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All about Libra

Libra is the seventh astrological sign meaning it is associated with the seventh house and originates from the constellation of Libra. In terms of astrology, Libra is considered a masculine and positive sign. Libra is also considered to be an air sign and is one of the four cardinal signs— Aries, Cancer and Capricorn are the other three cardinal signs. The planet Venus is the ruler of both Libra and Taurus. Anyone born when the sun is in Libra falls under the sign of Libra, and under the tropical zodiac this begins during the autumn equinox and begins on September 23rd and leaves on October 22nd.

If you follow the sidereal zodiac these dates will different substantially and last from October 19th through November 16th. Western astrology no longer aligns this sign with the constellation due to the precession of the equinoxes. The Scales is the symbol for Libra and according to Roman mythology Libra is depicting the scales held by Astracea, the goddess of justice. As a general rule Libras are compatible with the other air signs, Gemini and Aquarius as well as the fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Even though Cancer and Capricorn are feminine signs, they are semi-compatible with Libra because they also possess cardinal qualities. Of course, there are many different variables that play into the pictures in the determination of compatibility within astrology including but not limited to birth dates, birth months, birth years, and where the sign is located in relation to the Moon, Stars, etc. Keep in mind that even though the signs that listed as compatible with Libra are general guidelines based on guidelines and references for compatibility according to variables within the Zodiac such as Qualities and Elements; they are not reflections of any individual profile or reading. Synastry is the branch of astrology that deals specifically with interpersonal compatibilities.

The origin of Libra as the Scales and Balance and Final Judgment is said to date all the way back to the Egyptian afterlife rituals. In these rituals the souls of the dead were weighed on a scale. Anubis was responsible for weighing the heart of the deceased in comparison to the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice.

On the other hand, in Greek mythology the stars of Libra represent the Golden Chariot of Pluto. Pluto’s abduction of Persephone is a very well known Greek myth, most likely because of its strong association with astronomy. Zeus and Poseidon were brothers of Pluto (Hades), but he was rarely cognizant what was going on in the Upperworld because he very seldom emerged from his kingdom of darkness.

It was considered highly unwise and dangerous for anyone to mention the names of certain gods and goddesses. For this reason the Furies or Cronies were called Eumenides meaning the Kindly Ones and Hades was given the name Pluto meaning the Rich One. Four jet-black horses were responsible for pulling Pluto’s golden chariot which he used on occasion to visit the Upperworld with the intention of seducing a beautiful nymph for a short-term relationship—that is, until he laid eyes on Persephone, the beautiful daughter of Demeter and Zeus. He took Persephone back to Tartarus which is the deepest part of Hades, a move that changed the Upperworld forever.

Pluto owned all the mineral riches that existed below the Earth’s surface, but his favorite possession was a helmet that made him invisible, a gift from the Cyclopes. Demeter was the sister of Zeus and Hades. She was responsible for Agriculture and all plant life which made her one of the most important of all the goddesses.

The legend goes on to say that Hades is so mesmerized by Persephone’s beauty that he decides he wants her for his own and forces her into his kingdom, making her the Queen of the Underworld. Demeter is devastated at the loss of her daughter and begs the other gods to help her find and return Persephone.

Theseus and Peritheus descend into Hades in order to locate Persephone, but they are unable to accomplish their mission. Instead of bringing Persephone back to Demeter, they are captured and held captive by Hades. Heracles then proceeds to rescue both Theseus and Peritheus but only succeeds in returning Theseus while Peritheus is condemned to spend all of eternity in Hades.

Demeter is so distraught about losing Persephone that she neglects her godly duties thus causing no seeds to sprout and causing a severe drought throughout the entire Upperworld. Zeus becomes very angry because he is expecting a tribute, but if the drought is allowed to continue he will not receive the tribute he is due. According to some accounts, Zeus’s real reason for acting on his sister’s behalf is because he emphasizes with her feelings over the loss of her daughter and wants to help her bring Persephone back to the Upperworld to be with her mother. Whatever the reason for his actions may be, the end result is that he convinces his brother, Hades to give up
Persephone in order to save the Upperworld from the existing drought.

Zeus rules that Persephone is not permitted to remain in the Upperworld permanently but must divided her time between the Upperworld and the Underworld. She is required to spend four months of every year with her husband in the Underworld, but is allowed to spend the remaining eight months visiting her mother in the Upperworld. During the four months of the year she is with her husband the world becomes a cold and forbidding place which ends on the 21st of March when Persephone emerges from the Underworld and brings spring with her.

While the reasons for Zeus’s action may differ among mythology sources, the end result remains the same and is a fascinating story to be sure. How much effect these changes have on the personality of the Libra is uncertain, but they do show the events that led to the belief in the origin of the Scales as the sign for Libra.

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