Clarity of mind and order from chaos for your writing this month!
Hey there, tale telling team.
It’s a new moon today! It’s time to set some new intentions, start some fresh projects, and adopt some new perspectives. Just like all the kids who are starting school, we’re putting on our shiny shoes and washing our faces, ready for a new phase.
This new moon is in Virgo, so we’re going to harness that grounded, detail-oriented energy to fuel our creative endeavours. Virgo is all about three lovely Ps – precision, practicality, and purpose—qualities that, when channeled creatively, can help us craft rich, intricate worlds and deeply developed characters. Virgo energy asks us to pay attention to the small things, to refine and polish, to use our creativity with intention and mindfulness. Let’s dive into how this energy can shape our stories, our characters, and even the settings we create. And of course, you can use these insights to observe those around you and guess if they have Virgo placements in their astrological charts. I have Saturn in mine, so Virgo is kind of hard work for me – self-critical and picky – but I have the North Node there too, so I have to just get on with it. It’s where I’m headed.
Virgo
Let’s break down some of the defining characteristics of a person with strong Virgo energy in their birth chart.
Keywords for Virgo: Analytical, practical, detail-orientated, reliable, service-orientated, methodical. Organised, health-conscious, critical, meticulous, diligent, efficient. Humble, reserved, perfectionist, intelligent, helpful. Focused, conscientious, modest, observant. Precise, discriminating, and grounded.
A person with strong Virgo placements—particularly those who have Virgo as their Sun, Moon, or Rising sign—might exhibit any or all of these traits. They often find comfort in routines and have an innate desire to be of service, to help others, and to improve the world around them, one small detail at a time. They tend to notice things others miss, seeing the flaws, the potential for improvement, and the paths toward perfection. While they can be critical, this often stems from a genuine desire to help, and to make things better, more efficient, more beautiful.
Virgo people might not always crave the spotlight, but they shine in their own way through their dedication, their commitment, and their attention to detail. Their creativity might not be as flamboyant as a Leo’s, but it is often deeply thoughtful and finely tuned—expressed in the quiet perfection of a well-written sentence, the elegance of a simple but beautifully prepared meal, or the clear organisation of a complex project. They often dress neatly and practically, favouring clean lines and understated elegance, reflecting their desire for order and simplicity. Style over fashion—Virgos are classy.
Virgo is a mutable earth sign, which means they are adaptable and grounded. They can seem a little obsessive or perfectionistic at times, but this same energy also gives them the resilience to keep refining their craft, to keep improving themselves and their surroundings. Virgo energy is about service and purpose—being useful, being helpful, making a difference in small but significant ways.
If you’d like more order from your writing chaos, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to support the work I do. That way I can produce more of it!
So how does this translate into our writing?
Like all signs, Virgo carries both positive and negative potential. Your Virgo-inspired character could be a meticulous hero (methodical, intelligent, helpful) or a villainous micromanager (critical, nitpicky, overly demanding). Of course, the best characters are complex, carrying within them both virtues and flaws, balanced in a way that makes them feel real and relatable. By giving a character the energy of a particular zodiac sign, you have a ready-made list of traits and tendencies that can guide their reactions and development throughout your story. Keeping this list of chosen attributes consistent means the reader will trust that the character is behaving as expected, and by extension they will trust the author, and follow where they lead.
Character Development
So, how do we do it? Take the list of Virgo keywords and build a character from the ground up. Consider a character you already have or a blank canvas waiting to be filled. How would these Virgo attributes shape them? Let’s think about some archetypal characters to spark your creativity. Remember, you can switch up genders and attributes however you like; this is just a starting point!
The Devoted Healer: A character who is driven by a desire to help and heal. They are highly intelligent, resourceful, and diligent, but they may struggle with overthinking and self-criticism. Their strength lies in their practicality and their empathy, but their insistence on perfection might cause friction with others. They are the rock that others depend on, quietly working in the background, keeping things running smoothly.
We like them. They are selfless and caring, always putting others first. Their intelligence and meticulous nature make them a master of their craft, whether in medicine, science, or magic. But they also have a journey—they need to learn to accept imperfection, both in themselves and others, to understand that sometimes “good enough” is just that.
We don’t like them. They can be controlling and overbearing, their helpfulness turning into meddling. Their critical nature might push others away, and their insistence on doing things the “right way” might lead to unnecessary conflict. Their arc might involve learning to let go, to trust others, and to understand that not everything needs to be perfect.
The Reluctant Detective: A detail-obsessed character who is drawn to uncovering the truth. They notice everything, from the tiniest clues to the smallest inconsistencies, and they have a knack for solving problems others can’t. But their analytical mind can sometimes get the better of them, leading them into overthinking or missing the bigger picture.
We like them. They are brilliant, sharp, and always one step ahead. Their attention to detail and commitment to finding the truth makes them a compelling protagonist. Their challenge might be learning to trust their instincts and not get lost in the details.
We don’t like them. They can be so focused on the facts that they miss the emotional currents around them. Their skepticism and cynicism might make them hard to relate to, and their critical nature can be off-putting. Their character arc could involve learning to balance logic with empathy, or learning to see beyond the surface.
The Efficient Leader: A character who excels at organising and managing, always seeking to optimise and improve. They are precise, disciplined, and demand the same from others. But their pursuit of perfection can lead to friction, as not everyone shares their standards or vision.
We like them. They’re competent and reliable, the type of leader who gets things done. Their dedication to efficiency and improvement is admirable, and their practical mindset is a steadying force in chaotic situations. Their journey might involve learning to loosen their grip and allow for a bit of mess and spontaneity.
We don’t like them. They can be rigid, inflexible, and overly critical. Their perfectionism might stifle creativity, and their insistence on doing things their way might alienate others. Their arc might see them humbled by failure, learning to delegate, or realising that people are not problems to be solved.
The floor is yours. Take it away!
Virgo’s Response to Adversity, AKA Plot Twists
Which of these will move your story forward?
1. Problem-Solving: Virgos are natural problem solvers. They approach adversity with a calm, analytical mindset, breaking down the situation into manageable parts.
2. Persistence: Their methodical nature means they rarely give up. They will keep working, keep refining, keep trying until they find a solution.
3. Overthinking: On the downside, they can get stuck in analysis paralysis, overthinking situations to the point of inaction. In some cases, inaction is a plot point in itself.
4. Practicality: Virgos rely on logic and facts, making them excellent in crises where calm, practical thinking is needed.
5. Critical Eye: They may respond to setbacks by examining every detail of what went wrong, which can be both a strength and a weakness.
6. Self-Criticism: They are often hardest on themselves, internalising failure and working tirelessly to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
7. Quiet Strength: They tend to weather storms quietly, using their inner resources to stay calm and composed.
8. Service: They are likely to help others in difficult times, putting their skills to use for the benefit of those around them. Could this also be turning their back on the bigger problem, in favour of fixing the smaller, more manageable ones?
9. Humility: Their natural humility means they don’t need the spotlight; they work best in the background, supporting others.
10. Routine: In times of stress, Virgos may retreat into their routines, finding comfort in the familiar and the structured. Will this help or hinder?
Setting
Virgo season is a time for focus, refinement, and thoughtful planning.
It’s the cosy nook where a writer polishes their manuscript (and if you’re feeling inspired, why not join our creative collective? We bring our work and our play to the campfire. Upgrade to paid and join us!).
It’s the quiet corner of a library filled with well-loved books and the smell of old paper.
It’s a kitchen where ingredients are measured with precision, and every meal is prepared with love and care.
It’s a garden, where everything has its place, where each plant is nurtured and every weed pulled with purpose.
It’s the meticulous office of a detective or the clean, orderly space of a healer, hung about with dried herbs from their neat, well-maintained vegetable patch.
Choose a setting that captures Virgo energy for you, or take a character from above and place them in an environment where their Virgo traits will either flourish or be challenged.
Astrologically, there’s always movement in the skies, whether or not you’re aware of it. This new moon, take a moment to centre yourself, to think about what you want to bring into being, and to let the grounded energy of Virgo guide your creative process. If you’d like insight into your personal chart, please get in touch for a reading.Message Jen Inky Stars
Wishing you a month filled with purposeful creativity, clarity, and just the right amount of magic.