Virgo Rewilded: 5 Totem Animals of the Mutable Earth Sign

The Sun ingressed into the tropical zodiac sign of Virgo this year on 23rd August, and September is now upon us. The days are becoming ever-so-slightly shorter, and there is a subtle but familiar chill in the air at the beginning and end of every day.

I don’t know about you, but I personally have always struggled a little with this time of year. I am very much a Summer child who thrives when the world is in bloom and the days are long and bright, and I can’t help but feel a touch of melancholy watching Summer fade into Autumn. But astrologically speaking, at least, I also find Virgo Season to be something quite extraordinary.

Virgo - usually depicted as a woman, often winged, holding a sheaf of wheat or corn in her hand - is in my humble opinion perhaps the most misunderstood of all the Zodiac signs. She is too often reduced to the image of the chaste maiden and the perfectionist, or demonised as the critic; and she is misrepresented to a point where she often becomes considered the most mundane of the signs, associated with attention to detail and being of service. But what I think many folks don’t realise is that much of Virgo’s symbolism has been altogether forgotten over the centuries, and I believe we do her a disservice to think of her in such simplified terms.

Therefore, in this article, we will endeavour to rediscover Virgo’s unique and essential role in both the zodiac wheel and the agricultural year as we take a considered look at animals which embody the essences of her mythology and her meanings. As always with these Rewilding the Zodiac articles, each animal will bring its own medicine and teachings to the table, and can offer us a different path to understanding the sign of Virgo and to reconnecting with the natural world of which we are a part. 

Rewilding the Zodiac is an attempt not just to understand the stars by seeing them reflected in life upon the Earth, but to reconnect us with the Earth through our love of the stars. And somewhere along the way, I hope it can also reconnect us with a forgotten part of our own selves, too.

Virgo: Remembering the Goddess

Virgo is the sixth sign of the Zodiac, and follows the fixed fire sign of Leo, which we explored last month. The transition from fixed fire to mutable earth - and from late high Summer to the first suggestions of Autumn - can feel a little anticlimactic. But in the zodiac wheel, earth must always follow fire, and without eventually being grounded the heated passion and enthusiasm of Leo Season can either burn out of control or fizzle into nothing; even the sovereign flame of Leo requires channelling and focus if we are to put it into service. Thus Virgo Season is associated with the harvest, and just as it is time for the farmer to bring in the sheaves, it is time for us to cultivate our inner fire into something manageable, practical and ultimately sustainable.

Like all the earth signs, Virgo is down-to-earth and pragmatic. But what sets her apart is her aptitude for precision, refinement and purification. Ruled by the messenger god Mercury, she undertakes a careful process of measured fine-tuning with patience and diligence, and returns our focus to the physical world around us, to our senses and our body. She calls us to acknowledge the turning of the year, to choose how we will adapt, and to hone the creative potential that has ignited within us.

So who is the woman whose heavenly constellation represents this important stage of the year? For she was not always simply the modest “virgin maiden”.

In fact, the sign of Virgo is associated with not just one Ancient Greek goddess, but several. Due to her relationship to harvest time here in the Northern Hemisphere, some say she is Demeter, the Olympian goddess of agriculture and the harvest who sustains life on Earth with nature’s bounty each year. Others connect her with Persephone, Demeter’s beloved daughter who was abducted to the Underworld by Hades. In her grief Demeter neglected the Earth and a famine ensued. Zeus intervened, and it was eventually agreed that Persephone would spend half the year with Hades in the Underworld and the other half above with Demeter. This particular myth is the Greek origin story of the changing seasons, for Autumn commences when Persephone descends to the realm of Hades, and upon her return to Earth Spring also returns. Finally, Virgo is also sometimes said to be Astraea, the Greek goddess of justice and purity. During the Golden Age of Greek mythology Astraea dwelt on Earth with humanity, but as human cruelty and corruption grew she was forced to withdraw. It is said Zeus then placed her in the heavens as the constellation of Virgo, making her the personification of this sign. 

But regardless of which Goddess we attribute to Virgo, perhaps one of the most important things that we can say about her is that she is free. Of the three female human figures depicted in the Greek sky, two are chained; Cassiopeia to her throne, and Andromeda to a rock, awaiting a hero to rescue her. Virgo, in contrast, is the only female figure who still holds power over her own autonomy. Although today the word virgin refers to someone who has no sexual experience, older interpretations of it referred specifically to a young woman who was unattached, unbound and not possessed by any man. This, then, is the forgotten version of Virgo that we must try to recall; not a sexless maiden, but a sovereign goddess of fertility, earthly wisdom and justice who is mistress only unto herself. 

Totem Animals of Virgo

The Fox

In these articles, I tend to prefer to give precedence to animals that carry a historical connection to a sign, but on this occasion I feel the need to break from my own convention, because the first animal I would like to consider here is the fox. Neither Greek mythology nor traditional astrology seem to mention the fox as having a link to Virgo, but nonetheless it is commonly cited in modern pop culture as Virgo’s ‘spirit animal’, and I have to admit it actually fits this role rather well.

In the French language, the fox is called renard, deriving from Norman-French and meaning “strong in counsel” or “wise counsel”. Although the use of this word came about thanks to a collection of medieval animal fables about a fox called Reynard, it reveals to us something very important (and very Virgoan) about the nature of the fox. Foxes are known for their strategic intelligence and their meticulous knowledge of the land they inhabit; they are cognisant of the hidden pathways that weave though their natural environments of forest and meadow, and they have the skillset required to navigate them swiftly and invisibly. They are also extremely adaptable to changes in their habitat, and are smart enough to recognise and take advantage of opportunities as they arise - whether that be raiding human rubbish bins or perceiving the weakness in the wall of a henhouse!

These latter tendencies have led to the fox being considered something of a menace to everyone from farmers and smallholders to city dwellers. Being mentally agile and an astute problem solver, the fox has naturally earned himself a reputation for cunning and trickery. This is of course reminiscent of Mercury’s rulership over Virgo, for Mercury (Greek Hermes) is the wily magician who shares these traits (quick note: If you’d like to read more on Mercury/Hermes, I’ll point you in the direction of my Gemini Rewilded article where he is discussed in more detail, rather than going over him again here). But it also seems prudent to point out that the word cunning shares the same Old English roots as kenning, meaning ‘knowing’. There is a fine line thus between crafty and clever, and between cunning and wisdom. The fox, with his innate mastery over his own bodily instincts and the world around him, can embody both. 

Working with the fox as a totem of Virgo can therefore help us to connect not only with the subtleties of our own animal body and our environment, but also with our powers of perception, analysis and practical application. He can help us to remain observant, open-minded and resourceful, and is a powerful spiritual ally when we find ourselves struggling to adapt to changing circumstances. But beyond this, fox wisdom is earthy, creative and embodied, making the fox a valuable guide who can inspire us in everything from everyday problems to the deeper questions of life.

The Serpent

The next animal I’d like to suggest to you as a totem of Virgo is the serpent, which can bring us into relationship with this sign in a very different way. The serpent or snake is sacred in the Greek pantheon to both Hermes and Demeter; two winged serpents (or possibly dragons, depending on your interpretation!) pull Demeter’s chariot, whilst two snakes are entwined around Hermes’ winged staff, the Caduceus.

Broadly speaking, the serpent is a symbol of sexuality, fertility and regeneration. By shedding its skin, it appears to be visually ‘reborn’, and thus is representative of the seasonal cycles of nature dying in Winter and sprouting anew in Spring; and in the same way it also mirrors our own soul’s eternal journey of life, death and rebirth. Because of this, it is closely entwined with both the vital energy of our life force and with the Underworld. Many species of snake are also able to burrow and disappear into the ground, only to later re-emerge from the earth. Hermes, Demeter and her daughter Persephone all hold the snake in reverence for its ability to move between the surface and the shadows, for Hermes is a psychopomp and lord of the threshold tasked with ferrying souls to the Underworld, and Persephone herself is bound to live between the Earth and the realm of the dead. As we have seen, part of Virgo’s role is to bring us into awareness of the ever-turning wheel of time, both in respect to our own physical selves and the changing world around us, and connecting with the snake can help us come to terms with the brevity of life whilst also acknowledging the eternal nature of the soul.

Sometimes, this may intertwine with a process of mental or physical healing, and the serpent also shares a strong association with this. The Ancient Greek god of medicine, Asclepius, carried a wooden staff entwined with a single snake; the snake represented rejuvenation and the shedding of sickness, while the wood seems to be indicative of stability and support. To the ancients, the snake was symbolic of health and healing because of its regenerative capabilities, but its aforementioned connections with the cycles of life and death are of course also closely tied to the work of the physician. Additionally, the snake’s venom - although carrying obvious associations with illness and death - has also been historically associated with healing and expanded or divine consciousness (much like the chemicals found in certain plants and fungi). The staff of Asclepius is commonly confused with Hermes’ Caduceus, and although the former is widely recognised as the symbol of modern medicine, the latter has also (usually mistakenly) been used in its place and thus can be said to have adopted a similar significance in modern times - although it was traditionally representative of negotiation and peace in the face of conflict. Earthy Virgo, through her devotion to purifying and perfecting, is closely connected to processes of healing the body, vigilantly listening to and discerning the messages of the body and cleansing it of disease. And it is here in Virgo that we establish the daily rituals and practices that play an important part in our wellbeing. Snakes move with ease and grace, and we might see this as a metaphor for the energy of life that flows through us - when this energy becomes blocked, stuck or fragmented, problems arise; but when it can move freely tensions are released and we feel lighter of body and clearer of mind. 

The Pig

The pig today is often viewed first and foremost as an agricultural animal, and since ancient times they have been symbolic of agricultural wealth and abundance; indeed, the Greeks often sacrificed pigs to Demeter to guarantee the fertility of the land, and swine were considered to be one of her most sacred animals. But there is actually not a great deal of difference between the domestic pig and the wild pig, so here we will consider them as one and the same.

Akin to the serpent, pigs are strongly associated with the cycles of fertility, death and rebirth; but while the snake probably has stronger symbolic links to healing, medicine and our own life cycles, the pig was connected more with the agricultural cycles. Pigs use their long snouts and the boars use their tusks to churn up hard soil in search of food; in doing so, much like a plough they turn the earth, loosening and aerating it. In this way, they play an essential role in the natural ecosystem, aerating the top soil and creating the right conditions for new life to thrive.

But the pig’s connection to the earth’s life cycles was more than simply literal. Through their tilling and rooting in the dark damp dirt, their tendency to forage and recycle a wide range of matter, and their facilitation of new growth out of decay and decomposition, the pig also developed a close symbolic relationship with the Underworld. Pigs embody the holistic and symbiotic reality of nature, and remind us that death and decay are an inevitable and necessary part of life. 

There is a lesser-known Greek myth that also connects the pig with the Underworld through Demeter’s daughter Persephone and another figure called Eubuleus. Eubuleus was the demi-god of the sacred swine of the Eleusinian Mysteries, and was possibly also associated with ploughing and grain sowing. In Cretan myth he was actually Demeter’s son and thus Persephone’s half-brother, whilst in Eleusinian and Argive myths he was the swine-herd whose pigs were swallowed up when Hades split open the ground to abduct Persephone. Eubuleus’ pigs thus accompanied Persephone on her descent into the Underworld.

It is interesting to note that during my research I discovered that Eubuleus’ name actually means “strong counsel” or “wise in counsel” - which is virtually identical to the fox’s French name renard. This is an extraordinary coincidence (I am yet to find any significant mythological links between the fox and the pig to account for it!) but it is possible that this may have been at least in part a reference to the notable intelligence of pigs. This is of course a trait that they do indeed share with the fox, for both creatures are remarkably clever, and is another reason why the pig makes an apt totem for the sign of Virgo, ruled as it is by sharp-witted Mercury. 

The Ant

We will turn our attention now to some of Virgo’s other facets with our final two animals, the first of which is the industrious ant.

Those with strong Virgo in their natal charts are often described as being hard-working, hyper-organised and patiently diligent. They are often task-orientated and carry a strong sense of discipline. We can see immediately how the ant embodies this side of Virgo, for despite living in vast colonies which could quite easily become chaotic hives of disorganised activity, these small individuals are highly efficient and methodical in their daily routines, and the colony as a whole is a tightly structured organisation. Every ant appears to have a role and a purpose, and they seem to carry out their responsibilities unquestioningly. They spend their time hurrying relentlessly back and forth, in and out of their ant hill, collecting supplies and food for the benefit of the colony and the queen. Ants are also quick to help each other in their endeavours, for if one worker returns to the colony carrying something heavy or difficult to manoeuvre, other ants will immediately step in to share the load. These self-sacrificing acts of service are likewise particularly Virgoan, for one of Virgo’s strongest attributes is an innate desire to improve the lives of others through practical gestures of care, guidance and assistance. Sometimes this results in Virgos being seen as critical or controlling when they are only trying to help, but it is also fair to say that when Virgo energy is in excess these can indeed be some of the shadows of this sign. 

Through its apparent conscientiousness the ant can also bring our attention to the small things in life (pun absolutely intended). Virgo has a sharp eye for the fine details, noticing the little features and technicalities that others might call insignificant, and they are precise in both perception and in action. The same can be said of the ant. As well as their dedication to their work, they are meticulous when it comes to keeping themselves and their environment clean, and some studies even suggest that ant nurseries are more hygienic even than human made environments!

Although perhaps not the most appealing of totems, the ant helps us to remember the importance of our day-to-day, of fostering patience, and of intentionally crafting rituals and habits that serve the well-being of ourselves and of others. They remind us to see the magic in moments of normality, and that fulfilment doesn’t have to come from grand gestures, but can be found in simple acts of care and kindness.

The Cat

The final totem animal of Virgo I would like to include here is the cat - more specifically, the domestic house cat! 

Cats, like Virgos, are well-known for their discriminating dispositions and their preference that everything be ‘just so’. They generally prefer to keep themselves immaculately well-groomed, prefer a quiet and ordered environment, and are very sensitive to changes in their home. Even something as small as their owner’s purchase of a new kitchen bin can be enough to upset a cat’s equilibrium, resulting in stress-induced behaviours. Of course, Virgo humans do not tend to start clawing up the furniture when something is not to their liking, but they do often share in the same upset a cat feels when things are no longer ‘perfect’! As touched on when discussing the ant, one of Virgo’s shadows can be its finicky and critical nature, and many cats do embody this side of Virgo rather well. Small subtle changes are appreciated over dramatic and excessive transformations, and they are partial to regular and predictable routines.

Like several of the animals explored here, cats are also very intelligent and observant. Like Hermes/Mercury, they generally do not miss much, and will often go to great lengths in their quests for Virgoan purity. They will even take the initiative to up and leave home if conditions no longer suit them, rather that stay in what they consider to be a suboptimal environment. They are not traditionally one of Hermes/Mercury’s sacred animals, but they do share in quite a few of his characteristics, and their mercurial nature is also worth a mention. Cats know what they like and what they don’t, and they will just as happily let you know either way; one moment they are happily being stroked and fussed over, the picture of contented luxury, and the next minute the claws are out and you are being firmly warned that you have overstepped your boundaries.

But the cat’s sensitivity means that they are also perceptive of the needs of others, and they will endeavour to help in their own way when they think it is needed (and the human in question is worthy of the attention!). Those who have experienced a close bond with a cat will no doubt have had days when they were unwell or unhappy, and their cat has come to sit quietly with them in a gesture of comfort and companionship. This brings us back once again to Virgo’s desire to be of service, to help and to heal. 

It is also interesting that domestic animals do tend to fall under the domain of Virgo - not because of their own ways of being, but because of the behaviours they elicit in us. They depend on us for everything they need to survive happily and comfortably, and those of us who keep animals tend to care for them with devoted daily schedules and meticulous attention - from watching out for signs of illness to researching the best cosy bedding, nutritious diets and entertaining enrichments. 

Final Thoughts

It occurred to me as I was writing this that the process of constructing these articles is in itself distinctly Virgoan - discerning which animals to choose, gathering and critiquing the sources, filtering the relevant information about them in respect to the zodiac signs… And in attempting to ‘rewild the Zodiac’ in this way, it is also a process of grounding, reminding us of our own wild animal body and what we can learn from our animal kin. Like humans though, animals are complicated, and of course no animal fits the archetype of each sign perfectly in its every way of being. For example, one animal I might have included here is the deer, but I didn’t because I have already written about the doe or hind in Cancer Rewilded. She actually works for both, and its worth remembering at this point that animals don’t tend to fit neatly into one little box - regardless of our best Virgoan efforts!

That is to say, if these animals don’t resonate with Virgo for you, there may be another that does. Seek them out and see what earth wisdom they are able to share with you. The point of these articles is not to provide a definitive list, but to create a space in the Zodiac wheel for the animal spirit as a living being, regardless of what form it takes. The word zodiac means ‘circle of animals’, and animals have just as much to teach us about ourselves as a formal analysis of our natal chart does.

Each animal discussed here embodies its own Virgoan qualities in different ways, and we might choose to work spiritually with just one of them, or we may wish to call on different creatures at different times/for different purposes. The fox, the ant and the cat speak to us more of Virgo’s intelligent practicality (albeit each in their own way!), whilst the snake and the pig can tell us stories of Virgo’s often forgotten but innate connection to the sacred cycles of life, death and rebirth. Virgo absolutely can be the administrator, the domestic servant, the perfectionist and the frustratingly specific nit-picker; but she is also a sovereign being in her own right, a goddess of agriculture, healing and purity with domain over life and death. She connects us with the cycles of the Earth that sustain us, with the wisdom of our own bodies and perhaps most importantly, with our powers of discernment and choice. She reminds us that death is an inescapable part of living, and she is the force of nature that crafts new life in Spring out of Winter’s decay. The only free woman in the sky calls us to live our life as if we are the weaver of our own fate, and as if nothing lasts forever (because spoiler alert, it doesn’t). 

If you’ve read this far, thank you as always for joining me on this Rewilding the Zodiac journey. As much as I am sharing it in the hopes it will inspire others, it is a personal exploration born from a love of the stars and the Earth. Please share any thoughts it evokes in you, and please consider subscribing to my newsletter or my Substack if you’d like to read more. Libra Rewilded, new Rewilding the Zodiac workshops and a special ‘Astrology Circle’ coming soon… 

With love and magic, 

Merry x