Libra and the Autumn Equinox – a time of equality and balance

At 3.48 pm BST today (22^nd September) the Sun moved (astrologically) into Libra.  This has special significance as 0° Libra also marks the Autumnal Equinox, the point at which we have equal hours of day and night.  The scales of the year are balanced.

It’s the time of year when the leaves are turning colour, dazzling our landscapes with shades of gold, bronze, red, and orange.  People in many parts of the northern hemisphere are drawn to the beauty of the woods at this time.  This appreciation of beauty in our surroundings is a very Venusian quality, Venus being the ruler of Libra.

Libra is one of the three Air signs, along with Gemini and Aquarius, as well as being one of the cardinal signs. As such, its energy focuses on the outer world, rather than our inner world, and its main thrust is on social contact.  It seeks partnership – friendship, business, marriage.  It’s not about the passion of a personal relationship – Libra is not thought to be a passionate sign - but more about the ‘contract’, if you like – the need for equality and fairness within relationship.  Libra is the peacemaker, the negotiator, the mediator.  Venus provides a sense of refinement, and an awareness of beauty and harmony.

'Libra', from the AstroArt series

Libra has a reputation for being indecisive!  Following from Virgo’s need to analyze everything in great detail, Libra weighs it all carefully but is always having to take new factors into account, upsetting that delicate balance, hence appearing to be constantly changing its mind.  In Egyptian mythology, Libra is represented by Ma’at, the goddess of the scales who would, at the time of death, weigh the human soul against an ostrich feather to determine whether or not the soul would reincarnate.  Greek mythology gives us Themis, a blindfolded seer who also carries a pair of scales.  The archangel Michael, in Christianity, holds the scales. In each tradition, the theme is balance, of keeping things – be they social or spiritual – in order.  I think this is shown beautifully by the Justice card - the topic of my next post!

The image comes from my AstroArt series, collages inspired by walking the Glastonbury Landscape Zodiac, part of the Alchemical Journey (www.alchemicaljourney.co.uk).   Prints of the card can be bought on Folksy (folksy.com/shops/AlisonCoals)