Libra Season 2023 Is Ushering You Into an Empowering New Chapter

Whether you're pumped for all the pumpkin recipes or you're more than ready to transition from tanks to cardigans, Libra season — and the fall equinox, which coincides with the sun moving into this cardinal air sign — gives you the green light to soak up all of fall's vibes. But the sun's time in Libra, the sign symbolized by the Scales, is about far more than swapping out wardrobes and craving cozy sweats. It's also a time of year dedicated to bolstering partnerships, cultivating balance in every area of life, allowing airtime for both sides of any argument, and prioritizing harmony above all else.

In 2023, Libra season is also a moment for getting your ducks in a row following the third Mercury retrograde of the year, which runs from August 23 to September 15 in Virgo. You'll also want to prepare yourself for massive, stunning, and potentially thrilling changes, thanks to the second eclipse season of the year, which kicks off on October 14 with a solar eclipse and new moon in Libra. And as Mars, the planet of action, begins its trip through one of its home signs, intimacy-seeking Scorpio, relationship stakes have never been higher.

Here's what you need to know about Libra season in general — and particularly in 2023.

Libra season happens annually from approximately Sept. 22-23 to Oct. 22-23. This year (at least in US time zones), the sun hangs out in Libra from Sept. 23 to Oct. 23.

For a sense of how Libra functions in astrology from mid September to mid October, look no further than the sign's ruler: sweet Venus, the planet of relationships, beauty, art, and money and values. Libra is drawn to and thrives on socializing; they often strive to be the host with the most, as well as someone who's known for creating aesthetically pleasing (perhaps Instagram-friendly) and memorable moments. Anyone born with Libra placements in their birth chart (meaning Libra is their sun sign, one of their "big three", or even their "big six") might be driven to set a scene that's as buzzy as it is blissful and eye-catching.

The other side of that coin: Libra abhors conflict and will go out of their way to preempt it. This goes hand in hand with the air sign's symbol, the Scales, which represents their need to create balance and see both sides of any given issue. They're natural peacemakers and mediators. It also bears noting that as a cardinal sign, Libra is the most go getter, initiative taking of all the air signs. So while they'd seriously prefer not to butt heads in order to blaze their trail, Libra is wired to dive headfirst into ambitious projects.

Associated with the seventh house of partnership, Libras might love hosting a crowd but are actually most content when they're pairing up and connecting with a loved one or dear friend one on one. (If any sign is most susceptible to being a serial monogamist, it's the cardinal air sign!)

All of that said, while the sun moves through the sign during Libra season, we're all more aware of the state of our one-on-one bonds. You could find you're more inspired than you were during previous seasons to get serious about swiping and online dating. Or maybe it's become all too apparent that a particular friendship is peppered with red flags. It may also be as simple as realizing that you're most productive working on a professional project with one colleague versus a group, or deciding to work out with a personal trainer as opposed to hitting the gym solo. Libra season also makes us even more aware of issues of injustice and imbalance that must be addressed — in our personal lives, sure, but also in the world.

Although the sun moves through Libra every year, the moon and other planets each have their own unique paths through the sky, making for a unique astrological picture of Libra season that differs from one year to the next.

Following its third retrograde of the year, occurring from August 23 to September 15, Mercury, the planet of communication, transportation, and technology, will be finally moving forward during Libra season. You'll now be able to apply whatever you were reflecting on, revisiting, and revising during Mercury retrograde.

The second eclipse season will also be in full swing throughout the season of the Scales, with the third eclipse of the year — a solar eclipse and new moon — falling in Libra on October 14. Expect major, out of the blue shifts, particularly related to one-on-one relationships, beauty, and money — all of which are Libran and also Venusian themes.

And Mars, the planet of action, energy, and sex, will move through fixed water sign Scorpio from October 12 to November 24 (spanning half of Libra, all of Scorpio, and the first couple days of Sagittarius season). And as it begins its move through the intimacy-craving, transformation-seeking sign of the Scorpion, we'll all be more inclined to hard pass on superficial conversations, seek deeper emotional connections, and to perhaps fixate and dig our heels in when it comes to our greatest desires.

Here's what every sign can expect this Libra season. Feel free to read the below based on your zodiac sign and/or rising sign, too.

Because the confident sun is moving through your seventh house of partnership now, Aries, Libra season encourages you to zero in on your closest friendship, relationship, maybe professional partnership. You can't help but reflect on the ways in which you're there for the people with whom you share your tightest bonds — and also consider how they're showing up for you. Reciprocity is a must, and if someone's not giving as much as you, it could be time to reassess the connection.

The sun's trip through your sixth house of routine and wellness brings your attention to your day-to-day ongoings and the ways in which you care for your inner balance. You could be inspired to try a new fitness plan, reorganize your home office, or streamline your commitments so you're focusing even more exclusively on projects that align with your bigger goals.

Virgo season can actually inspire you to slow down a bit more than usual, because the sun moves through your fourth house of home life, encouraging you to be a bit of a homebody. But once it slips into Libra, it's a whole new vibe, because the sun in your fifth house of romance and self-expression fuels your desire to flirt, connect, be spontaneous, be playful, and lean into your artistic impulses. In other words, this is one of the most fun times of year for you, Gemini — enjoy!

Over the last month, as the sun has moved through Virgo, it's been in your third house of communication, which is a super-social zone, so your schedule has probably been bursting at the seams with to-dos and meet-ups with friends — perhaps even more than you would have ideally liked. Now that it's in your fourth house of home life, you'll find the pace of life gets a bit slower and cozier. You can focus even more on one of your favorite pastimes: bonding with your nearest and dearest.

Fall might inspire some people to slow down and rest more, but that's probably not going to be the case for you, Leo, thanks to your ruler, the confident sun, moving through your third house of communication, which is one of the most social places for it to be. In fact, given all the invitations to hang with friends, after work happy hours, short-distance trips, and workouts with friends, you might run the risk of getting run down, so be sure to set aside time for recharging self-care.

The sun's trip through your sign is always lovely, because it's your birthday season, which can have you lighting up the room even more than usual. But now that it has slipped into your second house of income, you can take any big picture ideas or passion projects you've been batting around and actually turn them into something concrete. You'll be eager to start putting one foot in front of the other and seeing your vision come to life. Just be sure that whatever you're working on is also in line with your values, as that's the secret to succeeding now.

Welcome to your season, Libra! Virgo season can be a bit sleepy, because the sun moves through your twelfth house of spirituality, but now that the sun is shining on you and your first house of self, you can step into the limelight. You'll be extra conscious of how you're presenting yourself, perhaps even inspired to makeover your website, business cards, or social media presence. This can also be a wonderful time to get extra clear on what you want to achieve — and begin to say it out loud, as that's the first step toward manifestation.

With the sun in your twelfth house of spirituality now, it's almost like you're backstage, resting and dreaming and perhaps also waiting with anticipation to step out under the hot lights. You might be apt to prioritize self-reflection and learn from your dreams. You'll also benefit from nurturing your psychological well-being with a mind-body practice (like journaling or meditating).

While the confident sun moves through your eleventh house of networking, Sag, you're bound to be even more social and tending to your connections to friends and colleagues. If there's a long-term aspiration you've been wanting to tend to, trading notes with others can help you gain even more clarity around the best game plan for making it a reality. You'll also feel reassured that you're part of a community that makes you feel seen and appreciated for what you bring to the table.

Throughout Virgo season, you may be more willing to take leaps of faith, travel, get outside of your comfort zone, and hone your skills by soaking up knowledge. And as the sun moves through your tenth house of career and public image during Libra season, you can apply whatever you've learned over the past month to advance your professional standing. Now's a moment for taking on a leadership position or putting your hat in the ring for more responsibility. You likely can't help but make a winning impression on higher-ups.

If you've been itching to break free of your mundane routine, see new sights, meet new people, and just generally broaden your horizons, there is no better season than Libra season, because the sun moves through your ninth house of higher learning and adventure. Make a point to tune into your intuition in order to get clear on what you really want to achieve and what will bring you the greatest sense of fulfillment — whether that's working with a mentor, signing up for a class, or planning a globetrotting experience.

Libra season is your opportunity to connect in an even more meaningful way with your nearest and dearest, Pisces, thanks to the confident sun's trip through your eighth house of emotional bonds and intimacy. You could feel particularly self-assured when expressing your sexual needs now, and you'll also become more conscious of what bolsters your sense of comfort and security — physically and emotionally. Opening up about these epiphanies and more can be truly empowering.