Virgo: Practical Precision

Art by Lauren Kate

Virgo, the 6th sign of the Zodiac and ruled by Mercury reminds us all of the value of public service. Mind you, this is not the jumping up and down, shouting "Look what I did" type of service. It's more like the satisfaction gained from knowing that whatever is presently looking great could not have been possible without those who worked dilligently to cultivate and refine the finished product. From those results alone, Virgo's obtain a great deal of satisfaction,even if they're not publicly recognized or showered with accolades.Taking compliments very modestly and operating below the radar are right up the Virgoans alley. More concerned with perfection than the limelight, separating the wheat from the chaff is a treasured past time for these natives.

Armed with a very acute sense of discrimination, a Virgo sun can instantly tell you whether "it is" or it "is not". These are the editors, proofreaders, "I dotters" and "T crossers". Precision and purity are the watchwords for the day. Don't get Virgo twisted, the archetype of the "Virgin" is not who you think she is. Consulting Webster, one of the definitions for the word virgin is:"In a pure and natural state; unsullied". Natives of this sign are in a constant mode of observation, analysis and perfection when it comes to their thoughts, words and actions. Have you ever been stuck on how to say it, or spell it right? Do you need a rundown of which gluten-containing grains to avoid in your diet? You may have to wait a while until you search the zodiac and arrive at the letter "V",but your search will be amply rewarded. They may not tell you, but they've re-recorded their voice mails ten times over until they're 100% happy with how they pronounce every word.

Displaying a cool and detached demeanor, Virgo's are the types who enter a room and find a cozy place from which to analyze the behaviors and interactions of others. When their calculations have reached a degree of satisfaction that suits them, only then are they able to join the party. Like Gemini, who is also Mercury ruled, information is power. While the twins may be the distributor of such information, Virgo is more likely to retain or conserve it until they deem conditions to be perfect.

Employers tend to love Virgoans because of their efficiency, organizational skills and promptness. "If you're less than ten minutes early, you're late" could surely be a Virgo maxim. Yes, this is the person whose first day at their new job may be spent sanitizing their work space and wiping their phone down with Lysol, but through all of that they've probably finished more work than the more procrastinating signs,one of whom the writer of this piece is a member. Extremely pragmatic, everything must have it's place for a Virgo. This ability to compartmentalize may be one of the secrets for creating systems that operate with a very high level of output.

So, where are the "glitches" in the system , you ask? When Virgo energy is misused, they have a radar for finding the chink in the armor of everyone and everything in their immediate surroundings. these aren't the type of folks who will just lay you on the ground and drive a bulldozer over you, they will pick small pieces of shattered glass out of your skin one at a time. At their best, they're highly discriminating, acutely observant and sharply precise. But at their worst they are nit picky, distant and hypercritical.

I'll never forget the infamous tirade that Nas (Sept, 14, 1973) displayed on power 105. While in a well publicised hip-hop beef with Jay-Z, Nas was a scheduled headliner at New York's Summer Jam, where he planned to hang Jay-Z in effigy as part of a skit. When concert organizers deflected his attempts, Nas did not perform. He then went to Hot 97's rival, Power 105, criticizing fellow Virgo rapper Noreiga, telling him he loved him, but he needed "to step his rap game up." Next, he went in on Cam'ron, telling him that "he's a good lyricist, but the album is wack." Nas continued to allude to radio D.J.'s getting paid to spin a select group artists records, while others who are arguably more creative were left out in the cold to fend for themselves. Even while ranting, Virgo's can still make relatively solid points.

Fortunately, everyone made nice some time ago and this is all behind us for the moment. Nevertheless it's an example of negative Virgo energy gone wild. Yes,Virgoans can get caught on a "bad" day, but nine times out of ten, they're much better than that. Believe that.

Memo to Virgo: Use your immense gift for analysis on yourself in order to maximize your potential. Perfect your craft, continue to refine your intellect. When used positively, there is no limit to your ability to be efficient and effective in your service to humanity. Also, please remember to treat yourself fairly. We all have our faults and flaws and there's no reason to mercilessly go over yourself with a fine tooth comb. Kemet wasn't built in a day.


Virgo Keywords: precise, analytical, discriminating, modest, observant,detailed, hygenic, fussy, worrier, efficient, pragmatic, dilligent,intelligent, overcritical, reserved.

Virgo, Mercury and 6th House Representatives Include:
health food stores, pens, pads, "post it" notes, herbs, supplements, routine service, regimens, diets, hygeine, deodorant, mouthwash, skin cleanser, wheat, pets, clothing, employers, daily habits, medicine, chores, duty, nurses, volunteer work, purity,secretaries, clerics, research,lists, public health, naturalness, details,reasoning ability, ideas, thoughts, speech, short trips, siblings, study, tenants.

Virgo Roll Call:
Michael Jackson (R.I.P.), Idris Elba, Joe Budden, Beyonce, Sean Connery, Nas, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Shock G, Larenz Tate, Columbus Short, Mase, Noreiga, Charlie Parker, Amy Winehouse, David Stern, Cameron Diaz, Keith Murray, M.C. Shan, Barry White, Tyler Perry, Damon Wayans,Henry Louis Gates, Hugh Grant, Rachael Ray, Otis Redding, Gloria Estefan, Fiona Apple, Moby, Jack Black, Ben Carson, Rosie Perez, Ludacris,  Chaundon, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Easy-E(R.I.P.), Big Daddy Kane, Selma Hayek, Fred Hampton, Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming, Richard Wright, Bill O'Reilly, Slug, Adam Sandler, Swizz Beats, Cal Ripken, Terry Bradshaw, Isiah Whitlock, Jr.("The Wire's" Clay Davis) Dave Chappelle, Keanu Reeves,Jesse Owens, Jay Electronica, Grap Luva, Oliver Stone, Taraji Henson, Victor Williams, Doug E. Fresh, Foxy Brown, Lola Falana, Nicole Richie, Sophia Loren, Greta Garbo, Faith Hill, Pink, Ryan Phillippe.