Libra 2014: Your Personal Horoscope. Joseph Polansky

birth (natal) and those that are current (transiting). For example, Natal Sun refers to where the Sun was when you were born; transiting Sun refers to where the Sun’s position is currently at any given moment – which usually doesn’t coincide with your birth, or Natal, Sun.

      Out of Bounds

      The planets move through the zodiac at various angles relative to the celestial equator (if you were to draw an imaginary extension of the Earth’s equator out into the universe, you would have an illustration of this celestial equator). The Sun – being the most dominant and powerful influence in the Solar system – is the measure astrologers use as a standard. The Sun never goes more than approximately 23 degrees north or south of the celestial equator. At the winter solstice the Sun reaches its maximum southern angle of orbit (declination); at the summer solstice it reaches its maximum northern angle. Any time a planet exceeds this Solar boundary – and occasionally planets do – it is said to be ‘out of bounds’. This means that the planet exceeds or trespasses into strange territory – beyond the limits allowed by the Sun, the Ruler of the Solar system. The planet in this condition becomes more emphasized and exceeds its authority, becoming an important influence in the forecast.

      Phases of the Moon

      After the full Moon, the Moon seems to shrink in size (as perceived from the Earth), gradually growing smaller until it is virtually invisible to the naked eye – at the time of the next new Moon. This is called the waning Moon phase, or the waning Moon.

      After the new Moon, the Moon gradually gets bigger in size (as perceived from the Earth) until it reaches its maximum size at the time of the full Moon. This period is called the waxing Moon phase, or waxing Moon.

      Retrogrades

      The planets move around the Sun at different speeds. Mercury and Venus move much faster than the Earth, while Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto move more slowly. Thus there are times when, relative to the Earth, the planets appear to be going backwards. In reality they are always going forward, but relative to our vantage point on Earth they seem to go backwards through the zodiac for a period of time. This is called ‘retrograde’ motion and tends to weaken the normal influence of a given planet.

      Short-term Planets

      The fast-moving planets move so quickly through a sign that their effects are generally of a short-term nature. They reflect the immediate, day-to-day trends in a horoscope.

      Moon

      stays in a sign for only 2½ days

      Mercury

      20 to 30 days

      Sun

      30 days

      Venus

      approximately 1 month

      Mars

      approximately 2 months

      T-square

      A T-square differs from a Grand Square in that it is not a complete square. If you look at the pattern in a chart it appears as ‘half a complete square’, resembling the T-square tools used by architects and designers. If you cut a complete square in half, diagonally, you have a T-square. Many astrologers consider this more stressful than a Grand Square, as it creates tension that is difficult to resolve. T-squares bring learning experiences.

      Transits

      This term refers to the movements or motions of the planets at any given time. Astrologers use the word ‘transit’ to make the distinction between a birth, or Natal, planet (see ‘Natal’) and the planet’s current movement in the heavens. For example, if at your birth Saturn was in the sign of Cancer in your 8th house, but is now moving through your 3rd house, it is said to be ‘transiting’ your 3rd house. Transits are one of the main tools with which astrologers forecast trends.

      Personality Profile

      LIBRA AT A GLANCE

      Element – Air

      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 and Good Fortune – Mercury

      Colours – blue, jade green

      Colours that promote love, romance and social harmony – carmine, red, scarlet

      Colours that promote earning power – burgundy, red-violet, violet

      Gems – carnelian, chrysolite, coral, emerald, jade, opal, quartz, white marble

      Metal – copper

      Scents – almond, rose, vanilla, violet

      Quality – cardinal (= activity)

      Qualities most needed for balance – a sense of self, self-reliance, independence

      Strongest virtues – social grace, charm, tact, diplomacy

      Deepest needs – love, romance, social harmony

      Characteristic to avoid – violating what is right in order to be socially accepted

      Signs of greatest overall compatibility – Gemini, Aquarius

      Signs of greatest overall incompatibility – Aries, Cancer, Capricorn

      Sign most helpful to career – Cancer

      Sign most helpful for emotional support – Capricorn

      Sign most helpful financially – Scorpio

      Sign best for marriage and/or partnerships – Aries

      Sign most helpful for creative projects – Aquarius

      Best Sign to have fun with – Aquarius

      Signs most helpful in spiritual matters – Gemini, Virgo

      Best day of the week – Friday

      Understanding a Libra

      In the sign of Libra the universal mind – the soul – expresses its genius for relationships, that is, its power to harmonize diverse elements in a unified, organic way. Libra is the soul’s power to express beauty in all of its forms. And where is beauty if not within relationships? Beauty does not exist in isolation. Beauty arises out of comparison – out of the just relationship between different parts. Without a fair and harmonious relationship there is no beauty, whether it in art, manners, ideas or the social or political forum.