Virgo, the maiden:
Virgo is an ancient constellation, that is easily located by using
its brightest member, the star Spica. Throughout history this group
of stars has been pictured as a women. To the Greeks she was either
the goddess Demeter or her daughter Persephone (Roman: Ceres or
Proserpina). The constellation was signal to farmers that planting
and harvesting was to take place, since the constellation is best
seen during the spring and summer months. To the Egyptians, this
group of stars was Isis; to the Babylonians, Ishtar. All were goddesses
associated with agriculture. The easiest way to find the constellation
is to start with the Big Dipper. If an observer follows the arc
of the Big Dipper's handle it will lead to the bright star Arcturus.
Then the observers simply continues the line until it leads to the
bright star Spica, which represents the hand of Virgo.
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