In order to give fuller interpretation to the Zodiac Signs, ancient astrologers subdivided each Sign into periods of approximately ten days. These divisions are known as the "decans" or "decantes" and cover modifications of individual traits, attributed to minor planetary influences, which temper or blend with the ruling influence of the period. The ten-day spans are somewhat arbitrary in order to allow for the five (and sometimes six) extra days in the year beyond the 360 days required for the thirty-six decans. According to accepted prodcedure, these days have thus been added to form various six-day periods instead of five. The earliest records of decans have been found inside coffin lids dating from the Tenth Egyptian Dynasty around 2100 B.C. Decans are also mentioned in the Babylonian Enuma Anu Enil, which dates approximately four centuries later. The root of the word "decante" is Greek in origin and means "ten days apart."

The planetary influences described under the decans are valuable in "shading" the traits of many individuals, but are generally subordinate to the stronger characteristics associated with the primary Zodiac Sign. In some people, the traits of the decans may only be slightly traced...in others, they are very marked. As a general rule, the primary Sign of an individual details his or her characteristics with what can be surprising exactitude, but where such individual traits may seem at variance with the accepted patterns of the Sign, then the answer may be found in that person's decan. A study of the decans may also reveal hidden factor's to which a person may be susceptible, even though his or her major traits are fully delineated under his or her primary sign.

The First Decan of Virgo is also known as the Virgo Decante and the "Week of System Builders." This Decan is the most typical of its native Sign, meaning that individuals born during this period are fast-moving, quick-acting, youthful, versatile and communicative with an especially good command of both the spoken and written word. Thus, these subjects seem to be blessed with "eternal youthfulness," an ability to communicate (sometimes too much) and a rather natural curiosity about practially everything. They love to organize things and find it difficult to function well in a disordered environment, be it on the job, at home or elsewhere. Many natives of this First Decan may be ambidextrous or left-handed. They like to work and will probably not be truly content unless they are busy. While not necessarily adverse to manual labor, the preference here tends toward the less physical and more mental. This is an active and driving Decan whose natives are able to call up more personal energy as needed to succeed in edeavors than would be associated with the other Decantes of Virgo. Those ruled by this First Decan are usually quite intelligent with a good ability to express themselves but are often perceived as being more brilliant than they actually are. These individuals are concerned about matters pertaining to health and well-being, likely to have a "remedy" for just about every ailment. Excellent organizers with a natural ability to entertain several ideas at the same time, First Decan Virgo subjects would probably glean more enjoyment from life if they did not insist that everything be "perfect." In short, these natives should learn to take things easier and little less seriously. Highly-strung and sensitive to allergens, noise and rudeness, First Decan Virgo subjects experience waves of worry, anxiety and insecurity. They take things personally and tend to be rather hard on themselves. Just getting out the door in the morning can be a big production for these individuals since they live in fear that they will forget something. All natives of Virgo live within their minds (which are bright and highly motivated) but First Decan Vigo subjects do so more than most. The influence of Mercury (primary governing planet of this Decan) is dominant here but the Sun (secondary planet governing this Decan) works to the benefit of its natives, providing exuberance, inventive genius and scientific achievement. Individuals who fall under the jurisdiction of this Decan may be devoted to humanitarian causes rather than profit. The motto of the First Decan of Virgo is "Achievement."

The constellation associated with this Decan is Bootes the Herdsman, who carries a sickle representive of the grain harvest and the vine. Bootes symbolizes selection of the good from all experiences by discerning the "wheat from the chaff." Thus, what is gained may be applied toward even greater accomplishments. In mythology, Bootes the Herdsman may represent the son of Ceres who was rewarded with a place in the heavens for having invented the plow. This constellation is also associated with Arcas, son of Jupiter and Callisto. Callisto was transformed into a bear by Juno, Jupiter's jealous wife, and consequently almost killed by her son when he was out hunting. Rescued by Jupiter, Callisto was placed in the sky as Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Arcturus, the name of Bootes' brightest star, is derived from the Greek meaning "guardian of the bear." On occasion, Arcturus is depicted as leading the hunting dogs of nearby Canes Venatici and driving the bears of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Bootes is also linked to the story of Icarius, who was given the gift of wine-making by Dionysus and then taught the skill to the rest of mankind.

The Second Decan of Virgo is also known as the Capricorn Decante and the "Week of the Enigma." The influence of Saturn (secondary planet governing this Decan) can induce many rather interesting variances to the basic Virgo character primarily ruled by Mercury, but chiefly creates a personal hunger for success in everything these natives do. They never seem to be truly satisfied with the status quo when there is even the most remote possibility of improvement. These are individuals who are willing to work hard to reach the top but frequently experience unpleasant setbacks and delays along the way. Fortunately, whatever the disappointment may be, they never allow it to discourage them for too long and are soon busily engaged in working toward success once more. Those governed by the Second Decan may be rather "late bloomers" in that they may not realize much in the way of true success until they around the age of thirty. After this time, progress may be markedly accelerated until at least the late fifties, when these individuals could be at or near the pinnacle of their material and personal achievements. The influence of Saturn may cause these Virgo natives to take everything...including themselves...a little too seriously. They need to guard against a constant tendency to view everything in the negative or dwell on the dark side of issues. If this tendency cannot be overcome, then they are likely to experience extended periods of depression which can make their own lives and the lives of others somewhat less than enjoyable. These are souls who would do well to learn how to laugh at their own foibles and the foibles of those around them. Gifted with numbers, business, finance and management, those governed by this Decan are not necessarily concerned whether others like them or not, provided they are treated with respect. These are essentially realists who believe that long hours and dedication are part and parcel of life, but it is vital that they also take time out for recreational activities. If they are not careful, natives of this Second Decan can neglect family and other rewarding aspects of their personal lives in their drive toward achieving social position and materials success. Being both ethical and ambitious, these individuals can excel in business and still sleep well at night. However, they can also be narrow-minded and pessimistic with a decided slant toward being overly-cautious, particularly in matters concerning money. The motto of the Second Decan of Virgo is "Experience."

The constellation associated with this Decan is Hercules, one of the best Summer constellations containing a "keystone" of four stars...Epsilon, Zeta, Eta and Pi. Hercules symbolizes the management of tasks in order to develop even greater abilities and suggests that every experience counts as a gain for the soul as a higher degree of mastery is learned. This constellation is also indicative of the fact that planning and ambition, when diplomatically controlled and organized, can overcome difficult challenges. In mythology, Hercules is one of the most famous of all classical heroes. Perceived as immensely strong, he was once revered throughout the entire Mediterranean. Half-mortal son of Jupiter and a beautiful Greek woman named Alcmene, Hercules was involved in many noble exploits, the most famous being his undertaking of the Twelve Labors. Some of the most influential people in Hercules' life were women...both mortal and immortal. Indeed, at nearly every turn it seems, a woman was there to either help or hinder him. Legend states that at the end of this hero's life, Jupiter made him a God in his own right and then placed his likeness in the heavens.

The Third Decan of Virgo is also known as the Taurus Decante and the "Week of the Literalist." The influence of Venus (secondary planet governing this Decan) can induce some rather exciting and interesting modifications to the Virgo personality ruled by Mercury (primary planet governing this Decan). The Virgo nature alone makes for a practical individual, but the influence of Venus raises that practicality to the status of superior. In the everyday life of these natives, anything they cannot see, hear, smell, touch or taste may not register as being important. There is a high level of tenacity and staying power associated with this Decan which will temper the often indecisive qualities associated with the Sign of the Virgin. When these subjects set out to accomplish something, they will invariably persist until they meet with success. Fortunately, courtesy of the innate intelligence afforded by Mercury and the organizational and methodical qualities associated with Virgo, these natives seldom go about things in a blind or stubborn manner. The thirst for knowledge associated with Saturn is utilized here by the inventive and ingenious ways inherent in Mercury. These are bright, talkative and usually sincere individuals but, although they make friends, may easily become meddlesome in the lives of such acquaintances. While these souls can adjust to change, they would prefer not to do so unless it is absolutely necessary. Generally very patient, Third Decan Virgo subjects are able to tolerate much disappointment, criticism and pressure for long periods of time. Once pushed too far, however, they will most certainly let others know...such declarations often being met with surprise in that anyone so easygoing could "suddenly" change so drastically. The basic tenacity here may, at times, cause certain acquaintances of those ruled by this Decan to consider such natives stubborn and bull-headed. Subjects of this Decan will most certainly have their "ups and downs" and may be deterred from the success they truly deserve. These Third Decan natives may go overboard when it comes to drink and fun, but they will sincerely apologize later for their trespasses and are usually readily forgiven by those around them. It seems that animals often automatically seek out those who fall under the jursidction of this Decan...even though many of its natives are allergic to them. The motto of the Third Decan of Virgo is "Renunication."

The constellation associated with this Decan is Corona Borealis, also known as The Northern Crown. It lies just Northeast of Arcturus, not far from the kneeling figure of Hercules, and consists of a small semicircular pattern of stars which are faint but nonetheless very distinct. Corona Borealis suggests that the sacrifice and effort required to complete work for a good cause can make this a Crown of Thorns. It indicates a calling to rise to a higher sense of love, suggesting that the choosing of duty may mean the relinquishment of other pursuits which might be more pleasurable. In mythology, many legends from many cultures explain the presence in the night sky of this constellation. However, it is the fable of Ancient Greece which is the most well-known. In Greek legend, Corona Borealis is associated with Ariadne, beautiful daughter of Minos, King of Crete, who kept the Minotaur...a creature who was half-man and half-bull..within the center of a labyrinth which had no known escape route. Periodically, seven young men and seven maidens were sent from Athens to be offered as sacrifices to the fearsone Minotaur. When Theseus, heir to the throne of Athens and a proven hero, volunteered to be one of the seven men in order that he might slay the creature and thus prevent any further human offerings, Ariadne aided the hero by lending him her magical ball of twine so that he might be able to find his way out of the labyrinth...her condition being that Theseus take her back to Athens with him as his wife. Accordingly, the hero killed the Minotaur and, by following the unravelled ball of twine, managed to make good his exit. It is at this point that the legend diversifies. According to some sources, Theseus then deserted Ariadne on the Island of Naxos, where she died of a broken heart and her wedding wreath was placed in the heavens by the God Dionysus. Another version relates that Ariadne was reluctant to accept a marriage proposal from Dionysus (who was in mortal form), since she had no desire to marry any mortal man after being deserted by Theseus. To prove he was indeed a God and as a tribute to the lovely object of his affections, Dionysus removed his own crown and tossed it into the heavens. Satisfied as to his heritage, Ariadne then agreed to marry the God and, in so doing, became immortal herself. Yet another explanation for the constellation Corona Borealis suggests that it is not a crown or wedding wreath at all, but the magical ball of golden twine presented to Theseus by Ariadne prior to the hero entering the labyrinth.