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 23 (September equinox) and October 22.[3][4] Under the sidereal zodiac, the Sun currently transits the constellation of Libra from approximately October 31 to November 22.[5] The symbol of the scales is based on the Scales of Justice held by Themis, the Greek personification of divine law and custom.[6] She became the inspiration for modern depictions of Lady Justice. The ruling planet of Libra is Venus.[7][8] Libra is the only zodiac constellation in the sky represented by an inanimate object. The other eleven signs are represented either as an animal or mythological characters throughout history.[9]

Libra
Zodiac symbolBalance Scales
Duration (tropical, western)September 22 – October 22 (2020, UT1)[1]
ConstellationLibra
Zodiac elementAir
Zodiac qualityCardinal
Sign rulerVenus
DetrimentMars
ExaltationSaturn
FallSun
Astrology
New millennium astrological chart
Background
Traditions
Branches

Air sign

Libra is one of the three zodiac air signs, the others being Gemini and Aquarius. In astrology, a broad description of those who are born under these signs are calm, rational, and detached when dealing with situations.[10] The sign of 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.[11]

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".[12] 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".[9] 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.[9]

According to the tropical system of astrology, the Sun enters the sign of Libra when it reaches the northern autumnal equinox and the southern vernal equinox, which occurs around September 22.

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. Shapiro 1977.
  6. Atsma c. 2015.
  7. Horoscopes n.d.
  8. Libra Nature 2015.
  9. Ridpath n.d.
  10. Team, The GaneshaSpeaks (2017). GEMINI - Your Zodiac Horoscope 2018. Ahmedabad: www.GaneshaSpeaks.com. p. 16.
  11. Horace (2017). Horace: Odes Book II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 203. ISBN 9781107012912.
  12. 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
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