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 Overview & Personality Traits
Leo is the sign of the Sun, the central heart of the solar system, majestic
ruler of the heavens. In ancient times the Sun came to its full glory and
reached the height of its annual ascent as it joined the stars in the
constellation of the Lion. Ever since, lions have been portrayed in art, myth
and iconography as powerful symbols of solar strength, supremacy, glory, light
and brilliance.
Widespread hero myths, such as those of Gilgamesh, Oedipus, Orion, Hercules or
Samson, bear tales of wrestling with the lion; all have been identified as
calendar myths that relate to the story of the sun's journey through the sky. As
the hero does battle with the lion, he absorbs the solar qualities and takes
them as his own. In the widely reported Greek myth, Leo is said to commemorate
the fierce Nemean Lion, brother of the sphinx, which Hercules must defeat in the
first of his trials. The Nemean lion is a symbol of the fierce and devastating
summer heat that ravishes the land. No weapon, stone, club or instrument made of
iron or bronze can penetrate its skin; it is an 'impossible' task, unyielding to
cunning, craft or speed. Hercules can only succeed by summoning the entire
strength of his being, the full magnitude of his inner will and fixed,
determined spirit. His conquest becomes a testimony to the power of mind over
matter, the individual's capacity to move heaven and earth and attain the
unattainable through the process of connecting with the heart of one's being and
giving full reign to the creative force that resides, mainly dormant, within.
Leo then, as the sign of the Sun, is attributed with the characteristics of
courage, bravery, an invincible attitude, and using the gift of unsuppressed
will to achieve glorious victories that rise above the expected. Anatomically,
Leo has rulership over the heart and blood; symbolically, it also signifies the
metaphorical parallels that see the heart as the centre of strength and
vitality, and the 'blood raising' process as one that allows us to engage in
battles - moral, physical, territorial or political - free from the restraints
of logical recognition of consequences or instinctive awareness of limitations.
The word 'courage' derives from the Latin word for the heart, Cor, and
literally means 'to take heart' (and therefore overcome one's fears). In the
'blood raising' process we become bigger, more powerful, more conscious and more
capable than we normally consider ourselves to be, and Leos have an easy ability
to take on this grander persona whenever they feel the need to assert qualities
of superiority.
The Sun is a natural symbol for power and command. In traditional signification,
the Sun represents the captain, the boss, the leader or the king. In Leo the
lion, the 'king of the beasts', the theme of majestic grandeur is never far from
the observable traits. Put simply, whatever opinions anyone else may have on the
matter, a Leo perceives himself or herself as the royal center of activity.
Lions are territorial animals and care little about what happens outside the
boundaries of their own terrain; similarly, all Leos will have an area that they
view as 'their kingdom' - their rightful place to shine where they can become
the nucleus that directs, organizes and orchestrates. To some it is the domestic
environment; to others, a hobby or intellectual pursuit; others yet may find it
in a wider professional or political arena. Wherever it exists, a Leo will take
great pride and pleasure in being viewed as someone to look up to. Treat them
with respect, and they demonstrate that well-earned reputation for a
broad-minded, enthusiastic and magnanimous disposition.
However, should a Leo have cause to view another as a predator, then never was a
creature more sensitive or responsive to assumed slights and imagined threats.
Open-minded tolerance and relaxed confidence fall away as ego-driven urges swing
into gear. A Leo as an adversary makes a bloody-minded opponent and the
dominating qualities of this sign are such that they rarely feel appeased with
victory unless it involves the total annihilation of the threat. Well known for
sensitivity to their own emotions, Leos can remain remarkably distanced when it
comes to empathizing with the thoughts and feelings of others. Thus, the sign
has acquired a reputation for being one of the most brutal and cruel in its
extreme behaviour. Ancient astrologers referred to Leo as 'bestial', meaning
responsive to primordial instincts rather than higher reasoning; and 'feral'
because it was considered capable of savage and ferociously destructive traits.
This is the darker side of the sign. It is rarely explored in sun-sign columns
that dwell on the warmth, vitality, and sunshine-filled aura that Leos generally
demonstrate when they are not being pushed to the limits of their behavior.
Less extreme negative traits include a tendency towards being dogmatic and a
bullying mentality, a conceited air, and a snobbish and patronizing viewpoint.
Leo's element is fire and its nature is hot and dry. Fire types are
characterized by spontaneity; swift, intuitive responses; vivacious and
infectious ways of relating to others, and high energy levels. They are
attracted to passion, drama and crave attention. This latter is particularly
evident in Leos, who revel in positions that draw attention to them; where it is
not forthcoming they will make conscious and unconscious attempts to foster it
though the use of strong, vivid colours, dramatic gestures and overblown
expressions.
Traditionally the fire signs are termed Choleric, deriving from the Greek term
Khole, meaning 'bile'. In humoral philosophy the bile is considered the
seat for the expression of anger, thus choleric types are often considered
irascible and quick to show their temper: externally in their words and actions,
and internally through the way that their blood rate increases with their
passions, leading to throbbing temple veins and flushed-red complexions.
Culpepper noted that such types are by nature "quick witted, bold, hasty,
quarrelsome and courageous. They are often full of anger and they are light in
movement with a pulse which is swift and strong."
However, Leo is a fixed sign and therefore the propensity for hasty action is
moderated. Leos are unlikely to respond to every trifling event and generally
take time to let their opinions form, during the process of which many minor
irritations resolve themselves. They are often referred to as simple-minded,
meaning that they tend to relate to things exactly as they are expressed and see
them just as they appear on the surface. Communication should be plain, simple
and direct, though literary types may reveal a signature of flamboyance in rich
and colorful, artistic expressions. Leos don't make a habit of looking for
deeper meanings, neither do they have a very detailed eye, but tend to
appreciate things from the broader perspective. This gives them a talent for
seeing the whole picture and suits their leadership skills in that they have
breadth of vision and a ready grasp of the overall shape of things. But they are
out of their depth when dealing with the essential detailed practicalities that
make the vision work and often rely upon the co-operation and support of more
discerning types to ensure that particulars are not overlooked.
Leos are commonly reported as being opposed to pettiness, and follow an
optimistic belief that everything will work itself out in the fullness of time.
Whilst a conviction that sweet providence is taking care of them is generally a
blessing that sustains their confidence, and such buoyancy usually does foster
success, this attitude can lead to major problems, especially when their
disinterest in practical details combines with their leaning towards
extravagance and exaggerated plans. Limitations of all sorts are alien to the
Leo nature; they are not good at budgeting themselves or restricting their
financial output to what they can actually afford. Thus they are prone to
ostentatious financial commitments and material indulgences that incline them to
live at the edge of their means if not beyond. Periods where a balancing of the
books is necessary can be a very depressing time for them and often comes in the
form of a crisis that can no longer be ignored. The importance of
self-limitation is a lesson that ought to be driven home to all young Leos, but
their lack of natural talent in this area is part of the down side that comes as
the counterpart to having a colourful attitude that aims to live life to the
full.
As lovers and partners Leos are a strange mix of contradictory traits. They are
known for being expressive, extravagant and warm with their affections, but
equally they have a self-obsessed quality that can become a point of conflict in
one-to-one relationships based on a platform of mutual equality. They can go
through periods of excluding the partner, being totally absorbed in their own
interests, and then make grand romantic gestures, becoming overwhelming charming
for a while in an effort to make up for their neglect. Leos are usually loyal
and straightforward with their emotions, striving for stability; they dislike
subtle game playing and put great store by honesty and openness. However,
traditionally, the sign is not a favourable one for marriage because Leos
basically have a problem with sharing their field and maintain rigid, inflexible
views on the essential way that life should be. Successful relationships can
occur with partners that are more flexible in their approach, able to tolerate
periods of exclusion in exchange for lots of fuss and attention from time to
time, and especially if that partner is malleable enough to maintain independent
interests whilst helping to support the Leo in mundane practicalities.
There is usually no shortage of romantic candidates drawn to their vibrant and
charismatic appeal and young love can be intensely passionate. Like all the fire
signs, Leos are idealistic and don't hold back from expressing their passion.
They are extremely responsive to romantic attention, which is very gratifying to
their ever-hungry ego, and as such they can suffer from rash romantic liaisons
that are impetuous and unsuitable on a long term basis. "Guileless are the
sentiments of their honest heart" claimed Manilius in the 1st century AD - they
are often said to act foolishly by placing too great a faith in human nature and
expecting other people to see things in the simple, black and white shades that
color their vision.
All of the sun signs show us the traits that we can use to connect with a
powerful force that makes us distinguished individuals, capable of rising above
our habitual fears. The faults of the Leo are no more than the extremes of a
nature that recognizes this most easily of all. Where the Sun shines, truth,
nobility and pure-penetrating vitality can be found. Used consciously, Leo
represents an elemental power that is healing, light-bringing, direct, joyous
and strong. We simply need to remember that the lion can act like a pussy-cat at
times, but it in its own heart it is always a magnificent creature that can
never be fully tamed or manipulated against its will.
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