Virgo
September 1, 2007
Days are shortening now and the crops have ripened. The harvest month of September is ruled by the virgin goddess, Virgo (August 23 – Sept 22). Her gifts of discrimination and efficiency are of top importance now. It is vital that the crops be picked at the right time. That’s why the Full Moon closest to Sept. 22, the Harvest Moon, is the biggest of all, giving light for the laborers working in the fields at night.
The Earth Goddess Virgo is exacting in her demands as she knows the work must be done with speed and precision. The chaff must be sorted from the grain. The work is so long and hard it is no wonder Virgo has gotten a bad reputation in modern times where pleasure and instant gratification are priorities.
Some Virgos are even embarrassed about their sign—a sign that has come to be associated with spinsters, bookkeepers, fuss-budgets, and criticizers. Well, you can give up that narrow image and open up your focus because it has been found that Virgo has wings. Some say Virgo is an angel comedown to earth, caught in material form. Besides being in charge of timing, she has the difficult job of bringing the divine into the earth realm. This is so hard that she must focus her attention on one small space at a time and compartmentalize to bring perfection.
Virgo takes us to Heaven through the gift of focus, in particular focus on work and more particular (a good Virgo word) on service. Virgo brings us into the present—the doorway into eternity. Happiness is in the eternal now, a gift discovered in the holy realm of Virgo focus.
Virgo also takes us to Heaven through humility. When I am willing to serve life and all living things, I live in the light and peace of humility. Ironically, humility is one of the highest and last virtues to be attained by the evolving soul, and it is found in simple Virgo. One wonders why Virgo ever lost her wings.
Astrologer Lynn Bell says that, “Images from 18th century star maps show Virgo holding a feather plucked from her wings—the tip is shaped for writing. We could say her winged nature brings ideas into the world. She the muse, the writer, and the finder of solutions and inventor of skills for everyday life. She holds a sheaf of wheat in her other hand with its bright star dangling down toward the ground. Virgo is bringing spiritual energy to earth—infusing matter with spirit, ideas, and the mystery of life contained in the seed.”
Virgo is the second earth sign, bringing critical refinement and practical application to the creative endeavors of Leo, the fire sign that precedes it. You’ve written the rough draft of your novel and now begins the tedious and painful processes of editing, restructuring, and cutting those words we loved so much. Just like in the garden, the weeds must be removed from all first drafts whether you’re creating prose, music, or gourmet dishes.
Virgo is the realm of diet, hygiene, and health care: nurses are Virgo. Virgo is the realm of repetitive work: laborers are Virgo. Virgo is the realm of criticizing and analyzing: art and movie critics are Virgo. Virgo is the realm of compartments: graph paper, mosaics, tile floors, and tiny containers and purses are Virgo.
Negative Virgo is the hypochondriac, the obsessive-compulsive disorder sufferer, and the worry-wart. Nothing is good enough for shadow Virgo. No one can meet the high standards of perfection. Self-consciousness is also shadow Virgo because Virgo herself can’t meet her own demanding standards and now she’s afraid someone might find a fault.
Because Virgo’s job is to sort and assimilate, in the body the goddess rules digestion and the digestive organs (excluding the stomach which is under Cancer rulership). Virgo also rules the hands, fingers and toes, and the cells of the body. The sensitivity of Virgo can be experienced just by touching your fingertips. Virgo feels things intuitively and because she is under the guidance of Mercury, she can be counted on for good judgment.
Be extra gentle this month with Virgo family and friends, remembering that Virgos are extra sensitive to criticism. Astrologer Nancy Cohen says Virgos were born to mothers who nagged and criticized their fathers. Criticism is so painful for them that avoiding it becomes their life purpose.
For Virgos or those with a Virgo moon or ascendant, a major life lesson is learning that “Only my thoughts can hurt me.” (A Course in Miracles) If someone criticizes me and it hurts, then either I haven’t forgiven myself for something or I am blind to a part of may shadow. Self-investigation and forgiveness are always the answer to living without fear.
Since the moon is waning when the month opens and since she is in her last quarter by Sept 3rd, the days between Sept 3 and12 are unfavorable for new beginnings or major purchases. Particularly unfavorable are the 9th through the 12th, the days around the Sept. 11th eclipse. Don’t pick crops now as they will rot quickly. Sept. 19th is a day to avoid major purchases or surgery. And don’t schedule surgery for the Full Moon day of Sept. 26th as blood flow increases. The best days this month for major purchases and beginnings are the 13th, 22nd, 23rd, and 27th. The best days to get rid of excess: Sept 9th and 10th.
The New Virgo Moon this month is a Solar Eclipse on Sept. 11th. So wow. Since eclipses are about endings, let’s move past our experiences of the big 9/11. It’s time to forgive and drop the Terrorist fear story, remembering that Virgo message from The Secret: what we focus on grows. It doesn’t matter whether the focus is positive or negative. Fighting terrorism increases terrorism. And let’s make an intention now in the time of this new health moon: quit fighting cancer, obesity, or any other health issue, as the focus only worsens the problems. Hold in your mind the image of the fit and healthy body that is your birthright. On a more mundane level, expect nervousness and difficulty making choices as a cross is forming with mental planets in mental signs on the arms of the cross.
The Fall Equinox on Sept 23 in the first day of Libra. The scales are balanced as night and day are equal. Are your relationships balanced? September 26th, the day the Libra Sun opposes the Full Aries Moon will be a day when issues around the idea of balanced relationship arise. Where am I giving too much (a Libra problem)? Where am I being selfish (an Aries problem)? How can I be me and honor you as well? If I’m willing to ponder Byron Katie’s statement and question—I need your love. Is it true?—and if I’m willing to be honest with myself and wait to hear the answer, I might find freedom in all my relationships.
Copyright 2007 Carolyn Moennig
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