Libra (astrology)

Libra (♎︎) is the seventh astrological sign in the zodiac. It spans 180°–210° celestial longitude.[2] The Sun transits this sign on average between September 22 and October 23.[3][4] The symbol of the scales is based on the Scales of Justice held by Themis, the Greek personification of divine law and custom.[5] She became the inspiration for modern depictions of Lady Justice. The ruling planet of Libra is Venus.[6][7] Libra is the only zodiac sign that is represented by an object; with the other eleven signs represented by either an animal or mythological character.[8]

Libra
Zodiac symbolScales
Duration (tropical, western)September 23 – October 23 (2022, UT1)[1]
ConstellationLibra
Zodiac elementAir
Zodiac qualityCardinal
Sign rulerVenus
DetrimentMars
ExaltationSaturn
FallSun
Astrology
Background
  • History of astrology
  • Astrology and science
  • Astrology and astronomy
  • Traditions, types, and systems
  • Astrologers
  • Astrological organizations
  • Planets
    • Behenian
    • Classical
Traditions
  • Babylonian
  • Hellenistic
  • Islamic
  • Western
  • Jewish
  • Hindu
  • Chinese
Branches
  • Natal
  • Electional
  • Horary
  • Medical
  • Financial
  • Locational
  • Psychological
  • Meteorological
  • Theology
Astrological signs
Symbols
  • Planet
  • Metals

Astrological associations

Libra is the cardinal modality of the three air signs, the others being Gemini and Aquarius. The main connotations of planets under this sign are sociable, rational, and detached when dealing with situations.[9] Libra is symbolized by the scales and is associated with the Roman deity Iustitia. According to the writer Manilius, Roman judges are born under the sign of Libra.[10]

The Moon was said to be in Libra when Rome was founded and this was based on the historical passage, which state "qua condita Roma".[11] Everything was balanced under this righteous sign. Manilius once said that Libra was the sign "in which the seasons are balanced". Both the hours of the day and the hours of the night match each other. Thus why the Romans put so much trust in the "balanced sign".[8] Going back to ancient Greek times, Libra the constellation between Virgo and Scorpio used to be ruled over by the constellation of Scorpio. They called the area the Latin word "chelae", which translated to "the claws" which can help identify the individual stars that make up the full constellation of Libra, since it was so closely identified with the Scorpion constellation in the sky.[8]

  • Libra adorning one side of the Meridian solar line of Basilica Santa Maria Degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome, built by Francesco Bianchini (1702)
  • Illustration of Libra in a Flemish manuscript from the early 1460s
  • Libra, or al-Mīzān, depicted in the 14th/15th century Arabic astrological text Book of Wonders
  • A woman holding the scales (Book of Hours, the Fastolf Master, Bodleian Library)

See also

Notes
  1. Astronomical Applications Department 2011.
  2. Aaboe, Asger (2001). Episodes From the Early History of Astronomy. New York: Springer Science+Business Media. pp. 19. ISBN 9780387951362.
  3. Libra n.d.
  4. Scorpio n.d.
  5. Atsma c. 2015.
  6. Horoscopes n.d.
  7. Libra Nature 2015.
  8. Ridpath n.d.
  9. Team, The GaneshaSpeaks (2017). GEMINI - Your Zodiac Horoscope 2018. Ahmedabad: www.GaneshaSpeaks.com. p. 16.
  10. Horace (2017). Horace: Odes Book II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 203. ISBN 9781107012912.
  11. Goodyear, F. R. D. (2004). The Classical Papers of A. E. Housman, Volume 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 871. ISBN 0521606969.

Works cited
  • The dictionary definition of Libra at Wiktionary
  • Media related to Libra at Wikimedia Commons
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