METAPHYSICAL LIBRA

I chose to write about metaphysical Libra for the issue of Echo* published while the Sun is in the opposite sign of Aries because the Egyptian initiates of the divine race of the Sons and Daughters of God (who lived according to the law of spirit, not according to the law of matter like virtually every human being alive today) used as their symbol of initiation the sign in which the tropical autumnal (fall) equinox falls in the precession of the equinoxes, which creates the epochs or “Ages” (e.g. the Age of Aquarius).  This corresponds to the concept that the divine is the exact opposite of the personal.  When we observe something or someone, we are in a dualistic relationship with it/them, but when we become one with something or someone, we achieve a state of divine unity with it/them.

Libra is the only sign of the zodiac represented by an inanimate object – the scales (occasionally, a modern representation will depict a blindfolded woman “blind justice” or a beautiful woman holding the scales but this depiction has no basis in antiquity).  In fact, to the Hellenistic Greeks and the Romans, Libra was referred to as “the Claws” of the scorpion and this is the origin of the misconception that the zodiac at one time consisted of only 11 signs.  However, “the Claws” of the scorpion was indeed a separate sign so the scorpion actually spanned two signs – Libra (the claws of the scorpion, which precede the body) and Scorpio (the body of the scorpion, including the stinger – more about that in my next article about metaphysical Scorpio).  The human soul is weighed in the balance – the seven mortal virtues (chastity or virtue, wisdom, love, hope, courage, faith, and prudence) are weighed against the seven mortal sins (envy, gluttony, lust, indolence, wrath, pride, and covetousness) and we are judged at death accordingly (Libra precedes Scorpio, the sign of death).  Nicholas deVore described Libra as “the sign of cosmic reciprocity, of cooperation rather than competition, of consciousness objectified through associations and partnerships” (N.D., p. 368 (1980)).

Themis is the Greek goddess most closely associated with the sign of Libra, although Aphrodite (Venus) is most closely associated with the symbolism of the planet Venus (ruler of Libra).  Themis was a Titan, daughter of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaea (Earth), and was goddess of balance, equilibrium, justice and wisdom (the latter traits from her association with Jupiter).  As such, her attribute was a pair of scales.  She was the first consort of Zeus (Jupiter) before Hera arrived in Olympus and this association survives astrologically in the form of Venus (as Libra’s ruler) and Jupiter as the benefics (most beneficial) of the planets.  Themis’ function on Olympus was to maintain peace and harmony and to call the gods and goddesses to gatherings, both Libran traits.  She also served as advisor to earthly judges and they gave their verdicts in her name, so this function (the position of Libra in our birth chart) is symbolized in each of us as the innate ability to distinguish between justice and injustice or, more basically, moral right from wrong.