Zodiac Sign

Virgo

August 23 – September 22 · Earth · Mercury

Traditional BirthstoneCarnelian (in ancient traditions), Sapphire

Modern BirthstoneSapphire

ElementEarth

Ruling PlanetMercury

Associated crystals

CarnelianOpen in the Dictionary PeridotOpen in the Dictionary AmazoniteOpen in the Dictionary CitrineOpen in the Dictionary SapphireOpen in the Dictionary

Associated herbs

BasilOpen in the Dictionary DillOpen in the Dictionary ParsleyOpen in the Dictionary FennelOpen in the Dictionary SkullcapOpen in the Dictionary

Source Tradition

In Ptolemy's system, Virgo is the second house of Mercury and part of the Earth-triplicity (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn). The carnelian connection reaches back to ancient Mesopotamia, where Virgo was associated with the grain goddess and carnelian was used in cylinder seals. Sapphire became September's modern birthstone in 1912, though in Vedic astrology blue sapphire (neelam) belongs to Saturn—exalted in Libra, adjacent to Virgo. Some medieval lapidaries assigned emerald or jasper to Virgo.

Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, Book I; George Frederick Kunz, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, 1913; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic, 1987Explore sourcing notes in the Appendix