Leo

Origin and etymology

The name Leo is Latin and means "lion". Its Greek myth is that of the Nemean Lion, an invulnerable monster that ravaged the region and against which Hercules had to fight in his first labour. After strangling it (arrows and sword could not pierce its skin), Hercules wore the lion's skin as armour. Zeus placed the lion among the stars in honour of its might.

Leo coincides with peak summer in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Sun is at its highest and hottest of the year. That is why it is the sign ruled by the Sun: it represents solar light at its fullness, generous radiance, the heat that gives life. Its sign is Fixed Fire: sustained fire, not the initial fire of Aries or the agile fire of Sagittarius.

Leonine archetype

Leo is the archetype of king, artist and luminous centre. It contributes charisma, generosity, creative ability, stage presence, fidelity, sense of play and celebration. It needs to be seen and loved — not out of vanity, but because its nature is radiant: when contained, it suffers. Its opposite sign is Aquarius: if Leo shines individually, Aquarius dissolves the self into humanity.

In shadow: Leo can fall into vanity, arrogance, excessive drama, authoritarianism, obsessive need for admiration. The Leonine trap is to confuse being loved with being admired, or to demand that the world revolves around itself. Its karmic lesson is to shine without needing applause: to be light because it is light, not to be seen.

Leo in your chart

If your Sun is in Leo (especially powerful, as the Sun rules Leo), your conscious identity seeks to shine, create and give generously. If your Moon is in Leo, you need recognised and demonstrated affection to be well. If your ascendant is Leo, you give a first impression of a magnetic, warm person with presence. The Sun, ruler of Leo, is your essential life force.