The Sun transits Libra from Sep 23 (Fall Equinox) – Oct 23
Click here to learn about the Sun. Click here to learn about Libra.
Disclaimer: The Sun sign is a much-celebrated, often oversimplified astrological element. Remember – you embody a whole soup of planets!
I had many ideas about what the Virgo cycle would herald and yet the Goddess of Harvest still managed to surprise me. Do you feel like you got tossed into a wind turbine? Change is afoot! Seems like everyone is moving, getting new jobs, going to school, breaking up, generally gettin’ after it, whatever it is. This last month has been insanely busy. Indeed, Virgo gave us a peek into what the rest of the year holds. Life is not going to slow down, you lovely people. Whatever adjustments you made (or are still making) during the last few weeks will serve as a foundation for all that follows in 2016. We’re soaring through the upper echelon of the zodiac wheel, next stop Libra.
Let’s look at the greater context. Libra is situated between Virgo, who has proven to be a serious powerhouse, and Scorpio, creature of the night. Think of Libra as a resting spot - she’ll provide us with a relatively quiet period in which we can assimilate all the changes we’re making and also gear up for the scorpion realm. I say “relatively” quiet because I don’t think it will be at all. However, we can balance heavy schedules and responsibilities by retreating to a peaceful nook. Libra prefers grace and beauty in her surroundings, so grab your work and head outside. We can zone in to the task at hand while still satisfying Libra’s aesthetic needs.
Libra showers us with abundance only after we dutifully contemplate. Much has already been set in place since our rebirth in the spring, and now it’s time to reconfigure whatever’s not running smoothly. Insight is not always forthcoming - you are required to meditate and be honest with yourself and others! We’ll have to think while we work, because that’s just the pace of the Universe right now, but it won’t be a problem. Seize this opportunity to sort out your thoughts calmly or you’ll be thrown back into the mix feeling disarrayed. The good news is that Libra is not asking us to isolate as we process - she is the Goddess of Love, after all, and she doesn’t operate very well alone. Libra cultivates harmony.
I like to visualize Libra as a diplomat or mediator, smoothing out all the wrinkles. Libra has strong morals and enjoys actively participating in social justice. I have also observed that Libras are (traditionally) logical types who do not believe in astrology! This is due in part to the cardinal nature of this sign. Libra wants to make sure that her beliefs are practical and virtuous so that they may be of use to many people from all walks of life, not just herself.
To Libra, relationships are a mirror. Negotiating can be uncomfortable, but the alternative – internalizing negative feelings and remaining silent – is ultimately much more uncomfortable in the end. That’s what I remember struggling with most at this time last year: speaking up and holding my ground. Healthy confrontation comes naturally to some, but to others just the thought of verbalizing Truth makes us want to hide in the deepest, darkest cave. We have another Lunar Eclipse in Aries fast approaching, so I encourage you to get ahead of the curve and say what you need to say before something/someone else pulls the rug out. Of course this doesn’t mean that you need to be aggressive, in fact Libra is known for her classy communication. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to open the throat chakra and let your words fly out like doves: full of peace and compassion.
Libra is the sign of the scale. The scale is not only a symbol of balance but also of decision-making and listening. Before “weighing in,” the scale gathers as much information as possible so that the final decision reflects careful deliberation. This inclination can make it more difficult to reach said decision when the time comes. Because Libra is a natural counselor, she recognizes many viewpoints at once and may ascribe to opposing beliefs simultaneously. Or Libra may purport to not have an opinion and thus communicate ineffectively with passive-aggressive tactics, when in reality she has known the entire time exactly how she feels. This stems from her remarkable tolerance, which is always a crowd favorite. Libra is a social goddess who may have difficulty being alone for long periods of time. When balanced, Libra sees all relationships as opportunities to work on the relationship with the Self. When taken to the extreme, this inclination, coupled with Venusian energy, can manifest as superficiality, judgment or egocentric behavior.
My intuition tells me that this cycle will be intense. This may seem to contradict what I’ve just written, but really my goal is to prescribe nature and reflection as a way to counteract all the commotion. I do not think that it is impossible to stay centered in the midst of chaos. It will take strength and courage and honesty. Stand close to the people who make you feel golden, invincible, validated, tranquil. We’re moving down the line of chakras, now centered at the sacral chakra – svadhisthana. Perhaps this transit will find you learning more about the chakras and how to align them.
The Sun last transited Libra from Sep 22 – Oct 23, 2014. Any themes/conflicts that predominated then will now resurface.
Mantra: peace