Western astrology is the system of astrology most popular in Western countries. Western astrology originated in Mesopotamia during the 2nd millennium BC, from where it spread to much of the world. After spreading to Egypt, where further developments occurred, it then arrived into Greek or Hellenistic culture, where the Greek astronomer and astrologer Ptolemy in his work Tetrabiblos laid the foundations of the Western tradition. Western astrology is largely horoscopic, that is, it is largely based on the construction of a horoscope for an exact moment in time, such as a person's birth, in which various cosmic bodies are said to have an influence. In modern Western sun sign astrology, only the location of the Sun is considered.

The zodiac is the belt or band of constellations through which the Sun, Moon, and planets move on their journey across the sky. Astrologers noted these constellations and so attached a particular significance to them. Over time they developed the system of twelve signs of the zodiac, based on twelve of the constellations they considered to be particularly important. Most western astrologers use the tropical zodiac beginning with the sign of Aries at the Northern hemisphere Vernal Equinox always on or around March 21 of each year. Due to a phenomenon called precession of the equinoxes (where the Earth's axis slowly rotates like a spinning top in a 25,700 year cycle), there is a slow shift in the correspondence between Earth's seasons (and calendar) and the constellations of the zodiac. For this reason some Western astrologers use the Sidereal zodiac which still uses the actual star positions.

Libra

Libra is symbolized by the Scales

Birthdates: September 22 - October 22

Element of the Libra zodiac sign: Air
Astrological quality of the Libra zodiac sign: Cardinal (i.e. activity)

Planets and the Libra zodiac sign:
* Ruling Planet: Venus
* Career Planet: Moon
* Love Planet: Mars
* Money Planet: Pluto
* Planet of Communications: Jupiter
* Planet of Health and Work: Neptune
* Planet of Home and Family Life: Saturn
* Planet of Spirituality: Mercury

Colours of the Libra zodiac sign: blue, jade green
Gems of the Libra zodiac sign: coral, emerald, jade, opal, white marble
Metals of the Libra zodiac sign: copper
Best day of the week for Libra zodiac sign: Friday

Strongest virtues of the Libra zodiac sign: diplomacy, tact, charm, social grace
Deepest need of the Libra zodiac sign: love, social harmony
Weaknesses of the Libra zodiac sign: violating what is right in order to be socially accepted

Horoscope compatibilities of the Libra zodiac sign with other zodiac signs:
* Zodiac Signs of greatest overall compatibility: Gemini, Aquarius
* Zodiac Signs of greatest overall incompatibility: Cancer, Capricorn
* Zodiac Sign most helpful to career: Cancer
* Zodiac Sign most helpful for emotional support: Capricorn
* Zodiac Sign most helpful financially: Scorpio
* Zodiac Sign best for marriage and/or partnerships: Aries
* Zodiac Sign most helpful for creative projects: Aquarius
* Zodiac Signs most helpful in spiritual matters: Gemini, Virgo

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