And No, I'm Not A Virgin

Even though "The Virgin" is the description of the zodiac icon governing my sun sign (for the period from August 23 to September 22), I myself am not. However, today is the day of my [annual] celebration of that [long lost] chastity (i.e. my birthday ...my eleventy-fifth birthday).

As soon as someone says, "What's your sign?", part of me thinks, "How lame is that?", and that he (or she) should be wearing a sign that says, "I'm such a loser!"

But truth be told, for as much as I'd like to dismiss [my interest in] astrology as mere entertainment, I own and have read several books on the subject, and I've plotted my own and others' star charts ...although I make no claims at having any talent in interpreting said charts.
 
erely describing myself as a typical Virgo would be a gross understatement. Whereas [many of] the traits associated with the various signs [of the zodiac] may or may not apply to persons born under those signs, if you were to look up the characteristics of a Virgo, you'd see my picture. Read Virgo's horoscope any given day in any publication, and you'll be reading what could very easily be an entry in my personal journal. But then again, as I delve into the mystery of astrology, there's always that voice in my head constantly challenging, "Gieau, you're not really buying this bullshit, are you?!" If I were one of the apostles, it would be Thomas.

Virgo, the sixth sign of the zodiac, is an earth sign and is ruled by the magical Mercury. Virgo people are practical and industrious, yet adaptable, with a remarkable eye for detail. Since Virgo's ruling planet is Mercury, Virgos have a truly intellectual, critical and analytical approach to life. That critical eye for detail, combined with a ceaseless pursuit of perfection, endows Virgos with an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone ...whether they need it or not. Virgos are also subject to black moods and despondency from time to time, which can adversely affect others in the vicinity. (Tell me about it!)

The color associated with Virgos is blue and the gemstone is the sapphire. In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Virgo is The Hermit. The Hermit is ruled by the Element of Earth and symbolizes aspects of fertility, creation and the ability to manifest ideas. There's more -- lots more -- but I'm sure you get the gist.

Some notable Virgos (other than myself) are:

Sean Connery (August 25, 1930)
Ivan IV 'The Terrible' (August 25, 1530)
Regis Philbin (August 25, 1933)
Mother Teresa (August 27,1910)
Ingrid Bergman (August 28,1915)
Johann Wolfgang Goethe (August 28, 1749)
Count Leo Tolstoi (August 28, 1828)
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958)
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly (August 30, 1797)
Richard Gere (August 31, 1949)
Van Morrison (August 31, 1945)
Gloria Estefan (September 1, 1957)
Barry Gibb (September 1, 1946)
Seiji Ozawa (September 1, 1935)
Jimmy Connors (September 2, 1952)
Keanu Reeves (September 2, 1964)
Johann Christian Bach (September 5, 1735)
King Louis XIV (September 5, 1638)
Darryl Zanuck (September 5, 1902)
Joseph P. Kennedy (September 6, 1888)
Queen Elizabeth I (September 7, 1533)
Buddy Holly (September 7, 1936)
Jose Feliciano (September 10, 1945)
O. Henry (a.k.a. William S. Porter) (September 11, 1862)
D. H. Lawrence (September 11, 1885)
Jacqueline Bisset (September 13, 1944)
Agatha Christie (September 15, 1880)
Tommy Lee Jones (September 15, 1946)
Jessye Norman (September 15, 1945)
Gaylord Perry (September 15, 1938)
Oliver Stone (September 15, 1945)
Lauren Bacall (September 16, 1924)
Alexis Bledel (September 16, 1981)
B. B. King (September 16, 1925)
Molly Shannon (September 16, 1964)
Jennifer Tilly (September 16, 1958)
Anne Bancroft (September 17, 1931)
Roddy McDowall (September 17, 1928)
John Ritter (September 17, 1948)
Greta Garbo (September 18, 1905)
Sophia Loren (September 20,1934)
Stephen King (September 21, 1947)
Aristotle Onassis (September 21, 1906)
Herbert G. Wells (September 21,1866)

Quote of the Week: "There are more things in heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."