Libra: the Just Paid for the Unjust, Crowned after Crucifixion, & Glorified after Suffering

Libra (September 23-October 22) is the second of the first group of signs in the original Christian Zodiac. Its sign points to Jesus the Redeemer.

Greek mythology attributes Libra to Mochis, the god who invented weights and scales. Its patron gods are Athena and Astrea, who ensured that justice, order, and power of the state were administered for the good of the people by the government. Statues of Athena and scales are symbols still found in court buildings today.

But according to God’s Zodiac, Libra is the sign that points to the Savior who gives his life to redeem his people– and to eternal justice– weighing sin and salvation. Libra is nestled in-between Virgo‘s white star, Spica, and Scorpio‘s red star, Antares.

Libra is often pictured as a balanced scale, with a pivot and equal weights on either side to reflect the balance of justice and order. In Hebrew history, Libra has long been associated with law and justice: God weighs the mountains and scales and the hills in balance. (Isa. 40:20)

In Arabic, Libra means “purchase” or “redemption” (Al Zubena). In Coptic, Libra means, “station of propitiation” (Lambadia); the roots of this word literally mean, “the grace of the branch.”

However, even more important than the symbolism of the scales, are its three stars and Decans that vividly depict the gospel story.

The start next to the raised side of the scale, Auben al Genubi, which means, “the price deficient,” signifies the guilty verdict of humanity’s sin nature. Like the Babylonian king, Belshazzar, everyone’s actions are weighed and found lacking. (Dan. 5:27)

Yet, the sentence for such a verdict is offset, represented by the star next to the lowered side of the scale, Zuben al Chemali,  which means, “the price which covers”. It signifies the price that was paid for the guilty verdict: the “precious blood of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:18-19) The third star, Zuben Akrabi, which means, “the price of the conflict”, confirms this, along with Libra’s three Decans.

The first Decan, The Southern Cross, is comprised of four bright stars that form a cross, which are positioned in the darkest part of the sky. It can be seen clearly just south of the equator, which is why it is called, the “Cross of the South.”

Interestingly, the Decan changes its position three times before, during, and after it crosses over the meridian. Before it crosses over, it leans one way; and after, it leans in the opposite direction. But while it is positioned directly above the meridian, it sits perpendicular to it. Of this phenomenon, philosopher and traveler, Humboldt, remarked,

“How often have we heard our guides exclaim in the savannas of Venezuela or in the desert of Lima, ‘Midnight is past; the Cross begins to bend!”

Ancient civilizations used symbols, including the cross, for thousands of years before Jesus. In Egypt, for example, it symbolized, Life. In other mythologies and epics its meaning has varied.

But after Jesus, the cross became the universal symbol for Christianity: acknowledging the death of the Suffering Servant who died on it– and conquered it, and death. The cross represents redemption, eternal salvation through suffering, and eternal life to those who believe. And it was already prefigured in the stars.

The second Decan, Lupus or Victima, indicates the nature of Jesus’s payment: death. It resembles a dead wolf or animal that Centaurus killed. Centaurus, the half-man, half-beast creature, who symbolizes Jesus, who is both God and man, killed the animal. In some myths, the constellation resembles a child, signifying Jesus as the lamb who was slain.

This is significant. No matter the name for the Decan, its meaning is universal. The Centaurus killed the animal because the animal allowed it to do so sacrificing itself. In other words, Jesus chose to be killed– to sacrifice himself as the propitiation for our sins. He said about his own life:

“The reason my father loves me is that I lay down my life– only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father.” (John 10:17-19)

In Primeval Astronomy, “The Gospel in the Stars,” theologian and Lutheran minister Joseph August Seiss explains,

“the Cross, and Christ’s death by the Cross, mark the limit and farthest boundaries of the humiliation for human redemption. There was nothing lower than that in history; and the first two Decans of Libra are the southernmost constellations but one in the ancient astronomy.  … The tide there reached its lowest ebb, and turned, thenceforward to flow in ever-augmenting volume from glory to glory.”

He adds, “But then, above the principalities and powers, and every name that is named, He ascended, and forever sad down at the right hand of the Father,” which is symbolized by the third Decan, The Northern Crown.

The Northern Crown, or Corona Borealis, is comprised of roughly six stars that form a semicircle in the shape of a crown. It’s clearly visible in the summer sky. But– once in every revolution of the earth, it sits vertical above Jerusalem, pointing to the one who wears it and rules for eternity: Jesus.

Seiss says:

He was brought up again out of death in immortal beauty and glory, and through the good pleasure and delight of the Father was awarded an imperishable crown in heaven. And that heavenly crown had its sign in this beautiful constellation.

The beauty of this constellation is the emphasis of the gospel message: death is not the end. The guilty are not only set free from the punishment they deserve, but are also redeemed. The Just One suffered for the unjust, conquering the cross. He is now crowned with glory sitting at the right hand of the Father. Libra reminds us that suffering of the redeemed is always followed by glory.

The story of the cross was foretold in the heavens before Jesus was ever born. Yet it confirms prophecies, scriptures and historical events that occurred after the heavens were formed. To skeptics, Seiss argues:

“I have heard intimated that this is all speculation. But will those who think it nothing but speculation tell us, then, what is not speculation? Some think it speculation to hold for truth that there is a personal God; that the Bible contains a revelation from Him; that man has a soul to live beyond death; that there is to be a future judgment; that the earth is a globe in motion ever rolling around the sun; or that Jesus Christ is the appointed and only Saviour of fallen man.

“If what we read in the book of God is not speculation, can it be mere speculation when we find it written with the same clearness on the stars? The story of the Cross of Christ is true; and the word on the heavens unites with the word in the Book to assure us of the certainty of our faith.”

Jesus told his disciples, “I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” (Luke 10:19)

Astronomy was not lost on them, nor was the recognition that Jesus used the same imagery as the Psalmist. He mentioned the scorpion, serpent, and dragon, whose mighty conflict with humanity was already foretold in the stars.

The true meaning behind the stars, point to their Creator and his message of salvation.