A Reading for Virgo Season
Letting the soft animal of your body love what it loves.
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
— Mary Oliver, Wild Geese
The theme of the season: Justice.
Justice carries the essence of Virgo—embodying a profound sense of harmony, balance, and fairness. It calls not only for collective justice but also for a deep, personal reckoning. Have you been unduly harsh and unyielding with yourself? Now is not the time for such severity. Instead, create space to enjoy the last of summer’s fruits. In just a month's time we will welcome a new season with Mabon, which graces us on September 22nd, bringing with it the first whispers of cooler winds and a season ripe for introspection and solitude.
But now, we find ourselves in summer's final, fervent bloom—the last flourish before the petals fade, retreating into the earth for the long rest ahead. Justice is also the keeper of truth, heralding great awakenings. Truth, ever patient, will rise from her well, revealing all that you have been reluctant to face—whether you are ready or not. Embrace her teachings before they take you by surprise.
What I am avoiding that needs integration: The Hierophant.
Expansion, knowledge, and spirituality are gifts you have embraced, enabling you to uncover profound truths about the world and your soul. Yet, even with this wisdom, you may still find yourself clinging to illusions, burying your head in the sand. The Hierophant, with his ties to tradition, symbolizes the rules you must master before you can break free of them and transcend to a higher understanding.
If you walk a spiritual path, this is a gentle nudge to tune in more deeply to that aspect of your being. Have you allowed logic to dominate, leaving little room for your spiritual connections? Justice and Temperance bookend this spread, emphasizing the need for balance. The rational mind, a hallmark of Virgo, urges you to lead with intellect, but intelligence is not the only source of truth. A profound inner knowing, an intimate understanding of the self, is equally vital. Reflect on your current values and belief systems—are they still serving you? Or is it time for something to be adjusted, perhaps even transcended?
What must be released: Page of Wands.
It may seem counterintuitive to release your grip on the restless, passionate energy of the Page of Wands, but the meticulous, sometimes overly cautious Virgo stereotype is relevant here. Are you holding too tightly to certain expectations? Pushing forward when you should instead step back and allow things to unfold in their own time? The precise nature of Virgo can make it challenging to simply be. Yet, that is the ultimate lesson now: to exist in the present, to be at one with nature on this earthly plane, and to savor the physical beauty and abundance of the world around you at the height of its expression before its final curtain call.
The word "teeming" came to mind as I meditated on this. The world is brimming with life and excitement as we stand on the threshold of the year's final quarter. But with so many temptations, you risk spreading yourself too thin in an attempt to experience it all. Your social calendar might be overflowing with dates—so choose a few engagements that are important to you and devote your energy to them fully. Though you may feel the urge to seize every last opportunity before summer fades, exercise discernment in your decisions. You don't need to do everything. When you try to do too much at once, you risk depletion.
In their youthful enthusiasm, pages sometimes lack foresight, particularly regarding careers, relationships, and finances. They may expend all their energy (or time, or money) in one radiant burst, leaving little for the season ahead. Guard your reserves wisely, and ensure you have enough to sustain you through what is yet to come.
Actions to take to get the most out of this season: Temperance.
Temperance reiterates the necessity of using our reserves wisely, imploring us to seek harmony while avoiding extremes whenever possible. It also hints at the need for patience—a virtue that, as a Virgo myself, I know can be challenging to embrace. Asking ourselves to be patient in a season full of excitement and opportunity can feel almost cruel. Yet, many of us are amid profound personal transformations, shaking the very foundations of our lives. In such a time, acting on impulse, like the Page, can lead to regret or disappointment. It is crucial to ensure that your decisions are grounded in authenticity and are reached through careful consideration of all perspectives.
The themes of Justice—fairness, balance, and thoughtful deliberation—resonate powerfully here. But the call to think carefully about our choices does not mean we must forgo the beauty, joy, and spontaneity summer brings. Rather, it asks us to ensure that our actions spring from a place of genuine intention, not from impulsiveness. Embrace the season’s vibrancy, but do so mindfully with a clear heart and a loving spirit.
A Playlist for Virgo Season Introspection
Some sounds for early morning meditation, introspection, divination, or whatever your morning practice entails.
Some Late Summer Reading Suggestions ~
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Real Estate by Deborah Levy
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
The Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson
Dream Work by Mary Oliver
You can find more recommendations on my Goodreads.
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