Venus in Libra

Michel Foucault (who had Venus in Libra) said, “From the idea that the self is not given to us, I think there is only one practical consequence: we have to create ourselves as works of art.” The idea that self is not given to us and thus the self must be built through our ability to respond to the world is the Cardinal provocation of Libra. If we develop the skill to put things in its right place, create balance with everything around it, justify our choices, then we can achieve the kind of peace that comes with intellectual harmony. We understand each other. If Gemini is the Mercurial Air sign that creates the language, then Libra is the Venusian Air sign to refine it – unify disparate concepts into theory and elevate our insight. We can convey to another it’s not just that this is interesting, it’s that it’s beautiful. It’s valuable to comprehend. As with all air signs, there’s a primary fascination with human invention and relationships. Libra is home for Venus, and there she’s free to prioritize connection with others above all. Taurus, the other Venus-ruled sign, is much more preoccupied with Earth’s beauty and the sensory experience of materials. It finds value in the tangible. LIbra’s Venus finds value in the social. It uses tools like synchronization; symmetry; femininity; classic ideals of beauty to make purely aesthetic choices that force us to consider why it all goes down so smoothly. The effect is often uncanny — pretty, but marinated in satire or much more complex emotions. There’s a high romanticization of harmony between themselves and another person, another ideology, another world (Libras love sci-fi): and an acute awareness of when that symbiosis is betrayed. A deeply hopeful form of beauty can come from a Venus in Libra reconfiguring their own shattered ideals.

As always, all the following people have Venus in Libra. . .