An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for Libra

The ruler of Libra is Venus. Its glyph represents the balance of the scales. Its meaning, equilibrium and justice. Considered the sign of cosmic reciprocity, of cooperation rather than competition, of consciousness made objective through associations and partnerships.

The basic Libran nature is diplomatic and charming. Libras have an idealistic and generally peace loving nature. They are easygoing and sociable, in general. On the other side of the scale, Librans are known to be indecisive and changeable, gullible and easily affected.

Librans are considered by many astrologers to be among the most civilized of the twelve signs. Often good looking, they exude certain elegance, charm and fine taste. As lovers of beauty and harmony, both in art and life, their nature is gentle and kind. Pleasure oriented people; Libras are intuitive and very aware of the power of image.

They are gifted with a strong sense of justice and fair play, and have fine analytical abilities. They are known to be objective and impartial in making judgment calls. They do not suffer fools gladly and anyone who challenges their decisions or opinions is considered a fool. They are more interested in making friends than enemies, are willing to go along, to get along and therefore will usually do whatever it takes to maintain a relationship.

Libra Associations

Ruling Planet: Venus

Polarity: Positive

Quality: Cardinal

Element: Air

Symbol: The Scales

Colors: Blue, Pink, Pale Green

Metal: Copper

Gems: Sapphire, Jade

Animals: Lizards, Small Reptiles

Sun Sign Personality Traits for Libra

Librans are sensitive to others and understand the emotional needs of their associates. They are optimistic and cheerful people and have an ability to charm and delight their friends and acquaintances. Very sociable, they abhor cruel or vicious actions, and shy away from vulgar and offensive behavior. They dislike scenes, and will often go out of their way to avoid conflict. They prefer to cooperate and compromise, and will give up, even when they feel they are in the right, rather than put up with the ordeal of an argument. Discord makes them totally insecure, and uncomfortable. They need and want harmony in their lives, and will do whatever it takes to have it. Librans are not loners, and do better in partnership both in their personal, and in their business life.

The more negative Libran character can be frivolous, flirty and quite shallow. In romance they can be indulgent to the point of hedonistic. Libra shadows can be changeable and indecisive; impatient of routine; boringly conventional and timid; and easygoing to a point of annoyance to more energetic folk. Because they are slow to anger, Librans will shock everyone around them with their sudden outbursts of rage. They love the good life and tend to be extravagant. Many Librans have been known to be hopeless gamblers.

Flowers: Rose, Bluebell, Daisy

Herbs: Mint, Cayenne

Countries: Austria, Japan, Burma, Tibet

Cities: Copenhagen, Vienna, Johannesburg

Body area: Kidneys

Principle: Cooperation

Keywords: Harmonious, Sympathetic, Balanced

Vocational Interests Suited to Libra Tendencies

Librans can be surprisingly energetic in the areas that move them, and indifferent to everything else. They are happiest when socializing, and at the top of their social strata. You will find many Librans in local organizations volunteering their time and services and rising to a position of prominence. They dislike coarse, dirty work, and will usually get someone else to do it, if necessary. They are fence sitters and will not take a stand on an issue, but prefer the middle of the road, until they are forced to choose.

“Let’s wait and see", was most likely first said by a Libra. The up side to this view is, they make good diplomats. They are never guilty of an “On my mind, on my mouth “approach to things.

In a profession or business, Librans often succeed as administrators, lawyers, antique dealers, civil servants. Finance is also a fair field, as Libras are trustworthy in handling other people's money. Naturally creative and artistic, some Librans are gifted fashion designers, or can be found devising new lines of cosmetics. Others may find success as artists, composers, critics, writers, interior decorators, or managing various areas of public entertainment. Some work philanthropically for humanity with great self-discipline and significant results. Those with a gift for finance sometimes make good speculators, for they have the optimism and ability to recover from financial setbacks.

The Lore of Libra in Mythology

In Libra Mythology, Libra is a young sign. The Libra constellation lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. Libra is the only zodiac sign that isn't symbolized by a person or an animal.

The claws of a scorpion are what symbolized Libra in the beginning, not balance.

When the ancient Babylonians formulated the zodiac there was just 11 zodiac signs.

In ancient Mesopotamia, an arm and the pans without a base depicted a scale. The scale was strung up with twine fastened to the center of the limb, showing a similarity to a scorpion strung up by the tail with its arms extended.

There was a confusion with the translation of the words, zubānā and zibanitu (meaning- weighing scale' and 'scorpion, respectively).

The two translations of the words zubānā and zibanitu led to the constellation the scorpion’s claws or Chelae Scorpionis. Therefore, in Babylonian Mythology, Libra started out as the claws of the Scorpio.

Later when the Greeks looked at the constellation, they thought it looked like a set of scales held by Astraea or (star-maiden).

Astraea was Virgo, the Greek goddess of justice.

So, in Greek mythology, Libra is a depiction of the scales that Virgo held.

Libra from the Latin (Libra the Scales), translated to the Greek (Zygos the Scales)

* Note- the Greeks knew these stars as Chelae the Claws, and frequently saw them as part of a twofold sign, Skorpios the Scorpion.

The translated Sumerian (Zib.ba.anna the Heavenly Weighing Scales), which was adapted and translated to the Akkadian (Zibanitu the Scales).

There exists no specific myth or tale about Libra. Yet, in ancient times, its significance was widely recognized. The association of balance with Libra dates to the origins of Astrology. In all developing civilizations, a society's survival and proliferation depended upon the ability to manipulate Nature. In many ways this was accomplished by following the examples of Nature. Throughout the natural world there was one ever present principle perceived, and this was balance.

Societies survived, and they still do, by maintaining a level of equilibrium. To prosper, a society must develop and maintain an equilibrium in many sectors, such as economics, law and coexistence with its neighbors. This was achieved always through the establishment of a responsible structure of government. What Libra represents is the same sense of government on an individual level. This was expressed through emotional, mental and physical balance. An accomplishment which can only be achieved through strength of will.

The image of Justice is also associated with Libra. This can be seen in the symbol from the Major Arcana of the Tarot, in which the personification of Justice appears holding her scales. This association has ancient origins. As early as 2001 BCE, the constellation of Libra was associated with the judgment of the living and the dead in Babylonia. Here, Zabanitu, who represented the Scales, weighed souls of the deceased to determine their moral worth. In Egypt, this same role was overseen by the god Anubis, utilizing a feather as a counterbalance to the heaviness of a human heart. Throughout the Mediterranean region, the harvest season was associated with this time of year. The weighing of crops was often performed when the Moon was full in Libra.

Traditional Cultural Translations

Famous Libra:

 'I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.'

- William Faulkner, 1950

On his acceptance of the Nobel Prize for literature.

Who puts you off with promise gay,

and keeps you waiting half the day?

Who compromises all the way?

Sweet Libra