I look forward every year to the summer Sun’s journey through Leo. I use this as a time to recharge my batteries, amplify my inspiration, and burn through old habits and patterns of resistance and fear.
Leo energy has a direct connection to the Sun, which is why it’s often called the most powerful zodiac sign. Leo’s solar energy is filled with passion and vitality. It offers us the ability to live life to the fullest and burn through all types of resistance, fatigue, confusion and limiting perceptions of who we are.
Leo requires us to be fully present. Because of its creative power, Leo energy can hold a strong shadow. Leo’s shadow can be active whenever we’re holding on to the past in any way, whether through fear of letting go, or feelings of resistance, frustration, anger or misplaced responsibility. In all these ways the intensity of Leo’s fiery energies can easily lead to stress and overwhelm.
Because the Sun is activating these energies now, this is a great time to work with any of these patterns that you are noticing are active in yourself. By connecting with the Sun’s light you can receive your own infusions of vitality and courage. You’ll find the inner strength you need to face any challenge in your life with optimism, inspiration and courage.
Sun In Leo: Inspired Courage
When the Sun is in Leo we have a unique opportunity to connect more fully to our own powers of inner radiance. In astrology Leo is ruled by the Sun, meaning that it holds a very unique quality of solar power and light.
The Major Arcana tarot cards for Leo shown below express the personal qualities that the Sun is activating for you now as it journeys through these energies.
The Osho card for Leo is called Courage. The image here shows the inner strength required to grow as an individual and express your unique beauty and creative powers. The light radiating from the flower shows the radiance of the light that we each radiate when we show up fully to our circumstances from the power of our hearts.
True courage requires the willingness to be true to yourself. In order to germinate, a seed must shatter its protective coat and expand as a vulnerable shoot into new territory.
Growing from a seed to a blooming flower can be an arduous journey. Every step of the way requires the willingness to face a new challenge in order to grow and flourish. We are all learning to bloom where we are planted.
The Lust card also represents Leo and beautifully expresses the transforming power of the inner flame of your creative Spirit. In traditional decks this card is known as “Strength.” The word Lust is short for “Luster”, referring to the powerful golden radiance of your inner light.
The figures in the card remind us of the story of Beauty and the Beast. As Beauty faces her fears, represented by the shadowy figures around her, she and the lion (her inner strength) transform into fiery gold. Together they heal and prepare to emerge in all their glory from the shadows of the past.
Creative Potential: Totality vs. Stress
As I write this message the Sun is transiting 23 Leo, which holds the beautiful archetype shown here of a daring circus performer. The text for this archetype is “In a circus, the bareback rider displays her dangerous skill.”
Imagine yourself as the bareback rider. You are using all of your tools, body, mind, and spirit, to rise to the occasion and face your challenges with audacious courage, exhilaration and grace. Your horse represents your connection to your vast depths of inner power and spiritual support.
This expression of pure creativity and virtuosity represents what happens when we live from our inspiration. Leo’s fire gives us the courage to risk being a complete individual, our innate brilliance on display for all to see.
This reminds us that when we show up in totality, life can be filled with adventure and fun. The more we are willing to be fully available, to take risks, and to display our brilliance, the more we will inspire others to their own feats of courage.
Our challenges may seem insurmountable, however, our spirits have access to infinite creative powers.