If you were born between September 23rd and October 22nd, that makes you a Libra! (Wow!) The seventh sign of the zodiac, Libras are known to be intelligent, kind, compromisers who strive to have control over their lives.
The sign is represented by a set of scales, the only zodiac sign to be represented by an object instead of an animal. This represents the sign’s main virtues, which value balance, harmony, and beauty in all of its forms.
Being the seventh sign, Libra arrives in the sky as the summer fades into the cool decay of autumn, signaling a shift in the earth and all of our lives—Libras thrive as their natural alignment with calm and ordered living. Libras are often visionaries and big picture thinkers, who may live simply and still have a rich internal life; fueling an imagination that they wield to deliver their thoughts into reality.
The Libra’s most commonly associated major arcana tarot card is Justice, which is very fitting. Justice is most commonly represented as a woman wearing a blindfold, holding out a set of scales. That may seem like a big deal, but remember that even The Devil and Death do not necessarily mean bad things to come. Justice represents internal balance in many different forms, and it’s this sense that aligns the card with Libras so well.
Before anything else, let’s become familiar with the basic history of Libra as a sign. The sign’s origin is the ancient Greek goddess of justice and divine law. In this form too, Justice is a woman holding a set of scales. According to ancient writer Manilus, all Roman judges were born under Libra.
There are many old references to Themis in old texts like this. For example, in the play Prometheus Bound which is commonly attributed to Aeschylus, Themis is referred to as Gaia, the titan of the earth. While Libra is an air sign, the attribution with the earth is an interesting tidbit about its lore. Of course, gods from old myths have seen endless reinterpretations, so the extent of the actual meaning is somewhat unclear. In Hesiod’s Theogony, Gaia is written as Themis’ mother, in classic Greek mythology style of not quite holding up to a modern lens. But Themis has always represented law in this way, and in some stories her child Dike was the one who presided over her judgements.
The actual constellation in the sky of Libra is in the southern hemisphere when it is visible. Its name is literally Latin for weighing scales, and the constellation has represented those ideals of law and balance for most of history. In the ancient Middle East, Libra was referred to as the scorpion’s claws, a symbol for their god Shamash, who was a god of the sun as well as truth and justice.
There’s also a United States navy ship AKA-12 called the Libra! But that one’s mostly unrelated. The point is, Libra has represented balance and order for a huge part of recorded history, and that is where much of the modern day lore comes from and is inspired by.
The Justice tarot card relates to impartiality through karmic, emotional, or even financial means. When this card is upright, you should take its meanings into consideration. In a positive sense, the card will probably signify favorable outcomes in a legal dispute. The card also encourages truth and integrity, which are both traits that heavily align with the basic ideals of a Libra. But whether you actually have legal issues or not, it is a signifier to keep yourself in balance and be aware of coming events that might threaten your balance. If future events come towards you making a choice, be smart and balance all of your options before proceeding.
But above all, an upright Justice will lead you to reward and balance in your life. Justice, herself blind, delivers her verdict to the world with a clean hand. She has no sway and no opinion, she is the indelible desire of the world to create order. Although the nature of the universe is an irreversible turn towards chaos, through Justice we deliver a sanctuary of order in which we hold ourselves steadfast, one bright star in a universe filled with darkness. We alone have the power and the right to manifest our will into the world, and following the hand of Justice will deliver us safely to our refuge.
Now we are hopefully clear on the meaning of the sign Libra and its card, Justice. These portents of your life may carry the following meanings in your life when they appear.
In love, a Justice card may signal a coming relationship with someone in the legal industry, or perhaps someone who is a Libra. If there is an imbalance in your love life, such as feeling isolated or unloved or not treated with kindness then this card may be a sign that this imbalance could be corrected with a loving partner in your future. If you are already in a relationship, then its meaning is more complex. If you have a loving and balanced relationship, then you will see harmony and good tidings. If the relationship is in some way imbalanced, then that imbalance will be revealed soon. Remember, Justice delivers her hand impartially.
In your career, it may mean to remember the balance between your personal and work life (anyone been watching Severance lately?). Of course career is important, but as the adage goes, no one dies wishing they spent more time at the office. On the other hand, stay cognizant about keeping your career afloat as well. Just remember your integrity, and everything will turn up well for you.
For your health, spiritually and physically, Justice can simply be pointing out the imbalances in your body if you are ill or cautioning against overindulgence otherwise. Remember, balance.
And if the card is reversed, so is the meaning. But whatever the card reads, the ideals of justice are good ideas to bring into any aspect of your life at any time. A Libra may especially benefit from following these principles, but through dedication to a just cause, you may be able to find happiness and splendor for you and your loved ones.
If you’re interested in the Tarot cards of more star signs, why not learn more about the Virgo’s Hermit, or the Capricorn’s Devil!
