24 September - 23 October
Cardinal Air Sign
Scales may not be the most obvious symbol to choose to define an Astrological sign, but they neatly convey a Libra’s most crucial instincts. Scales are used to weigh, and measure. We see them held by Justice on top of the Old Bailey. This is a powerful image, because she is blindfolded holding a sword in one hand and scales in the other. The blindfold ensures that she is listening without prejudice, fighting for justice and weighing things up in order to ensure that all is even.
This is a Libra’s main impulse, keeping everything balanced so as to ensure fairness. Indeed such is their interest in justice, that many become involved with law. Being an air sign, Libras need to be around others. They thrive on working in groups and are a welcome asset to any group activity as they are usually very good at dealing with people.
Libras are also known for their charm. Venus is Libra’s ruling planet and she was the goddess of love and beauty. This gives further insight into this sign, as the word love, has more than one implication. Firstly, the most obvious is romance. Make no mistake, this is a romantic sign. Libras love romantic gestures and really value relationships. But there is another connotation to the word ‘love’. You might think of the phrase ‘brotherly love’, which actually implies peace and harmony. Our picture of what really drives Libras is becoming clearer; a great desire for fairness, harmony and peace in all relationships. This accounts for why they make such an effort to be diplomatic and charming. Maintaining smooth relationships is a big priority, be they personal or business.
And yet, there is a contradiction. Libras are often accused of being argumentative, of enjoying debate. At first, this seems odd for a peace loving sign. The key once again, lies in the scales, the concept of balance. If you find yourself locked into an argument with a Libra and are wondering why they seem so contrary, you need to consider how the argument began. Chances are that you expressed a point of view which was forceful and one sided. You may just have been venting, or you may justifiably have been expressing strongly held views or feelings; but to a Libra this means that to agree with such a heavily weighed view without considering the other side of the story would by unjust. It would in fact throw things out of balance. A Libra would feel compelled to consider the other side before agreeing or disagreeing with you. This is a strong instinct and unless you understand it, you may be left feeling that your views or feelings don’t matter.
Libras can at times come across as cool. Being an air sign, they prefer to be logical and objective. Faced with someone being very emotional, they will try to remain calm and be as objective as possible. This, they would argue, is the only way to stop emotions from running riot and becoming destructive. It is this impulse which makes them great counsellors, diplomats and arbiters. It is not that they don’t care; quite the opposite. It is because they care so much that agreements are reached fairly, that they try to be as objective as possible.
When you consider the importance attached to keeping the peace and maintaining harmonious relations with others, it is no wonder that sometimes the result is indecision. Libras are famous for this. The reason is simple. Every action has an impact on someone else. If the likely outcome is negative, then another solution must be found. But what if that then threatens the peace with someone else? The result is much weighing up and this in itself can be counterproductive as others wait for a decision to be made.
There is another way in which Libras can get into trouble. If you expect them to take sides in a conflict, you may be disappointed. The instinct is to keep the peace and that requires seeing both sides of the conflict and then trying to bring the two sides together. Failure to do this means that Libras are often left painfully alone with both sides resenting them for not having taken sides.
Loneliness and rejection are especially difficult for Libras. They need the company of others and prefer to do things with friends or a partner rather than on their own. If they feel rejected, then the relationship is out of balance and they will try and try to find a way of being accepted again. Acceptance can have a high price and Libras can fall into the trap of doing or saying whatever is required to keep the peace. This is a pitfall which they need to avoid if they are to spare themselves the pain of feeling that they are unable to be themselves, or of being accused of insincerity.
Finally, Venus was also the goddess of beauty, and this is symbolic of another side of Libra. This sign needs to be surrounded by beauty; be it art, colourful furniture, clothes or jewellery. They make great artists, beauticians, designers, and are often found in the fashion world. Their great people skills mean that they are good in business so that means they should be able to sell what they produce. With Christmas coming, we could all use their eye for beauty and romance to help us find just the right present for that special someone.
Ana Isabel is an astrologer with over 10 years of experience. She is influenced by Jungian fields of psychology and combines this with astrology to provide a healing experience for those seeking guidance. Besides doing private consultations, she is often heard on LBC Radio. Ana also organises workshops designed to help individuals learn to read and understand their own birth charts. For more information on private readings or workshops, visit her website www.lifeastrologer.com
