Ruled by the planet Mercury, Virgo is an intellectual sign. It's a personality that tends towards specialist knowledge, exercising a clarity of mind few other signs can match. But there's a narrow-minded pedantry about this sign, too. Virgo plays safe, preferring to categorize, analyze and organize than show breadth of vision. Confronted with a problem, Virgo's instinct is to break it down into tiny chunks, often at the expense of the bigger picture. A chronic worrier, this sign can exhibit considerable nervous tension, which disturbs concentration levels and creates 'dis-ease' in the body.

Emotions are unpleasantly messy, as far as Virgo is concerned. When the goal is to be perfect and failure is your deepest fear, you don't want to risk seeing imperfections on the inside. Emotions for Virgo can also be seriously confused, especially when the sign's powerful sex drive comes into conflict with its innate fastidiousness. Virgo's only escape is to analyze the feelings out of existence.

Virgo's efficiency is legendary. This sign is graced with integrity, practical creativity, common sense, reliability and an eye for detail. Although quiet and reserved, this sign is always there for others.

At the extreme of this sign, an obsession with detail renders Virgo pedantic and blinkered. The tendency to be critical and self-righteous, combined with unattainable goals, means that this personality can never quite meet the standards of perfection that would raise self-esteem and ameliorate self-doubt.

Virgo's prudish shadow shies away from anything 'unwholesome' and yet can be deeply attracted to voyeurism or pornography. This repressed, meddling persona has a sneaking suspicion that he or she knows better than anyone else.

Taken too far, the Virgo personality can easily fall into servility. This sign needs to learn to serve from the heart with true humility, seeking neither recognition nor reward. The karmic challenge is to exercise and discernment without becoming critical or pedantic.

Making lists, neatness and order, arts and crafts.

Mess, dirt, disorganization, immodest behaviour in others, noise.

Thrifty Virgo budgets carefully and rarely spends money on frivolous things, preferring to shop around and seek out bargains. By living modestly and spending below income, Virgo always has money in the bank. This sign knows exactly where the money goes. Bills are paid on time and debt is abhorred. Financial planning is important for this cautious sign and investments are chosen that grow slowly but steadily in value.

Supportive Virgo parents care gently for their children and plan carefully for their future. They set high standards and take any failure to meet those standards seriously - but only because they have the child's best interests at heart.

Tidy and organized even when very young, Virgo always knows exactly where to find his or her belongings. This child appreciates practical experience and carefully staged learning. Not normally one to get dirty, this child is likely to find personal nourishment form being in touch with the soil. Gardening is a favourite activity, as are handicrafts.

Drawing on a strong connection with health and hygiene, Virgo is often employed as a health professional, dental hygienist, hygiene operative, pharmacist, nurse, dietician or nutritionist. The sign's inherent efficiency makes for an excellent personal assistant, scientist, inspector, analyst, writer, critic, research worker, librarian, data processor, market researcher, proof-reader, bookkeeper, management trainer or statistician. Virgo may also find satisfaction as a craftsperson, gardener, shop assitant, teacher, linguist, consultant or yoga teacher.

Team games appeal to Virgo, as does the health club, yoga, walking and cycling. Many Virgos are excellent craftspeople, taking up hobbies such as carpentry, woodcarving, needlepoint and model-making. Repairing electrical goods is also a popular pastime. To exercise an active mind, Virgo often studies for pleasure or takes up charity work. The sign's precise and efficient approach to life is mirrored in chess and computers.

A year's subscription to a health club or magazine is a suitably practical present. Aids to relaxation and luxury bath oils are also a good choice, or something pertaining to a favourite pastime.

Season: Early autumn

Day: Wednesday

Number: 5

Physiology: Abdomen, intestines, spleen, central nervous system

Birthstones: Peridot, sardonyx

Crystals: Amazonite, amber, blue topaz, dioptase, carnelian, chrysocolla, citrine, garnet, magnetite, moonstone, moss agate, opal, purple obsidian, rubellite, rutilated quartz, sapphire, sodalite, sugilite, smithsonite, okenite

Associations: Harvest

Metal: Mercury, copper

Colours: Navy blue, dark grey, brown, green, black, anything speckled and spotted

Animals: Mice, insects, cats, bees

Foods: Endive, millet, corn, wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice, potatoes, carrots, turnips, swedes, plantain, all vegetables that grow under the earth, nuts, blackberries, fennel

Herbs: Skullcap, dill, fennel, valerian

Trees: Nut-bearing trees, elder, horse chestnut

Plants: Small brightly coloured flowers, buttercup, lavender, skullcap, forget-me-knot, aster, morning glory, mimosa, flax

Places: Switzerland; the eastern Mediterranean; France, especially Paris and Lyon; Greece, especially Crete; Turkey; Germany, especially Heidelburg; North America, especially Boston; libraries; closets; health farms; dairies; cornfields; granaries and malthouses; hayricks and barns; anywhere ploughed or cultivated