49:13 · The most common graph for the zodiac sign Virgo, the Virgin. The sun enters this sign around August 23, and exits around September 23. Like the other zodiac signs it is not only a symbol for this part of the solar year (a period of time) but also for that part of the space that the sun is seen against during the stated period.
    The usual pictorial symbol for the sign of Virgo is a picture or sculpture of a female winged angel holding an ear of corn in her hand.
     In esoteric astrology each sign represents a special development stage in the psychological maturation of human individuals. (Remember that astrologers believe in reincarnation.) The sign follows , Leo, where the individual engages in asserting his or her dominance. Leo is often preoccupied with giving orders to others. He is only slightly aware of those people who carry out the orders. Thirty degrees farther on we find the sign of Libra, the sign that symbolizes a perfect working partnership. Leo is blinded by his or her own power, and unmindful concerning the interaction necessary to make people work well together. He or she is also ignorant of what is demanded of a socially mature individual. Before a human individual from can attain peace of mind through that understanding of the other that comes with , he or she has to learn how to receive orders and serve others. After having learnt how to dominate and command the Leo individual must learn to serve and obey. This learning is what happens in . Human individuals ready for the development stage arrives in this life with all of 's creative potential, but unlike , who without inhibitions sends out vibrations into the world, is totally absorbed by an ongoing interpretation and appraisal of other people's reactions to his or her self-expression. It is important for this type of person that no one, especially not himself, should be hurt.
    On the intellectual side is often aware of all those forms that an idea can take, but is continously wondering which one of them is the best. Before doing anything, he studies all the details from every possible angle, and tries to reach an understanding of the problem from all points of view. This is the weakness of . His or her active intellect all the time finds new aspects to think about. Before he realizes what has happened and can control the situation, he has already lost sight of the original idea.
    Discrimination is the keyword for , who easily can perceive even the minutest differences.
    Virgo is still unaware of the whole spectrum of human relations. Leo expressed the commanding part of the spectrum, and takes the other direction and becomes the one who receives and obeys orders. It is only in that the process of giving and taking is completed and a balance is achieved. And it is much later, in Aquarius, , that the individual finally grasps the whole spectrum and becomes whole, complete.
    Virgos are usually very eager to be of use in life. They take pleasure in serving with precision and to good avail.
    The sign of Virgo is of the negative polarity. Virgo, , belongs to the earth element (symbolized graphically by ) together with , Taurus, and , Capricorn. The earth element is related to the senses and sensual perception as the primary way of perceiving the world. The element is considered in astrological psychology to give good common sense, an effective approach in matters material, which by the way is the opposite of the fire signs' capacity for fantastical visions and their highly developed intuition.
    The discriminating character of often means that he or she is "unable to see the forest for the trees". Despite the fact that the earth signs are excellent at collecting facts they often lose sight of the relations and connections between them, and thus their whole meaning.
    Virgo belongs to the group of signs known as mutable, symbolized by . For a concise description of this quality or quadruplicity, turn to in Group 30.
    On the physiological and anatomical plane rules the intestines and the central nervous system, the brain. Physical and psychological stresses in life are first and foremost felt by this type of individual (i.e. those who have in or several planets in that sign) in the stomach and intestines.
    In mundane astrology is associated with Turkey, Brazil and the West Indies. The cities Paris, Athens, Boston, Heidelberg and Jerusalem are said to be related to this sign.
    The ruling planet is . Saturn is said to be well placed in this sign, whereas Jupiter's energies have difficulties of expression in Virgo.
    Zodiacal and psychological opposites of the earthbound, practical, and factual Virgos are persons born in the sign of Pisces, , unworldly, idealistic and believing.
    In alchemy, is used to represent the process of distillation, one of the processes used to remove impurities and isolate the purest parts of the substances the alchemists worked with. See in the beginning of this group, and the first entry on the next page.