Libra (astrology)

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Libra
Zodiac symbol	Scales
Duration (tropical, western)	September 22 – October 22 (2024, UT1)[1]
Constellation	Libra
Zodiac element	Air
Zodiac quality	Cardinal
Sign ruler	Venus
Detriment	Mars
Exaltation	Saturn
Fall	Sun

Astrology
Background
Worship of heavenly bodies History of astrology Astrology and astronomy Planets Behenian Classical Zodiac Traditions, types, and systems Astrology and science Astrologers Astrological organizations
Traditions
Babylonian Chinese Hellenistic Hindu Islamic Jewish Tibetan Western
Branches
Natal Electional Horary Medical Financial Locational Psychological Meteorological
Astrological signs
Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces
Symbols
Planet Metals
v t e

Libra (♎︎) (Ancient Greek: Ζυγός, romanized: Zygós, Latin for "scales") is the seventh astrological sign in the zodiac. It spans 180°–210° celestial longitude.^[2] The Sun transits this sign on average between September 23 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 along with Taurus.^[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]

Astrological associations

Libra is the cardinal modality of the three air signs, the others being Gemini and Aquarius.^[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][page needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]} Manilius once said that Libra was the sign "in which the seasons are balanced" (Astronomica, 1.267), cf. Virgil, Georg. I.208-9: "Libra die somnique pares ubi fecerit horas / et medium luci atque umbris iam diuidit orbem,...". Both the hours of the day and the hours of the night match each other, hence the September equinox. 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]

Gallery

• 
  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 [fr], Bodleian Library)

See also

Notes

Works cited

• Astronomical Applications Department (2011). Multiyear Computer Interactive Almanac. 2.2.2. Washington DC: US Naval Observatory. Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°....
• Atsma, Aaron J. (c. 2015). "Themis: Greek Titan goddess of divine-law, custom & prophecy". Theoi. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
• "Horoscopes, Tarot, Psychic Readings". www.astrology.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
• "Libra". Oxford Dictionaries. n.d. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
• "Libra Nature - Libra Ruling Planet". www.ganeshaspeaks.com. 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
• Ridpath, Ian (n.d.). "Star Tales – Libra". www.ianridpath.com. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
• "Scorpio". Oxford Dictionaries. n.d. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
• Shapiro, Lee (1977). "The real constellations of the zodiac". International Planetarium Society. Retrieved January 12, 2019.

External links

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

• Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (ca 320 medieval and early modern images of Libra)