LEO the LION
23 July – 22 August
Spectrum: Ruby. Yellow-Orange. Gold
LEO: The fifth sign of the tropical zodiac circle is a fixed and stable sign following on from the turn of season with the previous cardinal water sign of Cancer. That new impulse of energy can now be more readily felt and put to use. The fixed quality of expression, giving strength and endurance, is shared with the signs of Taurus and Scorpio, however that fixed quality is now mixed with the element of Fire which adds warmth and light to the character traits of Leo. Fire qualities are shared with two other Fire signs of Aries and Sagittarius. Leo is known as a positive sign in that its activity is directed out into the world, for Leo sees and pursues its heart’s desire. Vital and powerful, Leo burns with enthusiasm, and fixed determination combines this outrushing energy to produce excellent leadership and organising abilities. Regal and affection, the lion parades the success of its kingdom with justifiable pride and if working well, with a gentle hand. These are people to be relied on as faithful, trust-worthy and principled. A little time out from working, to enjoy the pleasure of games and amusement, is most welcome and helps to maintain the balance of life. And so with those who have this sign strong in their natal chart, they are leaders, generous and kind yet powerful and courageous , the lion and lioness of the celestial sphere.
The cosmic body most associated with this sign, as its ruler, is notably the SUN, the hot, fiery and shining orb of daylight and optimism. The Sun only rules one sign of the zodiac and it is the centre and king of our solar system. Woe-betide those who abuse its gifts, no one likes a despot or an inflated ego born of privilege, power and position yet lacking compassion. The Leo time of year is one in which to take a broad sweep of what is required in response to the subtly felt changes in the air. One half of the globe is enjoying the last days of a dying summer whilst the southern hemisphere can smell the excitement of spring not far away. Which-ever side of the globe you are on it is authentic to take a little pride in what you can create and not be shy of a little appreciation and public exposure. Have you something of your talents to share? Take some time out to be with friends, perhaps a party or a theatre ticket, sing and dance for a while in appreciation of all the good things of life, and where these are less than should be, send a prayer to heaven for improvements. It is a time to be joyful for what we do have.
We are now at the FIFTH LABOUR for our Sun hero Hercules, and this is to be his conquest of the Nemean Lion. With the courage of a strong heart and having overcome and slaughtered the mythical raging Lion, Hercules flays that Lion and wears its skin to declare himself as invulnerable as the lion or lioness. This is a symbol for having the courage to over-come the hostile trials in life, both external as in the wild beasts, and inwardly of our own- weaknesses, which all contributes to us becoming heroes, whether we are of the Leo sign or not. For some reason the Nemean Lion is associated with a cave of double entrance. Caves are often places of initiation where we become isolated and are forced to go inward and meet our real self in a time of meditation and quiet isolation. The number five is a symbol revealing the divine off-spring of God or the inner spiritual self. But five is only half the equation and we must search out five more virtues to make a perfect ten which symbolises a balance of spirit and matter. First Father spirit and Mother matter must meet and unite to create the Leonine individual strong in their conviction and their valour. On our travels through this stage of development we must attempt to unite the mind and emotions, or the head and heart in order to attain a better expression of our self and reign in wayward personality traits that so often work against us. Like Hercules we must unite the Sun of strength and Moon of caring, in order to become a whole and more balanced person worthy of a rebirth. In ancient Egypt the male lion was pre-dated by the lion goddess who is called Bastet, a mild and watery version of her original fiery self, known as Sekhmet.
Alchemical Lion eats the Sun
During our travels we will pass by the star Dubhe of the constellation Ursa Major. This gives us a link between Mother Bear and this ancient cat, for Egyptian temples of Bastet where aligned to this star when they were built. An ancient ‘Bear Race’ of Greek peoples were thought to have an hereditary link with this great constellation of Ursa Major who is also associated with the goddess Artemis, adored by the Druids of the long lost past.
In the neck of the sky Serpent Hydra, is the star Alphad lying close by to Regulus the heart of the Lion. This Water Serpent contrasts with the fiery heat of the Lion. A combination of Water and Fire is made in Alchemy to brew a creation. Some say that this celestial snake is the great mother serpent Tiamat of Babylonian legend. Others say it is the Kraken of Scandinavian mythology. The star Alphad, lone star of the serpent’s neck, along with Regulus of the Lion Heart, also marks our passage out of the sign Leo into that of tropical Virgo. Are we becoming more enlightened like our Heroes?
Travelling the Fifth labour with Hercules we are still on the good ship Argo and moving towards the Golden Fleece, a Ram’s coat hung in the forest of the Lord of Aries and our journey’s goal. We are accompanied by 50 heroes and the gods who will help us to achieve our destination as we search along the path between the star Sirius of tropical Cancer and the star Spica in the tropical zodiac sign of Libra. On our way we will pass the Raven and the Chalice sitting on the back of the water serpent Hydra.
The Water Serpent
