As an earth sign, Virgo is known for being grounded, dependable and hard-working, with more discipline than most and an unmatched eye for detail.
However, just because you’re a Virgo doesn’t mean that these words describe you to a T. You may be one who’s more scatterbrained, or stubborn, or focused on fun rather than work and academics.
This doesn’t mean that you’re not a true Virgo, but instead that your decan may have a major influence over your sun sign. Just because decans aren’t widely known doesn’t mean they’re not an important part of your astrological makeup, so here’s what you should know about Virgo and its decans.
The Decans of the Zodiac
While the majority of people are at least somewhat familiar with the zodiac and its 12 signs, the three decans within each of these signs are less well known. Virgos who don’t abide by every trait of the perfectionistic and reliable sign may be under the influence of their decan, which means they’re affected by the planets ruling Virgo’s fellow earth signs.
While Virgo is primarily governed by the communicative planet of Mercury, second- and third-decan Virgos also feel the influences of Capricorn’s Saturn and Taurus’s Venus, respectively. Depending on when you’re born during the Virgo season, you’ll fall under one of Virgo’s three decans.
Also read about: These Deep Instagram Captions Are the Perfect Go-Tos for Any Virgo
Virgo Decans at a Glance
Not sure which decan you fall under? Here’s a quick breakdown of Virgo’s three decans, their dates and the planets that influence each one:
- Virgo Decan I (Aug. 23 to Sep. 2): Ruled by Mercury. The most classic Virgo traits: dependable, detail-oriented and perfectionistic.
- Virgo Decan II (Sep. 3 to Sep. 12): Ruled by Mercury with Saturn’s influence from Capricorn. Disciplined, strategic and natural leaders, though prone to overworking.
- Virgo Decan III (Sep. 13 to Sep. 22): Ruled by Mercury with Venus’s influence from Taurus. Creative, warm and sensual, with a taste for the finer things.
This breakdown follows the common modern system, in which a sign’s decans are matched in order with the three signs of its element (for Virgo, that’s Virgo, Capricorn and Taurus). The exact dates can shift by a day or so from year to year, so if your birthday falls close to a boundary, double-check with your birth chart.
For a deeper look at the sign as a whole, read Everything You Wanted to Know About the Virgo Zodiac Sign.
Virgo Decan I – Aug. 23 to Sep. 2
Those born from Aug. 23 to Sep. 2 will fall under Virgo’s first decan, and therefore, exhibit the best-known, most distilled Virgo traits. They’re ruled primarily by Mercury, which is an expressive and communicative planet suggesting movement and flexibility.
They’re naturally dependable and focused on their goals, and while they’re perfectionists and know-it-alls in the areas they care most about, they can be quite disorganized and ignorant in subjects that don’t catch their attention. Sometimes, their need for flawlessness can get in the way of progress, and they can be extremely hard on themselves, but you can’t fault the results they achieve when they put their mind to something.
Celebrities in Virgo Decan I
- Blake Lively (Aug. 25)
- Keke Palmer (Aug. 26)
- Zendaya (Sept. 1)
- Jungkook of BTS (Sept. 1)
- Keanu Reeves (Sept. 2)
(via Unsplash)
Also read about: 11 Flirty Texts to Help You Woo Your Virgo Crush
Virgo Decan II (Capricorn) – Sep. 3 to Sep. 12
Anyone born from Sep. 3 to Sep. 12 is a second decan Virgo, with influences from Capricorn’s ruling planet, Saturn. Paired with the power of Mercury, these Virgos are even harder-working than usual, with a strong sense of leadership and sympathy and a natural knack for planning.
They’re also willing to put aside their desires for the greater good, which can lead them to become all work and no play. If this is you, just remember to learn to strike a balance between your career goals and your personal life, as your work can suffer if you don’t allow yourself to rest and enjoy yourself.
Celebrities in Virgo Decan II
- Beyoncé (Sept. 4)
- P!nk (Sept. 8)
- Michael Bublé (Sept. 9)
- RM of BTS (Sept. 12)
- Jennifer Hudson (Sept. 12)
(via Unsplash)
Also read about: These 20 Clever Taylor Swift Lyrics Are Perfect Insta Captions for Virgo
Virgo Decan III (Taurus) – Sep. 13 to Sep. 22
Virgo’s final decan runs from Sep. 13 to Sep. 22 and shares an influence from Taurus’s planet, Venus. Of these three decans, these Virgos may seem most at odds with their counterparts, as Venus’s loving, warm and sensual energy serves as an unusual complement to the clever and dedicated sides of Mercury.
These are Virgo’s artists, poets and optimists, and though they’re fully devoted to their passions, they’re not above taking a day off to indulge. They love pampering themselves with relaxed spa days, fine foods and splurging—in between getting the work done, of course.
Celebrities in Virgo Decan III
- Niall Horan (Sept. 13)
- Lili Reinhart (Sept. 13)
- Prince Harry (Sept. 15)
- Nick Jonas (Sept. 16)
- Tom Felton (Sept. 22)
(via Unsplash)
Virgo Decan FAQs
What is a Virgo decan?
A decan is a roughly 10-day section of a zodiac sign. Every sign has three, and each decan brings a secondary planetary influence that can make two people with the same sun sign feel very different from one another.
What are the three Virgo decans?
Virgo’s first decan runs from Aug. 23 to Sep. 2 and is ruled by Mercury. The second runs from Sep. 3 to Sep. 12 and adds Saturn’s influence from Capricorn. The third runs from Sep. 13 to Sep. 22 and adds Venus’s influence from Taurus.
Which Virgo decan is the most “Virgo”?
First-decan Virgos are considered the purest expression of the sign, since they’re guided mainly by Mercury, Virgo’s ruling planet. Second- and third-decan Virgos blend in traits from Capricorn and Taurus, so they may feel less typically Virgo.
What if my birthday is on the edge of Virgo season?
Sun sign and decan dates shift slightly from year to year, so if you were born near the start or end of Virgo season, your birth year and time can matter. Read A Guide to the Cusps of the Zodiac to learn what it means to be born between two signs.
Do the other zodiac signs have decans too?
Yes, all 12 signs do. If you want to compare, start with Capricorn, whose planet influences Virgo’s second decan, and the neighboring signs of Libra and Scorpio: What Your Capricorn Decan Reveals About You, What Your Libra Decan Says About Your Personality and What Your Scorpio Decan Says About Your Personality.
Not quite sure what to do with the Virgo energy you’re feeling? Check out 7 Activities to Add to Your Virgo Zodiac Season Bucket List.
