Character Of Libra

All things seem to be seeking balance. It is the time of the Libra, the Scales, which is the sign of harmony and justice.

If the first  half of the zodiac was concerned with the development of the self, the second half deals with the relation of self to others. This is especially true for Libra. Librans are emotionally rich, gifted with tact and delicacy, and skilled at making and keeping friends. Because they are wonderfully careful not to harm or give offense, they invite confidence and trust. Through others they seek confirmation of themselves. But for all their loving natures, Librans have a talent for emotional distance--as their sign denotes. It is the zodiac's only inanimate symbol. Librans are at once involved and objective. They can look coolly on matters of the heart. At their best, they have the virtue of compassionate detachment.

Still, Librans' whole beings are centered on connections--not only between people, but between humans and the things around them. Librans love beauty, but more so as a backdrop than as an end in itself. Librans want a lovely setting where graceful events can unfold. To the extent that they are artists, their palettes are social settings and people their media. Charming themselves, Librans value charm in others. They love gossip and parties and make wonderful hosts. The Scales' influence is particularly strong in women who preside over salons where people of note connect with one another. Moreover, guests at such salons are likely to include a number of Libran wits.

But people born under this sign are social in a more profound sense. When scales are out of balance, Librans feel compelled to right them. They prize social justice and battle mightily for it; however, their tactics will more than likely involve compromise than confrontation. Librans value solitude as an opportunity to gain a perspective on the past as well as the present. In aloneness, mature Librans find themselves centered and balanced.

Like all the signs, however, Libra has a less attractive side. While fully evolved Librans are judicious, immature ones are judgmental. A fondness for meddling can make Librans a source of irritation to their friends. Librans display great certitude when it comes to telling other people how to behave. Unfortunately, they are not as certain of their own paths.

Vacillation is probably Librans' greatest fault. The scales after all, have two sides, and Librans always seem beset by the tug of opposites. They want to be with people; they want to be alone. They want solitude for balance, yet are afraid of loneliness. They are usually active people, but they must fight natural tendencies towards indulgence and languor.

 Librans are very concerned with making the right choices--a real predicament for such equivocal creatures. For some, this results in chronic indecision. They may also be overly dependant on the opinions of others and easily swayed by stronger personalities. Fortunately, the acute intelligence characteristic of Librans usually rescues them, in time, from the quandaries that their vacillation creates.

Emotionally, Librans are very vulnerable. They are so eager for friendship, and their appetite for involvement is so vast, that the slightest rebuff can cause them great hurt. They are apt to feel martyred and badly used, and in reaction, become overly strict and critical. Librans who are out of balance need love so badly that they may choose any relationship, whether it be destructive or detrimental, rather than be alone.

Librans need to fight the indecisiveness that threatens to sap their strength and dim their charm. They must care less discriminately for approval, and they must pay as much attention to their own development as to others. In this way, with all things in balance, Librans will be able to elicit the best in themselves and stimulate the best in others.