An Introductory Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for Leo

The ruler of Leo is the Sun. The glyph is generally thought to represent the tail of the lion. In ancient Dionysian mysteries it was considered to be a phallus. It can also symbolize the heat or creative energy of the Sun. On entering the sign Leo, the Sun is said to exemplify cosmic splendor. The meaning attached to this seems to be that both the good and bad characteristics associated with Leo are perpetual. Through the ages, Leo has signified the coming of the high growing season and thus reflects the abundant generosity of life. In this aspect Leo is seen as the ordained provider. A role which many astrological lions would take on quite willingly.

The Leo is a dominant, spontaneous, creative and extroverted character. They possess grace, dignity and an expansive personality. The lion is king of the animal kingdom, and an appropriate symbol for Leo who tends to dominate his environment. Ambitious, courageous, strong willed, positive, independent, self-confident are all words that describe Leo traits.

The twelve signs of the zodiac are ordered by their constitutional natures and their elemental natures. The constitutional nature indicates the manner in which we engage the world or face circumstances in life. The constitutions are grouped in three squares. Leo is one of the Fixed signs of the zodiac along with Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius. The Mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. The Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

The constitution of a Leo framed through a fixed nature demonstrates the qualities of a dynamic individual, focused and driven by the desire for accomplishment and recognition. A Leo's purposeful engagement with the world is fueled by a yearning for progress and attainment. Fixed sign natives are concerned with continuity and lean in to constructive endeavors which promise to lead somewhere.

Those within a fixed sign will persevere in what they initiate and see it through to completion even if the outcome ends up being far from where they set out for. And as for leading, fixed sign natives will always bristle or outright reject being ruled over by others. Many Leos will go their own way even though doing so might undermine their objectives. Stubborn pride is a quality all fixed sign natives must contend with. Leos—this is a particular thorn in your paw. What is it they call a group of lions—a pride? Whoever branded that association understood a thing or two about the feline character.

The zodiac is also divided into four "triplicities" which are: the fiery, the earthy, the airy and the watery. These are the elementary natures of the astrological signs. Leo shares the element of Fire with Aries and Sagittarius. Each of the Fire signs relates and responds to the world through their passions above all else. With a hunger for action and accomplishment Fire sign natives exhibit enthusiasm, impulsiveness, spontaneity, abundant (or over-abundant) self confidence and an untiring thirst for adventure, sometimes risky adventure. Fire folk of all three signs are a dynamic blend of contradictions. The fire element underlies a personality which is pioneering and impatient, passionate and disinterested, inspiring and demanding, romantically courageous and practically naive. In relation to Leo consider some Fire qualities such as warmth, heat, consuming, combustible, devouring, enduring and luminous.

Sun Sign Personality Traits for Leo

Leos were born to lead and are most effective when in a position of command. Leos are straightforward, uncomplicated individuals who know what they want and pursue it with enthusiasm and a creative spirit. Leos possess a strong positive nature and don't shrink from adverse circumstances. They are not easily daunted, and will persist through the most formidable circumstances.

Leos are proud people, with an idealistic and humane nature. They are basically outgoing, happy, kind and generous. Self expressive, intelligent and broad minded, they are philosophically inclined. They tend to be stubborn, and will hold onto a belief, or stick to a course of action through thick or thin. They are direct and to the point and lead with their emotions.

Because of their positive nature, Leos tend to expect the best, and when things don't turn out as they had expected, they react immediately and badly. Quick tempered, blunt and nasty when they have been affronted, they are deeply hurt by malice or hostility. Although, they may suffer from short bouts of depression when life doesn't meet their expectations, they bounce back quickly and move on with their normal cheerful and demonstrative nature. Leo walks forward always, head held proudly and face turned towards the sun.

Where is the Planet Mercury in Your Birth Horoscope?

Of all the planets within our solar system, Mercury is nearest to the Sun. There is a direct correspondence to this fact in the mapping of an individual's birth chart. With the exception of the Moon, Mercury has the fastest revolution through the zodiac. Mercury's proximity to the Sun insures that its placement will always be near to or on par with the subject's Solar sign.

We are often able to determine where Mercury was at the time of our birth without consulting an astrologer. By reading the three potential profiles, it is often uncanny how clearly one of them will fit to us. I thought you would enjoy trying this out for yourself. You can explore the three positions of Mercury through the following links:

Mercury in Cancer Mercury in Leo Mercury in Virgo

I am always interested to know what you think and discover. Feel welcome to write! Material is currently being developed on the other planets. If you are interested, we would be pleased to keep you updated on their progress. Just send me a brief request!

Vocational Interests Suited to Leo Tendencies

Leos like to live on a grand scale. First class is the only way to go and luxury is comfort. In professional life, they do well in a career where there is room at the top. In the political arena, they keep going until they reach a powerful position in government. In business, you can find Leos in the president or chairman's office or on the Board of Directors.

Leos always strive for a position of leadership. They are excellent organizers, managers and leaders. Many of them go into business for themselves. They are ambitious by nature, and prefer to take charge and delegate. Leos possess a strong creative and dramatic bend, and you will find many in the theater and film industry. They become stars of stage or screen, talented musicians, or well known painters. Whatever vocation a lion chooses, it will more often than not progress to the role of lead performer or, at least, secure a position within the limelight, front row, center stage.

Insights Into Leo Relationships

In personal relationships, Leo is open, sincere, genuine, trusting and generous. Although outgoing, spontaneous, warm-hearted and straight forward, a tragic flaw in Leo is gullibility. They are too trusting and generous to people they like and love.

Leos are not great judges of character and are inclined to treat those close to them as if they were perfect beings incapable of wrongdoing. Because no one can possibly live up to this kind of expectation, Leo is often and devastatingly disappointed. They do recover quickly however, and may have numerous love affairs. Their love of pleasure and beauty, and their expectation of perfection often drives them from one attractive partner to another.

Leo, a fire sign, is fill of optimism and enthusiasm, they are outgoing and exuberant individuals who love people and company. Fiercely loyal to those they love, Leos are also fiercely possessive, but in a manner based upon respect not control. In all significant relationships, Leo commits and settles in for the long pull. They expect, from the beginning, that this firm commitment is reflected in equal measure by their partners. When this trust is breached, Leo is deeply wounded and greatly offended.

Proud and unyielding, Leos love their own freedom and do not put up with restraints of any kind. They are truly at their finest when the object of their attention shows appreciation of these qualities by reflecting freedom and self respect within their own life. Like lions in the wild, Leos know instinctively that royal blood flows through their veins. Recognize and praise this native nobility and your lion will treat you like a King or a Queen, for that is exactly how Leo perceives a mate.

The Lore of Leo in Mythology

Mythology is closely interwoven with Astrology. Despite all that we do not know about the origins of either lore it is certain that starwatching began with passion on humanity's first night beneath the open sky. Somewhere in time, shapes were perceived, figures imagined, names given and stories were told about the densely populated tapestry of the heavens. All elder cultures throughout the world developed tales of the constellations which over time were imbued with meaning to explain various phenomena of our existence within the cosmos.

Astrology and Mythology serve a similar function in this regard. We benefit from Astrology not so much as a tool of fortune-telling but as a directional guide to understanding who we are individually and what our unique role ought to be in this life. As Carl Jung stated, “Astrology claims only that we each possess the qualities of the year and of the season in which we were born.” To discern just what those qualities are is as fascinating to each of us as the night sky.

Back to the frontier of recorded history our ancestors in cultures throughout the world have associated the Lion with qualities of majesty, rulership, wisdom, strength and divinity. Wherever this animal was encountered, these characteristics were transposed and attributed to the gods and goddesses of regional mythologies.

Within many cultures the lion serves as a guardian symbol. To this day, in the doorways of palaces and temples, lion figures stand fast against darkness and evil. In the rituals of the Chinese New Year lions continue to play a central role in defending the vulnerable threshold of the time between times. A sense of personal majesty, inclination to leadership, strength of character and a fierce calling to defend proudly all the heart of a lion cares for; these attributes can be recognized in many of those born under the sign of Leo.

An origin tale for the constellation of Leo is contained in Greek mythology as the saga of Herakles and the Nemean lion. More than an average cat, this monstrous beast could not be wounded by the weapons of mere mortals. The creature had terrorized the countryside for years despite many attempts to kill it. Herakles was sent to confront the beast by the goddess Hera. As an illegitimate son of her husband Zeus the hero was hated by Hera who set Herakles to the task in hope of his failure. Despite Hera's intentions, Herakles proved successful in defeating the Nemean Lion. The hero literaly wore his victory by making a cloak and helmet from the creature's hide. In celebration of this extraordinary feat, Zeus in his dramatic fashion set the form of the fearsome lion into the night sky.

“Leo the Lion, is Lion in France, Löwe in Germany, and Leone in Italy. In Anglo-Norman times it was Leun. In Greek and Roman myth this was respectively Λέωυ and Leo, representing the Nemean Lion with his slayer Hercules, the poet's Nemeaeus; Nemaes Alumnus; Nemees Terror and Nemeaeum Monstrum. But the Romans commonly know it as Leo, Ovid writing Herculeus Leo and Vilentus Leo.

“The Egyptian king Necepsos, and his philosopher Petosiris, taught that at the Creation the sun rose near Denebola; and hence Leo was Domicilium Solis, the emblem of fire and heat, and, in astrology, the House of the Sun, governing the human heart and reigning in modern days over Bohemia, France, Italy, and the cities of Bath and Bristol in England and the American Philadelphia. In ancient times Manilius wrote of it as ruling over Armenia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Macedon and Phrygia. It was a fortunate sign, with red and green as its colors; and, according to Ampelius, was in charge of the wind."

—Richard Hinckley Allen; Star-Names and Their Meanings, 1899

“Most people think in clichés they’ve heard or read which are baloney. They subscribe to the contemptible ethic of valuing people according to their capacity for making money. They don’t even know they’re not happy, never enjoying the moment, always working and planning for the future. Save money to buy a house, work thirty years and get their gold watch. Never take time to explore themselves. Society is all wrong. All those vibrations of fear. You have to change not only the setup and the rules but the whole concept. You have to learn how to live in the moment and enjoy it. I don’t mean living for kicks. I don’t want to sound mystical, but I believe in living for each eternal moment.”

—Mick Jagger (1969),
born July 26, 1943

• John Dryden (August 16, 1631)

English Poet, Playwright, Classical Translator; All for Love, Annus Mirabilis

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