Continuing our astro-mythological theme today — LIBRA
The principle of balance and cosmic harmony is symbolized by Libra. The Divine Smith – the central image of this mytheme – pacifies the struggle between opposing forces. The image of the Divine Smith embodies the era of mastering fire and metal smelting. Destructive subterranean forces begin to serve creation. The way out of endless internal conflicts becomes the establishment of a peace treaty and the drawing of territorial boundaries. The sacredness of such boundaries is illustrated by the myth of Rome’s founder Romulus, who killed his twin brother Remus simply for crossing the boundary line drawn upon the earth.
Those who live by the sign of Libra inherit from Mithra a striving for universal harmony based on cultural norms of social interaction. This manifests in their tact and delicacy, willingness to understand others and accept their viewpoints. Like the fire element, they tame the struggle of human passions through the power of peacefulness. Avoidance of conflict deprives Libra of energetic impetus, resulting in its conservatism and tendency toward elitism. Such a worldview implies a creative approach, precisely how cultural demiurges such as Brahma and Ptah shaped their reality. Most often, this is expressed through abstract science and art, revealing the universal law of the similarity between thought and being. The aestheticism of this sign recalls the craftsmanship of Hephaestus and other mythological smiths, patrons of art and craft. In daily life, Libra’s craftsmanship most often manifests as the ability to find synthesis among different aspects of existence and reconcile conflicting sides, since they understand that contradictions arise only through the unbalanced use of these sides’ qualities, possessing the gift to integrate diverse positions within themselves. Libra also excels at creating a creative atmosphere within a group, assigning each person their proper place and role within societal harmony, similar to ancient cultural heroes such as Fu-Xi or Heimdall, who first established social roles for humanity. By balancing the interests of various parties, the sign of Libra administers justice, protecting society from personal egoism.
In balancing the overall harmony of higher law, Libra loses its own position and thus requires advice and support, although, understanding others’ problems, they themselves make excellent counselors—like Ishum, who persuaded Erra to cease the destruction of Babylon. Libra is the best partner in the Zodiac, capable of offering help not only through sympathy but through action—for it was the Divine Smith who forged the thunder god’s weapon of victory. Yet their own tendency toward compromise and overly rapid shifts in perspective make them unreliable friends. In their sincere aspirations, which reject brute force, delicate Libra creates the beauty of human dreams, which one day will become reality.
The next sign will be 3.
(author A. Gromova based on materials by Semir and V. Vetash “Astrology and Mythology”)
