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Libra the Just Scales

LibrasymbolThe Oracle’s Library introduces another zodiac sign—Libra. The astrological sign Libra once held the autumn equinox in ancient times, though precession has caused it to drift into Virgo. The Egyptians celebrated the appearance of Libra as the New Year—when the Sun returned to pass over the equator and balanced the hours of night and day. Libra is the ‘Balance’ in Latin—the seventh sign of the Tropical Zodiac. Libra spans from 180° to 210° on the Zodiac Belt, as it foreshadows the darkening nights following the autumn season.

Libra Zodiac Sign Profile

LibraeditIn Sidereal Astrology, if you were born between October 16th and November 15th your Sun sign is Libra. This means that the Sun transited through the constellation Libra at the given time of birth. In Tropical Astrology, the sign Libra is given to anyone born from the dates September 23rd to October 23rd.

Libra is the second Air sign that represents the settling winds of autumn—when the leaves fall back to the ground. Life begins to quiet with the changing season and preparations are being made for the cold months ahead. The tropical zodiac Libra is ruled by the planet Venus. Those born under Libra are said to be the social butterflies of the zodiac—with an undying passion for romanticism. Librans are the natural diplomats of the zodiac, who prefer to strive for balance and filter the affairs of the world through the eyes of justice and truth.

Myths and Legends of the Balance

The legends of both the constellations Virgo and Libra are interconnected in ancient star-lore. Libra and Scorpio are also sometimes linked. In Greek myth, the virgin goddess Astraea the overseer of human law and truth is represented by Virgo who carries the scales of justice—Libra in her hands. Astraea is the embodiment of justice and legend tells that she was placed among the stars according to the Scriptures of Delphi. In ancient Babylonian astronomy, Libra was ‘the scales’ or also an extension of the constellation Scorpius as the Scorpion’s Claws. The scales of truth and justice were also associated with the Sun god Shamash.

Stargazing the Constellation Libra

The constellation Libra is distinguished by four bright stars that form a quadrangle shape. The pair of white and blue-white stars found within Zuben Elgenubi or Alpha Librae forms the ‘southern claw’, a binary star system located just 77 light-years away from Earth. The ‘northern claw’ Zuben Elschemali or Beta Libraem is the brightest green-tinted star in Libra, and the orange giant Zuben Elakrab or Gamma Librae is fixed at ‘the scorpion’s claw’. Several notable objects can be spotted in Libra, the brilliant globular cluster NGC 5897 and Gliese 581 just 22 light-years away with many exoplanets of which one Earth-like planet is a promising candidate for life outside our solar system.

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From May 1st to 9th the Librids meteor shower graces the night sky born out of this constellation with only a few on average detected each hour. Libra is located between the constellations Virgo and Scorpio. To spot Libra, it is best to find Antares the bright orange star east of the scales in Scorpio. Look for the faint triangle of stars that marks the top of the scales and leans slightly east. The constellation Libra is best viewed in late spring and early summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Thank you for reading at the Oracle’s Library! Are you a Libra? Please comment and share your thoughts on the Balance.

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