Sun Sign Secrets (17 page)

LIBRA

September 23–October 22

Planet:
Venus

Element:
Air

Quality:
Cardinal

Day:
Friday

Season:
autumn

Colors:
light blue, royal blue, pastels

Plants:
orchid, foxglove, eucalyptus

Perfume:
vanilla

Gemstones:
opal, jade, sapphire, blue topaz

Metal:
copper

Personal qualities:
Artistic, refined, poised, intelligent, and tactful

Keywords

We call the following words “keywords” because they can help you unlock the core meaning of the astrological sign of Libra. Each keyword represents issues and ideas that are of supreme importance and prominence in the lives of people born with Libra as their Sun sign. You will usually find that every Libra embodies at least one of these keywords in the way she makes a living:

partnership
•
union
•
color sense
•
sophistication
•
good taste

yin and yang
•
law
•
balance
•
cooperation
•
fairness

quality control
•
detachment
•
aesthetics
•
harmonious

fence-sitter
•
romantic
•
ideas
•
opinions
•
politics
•
diplomacy

good manners
•
fashionista
•
give peace a chance
•
moderate

pro and con
•
mellifluous
•
idealism
•
comfort
•
shopping
•
justice

Libra's Symbolic Meaning

Libra is the only sign whose symbol is not alive, not a human, animal, or fish. Its symbol is the old-fashioned balance scale, a representation of equal measure and justice. The scales of Libra remind us that the time of Libra was when the harvest was weighed and measured against those of other years and other farmers. Public declarations of contractual partnerships were made and fulfilled, as goods were exchanged for their fair market value. But the perfect balance of the Libran scales was also a reminder that the first six warming full Moons of the lunar year had passed and that the challenges of the next six cooling full Moons were to come. Our ancestors knew that a balanced, loving relationship was a truly valuable commodity on cold nights. Only a cooperative family unit could make it through winter's deprivations.

Libra is one of the four Cardinal Sun signs in astrology (the other three are Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn). Cardinal people like to initiate change, as each Cardinal sign represents the beginning of a new season. Consequently, they like to take charge, and they take action to direct and control.

Libra is also one of the three Air signs of astrology (the other two are Gemini and Aquarius). The Air signs are usually connected with communication and the intellect.

The lesson for all Libras to learn is that there is an important reason that their judgment is not as refined, elegant, and accurate as they would like it to be. They have come into this world with the astrological sign Libra because they want to learn how to develop their judgment and become the best competitor for the finer things in life. Libras hate anything they consider not up to their standards and want to be surrounded by only the best. Perhaps this is why Libras are such an interesting mixture of refined judgment and fierce competitiveness.

Libras too often allow themselves to be persuaded to abandon their own judgment and distrust their intuition. The scales that symbolize Libra are an inanimate device intended to indicate the relative weight or value of everything by attaining a position of rest, resolution, and harmony. A scale never brought to a state of equilibrium is almost worthless. Libras have a natural affinity with the unseen, intuitive side of life. With the exceedingly rare and keen perception characteristic of the sign Libra, there is no human attainment beyond their grasp.

Recognizing a Libra

People who exhibit the physical characteristics distinctive of the sign Libra have a fine bone structure and balanced features, a charming smile, a graceful and athletic build, and a clear and very harmonious voice. Libras are likely to have an attractive dimple. It is a Libran habit to spend time deciding what to wear each morning, and he knows how to dress in gentle, subtle colors.

Libra's Typical Behavior and Personality Traits

• has a hard time making decisions
  
• enjoys beautiful art and music
  
• is a great conversationalist
  
• is interested in the opposite sex
  
• knows how to be romantic
  
• is amusing and smiles a lot
  
• is very idealistic
  
• can change his mind often
  
• can spend a lot of money on luxury items
  
• has good business instincts
  
• has good manners
  
• is interested in legal matters
  

What Makes a Libra Tick?

Libras are driven by the desire to bring beauty and harmony to their world and the world at large. They have refined tastes and may actually recoil from things that are ugly, loud, or unpleasant. Other people may misinterpret this attitude as snobbishness, but it is not. For many Libras, vulgarity is an affront.

A Libra may give the impression of being a pushover because of an unwillingness to argue. But under the right set of circumstances he can stand up for himself, despite the unpleasantness that arguing brings.

The Libra Personality Expressed Positively

Libras who use their talent for mediating disputes in their daily life are acting out their own innate sense of harmony, and they manage to do this without appearing to be nosy or intrusive. They have a genuine desire for peace and equality in every relationship, and when they are happy these attributes are easily attained and flow through their actions.

On a Positive Note

Libras displaying the positive characteristics associated with their sign also tend to be:

• cooperative and trustworthy
  
• excellent companions
  
• refined and artistic
  
• idealistic and romantic
  
• good negotiators
  
• fair-minded
  
• strong believers in good causes
  
• planners
  
• charming and sincere
  

The Libra Personality Expressed Negatively

An unhappy or frustrated Libra can be hard to get along with and deliberately quarrelsome. If Libra feels that she is lacking in power, she can do a lot of moping and self-pitying. Also, if Libra doesn't get enough attention, the result is likely to be a lowering of confidence and self-esteem. Libra needs to shine in someone else's eyes, and unless she does, she cannot be at her best.

Negative Traits

Libras displaying the negative characteristics associated with their sign also tend to be:

• fearful
  
• lazy and indecisive
  
• manipulative
  
• know-it-all
  
• flirtatious
  
• narcissistic
  
• jealous
  
• depressed
  

Ask a Libra If...

Ask a Libra if you want to see both sides of a difficult or troublesome situation. Libras are notoriously good at being able to size up any situation and discover the pluses and minuses of it. Libra isn't merely content to analyze the available options, but actually believes that there are two sides to every story. Even if a Libra has a preference for one or the other, he will be fair in making an assessment.

Libras As Friends

Libras are loving friends and are unlikely to embarrass anyone with emotional outbursts. Libran friends are honest and treat their friends fairly. They need to keep a balance between work and play, and between their thoughts and their emotions. This is what makes them happy. Friends should never forget that the worst thing for a Libra is to be left alone for too long. If this happens, Libras can become irritable and depressed, and their self-esteem can suffer. Friends also need to know that Libras find it difficult to ask for help when they are feeling unhappy.

Sometimes Libras seem to have trouble making decisions, but this is because they must consider all sides of a question first. Libras can occasionally try the patience of their friends with their indecisiveness.

Libras are always striving for perfection, and need beauty and balance around them. The most important thing for a Libra person is the idea of harmony.

Looking for Love

Libras are very partner oriented and often find it difficult to function efficiently without one. It's not that they depend upon their partner for much. Libras need a partner so they can find out what they, themselves, think about something by bouncing it off of another person. When they find a partner who, in this way, enables them to feel the way they want to feel, they seek to make the partnership permanent. This often leads to partnerships that others have difficulty understanding. It also makes Libras very concerned with living up to the conditions of partnerships. Libras love to be in love.

Libras need good communication with others. The smooth-talking socialites of the zodiac, Libras are happy to flatter, to console, and to make their love interests feel comfortable. But that is not to say that they desire insincere flattery. They are extremely intelligent and can always tell if someone is being honest or merely trying to get on their good side. Libras want harmony above all else but will not be falsely placated just to achieve the semblance of it. They're also very considerate of a loved one's needs and always try to see things from their mate's point of view.

Even though Libras are not intellectual snobs, they do look for someone who is full of ideas and opinions and with whom they can have rousing discussions. There are times when even romantic infatuation or attraction isn't enough—Libra needs the words!

Finding That Special Someone

As Libras are extremely sociable, they have no problem meeting interesting people. Because their talent for conversation makes them interesting dinner party guests, they have more than their share of invitations. Since they have so many friends, it is not uncommon for Libras to be introduced to a potential love interest by mutual friends.

First Dates

A first date with a Libra usually involves some classy event where an attractive new outfit is required. Most Libras love the arts and parties. An ideal first date would be to any gathering where there was a mix of interesting people. Libras love good food but are often watching their weight, so the appetizers and wine served at such an event may be enough for them. Afterwards, though, they may choose to have a cup of coffee at a trendy place to discuss the evening's events. For Libra, the talk may even prove to be the best part of the date.

Libra in Love

The Libra can glow with love for the whole world when she meets the person of her dreams. She tends to fall in love with love itself and is eager to share life, with all its ups and downs, with her partner. The Libran ideal is a life that is filled with the gentle, peaceful, rosy glow of romance. She will do anything to avoid hurting her loved one, and can become extremely emotionally dependent on her partner.

Undying Love

The Libra is able to forgive a lot of his loved one's shortcomings. A loved one can lighten Libra's depressive moods with a genuine loving gesture. A Libra may argue or behave badly when he feels that something is unfair.

Libras are not nearly as high maintenance as they may appear. Because they are so reasonable, it is easy to talk to them about concerns in the relationship without them becoming aggravated or overly emotional. They are always willing to do their part in keeping the relationship not only working but improving.