posted July 24, 2006 11:12 AM            

Though Leo is mostly thought of as shallow—caring most about outer appearances—it actually carries an inner vision sourced in a deep desire to powerfully express personal creativity. More than any other sign, Leo rules creative actualization of the self; the ego. Ego is the self, knowing and creatively actualizing itself, in all its complexity and beauty… yes, complexity and beauty. The more we know about who we are the more complex our view of self becomes and consequently we begin to become more adept at skillfully dealing with a wider rage of experience. This is what I call creative mindfulness: opening awareness to a deeper, yet broader experience of the ramifications of action.

Leo rules personal power. What exactly does that mean? In our world it usually means a kind of power-over, which expresses itself in everything from caring only about personal gain and exerting excessive influence over others, to war mongering, exploitation and land grabbing. I have written quite extensively about these harmful qualities in my article on Saturn in Leo.

posted July 30, 2006 09:50 PM              

I'm inclined to give the New Moon in Leo more kudos than you for having showed me a special kind of mercy these days. But I never would have read that and received a very heart-felt confirmation had you not posted it. Good work!

If you read anything about any of my Sun/Leo/5th House issues, you know I've not been all that proud of my NN in Leo, as if I did NOT feel I was achieving any of the better and funner assets it can offer. Like, I want to get up right along up there with Ashley Simpson doing the ho-down ... yeah?

But you know what? It's like one of those interpretations of a particular Sign which you feel you are really beginning to understand, and for me, it's an attempt to try to "update" or "append", if you will, the status quo of the more generic understanding. There is A LOT more complexity to it, yet, so difficult to define -- one of the twin traits of its Opposite Sign, Aquarius.

I want to kind of freeflow expound on it here and now, as it is in honor of this moment and what the article inspired in me.

In the very first sentence, it really sums up one end of the bridge that I am about to cross over. Even though I've been struggling with this energy, even I have caught myself thinking of the more shallow traits, maybe because when you have many more inward energies in the Chart, the Sun/Leo/5th House issues just feel like a microphone being shoved up your nose, or a spot light fit for searching war planes, not your own heart.

I'm realizing that when this energy feels misunderstood, it is a great majority of what the energy's pride is about, so that like an Aquarius they want to turn people on to love in it's many forms, and if they feel they are just being a bummer, it literally hurts them in the Heart.

I do not have enough of this energy in my Chart to feel this full throttle, I'm thinking, because when I feel that same kind of pain in my heart, it seems to come MUCH more from my Cancer Moon than anything.

But I have enough chaos from the Leo stuff for it to be a horrible tease. So many things that I've defined my life to be about seems to be just melting away right now, and I couldn't welcome it any MORE or any quicker.

If there are any others with Sun/Leo/5th House issues, if they want to talk about it, does anything in this article pop out at you a little differently? Like the emphasis "yes, complexity and beauty" line ...

I also love the line about "creative mindfulness" ... it really does remind me that perhaps the stifling feeling I've carried around had to do with a lack of cooperation between my creative self and society. This is further explained with "opening awareness to a deeper, yet broader experience of the ramifications of action." This is HUGE!!! If one is not MINDFUL of their creative power, they are UNABLE to broaden their experiences and (effective) actions.

I LOVE that it questions what "personal power" really means, and reminding me that "in our world it usually means a kind of power-OVER ...

This is a wonderful reminder and example of how there is actually a useful job for Leo's during the age of the enertainment rags, and during this approach to the Age of Aquarius.

As for over-use of power? You know what ... honestly ... I believe Leo's are one of the first children to be told to curb their true personal power. NOT on purpose, but because of the previous generations' struggle with issues of creative (acceptable) power themselves, and do NOT know how to teach it! One may think, well, Leo's are show-off's and they don't need teachers ... but Sun/Leo/5th House energies are Fixed energies, NOT Cardinal. Fixed energies are more comfortable being approached by others, and in the mind of a child, if no one approaches you, it means you're unworthy.

This Fixed nature does not need to learn to be a leader, it needs to be Fixed in its "worthiness".

What do all you's think?

posted July 30, 2006 10:40 PM            

Glad the article was an inspiration for you! I try to post all her New and Full Moon interps – I think they’re spot on.

Now what about this “deep desire to powerfully express personal creativity” – is this what you mean when you wrote about the bridge you are about to cross over?? Loved your observation: “If one is not MINDFUL of their creative power, they are UNABLE to broaden their experiences and (effective) actions.”

And I loved Lisa’s take on TRUE personal power equating to leadership – not POWER OVER OTHERS. “Leo's most evolved form is the inspirational, full-hearted teacher/leader.” NOT the King or Queen!! “A real leader feels a tremendous responsibility to share their talent in an effort to make life better for everyone around us.”

You wrote “One may think Leo's are show-off's and they don't need teachers ... but Sun/Leo/5th House energies are Fixed energies, NOT Cardinal. Fixed energies are more comfortable being approached by others, and in the mind of a child, if no one approaches you, it means you're unworthy.” – ooooh, that one resonated with me. But I think the Cardinal Air Sun mitigates some of the Fixed energy that wants to Wait And See What They Need and How I Can Help. It’s something I still struggle with, Leo Asc or no. I’d like to see your chart sometime, Gloria – I don’t know that many Libras with Merc in Scorp (my e-addy is at my Profile). Where’s your Chiron?? And is your Uranus in the 5th?? I too have NN in the 5th but in Cappy….. and I believe that influence pushes me into leadership situations as much as my five Cardinal planets.

posted August 03, 2006 12:41 AM              

They are a complex sign, even though their outward bravado may conceal it. I don't believe it's benefitial to only take them at face value. For all their outward actions, the compelling force within them is reassurance of worthiness, which fills them to share and shine onwards. There's a vulnerability within them that can so easily shatter. For instance, from an Airy sign that mistakes their need of occasional reassurance as dependancy. There is a difference. Misinterpret and the roar of the indignant Lion will tip you off. That's what I mean by complex; Leos are immensly independant creatures, strengthened from their pride to face life's battles bravely on their own, yet, inwardly always longing for the warmth and generosity of love they give in such measure to be returned to them. Their pride will make it difficult for them to outright ask for reassurance, so if they do ask in sublte ways and are mistaken, judged or treated coldly in return for such a rare moment of opening, it's devestating to them. Imagine the sad downward face of a little child who has been scolded for his enthusiam or pushed away coldly when he's reaching in affection.

I have a Leo friend who I hadn't seen in years. When we were last together in the past, she had a brilliant golden glow about her. (blonde hair-beautiful and with a smile like the sun. Such a warm, friendly, loving girl.).
I recently reunited with her after 10 years and I was shocked to see the difference the years had made to her. There is no longer a glow about her. Her big Lion heart-light has finally been snuffed by the cruelties of life. Sexually molested by her father when young...years of being married to a man who has no respect for her. Now, teenage boys who treat her the same...her mother, dying of cancer.
It's one of the saddest things in the world to see a once enthusiastic, inspiring, beaming Leo, broken of their will to give the Love they so generously hope to-- instead having retreated into themselves for fear of the risk of rejection and lack of hope that their love is meaningful to anyone.

So, yes, WORTHINESS to create. To dream, to hope in all the beautiful imaginings of the Creative Beauty within that keeps them inspired to shine is so important to their well-being. And unlike it's perceived (It seems), it's not a cardinal quality of forcing or leading the outcome. It's a hope, their pride and fear of humiliation keeps them more quiet to demand or proclaim. (believe it or not, yes)
Leos are independant, but their generous kind of Love, needs reassurance and Love to fuel and keep it glowing to others. Love is everything to Leo. When they are loved, their creative inspiration is felt all around them.

I have Leo Moon in the 5th (well, on the 4th/5th cusp). Leo in some ways, others not. But enough to have some understanding.

posted August 03, 2006 11:42 PM            

At work, I sit next to a lovely Leo woman who is the epitome of a Lioness - beautiful, blonde, warm and loveable, but with a bit of an edge and can turn and strike just a bit with her regal disapproval, only to warm up again like a cloud passing momentarily in front of the sun. It's a lot of sunny fun.