leo astrology fashionLeo Astrology, July 23 – Aug. 22 reveals the most dominant and extroverted sign in the Zodiac. The Lion has a flair for the dramatic and loves to play. Impossible to miss, making an impression is this sign’s job #1. Everything about Leo’s horoscope is hot, hot, hot.

Masculine (Yang), Fixed, and Fire, this proud and energetic sign, ruled by the Sun, loves the spotlight. Its color is gold, birthstone Sardonyx or Peridot and it shares traits with the Chinese Zodiac’s Monkey.

Creative in the broadest sense of the word and motivated by the urge to make a mark on the world and to gain a measure of personal recognition and power, our cat has a desire to be at the center of attention and in the limelight. At their best, they are self-assured, self-confident, out-going, sociable and companionable, but they can also be proud, status-conscious, arrogant and susceptible to flattery. The lion is subject to over-exertion and stress and is ruled by the back and the heart. Tending to overindulgence, it must avoid becoming a “fat cat”.

The Cancer stage of being, with its emotional highs and lows, can be a bit of a drain, since its exhausting to cater endlessly to peoples internal needs (no wonder the Twins warned us that things could get messy once the Crab became a bona fide member of the zodiac). Still, with Cancer comes a deeper awareness that we’re all brimming with potent energies that enable us to impact one another strongly. We can arouse hidden feelings in people that simultaneously help us get in touch with our own feelings. It thus benefits us to reach out sensitively to others in an attempt to understand their personal lives, since their needs often mirror our own.

Water ignores, even as it penetrates, the barriers deliberately created by the ego to keep everyone apart and unattached (such ego defenses probably took effect way back when Aries was the only game in town). Cancer’s watery phase gives us a sense that, although we may appear to be separate individuals contained in our own private space, we’re invisibly connected to one another by way of an inner realm we all share. There is unseen, psychic networking going on at all times, as we all swim in the same river of energies. This developmentof a special sensitivity to one another prepares us for Leo’s energy, since the Lion also wants to have a huge impact on others.

This fire sign realizes that it can energize people by its dramatic self-presentation, and so it learns to become larger than life in its actions and behavior. Leo is a strong individualist who has a clear sense of self, thanks to the ego-building experiences provided by all four previous signs.

This second fire sign also belongs to the fixed mode, suggesting that its flame is steadier and more enduring than what cardinal Aries produces. The Ram constantly fights the containment of its blazing fire, while the Lion learns to make such containment work to its advantage. It offers the world a more reliable, radiant heat that warms the heart while it also lights up the stage.

lt’s an appealing, charismatic form of fire that knows how to get noticed. Leo is determined to receive positive attention and desired rewards from an adoring world. The Lion doesnt spend a lot of time wondering what’s wrong with itself, since it’s rarely plagued by insecurity or self-doubt. Fire doesn’t hold itself back from taking gambles in life, even when success cannot be guaranteed. Leo’s confidence in its abilities is usually strong. Such self-assurance leads to inner pride and dignity. We expect this much from fixed-fire.

Yet Leo’s feelings of self-honor aren’t necessarily earned solely through its achievements. The Lion feels it was born to shine brightly and enjoy elevated status. It behaves as if first-class treatment from the Cosmos is its birthright. This is the first sign to think about its place in society, although not with any real perspective regarding collective needs. Leo still knows that, at this stage, Its all about me! The ego is very comfortably entrenched in this sign and sees no reason to release its tight grip anytime soon. However, fire represents the start of a new elemental cycle, and in this case, we are learning to feel more important to those around us who need our dynamic involvement, even if in a leadership capacity.

Therefore, Leo cannot live and breathe only for itself. It must pour its vitality into others, preferably an audience of loyal fans, to help them enliven their own creative energies and thereby raise their spirits. Leo, a wonderful morale booster, is a shining example of one who has great faith in itself, and has the will to accomplish much. What’s happening at the Leo stage of life is that we are starting to become more socialized.

At this blossoming stage of social interplay, the Lion soon discovers that it needs applause, but also that its goals will never be satisfactorily met if it only basks in its self-created glory. To get a lot out of life, you’ve got to give a lot in return. With Leo, we learn to be generous with others regarding our spirited energy and positive outlook on life. If we can pump people up and make them feel good, they’ll turn around and inflate us with joy, as well. Leo will consciously play this game because it wants to feel big and important.

Feeling like a divine child favored by the gods, Leo can sometimes act like an obnoxious Very Important Person by displaying a few unappealing traits, those stereotypically associated with privileged rank. Arrogance is something this fire sign can indulge in, often without realizing it (as Leo won’t give itself bad reviews). Acting smug can get the Lion in trouble with others, who would then love to dethrone this sign for being so full of itself.

A stumbling block to true social integration for Leo is its tendency to feel superior to others. However, even though Napoleon and Mussolini were such Leos, most Sun-in-Leo people shouldn’t automatically be seen in this light, since they have a host of other modifying astrological factors to offset the Lion’s potential to be a royal snob. Still, any egotistical sense of self-adulation for feeling special, in a kingly or queenly manner, comes from the essence of Leo. Thank goodness nobody is a pure, living, overblown archetype of just anyone sign.

Being a member of the same element, Aries feeds the fires of self-interest in Leo. The Ram’s way of looking at life appeals to Leo, who’ll easily draw on Arien energy when needed. Gemini stimulates Leo to be creatively versatile while it encourages playfulness. It’s Taurus that poses a problem for the Lion, since these signs square each other (they share the same mode, but involve less compatible elements).

The quiet humility that comes naturally to less-assuming Taurus is not what Leo thinks will help it make its big splash on Broadway. Maybe a slice of humble pie should be on its plate, yet the Lion would rather roar its way to stardom, just to let everyone know it’s alive and here to dazzle the world. Don’t tell Leo to tone it down just so others can feel better about themselves and less intimidated by such an overwhelmingly fiery force. The Lion is only interested in showing off its greatness in an honest, self-validating manner. “Don’t dare try to put out my eternal flame, especially when the cameras are rolling!”, says Leo.

Leo may seem bold yet brassy to those who find such self-glorifying behavior annoying. Yet others are enchanted by the Lion’s ability to enjoy itself wholeheartedly in all its endeavors. This sign has managed to shake off the sometimes crippling fears and inhibitions that make the Cancerian phase of life so painful at times. Maybe it pays not to worry too much about what others think. Let’s just let our hair down and have fun adding color to our personality. Leo wants to engage in a robust life adventure without anyone or anything dampening its spirits.

Thanks to the fire it exudes, it does a good job retaining its youthful vitality. If it could, fixed-fire would love to burn brightly forever. The Lion has a knack for staying young and vibrant, partly because it doesn’t allow itself to grow up completely and burden itself with somber outlooks. Capricorn-style maturity may curtail Leo’s joy of living a more carefree life of self-admiration. Another youth-ensuring trait is Leo’s willingness to face its future with optimism and enthusiasm. Although not deeply philosophical, Leo is an idealist who believes that we can make fabulous things happen by allowing a sense of high self-regard to empower us.

The Lion refuses to think little of itself. It is sure that the Cosmos didn’t put us all on Earth just to suffer, by being denied our rightful opportunity to show off our special talents to the world. Like the spirit of youth itself, Leo willingly takes chances to get what it wants. It’s blessed with courage and a unfaltering belief that the Universe will grant it its heartfelt desires. At times impetuous and too strongwilled, the Lion is willing to risk all on a golden dream, never foreseeing anything less than a glorious outcome. When failure or loss occurs instead, Leo is crushed and heartbroken (it may roar with hurt and anger when it doesn’t win the top prize it seeks). Still, unlike emotionally immature youth, the Lion is big-hearted and self-assured enough to know that its competitors also need to feel like winners, now and then. And thus, Leo, after swallowing a little pride, can allow others their moment of glory (as long as the Lion doesn’t remain out of the spotlight for too long).

For Leo, the principle of love, which first began to develop in family-oriented Cancer, is not universal in scope, as this sign’s steady ego-focus is on personal fulfillment (the world is to revolve around the Lion, who acts as if its in charge at the center of it all). Yet to evolve, we do need to learn about the importance of self-love and of being genuinely good to ourselves, without guilt or apology. Leo symbolizes the stage at which were allowed to have a romance with the creatively dynamic person we’re becoming (this is a sign that naturally excels in high-visibility, self-promotional activity). In doing so, Leo is listening to its heart when it says, Give all that you’ve got if you truly want to be loved.

Thus, don’t hold back on being your radiant self if you wish to be filled with the admiration of others. Love what you do, do it with all your heart, and others will then love and honor you, too. Hmmm . . .,it might just work. Leo could actually be saying to its throngs of autograph seeking well wishers, “I love you for helping me love myself so well”.

lt’s not too clear if the Lion sees others as anything but extensions of itself, sort of like props on a stage. Leo may think, Everyone’s supposed to make me look good, and those who do so best get my love the most. Love does come straight from the heart for Leo, a brightly burning kind of love full of idealism and high expectation. Romance is also a very special state of being for the Lion, whose generous emotional nature easily reveals itself whenever it has fallen passionately for someone.

Leo is a sign that puts all its eggs in one basket, and won’t play it safe when it comes to such heartfelt matters (even if it is actually romancing a breakthrough scientific theory that it has lovingly crafted). No matter who or what is the recipient of its attention, Leo will give what it loves its all, while in a high-level state of vitality. It won’t even consider remaining involved if it can’t keep up this degree of elation, plus love also has to be deemed to be a fun and even recreational experience. Expect Leo to be thoroughly committed to having a grand time when in love with a person, a project, a concept, an ideal, or a dream it knows will someday come true.

A simple, uncomplicated display of ego-in-the-making is found in Aries, who’s often unaware of how totally self-absorbed in action it is. The development of our individuality depends a lot on the strength of our ego. Yes, its true that ego has been seen as the eternal enemy of that blissful state of “Oneness” mystics talk about (although they then turn around and assure us that the ego’s power is illusionary). Aries has highly personal needs that override anyone else’s, and it’s too bad if that appears selfish to others.

Aries is driven to survive at all costs, and thus the Ram will first look out for its own well-being in most situations. However, without Aries, we wouldn’t have the fire in our belly, and that innocent sense of daring, that spurs us to go out into the world to test our strengths and conquer our fears. And so, for Aries, ego arousal is a good and most necessary thing.

By the time we get to Leo, where fire begins to operate in a new mode (now from cardinal to fixed). The ego has polished itself up a bit and has developed more backbone. It becomes a consolidated force. Theoretically, Leo’s ego power is at its peak performance level in terms of how it serves our individual needs. This is a turning-point stage in the zodiac process, when both our will and ego are sufficiently developed so that we can now cope with the demands of the bigger world around us.

Leo provides us with a solid inner center, a core sense of self that helps us become involved in increasingly collective circumstances, without losing our hard earned identity. This is important, since once we get to Sagittarius and beyond, ego identity is challenged by more transpersonal ways of being. But for now, Leo needs to enjoy its self-importance and its ability to unabashedly celebrate its attention-grabbing individuality.

Although fame and acclaim becomes a serious quest for Capricorn (another go-getter member of the cardinal group), Leo is the first sign to care about being favorably known and even idolized by others. It seems that once we feel secure at the root of our being (Cancer at its best), then were ready to fearlessly express ourselves to an audience larger than just our family. The Lion anticipates, long before it has ignited its ambitious nature, that someday it will make a name for itself in society. It observes people who have already made it big in the world, and it knows that it, too, wants to enjoy an equally distinguished life.

Fixed signs have the ability to work long and hard to reach well-defined goals. They are determined to unfold their lives in a purposeful manner (they just don’t go with the flow and wait to see what happens). They instead attempt to take charge of their destinies, being the control freaks that they are. Supremely confident Leo may make all this look like loads of fun, but the Lion is nonetheless serious about taking on prestigious roles of great social influence. Leo aims to be a superstar, the one to outshine all the rest.

The entertainment field magnetically draws Leo in, as this fire sign was born to please a crowd. Hollywood is crawling with Leo types. Many of them, sadly, may never receive the accolades (or even the Oscars) they deserve, because of the highly competitive nature of the film industry (a business where luck and connections play an even greater role than talent alone). Even in jobs that aren’t meant to entertain us, Leo still exhibits a flair for being expressive and even a bit showy (think of Leo types happily working at Tiffanys or selling Jaguars in fancy showrooms – the Lion has a thing for luxury items).

If Leo doesn’t ever see itself on the silver screen, even though acting comes easily to this sign (Dustin Hoffman and Peter OToole are both gifted Leos), another venue can be the Broadway stage or the equally theatrical music industry. Wowing and dazzling a mesmerized crowd of fans (and Leo knows how to work a room) is a dream come true for the Lion. Being a natural exhibitionist, Leo will do whatever it takes to pour its creative vitality out into the world to solicit an enthused, high-energy response. Due to its childlike awe of itself, Leo loves to make a big fuss when it announces, “Hey world, look at this fabulous thing I’ve just done!”

The Sun is the planet that astrology associates with Leo (of course, the Sun is really a gloriously shining star of primary importance to life, much like the Lion fancies itself to be). Both planet and sign have something to say about our ego, our willpower, our need for recognition, and our ability to be vibrantly self-expressive. Both are astrological symbols of warmth, of heat that steadily comes from our creative fires within.

It’s hard not to notice the Sun once it has risen. The same goes for the Lion, once it has climbed the ladder of success. The astrological Sun also relates to our integrity and our pride. Leo is a sign very much concerned with self-dignity and getting respect from others. Actually, the Sun is less able than Leo to laugh at itself and to become a little kid having fun. Strongly solar types are not necessarily gleeful, and they view themselves more as authority figures in commanding positions.

Being held in high esteem is important to the Sun (as it is for Leo), and thus it’s a planet that will seldom clown around in the amusing manner that Leo does to steal the show (think of comical Leos like Lucille Ball and Steve Martin). The Sun is the big cheese of the solar system, with all the planets, like loyal subjects, revolving around this central power source. Leo shares a bit of this attitude, as well.

Knowing how to flatter in order to get its way, the Lion is probably better at engaging the cooperation of people than is the Sun, who’d probably rather take control of matters without assistance. Leo wants to direct a big project, but it must have a loyal crew to help out with all the necessary details that ensure a successful performance. This fire sign thus learns how to keep everyone happy within their roles. Yet spreading cheer and goodwill doesn’t sound as much like the Sun, a planet that’s even more self-directed in action than Leo.

Still, this planet underscores much of what vitality exuding Leo is all about. Wherever Leo is in our chart points to where we need to give in to our urge to show off our talents. We are to let others see how individualized we are. Leo is a sign that remains true to itself and won’t accept being told by society what to become just to blend in better. Leo doesn’t want to get lost in a crowd. (Always wear something in bright red, advises Leo, that way they can’t miss you.) The fixity in Leo helps us recognize our limits regarding how much of ourselves we dare release to the world before we begin to overwhelm others.

Such unchecked fiery output can consume too much energy from others, who eventually suffer exhaustion from overexposure to Leo energy (It’s like getting a nasty sunburn). Actually, we can start off feeling self-conscious wherever our Leo energy is in our chart. Our goal, as we mature, is to develop enough self-esteem to shine in front of others without being the first ones to give ourselves bad reviews.

Without sufficient self-confidence, Leo’s energy quickly burns out. What we present here must come from our heart as an expression of our essence. Honoring its individuality is as important to Leo as remaining playful in life, together, these will help all Leo types stay young at heart.

Leo is the middle sign of the maternal trinity, the second of the fiery triplicity, and also the second of the fixed signs, therefore it maybe said to hold the central point in the zodiac, and when joined with the next sign it certainly contains the essence of the whole twelve signs. Leo governs the heart, therefore it will be from this center that the character of those born in this sign must be judged.

Standing, as this sign does, in the center, we shall sometimes find the forces of the heart running upward or downward, but only in those who are fully individualised, or as it is termed, self-conscious, shall we find the consciousness centered in the heart. Generally speaking, the emotions are fully active in the Leo characters.

They are forceful and highly magnetic, and possessing an abundance of vitality, they carry with them an aura that is beneficial to all. They are genuinely kind, warm-hearted and loving, but usually like to express their love in action, their emotional nature being deep and of the heart. They can be impulsive and diffusive, but it is usually the impulse of a generous nature. They possess a very attractive individuality and are always decided characters. They are usually very practical with regard to their ideals, as they prefer to live them rather than talk of them.

While the Aries nature usually spins wonderful ideals in thought and ever seems to be straining after the unattainable, the Leo types are silently and quietly seeking to make them realities. This comes from their wonderful faith, which they inherently possess, and their motto is generally, “whatever is, must be best,” but this comes when the Leo nature is awakened and the desire has been sent out to unify the individual will with the Supreme Will.

Being the center of the fiery triplicity they possess a very strong love nature, which makes them very ardent and sincere in their affections. As the second of the fixed signs they have more unity of will and desire, and in contrast with the Taureans, act more on the side of will than that of desire.

Leos love to rule, but it is more from the heart and motive than from the head. They are philanthropic and always obey the impulses of the heart where sympathy is concerned. This sign produces individuals who are more thorough than any of the other signs, and they seem to combine the practical with the philosophical and the ideal with the real. When self-controlled they are wonderful individuals, being able to influence great numbers.

They have the power to send their thoughts to any distance, and when conserving their energies, heal through sympathy. They seem to radiate from their centers a beautiful warmth like the Sun, which is ruler of their sign. But when turning their forces downward and living to the personal side of life they are very amative, with very strong passions.

It is sometimes found that the weakest and the strongest individuals come out of this sign. The weakest are those who are easily led through their feelings, which is often caused by associating with those who take advantage of their Leo nature. They then fall into dissipation and maybe come dissolute characters, but within, the true spiritual fire is ever burning, and phoenix-like they rise out of the dead ashes of themselves to greater and nobler things.

This sign is known by astrologers as the house of the Sun, and it is through this sign that the rays of the Sun become more powerful and more fully charged with potent life and energy. When these persons seek to become self-conscious they seem to make more rapid strides in this direction than those born under other signs, and possessing as they do such very sensitive natures, they are able to readily respond to spiritual influences. Their faith then becomes marvellous, and the whole of their life seems to be devoted to doing good to others.

Leo governing the heart, causes this part of the system to be the center, most easily affected when the character is inharmonious and the life running to discord and disorder instead of peace and progress They then suffer through the circulation, which sets up many troubles of a more or less feverish nature, and this in turn reacts upon the mind, bringing gloom and despondency.

It is essential for the well-being and perfect health of all Leo persons that they have a certain time, if only a few minutes each day, when they can be quite alone and at perfect rest. This enables them to start the machinery from the heart at an even and harmonious rate of vibration. Their best medicine is love, peace, and harmony.

All Leo persons succeed best where they have authority, or hold some high and responsible position, but in trades or professions they will do best as jewellers or goldsmiths, as writers of love stories or dramatic sketches. They would also make excellent musicians and poets. Although they possess great strength and vitality they are not fond of laborious work, and they can only be really happy in positions of trust and management.

We may sum up the Leo person as a firm and self-controlling individual and one who is ever aiming at high and noble things. They are all born with a nobility of character which can only be counter-acted by contradictory planetary influences. They are generous to a fault, faithful, sincere and earnest, and although somewhat ambitious and persevering ‘it is nearly always turned in the direction of self-perfection. This sign gives the intuitions of the heart, and as the center of the maternal trinity it holds and binds all the others by the power of love.

Some famous Leos include Steve, Martin, Stanley Kubrick, Martha Stewart, Andy Warhol, and Bill Clinton.

True to its love, you will seldom find this kitty cheating on its mate. This sign loves strongly, and will defend the honor of those that they love. This feline is compatible with its own sign, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries and Gemini. Explore Leo Compatibility and Love Match Astrology.

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