The capacity for Leo to encourage and lead is symbolized by the Lion. In that depiction, Leo leads with their left paw and moves forward with their left leg, symbolizing their connection with their heart and courage. The tail is expressing their enthusiasm.

The Glyph of Leo symbolizes the shining from the heart encouraging the hearts of others. 

Leo and the Body

Leo is associated with the area of the heart and its outward expression.

Sun in Leo

Leo tends to shine and offer encouragement. It is a royal quality that takes natural pride in the accomplishments that come from embracing the full radiance of their potential. In that respect, Leo tends to encourage others to reconnect to that same enthusiasm and to the courage of their own hearts. When people are stressed in a social situation, such as having to give a talk, they tend to automatically seek out contact with Leo energy, often through eye contact, in order to gain re-assurance and encouragement.

When Leo loses connection to their natural enthusiasm and trust in the shining of their own heart, they tend to seek to recapture that experience of shining by seeking attention, the spotlight or through pride or arrogance. Often, Leo may choose to hide in order to protect their pride until they regain the natural expression of their heart.

Leo rules the heart and is associated with leadership, risk, gambling, gold, children and pride.

Key Words and Phrases

Leo Is Established in their Heart and Shining:

Shining, Generosity, Encouraging, Proud, Courageous, Creative, Playful, Generous, Good hearted, Sunny, Shining

Leo Loses the Enthusiasm of their Own Heart:

Attention seeking, Arrogant, Bossy, Hiding

Famous People with the Sun in Leo

Ben Affleck, Neil Armstrong, Halle Berry, Usain Bolt, Sandra Bullock, Kate Bush, Fidel Castro, Rosalynn Carter, Hugo Chavez, Dick Cheney, Julia Child, Bill Clinton, Robert De Niro David Duchovny, Amelia Earhart, Henry Ford, Dustin Hoffman, Mick Jagger, Carl Jung, Jackie Kennedy, Jennifer Lopez, Napoleon, Sean Penn, Oscar Peterson, J.K. Rowling, Robert Redford, Martha Stewart, Hillary Swank, Billy Bob Thorton, Mae West, Steve Wozniak, Orville Wright

Moon in Leo

With the Moon in Leo there is a feeling or need to shine, to seek appropriate recognition, attention or praise. There tends to be generosity towards others and a sharing or nurturing through encouragement. Often the mother is experienced as prideful in showing a Leo child off.

When not taking care of their enthusiasm and feelings, people with the Moon in Leo may grandstand or show off in order to receive attention or to protect their pride, by hiding to avoid attention or the spotlight.

Leo and Mercury Retrograde

Leo can set themselves up for mercury retrograde by the need to shine, to be generous or to have an appreciative audience experience. When Leo acts out of pride or the need to make the grand gesture, they may overlook the consequences. For example, they may end up picking up the tab in the restaurant, but forget how it may affect their account balance, or be over-generous with their offer of time or support, and when others take them up on it, find themselves juggling their schedule and priorities.

When caught by their pride, Leo can be at risk for taking on tasks beyond their experience or abilities. An over-confidence can pull Leo to risk or let the dice roll with without assessing the full consequences of their choices.