Libra

"We choose the Way which leads between the two great lines of force."

Introduction to Our 12 Zodiacal Deities

We live in a swirling sea of magnetic forces, smaller fields contained within even greater fields, expanding throughout infinity. As our understanding increases, a new picture of the universe emerges ~ one of vast cosmic interdependence and connectedness. From first cosmic dawning to the last electron's feeble light, the whole universe is a complex of coils within coils, spirals within spirals, magnetic fields within magnetic fields.

The stars are interconnected with each other, all flowing along magnetic field lines, the arteries of the galactic body. The galaxy's coiled field lines diverge into intergalactic space where they ultimately connect to other galaxies. Do these tendrils of energy act as the nervous system of the universe, relaying information from star to star, galaxy to galaxy, on and on?

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Zodiacal Deities examines the conditioning effects upon humanity by the specialized and quite unique energies of the star groups comprising the zodiac. We hold these star groups to be conscious, living entities in whose greater bodies we reside.

Traditionally the zodiac is described as the imaginary path of the sun through the heavens. This path "exists" only from our earth's perspective. If you were observing the path of our sun from another planet or body in space, our sun would appear to "be traveling through" different constellations at different times of the year, to be on an entirely different path through the heavens. This path is largely an illusion but at the same time the 12 zodiacal constellations do exist as great beings, and the streams of energy which pass and repass, intermingle and interlock throughout space are by no means illusions. They express eternal cosmic relationships.

The science of astrology is a study of the interlocking forces of all the 12 constellations as they pour into and through all the kingdoms in nature, carrying with them also their own individual qualities as well as those of the seven rays, focussed through the sacred and non-sacred planets of our solar system ~ the discovered and undiscovered planetary Lives. The vision of these powers and their many weaving lines, seen as rivers and streams of light, is given to the initiate from the mountaintop of Capricorn, once that summit is reached.

As the various energies and forces circulate throughout the etheric body of our solar system ~ itself a Great Being ~ their effects depend on the state of the planetary centers, and upon the point of unfoldment of the centres within the individual planets themselves. Those great zodiacal entities who qualify life as we know it imprint their frequencies or harmonic resonance on the various vehicles that comprise a human being.

Libra

The Razor Edged Path

Libra is the point of balance in the zodiac, the place where neither spirit nor matter dominates. For the disciple on the Way, it is the point of perfect equilibrium. The path the disciple treads in Libra is known as the Razor Edged Path. In this sign can be demonstrated the art of spiritual compromise ~ willingness to yield on all non-essentials, all the while persuading and inspiring. Here we begin to understand the need for single steps along the path; serving wisely, offering just the correct amount of assistance. This develops a dynamic equilibrium in the life.

Libra forces everything into equilibrium. All the experience humanity has collected is laid in the scales of the balance and weighed. What’s valuable is kept; what’s worthless is thrown away. The effect of this balance is harmony, developing our powers of discrimination, and bringing into equilibrium the two-sided forces of duality. The Libran angel radiates the law of balance and justice into the three-dimensional world. Through Her wisdom is known the manifestation of law-giving knowledge.

Libra is the sign of justice. Libra governs law, sex and money, representing life in the lower three worlds, the playing field of the personality. These three areas represent humanity’s greatest battlefields. The first aspect of will or power expresses itself in this sign as law ~ as legislation, legality, and justice. The second aspect manifests as the relation between the pairs of opposites ~ sex, on the physical plane, of which the scales are the symbol. The physical plane shows itself as money; this is the third aspect and demonstrates as concretized energy. It is literally gold, this the externalized symbol of that which is created by the bringing together of spirit and matter upon the physical plane.

A blindfolded woman standing above scales represents Libra. She sees not the outer world; she relies on true inner intuitive sight where divine justice is to be found. The glyph of Libra is that of the setting sun.

In the stories of Hercules, the seventh labor in Libra is about learning balance and sound judgment. In this labor our hero sets off to capture the wild boar and salvage the country. Meanwhile he was told to take time to eat. Take time he did, so much that he failed to remember the object of his search. Forgetting their wine was not to be drunk by anyone but the Centaurs, and only then as a group, Hercules and his friend went ahead and drank from the sacred cask. Temporarily losing his way, Hercules and the Centaurs then engaged in a drunken orgy. A fierce battle ensued and he once again killed (the other time was in Aries, the first labor).

After regaining his senses, Hercules set off for the mountains and resumed his journey. Using cunning to capture the boar rather quickly, Hercules brought this boar into town walking on its front legs, laughing and singing as the boar led the way. What a sight to see Hercules driving the boar, representing his animal self, into town amidst the laughter of the townspeople. The test is passed; the lesson of true balance is learned, although Hercules is reminded that twice he has slain those whom he loved. He is to learn why.

Libra is the only Hercules labor in the zodiac where laughter is mentioned. By employing creative ways of dealing with our challenges, we can alter our perspectives, and transform situations with humor and an altered approach. To balance opposites and bring opposing forces into synthesis requires creative means, working with the energies that contribute to the general well being.

Like busy spiders, Libran energies perpetually spin the threads of relationships, creating a sensitive network of symbolism. This blending results in synthesis of the concrete with the abstract. There is always a discrepancy, a gap between the goal envisioned and the goal achieved. Yet in the spiritually creative process, the web created glows with light and assumes a pattern of intricate beauty.

Physiologially, Libra governs the kidneys and thus relates to the solar plexus.

The Tibetan tells us that the sign of Libra "is a sign of balancing, of careful weighing of values, and of achieving the right equalibrium between the pairs of opposites." (1) The balance spoken of does not mean we automatically sacrifice the physical for the spiritual; one is as meaningful as the other is. We begin to understand, just as it will be in the Age of Aquarius, that matter must be infused with spirit, leading to what the Tibetan calls the "new materialism." We neither exalt nor abuse matter for selfish ends; rather we wield the energies and utilize it for the realization of the divine Plan for our planet.

The achieved equilibrium, at the point of rest, provides the mental impetus for soul control. Passion is transmuted into love and the initial desire of Aries [Libra’s polar opposite] becomes the full expression of love-wisdom. Desire to manifest becomes the aspiration to be. (2)

A period of interlude, Libra exists between Virgo and Scorpio, two signs of conflict. In Virgo there is the bringing of spirit into matter and the inevitable friction this produces; in Scorpio the challenge is to transform and raise matter into spirit. Between the two lies Libra, balancing the two, creating an interlude. The sun’s movement into Libra marks the autumn equinox ~ a time in the zodiacal cycle that provides an opportunity to rest, balance and recharge our energies in preparation for the service ahead.

Libra governs all interludes, including the present period of transition between the Piscean and Aquarian ages. Those coming under the influence of Libra wait halfway between Heaven and earth: looking above, they see the vision, the golden dawn gilding a snow-capped mountaintop; gazing downwards, they behold the mire through which humanity passes. On the one hand, we recognize high ideals; on the other, we perceive ideals compromised in the affairs of humans. At this midway point we stand and work.

The feminine element is found in Libra by way of its exoteric ruler, Venus, and this allows for the balancing of the masculine assertiveness. When the Libran harmonizes Venusian energies, these can the respond to the androgynous Aquarian vibration of Uranus, the esoteric ruler. Saturn is the ruler of the Libran creative hierarchy.

The three constellations primarily associated with Libra are Crux, the Southern Cross; Lupus, the Wolf; and Corona, the Crown.

As the air sign of the Cardinal Cross, Libra is related to the mind and represents active intelligence, the third aspect of deity. This third ray is the creator aspect and the energy which produces the outer tangible plane of manifestation ~ the form side of life.

The air signs represent the Mind of God as it expresses itself through humanity:

For the human being, lower mind dominates at first and causes the recognition of the Self and the Not-Self, of the essential dualism underlying all manifestation. The higher mind steadily increases its power and control, producing the balancing of the pairs of opposites through the illumination it brings to the lower mind. The Soul, the eternal Son of Mind, becomes the ultimate synthesis, relating Universal Mind to the two lower aspects of the Mind of God.

BALANCE OF THE OPPOSITES IN LIBRA

In the midst of dissonance, Libra cherishes the dream of harmony;
in the far country is remembered our Father’s house.

In 2010 the full moon during Libra occurs on Thursday,
September 23 at 1:47 am PDT (08:47 UT).

It is interesting to note that during the time we say the Sun is in Scorpio, this year from October 23 to November 21, 2010, due to the precession of the equinoxes, and from the Earth's perspective, the Sun is actually traversing the zodiacal sign Libra. With this consideration, we invite you to review the SouledOut.org materials on Libras freshly, from this perspective.

Print version

Credit for information and synthesis:
The collected volumes of writings by Alice A. Bailey,
specific reference here to Esoteric Astrology, p. 226 - 250
and The Labours of Hercules, p. 125 - 139
©Lucis Publishing Co., 120 Wall St., 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005

To read the pages from The Labours of Hercules in their entirety, click here

Also:
Twelve Festivals, Jan van der Linden (School for Esoteric Studies, Arden NC)
Transpersonal Astrology, Errol Weiner (Element, Rockford MA, 1991)
Making the Gods Work for You, Caroline Casey (Harmony Books, New York, 1998)

Libra Global Meditation
Principle of Freedom Synthesis
Balance~The Libran Way
The Path of Earth Service
Libra Navigation Page
Libra Keywords
12 Zodiacal Deities
Legendary Journeys of Hercules
Cosmology

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(1) Alice A. Bailey's Esoteric Astrology, p. 227
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(2) Alice A. Bailey's Esoteric Astrology, p. 338
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