LIBRA SEASON

Everyone knows that the symbol for Libra is the Scales. It originated with the depiction of Anubis, the Egyptian god of the Dead, balancing the heart of a deceased soul in one dish with a feather of Maat in the other. This speaks to Libra’s commitment to fair judgment. Yet the Greek word for Libra is “zygos” which means “yoke”. The Libra glyph, which portrays the handle of the Scales, can also be seen as a yoke which was used to fasten together two oxen so that they could pull a plow. It’s a fascinating connection to Venus – the planet of marriage in Astrology – and Taurus, the other Venus ruled sign. Now some people might chuckle at the idea of a yoke symbolizing marriage, but it speaks to an ancient Greek word used to describe a good marriage: “homophrosyne” or “like-mindedness”. Physical beauty and good sex aren’t the basis for a lasting marriage. It’s like-mindedness – the shared love, wit, history, and support between partners. “When a man and wife hold a home together alike in mind”, Odysseus says in The Odyssey, “then they are a joy to all their friends and great trouble to their enemies.” It’s something to think about when weighing the value of your relationships – be they spousal (regardless of gender), professional, or collaborative during Libra Season which lasts from September 23d to October 22d.