VIRGO

Virgin Jungfrau Szűz

Lying between Leo to the west and Libra to the east, Virgo is one of the constellations of the zodiac and the second-largest constellation in the sky. It is prominent in the spring sky in the northern hemisphere, visible all night in March and April, and can be easily found through is brightest star, Spica. As the largest zodiac constellation, the Sun takes 44 days to pass through it, longer than any other. It was originally a smaller constellation but was extended with some fainter stars on its eastern side in 1928. The constellation is rich in galaxies and galaxy clusters (the most prominent one being the Virgo Cluster).

The constellation had a significant meaning in the ancient times because here was the point of the autumnal equinox in the 2nd and 1st century B.C. When it rose in March above the horizon, it was a sign of spring and fertility of the lands. That's why it became associated in many cultures not with virginity but with the goddess of wheat, agriculture and fertility. In Egypt it was associated with Isis, in Babylon with Ishtar. Greek astronomy depicted the constellation as Demeter, goddess of the harvest and agriculture, later as Dike, the goddess of justice holding the scales of justice. The Romans associated it with their goddess Ceres but sometimes it was referred to as as the virgin goddess Iustitia. However during the Middle Ages, Virgo became associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary.