Harmony, please! Libra season arrives on September 22 as the Sun transits through this fair-minded, aesthetic air sign. Until October 23, everyone’s focus turns to balance, relationships, and beauty. Here’s how to make the most of it!

Every 30 days or so, the Sun visits a new zodiac sign. During this “season” everyone feels the energy of this prevailing astrological sign, no matter what your Sun sign horoscope may be. Here is everything you need to know about Libra season.

When is Libra season?

Libra season begins September 22 and ends October 23. It arrives right after Virgo season and before Scorpio season.

The start of Libra season coincides with the Autumnal Equinox. That’s when a day of nearly equal light and dark is honored as the Northern Hemisphere continues to tilt away from the Sun. Fittingly, Libra is symbolized by the scales, which are constantly in a state of balancing.

Venus is Libra’s ruling planet

Since Libra’s ruling planet is artistic, romantic Venus, it’s no surprise that this 30-day solar cycle corresponds with cuffing season. Feeling the urge to settle down during the cooler months? During Libra season, you can tap into Venus’ stylish, seductive vibes. Dress to impress and hit the town for nights of baehunting. Or turn up the flame with your significant other with cultural activities dates. Get on the waitlist for that restaurant or show that everyone’s buzzing about. Make a budget! Venus has a large appetite for luxury and during Libra season, we can get swept up in splurging on material indulgences.

Libra is an Air element and a Cardinal sign

Harmonizing Libra is the second of the zodiac’s three air signs (along with Gemini and Aquarius). It’s also one of the four Cardinal quality signs. The word Cardinal comes from the Latin word “cardo,” which means hinge. Along with the zodiac’s other Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn), Libra marks the beginning or “hinge” between one season and the next.

As the signs that get things moving, all Cardinal signs are leadership-driven and discerning. Since Cardinal signs kick off seasons, folks born under these zodiac Sun signs are often initiators and pioneers. But this can also give them an entitled, alpha-male or queen-bee air when taken too far. While this sign rules the skies for a month, we are reminded to lead with a healthy hybrid of confidence and compassion.

Libra characteristics

As a Cardinal air sign, Libra uses mental savvy and irresistible charm to negotiate—or straight-up dominate. Libra Tom Petty’s song, “I Won’t Back Down,” illustrates that characteristic well.

Pleasure and partnership are equally important to Libra, making them perhaps the easiest of the Cardinal signs to join forces with. During the four weeks that the sign of the heavenly harmonizer influences the world each year, we can lay down our swords and become peaceful warriors in Libra’s “justice league.”

What will Libra season bring?

As we bid adieu to the hands-on, earthy efficiency and detailed focus of Virgo season, it’s time to welcome a more breezy, playful approach to our lives. Virgo helped us spot the flaws. Now Libra invites us to join forces and patch up the cracks, working in synergy—with plenty of artistry!

Dynamic duos hit their stride during Libra season, but not in the “OMG, we have everything in common!” kind of way. Since Libra is the sign of the scales, join forces with people who have complementary skills sets. That’s what creates the perfect balance. Collaborate, cooperate, co-create!

This gracious zodiac season is ideal for networking with new folks while also fortifying existing relationships. No need to wait until the holidays to send gifts to your top clients or treat a prospective project partner to lunch. Personalized touches, no matter how big or small, will go a long way to cement loyalty. Already assembled your dream team? Use the four weeks of Libra season to align around creative concepts and maybe revamp your mission statement to incorporate shared values.

Libra season love

Life could feel like a bonus Valentine’s Day celebration…make that Valentine’s Month. When the Sun changes costumes it sheds Virgo’s white cotton oxford and dons Libra’s body-con date night gear. In other words, Cupid will make plenty of cameos during Libra season! Better still? Many of his arrows are sure to hit the mark—if you open your heart and provide a clear shot, of course!

If you’ve been flying solo, it’s time to collaborate, cooperate and communicate with joy once again. And indulge! Libra season gives us all a weak spot for life’s finer things: haute cuisine, beautiful fabrics, art, music and all kinds of revelry. Just watch the cashflow when following the hedonistic impulses. Luxury dates should be just that…a luxury.

In between wining and dining, go out of your way to appreciate “the little things.” Is it time to make a peace offering? Libra’s harmonious vibes help smooth over rough patches in our most important unions. It’s rarely too late to at least try to make amends. Thanks to the gracious diplomacy of this solar cycle, others are more willing to accept a heartfelt apology.

Your Libra season horoscope

5 ways to tip the scales in your favor during Libra season

1. Stay present

Libra is the sign of interpersonal relationships and its alluring solar spell puts our closest ties front and center. When was the last time you were truly “as one” with another human being?

Sounds lovely, sure. But it’s no simple feat in our era of smartphones and constant connectivity—it’s as though relationship-building is widely regarded as an inefficient task in our productivity-obsessed world. It’s easier to swipe right, Friend, Like or Follow than it is to do the awkward IRL getting-to-know-you routine, or deal with people’s real-world idiosyncrasies. Yet, our screen-to-screen approach removes the soul and beauty of a true Libra-inspired union.

In a still-relevant New York magazine article, “I Used To Be A Human Being,” author Andrew Sullivan details his addiction to life-on-the-Web and his radical attempt to unplug. He found it nearly impossible to put down a phone without being awash in FOMO or twitching with anxiety.

But while it may be challenging, Libra season will smile on your short media break. This article from Healthline, partnered with Psych Central, offers a 10-day challenge (packed with data, studies and ideas to keep you occupied).

If you do decide to give yourself a break, you’ll be tapping into a larger trend. With progress-driven Uranus in traditional Taurus until 2026, our tech-addicted culture is being called upon to reclaim a more balanced life—one where we can actually relax and enjoy ourselves without a screen in easy reach.

2. Slow down

Elegant Libra is ruled by Venus, the goddess of beauty, art and social grace. This sign is truly the fairest of them all! During Libra season, we can all (regardless of gender identification) use a dose of metaphysical, matriarchal mojo like that of Libra Julie Andrews in her portrayal of Mary Poppins (and Fraulein Maria in The Sound of Music). Embrace the divine feminine energy—both within yourself and in your surrounding environment.

One easy way to start? Simply slow down. Take time putting together beautifully plated meal and sartorially inspired outfits. Adorn your workspace with a vase of cut flowers. Make a ritual of getting ready for bed, waking up or savoring a morning routine. Even a tiny adjustment to the usual, often mindless rushing can make a huge difference during this decadent Libran phase.

Need some inspo? Check out our Style Horoscopes and Home Decor Horoscopes.

Libra season is NOT about efficiency—and that’s okay. It’s about maximizing the amount of pleasure you take in every experience. So go ahead and add a spoonful of sugar (or raw agave nectar). It really will help the medicine go down.

3. Set your mood to “happy”

It may sound oversimplified, but putting yourself into a happy, love-filled state of mind can actually attract more of the same. Researchers are studying the power of the heart’s electromagnetic field which can be felt several feet outside the body. By radiating love and positivity, you can have a healing influence on the people in your immediate field.

Check out these tools from the Heartmath Institute. Breathing, focus and invoking feelings of appreciation can actually change your heart-rhythm pattern.

4. Channel the healing powers of art and beauty

Libra season is a time to take in sights and sounds that fill your heart. Create a playlist that lifts your spirits. Go look at paintings, sculptures, or a gorgeous scene somewhere out in nature. Take a minute to sit with the peaceful abstract paintings of Libra Mark Rothko.

Tap into your creative energy by making something with your hands. Surround yourself with beauty: hang some art, fill some vases with fresh flowers, put mementos on display that make you feel good.

Can’t get out of a funk? Turn on Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” which is apparently officially the happiest song on earth, according to science!

Give our Libra season playlist a try!

5. Choose love over fear

Marianne Williamson, a one-time presidential candidate and author of A Return to Love, (Libra season recommended reading!) put it so perfectly: “The biggest problem today isn’t just that hate is speaking so loudly; it’s that love is speaking too softly.”

Because when we let fear take over, that’s when we lose. For love to win in the end, perhaps Williamson’s definition can guide us: “Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn.” It’s time for some un-learning like never before.