| | History and Mythology*:
The original myth behind the Virgo constellation is difficult to determine as the constellation has been associated with almost every virginal deity and demigod throughout history. The most common two theories are that Virgo is either Astraea or Persephone.
Astraea was the virgin daughter of Zeus and Themis (goddess of natural law). She was supposedly the last immortal to live among humans, residing on Earth until the Iron Age when she fled to the heavens in disgust at the depravity of humanity. Since Astraea flew to the heavens and is seen next to Libra (the scales of justice representing her mother Themis), many believe the constellation of Virgo to represent Astraea.
There is a convincing argument for Persephone as Virgo as well. Persephone was the goddess of innocence and purity and was the wise daughter of Demeter. When Persephone was abducted by Hades (god of the underworld), Demeter (goddess of the Earth, harvest, grain, fertility and the home) was so depressed that no crops grew around the world. The suffering was so great that Zeus compelled Hades to relinquish his new wife. However, since Hades tricked Persephone into eating a few seeds while in the underworld, Persephone was only able to return to Olympus and her mother for part of the year. Since Persephone is often pictured holding a sheaf of wheat and Virgo is seen as a virgin holding wheat added to Virgo being seen in the spring when Persephone is returned to Demeter, there is much to recommend this theory.
Whomever Virgo was initially said to represent, she was immortal, innocent and pure.
The Constellation Virgo is also one of the largest in the sky.
Virgo Characteristics*: insightful, methodical, practical, intelligent, reliable, clever, conservative, reserved
*Information on the history and mythology behind the Virgo constellation was taken from Wikipedia.
| |
