Libra is the starting point of the second half of its yearly cycle.

The first six signs of the zodiac, from Aries to Virgo, are concerned with individual life and the interaction with one’s self and inner world.

The second six signs of the zodiac, from Libra to Pisces, describe the integration of the individual in the collective, and their relationship with the outer world, which is the mirror of their inner world.

Here the self relates with its outer projection, the shadow, gaining an enlarged perspective of its nature and taking a crucial step on the healing trail.

Libra stands as the pivotal point between inner and outer world, relationships with oneself and relationships with others, conscious and unconscious self.

The first step here involves the most basic form of human interaction, i.e. one-to-one relationships, partnerships or marriages, which are what Libra traditionally represents.

Every relationship is an unconscious agreement between two individuals to unveil, explore and integrate each other’s shadow.

There are many elements in astrology that indicate the features of our partners in life and the shadow elements we project on them. The position of the Descendant, the point opposite to the Ascendant, for example, is one of the most typical, especially in its capacity to hold the characteristics of our shadow. Astrologically this can be seen by our individual chart upside-down. Other elements are the seventh house and eighth house, with their planets and aspects, and the position of, including aspects to, Mars and Venus.

The shadow is our other half, the opposite bit of the split self we identify with. All the partners we meet during life are projections of this other half.

Even if you are not in any one-to-one relationship, you will meet other people who will represent your shadow, such as colleagues, room-mates, relatives or friends. Also no matter how many relationships you have, each of them will portray an aspect of your shadow.

Hence if you currently have a good time with a partner and you were once with another partner with whom there were many issues, you may project the positive quality of your shadow on the first partner and the negative ones on the second partner. Yet, all these partners are only there to show you what is hidden within you, so that you can become conscious of what you are projecting.

The task is to ultimately retrieve, transform and integrate whatever you project, and this is what the second round of the zodiac cycle exemplifies. What makes a relationship sacred is the fact that the partners involved are fully conscious about such a task and experientially acknowledge it as the priority in their rapport.

© Franco Santoro