Mercury is exalted in Virgo, Venus at fall and Neptune at detriment.
Polar or opposite sign: Pisces
Fixed Star: Spica
Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac, lasting from approximately 24 August to approximately 23 September.
Virgo people are dependable, sincere, neat, methodical and precise. They have an enquiring mind and a critical eye for detail. They are hard workers, and very practical. They thrive on constant activity and have lots of nervous energy to burn - hence they find it difficult to relax so are constantly making or mending things, or working on new projects to keep their mercurial minds fully occupied. They see life as a never-ending series of tasks and duties, some duties, some pleasant, some difficult - but all of them very necessary.
Precision and neatness comes naturally to a Virgoan; their mental sharpness inclines them to compartmentalise life into self-contained segments. Usually, they aim for perfection, and cannot rest until every tiny detail has been executed to their satisfaction. A Virgo person's flair for detail can dominate the whole personality at times resulting in criticism, discrimination and a tendency to find fault with others. Often they show considerable interest in health and hygiene, many become vegetarians, or take a special interest in diets. At times they worry about health unnecessarily, bordering on hypochondria, and become prey to stomach or digestive disorders.
As a rule, Virgos are quiet, undemonstrative people, quite happy to work themselves in the background, tending to avoid the limelight and publicity. They are reserved, cautious towards strangers, and can be slow at forming new friendships, but are truthful and loyal to those they trust. They are usually quite happy working in a job that calls for precision, shrewdness and logic. They make good researchers, analysts, teachers, secretaries, literary critics, reporters, dieticians and nurses. In the Age of Aquarius, Virgoans could become more money-orientated, turning their attention to the manipulation of financial affairs, and dabbling with stocks, shares and longer-term property assets.
The ruling planet of Virgo, with which it has a special relationship, is Mercury; it is a mutable, feminine, earth sign. Positive traits include discrimination, keen analysis, modesty, cleanliness, tidiness. Negative traits fussiness, a strong tendency to worry and bag, hypercrititcism, over-fastidiousness, abnormal conventionality, inhibition, under estimation of the self.
Virgo in a nutshell: The need to serve is paramount, often to the detriment of self-advancement.
