The Lion
July 23 - August 23
Leo is the fifth Sign of the Zodiac.
Moving past the exploration of the world and the need to nurture of the first four Signs,
Leo's great need is to create. Creativity is one of Leo's keywords, and people born under
this Sign have the vitality and ambition to be successful in their creative endeavors.
Leos are especially prominent on stage and in Hollywood, as their natural ability to act
and their flamboyance and love of attention make them naturals at fame. Additionally, Leos
love romance, and take pride in their warm hospitality. As the fifth Sign, Leo also rules
the fifth House: the House of Pleasure.
The Astrological Symbol of Leo is the Lion. The Lion is the King of Beasts, and Leos enjoy being treated as the kings and queens of the Zodiac. Like the Lion, Leos have great physical strength and stamina. They tend to be opinionated, but they have a strong ability to see their projects through to the end. In this way, Leo exemplifies the Fixed Quality assigned to it. Leos may be arrogant or egotistical, but they are good organizers and tend to be popular and even inspiring. Within the Zodiac, Leo is opposite Aquarius, the Sign of Friends. Leo tends to be about self and personal popularity rather than group goals and sharing of ideas. Despite their tendency to patronizingly interfere in others' plans, they are leaders, confident and dignified.
Leo is ruled by the Sun. In ancient times, the Sun was believed to be the center of the Universe, the core of existence, the Father. Today, the Sun is important because it generates warmth and keeps life on Earth moving. Leos, too, sometimes feel they are the center of the universe, and sometimes they are! They are gregarious and social, fun-loving, and live life with enthusiasm. Despite their tendency toward bossiness and pretension, the natural leadership of people born under Leo and their administrative prowess helps ensure that their projects are successful. As leaders, Leos are decisive and direct, optimistic that they will succeed. Sometimes they exaggerate problems and overreact to stumbling blocks, but generally they are positive and their natural pride and stubborn streak keep them from giving up. They can be demanding leaders, but they are also generous.
The Element associated with Leo is Fire. Fire Signs are physical: they tend to respond to the world through action, rather than practicality, intellect, or emotion. Leos jump headfirst into life, without worrying whether their latest goal is realistic or practical. For them, everything about life is Big with a capital B, and if drama and courage is required to do what they want to do, they have both in abundance. Like Fire, Leos are always moving and quick, and their warm-hearted and outgoing personalities are similarly fiery. They tend to seek power more than other Signs, and because of this people sometimes feel they are obnoxious, boastful, self-centered, or rude. But despite their sometimes hotheaded or cutting response, Leos are cheerful and self-assured, sometimes to the point of living in a fantasy world. They are always happy as long as someone is paying attention to them!
Leo rules the fifth House, which besides romance and children also involves gambling. Many Leos love to gamble, and may be brash and extravagant at the gaming table. They see it as their natural due when casinos treat them as royalty! Pleasure is important to people born under Leo, and they like to spend money to feel good. At their extreme, some Leos can be vain and childish or overbearing in their reactions, but generally they're happy so long as they are comfortable.
In their leisure time, Leos prefer to play in groups rather than solo. They are too gregarious to enjoy solitary running or weight lifting, and they much prefer team sports or group exercise. In love relationships, Leo tops the charts in almost every area, from devotion to romance.
Leo rules the back, spine, and heart. People born under Leo may suffer from heart problems or back pain more often than people born under other Signs. Leo's colors are gold and purple: gold is the color of the Sun and lions, and purple is associated with royalty.
The great strength of the Leo-born is in their creativity and generosity with others. Sometimes these two can combine, resulting in thoughtful gifts or unique solutions to problems. Their creative and theatrical natures make them among the most flamboyant characters of the Zodiac.