The London heatwave has arrived just in time for Leo season. We’ve teamed up yet again with Daliah Roth, The Highgate Astrologer, to take an in depth look at the fixed sun sign and the qualities so often associated with it.
Leo: 22nd July - 23rd August
Leo, undisputed King of the Jungle, stellar feline and universal symbol of royalty – how does this zodiac sign express itself in human interactions?
As a fixed fire sign, Leos are born during the hottest astrological month of the Northern Hemisphere (end of July to end of August), when the weather is (or at least used to be) stable. Too hot for intense work, historically, this has been a time for famers to take a step back, rest and play, preparing for the laborious harvest in the following month of Virgo. This relates not only to Leo’s childlike joy of play and fun, but also to the immense warmth that it radiates.
Leo’s focus in life is self-expression. It needs to genuinely be itself. Unlike Aries, the preceding fire sign, which does not care for approval from others, Leo needs recognition. I Wanna Be Adored, sung by The Stone Roses, is this feline’s mojo, and this makes for an incredibly charming and highly creative personality. Overall, Leos are self-confident, strong individualists and natural born leaders – cultivated and refined. Leo is not a strategist. This sign is honest and does not hide its need to be acknowledged as an energy source for others and to be centre stage.
If lacking in self-confidence, Leo can become arrogant, proud, authoritative and overly competitive. Feelings of neglect, not being appreciated, and – worst of all – having to play second fiddle can bring out these more challenging traits. Confidence can turn to vanity and domineering behaviour, and the instinct to rule can become dictatorial. A strong stubborn streak can create obstacles for learning and transformation. In these moments, Leo is encouraged to let go of the need to lead and to give others the opportunity to shine too.
In relationships, Leo shows persistence and more patience than Aries, its preceding fire sign. Optimistic, kind, courageous and consistent, Leo is also fiercely loyal – and expects nothing less from its loved ones. To those that are suffering, Leo lends an open heart. Its warmth and generosity, both in spirit and with its feelings, are unparalleled, and it has the admirable ability to see the very best in others. Leo’s inner confidence inspires people to put their trust in them, and they will gather a group of loyal friends who they can protect.
In romantic love, Leo is intensely passionate and devoted. Leo’s adoration and affection is grand, and it seeks the same in return. Here, it has a real dislike of pettiness. High treason for Leo is the contemplation of an affair; Leos can be too possessive for their own and other people’s good, sometimes dictating how others should live their lives. The lesson here is for the Leo to let others explore their own individuality and trust that they are loved.
Leo’s natural sense for the dramatic makes it the born actor and actress. All of the arts, but especially the performing arts, give Leo the stage to receive the love and adoration it craves, where it can feel truly special and be proud of itself too! Off stage, Leos love the social whirlwind. Inspired by universal love, Leo has the extraordinary ability to give what it seeks and to make others feel truly unique and exceptional. At the end of the day, Leos are at their strongest when their personal ambitions are linked to a higher purpose and a true noble cause – expressing their innate nobility through the role of a king or queen that is a devoted attendant to his or her people.
To find out about how much Leo you have in your chart and to unleash the transformative power that comes with self-knowledge, explore your birth chart in an astrological reading with Daliah, The Highgate Astrologer. For more information and to book a reading, please visit “Bookings” at the highgateastrologer.com.
