September is the end of Summer, a time when the Solar force is waning in the Northern Hemisphere, and the end of Winter for those “down under.” This month, featuring the sign of Virgo, adjusts and orders our Summer labors so we can know what is useful and working as it should. For those down under, it's a time of preparing for the renewal of life at the Autumnal Equinox.

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, it's a time when the waning Solar force helps us begin harvesting the fruits of our creative work begun in the sign of Cancer and strengthened in Leo. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, the ever-increasing Solar force awakens the life in the natural world as a preparation for Spring.

So in the Northern Hemisphere, this month sorts the fruits of the labor resulting from Summer, and begins our preparation for Autumn via the distributive practicality of Virgo. In the Southern Hemisphere, you’re looking at a period of practical adjustment to the emerging rhythm of Nature after stabilizing the heart Fire that preserves the life force following the Cancer energy that represents your entry into Winter.

I opened the door to a new way of viewing the signs relative to the season for the two hemispheres in the article The Mirroring of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere Year Cycles in Astrology. If you're down under, please reference the concepts put forth there, since Virgo in the Southern Hemisphere helps you get ready for a new Spring following the consolidation in Leo of the decisions of Cancer (the beginning of Winter). Leo began the "warming up" of your Winter, which is now leading you into the practical adjustments and preparations in Virgo for your Spring.

We decide some things in Cancer that allow us to re-integrate our personalities toward self-gathering of what we need to ensure us our supply. These all show as new ways of life, self-expression, and enjoyment of how we are connected to doing our being naturally in Leo. Virgo is the next step in the process, where we begin to use the energy of Leo in practical ways that involve discrimination and being educated in precise expressions, preparing us for the archetypal energies to come in Libra.

In September, the distributive Earth energies of Virgo help us do practical tasking preparing us for the Northern Hemisphere Autumnal Equinox when it arrives on September 22 at 12:21 pm PDT, 8:21 pm BST. The Autumnal Equinox has that name because the lengths of day and night are the same.

It is said that you can balance an egg on its end at that precise point in time, thus Libra's association with the sign of the balanced scales. (I researched it, and it seems that one can balance an egg on its end at other times as well. Another folk tale upended!) Each year Virgo prepares us for new relationships, new ideals, new perspectives, and a new sense of proportion in the Libra time to come.

September is usually dominated by the Earth (practical, material) sign energies of Virgo, and that puts the spotlight on Mercury, since it rules Virgo. This year the Virgo energies came early when Venus entered Virgo on July 21, followed immediately by Mars on July 29. Mercury entered Virgo on August 11, and the Sun was the last to enter Virgo on August 22.

As Mercury was still moving fast in August, it left Virgo on August 29, which means the ruler of Virgo will have occupied his sign for only 18 days this year! That’s a big difference from the 60 days it spent in Virgo in 2017.

Each year the inner planet transits of Virgo echo how well we learned Saturn’s lessons related to “venerable standards” we were willing to live by when it transited Virgo between September 2007 and July 2010. These were triggered in some way through what was initiated each time Mars has transited Virgo since then. These periods included June-July 2010, three times between November 2011-July 2012 when Mars was direct and retrograde, and October-December 2013.

The next time was September-November 2015 when Venus and Mars both conjuncted Jupiter at 15 and 16 Virgo, expanding the promise of the lessons of Saturn in Virgo. Mars’ transit of Virgo in September-October 2017 renewed how to apply the Saturn lessons we’ve been practicing since 2007, with the expanded vision or understanding of Jupiter we got between August 2015 and September 2016. Mars renewed the Jupiter-infused Saturn lessons from 11-14 years ago between mid-August to early October 2019 and most recently in August through the first half of September this year.

Anyway, back to the celebration of Virgo!

In Virgo, we learn what characterizes certain things and people, and have excellent chances to sharpen our discernment and see why we make the distinctions we do. In Virgo we can see how the parts fit into the whole in a practical way.

It is a time of education, re-education, taking care of details, and refining forms to reveal a more pleasing appearance and function in Libra. If there is too much worry, criticism, or fussing over details, try to see the bigger picture and allow many things to pass by without being fooled or getting seduced into hyperanalyzing them.

When the Sun spotlights Virgo, we are shown the light in this phase of the twelve-step evolutionary process that is set into motion each year in Aries, stabilized in Taurus, expanded in Gemini, consolidated in Cancer, and creatively projected in Leo. In Virgo, this process undergoes practical refinements and adjustments.

Virgo is symbolically associated with the Virgin holding an ear of corn, representing the harvest and the spread of the creative release of Leo confronting the problem of dealing with energy using discrimination. This sign's keywords are "I analyze."

This is the sign of service and the readiness to serve and be served. In the year cycle we can now use the needs and decisions made in Cancer and creatively acted upon in Leo to act with an eye to the critical analysis of the fruits of our activities, and make necessary adjustments. This is the ordering and stabilization of the ideas we found in Gemini.

Mythologically, Virgo is the sign of the Healer, the Priest/Priestess who learns the proper methods for guiding self and others out of old ways through uncertain times into new lives, new days, new perspectives. Virgo is traditionally associated with health and hygiene, physicians and other types of healers. These are workers with fewer ego-demands than other signs who can acquire wealth through steady practical effort.

They can be teachers of the highest order when not being too critical or nit-picky. As the great Manly P. Hall put it, they live "to serve mankind without thought of self," and are "ingenious, witty, studious, dexterous, versatile, introspective..."

Virgo, when freed of the traps of skepticism, fear, fault-finding, scheming, manipulation, nervous worry and self-centeredness, demonstrate a utilitarian dependability that is scientific, economical, precise, meticulous, honest, orderly, and unselfish. They are the embodiment of humility incarnate, and when well adjusted, show as methodical servants, healers on many levels using many techniques, and the faithful servant in anything they are involved in. They are capable of becoming world servants showing a better way to do things.

Think President Lyndon Johnson, a former school teacher who used his political muscle to give us the Great Society's Medicare and Medicaid programs ensuring a health safety net for the elderly, the young, and the poorest in our very wealthy nation. Another Virgo who aspired to great service was Mother Theresa, a legend of tireless service to the poor whose ministry set an example of humility, efficiency, and effort on behalf of those who have been abandoned by the so-called "civilized" world. Some of her recently divulged "doubt" is a classic trait of Virgo, the born skeptic. (While some criticisms have surfaced in recent years, she did an amazing service for thousands who had nothing. We should all do such good for suffering humanity.)

Other important Virgo political figures across history were Queen Elizabeth I, President and former Supreme Court justice William Howard Taft, Louis XVI of France (who actually instituted needed reforms helping the poor but was used as a scapegoat by Robespierre), Lafayette, Roy Wilkins, Claude Pepper, reformed Dixiecrat George Wallace, Joseph Kennedy (father of JFK and RFK), and the legendary Jane Addams, first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize who worked tirelessly for children, public health and world peace.

Notable political people of more recent vintage include Lech Walesa, Geraldine Ferraro, Henry Waxman, Bernie Sanders, Anthony Weiner, Yasser Arafat, Dmitry Medvedev, Prince Harry of England, Senator John McCain, and the legendary Ms. Ann Richards.

In the field of literature this sign shows in such pragmatic authors as John Locke, Samuel Johnson, Upton Sinclair, H.G. Wells, Bret Harte, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Leo Tolstoy, O. Henry, Joseph Pasternak, D.H. Lawrence, Maurice Maeterlinck, William Saroyan, H.L. Mencken, Christopher Isherwood, Roald Dahl, Agatha Christie, Ken Kesey, Molly Ivins, Barbara Ehrenreich, William Golding, Richard Wright, Robert Benchley, Steven King, and the legendary Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, author of "Frankenstein" and wife of Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Aubrey Beardsley and Anna Maria "Grandma" Moses are the major artists among Virgos, while in philosophy we have the awesome Johann Von Goethe, said to be one of the greatest philosophers the West has ever produced.

Some of the following links are from this year's birthday tributes, while others are from last year's birthday tributes. I'll update them as I have time this year.

In music, the tribe of Virgo is represented by legends such as Charlie Parker, Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, Bill Monroe, John Cage, Singing Brakeman Jimmie Rodgers, Patsy Cline, Charlie Byrd, Roy Brown, Wynonie Harris, Jackie Brenston, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Rudy Lewis, Jim Ford, Horace Silver, Maurice Chevalier, Itzhak Perlman, B. B. King, Keith Moon (who may be a last minute Leo), Cass Elliot, Bobby Nunn, Cannonball Adderley, Otis Redding, Michael Jackson, Billy Preston, Jerry Allison, John Cipollina, Sterling Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Bob Welch, Cyril Jordan, Bobby Parker, Alan Jay Lerner, Barry White, George Jones, Roy Acuff, Conway Twitty, Jimmie F. Rodgers, P.F. Sloan, Guitar Shorty, 13th Floor Elevators Jug bassist Tommy Hall, Jose Feliciano, Mel Torme, Honey Lantree, John McNally, and Leonard Bernstein. A special tip of the hat goes out to producer-songwriters Jerry Ragavoy and Shadow Morton.

Modern era talents this sign has given us very diverse and gifted musical greats such as Van Morrison, Beyonce Knowles, Elvis Costello, Leonard Cohen, Dave Stewart, Mason Williams, Roger Waters, Barry Gibb, Andrea Bocelli, Nick Jonas, Paul Williams, Bill Medley, Harry Connick, Jr., Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson, Ricky Fataar, Chrissie Hynde, Benjamin Orr, Chris Wilson, Benmont Tench, Joan Jett, Leo Kottke, George Cromarty, Mickey Hart, Dee Dee Sharp, Danny Kalb, John McFee, Fiona Apple, Branford Marsalis, Sal Valentino, Gloria Estefan, Pink, Liam Gallagher, Nell Carter, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Cave, Loudon Wainwright III, Gene Simmons, Joe Perry, Willy DeVille, Moby, Gunnar and Matthew Nelson, Dweezil Zappa, David Silveria, Gerry Beckley, Maria Muldaur, Tina Barrett, Rick Springfield, Shania Twain, David Clayton-Thomas, Julian Casablancas, Amy Winehouse, Billy Ray Cyrus, LeAnn Rimes, and Cassie Ventura. In a final musical nod, Virgo also gave us the The Isle of Wight Festivals, the UK’s answer to the Rock Festival Fever sweeping the US.

In the world of cinema we find some extraordinary shining stars who include some very talented and funny guys. Featured are Sean Connery, Peter Sellers, Gene Kelly, Fred MacMurray, Buddy Hackett, Charles Boyer, Raymond Massey, Van Johnson, Jackie Cooper, Alan Ladd, Anthony Quayle, Roddy McDowell, Mel Ferrer, James Coburn, Jack Warden, Donald O'Connor, Elliott Gould, Dickie Moore, Ben Blue, Nicol Williamson, Cliff Robertson, Harve Presnell, and Frankie Avalon.

Virgo has given us legendary lovely ladies Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Claudette Colbert, Faye Raye, Vera Miles, Ruby Keeler, Anne Bancroft, Greta Garbo, Yvonne DeCarlo, Martha Raye, Shirley Booth, Janis Paige, Mitzi Gaynor, Tuesday Weld, Valerie Perrine, Raquel Welch, Eileen Brennan, Jacqueline Bisset, and the ever-beautiful Sophia Loren.

Big time movie honchos include powerfhouses Sir Richard Attenborough, Daryl Zanuck, Preston Sturges, Elia Kazan, Oliver Stone, William Friedkin, Chuck Jones, Tyler Perry, and Brian DePalma.

Modern stars feature Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Keaton, Bill Murray, Lily Tomlin, Richard Gere, Keanu Reeves, Jack Black, Rosie Perez, Jeremy Irons, Damon Wayans, Richard Roundtree, Amy Irving, Sam Neill, Tim Burton, Barbara Bach, Timothy Bottoms, Marlee Matlin, Swoozie Kurtz, Jason Priestley, Salma Hayek, Steve Gutenberg, Ione Skye, Daniel Stern, Crispin Glover, Macaulay Culkin, Tom Felton, Bonnie Hunt, John Phillip Law, Deborah Gibson, Jennifer Tilly, Anika Noni Rose, Blake Lively, Vittorio Gassman, Cameron Diaz, Keven Zegers, Callum Keith Rennie, Rupert Grint, Henry Thomas, Ryan Phillippe, Chris Tucker, Paul Walker, Chris Pine, Rose McGowan, Kevin Zegers, Alexa Vega, and Charlie Sheen.

In the world of television Virgo has given us some truly legendary figures. Think televison pioneers Clayton Moore ("The Lone Ranger") as well as funny guys Sid Caeser, Alan Funt, Durward Kirby, Bob Newhart, Henry Gibson, Nipsey Russell, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson of Jack Benny fame. Other luminaries include "Columbo" Peter Falk, "Man From Uncle" David McCallum, "I Dream of Genie" stars Barbara Eden and Larry ("JR") Hagman, Ben Gazzara, Adam West, Monty Hall, Angela Cartwright, Robin Leach, actor and nice guy extraordinaire John Ritter, Cassandra (Elvira) Peterson, and multi-faceted funny ladies Carol Lawrence, Jo Anne Worley, Shelley Long, Isabel Sanford, Anne Meara, and Jane Curtin.

Outstanding modern television luminaries include Dave Chappelle, Peter Scolari, Jimmy Fallon, Mark Russell, Adam Sandler, Ed Begley Jr., James Gandolfini, Joan Lunden, Lisa Ling, Corbin Bernsen, Tom Everett Scott, Jean Smart, Michael Michele, Scott Speedman, Peggy Lipton, Rachel Ward, Linda Gray, Dick O'Neill, Amanda Tapping, Amy Poehler, Alexis Bledel, Jada Pinkett Smith, Benjamin McKenzie, Michelle Williams, Scott Baio, Ben Savage, Sarah Chalke, Chad Michael Murray, Benjamin McKenzie, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Kel Mitchell, Lauren Collins, Rachel Bilson, Rachael Ray, Heidi Montag, Scott Speedman, Chad Brannon, Carla Gugino, Carter Oosterhouse, and Dr. Phil McGraw.

A special nod goes out to Virgos Julie Kavner and Dan Castellaneta, the voices of Marge and Homer, and the great June Foray, the voice of "Rocket J. Squirrel."

In the world of sports, we have such historical greats as surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, and awesome talents Kobe Bryant, Jean-Claude Killy, Lance Armstrong, Rocky Marciano, Arnold Palmer, Ted Williams, Frank Robinson, Shaun White, Jim Abbott, Randy Johnson, Duke Snyder, Roger Maris, Scott Hamilton, Tom Watson, Greg Rusdeski, and Jesse Owens.

Virgo also includes an eclectic club that includes such diverse talents as Supremes Oliver Wendell Holmes and David Souter, educator Maria Montessori, legendary women's rights pioneer Margaret Sanger, Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov, "rob from the rich to give to the poor" American legend Jessie James, and Generals Norman Schwartzkopf and John J. Pershing. A tip of the birthday hat goes to great astrologers Steven Erlewine and Liz Greene, as well as to one of the most genuinely spiritual men I've ever been privileged to know, the esteemed Mike Miles.

Others who have made their mark on our world include Mickey Mouse, Cathy Guisewite, magician David Copperfield, 1st Amendment ace Alan Dershowitz, Claudia Schiffer, Dana Hamm, journalists Ben Bradlee, Charles Kuralt, and Daniel Schorr, American Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Warren Buffett, J.C. Penny, and Christa McAuliffe.

Finally, it's the birth month of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote and Ike's decision to send in the 101st Airborne to integrate Little Rock High School, kicking open a few doors, so to speak. It’s also the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, which gave us all a dream, a hammer, and a song or two. Virgo is also the sign of the US Constitution, and The Violence Against Women Act, as well as International Talk Like A Pirate Day (a holy day of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster). We’ll close by sending up a big happy birthday to the cities of Boston, Basel, Heidelberg, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, Lyons, and Paris, the state of California, and the nations of Brazil, Greece, Switzerland, Turkey, and Uruguay.

(As I’m posting this a little earlier than last year, many of the links are to last year’s birthday tributes. I’ll replace them with new ones after this weekend.)

Reprinted on crystalwind.ca with written permission from Robert Wilkinson. Copying this article to other blogs is strictly prohibited. It is copyright protected. 

© Copyright 2021 Robert Wilkinson

© 2021 crystalwind.ca. All rights reserved.