SunThe Sun is one of two luminaries in the natal chart, though for ease of reference we generally refer to it as one of the 10 planets. Thanks to print media, Sun signs became a significant part of pop culture in the 1960’s, a phenomenon that does not appear to be experiencing any decline and, as a result, most people tend to know their own Sun sign. In the horoscope, the Sun is the central figure representing one’s life force, the conscious mind and one’s creative energy. Simply put, it is our ego, our basic identity, and how we want to shine in the world.

The Sun is what makes each of us unique, reflecting our potential and our spirit, as well as our purpose in life. It is the vehicle for our “doing” self, reflecting the energy that gets us where we want to go.

The Sun rules the sign of Leo and, as such, is the natural ruler of the 5th House. The first thing we generally notice about the Sun in a natal chart is its sign, although we do not need to see a horoscope to identify that. The exact day of birth within the zodiac month sets the Sun’s sign, so as long as you know an individual’s birthday, you know their Sun sign. A fast moving celestial body, the Sun changes sign every 30 or 31 days, generally between the 19th and the 23rd of each month.

The Sun – How We Shine in the World

If you have read the previous article The 5th House: My Playground, My Crayons!, you already know something of what the Sun is all about. The specific zodiac sign of each Sun reflects the manner in which that Sun wants to shine, and what qualities it will have.  Leo Sun, at its best, wants to be generous, creative, and gregarious, though it also has the potential to be territorial or full of pride, while the Sun in Sagittarius strives to be adventurous, inspirational and filled with optimism, though perhaps a little ‘over the top’ or impatient at times. Fire and Air signs suggest an outwardly expressive quality to the Sun, while signs in the elements of Earth and Water indicate a more inwardly focused type of energy.

The Sun’s House Position

The House position of any planet is significant and, in the case of the Sun, it indicates the area of life where one truly enjoys putting forth their creative best and seeks to be loved and appreciated, thus representing the desired area of focus for their energy. To illustrate, a Sun in the 1st House places focus on the individual Self. Here one’s persona, appearance, how they show up and relate to the world around them, is vitally important.

In contrast, a 7th House Sun is all about “the other” so the individual’s energy is essentially focused towards achieving their goals through committed relationships and partnerships. Walking through life as part of a team is vital and, in the case of this Sun position, the “me” is really about “we”. In addition to the House where the Sun resides, the radiance of the planet infuses the House where Leo appears on the cusp. This further illuminates the realm where the individual has potential to shine, and how they strive for creative self-expression.

LeoWhile researching examples of famous people with the Sun in Leo, I was reminded of the plethora of entertainers, musicians, actors, and politicians represented by this placement. As you might expect, everyone on the list is easily recognizable, having been “out there” in the public view over an extended period of time, completely true to their Leo energy. However, what differentiates these Leo Suns is the manner in which they shine, and the area of life in which that energy is reflected. Let’s consider two examples…

Barack Obama

Barack Obama (August 4, 1961) has a Leo Sun in the 6th House (Service, Work and Health), and the sign of Leo on the cusp of the 7th House (Committed Relationships, Partnerships and Contracts). As we know from recent history, this is a man with a record of directing his energy towards working in the service of others, and reaching his goals in partnership or through close relationships with others. Specifically, his close partnership with wife Michelle, and the important connections he fostered with business and political leaders around the world.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

LeoA very different Leo Sun is reflected in the 9th House placement for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929). The 9th House is the domain of Higher Learning, Publishing, Law and Travel, reflecting most notably Jackie’s love of books and her later career as an editor in the publishing industry. However, her very public life is clearly indicative of the sign of Leo on the cusp of her 10th House, the realm of Public Status, Aspirations, Authority and Career. As we know, Jackie Kennedy was very much in the public eye for most of her life as a very popular and stylish First Lady. She was highly respected on the world stage both during and after her White House years, recognized as a style icon and a powerful influence with many people, in a variety of causes and situations.

These examples reflect two very public Leo Suns with different expressions of that energy and illustrate that the combination of Sun position and the Leo House provide a more complete picture than just the Sun’s House placement alone.

Find Your Leo Energy

Regardless of one’s particular Sun sign or House, there is some Leo in everyone’s chart. I invite you to consider how it manifests in your own life. Begin by considering your natal Sun and the qualities it represents. Next, note which House has Leo on the cusp to check the areas of life it influences. How does Leo energy show up for you? Understanding the nature of your Sun and the influences of Leo energy within, you have an opportunity to express your creatively more joyfully and shine more brightly. What a wonderful way to enhance one’s life and potential contribution to the world. Let your lion roar!