A mutable (fluid and changeable) sign, Virgo governs critical analysis, intellectual subtlety and service. Virgo people are inclined to be practical and industrious, yet adaptable, with a remarkable eye for detail. Virgo is an intellectual and discriminating feminine sign ruled by the magical trickster Mercury, the messenger of the gods.

The emblem of Virgo, a virgin holding sheaves of wheat in her hands, symbolises wisdom, garnered in the fields of experience. Like the true virgin, most Virgos are shy and, like a virgin waiting to give herself to the perfect lover, Virgo is also idealistic.

Disappointment, however, can harden you into a cynic and a skeptic. Virgo consequently becomes quite critical with self as well as circumstances, due to the effect of such disappointments on a sensitive and discriminating nature.

The planet Mercury, governing our intellect and communicative faculties, rules Virgo, where tradition also places the house of its exaltation, so Virgins have a truly intellectual, critical and analytical approach to life. Communication is important and you love books, magazines, and writing.

A Critical Eye

A critical eye for detail, combined with your ceaseless pursuit of perfection, endows you with an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone (whether they need it or not!). Service-oriented Virgo seeks to improve the environment, by pursuing careers in health-related fields, or in other structured areas such as teaching, labour relations, or counselling. Intensely personal situations can be somewhat inhibiting, but other circumstances can produce a very dynamic Virgo indeed. Hmmm.

Although you often have altruistic motives in helping others, you do have a teensy tendency to act the martyr when your offerings are ignored. It is not unheard of for you to use guilt as a weapon. Helping others to improve is one thing, my dears, but pushing them toward goals of perfection they cannot hope to accomplish is quite destructive, as well as impossible.

Health Conscious

Health-conscious Virgo makes an effort to stay physically fit and you don't mind repetitive exercise routines, if you can see achievable outcomes. You enjoy tennis, racquetball, swimming, sailing, fishing, and biking, even though athletically you are not overly competitive. It's just that you always seek to perfect whatever skills you may have, primarily for the sake of doing a thing well. Talented in various crafts, dressmaking and designing, you may also take a particular interest in such things as cartography, travel, and philately.

Virgo rules the the sinuses, respiratory system, and bowels. Colds, flu, allergies, problems with intestines and constipation are common Virgo complaints. You are also subject to black moods and despondency from time to time, which can adversely affect others in your vicinity.

Your colours are blue, yellow, grey, tan, navy, and lilac and your birthstone is the sapphire, a variety of corundum. This gem was considered by ancient societies to be a love charm. Though they come in a variety of colours and can even be transparent, the most valuable sapphires are blue. Blue is also the principal colour associated with Virgo. Flowers and plants for Virgo include the aster, chrysanthemum, ivy, and fern.

Virgo in Relationships

Virgo, a feminine sign, is fastidious, practical and realistic rather than romantic. Flexible Virgo, a mutable sign, readily adapts to change. Instinctively responsive to the needs of others, you readily adapt to different people and changing circumstances by finding ways to make yourself useful. When the spotlight is not aimed directly at you, but on a product or a service you offer, you make an excellent salesperson, or effective negotiator and can be a good manager, though you should avoid being too critical of those who cannot match your high personal standards.

Now some Virgoans are not above using an inability to achieve perfection as the excuse for their own idleness and unproductiveness. Tut, tut. This is out of character with your true nature. Sloppy, disorganized, and irresponsible is not the Virgoan Way.

Moreover, your own bad habits do not in the least inhibit you from criticizing others for the same behaviour. Your analytical ability makes you an excellent critic of the talent and performance of those more skilled than yourself. Whatever you do needs to be of a practical and helpful nature; you need not wallow in self-criticism because you yourself fail to meet those same unrealistic standards.

In the art of lovemaking, Virgo is a slow-burning fuse that, once properly ignited, leads to an explosion of white heat which takes quite a while to cool down.

You are however very fastidious and critical of the personal habits of others, which can be a big turn-off and prevent you from achieving a fulfilling relationship, or even participating at all in the messy business of involvement.

Able to talk your way into or out of anything, you are generally perceived to be quite witty and entertaining, if a tad too critical and prone to hypochondria. You are unwilling to discuss your innermost feelings with anyone save a very trusted confidante, so anyone who wishes to get to know you deeply must be prepared to persevere, in which case you will prove a lifelong friend and ally, who can reach great heights of sexual attainment