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Spica
Spica is the brightest star of the constellation Virgo, a brilliant blue-white star of first magnitude that marks the ear of wheat held in the Virgin's hand — its name is Latin for "ear of grain". The French also call it l'Épi de la Vierge. It lies close to the ecliptic, so the Moon and planets pass near it. In astrology it has long been counted among the most fortunate of all the stars: a star of talent, refinement, protection and gifts that seem to arrive freely.
In the zodiac
Spica now stands at about 24° Libra. Through precession it moves forward about one degree every 72 years, so in a chart from 1950 it sits about a degree earlier, near 23° Libra.
Its nature
Ptolemy gave Spica the nature of Venus and, to a lesser degree, of Mars: grace and beauty with some energy and edge. The tradition said it brought renown, riches, a sweet disposition and success in the arts and sciences, and called it fortunate above most others, especially rising or on the Midheaven. Modern astrologers keep that warm reading, and add that a gift is a beginning: Spica is often seen as talent and good timing that flourish when they are used and shared.
In a chart
Only a close conjunction is usually counted, within about a degree or a degree and a half. On the Sun or the Midheaven, Spica is often read as recognition for skill and a sense of being well supported; with Venus or Mercury, as artistic or intellectual gifts; on the Moon or the Ascendant, as a gentle, appealing nature. It colours and brightens the point it touches rather than acting alone.