Little Red Riding Hood: The Astrological Tale of Virgo and the Zodiac Cycle
The classic fairytale *Little Red Riding Hood* might be more than a simple story about a girl, her grandmother, and a wolf. What if it was really an astrological allegory, rich with symbols from the zodiac? Let’s explore how this timeless story parallels the journey of Virgo and other astrological signs.
Virgo: The End of Summer and the Harvest
As the Sun enters Virgo, we wave goodbye to the warmth of summer. The days become shorter, and the Sun begins to set earlier, painting the sky in red hues as it dips into the horizon. In astrological terms, Virgo is the sign of health and harvest. Much like the depictions of Virgo holding wheat, fruits, and herbs, this signals a time to gather nature's bounty.
In *Little Red Riding Hood*, the young girl is tasked with delivering fruits and vegetables to her sick grandmother. This is symbolic of Virgo’s nurturing qualities, closely associated with health, healing, and sustenance.
Cancer: The Mother of the Zodiac
At the beginning of the tale, Little Red Riding Hood is sent on her journey by her mother, who tells her that her grandmother is ill. In astrology, Cancer is known as the “mother” of the zodiac. Just as Little Red leaves her mother’s house, so too does the Sun begin its descent after the summer solstice, when Cancer’s season peaks.
Cancer represents the nurturing energy that sends Red off with care, while Pisces—the grandmother in this story—symbolizes wisdom and age.
Pisces: The Grandmother of the Zodiac
In astrology, Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, is often considered the “grandmother.” Just as Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother lives on the other side of the forest, Pisces is the opposite sign of Virgo on the zodiac wheel. This positioning reflects the balance between health and wisdom, between youth and old age.
The Forest: Enter Libra and the Wolf
As Little Red Riding Hood ventures into the forest, we enter the astrological sign of Libra—the season of Fall. The forest represents the balance between light and dark, echoing Libra’s scales of justice. Interestingly, the second decan of Libra is ruled by the constellation Lupus, represented by the wolf.
The wolf, or Lupus, symbolizes danger, temptation, and the unknown. When the wolf meets Little Red Riding Hood in the forest, it mirrors the balance of Libra, where decisions must be made—whether to trust or beware, to stray off the path or stay the course.
The Opposite of Virgo: Pisces
As Red Riding Hood tells the wolf she’s going to her grandmother’s house, we are reminded that the opposite of Virgo is Pisces, the grandmother of the zodiac. This connection highlights the cyclical nature of the astrological wheel, where opposites often mirror and balance one another.
Libra’s Opposite: Aries, the Hero of the Zodiac
The wolf rushes ahead, eats the grandmother, and later consumes Little Red Riding Hood. Both remain in the wolf’s belly, symbolizing the dark and dormant phase of Fall and Winter, ruled by Libra and its opposite, Aries.
Enter the hunter, who symbolizes Aries. Known as the hero of the zodiac, Aries represents the return of spring, the rebirth of the Sun, and new life. Just as the hunter cuts open the wolf and rescues Little Red and her grandmother, Aries cuts through the darkness of winter, ushering in light, warmth, and renewal.
Conclusion
*Little Red Riding Hood* can be seen as an allegory for the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, mirrored in the movement of the zodiac. From Virgo’s harvest and health to Aries’ heroic rescue, this beloved tale captures the essence of astrology, weaving together the signs, seasons, and their deeper meanings.
