When we look for the essence of the sign Leo, a powerful place of origin is rather obvious: ancient Egypt, with its famous Great Lion, the Sphinx of Giza.
Since the Great Lion is facing East, there is a high likelihood that it was waiting for the day that a specific star would rise before the sun, quite possibly the brilliant “Heart of the Lion,” Regulus. While the head of the Sphinx has been re-carved over the millennia to resemble a man/pharaoh looking at the morning horizon, the body, which appears to be thousands of years older, is clearly that of a Great Lion bearing its great heart: Leo.
Born in the midst of summer heat, Leos were viewed by the ancients as bearing the beautiful lion’s mane reflected by the rays of the brilliant sun – and many of you do! The lion was regal in demeanor and commanded the jungle, an independent leader. One might just want to consider our most recent leaders in the US as examples. Both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are Leo sun natives. George W. Bush has Leo rising, as does the Mama Grizzly Sarah Palin, the self-proclaimed “maverick” Aquarian. Whatever your political view is, both charisma and an aura of leadership surround Leo.
Leo also rules the fifth house of creativity, frisky lovemaking and children, and its ancestry proves it. Sekhmet is the Lion Mother goddess in Egyptian mythology, and she appears to be an incredibly ancient archetype of fierce courage and protection. Her origins go so far into antiquity that we can picture her benevolently ruling the African continent and the Middle East. Today we can sense the ancient echoes of her giant paws, and feel her powerful stare through the dark, as she is seeing that all is well in the land. Her energy represents the primal assertiveness and protection that serves all mothers, and Leo is the archetype of this.
Leo Sekhmet was called upon by the ancient Egyptians to protect them from illness and violent enemies. She fiercely defended her “children,” the people of Egypt, with her immense power. As the consort of the creator of the cosmos, Ptah, she is the passionate vital love that drives partners, families and even some leaders of nations and cultures to give everything for the others’ well-being. Sekhmet and Ptah are also the fiery source of creativity, as is Leo!
It is legend, and real experience to many people who visit, that the entrancing statue of Sekhmet in her chapel at Karnak is seen breathing and displaying various facial expressions. The research of Dr. Carmen Boulter describes how the Egyptians of many centuries ago would visit her as an oracle. They would ask a yes or no question. If the answer was no, she would shed a tear. If the answer was yes, a little smile would appear. Sehkmet was also shown as one of the female protectors of the Pharaoh, along with Isis and Hathor. The ancient Egyptians believed that the most conscious person would be the ruler, and was accorded the divine guidance of the goddesses.
Sekhmet’s playful side was expressed through her feline sister, Bastet, whose statue is that of a domestic cat. The site of her annual festival was her sacred house at Bubastis. While it might be better known as the burial site of many sacred pet cats, the parties that took place on the way to her celebration site might have made today’s Mardi Gras activities look tame. This was the celebration of the joy of life, creativity, recreation and procreation, and the revelry was sacred and treasured, and very much Leo’s domain.
So while Leo is considered a masculine sign in modern Western astrology, the Lion really reflects the fiery charge between masculine and feminine that is built through sexual energy to create something new and protect it. Understanding the necessity of the balance and integration of these energies is key to our success and survival borne within us as individuals, as couples, and as nations.
The Leo of our modern Western zodiac is a combination of these Egyptian myths and the Mesopotamian Great Lioness Goddesses Inanna, Ishtar and Lilith, ruling with lions at the foot of their thrones, indicating the tender mother/lover relationships working with, not against, the fire of life within each of us – human, animal or planet. This is the “Heart of the Lion,” the nurturing of all that is precious to us.
Leo, the source of your sign is as deep as the chambers that run beneath the Sphinx temple, but it doesn’t have to remain a mystery. It is the source of greatness within you. If you are a leader or a lover, you combine your masculine and feminine energies to create an environment of courageous compassion toward all life.
20 thoughts on “Leo and the Egyptian Zodiac”
Your connection of Leo with the Sphinx is a first step. As above so below, to understand the twelve divisions of our Celestial surroundings it was realised we must study the World regions to reveal the variations. Divide the World around the equator into twelve and begin with connecting Leo the lungs or heart land with Egypt. The next zone is the land of Virgo, Israel. The next is the balancing point of the body with the lzone of balance and karma. West of Leo is the zone of cancer and Stonehenge is coincidently this design when you look at it. Now start at the heads of Easter Island and work around the globe. Remember that each of the twelve signs are a connection to the twelve anatomical parts that combine to form the full body of Nut and Geb. Please let me know if you would like any additional information.
Born July 24, first day of Leo. Only child in my family with “red” hair, like the lion’s mane. Visual artist, extremely independent, probably too much for my own good. Very protective of my kids & grandkids. Men hate defiance, yet love being in my presence???????
It’s good, I’m impressed with your work.
Very interesting and detailed article! One interesting fact about Leo is that he was the brother of the Theban Sphinx (their parents were either the demons Typhon and Echidna or the Chimera and Orthrus.
Hi, I am a LEO born July 28th and I now understand myself a little bit better after reading your article. I must say that you hit my personality to a T. Hahaha. I love being a LEO and I think it’s the BEST sign in the zodiac. Thank You.
HI WOW GREAT ARTICLE I AM A LEO…I LOVE ANYTHING EGYPTIAN AS DOES MY MOTHER….I LOVE BIG CATS…VERY INTERESTING I HAVE HAD A HARD LIFE I GET MY STRENGTH FROM BEING A LEO ANDI LOVE TO SLEEP…LIKE ALION….LOL
I was born August 9, 1981.
&I too see myself complete and wholly through this article.
QUESTION though, AS A LEO WHY DO I HATE CATS?? I DON’T GET IT
AM, A LEO WOMAN WITH A HEART OF A LION THAT BEATS WITHIN ME!
I am a Leo ,I study Egyptology and love the fact that the original Black people, Masons and the Moores was educated there. That may be ts way I can’t learn enough about Egypt
Interesting. I always felt some fascination/connection to Egypt but didn’t know why. This might explain it. One day I will travel there….it has always been a dream of mine…..
Good article…i’m a Leo,now i know why i am always making sure that everyone around me are always happy…and i am very protective when it comes to loved ones….i also have a habit of spending and spending when it concerns them…hahahah…well i suppose it is all because i am a LEO…
Are Leo women more masculine than the average woman?
Hi all fellow Leos—- I was born on August 8th 1933 in Norfolk, Va. Being a Leo is both the most wonderful of birthdays and also the most excruciating . The artical is one of the best and most interesting I have ever read, and having just recently discovered Regulas “The Heart of thr Lion” I find it down right elctrifying. I plan on naming my new resturant and bar Sekmets Love. Good luck to all out there in cyber land.
That is the most interesting article I have ever read on a Leo..I am a LEO and believe me I fit almost all of that description. Now I know why I am the way I really am and always the great Lover …lol….I LOVE my Son…like that described…Love…thank you for an excellent article……Annna
GREAT MEN IN HISTORY HAVE BEEN LION. TO MY UNDERSTANDING NAPOLEON IS ONE THE BEST EXAMPLES. COURAGE,LEADERSIP, CONQUEROR, FIERCE, MAVERICK.
I’M A PROUD LION, I SEE MYSELF REFLECTED IN YOUR DESCRIPTION.
I love this article. I have had many Leo friends in my life. I am a virgo and my first TRUE love was a LEO. Good, warm people. thxs Deb
Wow- I really enjoyed this. One day, eventually, I will visit Egypt-always wanted too,
and being a Leo, even more now lol-very interesting!!
thanks,
miss krystal
As usual, you have written another insightful article on the myths that teach us about life! Can’t wait to read your next article!!! Kathleen
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Wonderful and insightful article.
The lion has always been a symbol of courage and strength for humanity. It is one of the great engeries in our collective consciousness that we may call on to get us through diffucult experience.