Libra
Libra :: The Scales, Zodiac Dates, Myth & Personality
Libra, the Scales, is the seventh sign in the Zodiac and represents those born between Sept. 23 and Oct. 22. In Greek astronomy the stars of Libra were the Claws of the Scorpion, and the Scales are a Roman name; the myth of Justice, who left the earth for the sky as the Maiden (Virgo), is attached to the neighbouring constellation.
Libra in Mythology
Libra has no myth of its own in the Greek poets. Aratus, writing in Greek, knows the stars as the Claws (Chelai) of the Scorpion, faint stars to be sought beneath the coils of the Serpent (Aratus, Phaenomena 89). Hyginus says that the Scorpion is so large that it was divided into two signs, one of which “our people” (the Romans) called Libra (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.26). Virgil still speaks of the Claws in the Georgics, where the Scorpion draws in his arms to leave a place in the sky for the deified Augustus between Erigone (the Maiden) and the Claws, and he also uses “Libra” for the Scales that make the hours of day and sleep equal in autumn (Virgil, Georgics 1.33–35, 1.208).
The figure of justice belongs to the Maiden, Virgo, next to Libra. Aratus tells how Justice (Dike) once lived among people in the Golden Age, but as the human race grew worse she left the earth for the sky, where she is seen as the Maiden near Boötes (Aratus, Phaenomena 96–136). Ovid also says that the last of the heavenly beings to leave the earth was the virgin Astraea (Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.150), and Virgil announces the return of the Virgin with the golden age (Virgil, Eclogue 4.6).
Ancient authors differ on who this Maiden was. Hyginus reports that Hesiod called her the daughter of Zeus and Themis, while Aratus made her the daughter of Astraeus and Eos (Dawn); others called her Fortuna, Ceres or Erigone (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.25). Themis is therefore the mother of Dike in the Hesiodic tradition, as in the Theogony, where Themis bears to Zeus the Seasons, Eunomia, Dike and Eirene (Hesiod, Theogony 901–902), but nothing in these ancient passages makes Themis, or a blindfolded woman holding scales, the figure of Libra.
The constellation of Libra
Libra lies along the ecliptic between Virgo and Scorpius, and the Sun enters it at the autumn equinox. The constellation contains faint stars. Its main stars have Arabic names that refer to the Scorpion’s claws: Zubenelgenubi, the “southern claw”, is a double star whose two components can be told apart by the naked eye, and Zubeneschamali is the “northern claw”.
The constellations of Virgo and Libra shine side by side in the celestial sky. Virgo is the Maiden who is said to return when the Golden Age comes again (Virgil, Eclogue 4.6).
Libra in Astrology
Libra Ruling Planet and Sign
According to Astrology Libra is one of the three zodiac air signs. The ruling planet of Libra is Venus, which influences the sign’s characteristic focus on relationships and partnerships.
Libra Personality and Character traits
Libra people are social beings and their happiness is based within relationships.
People born under the sign of Libra are known for their charm and social skills, but they also have a strong sense of fairness that makes them want to work towards improving society as a whole. They may be drawn to careers in law or politics because of this intense desire for justice.
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