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constellation of Libra (the scales or the balance) is a fairly inconspicuous
constellation and has no star of first magnitude, lying between
Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. As the names of the
brighter stars testify, it was at one point part of Scorpius' claws.
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Libra, is precious zodiacal constellation that is crossed by the
Sun during the first fortnight of November. It crosses the parallel
of 10º of South latitude being visible during the months of January
to August, is to 40º to the south of the equator of the Milky Route
but they are possible to be observed some stellar wealth as we came
near to Scorpius. |
History
Libra originally formed part of the claws of the scorpion (Scorpio), and
is the youngest constellation of the Zodiac and the only one not to represent
a living creature. In later Greek mythology, the constellation, which
when considered on its own looks vaguely like a set of scales, was considered
to depict the scales held by Astraea (identified as Virgo), the goddess
of justice.
Since Libra
was originally part of Virgo (as her scales), and before that part of
Scorpio, it was not a distinct entity of which the zodiac sign was named.
Its place may have been taken by Boötes, which is the nearest to the ecliptic.
Since the place Boötes should have held on the ecliptic is vacant, it
may have, together with Ursa Major, Draco, and Ursa Minor, also in Libra,
led to the myth of the apples of the Hesperides, one of The Twelve Labours
of Hercules.
Mythology
Libra is the only constellation of the zodiac to represent an inanimate object; the other 11 zodiacal constellations represent animals or mythological characters. Once the identification of Libra with a pair of scales became established it was natural to divorce it entirely from Scorpius and to associate it instead with the other flanking zodiacal figure, Virgo, who was identified with Dike or Astraeia, goddess of justice. Libra thus became the scales of justice held aloft by the goddess.
In ancient times, the stars of libra, The Scales, were sometimes intermingled
with those of SCORPIUS by the Greeks, but they have always been considered
as a separate group by the Romans. This zodiacal constellation is associated
with balance - balance of both Nature and of Justice. Some 3000 years
ago, the Sun entering libra marked the beginning of Autumn, when days
and nights were of equal length, i.e. balanced.
Astrology
The Western astrological sign Libra of the tropical zodiac (September 23–October 22) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (October 31–November 22).
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Libra is associated with the classical element Air, and thus called an Air Sign (with Aquarius and Gemini). It is also one of the four cardinal signs (along with Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn). Its polar opposite is Aries. It is the domicile of Venus and the exaltation of Saturn. Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Libra rules the lower back and kidneys. The symbol for Libra is the Scales.
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