Breaking up with Perfection
The evolution from Virgin to Hermit
Picture Perfect
Perfection. What is it and why do we strive so hard to find it?
According to the dictionary, perfection is the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.
Embody perfection, it seems to say, and you will be free. But anyone who has chased perfection knows freedom is quite the opposite of what one finds.
Virgo, the astrological sign linked to our card of the year, The Hermit, is known for its pursuit of perfection.
As an earth sign, Virgo’s exacting eye grounds ideas and concepts with precision and rigor. Virgo energy is much beloved when we are architecting new systems, constructing buildings that will stand the test of time, baking an 18-step cake, or organizing things, events, and people. Even (or perhaps especially) in the seeming chaos of nature, Virgo finds divine structure. This build-it-and-they-will-come mentality connects Virgo to its higher purpose—being in service to collective.
Where Virgo sometimes loses the plot is not being able to see the forest through the details of the trees. Virgo’s sightless pursuit of perfection is also rooted within its astrological archetype, the Virgin.
Virgo and the Virgin
The Virgin has long been a saccharin symbol of perfection.
In her book The Virgin’s Promise: Writing Stories of Feminine Creative, Spiritual and Sexual Awakening, author Kim Hudson states that the archetypal Virgin is defined by their promise to live up to the community’s expectations of perfection, even if they’re contrary to the Virgin’s true desires.
Sure, one version of this promise is not doing the deed until marriage, but all of us, consciously or not, have made similar vows. When have you traded on the promise to be a version of yourself in exchange for acceptance, connection, accolades, or love?
This is where the Virgo Virgin’s striving originates, not from ego but a deep need to be in community. In some ways, living up to the Virgin’s Promise is a devotional act, honoring what the community wants and executing it at the highest level. But unchecked devotion to the other can cut us off from the needs and desires that make us who we really are.
Where is the Virgin’s Promise showing up in your life?
Where do you feel like you have to be perfect to be seen?
I’m Perfect = Imperfect
Though they may seem worlds apart, the Virgin and the Hermit live along the same evolutionary line.
The Hermit is the Virgin freed of their promise of perfection, someone who has learned to listen to their inner voice and knows that working in service of their spiritual liberation is how they can best serve the collective.
When the Hermit returns from solitude, the perspective they’ve gained along their journey allows them to lovingly challenge and expand society. They are no longer afraid to point out how the promise of perfection keeps all of us small.
Instead of trying to banish our secret desires, our dreams that others might find silly, our deviations from the status quo, the Hermit helps us play in the imperfect—it is what gets us to stop, breathe, notice, tussle, bump, and grow. They show us that imperfections are not meant to be erased but explored so we can expand.
Embracing imperfection is what gives us true freedom.
The Perfect Storm
The transformation from Virgin to Hermit can feel a bit like being a hermit crab without a shell. In the transitional void between selves, we’re just little balls of goo waiting to take shape, but this time on our own terms.
Lucky for us, this month is a perfect storm of planetary shake ups that will shove (not push) us to become the T.H.O.Ts—Those Hermits Over There—we all are.
While I’m not an astrologer, I do tune into the cosmic forecast when things are feeling particularly spicy and this happens to be the heaviest hitting month of the year. Planets are blasting through our perfectionist tendencies like a power washer, so put on your rain gear as we review some of the highlights.
❤️🔥 Venus in retrograde (Mar 1 - Apr 12): We’re breaking up with the patterns we’ve collected to hide those supposed “imperfections,” and fears about our worthiness in love.
🌘 Full moon eclipse in Virgo (Mar 14): Eclipses are movers and shakers and this one is asking—how can I create structure within spontaneity? Spontaneity within structure?
🕸️ Mercury in retrograde (Mar 15 - Apr 6): Mercury is Virgo’s ruling planet and connected to the intellect, communication, and the heady ways of the mind. ‘Tis the season to review unhelpful mental narratives and clear out those perfectionist cobwebs.
🍃Spring equinox (Mar 20): Time to turn over a new leaf, witches! Regardless of your hemisphere, the light is shifting. What aspects of your life is it illuminating?
Sometimes retrogrades pull us back into outdated habits at the exact moment we’re craving the forward momentum of a new season. This friction doesn’t have to be inherently annoying. Instead we can use it as practice for putting down perfection.
Perfect says repeating something we know isn’t in our best interest is a failure of self.
Imperfect says repetition is a chance to get curious and see what else we can learn.
Practice Makes Imperfect Tarot Spread
“At its root, perfectionism isn’t really about a deep love of being meticulous. It’s about fear. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of failure. Fear of success.” — Michael Law
Okay Mister Law! Come at us why don’t you.
Well, in this month’s spread we’re going to be practicing letting go of perfection. Because practice, as you know, makes perfect ;)
Perfect Ending
Just a few quotes about perfectionism to carry us through the storm.
“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough.” — Julia Cameron
“On this sacred path of Radical Acceptance, rather than striving for perfection, we discover how to love ourselves into wholeness.” — Tara Brach
Remember, you’re imperfect, just as you are.
XO
ALTARU TAROT
omfg not the THOTS 😭😭😭 I cackled at that.
This piece is sooooo good. I love the lines you drew between the Virgin and the Hermit, and how you outlined the Hermit’s view on (im)perfection. Im a Virgo sun and rising so all of this felt so potent for me!