Astraea – The Star Maiden & Virgo

Fernando Gallego

“…The Age Of Gold was the first age of the world, without hardship or toil for those who dwelt on Earth, and was without crime. The most recent age of the world, full of troubles and evils, is called The Age of Iron, but perhaps it would be better to call it the Second Age of Gold, for many of its troubles began when gold first tempted humankind to wickedness and war. through the Ages of Gold, Silver and Bronze, Astraea – the goddess of justice – still remain on Earth, but when the Age Of Iron began, she found she could stay here no longer. Now she shines down from the sky as the constellation Virgo, the virgin.  Astraea once carried a pair of scales with which she weighed up the rights and wrongs of any dispute. Now Astraea’s scales shine close by Virgo as the constellation of Libra…Astraea, whose name means Star Maiden, was the last deity to leave Earth…”

Mythology – Myths, Legends & Fantasies

In Ancient Greek & Roman parlance, they say that the return of Astraea to Earth heralds the return of the Golden Age. The Ancient Sumerians knew the constellation of Virgo as Ishtar…their Aphrodite/creation goddess. And, every now & then, someone steps forward to say that ‘virgin’ in this context refers to a temple virgin…ie; women who did not marry but initiated men into the worship of Aphrodite via sex magic.

I think that Mercury as ruler of Virgo does fit them – Virgo Rising with Gemini Midheaven is still very much the astro-signature of a writer & Virgo Suns disproportionately swell the ranks of published/acclaimed novelists – but i love the idea of Virgos also getting lovely Astraea, the Star Maiden as their sponsor. Even if she DID give away her scales to Libra in disgust. It is interesting how so many cultures have the idea of some deity coming back & beginning a fabulous new age. Whether it be aliens, Mayans, Christ, King Arthur, Astraea or other versions of the Divine Feminine.