Leo

(23 July to 23 August)

Animal: lion.
Birds: cock, eagle.
Colour: gold and scarlet.
Day: Sunday
Origin and glyph: It probably originated in ancient Egypt, from the constellation; the glyph resembles the lion's tail.
Ruling planet and groupings: Sun; masculine, fixed, fire.
Flowers: marigold, sunflower, cowslip, heliotrope.
Food: honey and cereals, most meats and rice.
Gemstones: ruby, all yellow stones, such as amber, chrysolite, tourmaline, topaz and sardonyx. These stones should be set in gold, since this is the metal of the sun, ruler of Leo.
Metal: gold.
Numbers: four for Leo; one for the sun.
Trees: citrus, walnut, olive, palm, laurel.

The Sun enters the zodiacal sign of Leo on approximately July 23 each year, and remains therein until about August 21. But the full influence of this sign does not begin to exert itself until about July 27, being mingled until then with the gradually decreasing force of the preceding sign, Cancer. Therefore, people born on the cusp-between July 23 and 27-are also partly ruled by Cancer, and should study the influence of that sign as well.

Leonians tend to be generous, creative and yet proud individuals who nevertheless need to keep a tight rein on themselves to avoid becoming overbearing. The creative nature needs to find an outlet in whatever guise, and it is common for Leonians to become organizers, with confidence and energy, although beneath that they may be rather nervous. The possible risk is that Leonians may end up taking over and feel they always know best, so they must learn to listen to the views of other people. They can also display a temper, if only briefly, and are prone to panic if things go badly wrong. However, they generally regain control of the situation quickly. Their impatience and tendency to go over the top are countered by the abundance of their positive qualities.

Leo is a positive and fiery sign, ruled by the ardent, masculine and strongly magnetic Sun. It is symbolized by the lion, and the typical person born under this sign has much of the 'leonine' in his or her nature, including great courage, loyalty, energy, dignity, and a decided gift for leadership. Even his or her personal appearance is often leonine, for the purest and most representative types are distinguished by a tall, vigorous frame, broad back and shoulders, well-developed muscles, an erect carriage, a shock of yellow, golden or tawny hair, and a general appearance of pride and fearlessness.

Affection, sympathy and warmth of heart characterize people who are born under this sign. Their love embraces the whole of humanity, and their loyalty is such that they will defend their friends even to their own detriment, and will never desert one whose cause they have championed, unless disgusted by his or her treachery or deceit. Their nature is essentially so simple and noble that the least suggestion of guile or double-dealing is more hateful to them than anything, and is the only thing that can alienate their affection. They are utter strangers to fear, both physical and moral, and when roused are terrific fighters, but at the same time they will submit to a great deal of provocation before showing signs of anger. Then, no matter to what pitch of fury they may be wrought, they always fight fairly and according to the rules, and are invariably generous to a vanquished enemy.

Natives of Leo are direct and open in speech and the expression of opinions, but they are frequendy tactless—for to them diplomacy savours of guile, which they detest. They are also inclined to be stern, severe and heavy in manner, even to those they love deeply, and are very quick-tempered when there is any suggestion of their honour or dignity being impugned.

Leos love to perform, and be the centre of attention all the time. If there is a boy trying to impress all the girls in the playground by balancing on the walls or doing something else to attract attention, then you can be pretty sure that he is a Leo.

Leos love flattery. And they lap up praise like a cat who has been given a bowl of cream. For they never doubt that people really mean it, and that they fully deserve it.

Leos are not the type to reflect on things. You can bet on it that the gentle boys, with whom you can sit and chat for hours, were definitely not born under the sign of Leo. On the other hand, Leos are often very generous and warm people.

Ask a Leo for a piece of advice, and you can be sure of his help. And don't be afraid to follow it. But do not try and return the favour, for good advice is something one dispenses to one's subjects, and as you know, a king has no superiors.

Leos do everything in the extreme. When Leos are on the go, there is a regular buzz of activity all around. But when they stop, they can be so incredibly lazy that they will not lift a finger and get everyone else to wait on them.

Their convictions usually become settled early in life, and are rarely changed or modified later; they are expressed dogmatically, even defiantly. The extreme Leo types are often very narrow-minded and bigoted.

Their ambition is great and their strength of will considerable, so that it is not surprising that they usually surmount all difficulties that lie between them and their goal. In obtaining their desires, they frequently appear ruthless; this is seldom the result of wanton cruelty, but springs from the belief that the few must be sacrificed for the ultimate good of the majority. Leo people are born to play the part of leaders, and they have the gift of inspiring rare devotion in those who believe in them.

In money matters Leo folk are usually favoured by fortune, and they may rise to the position of financial magnates; if they do, it will not be through trickery, but as a result of their own energy and natural gifts. They will wish to share their wealth with others, and will subscribe freely to charities, but at the same time will surround themselves with all the luxury and refinement that money can command; in the lower types, this will be manifested as vulgar ostentation. Indeed, a love of display characterizes all Leo subjects, and they have a marked predilection for all that flashes and glitters, especially gold, brass and bright metal objects, strong sunshine and brilliant colours.

The less highly developed Leo subjects may be boastful, vulgar and ostentatious, arrogant and tyrannical and possessed of a mania for popularity. They are usually absurdly sensitive on points of dignity, and may also be wasteful and recklessly extravagant.