The Ultimate Guide to Libra: What to Know About the Cardinal Air Sign, According to an Astrologer

As summer slips into the rearview mirror and the fall equinox introduces a whole new era of boldly-hued leaves, cozier wardrobe options, berry and wine-colored manicures and a higher moonlight to sunlight ratio every day, romance and magic in the air. This is the effect of Libra season. During this time, which occurs annually between approximately September 22 and October 22, the sun moves through the cardinal air sign. People whose sun sign and/or other birth chart placements (like their moon or rising sign) are in Libra are beauty-loving, diplomatic, social, balance-seeking and invested in bringing more justice, fairness and elegance into every situation and space they frequent. As one of the cardinal signs, they’re also self-starters who can easily get the ball rolling on big, artistic visions. All of these themes stem from Libra’s ruler, Venus, which oversees relationships, romance, values, art and earning.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about yourself or a loved one as a person born with a Libra sun, read on for an in-depth guide to Libra traits. Hint: There is a case to be made that they’re one of the most — if not the mosts — likable signs of the zodiac.

Libra traits, explained

Because the sun’s trip through all 12 signs changes slightly from year to year, you’ll notice that sun sign dates do vary annually. However, if you or someone in your life was born between September 22-23 and October 22-23, you can guess that they were born with their sun — which oversees identity, self-image, confidence and purpose — in Libra.

It does bear noting that the sun sign is just one piece of a complex, multi-faceted puzzle that is your astrological birth chart. All the celestial bodies move at different paces through the zodiac, so it’s possible to have been born when the sun is in, say, Sagittarius (which falls from approximately November 21-22 and December 21-22) and still have a Libra moon or rising. (To find out where Libra falls in your chart, you can run your birth chart .)

People who were born with their sun in the sign of the Scales tend to be lovers of serenity, partnership and anything artistic and beautiful. Intent on bringing more balance and harmony into the world, they generally abhor conflict and will dodge it at any cost (unless there are other fiery or obstinate placements in their chart). Affectionate and social, Libra’s relationships are at the core of just about everything they do, and they excel at all forms of smoothing over disputes, such as mediation and negotiation. Deeply concerned with fairness, they tend to feel that they need to hear both sides of any issue before they can take a stand. And even then, they may not be thrilled to take a stand, preferring to believe that there’s merit to various perspectives. At the same time, Scales people are justice-seekers who are endlessly driven to bring attention to inequalities and encourage others to get onboard too.

Venus’ influence also helps Libra to be super-social, likable and motivated to lend their artistic eye to upping the aesthetic value of any environment they’re a part of. Even if they don’t do it professionally, Libras are innately master interior decorators, makeup artists, costume designers and chefs or bakers who know that presentation sells a dish.

As an air sign, Libras are more comfortable interacting with others on a cerebral versus deeply emotional level. They’re lighthearted and open to flitting from one thing to the next but might struggle to dig their heels in, even when the moment calls for it. And while Libras do love hosting parties and socializing in groups, the sign is associated with the Seventh House of Partnership, which means their one-on-one connections hold a special place in their hearts. They’re comfiest bonding as part of a pair with a significant other, dear friend or loved one. (The flipside of this is that solo time doesn’t come as naturally to a Libra as other signs, and they might be serial monogamists.)

Zodiac signs Libra is most compatible with

When considering compatibility, it’s a must to remember that sun signs cannot tell you everything about how you’ll connect or clash. To get the most accurate, detailed, nuanced sense of compatibility, you’ll want to consider your own and another person’s birth chart. Bearing that in mind, in general, Libra is most compatible with their fellow air signs: similarly curious, people-oriented Gemini and humanitarian, team player Aquarius. They’ll also do well with two of the three fire signs: spotlight-loving, optimistic Leo and adventurous, jovial Sagittarius.

Zodiac signs Libra is least compatible with

Those born under the sign of the Scales might clash with people who share Libra’s cardinal quality: impulsive, competitive Aries, sentimental, emotionally intelligent Cancer and serious and industrious Capricorn. Although they’re all initiative-takers, they go about it so differently that it can be tough to get on the same page.

What to know if you have other Libra placements

If you’ve learned that planets other than the sun happened to be moving through the cardinal air sign when you were born or your rising sign/ascendant is in Libra, here’s what that means.

What Libra moon means

If you were born when the moon — which oversees intuition, emotions, and how you want to be nurtured — was in the sign of the Scales, relating to others — especially one-on-one — brings you a great deal of security. Keeping the peace, avoiding head-butting altogether and focusing on what makes life beautiful feels nurturing and emotionally centering for you.

What Libra rising sign means

Your rising sign or ascendant informs how people perceive you, at first blush, out in the world. If your rising is in Libra, you strike others as caring, social, partnership-oriented, thoughtful and people-pleasing. You appear flexible and open to going with the flow but also might find it tough to make up your mind.

What Mercury in Libra means

Mercury, the planet of communication, rules how we communicate and think, so with your Mercury in Libra, you express yourself in a way that is sure to avoid ruffling any feathers and go to painstaking lengths to preempt arguments. And because you’re intensely invested in balance and justice, you can easily mediate or help others tap into more harmony or diplomacy.

What Venus in Libra means

Your Venus sign speaks to how you relate to others and to earning money, experience pleasure and beauty and express yourself artistically. With the planet of relationships right at home in one of the signs it rules (the other is Taurus), you’re a natural when it comes to all Venusian matters. You’re likely interested in and knowledgeable about beauty, skin care or curating your personal style and have a knack for bringing more elegance, romance and artistic value into any experience. Your social connections, especially your partnerships, are a top priority for you, and you excel at staying in touch, hosting get-togethers and making friends and loved ones feel seen and supported.

What Mars in Libra means

If Mars — which oversees action, energy, and aggression — was moving through Libra when you were born, you can organically take the wheel on big picture endeavors, bringing your artistic eye and social, charming, diplomatic vibe to the table. Your ideals are also a driving force behind your actions and energy. However, because the sign of the Scales isn’t comfortable with friction, you might express anger in a passive-aggressive way. Being more direct can save you time.

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