The Sun moves into Leo on July 22. This is a month of self-expression and creativity for all of us. Leo is the sign of the children, games, and the joy of life so, it’s time to get out of the Cancer shell and enjoy the summer.
Some astrologers today have forgotten how important the role of the Sun is in the birth chart. Astrologers love studying about asteroids, planetoids and every other strange body in the universe, but the role of the Sun is of major importance in the birth chart. It represents your core identity and what you are to become.
The part of the body ruled by Leo is the heart and Leos can radiate warmth to all of those around him/her or to the world. Their generosity is unbounded and though they are ambitious, this ambition can help them attain a position where they can do a lot of good. Leos have a bigger than life personality and their aura reaches out further than the rest of us. This can lead to us being energized and inspired in their presence, or on the other hand, very tired. It all depends on our energy system shown by the signs and planets in our birth chart.
Because of Leo’s personality and aura, they often end up on stage or giving presentations, workshops or training. Don’t forget that others can see our archetypes. I have a Leo client who told me she doesn’t want to shine, likes to sit in her cubicle updating software programs and not see anyone. I said to her, have you been asked to do training on this software? She said no, I said you will. And sure enough a few years later, they asked her to do the training. Leos get pushed into the limelight whether they want it or not. I read a study once of actor’s birth charts and a great proportion of them have the Sun, Moon or Ascendant in Leo.
Every sign has a shadow side or part of their psyche that is unconscious. The shadow side of Leo is Narcissism. But as Albert J. Bernstein. a clinical psychologist and writer said, “There may be narcissism without greatness, but there is no greatness without narcissism.” So some narcissism is necessary for Leos to attain success. The other part of their shadow is pride. First, they must integrate this shadow and understand it and then they can move on to manifest the highest level of Leo which is creative self-expression. It is not in Leo’s nature to worry much about their shadow side. They tend not to be self-reflective because they have a great love for the external world.
Their positive traits are strength, power, and will. Others can be defeated by life, but Leo types are tough and have the strength and determination to meet life’s problems courageously, intelligently and in a kingly or queenly manner. Of course, this imperial pride can lead to arrogant authoritarianism or the despotic king or Queen. Because they are a royal sign they love the aristocracy and because royalty is at home with beautiful expensive things, you will find them in a large home, in a big car or wearing grand garments or jewelry. Even those who try to hide their Leo nature, give that royal side away in one of these behaviors. They have a nobility and dignity about them that causes us to look up to them when we are in need of a leader.
You have a Leo archetype if you have the Sun, Moon or Ascendant I in Leo or if you have a stellium (3 or more planets) in Leo.
Leo
Fire Element: Intuitive and creative experiences
Fixed Mode: Concentrated energy
Hero Type: Determined hero, extroverted style
Archetypes: The King, The Queen and The Performer
Leo Moon: Inner need to be noticed
Leo Sun: The goal is Performance
Primary Goal: To express drama and creativity to others
Each archetype can best be explained by one of the classical myths. I like the myth of Phaethon for Leo.
Myth: Phaeton
Phaeton, or “he who shines,” is in school and brags that he is the son of Apollo. The other children don’t believe him. He comes home very upset and asks his mother if he is really Apollo’s son. She tells him to ask Apollo himself. Phaeton goes to Apollo and tells him that if he really is his father, he will grant Phaeton anything he wishes. Apollo asks what Phaeton desires, and he says he wants to drive the chariot that pulls the sun around the earth. Apollo warns Phaeton not to ask for what he is not ready to do. He is warned that the horses are too strong and the job is too difficult. However, Phaeton insists.
Apollo tried to give him instructions, but Phaeton is impatient and took off by himself in the chariot. He started out very well, but then he thought that he would fly further down so that he could impress his friends. But as soon as he drove down, the earth began to burn. So he went back up too far and the earth began to freeze. He again dropped low and the ice and snow that had formed began to melt and the earth began to flood. Next, he saw the constellation of Scorpio which frightened him and he dropped the reins. The people complained to Zeus, who shot Phaethon down with a thunderbolt, turning him into a shooting star.
Leo Traits: Leos are mortal, but come from the divine. They want to be special and to be recognized as central. Sometimes they demand to be recognized before they have accomplished anything, even before they have gained the necessary skills, expertise or education. They must learn that there is a difference between demanding attention and earning the attention of others. Scorpio, another fixed sign, is a match for Leo. Leos can be too optimistic and can fly too high, but they also can become an inspiration to others because others look up to them.
Primary Goal: To express drama and creativity to others
Challenge: What should I perform? Whom should I perform for?
Janet Kane
www.mythiczodiac.com