Libra the Scales [22 September - 23 October] | star sign and zodiac facts

Libra the Scales [23 September - 22 October] | star sign, horoscope, astrological and zodiac facts

May 30, 2018

Libra is the seventh astrological sign of the zodiac spanning 23 September – 22 October. It’s also the second air sign – the others being Gemini and Aquarius. Libra’s symbol is the scales.

The colours associated with Libra are pastel colours, blues, greens and pinks and its celestial body is the Venus. Libra is associated with the cardinal quality.

Dates: September 23 – October 22
Symbol: Scales
Element: Air
Colour: Pastels, Green, Blue, pink
Day: Friday
Celestial:Venus
Quality:Cardinal
Most compatible: Aries, Sagittarius
Birthstones: Opal, Peridot, Agate Aquamarine, Tourmaline and Sapphire
Scent: Sweet pea, bergamot and cucumber

Traits of a Libra

Strengths: Cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social

Weaknesses: Indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, self-pity

Those under the Libra are commonly known for their peacefulness, diplomacy and fair-mindedness. These traits make many a Libra join the pursuit of justice and equality, striving to maintain the balance and order in their lives and around them that they desire.

Partnership is often very important to Libras. Someone else is needed in their lives to balance the scales a bit and weigh their thoughts and opinions up against. Often Libra are fascinated by symmetry, which goes hand in hand with their desires of peace and order.

Being an air sign and ruled by the planet Venus, Libras are often known for their strong intellect and keen mind. Libras enjoy delving into books and discussions and spending time with people that have a lot on their mind and a lot to say.

The downside to such a diplomatic, and cooperative sign is that sometimes Libra can struggle with confrontation – finding it difficult to choose sides or assert decisions. After all they love to keep the peace. A good partner for a Libra is one that does not force their opinion and supports them to weigh things up in their own time.

The Libra star constellation | Zodiac facts by Happy Piranha

The Libra constellation

A relatively faint constellation with no first magnitude stars, Libra lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. Zubeneschamali (Beta Librae) is Libra’s brightest star, 160 light-years from Earth and with a slight green tint.

Traditionally, the stars Alpha and Beta Librae are considered to represent Libra’s (the scales) balance beam, with Gamma and Sigma being the weighing pans.

Libra is home to the Gliese 581 planetary system, which consists of the star Gliese 581, three confirmed planets, and two unconfirmed planets. This planetary system also has arguably some of the most promising signs of life as it includes several potentially habitable planets. Gliese 581c is considered to be the first Earth-like extrasolar planet to be found within its parent star's habitable zone.

Libra can best be seen in the evening sky during Northern Hemisphere summer or Southern Hemisphere winter).

Libra in History and Mythology

In Ancient Greek mythology the symbol of Libra (the scales) is thought to be based on the Scales of Justice held by Themis– the greek personification of law and custom, or sometimes or Astraea - the daughter of Astraeus and Eos. The stars of Libra were sometimes intermingled with that of Scorpius by the Greeks.

In Roman mythology, Libra is considered to depict the scales held by Astraea, the goddess of justice. Libra is said to be a constellation that the Romans idolized as the moon was said to be in Libra during the founding of Rome, making the balanced sign one of much importance to them.

In Babylonian astronomy Libra was named MUL Zibanu (the "scales" or "balance"), or alternatively as the Claws of the Scorpion. The scales were held sacred to the sun god Shamash, who was also the patron of truth and justice