Virgo
Virgo
(August 23rd - September 22nd)
In Greek mythology, Astræa or “the star maiden”) was the daughter of Zeus and Themis (Goddess of Justice).
She was said to be the last of the gods to live among men, at the end of the Golden Age, the utopian era of the beginnings when mankind was immortal and “pure”.
When mankind entered the Iron Age, she fled from the hopeless corruption of humanity, and was put by her father Zeus in the sky as the constellation of Virgo —with the instrument of justice, the scales, becoming the nearby constellation of Libra.
The Constellation of Virgo, which is among the largest constellations in the sky is thus depicted by a female symbol, which makes it unique among the zodiac —if not among the stars.
Virgo (latin for Virgin) is thus representing an aspect of the Goddess, all the more since the passing of the Sun through this celestial sign is associated with the harvesting period, and agricultural rites.
No wonder then we find the constellation associated throughout many civilisations to labour and the fertility of both Mother Earth and the sanctified Virgin, who well aware of their powers, remain their own mistresses.
photography Gunn Hole
