Libra, Celestial Scales of the Equinox-Weighing the Balance in the Stars
But what’s the bigger picture? What’s the ancient story behind the zodiac sign as we know it today? Read on for the story of Libra…
Traditional Associations
Quality: Cardinal
Element: Air
Affirmation: I (seek to) Balance
Ruling planet: Venus
Body: Lower back, buttocks, kidneys
Colour: Indigo Blue
Flower: Rose, Hydrangea
Birthstones: Sapphire- September birthdays. Opal- October birthdays
Lucky Number: 6 (community, childhood)
Tarot card: Justice showing the dual goddess, Astraea and Dike
Astronomy
Libra (technically, it is correctly pronounced Ly-bra as in Library) is a small but distinct constellation, 29th in size of the 88 constellations, next door to the constellation of Virgo.
The Libra constellation has been described as looking like a lop-sided diamond and is visible from April to July in the northern hemisphere.
Libra used to be regarded, not as a constellation in its own right, but as part of its neighbouring constellations, Scorpio and Virgo. The stars representing the scales of Justice are the same stars representing the claws of the Scorpion.
Libra, like Cancer, is faint in comparison with other constellations, and contains no spectacular first magnitude stars, but contains its own galaxy cluster, possibly around 10 billion years old, the same age as our own galaxy, The Milky Way.
There also is a red dwarf star Gliese 581 with three orbiting planets, two of which may possibly be suitable for life, about 20 light years from Earth.
The brightest star in Libra is a binary star about 77 light years from Earth. α Librae. or Zubenelgenubi, meaning in Arabic "the Southern Claw."
The second-brightest star in the constellation of Libra is β Librae, or Zubeneschamali, from the Arabic for "The Northern Claw.”
Equilibrium and Equinox
The Sun used to pass through the constellation of Libra at the time of the equinox (c. 23 September) when the length of hours of night and daylight were almost the same- hence the Libran concept of natural balance.
But the zodiac sign of Libra ceased to coincide in real time with the actual placement of the constellation way back in AD 730 because of the wobble of the Earth, and the resulting effect known as precession - the movement of the equinoxes relative to Earth.
Since 2002, the Sun has actually appeared in the constellation of Libra from October 31 to November 22.
This is different to the dates used for this sign in your media horoscope, which is based on modern western or tropical astrology, and says Libra begins around 23rd of September, coinciding with the autumn equinox (in the northern hemisphere).
But this fact of astronomy does not invalidate your horoscope. The symbolic, historic and astrological concept still stands in all its original meaning, absolutely, based on the arithmetic model of the zodiac as codified by the mathematician Ptolemy in the 2nd Century.
Mythology and History
We have the Romans to thank for the name of this constellation, as well as the sun sign or zodiac sign of Libra as we understand it today.
It is a complicated history. Libra began as part of Scorpio, and was known in Babylonian astronomy as MUL Zibanu (the "scales" or "balance") but with an alternative name, the Claws of the Scorpion, while in ancient Greece Libra was also seen as the Scorpion's Claws.
The Scales were sacred to the Babylonian sun god Shamash, the patron of truth and justice, and ever since these very early times, Libra has been associated with law, fairness and civility.
Because 3000 years ago, the Sun entering Libra marked the equinox, when days and nights were of equal length, i.e. balanced, Roman astrologers likewise considered that the constellation of Libra represented the principle of natural balance, equality, equilibrium and hence, justice.
In ancient Rome Libra was associated with the scales of justice held by the pre-Greek goddess Astraea, or her Roman counterpart Dike, although in Greek mythology she had always been associated with Virgo.
Claws, scales.
Virgo, Scorpio.
Eh? Que?
Confusing?
Typically complicated Libra!
According to the Roman writer and poet Marcus Manilius, the best Roman judges were noted to have been born under the sign of Libra, while The Moon, which in astrology governs mood and temperament, was said to be in Libra when Rome was founded, in a historical passage, which states "qua condita Roma."
The early born Libra native may therefore be expected to have much in common with Virgo and Astraea, but the later born Libra may have quite a lot of Scorpio going on.
This same principle applies to all the zodiac signs, of course, depending whether you were born early or late in your own sun sign. But it’s particularly acute in the case of Libra, on account of its shared/borrowed stars.
The Libra Archetype
Libra is one of the three zodiac air signs, the others being Gemini and Aquarius. Libra is Cardinal Air- it instigates, where Aquarius is Fixed Air and stabilizes, and Gemini is the evolution and agility of Mutable Air.
Libra is the only zodiac sign that is not represented by a human or animal, but the scales signify the collective and enduring human hunger for justice, as well as Libra's own especially keen personal need for balance, order, and equality.
Many astrologers view Libra as an especially lucky sign because it signifies the peak of the year, just after harvest time, when hard work yields is rewards…and we take stock and more clearly see, literally in the agricultural sense, the fruits of our labour.
Because Venus, the goddess of love, rules Libra, as it also rules Taurus, the Libra subject is especially, even acutely sensitive to beauty in anything, whether it is a person, nature, art, or music. Libra is suave, clever and extremely easy to like. The classic Libra subject has charm and can be a great listener with sharp observation skills and acute perception.
Libra intensely dislikes loud or sharp noises, cruelty, nastiness, and vulgarity, as they are naturally kindly and civilized people. They are also, may we observe, a teensy bit delicate at times.
Born diplomats, but also anything for a quiet life, Libras try to co-operate and compromise with everyone around them. This can sometimes be a little tiring as they are constantly re-assessing and adjusting their thinking, while remaining emotionally distant, or playing Devil's advocate. This may become infuriating at times, or even seem to call personal loyalties into question.
Libra is not averse to keeping secrets, and can be more changeable even than Gemini. Those swinging scales are, after all, seeking balance, which is not the same as attaining it, or maintaining it.
Libra is smiling, urbane, approachable, but does not receive or handle criticism as dispassionately as they dispense it. They may show resentment when challenged, jealousy when they are not the centre of attention, and at times be markedly moody. Libra is the sign of the diplomat but it is also the sign of the ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’ – smoothly vengeful, or even in the later born Libra subjects, capable of ruthlessness. They have warrior energy, oh yes, and are way more emotionally volatile and passionate than may at first be apparent.
Swings and roundabouts, searching for the centre of balance. Every zodiac sign has its more challenging aspects. But lovely Libra, charming, smiling, civilized. Sunny side up, what not to like?
Famous Libra natives in history
Back soon with stories of the Decans of Libra.
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Till next time :)