ASTROLOGY - BEGINNERS LEVEL

COURSE TAUGHT BY HAMIDA EUGENIA GABRIELLI

THE ZODIAC SIGNS/ Leo

SYMBOL

ELEMENT Fire

MODALITY Fixed

KEY PHRASE I express

METAL Gold

RULING BODY Sun

MOMENT OF THE PROCESS IT SYMBOLISES Time of self-affirmation,

self-expression

The ruling body of Leo is:

SUN

Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. From the point of view of the temporal sequence that is the zodiac,
Leo represents a time of internal-external assertion. The “outside” validates me. The “crisis” of the
previous phase is resolved (where something had to be left outside in order to close off and protect).
This is a moment of self-affirmation, creativity, self-expression.

We are again faced with a fire sign which is clearly masculine, in the sense that is extroverted. Leo is
a fixed fire sign. In Cancer (a cardinal sign) a new process was initiated in which forms appeared and
with this fixed fire energy the “self-awareness” of the form appears. The form that is aware of itself.
Leo accumulates identity. All the identity that Cancer puts into family and into belonging, in Leo it is
captured and placed in oneself.

The Sun is in Leo from 23rd July until 22nd August approximately.

Purpose of the energy: to differentiate one’s identity, to express what was created in the last phase,
to radiate, to create resonance from this radiation.

In Cancer, identity through belonging appears. In Leo the identity is captured and placed in oneself.
“Identity is within me and in nothing else outside”: this is Leo’s process.

In Leo, there is the discovery of difference. There is a very clear “I”. Energetically there is a need for a
“response from the outside”. Leo needs validation for its own identity. From this point of view it is
the sign of the “individual”. This ability to “be”, this feeling of differentiating oneself from others to
“be”.
ASTROLOGY - BEGINNERS LEVEL
COURSE TAUGHT BY HAMIDA EUGENIA GABRIELLI

The energetical archetype for Leo is the Sun. This is something that is fixed, focused, very stable and
is an abundant source of energy. So, energetically in the world of Leo, there is this feeling that there
is great creative power, in the sense that they manifest themselves as being very powerful, they
radiate and are themselves (they have a well-defined limit which gives them a clear sense of self).

What is the movement of Leo like? It mimics the movement of the solar system: there is a centre
and outer edges, a centre which radiates towards the outer edges. Leo constantly radiates towards
the outer edges, it expresses itself in that direction, so that the outer edges can give back
encouragement and power. Cancer’s movement on the other hand, involved concentrating and
excluding.

Leo represents the ability to express oneself, to show oneself with awareness of self. Energetically
we could say that in Cancer a nucleus was formed, a feeling of “I am”, an identity, and Leo is the step
in which this identity is manifested outwards. “I am and I show it”, it is characteristic of this energy
to show everyone “what I am”, let out everything that I have inside. This is what the Sun does: it
burns and radiates. It has to do with radiating from a fixed centre. Leonine energy is associated with
self-expression and generate resonance by doing so .

LEO PSYCHOLOGY

Leonine archetypes: The king or the queen: they are at the centre but they need to have people to
rule over. The two are interconnected, one fulfils the function of bringing together (the
king/queen) and the other fulfils the function of being brought together (the people)

Psychological characteristics

- Leo represents an energy that is very centred in itself, that radiates outwards. Focusing and
expressing oneself are the two basic characteristics of Leo. Also, “being aware of oneself”, that is to
say, to be conscious of the fact that you are expressing yourself.
- Leo is aware of feeling different, of knowing who they are, irrespective of belonging. They feel that
they have discovered something valuable inside themselves and they need to show it.
- Leo is someone who is organised and expressive. They are driven by recognition. They fit in
naturally and gain a certain outside response from what they express. This is what is known as
RADIATION energetically speaking.
- Leo is an “adolescent identity”, it is happy to have found its own identity, but it is not a mature
identity in itself, it has still not found its limits. A leonine nature gives the sensation of “having no
limits”. Aries is the same, but in Leo there is an awareness of this and that is what commonly annoys
others.
- Leo is “self-expressive”, it is a sign of artists, but those we would call “modern artists”, that is to
say, the artist that tries to create something valuable and everyone knows that they created it. Leo
creates and autographs their work. They would not be “zen painters” trying to connect with beauty.
- Leo is very theatrical. They are very dramatic, as they are so aware of themselves and have such an
ability to resonate with others, everything that happens to them has a very dramatic intensity. It is
very common for someone with Leo energy to exaggerate, as they put all of their energy into
something. Of course they themselves do not notice the exaggeration.
- Everything that is dark is very difficult for Leo. Everything that cannot be illuminated, clarified or
demonstrated will be very disturbing. Leo longs to say: “I am in charge of my life”. It is hard for them
to accept the existence of dark subconscious forces, of the shadow. That is why they do not want to
see pain, sorrow, suffering. Leo tends to deny everything that is painful and sad.
- The work from Leo will be to deactivate the wants and whims of the ego, to meet “the self”, with
the inspirations that arise from the depths of the heart.
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COURSE TAUGHT BY HAMIDA EUGENIA GABRIELLI

Physically
When a Leo enters a place, you feel it. It is someone who displays a lot of energy, that is centred on
the self. The importance given to hair is significant, especially in women. There is something very
enthusiastic about Leo when they display themselves, they do not want to look indifferent.
Medium to tall height, broad shoulders, proud appearance (head held high and straight). The face
has a high forehead, high cheekbones, a slightly wider mouth. The nostrils are usually slightly flared.
Very expressive eyes, and lively, attentive gaze. Examples of Ascendant in Leo: Tina Turner, Frida
Kahlo.

Emotionally
This is a person with intense emotions, who is sentimental, very passionate, romantic. They tend to
be extremely emotional. They are very demonstrative with their emotions and they experience love
in a very intense, passionate manner, and sometimes with dramatic overtones.

Mentally
Generally Leo has a very clear and organised mind. They tend to think (like all fire signs) in terms of
action, and they are not speculative or explanatory. Leo loves to think in terms of organisation,
always with a practical purpose. Leo's thinking is concise, not analytical. Details make every fire sign
very nervous.

Qualities
Leo is magnanimous, generous, and organises things well: they bring together and organise their
surroundings. They are conductors and leaders par excellence. Leo is enthusiastic, full of life and
initiative. They are always aware of their merits. They have a lot of charisma, vitality and are very
generous. They have a strong capacity for self-expression, they are genuine and tend to occupy
centre-stage.
Someone with a lot of Leo is magnetic, with a strong capacity to mobilise others.

Possible difficulties
Egocentric, overambitious, vain. They almost never see their limits (it is very difficult for them to see
the shadow). They can be very self-centred and it is hard for them to see others because they are
very focused on looking at themselves. They tend to be dramatic and exaggerate too much.
Another leonine flaw is pride, the feeling of being different, because “I have achieved something
that others cannot”. The energy of Leo, naturally, is to be pleased with oneself. Leo does not
understand that the other signs may not be.
It is difficult for Leo to be criticised, for their flaws to be pointed out. Another difficulty is narcissism
(as a result of being very pleased with themselves), and more so if this generates positive feedback.
They can rely a lot on the recognition and approval of others. They can be very reliant on an image.
If Leo is in shadow, it could be that a person finds it difficult to recognise their brilliance and
leadership capacity. It is likely that they will project these qualities onto others who they admire or
envy.

Archetypal leonine activities

Actor, opera singer (“O Sole Mío” is pure Leo), director, modern artist, president. Leader of any
organisation, any position involving organisation or management.

Correspondence with the human body

Parts of the body: the heart, the solar plexus, the outer back (not the spine which is Capricorn).
Body functions: Blood circulation (this is a Leo-Aquarius matter)
ASTROLOGY - BEGINNERS LEVEL
COURSE TAUGHT BY HAMIDA EUGENIA GABRIELLI

Physiological relationships and illness

The most common diseases are heart and spinal cord conditions, and pain in back, angina,
palpitations.

Leonine situations
The inauguration of a president, a coronation, the bride and groom in a marriage, etc.

Metals, stones
Gold, ruby.

Leo animals
Lion

Famous people with this energy

Napoleon Bonaparte (Sun in Leo, Moon in Capricorn and Ascendant in Scorpio). French soldier and
statesman. For just over a decade, he took control of almost all of Western and Central Europe
through a series of conquests and alliances. The anecdotes about his self-centred and despotic
personality are well-known. Mick Jagger (Sun in Leo, Moon in Taurus, Ascendant in Gemini). Singer
from the Rolling Stones, he was interested in music from a young age. With indisputable, intelligent,
overflowing and intense talent, he managed to captivate, set trends and influence society. He has
several planets in Leo, which define his charisma, originality, and unusual narcissistic temperament.
He has a history of recognitions, awards, and notoriety. Carl Jung (Sun in Leo, Moon in Taurus,
Ascendant in Aquarius). Swiss psychiatrist, psychologist and writer. Disciple of Freud, he went
beyond what his teacher proposed by introducing the concepts of "archetype" and "collective
unconscious". The whole proposal of Jungian psychology is very leonine: the process of
individuation. That is, emancipating oneself from the archetypes of the collective unconscious to find
the self and become an individual.