posted August 08, 2006 02:10 AM         

This page is dedicated to the Planet Vulcan, the true ruler of Virgo. As Virgos the world over continue to respond to the tic-toc of our foster rulership by the Planet Mercury, we eagerly await the discovery of Vulcan, yet we have felt a deep soul yearning for Vulcan all along. So what do we know about the archetype of this God, and about this Planet? Since the astronomers take their own time about things, we astrologers realize the importance of furthering our knowledge and understanding of this very primal energy, and that a continued discussion of Vulcan will benefit more than just technical Virgos, yet all of Humanity. So forget what the astronomers cannot find in their expensive telescopes...Knowledge stops for no mortal in this, the Aquarian Age. Please read on to learn what has been said about this Planet in recent years, draw your own conclusions, and follow your own Inner Bell...

Isabelle M. Pagan...

The Virginian Type

Ruler

The ruler of Virgo is described in astrological tradition as "the negative side of Mercury", an expression which tells us that this aspect of deity cannot be positively connected with the power of any known planet. Some recent astrologers have put forward the theory that the true ruler is Vulcan, a planet whose existence is suspected by astronomers, and whose invisibility is accounted for by the smallness of its size and by its nearness to the Sun whose radiance eclipses it (Astronomy of late has been inclined to shelve this theory. Astrology clings to it yet.); and turning to the key of classical mythology it will be found that the Smith of Olympus is, in truth, an excellent symbol of the form of energy most apparent in those who come under the Virgo influence. Vulcan is the craftsman, the artificer, the practical worker among the Gods. He forges their armour, fashions their ornaments, and builds their palaces. In serving them he obeys the essential impulse of his own nature, never drudging mechanically as a slave, even when working under orders, but always with some originality, accepting commissions, but executing them according to his own designs. In fact he works as a great artist does, obeying the dictates of his patrons without troubling his bead about why the order is given or whether it should have been given at all, and concentrating all his energy and intellect on the manner of its execution. His will is enough to set his great bellows in motion. His glowing furnace tries and tests and purifies the materials at his disposal, separating the true metal from the dross. He wields his hammer with power and might, and gold and silver and shining steel leave his hands fashioned into forms so fair, as well as so strong and lasting, that all Olympus marvels. His frame is powerful, his muscles firmly knit, his right arm is ever bared, and ready for work. As he stands at his forge he is a grand and impressive figure; but when he leaves it to join in the festivities of the Gods, and, true to his instinct for serving others attempts to carry round the cup of nectar, he does it so awkwardly that Olympus rings with laughter - for this strange, strong deity of the forge is lame. His "one-sided" tendency is also expressed by the poets in the legend that he had no Father, but sprang from Juno alone, the inner meaning of which becomes clear to the student if he calls to mind that Vulcan’s wife (according to the Iliad) is Charis, or Love, the Mother of the Graces. The type of energy expressed by Virgo needs Grace to complete it. Service, to be perfect, must be loving service; otherwise it becomes uncouth, unwelcome, and even, at times, ridiculous. And note that Charis signifies love at its purest and most passionless; the self-sacrificing, self-effacing love expressed by the power of Pisces - the sign opposite to Virgo in the horoscope. In the Odyssey Vulcan is mated with Venus - unequally and unhappily mated, for she prefers Mars, and is false to her lord, who punishes her by turning upon her the ridicule of heaven; and the gods themselves amid their laughter, acknowledge that after all, the erring pair are well-matched. A strange and puzzling story to the student of mythology, but one pregnant with meaning to the astrologer; for Venus and Mars are the true wedded couple - Libra balancing Aries; and Virgo and Pisces, which complete and harmonise each other, expressing service with devotion, are both, in their highest human manifestation, celibate signs. The Vulcanalia, or chief festival of the lame god, was held in Rome on August 23rd, at which time the Sun is in Virgo - an interesting and suggestive coincidence. In Greek mythology Hephaestos corresponds to the Latin Vulcan, and both are closely related to the various Gods of the anvil or the furnace who are found in almost all religions. In Christianity this power is represented by St. Clement, the patron saint of blacksmiths, and finds another sympathetic saint in St. James, the apostle of good works, who is a special favourite with the serving orders of monks and nuns.

Evolved Type

The chief characteristic of the fully developed Virginian is his marvellous power of discrimination. He tries everything in the furnace of his criticism, separates, sifts, classifies and arranges his materials and his men, recognising at a glance the potential value of each, and organising the work entrusted to him so as to make the very best practical use of everyone and everything. Hand and brain generally work together in people of this type, especially in all matters in which accuracy and method are important. Their clear heads and thrifty ways make them excellent managers, enabling them to shine as public servants, and qualifying them to bear the burden of much anxious and responsible work in connection with large enterprises and important undertakings. An ideal staff of officials for any company, club or association would include a Leonian as President, a Cancerian and a Scorpionian as vice-presidents, a Taurean as treasurer, and a Virginian as secretary. The last-named generally does the hardest work and gets small thanks for it. If he fails in his duties, the Society he serves will probably go to pieces, but few realise that, and he is generally too much occupied by practical details to care greatly whether they do or not. His business is to carry on the activities of the concern with strict attention to the rules of a constitution which is framed and directed by others, and when he has done all that is his duty to do, he personally sets the example of regarding himself as an unprofitable servant, and the vote of thanks, by his own directions, goes to the chair. In this matter the Virginian is wise as usual. It is not his province to command, and when he attempts to issue orders in his own person, or to assume airs of authority he very frequently gives offence; but people will readily work with him and accept services from him; for he is splendidly capable, and very quick to see how a thing should be done, though disinclined to trouble his head about the why. "It is an order" is a sufficient reason for him, for Virgo, like Taurus, is one of the Earthy or "Service" signs. The above statement must not, however, be interpreted as signifying that the Virginian is always doomed to work without reward or appreciation from his fellow men. Untiring industry, practical ability, clear vision and critical acumen are bound to bring a man to the front sooner or later; and though it is often later - for this type generally seems to start handicapped in some way - many a son of Vulcan has inscribed his name on the Honours list in life, thanks to his Virgo qualities. Success has been achieved notably in the lines of criticism and literature, and also in art - especially painting. These people work best "at the forge" - i.e., alone in studio, study or workshop - have small patience with underlings, assistants and apprentices, and no patience at all with the critics, unless their comments show exceptional discrimination and are practically helpful. Women born under this sign are usually skilled in needlework, and often achieve their greatest triumphs in that line when spurred by necessity and handicapped by limitations, finding a use for the most unlikely materials and showing great judgement in their adaptation, and ornamentation. When well off they generally dress with care and taste - never showily or ostentatiously, and sometimes even with a certain puritanical sobriety, but always suitably, and with a reasonable attention to health, common-sense and the practical durability of their garments. If not compelled to the use of the needle, they often take it up for pleasure, or pursue some form of handicraft - wood-carving, design, embroidery, lace-work, etc. Those who do not, have something of a masculine turn about them, are keenly intellectual, and somewhat critical both of themselves and of others—an unhappy condition of mind. Even at its brightest this type tends to be a grave one, for it has few illusions, and little buoyancy; but when Vulcan is "wedded to Charis", i.e., when this influence is properly blended with one of the gentler and more loving signs, nothing can exceed its charm. The pointed speech then becomes extremely witty, and the clear eyes are always wide open to whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report. If there is any virtue, life’s keen critic will point it out, and if there is any praise he will utter it; and though his native penetration refuses to leave him in ignorance of the shortcomings of frail humanity, his healthiness of mind will prevent his dwelling upon them or indulging in morbid analysis of anything that is objectionable or unclean.

Certain astrologers have declared that this is a selfish sign, and for some time the writer was at a loss to account for such an assertion; for the type of selfishness that demands and exacts assistance and attentions from others is the very last accusation that could be brought up against Virginians, many of whom dedicate their whole lives to the service of their fellow-creatures, toiling unremittingly, often for very inadequate pay - and always finding far more satisfaction in helping others than in working for their own benefit. They give freely and ungrudgingly of their time and strength and ability up to the very measure of their natural forces, and sometimes beyond them; but nevertheless there is a limit to their generosity, and when demands are excessive and unreasonable they know how to say no, and to stick to it. In addition to this they are rarely lavish in their affections, never prodigal of praise, and usually very prudent in the expenditure of their income, which is often a narrow one - possibly because when souls are meant to evolve through a life of labour they are guided into an environment which gives them ample opportunity for it. An inevitable accompaniment of this love of giving active service is an intense dislike to the idea of accepting it, and a horror of dependence in old age, which naturally leads to the careful husbanding of their pecuniary resources, and makes many of them live very simply and frugally; but when ample wealth is placed at their disposal, and they have no need to worry about the future, they spend wisely and well, generally receiving full value for their money.

Love and Friendship

The Virginian heart, like the steel of Vulcan, is true metal, and not easily melted; but when once it finds itself in love’s furnace it glows with a pure white heat, and takes a long time to cool. His love affairs are few, and when, as often happens, they are unfortunate, he takes refuge in his one panacea of hard work, and is apt to shrink from the society of his fellow men. The sign is unfavourable for progeny; i.e., the women only attain motherhood with much suffering and difficulty if they attain it at all, and many of the men are sterile. Neither sex seems to crave much for children though the members of both make very careful and conscientious parents. When highly developed they accept celibacy easily and are fruitful in good works, caring little for posterity so long as they can serve their own day and generation. They have the instinct of chastity and turn with special repulsion from literature dealing with sex problems, especially if there is anything morbid or unwholesome in the treatment of the subject. Students may smile over such an assertion, remembering that among men born with Virgo strongly accentuated are several notable examples whose lives have been far from ideal in the matter of purity. In accounting for such exceptions the horoscope must of course be examined in detail, special note being taken of the position of Venus. If it is in a susceptible or fickle sign, the Virgo influence will be to some extent counteracted; and environment must also be considered. Thus in the case of Charles II, the planet of love is found in Taurus - the most amorous sign - and the low ideals of his corrupt generation, as shown in the life and literature of the time, will account for his responding more easily to the vibrations of Venus than to the sterner call of Vulcan. Perhaps if the Merry Monarch had ever experienced the white heat of a true Virginian affection, the history of his court might have been different. It should be noted that his children were few and his marriage sterile, and also that he was one of the wittiest men of his day.

Religion

Taurus lays the foundations of the temple of the Lord, and sees that its walls are solidly built. Libra gives grace to their proportions, and balances arch against arch and curve against curve, tapering the spire, and raising the dome. Virgo tries and tests the materials and provides the cunning workman in brass and silver and gold, the fashioners and broiderers of tapestry and vestment, the carvers in wood and stone who fill in the details and find out the best practical methods of carrying out the design of the architect. The humbler members of this brotherhood will cleanse and purify the building, sweeping, scouring, dusting, polishing, repairing and replacing with untiring industry and exhaustless energy. The holy water is their fitting symbol; baptism—the first and lowliest of the sacraments - the only one that seems to them of any importance. To enter the service of the Master is the chief event in their religious life; to bring to that service clean hands and a pure heart, a sound mind and a healthy body seems to them all that is really essential. Elaborate ritual strikes the average Virginian as a waste of time; theological debate as a wearisome repetition of meaningless phrases. He gives his sanction to the preaching of the word, because it stimulates energy and conduces to good works; but it must be brief and to the point, and he is seldom roused to enthusiasm by it. He never seeks for praise or thanks himself therefore it does not occur to him to render either to his Maker, Whom he conceives as above both, and consequently - though this does not necessarily follow - indifferent to them. After he has asked for a blessing on past work, and for strength to labour in the future, his petitions are done, and with regard to every other form of religious observance he is inclined to ask his recurrent and characteristic question, "What is the use of it?" When reference is made in his presence to the rapture of the Mystic, the ecstasy of the Saint and the inspiration of the prophet, he shrugs his shoulders. If others talk of the faith that removes mountains, he shakes his head. "Show me your faith without your works, and I by my works will show you my faith," he says; for, from his point of view, "True religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this; to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." A successftul ship-builder on the banks of the river Clyde was once questioned as to his beliefs. "It is my religion," he replied, "to build good ships." He was probably a Virginian; and though his reply will shock many, it has its impressive side for all that. "To build good ships"; i.e., to fulfil one’s contracts faithfully, even at the risk of losing by them; to give honest workmanship and sound timber and true steel; to tolerate no shams, no pretences, no hypocrisies in commercial life. The cause of true religion would gain and not lose, if more of our businessmen would follow such an example.

Astrological tradition associates this sign of Virgo with the Holy Hermits of old, and though such an idea seems to contradict the above, the two forms of religion are not really irreconcilable, for the hermitage is generally associated with the closing years of a life that has been full of activity. Saints of this type were generally believed to have played their part in the world before leaving it, and were, not infrequently, reputed to have suffered much through the affections. Elderly Virginians will generally own that the descriptions of these pure and peaceful lives appeal to them very strongly. The rocky cave for shelter, the, limpid stream for the daily bath, the simple diet of nuts and fruits, with the milk of the hind - emblem of purity -for all luxury. The practice of such austerities hardly smiles upon us in our northern clime; but in far-away forest and desert and cave many a Virginian follows the calling still, and lives out his declining years in the lap of nature, resting after labour, and learning, who can say how many lessons in the process.

Literary Style

Literary men, born under this sign, excel in the mastery of detail and are exceedingly industrious and prolific, adapting their genius to the demands and necessities of their day, and usually finding their market in consequence. Dickens, who gave the hour of his birth to an American inquirer as 7:50 a.m. and so must have been born when Virgo was rising, is an excellent example of this type. He never spared himself - died, in fact, of overwork, and published in rapid succession a large number of novels, in most of which the side characters and detailed description are of much more importance to the reader than the heroes and heroines or the main outlines of the plot. His gallery of clear and definite portraits is something extraordinary. In Bleak House alone there are over eighty distinct and living characters - all real breathing people capable of interesting the reader in their various personalities and concerns.; and although his work in life was that of a writer of light fiction, and he used his Virgo wit to keep his audiences thoroughly well entertained, his real aims and ideals were utilitarian. His great ambition was to better the physical condition of the poor, and to interest the men and women of his generation in such questions as workmen’s dwellings, prison reform and poor-law relief. In spite of his great kindliness and charming personality, his attitude of mind was always intensely critical, and his portraits of his fellow creatures far from flattering. In fact, when he attempts to idealise, as in the case of such a character as little Nell, he fails to produce a convincing portrait, and his most lovable characters are full of weaknesses and intensely human. Among significant facts, for the astrological student, are to be noted his failure to find happiness in marriage, and his resentment of cricitism.

The average Virginian, instead of mastering detail, allows detail to master him, and if he takes up literature at all is more likely to succeed as a critic of other men’s work in any field demanding creative power. His style, though concise and clear, is somewhat formal, and best suited to the framing of business notices. He will draw up an index or a catalogue, compile a dictionary, or lend a hand in the production of an encyclopaedia. Hard work never daunts him, and to express himself with neatness and precision is a real joy; but apart from criticism his pen seldom runs freely, and his letters are usually the driest of the dry.

Primitive Type

It has been neatly said, and the saying is often quoted, that the critics are those who have failed. It might be said with greater charity and fuller truth that the critics are those who are not yet sufficiently evolved to succeed; and of these critics, the most captious, and aggravating and impossible to please are the undeveloped Virginians. The advanced type, bringing its clear vision and fine discrimination to bear upon the work entrusted to it, sees at a glance all the practical possibilities and opportunities for usefulness involved. The primitive type only sees the impossibilities and the flaws; and it finds them, by preference, in work done or schemes drawn up by others. The developed specimen never asks for praise; the primitive specimen never gives it. The former will conquer adverse circumstances, and makes his very handicaps contribute to his success. The latter quarrels with every condition imposed upon him, resents his limitations, and invariably blames circumstances for his failures. His ambition to achieve something practical and his inability to do so are apt to result in impatience, nervous irritability, and ill-humour; and sometimes in chronic discontent. If hampered by ill-health or in any way restricted in his activities, he takes it cantankerously, sometimes working on till dead-beat in defiance of the doctor, and meeting all the kindly remonstrances of his friends with a snap and a growl. Even at this rudimentary stage he has very little laziness about him, and if he is under wise guidance and control will make an admirable servant, loyal to his master’s interests, and rigidly faithful to his orders; but these orders must be clear and precise, and the reversal of one of them, especially if sudden and unexpected, will upset the Virginian’s temper completely, and make him, for the time being, a very disagreeable companion. His horizon is bounded by the circle of his own duties, and by dint of concentrating his attention solely on the details immediately under his own nose, he loses sight of the larger outlines and consequently cannot adapt himself to changes which spring from causes beyond his ken. His views are not merely limited, they are microscopic, and he is apt to make mountains out of molehills on every possible occasion. He is the kind of man who is capable of surveying some masterpiece of art in a stony silence that chills the blood of any real art lover in his company, and who, before turning away, will point out mercilessly some trifling error in the darkest corner of the background, some tiny flaw in the construction of the frame. In fact, at his worst, he exercises a most depressing and deadening effect upon his fellow creatures, killing enterprise, enthusiasm and hope, and nipping youthful ardour ruthlessly in the bud. Virginians who find themselves prone to such habits of thought and speech should strive earnestly to cultivate the appreciative faculties and force themselves to enter kindly and sympathetically into family and social life; otherwise they will develop into mere machines, spending their days in a dreary round of drudgery, and allowing love and friendship to slip away from them or pass them by, till they realise, too late, that they have developed into crusty old bachelors or lonely old maids, with absolutely no ties binding them to the rising generation. Marriage, if resorted to in time, is a remedy, but it is surprising how "oldmaidish" these people—men and women alike—can contrive to be, even in the bonds of holy wedlock; and there is always a danger of matrimonial shipwreck for them unless great care is taken to avoid the failings of their type. The male Virginian allows business to absorb him to such an extent that all outward signs and tokens of his affection tend to disappear; and his wife, becoming convinced of his indifference, looks outside the limits of her home for sympathy and companionship, and if at all vain or weak, is tempted to accept the admiration and attentions of others. The women of this Virgo type make idols of their household gods—their carpets and their curtains, their crockery, furniture and plenishings generally; and are so much absorbed in their upholstery and their house-cleaning, that they can scarcely lay aside their needles or their dusters to give their wearied husbands a kindly welcome home. Consequently they too, pave the way for their rivals, and especially for such jovial and genial rivals as the club and the public-house.

Physical Charcteristics

Manifesting physically, the Virgo type is associated with a somewhat wiry build, generally strong and muscular, and capable of enduring long hours of steady work, and much physical fatigue. The hair is usually dark brown or black, the eyes very clear and often hazel or grey; but colour varies, as always, with race and climate. The mouth is small, the nose rather long, the expression always intelligent and sometimes keenly critical. The type at its best is exceedingly handsome, but there is apt to be a "faultily faultless, icily regular" flavour about it. The beauty depends on regularity of feature and fineness of form, and lacks plastic grace, unless one of the softer and more loving elements in the horoscope - Libra, Venus, Pisces, etc. - is strongly emphasised, in which case there is great personal charm, ready repartee and a sparkling wit. Even at its gentlest this type is always critically alive to the faults and failings of those around it—its dearest friends included. Though France and her children generally are ruled by Leo, the city of Paris is said to be specially under the influence of Virgo. It is certainly a city of detail, the home of encyclopaedists and the centre of an organisation of the most finicking type: The French Government dictates the very hours of the children’s lessons with such precision that the little scholars in the East of France have to attend their classes by Parisian time, rising winter and summer an hour earlier by the Sun than their contemporaries in the West. The Parisian is generally handsome and always tastefully and suitably dressed, has few illusions and no cherished beliefs; is sceptical, practical, makes an excellent craftsman, and is very often exceedingly witty. There is more Leonian tolerance than Virginian purity associated with the life of the gay city; but it is an oft repeated assertion that the foreign elements of the population are responsible for its doubtful reputation, and not the nativeborn Parisians, who are usually hard-working, frugal and temperate. The irritable bachelor uncle of the comic papers is a burlesque of this type, and another is the Angular Spinster of the caricaturist, with her sharp speech, dislike of children and weakness for cats, which animals are traditionally said to be ruled by Virgo.

Health

A curious fact which, so far as the writer is aware, has not been noted by any other astrologer has pressed itself on her notice while this article has been in course of preparation. Among the people personally known to her whose horoscopes she has collected, all those who are lame come under the Virginian influence in one way or another - suggesting a further tie between them and the power of Vulcan. It would be instructive to gather statistics at some hospital for cripples, and find out whether the rule is invariable; and the result might settle various matters of dispute among astrologers - e.g., whether Byron and Sir Walter Scott were born with Virgo as ascendant. Inquirers would have to bear in mind the probability that Vulcan, in or near the ascending degree, would have the same effect as an accentuated Virgo influence; and it is interesting to note that in some cases where there is a strong Virgo element visible in the life, and nothing to account for it iii the horoscope, the ascension of Vulcan is a possible explanation.

Virgo is an extraordinarily healthy sign and more capable than any other of incessant and unremitting labour. In fact, the chief dangers to health are overwork and absorption in purely practical matters, leading to a certain sceptical and unsympathetic attitude of mind - a kind of dryness and barrenness in the life - a total absence of the spontaneity and joy which ought to accompany the exercise of the faculties. There is seldom any serious illness; but occasional functional derangements appear, and diet is often a difficulty, for certain foods which other types can eat with impunity are apt to prove poisonous to Virginians. Many of them are seriously upset by preparations of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, rhubarb or prunes, and cannot touch dishes which are highly spiced or seasoned - pickles, chutney, curries and so forth causing disagreeable eruptions and other disturbances. Virginians are consequently inclined to be fastidious and fussy about their food, and especially about its purity and the manner in which it is prepared and served. Some of the specimens whose horoscopes have been collected, have suffered from internal abscesses and ulcerations, difficult to treat successfully, and in these cases some weakness or curvature of the spine is usually perceptible, the removal of which - by careful remedial gymnastics—is the best prescription for the other afflictions. As has already been said, a notable percentage of Virginians are lame and the lameness is often due to an accident in very early childhood.

posted August 08, 2006 02:18 AM         

“I’m interested in the prophecy that a new planet, ruling Virgo, will soon be discovered. About five years ago, I began to doubt the validity of the Mercury rulership. Mercury still works beautifully as the ruler of Gemini. But lately, when using it in the traditional way as the Lord of Virgo, it misses the mark on timing and may even lead to mistakes in judging the trends.”

“What’s the traditional way to use a planetary ruler in predictions?” asked Brian.

“Suppose Leo is the Sign on a man's 10th house of career. The Sun rules Leo. You see heavy stresses coming up over the Sun, so you warn him of coming pressure on his job, that he may have to change his employment, and possibly even the kind of work he’s doing. You know when the stress will be greatest, and when it will ease, so you can help him decide on the best ways to counteract it. It all works out so well that it seems certain the Sun really does rule Leo.

“But suppose Virgo is on the 10th. and you use Mercury the same way. The results can be most unsatisfactory. The timing may be off. The stresses will show up affecting the house with Gemini on the cusp - usually the 7th if Virgo is on the 10th. He may have serious marriage or legal problems, but no trouble at all with his job. Of course it’s no surprise that Mercury works through the Sign Gemini, which it undoubtedly does rule. But if it also rules Virgo, stress over it should work through both Signs. All too often, lately, it doesn’t.”

“You say this has only been true for the past few years. Before that, Mercury did work as the ruler of Virgo. Right?”

“It seemed to, Hal. I think such a change always occurs when a new planet is about to be discovered. Until almost the end of the 18th century, Saturn worked as the ruler of Aquarius. Then, shortly before the American Revolution, strange new influences began to operate in the world. Now we know these influences were Uranian. They brought a new type of political revolution, great technical and scientific advances, enormous social changes. Nothing in the sudden rise of the industrial, democratic states is like the operation of Saturn. Now we can see how the changes worked, historically, and we can connect them with the passage of Uranus through the Signs and with strong Uranian stresses over the charts of nations. But people living in those times could not do this. All they saw was a world in chaos, exploding in one revolution after another. Some of the finest astrologers of the time went astray on their predictions because Uranian values were so new no one understood them, so they had to continue to use Saturn as the ruler of Aquarius.”

“The same thing happens today when we try to use Mars instead of Pluto as the ruler of Scorpio,” said Hattie. “Pluto was discovered in 1930, and the world hasn’t settled down since. But it’s hard to see why, if a planet is always out there, it doesn’t influence the world in its own peculiar way, whether we know of its existence or not.”

“I have no explanation for it. Unless it’s because we can’t use the influence, so nothing we do or create in our human, social, political world reflects it. Then, a few years before the new planet is discovered, the whole world seems to go nuts. People do all sorts of weird things, apparently without motivation. The old systems seem to break down for no good reason, the old faiths and traditions lose their hold, and everyone is bewildered. Since we don’t understand the influences at work, we can’t find solutions to any of our strange new problems. Certainly this is happening all over the world today.”

“You think the discovery of a new planet casts its shadow before by influencing our psychology in mysterious ways, making us dissatisfied with the old grooves?” asked Brian.

“Yes. And that dissatisfaction causes us to start smashing the old traditions, so that we destroy old values before we know how to create new ones that will express the new planet.”

“It’s an interesting theory,” said Hal. “Everyone is certainly aware that we’re in a whirlpool of change. And nobody seems to know what it means or what to do about it.”

I said, “If we think back over what we’ve said about Virgo, we’d probably have to admit that none of it is really Mercurial. We find Virgo modest, retiring, conservative, conformist, analytical, perfectionist, patient in routine, reluctant to change, working in the background, preferring bureaucratic jobs, and - although we didn’t emphasize it - honest in its financial dealings. Virgo is one of the least flighty and most responsible of the Signs. Mentally it’s conscientious, rather unimagina-tive, and serious. The only thing here that is like the qualities of the planet Mercury is Virgo’s seeming in-difference to sex - its lack of passion and tenderness.

“Now ... Mercury,” I continued. “The messenger of the gods... addicted to lying, brilliant intellectually but impatient of any task not quickly finished....."

“None of that is much like Virgo,” agreed Hattie.

“What planets are happiest in Virgo?”

“It has a good stabilizing effect on Mercury. We haven’t observed Pluto long enough to be sure, but I think its desire to explore the unknown has yielded great scientific breakthroughs when in Virgo. It has an odd effect on both Mars and Jupiter. By nature both these planets are extravagant, careless of the morrow, and disinclined to store up goods against a rainy day. But in Virgo, both of them become hoarders, especially of food and clothing, and both may become pennywise and pound foolish. Neptune is most unhappy there, where it sabotages and distorts values about health and medicine. Most of the miracle drugs, which we are now discovering to be dangerous, were put on the market when Neptune was in Virgo. Uranus there causes violent revolts of the lowest, most oppressed class in the society and makes for a radical leftist ideology. Uranus was in Virgo from 1962 to 1969, and also during the French Revolution and reign of terror. The Moon and Venus in Virgo, in a male chart, seem to encourage sexual indifference to women, but this only becomes marked if they are afflicted.”

“What literary characters are good examples of Virgo?” asked Hal.

“Betsy Trotwood, who was David Copperfield’s busy, sharp-tongued maiden aunt, always hiding her kind heart under a bristly, touch-me-not exterior. And there’s Polonius, the old fuss-budget in Hamlet. Lucy, in the Peanuts comic strip, lets fly occasionally with some of Virgo’s most negative qualities. In mythology, the story of Persephone explains the Sign. For the good of the world, to assure its food supply, she had to marry Pluto, god of the underworld, and spend six months of every year in his underground home. Minerva, the Roman goddess of the hearth and the domestic arts and virtues, emphasizes the good qualities of the Sign.”

“How about Athena, her Greek prototype?” asked Hal.

“She was the goddess of wisdom,” I answered. “She did show many Virgo traits, but also many Libra ones - especially in her role as blind Justice.”

Hal said, “I asked because she was the only one of Zeus’s numerous progeny who was begot without benefit of sex. She sprang full-blown from the old lecher’s brow, giving him a terrible headache in the process. And I believe that deep down in its heart, Virgo thinks that’s the way all babies should be born.”

~ Barbara Watters, What’s Wrong With Your Sun Sign?, Valhalla Paperbacks, 1970.

It has been said in old astrology books that there is another planet in our solar system called Vulcan that will be recognized as Virgo's rightful ruler when it is discovered. Vulcan was the royal son of Hera and Zeus. Zeus threw him out of heaven because of his lameness. Vulcanalia, the chief festival of the lame god, was held in Rome on August 23, at the time the Sun moves into Virgo. Old-time astrologers say that Virgo must overcome some physical handicap in life. I have found that many Virgos have hearing difficulties. It's interesting to note that Mr. Spock of Star Trek was a Vulcan and his ears were noticeably larger than Earthlings; he shares this trait with fleet-footed Mercury.

The god Vulcan was a blacksmith and the patron of all artisans. Virgo is the ruler of all workers. As new planets in other solar systems are being discovered today, perhaps there is a little planet in our solar system beyond Mercury and hidden in the brightness of the Sun. Until Vulcan is discovered, Virgo must share the planet Mercury's rulership with Gemini, which seems to work well enough for both.

Dian Eidenbaum, Souls Signs, Fireside, 1998

posted August 08, 2006 02:30 AM         

You may recall that, in my book, Love Signs, I wrote that my Higher S-elf whispered to me the secret of Vulcan’s imminent re-discovery within approximately a decade or so. Love Signs was published in late December of 1978 – early January 1979. A few years before its publication, Dr. Joseph L. Brady, of Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, published his theory of an existing “Planet X.”

Recently, a friend, Dave Walters, wrote to me some very encouraging signs coming from the astronomical community. Astronomer J.J. Rawal has definitely established that there are stable orbits within the orbit of Mercury. (Note: When Vulcan is finally discovered and named, it will be found to be located or positioned between the Sun and Mercury.) Another astronomer, Dr. Henry Courten, in the late 60’s and early 70’s, spotted some faint objects during solar eclipses. Whether one of them is Vulcan is yet to be determined, but the astronomical interest is certainly there, and hopefully it will surface again before too long. Dave also informed me of something I didn’t know, which is that the first proposal for an intramercurial planet started from the time of Galileo. There’s a profound reason, buried in antiquity, for Vulcan to be located near Mercury, which will be given in Twelfth Night Secrets.

As for Horus, another astronomer has proposed that there is a planet beyond Pluto (the legendary location of Horus – Pluto being the ruler of Scorpio, the sign closely associated with Horus, son of Isis and Osiris – a planet which has an orbit of 1,018 years, and is currently positioned at 00:00 Sagittarius. Interesting that the numbers in that 1,018 year orbit of the planet which could be Horus, add to the double number 10, the number of Isis and Osiris. The I is for Isis – and the 0 of the 10 representing Osiris. A strong indication that the proposal of a planet beyond Pluto is correct, that it is Horus, and will be so named when it is “officially” re-discovered at its allotted time. Another reason why metaphysicians often know the truth of planetary discoveries long before they are actually made. Numerology.

Would you like to continue this numerological spiraling a bit further? Ponder these truths. While Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, Vulcan and Mercury were the names of their twin children (Mercury, male – Vulcan, female). Zero or 0 is the number of Pluto, ruler of Scorpio, closely associated with Horus. 10 is Isis and Osiris. The 0 of the double number represents Horus (Pluto-Scorpio) – and the 1 of the 10 whispers that, instead of twins (which all births once were – explained in TNS), Horus was a single birth (for good reason) – Horus was one child only.

The number of both Mercury and Vulcan (the twins) is 5. Therefore, the number of Gemini and Virgo is 5, since both are presently ruled by Mercury. Vulcan and Mercury were twins. Think about it. Gemini, the Twins, ruled by the number 5 and by Mercury – Mercury now ruling Virgo, until Vulcan (also a 5) is re-discovered.

Therein lies an astounding ancient mystery...for aeons hidden behind these astrological and numerological symbols. So...let’s add thefive of the twins, Vulcan and Mercury, to the 10 of their parents, Isis and Osiris, plus the 0 of Horus. The result is the double number 15, the number of magic and mystery in the Kabala and the Chaldean alphabet. Magic and mystery indeed! How true. And, of course, the 15 reduces to the single number 6 – the number of Love – more appropriate and “logical” than you yet guess.

As to what the re-discovery of Vulcan will mean to all of you Virgos, if I told you here, this letter would be a book! What it means to you Virgins is exciting and quite lengthy, so may I ask you to read the Virgo-Virgo section of Love Signs instead? It will tell you everything you need to know.

Linda Goodman’s Star Notes, March 1989

posted August 09, 2006 12:31 AM         

We will have to see!