Libra: The Scales
Libra glyph:
The Sign of Libra
The sign of Libra, ruled by Venus, is associated with balance, harmony and beauty. Libra is an air sign with a focus on communication and aesthetics. There is an emphasis on peacefulness, sociability, cooperation, and fellowship.
Issues involving relationships, partners, contracts, romance, marriage, divorce, lovers, artists, beauticians, decorators, diplomats, judiciary, mediators, litigators, musicians, negotiators, pacifists, and politicians become accentuated during the Libra cycle.
The house that Libra occupies in the natal chart shows an area of life where one seeks approval, can be indecisive, gullible, and shallow. It also shows the area where one achieves balance and can be especially charming, diplomatic, kind, and considerate.
The key phrase for Libra is “I Balance”.
Tarot Symbolism
Attune to the qualities of Libra with a 3-minute tarot meditation on Justice.
Justice is the figure of poise and grace. Ruled by Venus, she reminds us that peace radiates naturally from a center of harmony and order. She teaches us to do away with extremes, balance opposites and find stability within.
Confer with Justice to become centered or whenever you wish to invoke clarity, balance or simplicity.
The direction West points to the path of spiritual intelligence. The sign Libra correlates to Experience, the first step on the Western pathway of Sun Bear’s Medicine Wheel. The Love developed during the Virgo cycle allows the active participation in life via interaction with others and observation of the shadow, both of which provide life experience and lead to knowledge. The key to balanced relationship lies in being able to appreciate the value of routine activities.
Chart for the New Moon on October 19/20, 2017:
Sabian Symbol for 27º Libra
“An airplane sails high in the clear sky.”
This degree depicts a consciousness able to transcend the conflicts and pressure of the personal life.
— from An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformation and Its 360 Symbolic Phases© 1973 Dane Rudhyar.
Highlights of the New Moon Chart at 26º Libra 35′
This Libra lunation cycle is about getting mental clarity on emotional issues concerning relationships (3 planets each in Air and Water signs — 2 planets each in Fire and Earth) and finding a way to move beyond the me & thee of relationships to a realm of unity. The desire for independence threatens relationships by issuing ultimatums. Tensions are increased as fears of dissolution and general instability become inflammatory (New Moon opposite Uranus, sesquare Neptune, semisextile Mars).
Our advice for this cycle:
Think back to the Full Moon in Aries (October 5 – 8) for clues to what may unfold this cycle. How does your experience then relate to now?
This is an excellent cycle to question your relationship with others, with money, with your work, with yourself; especially to become aware of passive-aggressive behaviors.
Libra is the path of Experience. All that has gone before brings you to this moment. Listen to the experiences of others and note how it has qualified their needs, just as your life experience has qualified yours. Look for avenues of communication and cooperation that will integrate the needs of both parties.
Going to a concert, listening to symphonies, or playing a musical instrument will assist you to find peace during inharmonious times. Visiting art galleries or museums, taking an art history class, painting, or drawing will increase your sense of balance and serenity.
Journal prompts for insights:
- How do you define beauty?
- What things do you find easiest and hardest to share?
- How do you regain your equilibrium when realizing you’re out of balance?
- Where and with whom would life be easier if you were to make compromises?
- When do you feel most social?
- What do you consider your most charming aspect?
- How well do you listen?
- What is your relationship with your shadow?
Affirm: I value my relationships.
Quote for this cycle:
“Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.”
~ Swedish Proverb
Mandala Support
A Mandala is a powerful device for creating and focusing on sacred intentions. We encourage you to create and color your own mandala or print out and color our 2017 Libra New Moon Mandala.
You are invited to send your mandalas to us for placement in our Mandala Gallery.
Please check out Lynn Keefer’s Mandala Journal, where Lynn shares the mandala she colors every month, along with her meditative process.
Staying Current
The Zodiac Arts Moon Phase Journal, which usually posts at each phase with tips on working with the current cosmic and lunar energies, is currently on hiatus and the posts are sporadic.
Sandra shares her personal moon phase journal, Sunny’s Days. We invite you to join her walk through the year. Declare your intentions – start your own moon phase journal. Share your images, words, colors, and goals for this lunation cycle in the comments below the posts.
Or, if you’re on Facebook, you can get Zodiac Arts‘ and Sandra’s posts in your news feed and respond there.
Off-site Resources:
Artist, author, educator, and dear friend, Donna Iona Drozda uses solar, lunar and numerological cycles as a blueprint for living the life of a “Heartist.” Keep up with her Lifecycle offerings and updates on her Lifecycle Blog, and be sure to subscribe to her email newsletter while there.
CJ Wright at Auntie Moon offers daily insights and other good lunar tidings at her website, plus she has monthly lunation cycle workbooks. She also has an excellent video: Moon Phases and New Moon Intentions.
Margaret Koolman’s New Moon insights can be found at her website, SoulAstrology.com. Margaret writes beautifully and offers excellent counsel.
Jessica Shepherd is always a good read at Moonkissd.com.
Elaine Kalantarian at Blue Moon Astrology uses astrology to describe archetypal processes at the New and Full Moons.
April Elliott Kent at Big Sky Astrology is adept at putting the current cosmic conditions into personally identifiable terms.
Nadia Gilchrist always has our attention at Ruby Slipper Astrology, where she writes about the lunations and other cosmic events.
Stephanie Gailing, another of our favorites, offers her insights and apothecary suggestions on her web site. Her book, Planetary Apothecary: An Astrological Approach to Health and Wellness, has tips on health-supporting foods, spa and wellness therapies, relaxation practices, yoga poses, aromatherapy, natural remedies, and flower essences customized for each Zodiac sign.
Lynda Hill takes a thorough look at the Sabian Symbols active this cycle.
Christina Rodenbeck at The Oxford Astrologer generously writes and posts excellent articles on current transits, world events and the arts. Her monthly horoscopes are well worth a small subscription fee.
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