(Photo: Vadim Ezhov | Getty)
Aligned with the autumnal equinox, when light and dark play equal roles, the sign of Libra is the embodiment of balance and paradox. The air sign exposes us to other perspectives and invites us to learn how to balance and live within those different, and often opposing, perspectives while remaining in a state of harmony within. It is the archetype of collaboration in enhancing the human experience.
Just as light cannot exist without dark, self cannot exist without the other. Libra reminds us of this. Nothing exists in isolation.
Libra Dates
Those born between September 23 and October 23 of any year entered the world under the constellation of Libra, making this sign their Sun sign.
Yet whether Libra is your Sun sign, Moon sign, rising sign, or some other placement in your birth chart, it plays a role in your life. Each of the zodiac signs exists within you, whether it expresses itself quietly and inwardly or loudly and outwardly. So as you meet Libra season each year, you meet the aspects of yourself that are associated with Libra.
Is Libra an Air Sign?
Libra is an air sign which means air as its dominant element. Air signs connect. Air moves between spaces, carries information, and links people. Libra’s air moves specifically in the realm of partnership, diplomacy, and aesthetics and channels harmony, balance and beauty. It does so through thought, dialogue, and exchange.
The air element allows Libra to see from multiple perspectives and create an environment of harmony and beauty. It brings social intelligence and grace as well as skillful mediation, diplomacy, and collaboration.
Libra Meaning in Astrology
In astrology, the journey through the zodiac is directed by two distinct chapters. The first half, Aries to Virgo, is the development of the individual self. These signs are self-directed, aimed at both creating and learning about who we are, offering us definition and clarity of self. The second half, Libra to Pisces, symbolizes our journey out in the world and our relationship to other people, society, and life itself.
Libra then, is the meeting point of these two chapters. It is where the self meets the other and represents our initial awareness beyond the self. As such, it represents the lifelong exploration and balancing between the self and the other and the self among others.
It is the opportunity to see and learn through the eyes of another, begin to understand our vast and diverse experiences, opinions, and unique journeys. And through that, we can move beyond the limitation of the self, or perhaps more accurately, expand the self in the process. In so doing, it reminds us of the truth that we are not alone in this journey, and that others play an integral role in the building of our identity and sense of self.
Libra Traits
Partnership and harmony are central themes to the purpose and intentions of Libra. The sign has an intuitive ability to sense the balance, or imbalance, in the spaces around it. Whether in a conversation, a relationship, an outfit, home decor, a work of art, or the workplace, Libra is always intuitively aware of what the others in an environment may need in any moment to arrive in a state of peace, balance, beauty, and fairness. Libra can typically become, or offer, that very thing.
Yet it’s not only about the other. The essence of Libra knows how to bring that barometer of balance to the self, sensing the harmony or disharmony within one’s inner and outer world and rebalancing with each step.
Libra is a likable, graceful, and pleasing archetype. Underneath the surface of this sign is acute awareness, insights, creativity, charisma, and a drive to move forward in the world and meet fairness and justice wherever it can. It is driven by a sharp mind, a sense of diplomacy, and exceptional communication.
To be alive is to be in relationship—in relationship to one another, with ourselves, and the world around us. We cannot not be in relationship. Libra reminds us that we are made better by being in relationship with those around us.
What Planet Rules Libra?
Ruled by Venus, Libra understand the value inherent in beauty and invites us to seek it and to add it wherever we can in life. This appreciation and creation of beauty is an integral key in the sign’s evolutionary purpose, which is to promote harmony. Through its sensitivity to aesthetics, Libra intuitively understands that a harmonious environment—whether through design, color, furnishings, fashion, nature, florals, art, words, or presence—supports harmony from within. It calms the nervous system and invites a softening breath out.
Modality
Libra is a cardinal sign, and cardinal signs initiate. They are designed to exert energy into the world and begin a new chapter. Libra thrives when moving and working towards something – whether creating, connecting, or taking steps towards its dreams and desires. Being an Air sign, its initiating energy is different to the cardinal fire of Aries or cardinal Earth of Capricorn – Libra is the initiation of connection. It takes the first step to bring people together, open a dialogue, or create harmony in a space. It is leadership through cooperation and inclusion.
Libra Medicine
When we are still learning to work with and access the gifts of any sign, we may find ourselves stumbling around in the lower possibilities of the archetype as we find our way. For Libra, this can look like placing its devotion to short-term harmony before long-lasting harmony due to a fear of discord, imbalance, unpleasantries, or conflict.
This fear that often comes back to Libra often learning to read the other before learning how to read the self. To read the other means we know what is needed in that moment to create a sense of balance, or a feeling of safety, within the interaction and environment and therefore within ourselves, whether or not it is the most authentic or aligned direction for the self or the long term. To learn to tune into the other before tuning into the self can create a distance between one’s own needs, desires, and preferences. In order to cultivate more of a sense of oneself, we turn to Libra’s opposite sign, Aries.
Libra’s Role in the Zodiac
In astrology, each sign of the zodiac circle exists on an axis in partnership with its opposite sign. These signs can seem in opposition to one another yet they are actually partners. Each needs the other to become complete. When we find ourselves in an unsupportive expression of one zodiac, we can look to its opposition for guidance. In both partnership with and opposition to Libra is the first sign of the zodiac, Aries.
Aries invites Libra to come back to the self, tune into its own energy away from others, and connect to its own desires. For this, we need a healthy amount of space and opportunity to get to know ourselves. Time spent creating or observing art, exploring what we find beautiful, playing in the inner workings of the mind and dreaming up an ideal day in life.
Aries teaches us courage, safety, and direct communication. The boldness and directness of Aries in communication partnering with the diplomatic, fair, and harmonious communication of Libra is the leader, the peacemaker, the mediator. There is a magic in directly and confidently communicating our needs while feeling safe in our bodies to do so, while also considering the other in a way that is fair.
Libra Symbol
The symbol for Libra is the scales, which symbolize the pursuit of balance, justice, and equilibrium. They also represent the sign’s ability to analyze, compare, weigh options, and deliberate—sometimes at great length—before making a decision.
The curved line seen in Libra’s symbol has been said to be the Sun setting or rising upon the horizon, speaking to Libra’s connection with transitions, including the autumnal equinox, which marks the balance of day and night as equal and the start of Libra season.
Curiously, the Libra symbol is the only zodiac represented by an inanimate object. Whereas most zodiac signs are symbolized by an animal or figure, Libra’s symbol holds the essence of an ideal or principle. It carries the quality of abstraction, concept, values, and ideals that guide humanity in how to relate to one another and that also guide Libra. When we look at scales, we are invited into a space of equilibrium, transition, shared perspective, and the artistry of balance.
What Libra Brings to Life
Libra invites us to explore self and other, polarity, and the spaces in between. It asks us to listen for harmony, to notice imbalance, and to seek the beauty of alignment within ourselves and with those around us. It reminds us of the power and beauty in connection, sharing, dialogue, and shared presence. It teaches us that we are not only shaped by who we are in solitude but also by the reflections and mirrors of others. In connecting with these disparate mirrors of self and the world around us, we are shown new layers of ourselves and existence.
The air sign welcomes us into the art of relationship—relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. Life comes alive when it is lived together.
Words That Describe Libra
Balance. Beauty. Harmony. Fairness. Artistry. Grace. Justice. Partnership. Equality. Peace. Relationship. Connection. Collaboration. Reason. Perspective. Charm. Reflection. Analysis. Aesthetics. Elegance. Meditation. Cooperation. Equality.
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