Unsolved:Libra (astrology)

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

Libra (♎) is the seventh astrological sign in the Zodiac. It spans 180°–210° celestial longitude. Under the tropical zodiac, Sun transits this area on average between (northern autumnal equinox) September 23 and October 23, and under the sidereal zodiac, the sun currently transits the constellation of Libra from approximately October 16 to November 17. The symbol of the scales is based on the Scales of Justice held by Themis, the Greek personification of divine law and custom. She became the inspiration for modern depictions of Lady Justice. The ruling planet of Libra is Venus. 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.

Libra is one of the three zodiac air signs, the others being Gemini and Aquarius. The sign of Libra is symbolized by the scales. The moon was said to be in Libra when Rome was founded. Everything was balanced under this righteous sign. The Roman writer 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". Going back to ancient Greek times, Libra the constellation between Virgo and Scorpio used to be over ruled 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.

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

Natives of this sign are said to have an affinity for having balance within their life and are very people oriented.

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

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". http://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanisThemis.html. Retrieved February 6, 2015. 
• "The Constellations IAU". 2010. http://www.iau.org/static/public/constellations/gif/VIR.gif. Retrieved February 8, 2012. 
• "Geocentric Positions of Major Solar System Objects and Bright Stars". 2015. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/geocentric.php. Retrieved April 3, 2016. 
• "Horoscopes, Tarot, Psychic Readings". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923060349/http://www.astrology.com/kim-rogers-gallagher-0/2-d-d-60181. Retrieved August 4, 2015. 
• "Libra". Oxford Dictionaries. n.d.. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/libra. Retrieved March 1, 2018. 
• "Libra Nature - Libra Ruling Planet". 2015. http://www.ganeshaspeaks.com/libra/libra-nature.action. Retrieved August 4, 2015. 
• Ridpath, Ian (n.d.). "Star Tales – Libra". http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/libra.htm. 
• "Scorpio". Oxford Dictionaries. n.d.. http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Scorpio?q=Scorpio. Retrieved March 1, 2018. 

External links

• Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (over 300 medieval and early modern images of Libra)