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There are many identities represented by the constellation VIRGO, all of them
related to maidens, purity and fertility. In India VIRGO was Kauni, mother
of the great god Krishna, whilst the Babylonians linked her with the goddess
Ishtar. When she descended into the underworld to reclaim her husband Tammuz,
god of the Harvest, the earth went dark and nothing grew. The great gods were
forced to intervene, she and Tammuz were saved, and the earth bloomed again.
In Greek mythology, too, there is a similar theme. Persephone, daughter
of Zeus and Demeter, had been abducted and taken to the underworld by Hades.
In revenge her mother ruined the harvests, the earth became infertile and the
people were starving. Zeus was forced to issue a decree stating that
Persephone should spend only a short time each year in the underworld,
and when she was released Demeter permitted Nature to resume its natural course.
Yet another Greek myth suggests that VIRGO represents Erigone, who hanged
herself after finding her father Icarius' dead body. (See Legend of
Bootes)
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