VelaraAir · Cardinal · Ruled by Venus
Libra
Libra is the only sign of the zodiac represented by an object rather than a living thing. It weighs, compares and looks for the point where everyone can meet.
- Dates
- September 23 – October 22
- Symbol
- The Scales
- Element
- Air
- Modality
- Cardinal
- Ruling planet
- Venus
- Exaltation
- Saturn
- Opposite sign
- Aries
- Body (classical)
- Lower back and kidneys
Personality
The Libra nature
Libra is cardinal air: it starts things through people. Ruled by Venus, it is linked with charm, taste and a strong sense of fairness. It sees every side of an argument, which makes it a natural mediator — and sometimes a reluctant decision-maker. It can keep the peace at the cost of saying what it actually wants.
Growth edge: Picking a side when it matters, even if someone is disappointed.
Born on the cusp?
The dates move. Your chart doesn't.
The Sun is in exactly one sign at any moment, but the switch-over shifts by up to a day from year to year. If you were born near September 23 or October 22, only your exact birth time can say which side of the line you're on.
Libra shares its element with Gemini and Aquarius. Its opposite sign is Aries.
Sun-sign traits describe a twelfth of the world. Your Moon, Rising and planets make them yours.
The Big Three
There's more to you than Libra.
Your Sun sign comes from your birthday. Your Moon and Rising signs need the full date, time and place — and they change far faster.
Sun — your core self and identity. Changes sign about once a month.
Moon — your emotions and inner needs. Changes sign about every 2.3 days.
Rising — how you meet the world. Changes about every two hours on average.
The myth
The story of the scales
The early Greeks didn't have a separate Libra: these stars were the Claws of the neighbouring Scorpion. Roman astronomers made them the Scales, often read as the balance of justice held by Virgo next door.
The Babylonians already called these stars the Scales, sacred to Shamash, god of truth and justice — so the scales are older than the Greek claws.
The ♎︎ glyph is a balance — a set of scales.
In the night sky
Libra among the stars
Its brightest star, Zubeneschamali, means “the northern claw” in Arabic — a leftover from when these stars belonged to the Scorpion.
Earlier observers described Zubeneschamali as the only green star visible to the naked eye. Modern observers see it as white or bluish, and nobody has fully explained why.
FAQ
Libra, quickly
What are the Libra dates?
Libra season runs from about September 23 to October 22. The exact moment the Sun changes sign shifts by up to a day from year to year, so if you were born near either date, your birth chart settles it.
What element is Libra?
Libra is a cardinal air sign. It shares its element with Gemini and Aquarius.
What planet rules Libra?
Libra is ruled by Venus.
Sources
- Theoi Project — the myth of Libra
- Constellation Guide — Libra
- Wikipedia — Libra (constellation)
- Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos I (rulerships, exaltations) — LacusCurtius
- Wikipedia — Astrological sign
- Wikipedia — Astrological symbols
- Wikipedia — Zodiac Man (classical body associations)
Dates are given in UTC unless noted; local dates can differ by a day. Last checked 4 October 2026.
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