Perfectly Unbalanced

While I adore astronomy and like to delve into fantasy and magic all to often - astrology is not something I ever really got into. As an early October baby, my star sign falls to Libra - the scales of balance and harmony. I always found this amusing when I was younger - I preferred to cause chaos and destruction wherever I went. I argued with my sister purely for sport and I was never particularly interested in being social.

I liked the concept of the zodiac when I was a child, but never really identified much with it - and I was starkly unimpressed that we had scales as our symbol, rather than something 'cool' like the lion or scorpion. Eventually I just became distanced from the concept of star signs, and I was more likely to roll my eyes at comments like 'Oh that is such a Taurus thing to do!'.

With this challenge in mind, I've decided to take a fresh look into my amazing star sign that is Libra and the iconic scales that represent my fellow Librans.

Classically, we Libra's are quite diplomatic and are inherent peacemakers. Supposedly we are quite good at being diplomatic in relationships and choose our words quite carefully. Alright, I'll accept that this is me to a degree. I generally try to pave things over with people and I don't enjoy conflict or my friends fighting with each other. I will involve myself in conversations with both friends, usually trying to lead them into explaining what's happening and get them to see a different point of view.

Now, that being said, diplomatic I am not. Peacemaker? Sure. Diplomatic? Probably not. There have been times I have been in important business meetings where I have been bluntly honest to a client, and then had to cop it from my superiors for not couching how I have phrased it. I don't think hiding an inconvenient truth from someone is a way to protect yourself and cover your ass. I think being honest and fair and giving them the opportunity to help themselves is a more effective method.

Which brings me to my second Libra trait, fairness. We Libra's have a strong sense of justice and like things to remain balanced and cater to the group as a whole. To this I say yes, I believe everyone should have a voice and be heard. When organizing social outings I try to get everyone to give their input on the activity and cater to everyone's desires.

Point to you zodiac.

Now supposedly we Libra's are also quite idealistic, we have good intentions and see quite optimistically. Now this is a tough one. Sometimes I think I can be, I often want to start new projects - writing blogs or painting or starting new studies. But with that comes a cheeky little negative trait of Libra's - indecisiveness! Supposedly being a Libra means that we can be quite indecisive as we spend too much time weighing the cost and benefit of decisions. Libra's apparently have trouble committing as we just want to please everyone.

Alright Zodiac, you're getting closer but while I'll accept that I can be quite indecisive that is just mostly due to being a giant procrastinator. To top off this cake I am also not big on socializing, which is supposedly a Libra trait! While I don't mind seeing a friend or two occasionally, I would much prefer to be curled up playing a video game on my own.

So ha! Point to me there.

The overarching theme I found is that the Libra personality is typically one of a social and fair person, who is overall quite optimistic but can be flighty and indecisive. I think I fit fairly against that portayal, I like to keep my people happy and safe. I will try to fix things and by God I have the attention span of a gnat so I definitely lack follow through.

I'm not quite ready to say that astrology is an exact science, but maybe we eventually learn to see ourselves in some of these traits. I think we read through them, think 'oh so that's what the universe thinks I'm supposed to be like?' and maybe those who believe adopt these traits. Maybe those who don't believe still have some small psychological trojan bury itself into our psyche and we unwittingly find ourselves in these boxes.

Whatever the reason, while I accept and think I fit reasonably well with my Scales of Justice (I do like this phrase) I will not be content to fit solely within my box - but I also don't think I care enough to actively discourage any particular traits.