Fortune Cookies
July 23 – August 22
Leo's ruling planet: ☼ Sun.
Look closely at Leo's outline and it really does resemble a reclining lion. The constellation was known to the ancient Sumerians four thousand years ago, when it was called the Great Dog rather than the Lion. Its prominent stars have straightforward names associated with the lion's heart, mane, and tail.
Among the bright stars is a pattern like a backward question mark, known as the Sickle. Leo also contains beautiful Regulus, familiar even to many science-fiction readers, shining with a striking blue-white light. Shining around 160 times as brightly as the Sun in visible light, it is easy to see from Earth.
The constellation also holds a very different star: a red dwarf, one of our nearest stellar neighbors. Its light is so faint that, if it took the Sun's place, Earth would be plunged into darkness.
Leo Astrology: Dates, Element, and Ruling Planet
Leo Months: July and August
Leo is the fifth zodiac sign. Depending on the year, the Sun enters it on July 22 or 23 and stays until August 22 or 23.
Leo Season: Summer
Leo is the second sign of summer. The ground has dried, the heat reaches its peak, and fruit grows full and ready for harvest. Nature's generosity, abundance, and wealth are reflected in Leo's wish to share and do good for others.
Leo's Element: Fire
Fire is the Sun's untamed, life-giving energy, the energy of life itself. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius share its power. It gives all three their vitality, drive, and creativity. Self-confidence, impatience, strong feelings, courage, and an unwillingness to compromise are all expressions of Fire in Leo.
Leo's Ruling Planet: The Sun
The Sun gives the light that makes life possible. In a horoscope, it represents a person's essential self: personality, spirit, ego, health, vitality, and potential. It helps individuality shine, encourages creativity, and opens up an ever-wider view of the world. Its life-loving motto is “I am! I want!”
As Leo's ruler, the Sun brings an extraordinary range of leadership qualities. A strong paternal, masculine principle is part of that influence, expressed in willpower, organizational skill, the ability to influence people, a desire to protect and support, and an inborn sense of dignity.
Leo colors: Yellow-orange, like summer sunrises and sunsets, and gold, like ripe heads of grain bending under their own weight.
Leo metal: Gold.
Leo talisman stones: Ruby, yellow amber, and peridot.
Leo's opposite and complementary sign: Aquarius.
Places Associated with Leo
Countries and cities with a similar energy, where Leo feels at home:
Countries and regions: Bosnia, France, Italy, Romania, and Sicily.
Cities: Mumbai, Bristol, Chicago, Cremona, Damascus, Philadelphia, Prague, and Rome.
More Leo horoscopes:
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