Libra – The Scales of Justice

Libra is a faint zodiacal constellation lying in a sparsely populated region just northwest of the summer constellation Scorpius. The box-like figure of Libra represents “scales” or “balance” and is often associated with justice and law. It is unique among the constellations of the zodiac in that it represents an inanimate object in the zoo of the zodiac constellations.

In ancient times, Libra was part of the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. The Romans, during the time of Julius Caesar, created a new constellation to represent the scales of justice in the sky and in doing so, they had to declaw Scorpius. It was originally intended to represent Caesar holding a balance, symbolizing his just ways. The constellation was later associated with the scales held by Astraea, goddess of justice. Either way, it is the scales and not Julius Caesar nor Astraea that survives today.  

The two brightest stars of Libra are still called the Northern Claw (Zubeneschamali) and Southern Claw (Zubenelgenubi). Libra’s brightest star is Zubeneshamali. The Greek astronomer Eratosthenes (276 BC – 194 BC) reportedly used this star to measure the size of the Earth indicating it was brighter than the star Antares to its east. Zubenelgenubi is only slightly less bright than its northern companion. Antares is a red giant star so perhaps over time its brightness has increased – who knows? You can find the southern claw residing half way between Spica to its west and Antares to its east.

Within the zodiac there are 8 ½ animals and 4 ½ humans in the zodiac. The predominance of animals gives us the name zodiac. For a bit of trivia, the word zoo is derived from zodiac.

If you feel your life is out of balance, go outside and look to the south-southeast after the sky is sufficiently dark and use the orange-red star of Antares to guide you to Libra the Scales.

Enjoy and Keep Looking Up!