SEPTEMBER 23d to OCTOBER 23d. CUSP: RUNS SEPTEMBER 23d to 29th.
The constellation Libra—the seventh sign of the zodiac, and the middle
one of the Air Triplicity—is a cardinal, sanguine, diurnal, airy,
masculine sign, governing the loins. The higher attributes are
inspiration and perception.
A person born during the cusp, when the sun is on the edge of the sign,
does not receive the full benefits of the individuality of either Virgo
or Libra, but partakes of the characteristics of both.
There is a greater variety of disposition among the Libra people than
among those of any other sign. They are energetic, ambitious, and
inspired. The inner nature is receptive, intuitional, sensitive, and
poetical. They always finish things in a careful, competent, and
conclusive manner. They keenly feel and can closely imitate the acts and
sentiments of others, and can thus readily learn from example.
Their strong emotions and great imitative ability make them well adapted
for the dramatic profession. When angry, they leave nothing unsaid.
Their nature responds to all forms of ideality. As students, they are
fond of philosophical and ethical and especially of mystical literature,
Many good linguists are found in this sign.
The Libra people have remarkable foresight, and in the decision of most
matters they are correctly guided by their intuitive faculty. This is
especially so in the buying or selling of commodities, in which they can
rarely be defrauded.
When overtaken by disaster they recover quickly and go to work again
with redoubled vigor. The Libra women are kind, constant, and merciful.
The other type of Libra people is to be found more among the men, who
are cunning in their business dealings and inconstant in their
affections.
In physical appearance Libra subjects are usually tall, slender, and
well-formed, with oval face, or languid expression of countenance, and
beautiful eyes. The physical temperament will be sanguine-bilious in
Southern latitudes, and nervous-bilious in Northern climates.
Their most congenial friends will be found among the Fire people (Aries,
Leo, and Sagittarius); next, with those born under their own sign, and,
third, with those born under Aquarius.
Libra people take things from a material and literal standpoint; and
though their intuitive nature will often show them the true side of the
question, they prefer to accept the conclusions of human logic.
Impatience is one of their chief faults. They are prodigal of their
strength and talents, and scatter their forces in all directions. They
suffer through anger and jealousy.
When a Libra and a Sagittarius person are united, the children will be
very talented. Children of Libra and Aquarius will be stronger
physically, and will possess a keen intellect. These children are quick
to perceive the truth in anything, and will make determined efforts to
improve. They have a natural genius for invention, having a marked
mechanical ability over all the other signs. They should be permitted to
have their own way when not entirely wrong. To circumscribe a Libra
child is to destroy its genius.
The governing planet is Venus, and the gems are the diamond and the
opal. The astral colors are black, crimson, and light blue. The flower
is the violet.
August and December are the most favorable months, and Wednesday is the
lucky day in this sign.
October, the eighth month of the old Roman year, originally began in
spring. By the Julian arrangement it became the tenth month, and had
thirty-one days assigned to it. By the Slavs this is called “yellow
month” from the fading of the leaf; to the Anglo-Saxons it was known as
the Wyn-Monat (wine month), because it was the month in which they
pressed grapes, also as Winter-fylleth, because at this full moon
(fylleth) winter was supposed to begin. It corresponds partly with the
Vendémiaire and partly to the Brumaire of the first French Republic.
In some of the very old Saxon calendars October is characterized by the
figure of a husbandman carrying a sack on his shoulders and sowing of
corn. In others, less ancient, hawking is the emblem of the month; and
yet in more modern times it has been represented as a man clothed in a
garment of the color of decaying leaves, with a coronal of oak-branches
and acorns on his head, holding in his left hand a basket of chestnuts,
medlars, etc., and in his right, Scorpio—_i.e._, the sign of the zodiac
which the sun enters on the twenty-third of October.
The principal ecclesiastical feasts are those of St. Luke, on the 18th;
and St. Simon and St. Jude, on the 28th.
The late Senator Mark A. Hanna and Mrs. Annie Besant were born under
this sign. Bernhardt, Modjeska, and Peg Woffington are excellent
illustrations of the dramatic genius of the Libra people.