Zodiac signs
Libra (Tula)
Libra, the Scales, is a cardinal air sign ruled by Venus. The Sun is in tropical (Western) Libra from September 23 – October 22, and in sidereal (Vedic) Libra — called Tula — from about October 17 – November 15. The sign is associated with balance, fairness and partnership.
| Symbol | the Scales |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | Tula |
| Element | Air |
| Modality | Cardinal |
| Ruling planet | Venus |
| Zodiac degrees | 180° – 210° |
| Opposite sign | Aries |
| Exalted here | Saturn |
| Debilitated here | Sun |
| Nakshatras (sidereal) | Chitra (padas 3–4), Swati (all four padas), Vishakha (padas 1–3) |
| Western (tropical) dates | September 23 – October 22 |
| Vedic (sidereal) dates | about October 17 – November 15 |
| Sun enters, 2026 (tropical) | 23 September 2026, 00:06 UTC |
| Sun enters, 2026 (sidereal) | 17 October 2026, 14:19 UTC |
Why two sets of dates: the tropical zodiac is tied to the seasons and the sidereal zodiac to the constellations. The equinoxes have drifted about 24° against the stars since the zodiacs coincided (the Lahiri ayanamsa is 24°13′ in 2026), so the Sun enters sidereal Libra roughly three and a half weeks after it enters tropical Libra. The 2026 ingresses above are computed from the Sun's position, to the minute.
In Vedic astrology Tula holds Chitra (padas 3–4), Swati (all four padas) and Vishakha (padas 1–3). A Moon here is read through both the sign and its nakshatra.
Your Sun sign is only one placement: your Moon sign and your rising sign (ascendant) are read at least as closely, and Vedic astrology gives the Moon sign the most weight of all.
Questions
What are the dates for Libra?
In Western (tropical) astrology, September 23 – October 22. In Vedic (sidereal) astrology, about October 17 – November 15. Both vary by about a day from year to year; in 2026 the Sun entered tropical Libra on 23 September 2026, 00:06 UTC and sidereal Libra on 17 October 2026, 14:19 UTC.
What is the ruling planet of Libra?
Venus.
Which nakshatras are in Libra?
In the sidereal zodiac, Chitra (padas 3–4), Swati (all four padas) and Vishakha (padas 1–3).
Which planet is exalted in Libra?
Saturn, in the Parashari scheme.
What is Libra called in Vedic astrology?
Tula.
In Plutto
Plutto reads your Sun, Moon and rising sign in both zodiacs — and says which one each tradition means. Background: Western astrology.
Ask it something you actually want to know.