digital collage by dianna
Leo is the fifth sign of the Zodiac. This is why it's the creative, playful leader. It is the bright sunlight that inspires the plants to reach for the sky at the height of Midsummer. Notice how whiteness has made us focus on leadership as a power over structure that dominates & abuses the "other" rather than allowing everyone to have the personal autonomy to be their true selves. Yes, it can have a strong ego & a forceful will but that's because it's trying to teach us about self love NOT because it's inherently selfish. As you study Leo make sure you don't allow the steady stream of vain keywords distract you from its child-like & loving nature. We must allow the Leo part of us (and of others) to be able to express both sides to be complete. The leader who uses oppression & power over systems hasn't done their ShadowWeRK. A leader who knows how to listen with their heart so that self care can become group care is a balanced Leo.
Leo Keywords: Prideful, Confident, Playful, Domineering, Childish, Leader
Leo Archetypes: The Royal, The Jester, Reality TV Star, Comedian
Leo Shadows: vain, prideful, egotistic, self-important, haughty, gregarious, attention-seeking, self-aggrandizing, narcissistic, a bully, conceited, melodramatic, a tendency for tantrums, domineering, overbearing, patronizing, pompous, nepotistic, self-serving, demands affection & attention without merit, bombastic, inflexible, influencer, naivety, callowness, arrogance, overindulgent, exploitive, compulsive, overbearing, power-over complex, fragility.
Seasonal Leo: 
Leo is the height of Summer when we celebrate the Sun’s golden gifts. The planets have reached their glorious peak; their petals are bright & beautiful. Everything turns gold & shiny in the high Sunlight & long days. Animals are showing off, prancing & dancing. We’re starting to harvest more food so feasts & rituals focus on the glory of our kingdoms. The sunlight kisses skin & fur while we all enjoy the ease of being predators surrounded by abundance & food, glorious, food! The world is loud & gregarious as all the animals are rejoicing in the bounties. The air smells sweet, warm with the fragrance of berries, flowers & fruit.
Leo Associations:
- Dates: July 23 - August 22
- Colors: Royal Purple, Gold, Deep Red.
- Body: The heart, spine, chest.
- Beings/Animals: Lions, cats, eagles.
- Stones & Crystals: Diamonds, Tiger’s Eye, Carnelian, Amber, Citrine, Ruby,
- Objects & Metals: Red Meat, feasts, candy hearts. Gold
- Plants, Flowers & Herbs: Citrus, Laurels, Roses, Mint, Rosemary, Saffron, Sun Flowers, Marigolds, Honey, Grapes,.
- Element: Fire.
- Mode: Fixed.
- Talismans & Personal Objects: Fancy shit, childhood toys, favorite toys, masks, or costumes.
- Tarot: 8, Strength.
- Goddesses: Bastet, Sekhmet, Cybele, Durgga, the Morrigan, Queen Maeve, Qudsu.
- Number: 1
- Day of the Week: Sunday
- House Associations: The Fifth House: Creative Projects, Children, Romance, Sex, Fun & Games, Gambling, Risk-Taking.
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Planetary Rulerships:
- Ruler: Sun Detriment: Saturn
- The Sun: The Heart, Ego, Purpose, Vitality, Inner Light, Pride, Life Force.
- It’s all about YOUR EGO &YOUR HEART.