Leo

The Lion flames. There the sun's course runs hottest.
Empty of grain the arid fields appear
When first the sun into the Lion enters. 

Aratos
 

Leo
July 23 to August 22 

The fifth sign of the zodiac, Leo, is a fixed fire sign which rules the heart.  It is considered a positive (extovert) masculine sign.  The sun enters the sign Leo on or about the 22nd of July each year, and departs from the sign on or about the 22d of August. The Lion is the symbol of Leo, and the characteristics that are associated with that animal also describe the characteristics of that sign--strength, independence, individuality, courageous, and regal.

The key phrase for Leo is 'I will', and like all fire signs, the Leo is fond of physical and social activity. The month of August is dominated by the all-powerful Sun.  The glyph for Leo resembles the tail of the lion or a combination of the tail and the main.  The symbol for the Sun is a circle with a dot in the middle.  The circle echoes the shape of the Sun, and the dot symbolizes the infinite source of Divine energy and vitality within each and every one of us.  

Leo’s brightest star, Regulus, (Little King)  has long been associated with things strong, mighty, and regal. The ancient belief was that it ruled the affairs of heaven, and with astrologers it was always a fortunate star. In the ancient world, it was believed that Regulus made a contribution towards the heat of summer.

The Sumerians, Babylonians, Persians, and Syrians all revered Leo the Lion, and the Egyptians  recognized Leo, as well, but to them, the  constellation had more to do with the Nile river than with the  mythical lion.  For them, the sign of Leo coincided with the inundation of the Nile.  The Romans also connected this constellation to the god of wine, Bacchus, as he often dressed in the skins of lions. In Greek and Roman mythology, Leo is associated with Nemean the lion which was terrorizing the people of Nemes in ancient Greece.  In Peru, the stars of Leo are supposed to picture a puma springing upon his prey, and the  Mexicans also worshipped the Lion.  In early Britain, the chief Druid wasand the chief Druid of Britain was styled "a Lion."

The Lion of Judah was the symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah in the Book of Genesis, and the constellation appears in the Hebrew zodiac.  It was this tribal symbol of Judah that appeared emblazoned on the shield of Richard the Lionheart. The association of Leo with Judah arose from the fact that Leo was Judah's natal sign, and in the Bible we find frequent allusions to this connection between Leo and the tribe of Judah. Thus we read:  "Judah is a lion's whelp; On prey, my son, have you grown. He crouches, lies down like a lion.

Christians regarded Leo as a symbol of the Lion’s Den in the Book of Daniel. The biblical story of how Daniel was cast into the lion’s den is also well-known.    Also, in a dream, Daniel spoke of four great beasts coming out of the sea, the first of which was like a lion with eagle’s wings. The lion was made to stand on his feet as a man and was given a man’s heart.   

The birthstone for Leo is the Peridot.  The ancient Egyptians called them the gem of the sun because of their dazzling brilliance when seen in the desert sun.  They believed that it would send evil spirits away, lessen one's thirst in fever when placed underneath the tongue, and to drive out nighttime terrors when placed in gold. Alternate stones for Leo are the onyx,  Carnelian, Sardonyx and Ruby.

Flowers and Herbs: Marigold, sunflower, hops. 

Tree: Willow.
Color: Gold, yellow, blood red, green.
Bird: Peacok, cock, eagle.