The constellation Leo has always been associated with fire and the sun. The ancient Egyptians saw Leo in relation to summertime and the annual flooding of the Nile River, which was necessary to assure a bountiful harvest. To escape the heat of the desert, lions moved onto the river banks during the summer months. There they could have plenty of refreshing water to drink and splash around in to cool off. Lions were depicted on statues up and down the Nile.
Leo has numerous bright stars. Ancient peoples saw Regula, the brightest one, as a reason for the summer being so hot. Regula shines a beautiful and flashy red.
Greek mythology relates Leo to the tale of the Nemean lion. Killing the Nemean lion was the first of the twelve labors of Hercules. Son of the monster Typhon, the lion was nursed by Hera and adored by the moon goddess Selene. His magical pelt could not be pierced by any weapon of the time. Angry at her husband Zeus, Hera sent the lion to Nemea where Zeus had an important shrine. Worshipers had to pass by the ferocious beast in order to reach the shrine. The tactic undoubtedly cut down on offerings to Zeus. It backfired on Hera, however.
Hercules, turned insane from a spell by Hera, murdered his wife and children. As part of his sentence, he had to perform twelve seemingly impossible labors. Killing the Nemean lion was first on the list. Not knowing of the lion’s indestructible pelt, Hercules first tried spears and arrows. Finally realizing the situation, he strangled the lion with his bare hands. As proof of his deed, he was supposed to skin the lion and bring the pelt to the king. He had to use the lion’s own claws to remove the pelt. Hercules ended up wearing it as a kind of protective shield. In anguish at his death, Hera placed the great lion in the night sky where he could be close to his beloved Selene.
Leo is a fire sign ruled by the sun. People born with sun in Leo are fiery, dynamic, and spontaneously creative. They can be bossy and opinionated at times but are basically broadminded. Leos are tremendously loving and generous. They have big hearts and are loyal to family and friends. Great with children, they are able to command respect but are also good at letting their inner child come out and play. Leos love to be in the limelight. Their enthusiasm makes them engaging, charismatic, and fun to be around. Leo is associated with the colors red, gold, and bright yellow. Power stones include ruby, amber, and golden topaz.
The glyph representing Leo symbolizes a crouching lion.
There goes Hera again, orchestrating matters that eventually blow up in her face. I had no idea Hercules was driven insane by one of her enchantments and ended up killing his wife and children. How sad. And how sad that the Nemean lion got caught up in the web. Lions are such proud creatures. I would never want to come across one in the wild, but I am happy to admire them from afar!
Isn’t that the truth? Hera is often her own worst enemy. The death of the noble Nemean lion made me sad too.