Astrology @ Work — Virgo, The Virgin

by Don Squibb

(Born August 23 through September 23)

        Those born when the sun is traveling through Virgo have a nature similar to the activities around the harvest. They gather the mature crop and process it for the market place or personal consumption. Their focus is narrow as this huge task dominates everything until the harvest is completed.  With their close focus on everything, Virgos rarely see the forest for the trees.

     Thus, the personal traits that stand out for Virgos are their great powers of discrimination, their methodical and tenacious ways, and their need to be of service. The latter drives their lives in most cases. For example, those that are in selling genuinely try to make sure what is presented best fits the prospects needs and can be of help to them. Such matters are carefully analyzed and rarely treated casually just to make a sale. The Virgos practical approach definitely puts them in the category of an earth sign in the Zodiac.

     The symbol for Virgo is the virgin which seems peculiar at first examination. There is no certainty that these people are virgins in a literal sense. Many Virgos marry and have families. Also, maidens are usually not involved in activities that Virgos are often involved with such as cleaning up messes, putting things in order, and being sure that no step is done in a shoddy or incomplete way in working toward a desired objective. However, think of the maiden as a representative of purity. Virgos greatest aspirations are perfection in everything they do. Most will readily admit that there is no such thing as perfection and the world is really a messy place, yet they strive to achieve something better. Remember they are obsessed with doing things right even when they can’t even define what “right” is.

     The ruling planet of this sun sign is Mercury. This gives them a very intellectual approach which keeps them moving forward to learn more and better their ways of doing things. At the same time, being an earth sign provides a very practical approach to most everything. Sometimes that is not seen when the Virgo is so focused on correcting some detail that needs addressing.

     Their approach may not seem practical to the observer who wonders if the conduct is an obsession or at times even necessary. Who cares if every “i” is dotted or “t” fully crossed? Well, Virgos do and often get disgusted that others will not give attention to detail that they see as important. These folks will straighten the hanging pictures of others without being asked to do so because it needs to be done in their view.

     Mentally Virgos are at the forefront. Their minds are so discriminating they can see through what others might accept as correct. They are intolerant of stupidity, and many around Virgos give them a wide berth rather than being subject to frequent and aggressive criticism.

     These are solid, sincere people who are very difficult to fool. Coupling their acute powers of discrimination with their fine memories, you will find a powerful, solid force to be reckoned with. At their core they have a practical mentality which leaves little or no room for slip shod ways in their methodical and intense work to be through and exact. Logic and reason are of paramount importance to Virgos, and feelings rarely enter into their deliberations.

     There are a great many areas of life where products are produced and services delivered with almost no tolerances for variances where Virgos are essential.  Yet negative judgments still abound about the major detail orientation of these people about most everything.

     Part of the attention to detail is based on a deep fear of what is great and potentially overpowering. The result of this is that few others can or want to master the detail because they aren’t willing to put that much focused effort into anything. But, Virgos see their due diligence as the way that will give them a sense of control. Also, providing very high quality service is something that drives them even if they do not think about it much.

     Virgos are intelligent even as babies and eventually good students who set about to learn throughout life. Mental work sustains them, and they think in a solid, concerted way researching known facts and resources. Subjects like philosophy, the mysteries of human behavior, and metaphysical and spiritual theories have little appeal. These studies aren’t rigorous or tangible like basic scientific research where every thing is tested and retested to formulate theories. For a Virgo things usually must be practical to gain their attention and continuing interest.

     With their focus on details, Virgos take pride in their clothing and maintain it to appear appealing to people they want to experience. Pursuing personal cleanliness is a component of their concern about appearances.

     Virgos like to be around serious thinkers whether or not they are intellectuals, and cultured people are attractive to them. Overall, Virgos find intellectual matters intrigue them more than anything else.

     Though Virgo mind usually has an interest in artistic and literary things, their own personal artistic expressions are difficult.  Emotion and artistic expression just isn’t the proper approach for souls seeking perfection and purity since art and emotion aren’t firm by nature and often even tangible. Duty is their calling and must be performed which usually leaves no time to dream and imagine what could be. A Virgo isn’t generally a fighter in the physical sense of the word and aggressive behavior would never cross their minds. They know instinctively a mental approach of searching for agreement through debate, negotiation and arbitration is a much more intelligent way to deal with challenges.

     Thinking is their orientation to everything, and they are usually bright whether trained through formal education or not. As a result they are usually calm people who from the outset think their way through most everything they encounter.

     Rarely do they seeker leadership roles per se and are often not too expansive in nature given their focus on details immediately at hand. Most seem to be serious with their placid personalities. However, they often do considerable worrying underneath their calm appearances, and that can at times undermine much of their effectiveness and even be injurious to their bodies.

     Their approach to any situation or challenge is close investigation of the issues in hopes of understanding the big picture. They often ponder whether they have examined things thoroughly so control the outcome. It takes them a long time to learn there are many things in life which we cannot control. Nonetheless, anxiety seems ever present making continuing stress a routine part of their lives and at times to a detrimental degree. They feel as if they do not measure up to their own impossible standards, and if you watch them closely their nervous intensity about this will be revealed.

     Virgos can be overly critical and a sharp tongue can be difficult not only for them, but those around them. Given their ability to spot errors, flaws, and mistakes, they share their findings often vocally. Being around them can be difficult when they are so fussy and fastidious, demanding exactness at every turn. Though they have a lot of common sense, realism, and even sensibility, it is difficult to appreciate those traits when you are subject to their constant criticism.

     They prefer order to chaos and are repulsed by messes. It can seem from their pointed comments that nothing is pleasurable for them, and no one is doing what they should be or are capable of. Of course, that standard is so high it realistically is impossible to achieve, and deep inside they know that yet still seek such perfection.

     Virgos are slow to evolve feeling others may not find them attractive. When they find friends and partners who enjoy their intelligence and wit, they relax and enjoy the company they are experiencing. When they love someone, no sacrifice is too big. They will spend much time and effort to do the things that they believe will bring pleasure to their partners. In raising children they will work to make sure there is discipline in their homes. All necessary tasks must be done and order maintained before leisure activities can start. Here, however, the tendency to find fault and review mistakes can be difficult for their children although in most cases they will be well prepared for life.

     With the deep orientation for service, careers are often those in which this is the nature of the endeavor. These men and women want to make a difference in other’s lives. Because of their excellent powers of discernment, they are able to see issues, people and situations very clearly. With this knowledge they become craftsmen, delivering what they must provide to improve the situations as they are adept at problem solving. When they encounter a mess, tenaciously they proceed in making it orderly often completing very difficult projects. Overall, they are usually outstanding productive employees, hard working and dependable.

     Because of their nature to worry, they usually do better working in organizations than being on their own for somehow in a group they have greater potential for peace of mind. It is difficult for them to be alone for any extended period. Without people around they do not receive the push they need to perform in spite of their skills and talents.

     The arena of health care is particularly attractive to them as they are interested in well being and delivering that to others. Their remarkable ability to see and correct mistakes is of great use where editing, auditing or analyzing is the core of the responsibility. They thrive in the modern world of computers where analytical work in programming and systems development is a natural fit. Their ability to build something carefully and thoroughly is very useful where craftsmen are needed.

     Virgos are prudent and careful. Few gamblers are born in this sun sign and most see their needs as modest. They would rather be about preparing for what might be needed in the future with what funding comes their way.

HOW TO SUPPORT A VIRGO: Being such natural worriers, anything you can do to encourage them to relax would be profound support. They simply feel compelled to control all the details in their lives and don’t consider any alternatives in living. They regard themselves as sirt if outcasts of society being very different and wish so much to belong whatever that means to them. This is a governing myth that does tend to guide their responses in life until they understand its presence and then respond differently.
 
     Virgos are secretly more critical of themselves than those who receive their stinging comments. They see their flaws and are pained by them. If one of them does make a rare mistake you see be very tactful about any criticism. If you don’t you will likely lose a friend.

     They are willing to help anyone with a need up to a point of reasonableness. Also, know they are some of the wittiest people around if you give them space to express it. Know they can be playful and encourage this so they gain the balance to master details rather than let the details master them.

TIPS ON WORKING WITH A VIRGO: Do remember that most are intolerant of lack of punctuality, and messy surroundings. Make the effort to be tidy and in your mind as well for messy thinking is a real turn off for them. Do your thinking before presenting your ideas, recommendations and suggestions. They dislike gushy sentiments, dirt, sloppiness, and vulgarity even though they may laugh at it or seemingly tolerate it in your presence. Being lazy around them is likely to draw rebuke for they see work as both a privilege and a necessity. Sometimes, however, they are not very realistic about what can be expected from people.

     As you can, help them to relax. If possible, encourage going more with the flow of things helping them to reduce their intensity. They need to be alert to the fact that stress can actually cause illness, and getting the job done at all costs is not a good idea all the time.
 
     Tell the truth for they can spot lies and fuzzy thinking quickly and will do their best to withdraw from it. These people are individualists no matter what circumstances they find themselves. You would do well to listen to their expressed opinions for most have merit based on their deep examinations of everything around them.

     Recognize they may feel somewhat lonely even in long standing environments. Bolster their spirits through cheering them up by nothing their accomplishments and contributions. That is if you know about them because they rarely boast. Still they want dearly to be appreciated and thanked for what they do. As has been said, even big dogs need to be petted.

HEALTH MATTERS FOR A VIRGO: Virgos are known for their profound interest in health in themselves and others. The qualities of cleanliness, orderliness and purity are certainly the nature of these astrological virgins. At their cores they want to find a balance in life. Most feel they must have an established system to function effectively. Performing the dailiy tasks of living very carefully is their method of dealing with the stresses of being on planet earth which is at the seat of much of their illnesses. They apply very concentrated efforts to analyze what really works best to sustain them.

     Ironically their concerns about health frequently come up only after they have been compromised physically by collapse, illness or injury. They are so mental that thinking about health does not necessarily introduce the practices to support it. Most Virgos must learn that regular rest and relaxation as well as moderate exercise will enhance their lives and productivity, and as such should be incorporated in their daily living.

     When they get scientific information about how to proceed to gain health, they will somewhat surprisingly withdraw from it unless they can immediately understand it. With a concern initially they will not see a practitioner working in the field regularly with such challenges until the Virgos have studied the matter which concerns them. With their powers of concentration they can usually figure out some approach to resond to the situation. That may not be, however, what is ultimately the best and likely proven way in the eyes of those who treat such conditions regularly.

     Virgos are difficult to serve as clients and patients with their insistence of feeling knowledgeable before acceptance of any treatment and particularly if there will be a significant change in what they are currently doing. That nature can lead to a detrimental delay in regaining their well being. Virgins will always question what they are told especially if it includes a change in lifestyle. Personal testing is still critical for Virgos even after they hear advice that has long been found to be helpful to others.

     Virgos are generally known for the vast stock of home remedies in their extensive medicine cabinets and often for a considerable homeopathic collection, too. Early in their lives they find they must become quite careful about their diets so as to not have intestinal problems. A source of weakness is usually their digestive systems forcing them to monitoring their intake at the dining table. Most eventually study diet and nutrition in one way or another, and many become vegetarians. If not, they will have learned what they should eat and how it should be prepared. Junk foods go by the wayside and whole foods prevail with these increasingly health conscious folks. Proper nutrition will often become one of their principal concerns in life and will forever be a subject of study for them as well as careful monitoring of health given the changes in needs of their physical bodies that come with maturity.

     The steady qualities of Virgos often bring them into prominence without them particularly seeking it. Their keen mental power brings them respect and recognition whether their personalities are very appealing or not. Their tenancy to stick to a job and perform it no matter how long it takes and how tiresome it becomes is amazing to behold. They go farther than most because of their innate intelligence, patience and willingness to work with details. Most gain respect for their adaptability, too.

     These are people who have a sincere desire to be helpful. They just know what will support people and share their knowledge as they can to serve. Since they abhor discord, they bring peace to the world as they seek to establish order and harmony through their approaches and methods. Observers will eventually admire their seeming confidence and subtle wittiness as they work to improve the world whether they ever formally set out to do so. Many are all blessed by their contributions and efforts to upgrade everything around them.


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Don Squibb writes a continuing article in The New Era Times called Astrology @ Work.