Virgo: The Zodiac Series, #9

THE ZODIAC SERIES

The Zodiac Series is a collection of twelve speculative fiction anthologies, each focusing on one of the Zodiac signs. The anthologies feature short stories and poems inspired by each sign, and retellings of the various myths behind those signs.

Capricorn  Aquarius  Pisces

Aries  Taurus  Gemini

Cancer  Leo  Virgo

Libra  Scorpio  Sagittarius

The Zodiac Series has been produced by Aussie Speculative Fiction, and each anthology contains a diverse selection of tales by talented writers from Australia and New Zealand.

First published by Deadset Press in 2020.

© Deadset Press 2020

All rights reserved.

Cover design Copyright © Austin P. Sheehan.

Edited by Austin P. Sheehan and

Mikhaeyla Kopievsky.

Foreword by Sasha Hanton.

I am Virgo

Zoey Xolton

I AM THE VIRGIN AND my constellation is Virgo.

My tarot card is The Hermit; I am a hard worker and a humanitarian.

At my best I am loyal, practical and kind.

At my worst I am shy, self-critical and easily stressed.

Grounded and reliable, like my element: Earth, mine is a Mutable sign.

I appreciate books, nature, good food and cleanliness.

However, I dislike rudeness, being the centre of attention and asking for help.

I am ruled by Mercury, and am guardian to the third day of the week.

My colours are yellow and grey.

About the Author:

Zoey Xolton is an Australian Speculative Fiction writer, primarily of Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and Horror. Her works have appeared in over one-hundred themed anthologies, with more due for publication!

She has recently celebrated the release of her debut short story collection ‘Darkly Ever After’. You can find further details regarding her many publications on her website: www.zoeyxolton.com!

Foreword

Sasha Hanton

AS THE SIXTH SIGN OF the zodiac, the mutable earth sign Virgo is represented by a maiden (often interpreted as a virgin). Sensitive and caring, Virgo natives are often perfectionists. Ruled over by the planet Mercury—named for the Roman Messenger God and counterpart to the Greek God Hermes—Virgos love to analyse information and make fantastic listeners.

With a bounty of prominent maidens across world mythology, there are many links to this star sign. Prominent female goddesses such as Isis, Ishtar, Demeter, Ceres, Persephone, and many others have all been linked to the constellation, as well as Mary, mother of Jesus. 

The first of the Greek myths associated with Virgo is the story of Persephone, the well-known myth of the goddess taken to the underworld by Hades. As with many Greek legends, there are numerous variations but the main details are as follows; Hades the god of the Underworld spots Persephone one day, instantly besotted with the maiden, he carries her away to the underworld—in some versions he gets Zeus’ permission to marry her first. On the surface Demeter goes into a rage over the loss of her daughter and plunges the world into winter until Persephone is returned to her, however because Persephone ate part of a pomegranate whilst in the underworld, she cannot remain on the surface. Eventually it is agreed that Persephone will spend half the year with her husband Hades in the underworld and half with her mother Demeter on the surface, thus creating the four seasons. This story is most likely associated with the constellation due to its visibility in the Northern Hemisphere coinciding with spring and summer, the times of the year when Persephone spends her time on Earth. 

A similar tale can be found in Babylonian mythology and is the story of the goddess Ishtar who descended to the underworld to rescue her husband Tammuz. Ishtar was the goddess of Procreation and Tammuz the god of Harvest. When Ishtar went to rescue him they were both trapped, plunging the Earth into a barren state and causing other gods to intervene. When they were saved the Earth bloomed and flourished once again.

Another of the Greek myths linked to the constellation is that of the goddess Astraea. Whilst she has been called the virgin goddess Astraea is also a goddess of Justice, fitting as the constellation of Libra (the scales) follows Virgo in the zodiac. Astraea is said to have been the last of the gods to live on Earth with humankind, as she watched humanity become more sinful, she decided to leave the Earth and rose up into the skies becoming the constellation of Virgo—her scales of justice becoming the constellation of Libra.

Virgo’s oldest association comes from early Babylonians who referred to the constellation (or part of it) as The Furrow linking it with fertility and agriculture. The blue-white star Spica, the constellation’s brightest star, is a continued homage to this connection with agriculture as its Latin meaning is ear of grain. Of course, these are just a few of the mythological and historical connections related to Virgo.

In the Tarot, Virgo is tied to the Hermit, ninth card of the Major Arcana. It may seem strange that the feminine sign of Virgo—represented by a maiden—is tied to this card, which often depicts a solitary old man on a mountaintop. The Hermit is a card of inner reflection and wisdom, he holds a lantern that contains a six-pointed star which works as a beacon suggesting Where I am, there you also may be. This, along with his downward gaze, suggests that he has taken the journey to the top, risen past obstacles to reach his goal, and is now prepared to share the wisdom he has gained with others. As perfectionists, Virgos can find their own path reflected by the Hermit, a push past distractions to attain their goals. This flows well with the divinatory meaning of the card; wisdom from above, being guided on the path to attainment, a possible journey.

Though Virgo shares the same planetary ruler as Gemini, the maiden shares seldom few traits with the twins. Mercury’s influence over Virgo places a value on intellect over instinct, making its individuals detail-oriented, keen listeners and sage advice givers. However, it also gives way to their ability to be overly critical, to spot every flaw, and to have trouble accepting help (though they’re always happy to give help). One trait that Mercury gives to both Gemini and Virgo is a cheerful nature, allowing Virgos to come off as sweet and innocent.

Virgo is the sign of service and its natives, those born between August 23rd and September 22nd, are often ready and willing to help. Virgos, much like the great maidens associated with their star sign, are multi-faceted, and—whilst they are keen listeners—they don’t often reveal too much of themselves. Reading through this anthology though you’ll see past the sweet, innocent exterior to the razor-sharp mind within. 

About the Author:

Sasha Hanton grew up in the tropics of Darwin, Northern Territory. From a young age, she devoured books and iced coffee, both of which she continues to intake on an almost daily basis. Now living on beautiful Bribie Island in Queensland, her time is split between writing and spoiling her puppy Miley.

Sasha, who has a Bachelor of Journalism from Bond University, has dabbled in the journalistic profession but finds fiction far more fascinating. Her first published work The Short Story Press Collection draws on her love for a diverse range of genres and passion for short stories. Coming from a multicultural background (Eurasian) she aspires to make her writing inclusive for people from all walks of life and to bring a unique blend of eastern and western culture to her writing.

Throughout her life, she has been a lover of history and mythology, and at any time will find some way to worm one or the other into her storytelling. When she’s not writing or reading she can be found walking her dog and volunteering. You can keep up with her writing over on www.theshortstorypress.wordpress.com

Epitaph

Nikky Lee

AT THE END, EARTH WAS dead. Seas boiled. Lands burned. Life banished to the edge. 

Her soul died. 

So, we gave her a new one. 

The Project, as it was called then, brought the war’s survivors together. Human—the few who were left—and machine. So long divided, we united to preserve the ground that had housed our empires. Treaties were signed. Factions brought to heel. Descent reprogrammed. And in the fragile peace that blossomed, the greatest minds of the planet came together.

A new era was born.

She was sequenced for beauty; her shell a golden spiral of metal and circuitry. The mind within moulded after man. Gaia we called her.

We built her dreams in the womb. As she slept, the oldest humans gifted her their earliest memories and the memories passed down from their parents, and their parents before them. Ice-crusted seas and redwood forests; whale song in the deep; bird calls in the dawn. She learned and loved a thousand times before we set her heart beating in her mountain.

We tuned her to tectonics, so when they rumbled she knew. We gave her sensors for the winds that had swept our world bare and for the water buried deep below. We gave her eyes to hear colours. Ears to see sound. We poured our souls into hers. 

Gaia drew us all in. Then the humans died. And we worked on. 

We remade ourselves for the cause. It began with our bodies. Our steel bones were melted down, plastic carapaces recycled and repurposed. Rebuilt. Then our minds. Code was rewritten, synapses merged until we were of one mind; one purpose.

We burrowed deep into our planet, wedged our reforged bodies between crust and mantle like wood weevils. There, we gave ourselves over to the greater good; delivered ourselves into Gaia’s keeping. We slept.

Gaia has woken to a silent land. Sands bereft of life, but for a few insects and organisms. But if you’re reading this, know that she succeeded. Life has gone on. Flourished. Rebloomed. Found a way.

But you who tread after us, grown here or on worlds afar, heed