September 23 – October 22
Constellation
Did you know that Libra is the only one in the Zodiac that is not illustrated as a living creature? Libra is symbolized as a Scale. But it’s not just any scale! It is the Scale that was held by the Ancient Grecian, second wife of Zeus and one of the children of Gaia and Uranus: Themis. She is the personification of law, divine order, justice, custom, and fairness. Themis was the inspiration of Lady Justice, who you probably have seen around court houses. Lady Justice is seen wearing a toga and blindfold (to show “justice is blind” in enforcing impartiality), holding a Scale with one hand (to measure the “weight of evidence” in a case’s support/opposition), and holding a sword with the other (to establish authority and that justice can be “swift and final”). Going back to Themis, her name translates to “divine law” and she oversaw certain human affairs, especially assemblies. In Homer’s Iliad, Zeus had her call the Gods to council. She was an Oracle and built the Oracle at Delphi, and there are several tales of when she would warn the other Greek Gods of upcoming misfortune or to warn them against angering Zeus.
Element
Libras have the element of Air. This element is special in that while it seems invisible or less directly impacting, it actually connects all the other elements. As we know, Fire can’t burn unless it has access to Air. This element gives us the space to breathe, literally and figuratively speaking. Air Signs have a strong need to open their soul in personal freedom and liberation. That’s because they tend to have a problem fitting in to the regular rules and regulations in society. Sometimes they can feel stifled in constantly pleasing others and worrying about others’ opinions, so they may have a drive to simply no longer care about that and just follow their strongest and free ideas. It’s interesting to note that two of the Air Signs collaborate with the Sun. Aquarius is detriment to the Sun and Libra is taking the Sun to fall. The Sun, as we can imagine, keeps things in check and regulates the others orbiting it. The Air Element needs to be free from this restriction and instead have the freedom to circle the Universe.
To balance Air, one would have to look at keeping these Signs “grounded.” While the mind is important, sure, their body is important as well. Air Zodiac Signs have the knowledge and intelligence and big ideas. They feel anything is possible and everything is “lighter,” like the element itself. However, it’s difficult to put these thoughts into practice and make them reality. As a result, Air Signs could benefit from a few Earth Signs as friends. These Earth Signs know how to stop the talking and do the walking. They can provide Air Signs with the concrete tools to help them succeed in overall development and personal growth. Also, Earth Signs can remind Air Signs of their physical existence by providing a healthy daily routine. Examples can be having meals at a particular time every day, so an Air Sign’s empty stomach doesn’t reflect in having a hole appear in their rational plan.
Quality
There are 3 different Qualities of Expression (also known as Modes or Modalities): Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. Libra is the Air Sign among the Cardinal Quality Zodiac Signs, which represents the beginning of a new season. Libra’s Cardinal Quality is the announcement for the arrival of Autumn. Since Cardinal Signs kick off the beginning of a new season, these Zodiac tend to be leaders with ideas and ambition. Cardinal Signs are oftentimes unafraid to start new cycles or new periods in life, whether that’s in their personal or professional life. However, while they get inspired and have the drive to start things, they may become burnt out or lack the energy to follow through their long-term goals to the very end.
A person with Cardinal Signs in their chart indicates someone who tends to be “go, go, go” and don’t always take the rest they need to keep going. Libra, as the Cardinal Air Sign, is a reminder that empathy/sympathy and communication are the building blocks for one-on-one relationships. This Scale may be indecisive, but once they make a decision, very few things will change their mind! The process of this decision-making is what is visible as a Cardinal Quality. They build their rationale and decision step-by-step, brick-by-brick. However, while energy or life in general can slow down, Libras can make progress in their specific direction that is in their or others’ best interest.
Planet
The Planet ruling Libra is Venus. When you think of Venus, you may think of the Goddess of Love, which is a good starting point. Venus does represent love and romance, not only in a sexual/physical manner, but also platonic love and the unattainable ideal of love. This Planet represents the dominance of femininity along with our capacity to love and find the beauty in everything. Venus is one of pleasure (both emotionally and physically). It is when someone thinks with their heart, not with their mind through logic. This Planet of warmth and abundance can also bring attention to times when you may be dependent on others, food, or other sources of comfort and security. You may be “drunk on emotion” and out of balance with mood swings and changing your mind (or rather, your heart) on things. Venus is special in that it governs two Zodiac Signs: Taurus (who is practical and physical by nature) and Libra (who is beautifully expressive and what we want to be seen as a reflection in other people). This conflict can be found deep in the meaning of Venus as these two signs can struggle cooperating with one another. Venus covers things from love, to moving with flexibility/ease, the ability to earn an income, and the value of our and others’ personalities. Venus is the Planet you want to look towards regarding companionship, a soul mate, or marriage. Some Astrologers are of the opinion that if Venus is badly damaged in your chart, it’s possible that you don’t feel as if you deserve to be loved and/or may not find the ability to be loved. But please don’t worry. Like most Planets that signal personal problems, you can work to help Venus be fixed to a degree!
House
You can find Libra ruling the 7th House, one of partnership, relationships, and other people in general. Some Astrologers call this House the “Marriage Box,” since it concerns personal relationships, romantic one-on-one dynamics, and relationship matters such as marriage. But it goes further by showing other relationships such as business partnerships and business deals. As celebrity illustration could be that of English singer-songwriter, David Bowie. If you look at his chart, he has Saturn (Planet of responsibilities and restrictions) nesting in the 7th House. An Astrologer could look at this and see that he has the tendency to take marriage seriously with great devotion and a “together till the very end” approach to relationships. David Bowie had been married to Angie Barnett for 10 years and then married Iman back in 1992. They remained married for over 23 years up to his death.
Personality
Libras are typically described as peaceful and prefers the company of others as opposed to being alone. They highly value partnership with keeping an eye out for someone who are reflections of themselves. As they are the Scales in the sky, they love things that are symmetrical, balanced, fair, equal, and just. They avoid conflict as much as possible and prefer to conduct things amicably and calmly. (Of course, with people they trust or know well, they are willing to point out what we did right or wrong.) In fact, they might really struggle when forced to make a decision or pick a side in an argument. This Zodiac Sign is strong mentally with great intelligence and an eager, curious mindset. Thus, they’ll need consistent mental stimulation and may find inspiration in books and discussions with people who have a story to tell. Libras also enjoy some expensive, materialistic things in life while craving the enrichment that comes from things found in art, music, and beautiful places they visit. Even though Libras can be found in the shortest constellation in the sky does not mean they are invisible or simply fade in the background. While indecisive and insecure at times, the Scales provide the unconscious lesson that the lightness of life can direct our Souls to a “higher power” that measures our purpose and reason in life.
Compatibility
Libras tend to do well with their fellow Air Signs, Aquarius, and Gemini. For example, an Aquarius could help a Libra express their sexuality since they may be self-conscious about being judged by others. Air Signs, in general, feel at liberty to express sexual desires with each other when in a relationship. These Air Signs can build trust naturally and without exception since they are on the same wavelength a lot of the time with their open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity.
Libras would also benefit from Fire Signs, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. In sexual relationships, Fire Signs tend to be extremely passionate. A Libra can balance that by providing certain boundaries or convey deeper emotions, which a Fire Sign should respect. Since the Scales can be indecisive or tense up when forced to make decisions, Fire Signs can teach Libras how to be selfless lovers and with the thoughts behind the romantic relations with their partners. The emotional connections between Fire Signs and a Libra could be amazing since both Libra and the Fire Signs are capable of openness and building a deep emotional bond that will give them the tools needed to solve any problems they may face together.
These Scales may struggle with compatibility with Water Signs, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. While Libras and Water Signs can both be quite romantic, they go about it quite differently. Libras are more objective, enjoy constant social interactions, and communicate more directly. Water Signs, on the other hand, tend to be more moody, sensitive to other people’s emotions. They can demand private, alone time to recharge after being uncomfortable in environments with strangers.
Libras may also need to work a little harder to build compatibility with Earth Signs, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth Signs, by nature, tend to enjoy the calm, peace, and quiet. They want a stable life with a committed lifetime companion. Libras, on the other hand, are fairly social and embrace the ups and downs that come with life. This clash of personalities can make a partnership require a little extra work for both the Libra and Earth Sign.
Libra Men are quite the gentlemen, with a courteous, gracious, and calm personality. They can view anything from multiple perspectives and, as a result, can be good decision-makers. A Man in Libra is emotionally balanced, sophisticated, social and, thus, can easily get along with almost anyone. He may prefer to avoid confrontation, however, because they truly care about other people’s feelings. But, in the end, no matter the Zodiac Sign, any Libra’s partner should remind them that they have their own opinion and are entitled to it!
Wow! That was quite a bit of information there, huh? If you’ve read the previous Zodiac Sign posts, then maybe you’re used to it and weren’t too affected by it all. If you haven’t read the others, then I hope this post wasn’t too overwhelming for you. Next you’ll find a little chart that outlines what all we discovered together.
Have any thoughts on this Zodiac Sign? Are you or someone you know a Libra? How is your or their personality in comparison to what we learned? Are there some similarities or differences? Is there a characteristic about Libras that you admire? Is there a trait that you might make not so easily compatible with this sign? I’m genuinely interested in what you think! As we know by now, many factors can shape someone’s personality, including but not limited to their Sun Sign, Moon Sign, Rising Sun Sign, their upbringing, and their external experiences. So it’s fine and almost expected for someone to not fit into their Zodiac Sign completely. The next Zodiac Sign is Scorpio, and I am excited to see what this mysterious Zodiac Sign has to offer! Thank you, as always, for reading my post and I look forward to corresponding with you again shortly!
“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
– John Wooden
- Image Captions (in order of appearance):
- Libra. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Natalia Mikhalchuk; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
- Time Lapse of Foggy Sunset. Image courtesy of Unsplash user Ales Krivec; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Unsplash Inc.
- February 1974, NASA’s Mariner 10 spacecraft captured this view of Venus. Image courtesy of Unsplash user NASA; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Unsplash Inc.
- Modern Neon Purple Glowing Heart Banner on Dark Empty Grunge Brick Background. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Kumer Oksana; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
- References (in alphabetical order):
- Van de Car, Nikki. Practical Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Crystals, Horoscopes, Psychics, and Spells. Running Press, 2017.
- Woolfolk, J. M. (2013). The only astrology book you’ll ever need (Twenty-First-Century Edition). Taylor Trade Publishing.