Hi, this is Cathy Gnatek. Today, I’m continuing my series on the 36 decans of the Zodiac with Libra III, the final section of Libra. This part of the Zodiac focuses on finding balance amidst opposing forces. This theme is reflected in the planetary rulers of this decan, Jupiter and Mercury, which represent very different energies. Libra, of course, governs the sign overall and works to bring harmony and equilibrium.

We also see this theme in the Four of Swords card in tarot, which speaks to finding respite and stillness in the midst of chaos. In the Qabbalah, this decan is associated with the Sephirah Chesed, which embodies mercy and compassion.

This concept is illustrated in the chart of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the basketball legend known for his ability to find a centering, balancing force on the court that made him an extraordinary player. Beyond basketball, he also achieved balance in life by pursuing intellectual and spiritual endeavors alongside his athletic career.

There’s so much to explore! I hope you enjoy the video. If you find it helpful, please like and subscribe—it’s a great way to support my channel as I continue to grow.

Transcript (Modified and Expanded)

The Sign of Libra

I’m going to bring up the whiteboard to walk through these concepts. First, let’s talk about the sign of Libra. Libra is an air sign, and air signs are associated with communication, thought, ideas, and sharing knowledge. Libra is the second air sign, following Gemini.

Each element’s first sign tends to focus on the individual. The second sign is more relational—about "you and I." The third shifts to a communal or global focus. As the second air sign, Libra is deeply tied to relationships and social dynamics.

Libra is also the opposite sign of Aries. If Aries represents "me"—the need to assert oneself, to show individuality, and to act—then Libra represents "we," emphasizing connection, cooperation, and relational harmony.

Libra is ruled by Venus, the goddess of love, relationships, harmony, beauty, and balance. Venus also governs justice and fairness. Interestingly, in her morning star phase, Venus takes on the role of the goddess of war, fighting for what is just and right.

One last thing to note: Libra is a cardinal sign. Cardinal signs occur at the equinoxes or solstices, marking turning points in the seasons. These signs are initiators—they like to set things in motion and take action. Libra is also a masculine sign, so it carries a yang energy. All air and fire signs share this masculine, outward-oriented quality.

Libra III: Mercury and Jupiter

Now, let’s take a closer look at Libra III, this specific decan. We can understand this decan more deeply by considering its decanic rulers. Under the triplicity system, the ruler is Mercury, the god of communication and intellect. Under the Chaldean order, the ruler is Jupiter, the god of expansion, optimism, and abundance. These two planetary rulers bring very distinct energies to this part of the Zodiac.

One fascinating concept to explore here is the Thema Mundi. The Thema Mundi is the ancient "chart of the world," or creation—a foundational chart that underpins much of astrology as we know it today. In this system, Mercury and Jupiter rule opposing signs, highlighting their inherently contrasting energies.

Mercury represents the particular and the detailed. It is cunning, witty, and focused on gathering and organizing facts. Mercury’s energy is rooted in the specific—it seeks precision and clarity in the small, measurable aspects of life.

On the other hand, Jupiter, being farther from Earth, symbolizes expansion and the larger picture. Where Mercury zooms in on the details, Jupiter zooms out, seeking to understand the whole. Jupiter’s energy is about context and connection, viewing life as part of a greater reality.

To illustrate this difference, I often compare Mercury and Jupiter to two schools of physics. Mercury aligns with Newtonian physics, which is concerned with measurable forces, cause and effect, and the tangible mechanics of the physical world. It’s detailed, grounded, and practical. Jupiter, on the other hand, is more like Einsteinian physics, with its focus on relativity, the interplay of time and space, and the desire to understand the deeper, interconnected nature of reality. Jupiter carries a more expansive, almost spiritual quality, while Mercury is deeply tied to the human and material realm.

This distinction becomes important when we delve into the esoteric language and symbolism of this decan. As I tried to make sense of the imagery and the planetary rulers, I kept returning to the core tension: the balance between the human, material world (Mercury) and the expansive, divine, or universal (Jupiter). Let’s explore how this plays out.

Ancient Descriptions of Libra III

Ibn Ezra describes this decan as "a man whose face resembles that of a horse, with a bow and arrows in his hand."

The Picatrix offers the image of "a man upon a donkey, and before him a wolf. This is the face of evil works, sodomites, adultery, of songs, joy, and of taste."

Agrippa describes "a violent man holding a bow, and before him a naked man, and also another man holding bread in one hand and a cup of wine in the other. The signification of these is to show wicked lusts, singing, sports, and gluttony."

These descriptions may seem disparate, but they reflect the nature of this decan. It is a place of contrasts and contradictions. The symbolism of half-human, half-animal figures—such as the horse-faced man and the donkey rider—reminds us of Sagittarius and its centaur imagery. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is about growth, expansion, and a desire to connect with the divine.

We also see Jupiterian energy in themes of joy, song, and even indulgence, such as gluttony. Jupiter’s expansive nature often manifests as abundance, sometimes to excess. Meanwhile, Mercury brings its influence through the details and complexities, helping us process and refine these experiences.

This decan invites us to ask profound questions: What does it mean to be human? How do we balance our particular, earthly existence with a desire to reach for something greater, something beyond ourselves? How do we find our center amidst the swirl of human desires and activities? Life constantly pulls us in many directions, and this decan is about reconciling those forces—finding harmony between the material and the spiritual, the human and the divine.

For me, this exploration is connected to the Four of Swords card in tarot. If you’ve reflected on this part of the Zodiac or have personal planets here, you may have your own insights. Feel free to share your thoughts, as astrology and symbolism are ultimately about finding meaning in patterns that are, in some ways, beyond full comprehension.

From my experience, people with planets or significant points in this decan often struggle with oscillating between extremes—sometimes indulging too much, other times imposing restrictions on themselves. The challenge is to find balance, to locate their center, and to connect with a deeper, spiritual core. We’ll see this theme reflected in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s chart as well.

Tarot: the Four of Swords

Let’s move now to the tarot card associated with this decan. First, consider the Three of Swords, which represents the second decan of Libra. In this card, we see a heart pierced by three swords—a powerful image of pain, restriction, and emotional hardship. This card is tied to Saturn, a planet that speaks to boundaries, discipline, and the lessons of commitment, especially in relationships. The energy of the Three of Swords is focused on containment—learning from limitations and grappling with the weight of responsibility.

Now we shift to the Four of Swords, which represents the third decan of Libra. This card depicts a figure lying on a tomb in a church, with a stained-glass window in the background. When you draw this card in a tarot reading, it often signals the need for rest and recovery, especially after a period of intense activity or struggle. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and heal.

The setting—a church—adds a layer of spiritual reflection. The stillness of the figure contrasts with the implied movement of swirling thoughts or emotions beneath the surface. This card reminds us that moments of meditation and quiet often emerge from times of distress, when we are trying to reconnect with our center. The Four of Swords invites us to take a breath and gather our strength before facing future challenges.

In the Thoth deck, the Four of Swords is known as Truce, and the imagery shows four swords delicately touching, over a green background. This version of the card emphasizes a temporary peace—a moment of harmony that follows chaos or conflict. It reflects the interplay of Mercury and Jupiter in this decan, where these opposing forces create tension and eventually a need for balance. Mercury’s focus on details and Jupiter’s expansive nature can clash, but this card represents the calm that comes when harmony is achieved.

Qabbalistic Perspective: From Binah to Chesed

When we examine this decan through the lens of the Tree of Life, we see an important shift. The Four of Swords corresponds to Chesed, the fourth Sephirah. Chesed represents mercy, compassion, and grace, and it follows Binah, the third Sephirah, which is associated with understanding, structure, and discipline. Symbolically, the Tree of Life represents the descent of spirit into matter, the process by which divine energy manifests in the physical world.

Binah, located on the feminine side of the Tree, is a container. It creates limitation and form, shaping ideas and teaching responsibility. As we saw with the Three of Swords, this energy is tied to Saturn—a planet associated with boundaries, hard work, and the refinement that comes through restriction. Binah teaches us about limits and the wisdom that comes from working within those constraints.

Chesed, by contrast, is expansive. It softens Binah’s edges, providing balance through mercy and generosity. This is where we open to the grace of the world, allowing ourselves to heal and renew. The shift from Binah to Chesed reflects a movement away from containment and into a place of compassion. It’s about integrating the lessons of structure and limitation while reconnecting with a sense of abundance and possibility.

When we consider the Four of Swords in this context, it becomes clear that this card represents a vital pause in the flow of life. It’s a time to reflect, recalibrate, and find our center after the challenges of Binah. This card reminds us that rest and stillness are not simply breaks from action but necessary steps in the process of growth and renewal. It’s a moment to gather strength for future expansion, bridging the gap between the restrictive lessons of Saturn and the expansive mercy of Chesed.

Binah is called Understanding, and it represents form, boundaries, and discipline—the place where ideas are shaped and refined. On the other hand, Chesed, which is called Mercy, embodies the expansive flow of compassion, grace, and generosity. Chesed softens Binah's sharp edges, offering balance. It’s like the rest and renewal we take after a long journey—paralleling the Four of Swords, which also speaks to moments of pause and restoration.

Binah teaches us about limits and responsibility, while Chesed invites healing and renewal, creating a foundation for future growth. Together, they illustrate the transition from structure and discipline to grace and expansion.

We can see this dynamic reflected in the third decan of Libra, which is ruled by Jupiter and Mercury. Jupiter brings qualities of spaciousness, generosity, and a desire to see the bigger picture, while Mercury offers mental clarity, helping us reflect and process. This balance between expansion and precision allows us to integrate the lessons from the previous decan. Together, they symbolize a pause for restoration, insight, and harmony—an opportunity to re-center ourselves amidst life’s complexities.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Life and Chart

This theme of balance is embodied in the life of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose rising degree falls in this part of the Zodiac. One of his quotes beautifully reflects this decan: “You have to be able to center yourself.” He literally played as the “Center” for his basketball team, which is a fascinating synchronicity. He continued, “To let all of your emotions go. Don’t ever forget that you play with your soul as well as your body.” This captures the essence of Libra III—balancing the physical and the spiritual, the human and the divine.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Standing at seven feet two inches tall, he held the all-time scoring record for nearly 40 years, thanks to his unique combination of height, agility, and balance.

But his achievements extended far beyond basketball. He pursued an education at UCLA, developed a passion for history and culture, and authored several books, including works on the Harlem Renaissance. He became a powerful advocate for civil rights and social justice, reflecting the Venusian themes of justice and harmony. In 1971, he converted to Islam, adopting the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a reflection of his spiritual journey and values. His life exemplifies balance: athlete and thinker, competitor and activist, public figure and reflective individual. He brought together seemingly disparate forces into a cohesive whole.

Additional Astrological Insights on Abdul-Jabbar’s Birth Chart

Looking at Kareem’s chart, we see astrology in action. Without much technical knowledge, the chart clearly reflects his character and life path.

His Sun—representing his vision and core identity—is in Aries. The Sun is exalted in Aries, giving it extra strength and vitality. This placement highlights his leadership, drive, and ability to stand out.
His Mars, the planet of action and physicality, is also in Aries. Mars rules Aries, which gives it even more power. This placement is often seen in athletes, as it brings strength, focus, and competitive energy.
Venus, the ruler of his chart, is in Pisces—a sign where Venus is exalted. This adds a layer of compassion, creativity, and spiritual depth to his personality. Venusian themes of justice, art, and harmony are evident in his advocacy and intellectual pursuits.
Additionally, he is a Libra rising, with his ascendant falling in the third decan of Libra. This ties directly to the themes of balance, harmony, and centering that we’ve been exploring.

What makes his chart extraordinary is the number of planets in exaltation or rulership. These placements are rare and often show up in the charts of people who achieve great things. His Mars and Sun are both in Aries (Mars’s rulership and the Sun’s exaltation), and his Venus is exalted in Pisces. This combination of powerful placements gives his chart a sense of harmony and strength.

Angular Mars and Athletic Power

Another notable feature of Kareem’s chart is the position of his Mars in an angular house. In astrology, the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses are angular, and planets in these houses are particularly powerful. Kareem’s Mars is in the seventh house, amplifying its influence. This placement is common in athletes, as it enhances their physical energy, drive, and ability to compete.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s chart is an excellent example of how astrology reflects a person’s life. It highlights his ability to balance strength and grace, action and reflection, competition and compassion. These themes are central to Libra III, making his life a perfect illustration of this decan’s energy.

I hope you enjoyed this exploration. Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences if you have placements in this part of the Zodiac. I’d love to hear how these themes resonate with you. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in about 10 days for Scorpio I!

Libra III: Finding the Still Center in the Midst of Conflicting Forces