The HARD Truth About Loving A Libra

​Libra's symbol is the sign of the scales, which may explain the first and foremost detail of all Libras I've ever known. They can't make a decision to save their f*cking lives. Seriously, Libras will hem and haw over any trivial decision forever. They weigh the pros, cons, play out all possible outcomes, then rehash all of it several times, all in an effort to make sure they are choosing the best possible course of action.

Two Libras hanging out:

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know, what do you want to do?"

They can literally take so long deciding that the final step has to be made by someone else. As a result, Libras often end up in situations they don't like simply because when it was time to decide, they couldn't make up their mind and someone else stepped in to do it for them. This seems like the right thing to do, because otherwise, nothing will ever get done, right?

Wrong.

Libra will resent the sh*t out of you for strong-arming them when they can't make up their mind. If you want to help a Libra make a decision, there are steps.

You: "Where do you want to eat dinner tonight?"

Libra: (The sheer magnitude of options overwhelms them) "...Ummm..."

You: (Narrowing it down) "I was thinking Chipotle or Panera."

Libra: (Relief mixed with suspicion) "Really?"

You: (Showing that you're taking them into account) "I know you love those 'chewbacca' tacos (whatever they're called), but I know you also enjoy a heaping serving of mac and cheese. And you mentioned having a hankering for tacos the other day..."

Libra: "That's true. I did."

You: (If they're still on the fence) "I have a wicked hankering for tacos, myself. Do you want to decide on the way/when we get there and make me stop at Panera on the way home if/when you change your mind and randomly pick a place I didn't mention on a whim as we pass it?"

Libra: (In jubilation) "That sounds awesome!"

It is what it is. You get used to it. If you can't handle someone who needs the patience of Job when it's time for decision-making, leave the Libra ALONE.

Libras can be suspicious. And intense. A Libra is the most likely person to spend hours writing a query letter to an agent as they're trying to get their book published, then NOT send it because they're afraid the agent is going to "steal their book idea."

They are always weighing every side, sizing people up, preparing for the potential worst. They judge you on your "vibe," and if you feel off, that can be enough to a Libra to cease contact. It can make for some pessimism on their part but try to get in their good graces and the suspicious wonder should die down.

The suspicion adds to that intensity but part of the intense vibe they can give is just how focused they are on you. If you have their attention, you have ALL their attention. They want to read you, know you, figure you out, and give you center stage when you interact.

You're being studied so as to be better understood. Oftentimes, it can be a little much for the average person. For others, it makes them feel like the center of the universe. This trait is shared with Aries. We're both intense motherf*ckers.

Libras can be some weird sons of bitches. Libras are interesting (if not downright f*cking oddball) people. They are into all sorts of strange sh*t. Many are super-spiritual, believing in higher selves, meditation, yoga, mind over matter, ghosts, Shamans and past lives. If it isn't spirituality, it's body temple stuff. Care of mind, care of body; it all applies.

This side of Libra can be really interesting and fun. Some of the deepest and most earnest conversations I've ever had about beliefs were with a Libra. It can also be a bit daunting because though Libra has trouble making up their mind when it comes to decision-making, when it comes to that strange THING they're into, they're definitely an expert on it.

They mean well. I mean, they really f*cking do. Both women shown here come across as super-pretentious to a lot of people, but in their heart their desire isn't to prove they're better than anyone else. They HONESTLY believe they've found the answer to life and they want to share it.

They WANT you to be happy. They just know better than you do how to make that happen. Libras are well-meaning, but completely oblivious to how this behavior can come across.

Another tendency of Libra is that they disappear. When sh*t gets heavy, Libra is gone. It's not that they don't care for you, it's not that they aren't your friend, but Libra CANNOT handle drama. This is a trait of many air signs, but unlike with Gemini, who doesn't have f*cking time for your bulls*it, Libra will find themselves "weighed down by your energy" and will just cut loose until they get their sh*t figured out.

It might be because you're going through drama, but most of the time, when Libra disappears, it has nothing to do with you. It's all them. It's how they're "internalizing your struggle."

That friend of yours that has decided to up and move to an Ashram for the next six months? Probably a Libra. The pal who randomly packed up a single suitcase and went to live on an island and work as a housekeeper? Also a good chance that's your Libra, and he or she is trying to figure themselves out. They will come home with some profound answer, and they will share it, OR they'll take off again until they find it.

Libras can be flighty as all get out. I mean, all get out. It's the air sign thing, personified. I'm not saying they're air heads, but they often come across as "in the clouds."

Also, Libras are enormously fond of all forms of art. Performance art, visual art, music, theater — they're wild-eyed in the face of it, awestruck by the profound and shocking. Many engage in the creation of art in some way or another, and if you're taking part in a drawing class at college, that naked model posing for you to draw them? Goooood f*cking chance that's a Libra. Anything for art.

In Django Unchained, Leonardo DiCaprio (subtle and endless talent) slams his hand into a glass, slices his palm open, and CONTINUES THE SCENE AS THOUGH NOTHING HAPPENED! That's the Libra response. Anything for art. And alongside him? Christoph Waltz, who probably saw this and was riled up AS BALLS by the commitment. There's nothing that does it for a Libra more than seeing someone fearlessly go for it. Hence their fondness for Aries.

They love fearless action in others.

One of my oldest friends and I went out to dinner after not hanging out for months. After supper, my strawberry shortcake arrived at the table, a pile of whipped cream ten inches deep on top.

My Libra friend: "You should Smash—"

Me: *Smashes face into pile of whipped cream*

My Libra friend: "I missed you so much!"

Action and bravery, fearlessness and a complete lack of concern for what other people think — these traits just SLAY the Libra. They love and respect a person who embodies these things, which I theorize is because of how cautious and slow they are when making any choice.

My baby brother is a Libra, and one of my favorite people in the world. When we were very young, I came across he and a friend from the neighborhood arguing over a Nightcrawler (an earthworm), daring each other to eat it, calling each other chicken.

Both boys pushed and fought, teasing each other, but neither would eat the insect. I listened for a few minutes, then snapped, marching over to the two boys, snatching the worm out of my brother's friend's hand and tossed it in my mouth.

I ate a f*cking worm, ladies and gentlemen. Why? Because others were afraid to do it. Hearing two boys argue over doing a gross thing became a dare to me. So I did it. (Clearly an Aries.) Two seconds later, my brother ate his worm, too.

And let's not forget about Libra humor. Honestly, this applies more to the males, but Libra males are amongst some of the most quick-witted minds I've ever encountered. Their sarcasm, humor, timing, delivery — they're just made for slaughter. (I may be partial because I'm an Aries. The Libra sarcasm is EXACTLY the kind of humor that slays an Aries.)

Ryan Reynolds is often confused with a Libra (due to his being born ON the mid-point between Libra and Scorpio). The Ryan Reynolds humor is EXACTLY the Libran humor I'm talking about. Zach Galifianakis, Chevy Chase, and Sacha Baron Cohen are also good examples of Libran humor.

Now, I admit this humor carries over into Scorpio as well, but that isn't uncommon for close signs to share traits. Still, in the short stint I spent on OKCupid in my life, the funniest fellow I ever encountered in written word was a Libra. Libras can be funny in writing. That isn't the easiest thing for most people.

You want Libra on your side. Libras believe in you. I mean, they f*cking believe in you. An Aries you want on your side because they'll take a bullet for you, but a Libra will champion your dreams, assure you of your worth, push you onto your feet if you get knocked down, all with the reminder that YOU are worthwhile.

They can't make a decision for themselves, but when they see YOU wavering, they are ON YOU to make sure you know just how capable and destined for success you are. Look at Will Smith. The man is a walking pep talk.

Libras are frustrating, intense, flighty and free-spirited, but they're cool as hell and up for just about anything. Find a Libra, make nice, and be interesting. Otherwise, what purpose do you serve? Though any pairing will be lovely if you know what you're dealing with and how to do so.

Libras are known to be most compatible with Leos, Gemini, Aquarius, and Sagittarius, though I would venture Aries as well. And they have a tendency to chafe around water and Earth signs, especially Virgo, Capricorn, and Cancer.