The Virgin is highly discriminating, but not necessarily as prudish at some might believe. In ancient times, a Virgin was a woman who was not the property of man, and therefore had the legal right to just say "no." Now, in modern times, you Virgos are known for your ability to be highly discriminating -- especially when it comes to matters of personal desire. When you are ready, however, to say yes, the laser-like focus of your passion is anything but prudish.

You Virgos have the uncanny sense to see what's wrong with a person, a situation or your environment. It's why you make such natural critics. Your practical analytical abilities are second to none. Your mental process may not be the most creative, but your razor-like thinking is highly effective. Like the maiden pictured in your glyph, you separate the useful wheat from the unneeded chafe, the good from the bad. You might be a "clean freak," but most Virgos have a messy closet somewhere or a disaster under their bed.

Your motto could be "Perfect is almost good enough." On one hand, this trait makes you very employable, for you're not likely to do shabby work. On the other hand, you can be so finicky that you put limitations on your interactions and experiences before they happen. You'll be happier if you can learn to be selectively less critical, both of others and yourself.

Element: Earth

Earth signs are naturally practical. In this lifetime we are bound to Earth. There is no escaping the reality around us The Earth is about as real as it gets; it can be felt, weighed and it has substance. Accordingly, the earth signs base their life on what is real, not what is imagined. Sensation is valued over thoughts or feelings. Earth signs live with their feet on the ground. Others seek their advice because of their basic sensibility. For earth signs, seeing is believing.

The earth of Virgo is a changeable earth, light to the touch. It's about practical analysis -- using mental tools to discern the best use for what is around us.

House: Sixth

The Sixth House is about the regular performance of work-related tasks. This isn't necessarily about career. It's about the job you have that buys the bread for the table. This sector is also where we look to find out about health and healing, for it's not only work routine, but also our daily habits of hygiene.

Key Planet: Mercury

Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods, moves around the Sun faster than any other planet. He symbolizes our thoughts -- not only how we think, but how we communicate. In fact, Mercury is in charge of all language. Mercury is our active and rational mind. It is not only "just the facts" but also what we do with them. As the key planet of Virgo, Mercury is about intellectual discrimination. It's the binary function of the neurons in our brain. They either fire and impulse or they don't. Mercury here is about the basic "yes" or "no" decision that must be made for every piece of information that enters our consciousness.

Greatest Strength:

Your ability to focus your attention

Possible Weakness:

Need for perfection gets in the way of enjoyment

Backing into the Future

Your ability to adapt to fluctuating conditions is tested this month as Mercury, your ruling planet, takes your mind on a wild journey. It starts on January 1 when the Messenger enters quirky, airy Aquarius in your 6th House of Work and Service. Alterations of routine can unravel your well-crafted ways of managing daily life. Unpredictable events or new procedures at your place of employment can threaten efficient systems that you understand thoroughly.

Opportunistic Jupiter's entry into Aquarius on January 5 reinforces a trend of experimentation that requires you to upgrade your skills and adjust your habits. You can't fight progress, even if you're certain that it's really a step backward. Help arrives on January 10 with a tenacious Cancer Full Moon in your 11th House of Groups that forms harmonious aspects to inventive Uranus and stable Saturn, revealing a safe path between the future and the past.

Keep in Mind this Month: You might not Continue >