Thread by @aaolomi

Libra has earned the reputation of harmony and beauty among the zodiac. For medieval Muslim astrologers, Libra was the pinnacle of justice and has a forgotten relationship with war.

A thread on Libra in astrology from the Islamic World-

Those born under Libra or al Mizan are said to be quick of mind, good of heart, and playful. They tend to have long necks and melodious voices.

They are excitable when the speak, sometimes speaking too fast, and are just.

Al Biruni says they are polite and generous but indecisive. They are better at giving advice than following their own. They delight in small pleasures and surround themselves with beauty.

Reputedly many have a mark on their hip.

Libra is described as masculine, diurnal, hot, airy, moist, and sanguine. Its season is autumn.

Red, purple, and soft yellow are good colors for them to wear and they find much of their fortune on Friday but Wednesday will be difficult for them.

They have strong longings and few children.

They make good judges, advisers, counselors, merchants, and teachers.

They are musically and artistically inclined often and enjoy beauty.

Libra is said to be the home of Venus but the kingdom of Saturn. Though Libra is the only zodiac that is an object, in medieval Muslim sources it was depicted alongside its Lord, Venus.

The image, drawn from Hellenic writings, would depict Libra held by a woman

Along with Libra's association would justice this would inspire the iconography of Lady Justice still in use today.

You can see a depiction of Libra from the 14th C Kitab al Bulhan above in the first tweet.

It is said Pisces obeys Libra who is friendly with Capricorn and Virgo. Aries attempts to command Libra, but with great difficulty.

Libras are said to struggle at 21 faced with a great choice when their indecisiveness strikes. 40 presents a condition or illness for them.

The human body was divided up by the zodiac with Libra associated with the hips.

Muslim astrologers also designated parts of the world as governed by the Zodiac with Libra corresponding to Rome. It is even said Rome was founded when the moon was in Libra.

It also corresponds to Kabul, Balkh, and Herat, the lands of the Greeks, and little mosques.

Libra would also be the sign of the jinn.

Despite its Venusian qualities, Libra’s reputation for justice made it sought after by Muslim rulers in matters of war.

Libra's connection to war is an oft-forgotten bit of history.

For example Al Hajjaj, the translator of Ptolemy advises to write Quran 54:46 on a cloth when Libra was rising in the hour of Saturn for victory in battle.

Another famous charm was a ring of power. Viziers and counselors would seek out a red bronze ring under the auspices of the Moon in Libra which would make all kings favorable to them.

Some famous Libras from Islamic history include the 16th century Mughal emperor Akbar the Great who greatly expanded the boundaries of his empire and established a harmony between Islam and Hinduism through his din-i-ilahi, or universalist religion

Mashallah ibn Athari would also note the placement of Libra in Alid leaders. Qasim ibn Hasan, a Libra, stood at his uncle Husayn’s side during the Battle of Karbala.

Meanwhile the horoscope of Hasan ibn Zayd the grandson of Hassan was noted for favorable Libra placements.

Libra would become an important sign for Islam as well. Though Cancer would represent Muslim lands, Libra rising in the world astrology of Abu Ma’shar would come to represent the ascendancy of Islam because of its connection to Venus.

He predicted the Islamic empires would remain dominant for a thousand years

The conjunction of 1186 in Libra was used to foretell the fate of Islamic lands. Some English astrologers said it meant Islam would be swept away in a wind and stink.

But Libra was a fortunate sign for Islam; a few months after the conjunction, Saladin would retake Jerusalem

Libra was an important sign for world astrology more broadly.

The astrological year would begin on Aries if the chart for it had a mutable ascendant a second horoscope would have to be cast for Libra the other end of the ecliptic.

Libra for medieval Muslim astrologers would become the ultimate sign of justice. Harmony therefore could not exist without justice first.

If Leo was the kingly sign, and Virgo the sign of the philosopher king, then Libra would be the just king.

It's significant Muslim rulers would have their astrologers time battles and work talismans around Libra in their horoscopes. Despite being a sign of Venus and harmony, deploying Libra in this way tells us something about the way they imagined war in the context of justice

While Muslim rulers like those that came before them engaged in conquests and violence, they legitimized their empire-building as establishing justice in the world. It was not Mars the guided them but Venusian Libra.

The stars would be used for justification and legitimacy

I’ll cover the rest of the zodiac in future threads.