The Virgin, Joseph Stella, 1926

The sign of Virgo is represented by the mythical figure of Demeter, the corn maiden, the virgin goddess of fertility. This makes it the only sign of the zodiac to be represented by a female. She symbolizes the harvest; the bringing in, winnowing and finally storing of the summer crop. The corn maiden chooses to use her creativity for organizing a project rather than supplying the vision for new projects.

Virgo is meticulous, discriminating, pure, practical, health conscious and hard working. It can also be perfectionist, petty and critical. Virgo’s two favorite words are: appropriate and counter-productive.

The monthly installment of The Great Astrological Light Bulb Joke:

Q. How many Virgos does it take to change a light bulb?

A. Approximately 1.000000 with an error of +/ 1 millionth.

Note: I have no idea who originally wrote this. Erika sent it to me years ago and I still think it’s as funny as it is insightful!

Lapis Lazuli is a dark blue stone generally with flecks of golden pyrite and streaks of white calcite. It consists of several different minerals, including lazurite, sodalite, hauyne, calcite and pyrite. The finest, darkest, Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan although the USSR, Chile and the USA all have large deposits. 

Lapis Lazuli has been used for adornment since the most ancient times and lapis from Afghanistan is featured in King Tutankhamen’s mask. Lapis resonates to Virgo and is appropriate (there is that word again) for rituals involving healing, serving others, counseling and routine or maintenance tasks.

Interestingly, most historical uniforms are either Capricorn’s black or Virgo’s blue. Nurses used to wear white dresses with navy blue capes over them. Doctor’s scrubs are usually blue or green, the color of healing and growth. Blue jeans (the most traditional work clothes) start out dark blue.

To learn more about how to use Gemstones in your daily life, click here to see our "What Gemstones Should I Wear?" guide in our Library.

Click here to learn more about purchasing Inga's Earth Magic Jewelry.

There have been many different theories of how change actually works. I'll begin with my favorite, put forward by Agassiz, who said: "Every great scientific truth goes through three stages. First, people say it conflicts with the Bible. Next, they say it has been discovered before. Lastly, they say they have always believed it."

There is a new theory that has been developed to explain and support change. This theory involves change as a process and has been mostly studied in these areas: Smoking behaviors, Exercise behaviors, Eating or Diet related behaviors; Drug & Alcohol related behaviors, Condom usage and HIV prevention. Here are two sites explaining the currently popular Stages of Change Theory.

* Stages of Change Theory, a.k.a. the Transtheoretical Model

* Natural Time and Intuition by Samten Williams

Choose a habit you want to change or a routine you want to establish right now and let the energy of Virgo support the process of change for you. Observe yourself as you pass through the stages and learn about trusting these processes. Isn't it freeing to know that resistance and backsliding are just a part of the process, not a failure of the process! So put your trust in the process and the results.

On a separate note, I'm getting back into listing my custom jewelry, along with a bunch of other items, on eBay. My eBay Store is listed under "Dunthor Design" and contains both my auction and sale items. I'm trying all kinds of listings and I've even got some $10 - 10 minute tarot card readings in my store. Be sure to check out the awesome banner Scott made me from the artwork Trevor created for my business cards.

The address of my eBay Store is: www.stores.ebay.com/dunthordesign

We think of this newsletter as a community forum. You, our friends and clients, are welcome to participate. We celebrate diversity and we'll print whatever you send in be it Wiccan, Christian, Pagan, New Age, etc., as long as it reflects Love. You may choose a one-time holiday to write about or have a regular column. We'll give you space and a byline! Please send in your own book reviews, ideas for rituals, ideas about stones, your journal excerpts, your experiences and most of all, ask us questions. We love answering questions!

From Scott: This is so Virgo…

Good, better, best,

Never let it rest,

Until your good is better,

And your better is best!  

BERLIN (Reuters) Wed Aug 13,10:22 AM ET

A German man of Polish origin lost his driving license after failing an alcohol test but his dog passed with flying colors, police in the western city of Koblenz said on Wednesday.

Police said the 47 year old man failed to perform any of the required actions, only to be upstaged by his West Highland white terrier who executed all of the commands given perfectly, including a 360 degree turn as his master staggered and fell.

At the conclusion of the uneven contest, the supervising doctor announced, "Man: fail; dog: pass."

Yes, it is a true news story: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=1&u=/nm/20030813/od_nm/test_dc

From Kim:

A German scholar contends that the Islamic text has been mistranscribed and promises raisins, not virgins.See the story here:  http://www.msnbc.com/news/940974.asp?cp1=1#BODY

From Robert Blaschke’s Earthwalk Astrology Newsletter:

Political Turmoil in California - Recall Election of Governor Gray Davis on October 7th

© 2003 Robert P Blaschke

The State of California is mired in political chaos these days, with a massive budget deficit of $38.2 billion, and enough angry voters to have produced sufficient signatures on a statewide petition to recall the current governor, Gray Davis, who was just re-elected to a second term last year. What is going on in the Golden State? California (9 September 1850; 12:00 PM LMT; Sacramento) is presently under the transforming rays of a stationary Pluto square to its MC/IC axis at 17 Virgo/Pisces 30. Coming as this does on the heels of the 2002 Pluto squares to its 16 degree Virgo Sun, and the ingress of Saturn just two days ago into its 8th house of debt and bankruptcy, the most populous state in the USA is teetering on the edge of a fiscal collapse. Will the voters choose to recall the governor? To survive, Mr Davis needs to get 50% of the votes on the ballot.

It does not look good for him. Saturn, turning retrograde at 13 Cancer 14 on October 25th, will hold a prolonged stationary square to the California Mercury, ruler of its Virgo MC at 13 Libra 08, from September 21st until November 30th. With Jupiter, ruling the Republican party, conjoining the California Sun on November 27th, and crossing the state's MC on December 5th, it appears that a new GOP governor could occupy the big office in Sacramento when all is said and done. Should this occur, it will have enormous implications for the U.S. presidential race in 2004, as California holds one fifth of the electoral votes necessary to win the White House. Could we really see an 'Hasta la vista, baby' for Mr Davis?

Arnold Schwarzenegger (30 July 1947; 4:10 AM CED; Graz Austria; AA), who just yesterday announced his candidacy for the governorship, has a progressed Pluto conjunct the California North Node within two minutes of arc. Could this man transform the future of the Golden State? In a word, yes. With a Leo Sun in sextile to Neptune, he has vision and social compassion, even while being highly pragmatic in his desire to relieve businesses from unnecessary governmental regulations. Evidence of his physical ability to bulk up as a Mr Universe (bodybuilder) can be seen in a close trine from Jupiter to his Cancer Ascendant. With a Pisces Midheaven, and the ruler, Jupiter, in a nearly exact trine with Mercury rising, this man will surprise many with his intelligent command of politics, broad range of issue coherence, and may become to be perceived as a political 'Gentle Giant'. His wife, Maria Shriver (of the Kennedy family - his 7th house ruler is conjunct Pluto - thus a powerful wife), may unwittingly become a liability to his campaign, as, unfortunately, Mr Schwarzenegger has a natal Moon in detriment in Capricorn and square to Neptune.

In a state which elected another actor, Ronald Reagan, as governor with a plurality of over a million votes in the election against Pat Brown in 1966, this candidacy is not such a long shot. Mr Schwarzenegger's progressed Sun has just ingressed into Libra within the last three months, and is now applying to a trine with his natal North Node at 00 Gemini 32. He does possess a 'reformer behind the scenes' 12th house Mars-Uranus conjunction at 20-24 Gemini, which will be opposed by Pluto over the next two years, and one could speculate about a dark side which may emerge after going to Sacramento. His campaign should get off to a roaring start, as Jupiter is about to conjoin his progressed Ascendant, presently at 27 Leo 23. His image as an American male idol can be seen in his natal Mars conjunct the USA Mars.

Uranus is squaring his natal Nodal axis three times this year, and he has made his life purpose move. With his progressed Moon having just climbed above the horizon and entering his 7th house, he is out in the public eye in a new way for the next 14 years of his life. Born at the powerful 1947 Saturn-Pluto conjunction, and with his natal Venus in the degree of the USA progressed North Node and Part of Fortune, and his 6 degree Leo Sun exactly conjunct the USA North Node, he could play an important role in national politics, much like Ronald Reagan before him. He should activate many supporters, as his progressed Mars is applying to a conjunction with his 11th house ruler, Venus, perfecting on 22 May 2004.

The weeks leading up to the October 7th recall election should produce much behind the scenes maneuvering. Jupiter, after trining the exact California Uranus-Pluto conjunction at 29 Aries on August 25-26th, bringing some surprises (Senator Dianne Feinstein into the race?) for the Democrats, then moves into a sneaky opposition with the state's Neptune at 05 Pisces 19. This aspect will be within a one degree orb from September 16th to the 26th, and much political back stabbing and betrayal should be expected as other Democratic hopefuls, such as Cruz Bustamonte, the lieutenant governor, jump ship and announce their candidacy. The State Supreme Court could also be used to try and avoid the recall election entirely, but with the relentless reality of Saturn bearing down on the MC ruler, the fate of the state looks sealed.

It is of note that California's 11th house, representing the will of the people in mundane astrology, has as its ruler Venus, in detriment at 01 Scorpio 30, and opposite that tumultuous Uranus-Pluto conjunction in the fated 30th degree of Aries. The state's secondary progressed Mars, presently at 01 Aquarius 25, is applying to a square with that Venus, perfecting on September 16th. The anger of the electorate has reached its boiling point. Additionally, California's progressed Saturn is perfecting a quincunx to the state's Sun on December 4th, requiring the political leadership to adjust to the fiscal realities which are slowly immobilizing the state government.

Sadly, however, a long term reversal of California's fortunes appears to be taking place now, with the state's Jupiter having progressed to a retrograde station as of October 2000, for the first time since admission to the Union was granted in 1850. With too many illegal immigrants participating in an underground cash economy and paying no taxes, the dot.com bust having devastated the Bay Area economy, overpopulated and overpriced cities and counties straining social services and educational systems, and inept planning and leadership during an era which saw the population mushroom from 19 million in 1970 to over 30 million today, California has seen its best days and will be in a state of decline for many years to come. Yet, the finest climate in the country, along with stunning natural beauty, still brings some solace to the weary souls who live here.  

Click here to see more of Robert P Blaschke's work on his Earthwalk School of Astrology web site.

We've always wondered what would happen if we got the friends we've made through Inga's Earth Magic (IEM) into a room together. Why? Because every one of us has a unique gift to offer to the world. And if we get enough of us in one place at the same time, something magical is bound to occur.

• When: The 1st Friday of every month. Please join us for dinner. We start eating around 7 PM. Or join us for dessert later on!
• Where: Our place (click on LIBRARY in the navigation bar at the top of the screen and then MAP ROOM for directions)
• What to bring: Just your enthusiasm and love! There's a big pot of pasta on the stove, salad, bread and plenty of microbrews and red wine. If you have specific preferences, please bring whatever you'd like.
• How long: Until the good conversation ends! If you'd like, you can spend the night on one of the couches with the kitties or bring your sleeping bag and mat and camp out on the floor of Inga's office.
• RSVP: Just let us know in advance via e-mail or phone if you are coming and if you are bringing guests so we don't run out of food or beer!

We awoke one morning recently to find a strange visitor in our backyard. This duck lingered for several hours before departing. We had no suitable food to offer but we did fill up Freya's kiddie pool in case it felt like going for a swim. It didn't. It just waddled around the backyard, quacking softly, while watching our house. A messenger? A traveler looking for a safe place to rest? Who knows but we felt blessed to have such a visitor in our yard.

Meanwhile, Freya had to undergo surgery as we came to realize that she was not, after all, spayed. She was in heat for a month and this made our nightly walks really interesting as every male dog in the neighborhood, regardless of size, became very excited to meet her. Freya was equally enthusiastic as she behaved like a fourteen year old girl at the local mall looking to meet boys. So we got lots of practice on our leash and verbal command skills while managing to avoid any close encounters, so to speak.

In other news, I spent another week on the road in late August. A dear friend and I rode our motorcycles to Colorado to meet up with my brother, Paul, and friends who rode up from Tucson. We visited some remarkable and beautiful places and traveled through many historical towns. I used the hours in the saddle to practice my motorcycle yoga and to expand the insights I gained from my trip last May. I hope to be able to share those insights with you in our next newsletter. 

You'll also note a big change on our website as we've made our current newsletter the home page. We've done this as the newsletter is the cornerstone of our website. The navigation bar across the top of each page on our site will give you access to all the other information on dunthor.com. We welcome any feedback you may have about this change or others that you'd like to see. -- Scott Bruce Duncan */:-) 

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