“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.”
G.K. Chesterton
We are in the midst of Libra season which drifts over us like a cotton-like cloud, after the grounding, earthy energy of Virgo season. Where Virgo encouraged us to root down, regroup and embrace our personal vision, Libra asks us to reach out and nurture our relationships in a balanced and harmonious way.
As the quote above suggests, there is a loosening of the rules and a sense of lightening up in Libra season – marking the next instalment in the Astro Interiors series – an exploration of the zodiac expressed through the eyes of architecture, interiors and most importantly, ideas to harness the sign’s energy at home.
Up in the air – harnessing the air element.
After a season underpinned by the weighty nourishment of the earth, a focus on a solo vision and getting things done; Libra season, ruled by the dreamy air element, brings a welcome dose of uplift and elevation.
The focus turns outwards from the solitary retreat of Virgo season to broaden the view onto our relationships with the people and spaces around us.
Libra experiences life through a series of interactions with others, and as its symbol, the scales suggests, seeks a calm, harmonious balance in all of its partnerships.
This is the astrological season to recalibrate and find equipoise, to recognise the beauty in polarity and to turn our gaze outwards to recognise joy and love within the little things.
With love from Venus – work with the planet of love and beauty.
Libra is ruled by Venus, the feminine planet named after the goddess of love and beauty. The planet is said to govern our feelings, values, life’s pleasures and our relationships. Venus also rules Taurus where it manifests through an earthy physical sensuality, whereas in Libra season the essence is more cerebral, romantic and thoughtful.
Interestingly, the alchemical symbol for Venus (and for copper) is said to represent the goddess Venus or Aphrodite’s hand mirror. Being the planet that rules our interactions, it could be said to show us a mirror onto ourselves and the world around us, making Libra a reflection of its surroundings. As such, Librans are often stylish aesthetes, with an affinity for creating balance, elegance and comfort through symmetry, tailored finishes and carefully chosen materials.
The application of reflective finishes from misty antique mirror to mirrored walls is a natural choice in a Libra-inspired home. Not only casting the experience of the space back to the beholder, but also enhancing the details and bringing the aspect of light into the room.
Soften your surroundings – with texture and colour.
By expanding the focus to include the bigger picture, Librans experience fulfilment and calm, therefore soothing surroundings are key. Being driven by beauty and unrestrained indulgence, a Libra interior is a comfortable yet glamorous combination of tactility and tailoring.
Soft, sumptuous textures like rich velvets and smooth silks create a beautiful finish for the base of clean silhouettes and refined lines. Think pleats coupled with delicate detailing in sheer lace or intricate embroidery.
A palette of sophisticated monochrome, softened with dove grey tones, ballerina pastels, candied sorbet shades with a splash of hot pink thrown in ensures a romantic and fun yet elegant and typically Libran tone.
In balance – using symmetry to achieve equilibrium.
With a set of perfectly poised scales as its symbol, the overarching theme of Libra season is balance and equilibrium, which can be achieved in a home through the use of symmetry and proportion. According to modern Feng Shui maven Meghan Wallace James, symmetry is an important tool to employ in the love zone (or gua) of the home, which according to the Western Bagua map is located in the back right of your home (from walking in the front door).
In the love gua, we should create physical space for another to bring in or magnify the love in our lives, i.e. bring in pairs of items such as two chairs (above) to create an inviting balanced feel. Another consideration is balancing polarity, which means having an equal amount of yin (inward, feminine energy) and yang (outward, masculine energy) elements in your space, no matter which gender(s) live in the home. Meghan also recommends bringing soft, sultry colours into this area to increase the feeling of closeness, sensuality and safety. See my interview with Meghan and her Instagram for more details.
Romancing the everyday – cocooning bedroom design.
Libra season has an idealistic, innocent and romantic flavour. We can bring Libra’s high ideal of beauty, magic and grace into our homes with a particular attention on dreamy bedroom design.
A draped four-poster bed that would not be out of place in a Venetian palazzo or castle in the Scottish Highlands springs to mind for inspiration. Of course, we don’t all have access to a casual castle, but this notion can be interpreted for everyday life using layered ethereal sheers at the windows, a generous use of tactile fabric on the bed and even on the walls to elevate the bedroom to a tender cocoon.
Together, these elements create a nourishing, loving and peaceful space built on the components of harmonious balance.
Libra season moodboard:
