Mindful Heart Astrology: Leo

Leo the Lion, the fifth sign of the zodiac,finds us exactly in the middle of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. During this time, it is natural for our thoughts of the Sun (Leo’s ruler) and its bold presence in our lives to be most active. Many of Leo’s traits can be easily identified when we consider how we view the Sun, particularly its elemental quality of Fire. The blazing nature of this “planet” relates to one’s inner strength, personality, heart, and identity. The Sun radiates light and warmth…we like to bask in it’s energy and are drawn to it, happy to experience the bright sunshine. Vibrant and unmistakeable, the Sun represents Leo’s joy of being center stage.

Proud, fearless and passionate in many aspects of life, Leo may shine brightest within areas of his natural 5^th House domain. In pursuits such as creativity, children, personal pleasure, leisure, sports, and romance, he may be particularly energized. Our lion is generally quite comfortable in the spot light and frequently characterized by a flair for the dramatic. On stage he will gravitate towards the lead role, feeling little satisfaction as part of a supporting cast. Similarly, in sporting endeavours he will definitely not be pleased with second best. Extremely loyal and generous…Leo’s generosity is often over the top and quite visible in the way he showers gifts or signs of affection on lovers and loved ones. With those nearest and dearest there is a territorial nature, like the protective mother lion or the male leader of his Pride.

Discontent in the background, Leo is a natural leader and wants to run the show.  Charismatic, they radiate confidence and people seem naturally drawn to their energy. Many successful entrepreneurs have either Leo Sun such as Martha Stewart, or Leo Rising like Sir Richard Branson. Shared traits for these business leaders include confidence, ambition, and determination with an intense desire to excel and outshine their competition. They have also developed a dedicated following. Strong ego often drives Leo to assert their will to command respect from others and get what they want. For them, “failure” just isn’t an option!  These traits can, of course, translate into other areas of endeavour and there are innumerable examples of Leo Sun and Leo Rising in the Sports and Entertainment industries…many highly successful, and all highly visible.

A “fixed sign”, there can be a stubborn or single-minded streak with our lion. Once they have made up their mind about something they can be very difficult to persuade otherwise. At times they come across as domineering, demanding and intolerant. Any perceived challenge to their status will certainly be met head-on as they assert their position, quickly squelching the opposition. Their innate sense of pride is displayed with creative flair as they show off their skills and talents, leaving no doubt about their role within the family, group or community of which they are a part.

Definitely not the shrinking violet, Leo often stands out in a crowd. I’ve heard it said that there are two kinds of people in the world…those who walk into a room and say, ‘There you are‘ and those who say, ‘Here I am’…Leo is very much the “here I am” type. There is a distinct playful quality with this sign, indicative of the 5^th House. Colourful, both in presentation and self-expression, Leo will often be the one to come up with those “out of the box” ideas, and gather a group of people around them wherever they might be. Some of us may find it challenging to keep up with their energy, or perhaps at times feel a little uncomfortable with their overtly showy nature. Regardless, one cannot argue that Leo creates an environment that is anything other than boring.

Creativity factors large with strong Leo types and they must have something of their own to solidly manifest their personal creative expression. A project, initiative, business, home environment, or something where they can influence the activity and outcome within the scope of their own vision and through the sheer force of their will. The ability to put their personal stamp on something is very important.

While Leo seems to offer the most visible quality of self-expression among the signs of the zodiac, the Sun in everyone’s chart reflects how they want to be seen. As you note the sign and placement of your Sun, consider what is most important to you.  How and where does your creative expression manifest?  The sign on the cusp of your 5^th House, as well as any planets residing therein, will give you clues about how you want to shine in the world and the texture of that expression. Leo on the cusp of any House will lend a particular “leonine” flavour to that area of life. For example, if it happens to appear on your 4^th House cusp, you may see yourself as the “heart” of the family being fiercely protective of those you love, and perhaps extremely generous with them. A sense of pride in roots or ancestry, or even one’s personal home may also be important.

The Sun represents a little of Leo in all of us. It is our heart, our ego, our identity. Recognizing our own “lion” can help us understand a little more about ourselves, and perhaps better appreciate our role within the “collective Pride” of humanity.