The Ultimate Guide to Virgo: What to Know About the Mutable Earth Sign, According to an Astrologer

When back-to-school season moves in and our minds start wandering to plotting out autumn organization projects, yet most of the days are replete with warm sunshine, setting the stage for opportunities to squeeze in summer fun, it’s undeniably Virgo season. During this time, which falls annually between approximately August 22 to September 22, the sun moves through the mutable earth sign. People whose sun sign and/or other birth chart placements (like their moon or rising sign) are in Virgo are service-oriented, thoughtful super-communicators who excel at tuning into the details of everyday life. Cerebral, perfectionistic fans of self-improvement, routine and wellness, they also tend to be adaptable — and yes, sometimes struggle with overthinking. All of these themes sync up with Virgo’s ruler, Mercury, which oversees communication, curiosity, research, information-gathering and sharing and thought processes.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about yourself or a loved one as a person born with a Virgo sun, read on for an in-depth guide to Virgo traits. Hint: There is a case to be made that they’re one of the most intelligent, helpful and intuitive signs of the zodiac.

Virgo Traits, Explained

Because the sun’s trip through all 12 signs changes slightly from year to year, you’ll notice that sun sign dates do vary annually. However, if you or someone in your life was born between August 22-23 and September 22-23, you can guess that they were born with their sun — which oversees identity, self-image, confidence and purpose — in Virgo.

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Your 2024 Virgo Season Horoscope: What Your Zodiac Sign Can Expect

When the sun is still blazing and intense, and we’re squeezing in the last beach or pool days, yet kids are beginning to gather at bus stops, it’s clear that Virgo season has begun. The mutable earth sign’s season is the bridge that brings us from the sweaty, heady days of summertime into the fall […]

It does bear noting that the sun sign is just one piece of a complex, multi-faceted puzzle that is your astrological birth chart. All the celestial bodies move at different paces through the zodiac, so it’s possible to have been born when the sun is in, say, Libra (which falls from approximately September 22-23 and October 22-23) and still have a Virgo moon or rising. (To find out where Virgo falls in your chart, you’ll do well to run your birth chart .)

People who were born with their sun in the sign of the Maiden tend to be analytical, sensitive, meticulous, communicative, natural-born wordsmiths or bookworms who are eager to gather and divulge information at every turn, ideally for the sake of helping or supporting someone else. At their best, Virgos bring a curious, intelligent, and approachable, grounded, pragmatic energy to any conversation or social interaction. Virgos are so engaged and aware of the slightest details that they’re wonderfully effective at planning the most thoughtful date night or buying a gift that makes the recipient feel truly seen. And as one of the mutable signs (the others are Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces), Virgos are masters of multitasking, pivoting on a dime and changing course without too much trouble. However, at their worst, Virgos can be pedantic, nitpicky, worrisome and overly critical, which, importantly, is generally the result of them being in their own heads — and too hard on themselves.

It can be helpful to remember that Virgo is ruled by Mercury, which is the planet of information, communication and technology. In turn, the industrious Maiden knocks it out of the park when researching, analyzing, revising, editing, organizing and zhushing any day-to-day game plan. Mercury being the cerebral planet that it is also fuels Virgo’s quick wit and often lightning pace thought process. Yet, one of Virgo’s greatest lessons in life is to get out of their heads and into their hearts and spirits, which are equally powerful. After all, the earth sign sits across the zodiac from Pisces, the mystical, empathic, psychic water sign, and though Virgo can be quite rational, they can also exhibit a sharp intuition and impressive emotional intelligence.

As an earth sign, Virgos are most content when they’re planning and putting their nose to the grindstone to accomplish their vision — one steady, practical step at a time. And because Virgo is associated with the Sixth House of Daily Routine and Health, And as the sign most associated with self-improvement and wellness, the Maiden can empower not only themselves but others to tend to their physical — and mental, emotional and psychological — well-being.

Zodiac Signs Virgo Is Most Compatible With

When considering compatibility, it’s a must to remember that sun signs cannot tell you everything about how you’ll connect or clash. To get the most accurate, detailed, nuanced sense of compatibility, you’ll want to consider your own and another person’s birth chart. Bearing that in mind, in general, Virgo is most compatible with their fellow earth signs: similarly thoughtful, deliberate, sensual Taurus and industrious, goal-oriented Capricorn. They’ll also do well with two of the three water signs: nurturing Cancer and investigative Scorpio.

Zodiac Signs Virgo Is Least Compatible With

Those born under the sign of the Maiden might clash with people who share Virgo’s mutable quality: changeable Gemini, unfiltered Sagittarius and feelings-focused Pisces.

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What to Know If You Have Other Virgo Placements

If you’ve learned that planets other than the sun happened to be moving through the mutable earth sign when you were born or your rising sign/ascendant is in Virgo, here’s what that means.

What Virgo Moon Means

If you were born when the moon — which oversees intuition, emotions, and how you want to be nurtured — was in the sign of the Maiden, you find intellectual pursuits to bolster your sense of security. You often show others you care by showing up for them in a cerebral way (perhaps texting an article full of helpful info meant to support them with a particular challenge they may be facing). And the more someone pays attention to the most minute details and ins and outs of your emotions, the more nurtured, seen and appreciated you’ll feel.

What Virgo Rising Sign Means

Your rising sign or ascendant informs how people perceive you, at first blush, out in the world. If your rising is in Virgo, you come off as thoughtful, approachable, people-oriented and fired up to find practical solutions to any issue that should arise.

What Mercury in Virgo Means

Mercury, the planet of communication, rules how we communicate and think, so with your Mercury in Virgo, you’re a meticulous self-improvement pro who can make an impression on others with your quick wit and eagerness to learn. Underlying your high mental energy is a deep desire to care for others by offering help, often in the form of useful info.

What Venus in Virgo Means

Your Venus sign speaks to how you relate to others and to earning money, experience pleasure, and express yourself artistically. With the planet of relationships in Virgo, you pay close attention to all the details related to Venusian matters. For example, you’re scrupulous when it comes to curating your personal style or leveraging a partner’s likes and dislikes into picking out the most memorable gift. Whether you’re planning the ultimate birthday bash for a dear friend or weighing the pros and cons of a new money making opportunity, you’re intimately familiar with any minutiae required to create a positive experience.

What Mars in Virgo Means

If Mars — which oversees action, energy, and aggression — was moving through Virgo when you were born, you’re highly industrious and eager to accomplish one task after the next, generally in a brainy, quick, thoughtful, Mercury-esque way. You want to feel that colleagues and higher-ups believe you’re useful and make a difference. You’re also highly adaptable and find it easy to multitask or change course midway, if necessary.

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