First Decan Libra 2023
Cosmic Mood Boards- the Zodiac Decans
What are the Decans?
The decans have been nicknamed ‘the thirty six faces of astrology.’
The Zodiac (Wheel of Life) is a portion of sky as seen from earth, represents an imaginary belt or wheel; a circle of 360 degrees. This circle was seen as divided in Tropical or Western astrology into twelve ‘slices,’ of approximately thirty degrees each. Each slice represents a zodiac sign named after a chosen constellation appearing inside this belt of sky, giving us the zodiac signs we are familiar with today.
Astrologers then sub-divided each of these 12 signs into three parts of ten degrees each. Every degree - every birth date -supplies added insights or texture in respect of character and potential destiny.
The first ten degrees, usually approximating to the first ten days of a zodiac sign are the first decan. The next ten days or so are the second decan, and the last ten days or so are the third decan.
"If you’ve ever wondered why people born in the same sign seem different, decans can help answer this puzzle," - astrologer Rachel Lang.
First Decan Libra
Libra-Libra
Dates: 23 September - 2 October
Planetary rulers: Traditional -Moon-Venus / Modern -Venus-Venus
Tarot card: Two of Swords - Truce, pause, standoff, taking stock, information gathering, indecision, obstinate, none so blind as will not see, refusal to engage
Illustration below is from The Legacy of the Divine Tarot, artist Ciro Marchetti
Libra-Libra gets a double dose of Venus glamour, as both its planetary ruler and sub-ruler; here is the most ‘typical’ Libra subject; sensitive, perceptive, attractive and well-balanced, keenly intuitive and extra sensitive to beauty, the arts and fashion.
They are clever as anything, abstract thinkers, great at seeing patterns, dealing with data. They are experts at avoiding unpleasant conversations, highly sensitive to loud noises and they don’t like crowds, though they do enjoy the order and precision of organized displays, e.g; military parades.
They get as moody as all the rest of us, but they hate conflicts, arguments and will avoid direct confrontation, though this is not always helpful. This means they may also avoid uncomfortable decision-making – or indeed any decision-making and may put off a boring job in the hope that someone else will deal with it, though they are perfectly capable of doing it themselves.
Libra is not known for nothing as ‘the iron fist in the velvet glove.’ They can turn away, cut you out cold, and you may never find out why. There will be a reason, but they don’t do those kinds of conversation, for all their essential kindness. They prefer to avoid difficult conversations, remember. First decan Libra, for all their gifts can be self-critical and prone to anxiety or sudden mood swings.
They really, really need their fresh air,and plenty of personal space.
First Decan Libra Season 2023
What’s the Tarot’s general comment or advice for the greater collective?
This months Harvest Full Moon is in 6 degrees of Aries. This Libra-Aries axis demands flexibility and compromise, or tensions could easily escalate.
Aries like to make things happen quickly, but that isn’t likely to be happening for all the forcefulness of Aries. There’s a sense that we have for some time been wading through mud as we say goodbye to Virgo, shown here by the Empress reversed, if not outright wallowing or suffocating in said mud, as shown by the Death card reversed. And sometimes situations do just have to be endured, and borne with and managed as best we can.
The tremors of that Tower moment rumble on. But the Strength card says we are still standing. Oh yes. We’re not done yet. The Wheel of Fortune reminds us we’ve overcome previous adversity and we can do it again. And even if we can’t do a whole lot else at this point, we can mark this full moon with a note to self. We can send out enquiries. We can write a postcard to the future, and we can start making new plans, as shown by the expansive Three of Wands. For a ship to come in, first we must launch it. Decisions taken round the time of this full moon, 29 September, and events set in motion now- this refers to events on the international stage as well, look set to start bringing far reaching results in Scorpio season. Possibly, by the same token of that Death card reversed, although this card does not necessarily signify a physical death, there will also be news of an illness, or the end of an era of a significant figure on the world stage.
We may also be witnessing the start of a new phase in the war in Ukraine following the missile strike in Sevastopol - suggested by that reversed Tower card followed by the Three of Wands, and that Aries-Libra axis influence again, though sadly this does not send any clear signal of an impending ceasefire. Mixed messages at best.
But for many of us, in essence, the message seems to be:
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop”
-Confucius