Libra, the Scales

Libra belongs to the second cycle of the zodiac, where the expressions of each element are more mature. We’ve already encountered Air in Gemini, for instance, but with Libra, the Air element acquires an extra layer of substance and sophistication. Where a Gemini’s bubbly personality and tendency to gossip can come off as childish or even duplicitous, a Libra’s thoughts carry a more intellectual and philosophical quality. They can be shallow sometimes, of course, but even that they express in a more refined way.

Libra is a cardinal sign, along with Aries, Cancer, and Sagittarius. Cardinal signs are great initiators, ushering in new seasons and ideas — but don’t always have the ability or even the willingness to look beyond themselves to how their actions are perceived by others. Yet Libras will go above and beyond to ensure they’re broadly likable, to the point where they can end up wondering who they really are when they’re not trying to win people’s affection. Contrary to their opposite sign in the zodiac, Aries, Libras excel in partnerships and teams; they’re natural networkers and diplomats.

If you were born under the astrological sign of Libra or have your ascendant/rising sign in Libra, then the following description will probably sound familiar.

Libras are social butterflies. Natural extroverts, they love meeting new people from all walks of life. Their brains are naturally wired to make connections between people and think about who could benefit from meeting with whom. It goes without saying that Libras are excellent networkers and matchmakers! For that reason, they thrive in careers that rely on interpersonal communication, such as PR specialists, agents, or client service managers. It’s not entirely selfless either: Libras love learning new things and constantly evolving/refining themselves. So every new person they meet is an opportunity to do just that.

Libra shares the same planetary ruler with Taurus: the sensual Venus. Like Taurus, Libras also value beauty, but influenced by the Air element, in Libra, this beauty becomes exalted into its abstract, often platonic, ideal. Libras often find themselves studying or being passionate about subjects (if not always ending up working in these fields) that define beauty ideals, such as high art, fashion design, architecture, and makeup. Like their symbol, the scales, Libras yearn for harmony and balance — although they often look for it in external places (for example, an expensive getaway to a yoga retreat) instead of searching for it inside. Yes, Libras can be materialistic and vain. But for what it’s worth, they have such good taste they end up being more inspirational than annoying to others.

Perhaps the biggest problem a Libra will face within the course of their life is indecision. Their people-pleasing personalities, along with their commitment to reason and fairness, means they don’t get to develop strong identities, beliefs, or preferences over things. You’ll never catch a Libra being fanatic about a cause or concept. Rather, they can be a bit of a chameleon depending on the social context and the people they are surrounded by. While this is not a sign of insincerity, it can be perceived as such — because when Libras are put on the spot and forced to choose a side, they really have difficulty doing so. If these tendencies are not balanced in their astrological charts by other, more decisive influences (like, for instance, an ascendant in one of the Fire signs), Libras can end up making important life decisions based on what’s more accepted or pleasing to the particular social group they belong to. This often results in these gentle souls finding themselves at odds with who they really want to be. Many Libras switch professions or places of residence later in life.

As the 7th sign of the zodiac, Libras are traditionally considered the sign of marriage. This doesn’t mean, however, that all Libras yearn to be married! Rather, this speaks to a Libra’s ability to exist and thrive within well-defined partnerships, whether these are romantic, platonic, or professional. They need the Other to anchor them, both into the world and unto themselves. That being said, Libras are not always the most faithful astrological signs. As they’re attracted to beauty in all its forms, they often find themselves engaging in flirting that wasn’t necessarily intentional or unable to choose between different romantic prospects and carry out simultaneous relationships. Once Libras learn to balance their need for social approval and togetherness with the need to be true to themselves, they will become steady and wonderful partners.

The ancient Babylonians first observed the constellation of Libra. They first connected it with the symbol of the scales to represent the balance between day and night, as well as the balance of the seasons, the perfect midpoint of the year.

For the ancient Greeks, Libra wasn’t an important constellation by itself. Rather, it was a part of the constellation of Scorpio, the astrological sign that follows. The “body” of the Libra constellation was thought to be the claws of Scorpius, reaching out from the sky. All the associations of Libra with balance, fairness, and justice that define the astrological sign today were actually attributed to Virgo, the previous constellation, instead. The deities associated with Virgo were the ones that we now consider to carry the Libra qualities: Themis, the goddess of justice who preserved divine law, and Dike, the daughter of Themis with Zeus, who passed fair judgment upon men and is often depicted holding the scales of judgment.

So how did Libra end up borrowing all these attributes? The answer lies with the Romans. According to the Roman author and astrologer Marcus Manilius, when Rome was founded, the constellation of Libra ruled the skies. The newly established empire needed to borrow some powerful symbols to build its own myth — and the image of the goddess of justice was a very fitting one! And so, the Roman goddess Iustitia, the equivalent of Themis, became associated with Libra. From then onwards, the astrological sign was viewed as the manifestation of perfect balance, both external and internal.

Mabon brings forth a very interesting turn of the Wheel. The autumn equinox is about the time of perfect balance between night and day, the feminine and masculine, the waning and waxing energies.

As a harvest festival, Mabon reminds us to celebrate the abundance we have left over from the summer while also preparing for the winter days ahead. After all, Mabon is called “Witch’s Thanksgiving”! This is one of the last times of the year when we can still revel in the outdoors, feast with friends, or even swim before the weather turns too cold. Yet as we feast and have fun, we also have a sense of sadness in the knowledge that the light is receding from now on, bringing in the winter and darkness.

The time around Mabon is very much connected with the story of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and Persephone, her daughter. Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, causing her mother to turn the earth barren because of her grief. When Zeus interfered and Persephone was to be returned, she was tricked by Hades into eating six pomegranate seeds. As a result, she had to spend exactly six months of the year in the underworld and another six in the land of the living — which accounted for the midpoint of the seasons.

Like Mabon, and like the myth of Persephone, Libra also balances the outer and the inner world. Libras are able to encompass both feminine and masculine energies and attributes and see things through a lens that balances reason with emotion. In fact, the Justice Major Arcana tarot card is thought to embody many aspects of Libra. Like the Justice card, whatever we harvest or give away this Mabon, whatever judgments we make and decisions we take, we will have to live with them.

In this in-between moment of the second harvest, Libra would advise us to take a moment, breathe in, and consider all the sides carefully before choosing.