KNOWING A VIRGO – Janice Anne Wheeler, Sparring With Mother Nature
My birthday week. Another year begins, another collaboration, more friendship, more wonder, bracing ourselves against the negative forces of the world. Every day, in every way, our health, our environment, winds, weather and sunshine, we all SPAR WITH MOTHER NATURE. Thanks for staying aboard. ~J
(If you’d rather listen, in my voice, please click the recording above.) Are Zodiac signs another fine example of SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE? Can we be categorized by birth month? My practical side says no, my spiritual side says maybe. Stars and the other occupiers of the Milky Way are the most natural of entities, after all. Humanity has been gazing upon them for as long as there has been humanity; we assigned names of ancient Pagan Gods while tracking paths, timing, and potential significance.
Horoscopes are a tad like getting your palm read; they’re bound to tell you something that relates to your current situation. My most memorable palm reading (I’ve only had a couple, honest) was such positive news (in a relative sort of way) that my companion whipped out a hundred-dollar bill for her twenty-dollar fee. “And then what happens?” he asked her forcefully, standing on the dim, jazzy, anonymous street in New Orleans, Louisiana. Of course, she hesitated to tell him that piece of the puzzle, and should have, had she actually, factually, psychically, known. Our relationship ended in stunning fashion, but that gin-fueled evening’s fortune teller was rewarded well for foreseeing from her dirty square of sidewalk, telling us what we wanted to hear. Or did we interpret what she said as what we wanted to hear? Who knows? Does it matter? I’m not being boastful when I tell you that decorated soldier had fallen under my spell. The Virgo part. We Virgos are strong willed and detail oriented but still empathetic, loyal, thoughtful and wise. Powerful combinations. Those first two traits can go both ways, though, right? Wonderful and problematic, endearing and aggravating. I am a fierce protector of my friends and my beliefs. Nurturing, Grounded, Practical, Calm, Organized.* That definition comes from the Farmer’s Almanac, of all places. Do you know a Virgo? I bet you do. If the relationship was meant to happen, it will be with you forever, in one way or another. STEADFAST’s work still seems endless. That statement is a fact, not a complaint, promise; I’ll tell you more next week. I’ve had to do some serious grounding, yoga breathing and gratitude practice lately as the project continues to wind onward. (Remember I’m ANTSY). Distractions? I treasure them— so… weird and humbling— I had a butterfly (perhaps a moth?) land on my back while working under our little pop-up tent. She/he stayed for more than half an hour as I went about my business of sewing and fitting an extensive canvas project. I couldn’t stand the possibility that I would scare or hurt it, that’s how VIRGO I am. I can’t brush things away, even if they don’t necessarily belong. 
What an honor to be accepted by Mother Nature rather than ALWAYS sparring… It is an amazing experience to be trusted by another creature. I have ALWAYS said that animals instinctively know if someone isn’t going to hurt them. Need more proof? I can ramble on forever, giving you examples. Do you have a story like that? Just a quickie? Please share. !!! The best news I saved for last. Sometimes we come across people, true humans, who are just like that butterfly; they are souls you immediately know you can trust. I FOUND ONE!Author, Anthropologist and Fellow Substack writer Justin S. Bailey of Those Who Wander is one of those thoughtful, inquisitive people. Months ago now, he sent out a searchlight for wanderers, which lit up something in me; I responded immediately. What follows in this link are the thoughtful questions Justin conjured along with my answers, many of which led to soul-searching and powerful reminisce.THANK YOU, Justin, for sending this out to your 1000+ subscribers, and for trusting me in this collaboration.
My book An Anthropology of Wandering: How Adventure Can Alleviate a Fearful Culture is now available… 2 days ago · 6 likes · 3 comments · Justin S. Bailey and Janice Anne Wheeler Until next week. ~J Born September 19, 1968 Millard Fillmore Hospital, Buffalo, New York US Lots of folks are sharing SPARRING— maybe you could/should/would, too? Restack this baby! Share SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE Here’s your weekly sunrise— worth getting up for, as always. 
I so appreciate your support of my work. Have a wonderful week!
© 2026 Janice Anne Wheeler
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