The Story Behind Libra

Libra is idealistic and perfectionist. Charming and diplomatic, they are always looking for the good in people and situations, and focus on making all their relationships run smoothly. Being able to see all sides to every argument can make them indecisive and appear manipulative, but because they have such a strong belief in fairness and balance they can have trouble with the harsh realities of, well, reality. Libra is ruled by Venus.

Libra Myths

The Greek myth of Tiresias can shed light on Libra. One day, Tiresias is walking in a sacred grove on Mount Kyllene, where he encounters two loved-up serpents. Interrupted in the act, they both attack him, and he kills the female. This has the effect of turning him into a woman, whereupon he goes off and becomes a great harlot (as you do). Seven years later he returns to the same place and witnesses the same act, this time killing the male serpent, returning him to his masculinity.

Meanwhile, Zeus is having a row with his wife, Hera (again). She is fed up with his philandering and gets even more annoyed when Zeus claims she enjoys sex more than him. So poor old Tiresias gets dragged into the argument and is asked to settle it once and for all. He tries to be diplomatic and fudge around the issue, but eventually has to tell the truth. He sides with Zeus and agrees that women do experience more pleasure than men. Hera is enraged and blinds Tiresias, but Zeus takes pity on him and gives him the gift of second-sight and enhanced longevity.

Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, and as Zeus and Hera show, the course of true love rarely runs smooth. It’s especially hard when you have trouble telling the truth and just want everyone to be nice…