Planets in Libra: Introduction
Planets and points in Libra express with Libra’s characteristic balance – and that may be seen aesthetically, relationally, socially or personally – as in getting your life together. h those of you who have a planet, or two in this sign will be familiar with that concept, as will those of you whose Ascendant or Midheaven falls in Libra. Planets and points in this sign apply Libra energy to the function they represent in your birth chart. Having the Sun in Libra will not be experienced in the same way as the Moon in Libra or, for example, Saturn or the Midheaven (MC) in that sign.
The inner or ‘personal’ planets represent particular parts of your character that are easily recognisable to you, for example, the Sun signifies your inner self; the Moon your emotional side; Mercury your mind; Venus your desire nature and Mars your ability to assert yourself. Similarly, the Ascendant and Midheaven are personal because they represent the ‘points’ at which your birth chart intersects with lived experience and reality. When they express through Libra, those areas of your life may be be a collaborative or harmonious experience.
The outer planets are less personal in their representation, and Libra energy manifests through them in two particular ways: through the ‘social planets’, Jupiter and Saturn, Libra energy influences your personal growth and development (Jupiter) and the ways in which you mature and take responsibility (Saturn). Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are the ‘generational planets’; by zodiac sign, they affect all of those born at the same time.
The dynamics of the outer planets by sign affect how each generation seeks to differentiate itself from the previous one by its social ideals and social progress (Uranus), by its cultural output and spiritual ideals (Neptune) and by its relationship with power and societal transformation (Pluto). Libra energy has been influential in recent history, as the outer planets have all passed through Libra at. times between 1942 and 1984, so some of you reading this may have been born with an outer planet in this sign.
Sun in Libra
The Sun represents your core self so, with Libra as your sun sign, you identify with Libra traits because that’s how you are, even if your rising sign gives you a completely different personality type. So Libra, regardless of appearances, you’re a ‘people person’ with a natural flair of getting to know others. You know that you’re more effective when you can relate and are part of a partnership or team. You know you’re more effective when your life is ‘together’. For a person with a Libra Sun, the sum of the parts is never more than the value of the whole.
Appearance is so important to Libra – how you look, how your partner looks, your home decor, how your kids and pets look – the fashion, beauty and design industries would be lost without Libra. What you need to watch for is vanity and superficiality. Don’t put everything into appearance if there’s nothing of substance underneath. You are capable of making the world a better – and more beautiful place. Without Libra’s influence the world would be an ugly place – and I mean that in the broadest sense. The Sun in Libra grants you intellectual, moral and social balance – not just this season’s favourite colour.
Moon in Libra
The Moon represents your comfort zone; there is nothing like an appointment with your hairdresser to keep you feeling that all is well with your world. If that sounds sexist, let me tell you that lunar Libra guys are just as keen on looking good. That bijou salon where you go to keep your facial hair in good shape? That’s so Libra Moon. As is the gym – looking toned is probably higher up the scale of your objectives than merely keeping fit. For the less active, art classes or galleries will do just as well. Your need for aesthetic appeal goes beyond the strictly personal.
You need relaxation and beautiful or elegant surroundings like you need oxygen, with a Libra Moon you need loads of that too. Lunar Libra subjects love long walks, cycling and fresh air – whether it’s the coast or the country it doesn’t matter. What does matter is the sense of emotional harmony that comes from being in your element. You won’t be going it alone, however, as you need people too. Sharing your pursuits with others is a great comfort. Most of all, you need someone or something you relate to.
Mercury in Libra
With Mercury in Libra, you communicate and process information in ways influenced by Libra. Where communication is concerned, you’re a natural diplomat. You know how to diffuse conflict and enable compromise, as Mercury Libra likes to connect people and ideas in a harmonious way. You are eloquent, charming and persuasive and you’re great at seeing the big picture. This combination of qualities can make you an effective activist, writer, counsellor, coach or worker in the creative arts, as you know how to connect with your audience.
However, there is a downside to Mercury in Libra. Your ability to see a situation from both sides can make you indecisive. Procrastination is never a good thing, but it’s often caused by your need to weigh up a situation before you take action. You’re able to see multiple courses of action available to you in every situation and it takes time to work out which one will be most effective. If confronted with your indecision, you’re likely to be uncomfortable, as you hate conflict. That brings us to that other Libra Mercury trait – telling people what they want to hear. Try to avoid saying yes to everything.
Venus in Libra
Venus in Libra is well placed in one of her own signs, so it’s often the most sociable and attractive Venus we see on display. Libra Venus loves to relate and this placement helps to maintain the social and personal contacts that make you feel loved and worthwhile. Your social life is important to you because it’s a source of pleasure. You like to be seen with the right people, so the quality of your social contacts is important to you. You also need to connect on an intellectual level. Relationships need to be harmonious and easy-going, as you tend to go with the flow.
A love of harmony is apparent in all aspects of your life. You have an enhanced aesthetic awareness that makes you fall in love with people and objects you consider to be beautiful, You can be fooled by a pretty face. However, Venus in this sign also enables you to present yourself well; you need a partner (you can’t imagine a single life) who reflects your own ideals of attractiveness and charm. A mirror image of yourself would be perfect. You are romantic and creative, and this is often reflected in your surroundings. You hate ugliness and disorder; they play no part in your life.
Mars in Libra
Mars in Libra has a passion for harmonious relationships. In fact it has a passion for harmony and relationships. And style, music, art, aesthetics, good hair and any ways in ‘Libra energy’ can be acted out. Mars in Libra is as active as Mars in any sign, but Mars in Libra uses its energy to resolve conflict, rather than blow things apart. Collaborative action is always preferable to going it alone. However, you do prefer to be the team leader. This is a Mars energy that needs feedback and a just cause.
Justice is a major theme with Mars in Libra, but seeking harmony is not restricted to alleviating discord or inequality. This is a Mars sign motivated by aesthetic and artistic concerns too; active involvement in fashion, culture or design is a good outlet for Mars in Libra energy. You may have good business acumen, as dynamic Mars energy is expressing in Libra – a financially savvy Venus-ruled sign. This Venus-Mars influence is also advantageous romantically; Libra is the sign of romance and you are likely to pursue love with enthusiasm, while maintaining high standards and a sense of refinement.
Jupiter in Libra
Saturn in Libra
Uranus in Libra
When the planet of disruption is found in the sign of balance, can we expect the those born under that influence to ‘upset the applecart’? We have a clear view of its most recent effects, as Uranus was in this sign between 1969 and 1976. In this sign, Uranus’s revolution affected relationships, changed our perception of equality, and altered the legal status of those concerns. Divorce is now commonplace (and socially acceptable) and women’s rights in relationships are protected. The legal rights of gay people began to be enshrined in law. Homosexuality ceased to be a criminal offence in the UK in 1969.
Uranus in Libra challenges social ‘norms’ where relationships are concerned, but if we look back in time, what else does history teach us about the dynamics of this placement? This was a time when peace – a core Libra concept – was of major concern. Peace rallies and peace protests – particularly against the Vietnam War and the nuclear threat – were commonplace. Opposition to state sponsored violence was also expressed through the arts and popular music. Revolution takes many forms, and in Libra it may be harmonious in a literal sense.
Neptune in Libra
Neptune last transited Libra between 1942 and 1957, during and immediately post-WW2. Following the horrific global war, trans-national organisations were established to maintain a ‘post-war consensus’, and ensure peace transcended the boundaries and self-interest of nation states. The UN and EEC (the precursor of the European Union) were established as a direct result of this Neptune in Libra ideal. However, the notion of dissolving boundaries works in many ways. The age of empires dissolved too, as equality could not occur under colonial rule.
History shows that peace is always fragile and contested. The Cold War. The Suez Crisis. The Korean War. The Vietnam War. Continuing conflict made peacekeeping a challenge, and made Neptune in Libra’s idealism look delusional. This Neptune transit also brought forth a cohort who would drop-out, tune-out and become the ‘peace and love’ hippie generation. Narcotics dissolved barriers and there was great music, but death or addiction were always present. Denial is a powerful Neptunian weapon. And Libra always presents us with both sides of the argument.
Pluto in Libra
Pluto was in Libra between 1971 and 1984. It brought depth, rage and darkness and was both shocking and liberating – particularly in the arts. The music world was shocked and invigorated by the emergence of the punk music scene. This counter-cultural movement consigned the excesses of the music industry to the dustbin of cultural history and gave us bands like The Velvet Underground. How Pluto in Libra is that name? But it was more than the music; the punk era represented a sudden break from a moribund value system.
To have come of age at that time may have been liberating, but what of the generation born at that time? This was the period when Generation X were born. Their lives have been more financially constrained than the earlier ‘Baby Boomer’ generation. Libra is ruled by Venus – and Venus is always associated with cash. Pluto in Libra blows up the economy, but it also transforms values too. Is decreased net worth (in exchange for a better life-work balance, a more collaborative approach to problem solving and a flexible approach to relating) a price worth paying?
Libra Ascendant (AC)
With Libra as your rising sign, you must have been a beautiful baby, or you were a well dressed child who sulked if you weren’t allowed to express your own preferences style-wise. Passive aggression is something you may have perfected at an early age, as tantrums were not for you. You may be outwardly stylish, amenable and polite, but you know how to get your own way. Your gentle outer nature masks a steely determination to see justice done. You try to present yourself as fair and equitable, but your reluctance to take sides can become an issue.
You have a Libra persona, even if your sun sign has blessed you with a completely different core character. Libra themed activities and ways of being come easily to you, and you express your sun sign’s qualities in the style of Libra – politely, intelligently, gracefully and cooperatively. Your partner will be important to you because being part of a relationship is how you see yourself. Be careful not to lose your own identity, as you tend to smooth over differences between people in you attempts to keep the peace. Those of you with Venus rising in the first house may share some traits with Libra rising.
Libra Midheaven (MC)
A Libra Midheaven gives you a relatable and approachable public persona. You know the importance of making connections and cultivating relationships. You make it your business to bring people together, to collaborate and maintain both personal and professional relationships. This makes you the pivotal person who co-ordinates efforts, teams, organisations, policy, people and ideas, and one reason for this is you are intelligent, reasonable and diplomatic. Many of you will the have effortless charm, or the gift of making hard work seem easy.
Libra at the Midheaven bestows qualities that will enable you to succeed in many types of career, but your primary interests may lie in two distinct sectors: those that are concerned with equality and fairness, and those that are concerned with aesthetics and appearance. Working in a legal or paralegal capacity, or in organisations that promote justice and equality, may meet your ambitions. You may work in the beauty or fashion industry, or in the visual arts. A Libra Midheaven is helpful for those involved in design or decoration because the underlying principles of balance and togetherness are important to you.
Next: Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces | Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo
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© Sara Shipman