LIBRA: The Law of Polarity and Karma

Mind separates; love attracts. Mind creates a barrier between an individual and the soul. Love gathers everything to itself, wielding separated units into a unified and homogeneous whole. Mind repels through its own abundant heat, scorching and burning everything that it contacts. Love soothes and nurtures by blending its heat to the heat of whatever it contacts. Mind divides while love produces coherence and heals.

—Alice Bailey

In soul-centered astrology, Libra is considered a sign of “pause.” It is the interval between two major stages of our evolutionary growth: the personal and the collective. It is through Libra that the individual (Aries) awakens to his social function by joining with others in the creation of relationships and common goals. Eventually, the synthesis of the developed, creatively focused self-centered personality (Leo) matures into the consciously active participant in society (Aquarius). Libra is the door to the experiences which allows this process to take place.

It begins this journey to the awakening of social consciousness through the dynamics of the “urge to merge.” Everyone has this biological incentive built into his or her humanness, regardless of sign. But in Libra this need for union is especially strong for it transcends the purely biological and expresses as a “sense of self.” In essence, while Aries is happy to state, “I am,” Libra’s code, orientation to life, and inner core identification is, “We are.” Libra has to relate herself to another, preferably “the” other in order to BE. In essence, Libra is stating that without the other, I am less than whole. On the personality level, this leads to an imminent, intense need for partnership. When exaggerated, the results are codependence and a tremendous avoidance of spending time alone. Compare this to the true Aries, who like everyone else creates partnerships, but who without time to explore himself, without a period in which he is only relating to his need to conquer single handedly the obstacles on the Path of Life, is more of a lamb than a Ram.

Yet self-centeredness, although very much the expression of the Sun as personality (the Sun is dignified in Leo and exalted in Aries), must become socialized in order that the Soul qualities within a human being emerge. It is said in the astrological language that the Sun is in fall in Libra and in detriment in Aquarius. On the level of the personality this is very true. In both of these airy signs, the potency of the egocentricity found in the first two fiery signs, must yield to the pressure of the need, the requirement (!), of the soul to expand consciousness through human contacts and service to humanity. It is through these experiences and processes that the Heart of the Sun (the Soul in effect) emerges redeeming and enlightening the Sun’s shadow (the personality). Libra and its ruling planet Venus (goddess of personal love and marriage), are the keys to this important step along the Way. Ultimately, the union that occurs for each of us is the fusion of the higher and lower selves, the merger of the male and female in each of us, the union of the anima and the animus, and the result of this journey is that we become truly One.

Yet there is a price to pay for this self-earned gift. This is the conflicts that occur when we enter into the field of polarity. Libra is the sign that rules oppositions. As all students of astrology know, an opposition between two planets takes place when they are facing one another in the heavens at an angle of 180º. In effect, this aspect speaks about a conflict between two opposing forces. Planet “A” cannot act without encountering the opposition of the energy of planet “B” and vice-versa. The two planets may try to act independently, but they cannot. The must merge, their energies have to become integrated in order for any form of harmony to emerge from their pairing. In this respect, they are expressive of the Law of Karma which Sir Isaac Newton simply stated as: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

In the Libran experience, this means, everything you do on your own, will be reflected back at you one way or another by your partner. Thus the lower Libran nature, the immature Libran individual, will use partnership as an excuse for egocentricity and manipulate the other to respond in the way he or she wants the partner to react. “I must see myself through you as the absolutely perfect reflection of myself,” Libra unconsciously states. The mature, conscious Libra acts quite differently. Rather than increasing the tension of polarity and evoking more karma to be resolved, this Libran knows that the secret of resolution of polarized conflict is synthesis. Thus there is no attachment to either “A” or “B”—but there is the consciousness of both. This manifests as an impartial awareness of the nature of all sides of any situation, of any partnership, of any and all polarized conditions. But there is at the same time, an awareness of and identification with the soul, the true home of Venus, the real abode of Love. Such a person is able to see the resolution of a conflict at the same time that that conflict is emerging and using the magnetism of the heart and the healing power of love, brings about resolution, harmony, and balance. It is then that the esoteric ruler of Libra comes forth. This is Uranus, the planet that embodies intuition which in essence is “the mind of the soul.”

Let us explore the true meaning of Libra, the law of polarity and the energy of pause using another metaphor. In 18th century Europe, war was ritualized into an art form (Aries/Mars=war; Libra/Venus=art). The men of each regiment were dressed splendidly, wearing uniforms of bright colors that were meant to be seen. Their officers and generals wore plumed hats, carried brilliant swords and gilded decorations while the horses of their cavalries were no less wonderfully festooned. In addition, there were regimental hair styles, beards, mustaches, and sideburns. These soldiers fought under distinct codes of noble behavior and they did so on open battle fields, “fields of honor.”

So let us imagine two opposing armies facing one another in battle dress and in tight regimental formation. These are brave (if somewhat foolhardy) lads, as the first rank of each formation is just close enough to receive the first volley of musket shots from the opposition force. They stand firm eyeing one another, guns raised to shoulders, fingers on the triggers. The officer raises his glimmering sword and opens his mouth, lit torches approach the cannons, fingers are squeezed—and nobody fires a shot. Position…polarity…PAUSE.

I had a Libra client come to see me several years back for a consultation. She said to me: “I know that if I progress any further on my spiritual path, I will lose my husband, so I am making the conscious choice to pause and save my marriage.” (Real consultation, real words!). Librans may have a very difficult time making decisions, but once they are made, the issue is settled. I therefore wished the lady well and have never seen her again. Now not all Librans will personify their sign to such an exact degree as this woman, but this was an amazing example of astrology at work. Oh yes, one more thing, she had Neptune in Libra conjoined her Libra Sun.

We all must be Librans and create the perfectly balanced relationship and the true marriage between our higher and lower selves. This is the spiritual path, known by Buddhists as the Middle Way. Yet Librans or not, we may still have a physical plane partner as we move along our journey. The quality of the soul is inclusive. What is very important is for us to exit those relationships that pull us off our center, that create imbalance, once such relationships have taught us their lessons and we opt for synthesis over polarity.

Now let’s take a brief look into the meaning of the planets when they are found in the sign of the Scales.

Sun in Libra: This is an individual who is always entering into relationships as it is through personal, especially one-on-one contacts with others that the most important lessons of life are both taught and received. The sign that Venus is in and the aspects to other planets that she makes will play a highly significant role in how such relationships are carried out. Venus in Scorpio for example indicates a Libran individual whose relationships are intensely transformative, challenging, and profound. Venus in Virgo, points to the need for a practical outcome to relationships and less of the idealistic and romantic situations that Venus in Libra prefers.

Moon in Libra: This is an individual who tends to bring harmony into every social situation in which she finds herself. This would not be so however if Mars in Capricorn were square the Moon. In this case, social situations would be thrown out of balance due to the individual’s need to manipulate relationships to her own cause. Taken on her own, the Moon in Libra is a very gentle and loving position. The person is most happy when creating beauty at home and has a good sense of esthetics when it comes to decorating one’s dwelling. But should the Moon in Libra be in aspect with Uranus, her choices may be rather distinct or peculiar.

Mercury in Libra: A great position for a diplomat or mediator as it tends to give a person the immediate understanding of both sides to any given social situation when conflict resolution is the goal. It is not the best indicator for making personal decisions, especially when the need is to be spontaneous. There can be a definite vacillation about even the simplest things like choosing what to order in a restaurant or the color of a tie. Yet when called upon to moderate, this is one of your best Mercury sign positions.

Venus in Libra: Charming, social adapt, ease and comfort in linking people, an attraction to beauty and the ability to make things beautiful, are just some of the qualities and gifts when Venus is well placed in this sign. If she is difficult aspect to Neptune from this position, the tendency is to create a great deal of self-delusion about relationships. Neptune-Venus conjunct in Libra is the consummate poet, dancer, romantic lover but is also a person who never quite seems to come down to earth. This is definitely the “Some day my prince will come” aspect of the horoscope.

Mars in Libra: Not the easiest placement for Mars as it makes it difficult to express anger, aggression, and spontaneous self-projection. Some people would say that these are admirable qualities in a person, i.e. self-restraint. But this is Mars who is being restrained by indecision and the god of War doesn’t like it one bit! The frustrations of Mars in the chart will lead to a lot of inner tension and a great deal of passive-aggressive behavior. This position is also found in people’s charts who normally set up others to be aggressive towards them. Thus, Mars has a chance to respond and his responses may belie his Libran nature!

Jupiter in Libra: This is an excellent position for success in making social contacts and improving one’s place in society accordingly. If in challenging aspect with Mars (especially the square to Mars in Capricorn), it may indicate a social climber. When well placed with Venus, it tends to bestow material and social abundance—a good marriage is often a likely indication. But when poorly placed with Venus, there is the tendency to excessive spending. Higher education is geared to the arts, law, or sociology.

Saturn in Libra: This is the exaltation of Chronos and therefore an excellent placement that gives an innate sense of social equity and balance in personal affairs. One is aware of his or her social responsibilities and tends to carry these out carefully and responsibly. Difficult aspects between Saturn in Libra and Neptune however, make it very challenging to know the limitations surrounding one’s obligations in relationships and a cloud may descend when it comes to shared duties in partnership.

Uranus in Libra: This is a generation of people (1970-1977) who often find themselves in unusual relationships, especially if Uranus is in strong relationship to Venus in the natal chart. At the very least, there is an urge for freedom and experimentation in terms of one’s forms of social interaction. When Uranus was in this sign, the world saw a tremendous increase in the liberalization of attitudes towards social minorities. It was the age of Woman’s Liberation, Gay Liberation, Black Power and an increase in civil rights. It was also a time of social upheaval in terms of anti-war demonstrations and general so-called “civil disobedience” to counter what was experienced as oppressive social circumstances.

Neptune in Libra: I tend to think of this huge group of people (1943-1957) as the “last of the romantics.” As Neptune is in Venus’ sign, the combination of these planetary powers creates people who tend to be very idealistic where personal (and social) relationships are concerned. It is a generation who also had strong aspects between Neptune and Uranus, giving rise to the “Love and Peace, Flower-Power” generation, individuals whose vision of a more cooperative and harmonious humanity has colored each successive generation of humanity to date but whose dream of utopia has unfortunately faded into the present world catastrophe. Well I for one, still wear the occasional flower in my hair.

Pluto in Libra: This position is in the natal charts of another enormous number of people born between 1971-1983. Relationships are incredibly important to these individuals as it is through the making and breaking of personal contacts that they find their true path to personal transformation and evolutionary growth. They approach partnership as Pluto would indicate—with great intensity. The more highly conscious of this generation bring the people with whom they interact into very strong crises of personal realization and subsequent growth. A relationship with one of these Pluto in Libra people is long remembered and hard to forget.