Leo Zodiac Sign: Characteristics & Associated Crystals

Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. These folks are impossible to miss since they love being center stage. Making an impression is Job #1 for Leos, and when you consider their personal magnetism, you see the job is quite easy. Leos are an ambitious lot, and their strength of purpose allows them to accomplish a great deal. The fact that this horoscope sign is also creative makes their endeavors fun for them and everyone else.

It’s quite common to see a Leo on stage or in Hollywood since these folks never shy away from the limelight. They are also supremely talented and have a flair for the dramatic. Warmth and enthusiasm seem to seep from every Leo pore, making these folks a pleasure to be around. They do love pleasure and being the center of attention!

Leo Symbolism + Myth

The Leo zodiac symbol is the Lion, named for the stellar constellation this sign corresponded to by the astrologers of the old world. The astrological symbol of the Lion goes back to Greek mythology, when it was associated with the Lion that Heracles overcame in a heroic mythological battle. Since then it is a symbol of victory, pride, and courage.

The constellation of Leo contains many bright stars, one of which is called Regulus, which means “the little king” and lends some of the magical and regal connotations to the Lion’s sign. In Latin, Leo means “lion”, becoming the official name for this sign in western astrology through translations of ancient astrological texts.

Leo Element, Mode, and Season

Summer

In the western tropical zodiac, Leo season begins on July 23, commencing the middle and height of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time of year when the sun, Leo’s planetary ruler, is at its most potent strength, heat, and light. The Leo archetype radiates proud “solar” confidence, heart-felt courage, and is linked to the celebration of the fruits of Summer.

Fixed Mode

Leo is the second of the four fixed signs of the zodiac, who all hold an elemental energy of endurance and stability in the center phase of the four seasons. Leo begins the middle, and height of Summer, the symbolic source of this sign’s assured, well-established, and sustained confidence.

Fire Element

Leo’s element is fire, the lightest, brightest element, thought by ancient astrologers to be akin to the divine light of the stars and the vital, life-living rays of the sun. Leo’s affinity for leadership, performance, self-promotion, and courage are kindled in the fire element.

Leo Characteristics

Personality

Leo’s archetypal traits are derived from its active, masculine, or yang qualities, making this sign oriented toward assertive engagement with the outer world. Alive in both a Leo woman or Leo man, those born with the sun-god as their rising, sun, or moon sign have radiant energy in their core personality—like the solar power in the heart of Summer.

As a fixed sign, the Lion holds the qualities of being a sustainer, making those with Leo in their charts great at dedicating themselves passionately to projects as well as taking leadership in inspiring their team. Ruled by the sun, these natives can be thought of as the “performers” of the zodiac that will courageously set themselves in the center of any dynamic.

Strengths

Being natural-born leaders, the primary strengths of Leo are courage and confidence. Being born with a sunny, solar disposition, they usually find it easy to feel happy, enthusiastic, and optimistic. When embarking on their journeys and endeavors in life, those with strong, well-supported Leo chart placements rarely question themselves and can usually access a strong baseline of self-assuredness.

Leos have a great sense of pride and loyalty, and if you let them shine in your world and give them the praise and adoration that makes them feel alive, they will be a friend for life. Being so confident and optimistic themselves, they tend to see their friends and loved ones through the same lens, encouraging their abilities and self-confidence as well.

In enjoying life’s pleasures, and wealth, they tend to be very generous with others, showing love and appreciation with fine gifts and experiences. Leadership is a natural strength for this sign in the sense that they can be a figurehead or representative of an idea, a group philosophy, project, or movement. Unless their charts lend other more earthy placements, their leadership strong suit will not necessarily be administrative, but rather inspirational, keeping everyone connected to a message and purpose through their motivating presence.

Those born with strong Leo placements tend to be artistic and express their fiery nature through body movement as well as active, stimulating, and bold art forms. Leo’s connection with royalty and rulership lends a regal and magnanimous presence to the embodiment of those born under the Lion’s sign.

Weaknesses

Some sources of weakness for Leo are rooted in their great strengths. Being a fixed fire sign, Leos can get passionately “fixed” in their opinions or principles and proudly defend these long after they even believe in them anymore. Because of their great pride, it may be difficult for them to admit when they have been wrong, or hasty.

A helpful practice to balance an overly dominant or overly self-centered Leo nature can be to engage in active listening and taking time to consider another’s point of view. The Leo hunger to be in the limelight can make them rather ruthless and self-serving, making it important for them to remember the people that supported their ascension to success along the way.

At the core of Leo-type personality imbalances is a surprising vulnerability and insecurity that others may not see because of the way they project confidence regardless of how they may be feeling. It points to a potential over-dependency on compliments, soothing, and assurance from friends and family that can be exhausting and unrealistic for all parties to sustain.

The deepest pitfalls for Leo can be their own vanity and jealousy, which are intrinsically linked. In need to have constant assurance and attention from their lovers, they can become deeply jealous and competitive with anyone who tries to share the affections of those they care about. This is an important message to teach Leo children; there is enough love in the world for everyone, and everyone needs a chance to shine.

Leo Compatibility

When exploring overall compatibility in astrology, it’s important to take more than the sun sign into consideration, as other planetary cross-connections will tell the whole story in relationships. That being said, these natives will tend to blend best with fire signs and air signs; and may need to work harder on relationships with water signs and earth signs.

Fire Signs

Leo will typically find great affinity with other fire signs, as they will understand each other’s impulsive, spontaneous nature. Aries and Sagittarius can handle its heat and are individualistic enough to not have to compete for Leo’s spotlight.

Two Leos have the potential to be a great match, as they understand each other’s needs and motivations, and are drawn to the same creative pursuits. Drama could arise, however, if they don’t know how to share the stage or compromise to meet their partner’s needs. They could have a great affinity or great rivalry, with either scenario stoking very strong passions.

Air Signs

Air signs bring a natural complementary energy to Leo, as air feeds fire, stoking it to grow and become more alive. Gemini and Libra bring a playfulness, sociability, and curiosity to Leo’s love of pleasure and celebration.

Ruled by Saturn, Aquarius brings discernment, thoughtfulness, and objectivity to this proud and solar-ruled sign. And together, they potentially have an “opposites attract” connection that can be either magnetic or polarizing. Leo teaches Aquarius to get out of their head and live in the moment, to put themselves first. While Aquarius teaches Leo the benefits of patience, time-tested knowledge, and considering all sides of an argument.

Water Signs

Water signs may have the biggest challenge when relating to Lion, even though they may bring vulnerability and emotional intelligence to help cool and counterbalance Leo’s proud, self-focused, and reactive tendencies.

Cancer will be very good at caring for Leo, which Leo will love, but may prefer to stay in when Leo wants to go out.

Pisces will potentially be a great creative collaborator for Leo, yet may be too sensitive and private to fully enjoy Leo’s performative world. Mars-ruled Scorpio can bring sexual potency to a relationship with Leo, but with Leo’s jealous tendencies and Scorpio’s possessive nature, this is a potentially volatile match that needs to be handled with awareness and emotional maturity to work out.

Earth Signs

Earth signs can potentially stabilize the Lion’s dramatic nature, with Capricorn, the authoritative cardinal earth sign, having the fortitude to stand their ground in the face of Leo’s demands. Taurus, although a kindred soul in loving life’s pleasures and beauty, is just as stubborn and unwilling to compromise as Leo can be, making this match a hard one to navigate.

Virgo may be too demure and focused on doing things perfectly to enjoy the scrutiny of Leo’s on-stage life. In general, when this sign joins forces with earth signs in work, they can cover a lot of ground together, with earth signs offering the practicality and dependability to collaborate and help support Leo’s bold campaigns and ideas.

Extracts from Astrology.com

Crystals for the Cancer Star Sign


Carnelian	Tigers Eye	Citrine	Garnet
Carnelian helps Leos in boosting their self-esteem and creativity. It encourages steadfastness, and helps Leos to stay dedicated to their goals. Carnelian helps boost the Sacral Chakra to restore vitality and motivation, and stimulates creativity. It promotes courage, luck, and motivates for success.	Tigers Eye has great affinity with Leos. Tigers Eye carries the energy of the Sun with its high vibration to stimulate Leos natural abilities and to manifest Leos intentions. It promotes will power, purpose, courage and self-confidence. Tigers Eye promotes Leos’ abilities and talents and unleashes their creativity.	Citrine raises self-esteem and self-confidence. Stimulates the brain, strengthening the intellect. Citrine promotes the positive quality of Leos. It enhances motivation, activates creativity and encourages self-expression. Citrine promotes concentration and revitalizes the mind.	Garnet brings enhances a Leo’s love life and adds passion and luck to relationships. Garnet balances a Leo’s sex drive and alleviates emotional disharmony. Garnet sharpens perceptions of oneself and others. Garnet removes inhibitions and taboos. It opens the heart and strengthens a Leo’s self-confidence.

Leo Zodiac Sign: Characteristics & Associated Crystals

Leo Symbolism + Myth