Two of Swords, Lord of Peace Restored. Ascendant decan of Libra: A dark man, in his right hand a spear and laurel branch and in his left a book.
This year the Equinox, start of Libra, falls on Monday the 22nd, though the entry to each decan varies by a day or so each year. With the start of the first decan of Libra comes the Autumnal Equinox, here in the Northern hemisphere. It is a time of balance, where for a moment the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. It is considered the beginning of the second harvest season. The pagan holiday known as Mabon thus is a time that celebrates balance, and gratitude as we gather the fruits of our labors in preparation for winter.
This theme of balance of light and darkness is why the day of the Equinox is for stringing the traditional necklace of witches, made with beads of jet (darkness) and amber (light).
September 21st, which is right around this time, is also sometimes known as Devil’s Nutting Day. While this is a great time of year for gathering nuts (also mushrooms, and grapes) this was a day to avoid gathering nuts, as it was said to be the day when Old Nick gathered up his share. There is an old saying “as black as the Devil’s nutting bag.” It is related to this superstition, that it is considered unwise to gather nuts in autumn on a Sunday because that is when the devil himself is out nutting. If you go nutting on any Sunday in autumn you might meet the devil gathering nuts; but this year Devil’s Nutting Day also happens to fall on a Sunday, so maybe doubly likely! I’ve started the writing for this decan a day ahead of the Equinox, on Sunday, which is also the day of the solar eclipse at the very end of Virgo. I might have gone to gather some nuts anyway. But instead spent it canning some salsa from all the late season tomatoes and peppers. And picking grapes, and cleaning onions for storage. It was done with friends, so was fun, and many hands make for lighter work.
Libra is ruled by Venus, who brings things together. The sign is associated with balance, thus symbolized with the scales, symbolic of legal justice and mediation. Libra decan 1 is ruled by the Moon, whose fluctuations are stabilized, at least here in the Two. The Twos all demonstrate the initial emergence of the element, where it is in its most pure state. Here the element is Air, the suit of Swords, the mind, which is inherently conflicted generally, but at emergence is in a balanced state.
The deity (or in this case, deities) per the 36 Airs of the Zodiac fragment: the Erinyes, otherwise known as the Furies. At first this may seem strange for the card known as “Peace” or “Peace Restored.” But it does fit the card’s association with themes of justice. The Furies were particularly concerned with murder, offenses against the gods or elders, and perjury. A victim seeking justice could call down the curse of the Erinyes upon the criminal.
Tabula Mundi illustrates how the Two of Swords, Libra decan 1, combines the scales of Adjustment (Libra) with the pillars and scroll of the Priestess (Moon, ruler of the decan).
Equinox blessings – enjoy the changing seasons! Libra is also about relating to others, so we are kicking off the season with a small gathering of friends for a cookout with all the late season harvest.