The Second Decan of Virgo

This is the second ten-degree segment of Virgo, the mutable earth sign, spanning 10 to 20 degrees. Its ruler in the Chaldean order of faces is Venus, following the continuous sequence of the seven planets around the thirty-six decans. Historically the decan is the most ancient layer of astrology: the thirty-six were Egyptian stars, recorded on coffin lids as a star-clock for the hours of the night, and were fitted into the twelve zodiac signs only after Babylonian astrology reached Egypt.

The Golden Dawn of 1888 assigned the thirty-six minor arcana to the decans; this segment bears the Nine of Coins, titled Gain, its Venus-in-Virgo planet taken from the face ruler, Venus in the fruitful earth sign matching the card of material plenty and refined enjoyment. The tarot mapping is a modern overlay laid over the far older decan scheme, and treating such card imagery as ancient Egyptian confuses the distinct layers of the tradition.