgos are born having. The problematic traits seen in Virgo become less pronounced as the years go by. The Zodiac’s resident alchemist is a fast learner. Using their pronounced gift for transformation they eventually discover how to change the lead they begin with into golden productivity that will get them far. One must recognize how monumental it is to conquer the sadness of mid-life crisis misery.
These more self-actualized Virgos are some of the most wonderful people on the planet! Active in many helping roles, caring Virgo is a sign that likes to give back without expecting anything for it. These Good Samaritans know that hard work takes lots of dedication, and Virgos lead as a great example of where hard work can take a person. Virgos have a unique ability to whittle life down to what is most important. Once the essentials are siphoned out, Virgos gather their resources and then focus on making as much positive change as they can. On a good day Virgo is: diligent, responsible, practical, giving, compassionate, modest, meticulous, and kind!
Cheers to the ever-perfect Virgo!
