Libra Zodiac Sign: Dates, Personality and Compatibility

Beginning at the midpoint of the astrological year, the seventh sign of the zodiac, Libra, possesses the wit and wisdom to find balance in life. Are you a Libra, or are you close to one? Lucky you! The Romans who named this sign favored it for the ease it brings. Above all, Libra people seek inner peace to support social harmony.

In Latin, Libra means “weighing scales,” and the scales of justice appear in the sign’s symbol (♎). Libra is the only astrological sign represented by an inanimate object, perhaps pointing to Libra’s ideals of equitability. From September 23rd to October 22nd, this cardinal air sign presides, bringing the pleasures of its ruling planet Venus and the powers of the seventh house and Justice tarot card.

Ancient Babylonians also named the Libra constellation after scales, though the Greeks saw Libra as the claws of the Scorpio constellation. However, the Romans restored the earlier association, perceiving the Libra scales in the Virgo maiden’s hand. Many Roman virtues—like mercy, humor, and respectability—are reflected in Libra. In fact, it’s said that Rome was founded under the sign’s moon.

Because Libra initiates a season, it’s considered a cardinal sign like Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn. Like all of these signs, Libra’s approach to life is creative, ambitious, and a little restless. The mixture of the open-minded air element with the cardinal modality enhances Libra’s aptitude for sharing ideas and weighing options.

Libra Dates: September 23 – October 22

Libra season begins on the fall equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, when day and night are equal. Appropriately, Libra helps us preserve energy through equilibrium. Following Virgo season’s dutiful refinements, Libra amplifies the skills needed to form strong relationships. Our community resources serve us after October 22nd when the transformative Scorpio season swiftly descends.

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Aries

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Gemini

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Cancer

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Leo

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Virgo

What makes a Virgo unique? Learn about the Virgo zodiac sign, including personality traits, relationship preferences, ideal careers, and more.

Libra

What makes a Libra unique? Learn about the Libra zodiac sign, including personality traits, relationship preferences, ideal careers, and more.

Scorpio

What makes a Scorpio unique? Learn about the Scorpio zodiac sign, including personality traits, relationship preferences, ideal careers, and more.

Sagittarius

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Capricorn

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Aquarius

What makes an Aquarius unique? Learn about the Aquarius zodiac sign, including personality traits, relationship preferences, ideal careers, and more.

Pisces

What makes a Pisces unique? Learn about the Pisces zodiac sign, including personality traits, relationship preferences, ideal careers, and more.

Personality Traits of a Libra

If each zodiac sign were to represent a life stage, the sign of Libra would be middle age. Just as many people in this phase are building long-term relationships, Libra individuals want to work peacefully with others and find moderation so that they can sustain their lifestyles.

As an air sign, Libras are cooperative and flexible thinkers who hold space for multiple perspectives when making decisions. Though they’re warm and expressive extroverts, they avoid thoughtless, reactive behaviors that can damage a group dynamic. Instead, they fine-tune their internal and external responses. Finding balance in all areas—work, relationships, diet, and so on—is essential for their health.

No two Libras are exactly alike, either. Libra personality traits, birth charts, and horoscopes will vary depending on when they were born. For instance, September Libras belong to a decan (or ten-degree segment) of their sign that’s ruled by Venus, which brings out the Venusian qualities of imagination and romance. For early October Libras, individual expression is important. And those born in the final decan are the most gifted in the art of the convincing argument.

Libra Strengths

Lovers of peace, beauty, and the finer things in life, people with a Libra Sun sign have the following strengths:

Artistry
Composure
Charm
Diplomacy
Elegance
Fairness
Listening
Mediation
Romance
Sociability

Libra Weaknesses

A Libra person’s misuse of the sign’s social skills may result in one of two general outcomes: losing a sense of self or using the group dynamic for personal gain. Libras should be aware of these possibilities within their character:

Apathy
Conflict avoidance
Hypocrisy
Indecision
Insecurity
Manipulation
Passivity
Procrastination
Restlessness
Superficiality

Libra in Love and Relationships

Associated with the seventh house, Libra focuses on significant relationships. As such, Libras are often best in partnership! They develop affinity through charming conversations and intimate exchanges—the sign is one of the most romantic. As commitment deepens, a Libra’s gift of collaboration shines brighter. However, they may overly rely on their partners and find it difficult to be unpartnered.

Overall, Libra compatibility is at its best when there is mutual respect and honest, productive conversations. Reciprocal action fuels Libra’s contentment: domestic labor, acts of service, verbal affirmations, and material resources should all be evenly shared. This is also true with sex, and Libra loves to give and receive equally, shifting between playful, sensual, and wilder modes as needed.

Libra Women in Relationships

Stylish and alluring, a Libra woman easily attracts lovers. However, she falls for those who match her charisma and powers of observation. Once in love, she’s likely to dote and work toward a strong reputation for her partnership or family. She’s optimistic, and things continually improve as long as her partners share praise and affection. (She always returns the favor.)

Libra Men in Relationships

A Libra man can charm anyone, yes, but he’s also willing to devote his romantic nature to a deep commitment. He’s happy when both partners (or all family members) feel comfortable voicing their beliefs, and he encourages this with his calm and easy manner. He doesn’t impose unilateral decisions, though his accommodating demeanor might make confrontation difficult at times.

Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches

In general, a Libra finds love easy with Aquarius and Gemini individuals. Sagittarius and Leo also inspire Libra people. In terms of romantic partnership, Aries offers the best mix of excitement and understanding. By contrast, the scales tip away from Capricorn, Cancer, Taurus, and Pisces.

Most Compatible with Libra

With the air sign Aquarius, Libra's humanitarian interests come out. These two uplift each other and, through that mutual support, uplift their communities. Similarly, the air sign Gemini expands Libra’s horizons. There’s likely to be a great deal of experimentation, and these two also love to participate in expansive and varied social groups.

Although air signs are most familiar to Librans, the complementary fire signs create profound opportunities for mutual growth. Sagittarius, for example, honors Libra’s individuality while also stoking the fun of being in partnership. Leo and Libra also thrive on each other’s optimism and earnest appreciation. Finally, Aries sustains mutual passion while challenging Libra to take intentional action.

Least Compatible with Libra

Libra squares Capricorn and Cancer, both signs that share the cardinal modality of the scales. An earth sign like Capricorn may strike Libra as tactless and unyielding, especially during arguments. And although water sign Cancer matches Libra’s diplomacy, these two signs have very different social needs and interests.

Libra and Taurus are both ruled by Venus, but unfortunately, their likeness acts against their union. Pleasure and beauty are important to both signs, but they experience sensations very differently: Taurus seems too self-centered for Libra, while Libra appears too needy to Taurus. But in a Pisces-Libra partnership, necessary conflict is simply avoided, limiting the relationship’s depth.

Libra in Friendship

A Libra is a gift to any social group. With grace and humor, Libras keep groups of loved ones together through even the toughest times. They likely have wide social circles full of diverse individuals, and they play matchmaker so that people find unexpected connections. Libras also encourage engagement with social issues, and they may facilitate discussions and philanthropic events among friends.

Always interested in people, a Libra individual is the best friend to many. But because a Libra adapts to suit the needs of others, it might be harder for a Libra to connect deeply in the same way. Libra people so strongly identify with groups that they should be sure they don’t repress vital aspects of themselves to avoid tension.

Careers Fit (and Unfit) for a Libra

The interpersonal skills that serve Libras elsewhere also make them well-liked and effective coworkers. In the workplace, they’re fun-loving, creative, and able to see the big picture. They contribute to a harmonious environment by resolving tension between egos. Moreover, they are natural negotiators who influence people gently, as they find ways into everyone’s good graces and can appeal to various interests and initiatives.

And yet, their different tactics with different people may make them seem duplicitous, and a Libra can certainly use their wiles to get ahead. Generally, however, their consideration of everyone’s perspective can simply make them indecisive or ambivalent. They also tend to retreat from stressful, conflict-ridden environments—they’re likely to save their peacekeeping energy for more amenable areas.

When it comes to money, many Libras subscribe to the “law of attraction.” In other words, they spend abundantly to attract abundance. Thus, they tend to hold on to high-paying jobs that support their lavish habits. Libras also seek roles that seem attractive to others and may enjoy having social influence through their work.

Best Careers for a Libra

A Libra does best in careers that involve art and other people. Their preferred roles also generally allow for calm day-to-day happenings within a space that they can help shape. Examples of fitting jobs include the following:

Artist
Designer
Lobbyist
Social influencer
Therapist or mediator

Worst Careers for a Libra

However, Libras won’t favor roles that require making snap judgments or decisions in isolation from other people. They also won’t do well in jobs, no matter what they are, that go against their personal ethics. The following jobs are less suitable for most Libras:

Financial analyst
Paramedic
Referee
Stockbroker
Landlord

Famous Libra Personalities

The Libra people in the list below demonstrate the sign’s characteristic style, sociability, and commitment to social justice:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Bella Hadid
Brigitte Bardot
Cardi B
Donald Glover (or Childish Gambino)
Ed Sullivan
John Lennon
Kim Kardashian
Mahatma Gandhi
Oscar Wilde
Serena Williams