♍︎ The Importance of Saying "No."
Updated: Sep 3
One of our favorite lessons of this sign comes from the origin of the word "Virgin". Once a word used to describe a woman who was independent, untied, autonomous, its current association disconnects it from a deeper wisdom. The Virgin is someone who says no to what is not for them; so that they can say yes to the right thing. This teaches us to be selective in what we do, to think before we act, and to listen to our intuition. What should I be saying no to? Lets explore this theme further through the Zodiac Sign of Virgo.
Virgo: The Constellation, Archetype, and Wisdom
Sixth sign of the Zodiac, Virgo is the embodiment of the archetypal Virgin, Mother, and Maiden. They represent feminine wisdom with its emphasis on discretion and right relationship in life. Ruled by Mercury ☿ and The Moon ☾ this is the power of communication and Internal listening.
This sign marks the halfway point in our journey through the 12 signs. It is the signal for the preparation for the coming winter. It is here to teach us not to act without thinking, through the motherly and pure qualities of this sign we learn to slow down and analyze our path ahead.
Lets further explore the history of Virgo.
The History of the Sign
Originating in the constellation of Virgo, in modern tropical astrology; the Sun transits into Virgo from August 19-24 to September 19-24 (This date varies in the Gregorian Cal.) The origin of Virgo lies in Ancient Babylonian star-lore and with the Egyptian Dendera.
Ancient Babylonia
The Babylonian constellation known as the Furrow, depicted a goddess carrying an oversized ear of barley. She represented the cultivated fields and was associated with the coming harvest. Modern Virgo is a combination of two separate Babylonian constellations: the Furrow and the Frond. The Furrow occupied the eastern portion of the constellation, while the Frond, positioned behind Leo, depicted a goddess holding a palm frond. When the Babylonian constellations were organized into the twelve-sign zodiac, these two figures appear to have been combined into a single goddess. The Furrow was traditionally associated with the nearby constellation of the Raven, linking the barley fields with the rain that made them fertile.
Ancient Egypt
In Ancient Egypt; Virgo was linked to the goddess Isis, who was seen as the embodiment of fertility, motherhood, and the nurturer of life. Her story involves her fidelity to her husband and protector of her children. Isis represents key embodied lessons such as resilience, maternal protection, and the balance of power and service.
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greeks connected Virgo with Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, and Persephone, her daughter. This myth symbolized the seasonal cycle of growth and dormancy, with Virgo representing the time of harvest and abundance. Demeter was typically portrayed holding an oversize ear of wheat (the Greek equivalent to barley) and a flaming torch with which she searched the underworld for her lost daughter. Significantly, she is also occasionally depicted along with a bird, symbolic of the soul.
Ancient Rome
In Roman mythology, Virgo became associated with Ceres, the patron of the mysteries. This teacher of philosophical thought, like the Hierophant who holds the fire or the light of consciousness, veiled in robes, share the meaning of the divine feminine's role as the pillar of knowledge. Ceres was honored through high standards of morality demonstrated in daily life.
In Christianity, the birth of Jesus to a virgin in Bethlehem is symbolically connected to Virgo. In Christian countries this archetype became the Virgin Mary and "La Virgen de Guadalupe".
Since that time Virgo’s association with purity, modesty, and service solidified.
Now we see how Virgo is the symbol for the mother within all of us.
Archetypes of Virgo
Mercury - The Virgin - The Moon
The Planet Mercury is one of the 7 classical planets and represents the themes of communication, thought & intellect, logic & reason, and the sharing of ideas.
The Moon is a symbol of the feminine, water, consciousness, and the mystery of cyclical time. It represents the mother with themes of reflection, habits, emotions, desires, and nourishment.
As a Mutable Earth sign, Virgo is about organizing what is, preparing with a plan, and taking the daily steps to achieve our goals. The benefit of being resilient yet adaptable.
The Virgin has been regarded as one of the oldest zodiacal archetypes. Across different traditions, figures such as Lilith, Isis, Eve, and the Virgin Mary have embodied the feminine principle as mother, bearer, and nurturer. In Christian symbolism, Mary carries this archetype further by conceiving and nurturing the Christ child. Virgo therefore represents gestation and of the hidden spiritual reality being protected and developed until it can be revealed.
“The symbology of Virgo concerns the whole goal of the evolutionary process, which is to shield, nurture and finally reveal the hidden spiritual reality. Every form veils but the human form is equipped and fitted to manifest it in a manner different from any other expression of divinity and so make tangible and objective that for which the whole creative process was intended.” - Djwal Khul
The Hermit of the tarot depicts an old sage depicts an old sage standing alone upon a mountain, holding a lantern whose light illuminates only the path immediately before him. His gray cloak and beard represent wisdom cultivated through discipline, experience, and contemplation, while his staff symbolizes the knowledge and inner strength that support his journey. The mountain reflects Virgo’s path of purification, discernment, and higher understanding, while the lantern represents the every burning fire within that guides us. The Hermit withdraws only to cultivate the light within, to practice & study, ultimately to become a guide for others.
Living by our highest ideals
Virgo emerges then as the symbol of the teacher in the beginning of our spiritual journey.
Through school or university we learn discipline in our studies, similarly Virgo symbolizes the right use of our energy, organization, and filtering out what is not for us, day by day. In order to know what to say no to we must first know what it is that is best for us: What is nourishing for me? What can I put my energy into nurturing?
This is mother energy and getting serious about taking care of ourselves. The world mother wants the best for her child and connects us to that loving awareness. This is the zooming in; analyzing and learning to understand better our processes. What routines can I establish that will help me progress my goals?
The world virgin is often depicted as an angel with wings, representing transcendence and a life well lived. Like Isis we gain our wings through self purification and by walking through our own internal underworld; which is the work of the whole zodiac.
Virgo reminds us to learn & pass on knowledge, wisdom, and virtues.
The lesson of being prepared
Astrology is not for prediction, it is for reflection.
We can meet the future only with the inner strength we foster today. This journey reminds us to hold sacred creation and to live by our highest ideals.
♈️ Aries calls us to action and purpose.
♉️ Taurus brings us back to review our desires.
♊️ Gemini to improve our logic & communication.
♋️ Cancer connects us with our body and intuition.
♌️ Leo encourages us to express from a centered ego.
♍️ Virgo teaches us to organize, prepare, and practice.
Next we move onto interpersonal relationships with Libra ♎️
What do I want to learn and develop in these next six months?
This is a great time to renew old agreements, beliefs, and ideas we may have. This is a great time to create new routines and positive habits that'll empower us to create the life we desire.
Life's issues and problems tend to repeat themselves over time and generations and so being able to identify our own patterns gives us the power to more easily be able to change them.
Virgo reminds us to look at the big picture; the cosmos, the world, ourselves. It asks us to devote ourselves to creation - To honor the divine feminine and the love given to us at birth.
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