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Constellation Leo the Lion is one of the 12 ecliptic constellations and lies between Cancer and Virgo. It also borders Coma Berenices, Ursa Major, Leo Minor, Hydra, Sextans and Crater.
      Leo is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It spans over 40 degrees of the zodiac in the Signs of Leo and Virgo.
      Abbreviation: Leo
      Genitive: Leonis

Leo Constellation Stars

2000	2050	Star	Name	Sp. Class	Mag.	Orb
15♌18	16♌00	κ Leo	Al Minliar al Asad	K2	4.47	1°10′
17♌53	18♌35	λ Leo	Alterf	K5	4.32	1°10′
20♌43	21♌25	ε Leo	Ras Elased Australis	G0	2.97	1°50′
21♌26	22♌08	μ Leo	Ras Elased Borealis	K2	3.88	1°30′
24♌15	24♌57	ο Leo	Subra	F8	3.52	1°40′
27♌34	28♌16	ζ Leo	Adhafera	F0	3.43	1°40′
27♌55	28♌37	η Leo	Al Jabhah	A0	3.48	1°40′
29♌37	00♍20	γ Leo	Algieba	K0	2.08	2°10′
29♌50	00♍32	α Leo	Regulus	B7	1.36	2°30′
00♍25	01♍07	31 Leo	Yùnǚ	K4	4.39	1°10′
06♍24	07♍06	ρ Leo	Shir	B1	3.84	1°30′
10♍29	11♍11	72 Leo	Zubrah	M3	4.56	1°10′
11♍19	12♍02	δ Leo	Zosma	A4	2.56	2°00′
13♍26	14♍08	θ Leo	Coxa	A2	3.33	1°40′
16♍53	17♍35	92 Leo	Congguan	K1	5.26	1°00′
17♍34	18♍16	ι Leo	Tsze Tseang	F2	4.00	1°20′
18♍42	19♍25	σ Leo	Shang Tseang	B9	4.05	1°20′
18♍58	19♍41	93 Leo	Tziazi	G5	4.52	1°10′
21♍37	22♍19	β Leo	Denebola	A3	2.14	2°10′

α Leo is officially and traditionally named Regulus. The formation of this name begins with the ancient Greek name for this star: Βασιλισκος, “the (little) King,” having obvious origins among the Sumerians and Babylonians. The Romans, following the Greeks, called the star stella regis, “the Royal Star.” Later, the Medieval Latin Algamest, translating from the Arabic (where in one version the original Greek diminutive had been lost), had rex, “the King.” The form “Regulus” (again “the [little] King”) first appears in 1522 (considerably earlier than in Copernicus’ De revolutionibus orbium coelestium of 1543, which previous authors have cited as the first use of the name), obviously formed by some Renaissance scholar after the Greek diminutive name. [A Dictionary of Modern Star Names, Kunitzch, Smart, 2006, pp. 40-41.]

Leo Constellation Astrology

Manilius (@ 35 AD)

What Inclinations Leo’s Rays dispense
Is quickly known, ’tis plain to Common Sense,
He gives his Own; for he the Woods infests
The mighty Terror of the meaner Beasts:
He lives on Rapine, ranges all the Day,
And sullenly at Night groans o’re his Prey.
Hence he inclines Mens Minds to Hunt, and fills
Our Nobles spacious Halls with grinning spoyls;
There Skins and Horns do spread a dismal grace,
And stand as certain Heralds of their Race;
This Beast was mine, and that my Father’s game,
They cry, these are the Annals of their Fame:
That generous Youth which France and Spain did fear
Now prove the Humble Terror of a Deer.
Nay some in Towns pursue this wild delight.
Their barbarous grow, and breed up Beasts to fight;
Then bring them out for fight in Theaters,
And feast their Luxury with Bruitish Wars;
Cruel in Sport: Their Posts are grac’t with Spoyl,
And they get shameful Honour without Toyl:
He makes Men Warm, their Passions quickly rais’d,
Like Boys soon angry, and as soon appeas’d:
But Plain and Honest all their Thoughts sincere;
Pure as the Sun, and like the Water clear. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, Book 4, X, p. 11-12. (Creech, 1700).]

Who can doubt the nature of the monstrous Lion, and the pursuits he prescribes for those born beneath his sign? The lion ever devises fresh fights and fresh warfare on animals, and lives on spoil and pillaging of flocks. The sons of the Lion are filled with the urge to adorn their proud portals with pelts and to hang up on the walls the captured prey, to bring the peace of terror to the woods, and to live upon plunder. There are those whose like bent is not checked by the city-gates, but they swagger about in the heart of the capital with droves of beasts; they display mangled limbs at the shop-front, slaughter to meet the demands of luxury, and count it gain to kill. Their temper is equally prone to fitful wrath and ready withdrawal, and guileless are the sentiments of their honest hearts. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, Book 4, p.237. (Goold, 1977).]

ASCENDING

But when the Lion shews his ravenous Jaws
Prepared for Rapine, and unsheaths his Paws,
A Spendthrift’s born, who minds himself alone,
He wrongs his Father, and he cheats his Son:
His Race in vain with expectation wait,
For in himself he buries his Estate;
So fast his Gluttony, his Lust so wild
That he devours himself, yet is not fill’d:
And whilst his Appetite proceeds to crave
He eats his Funeral, and he spends his Grave. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, Book 4, X, p.26. (Creech, 1700).]

The man to whom the ravenous Lion has displayed its countenance through the topmost waves as it scales with jaws agape the arc of heaven, that man, sinning against his father and his sons, will not pass on his inheritance but will swallow his patrimony in his body. Such devouring hunger and such a dreadful passion for food take hold of his spirit that he consumes his very self [his resources] without ever sating it and devotes to his table even his funeral expenses and the price of a tomb. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, Book 4, p.265. (Goold, 1977).]

Ptolemy (@150 AD)

Of those in Leo, the two in the head act in the same way as Saturn and, to a less degree, as Mars; the three in the throat, the same as Saturn and, to a less degree, as Mercury; the bright star upon the heart, called Regulus, the same as Mars and Jupiter; those in the hip and the bright star in the tail,⁠ the same as Saturn and Venus; and those in the thighs, the same as Venus and, to a less degree, Mercury. Tetrabiblos, Ptolemy, 2nd century AD, Book 1, Chapter 9.

Maternus (@335 AD)

      13. Ascendant in Leo.   If the horoscope is found in Leo, the person who has such an hour will be involved in many labors and many dangers. But throughout his life he will be known to all, and will also be the property of one always innocent, having free power, and who [does not] exercise the poison of malice in all things; he will conceive vows of command and command, acquiring the faculty of substance by his own labors. But if Mars is found partially in this same place, or the Sun reflects him with square or diameter radiation, he will deny children in every way. But if Jupiter is found in a similar way, he will give one daughter.
      14.   If MC. is found in Taurus, he will have life in a public place or in a temple. But he will contract marriage with a woman who is a widow or raped by another or subjected and servile condition or an anu or who is publicly disgraced, and the greatest honor will be conferred on him by a very powerful man. But he will be knowledgeable in all things , and he will rejoice in the increase of prosperous fortune.
      15.   If it is set in Aquarius, his life will always have both increases and losses. He will be grateful, ***** but is approved in some things. If in Scorpio IMC. If Mars is found in this position, he will have leadership in certain matters. But if Mars looks at this place with any radiation, he will be in custody sometimes but free. But if Mars is found in this position in the morning rising, he will fight or be in charge of weapons, but he will die in foreign and strange places, being prostrated by a sudden or violent death. [Mathesis, Firmicus Maternus. @335 AD, Book 5, pp.8-9.]

Allen (1889)

Leo, the Lion… lies between Cancer and Virgo, the bright Denebola 5° north of the faint stars that mark the head of the latter constellation; but Ptolemy extended it to include among its ἀμόρφωτοι the group now Coma Berenices. In Greek and Roman myth this was respectively Λέων and Leo, representing the Nemean Lion, originally from the moon, and, after his earthly stay, carried back to the heavens with his slayer Hercules.

The Egyptian king Necepsos, and his philosopher Petosiris, taught that at the Creation the sun rose here near Denebola; and hence Leo was Domicilium Solis, the emblem of fire and heat, and, in astrology, the House of the Sun, governing the human heart, and reigning in modern days over Bohemia, France, Italy, and the cities of Bath, Bristol, and Taunton in England, and our Philadelphia. In ancient times Manilius wrote of it as ruling over Armenia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Macedon, and Phrygia. It was a fortunate sign, with red and green as its colors; and, according to Ampelius, was in charge of the wind Thrascias mentioned by Pliny, Seneca, and Vitruvius as coming from the north by a third northwest. ^[4]

Bullinger (1893)

Here we come to the end of the circle. We began with VIRGO, and we end with LEO. No one who has followed our interpretation can doubt that we have here the solving of the Riddle of the Sphinx. For its Head is VIRGO and its Tail is LEO! In LEO we reach the end of the Revelation as inspired in the Word of God; and it is the end as written in the heavens. BAILLY (Astronomy) says, “the Zodiac must have been first divided when the sun at the summer solstice was in 1^o Virgo, where the woman’s head joins the Lion’s tail.”

As to its antiquity there can be no doubt. JAMIESON says, “the Lion does not seem to have been placed among the Zodiacal symbols, because Hercules was fabled to have slain the Nemean Lion. It would seem, on the contrary, that Hercules, who represented the Sun, was said to have slain the Nemean Lion, because Leo, was already a Zodiacal sign. Hercules flourished 3,000 years ago, and consequently posterior to the period when the summer solstice accorded with Leo” (Celestial Atlas, p. 40).

There is no confusion with this sign. In the ancient Zodiacs of Egypt (Denderah, Esneh) and India we find the Lion. The same occurs on the Mithraic monuments, where Leo is passant, as he is in Moor’s Hindu, and Sir William Jones’s Oriental Zodiacs. In Kircher’s Zodiacs he is courrant (running); in the Egyptian Zodiacs he is couchant (lying down). In the Denderah Zodiac he is treading upon a serpent, as shown in Mr Edward Cooper’s Egyptian Scenery. Its Egyptian name is Pi Mentekeon, which means the pouring out. This is no pouring out or inundation of the Nile, but it is the pouring out of the cup of Divine wrath on that Old Serpent.

This is the one great truth of the closing chapter of this last Book. It is THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH AROUSED FOR THE RENDING OF THE PREY. His feet are over the head of Hydra, the great Serpent, and just about to descend upon it and crush it. The three constellations of the Sign complete this final picture:

1. Hydra, the old Serpent destroyed.
2. Crater, the Cup of Divine wrath poured out upon him.
3. Corvus, the Bird of prey devouring him.

The Denderah picture exhibits all four in one. The Lion is presented treading down the Serpent. The Bird of prey is also perched upon it, while below is a plumed female figure holding out two cups, answering to Crater, the cup of wrath. The hieroglyphics read Knem, and are placed underneath. Knem means who conquers, or is conquered, referring to the victory over the serpent. The woman’s name is Her-ua, great enemy, referring to the great enemy for which her two cups are prepared and intended. The Syriac name is Aryo, the rending Lion, and the Arabic is Al Asad; both mean a lion coming vehemently, leaping forth as a flame!

It is a beautiful constellation of 95 stars, two of which are of the 1st magnitude, two of the 2nd, six of the 3rd, thirteen of the 4th. The brightest star, α (on the Ecliptic), marks the heart of the Lion (hence sometimes called by the moderns, Cor Leonis, the heart of the Lion). Its ancient name is Regulus, which means treading under foot. The next star, β, also of the 1st magnitude (in the tip of the tail), is named Denebola, the Judge or Lord who cometh. The star γ (in the mane) is called Al Giebha (Arabic), the exaltation. The star δ (on the hinder part of the back) is called Zosma, shining forth.

Other stars are named Sarcam (Hebrew), the joining; intimating that here is the point where the two ends of the Zodiacal circle have their joining. Another star has the name of Minchir al Asad (Arabic), the punishing or tearing of the Lion. Another is Deneb Aleced, the judge cometh who seizes. And another is Al Dafera (Arabic), the enemy put down. ^[5]

Robson (1923)

LEO. The Lion.
      Legend.   This constellation represents the Nemean Lion, originally from the Moon, that was slain by Hercules.
      Influence.   Ptolemy makes the following observations: “Of the stars in Leo, two in the head are like Saturn and partly like Mars. The three in the neck are like Saturn, and in some degree like Mercury. . . . Those in the loins . . . Saturn and Venus: those in the thighs resemble Venus, and, in some degree, Mercury.” It is said that the stars in the neck, back and wing all bring trouble, disgrace and sickness affecting the part of the body ruled by the sign, especially if they happen to be in conjunction with the Moon. By the Kabalists, Leo is associated with the Hebrew letter Kaph and the 11th Tarot Trump “Strength.” ^[3]

Rigor (1979)

LEO is the strongest sign of the life-giving Sun. One born under Leo should receive many benefits, being endowed with physical as well as spiritual force. Leo’s do not submit to limitations or bend to one’s will. They have the ability to organize and direct. They need to practice self-control. Leo’s strong love for children and a desire to protect the weak, for frailty in others, calls forth Leo’s stronger side. Leo is imbued with gambling spirit, be it life itself or monetarily. Leo’s gain more through mental than physical exercise. Generally, Leo’s are born with pleasing personalities and a keen appreciation of ‘things’. Whoever tries to dominate Leo, finds Leo soon becomes rebellious. Leo is centered on home life, but there may also be much dissatisfaction and inharmony. Leo’s who become despondent impedes their recovery from illness.

NEGATIVE LEO’S: Are often arrogant and overbearing, blusterers, pompous, self-centered with blatant displays of generosity and outwardly they may appear genial and democratic, in practice they are just the opposite and develop a patronizing attitude towards others.

Positive Keywords:  Courage, leadership ability, dignity, prideful, generosity, regal personality, independent, optimistic.

Negative Keywords:  Dictatorial, impatient, stubbornness, destructive, great extremes.

Sun in Leo Constellation

Positive: Endows its natives with the desire to rule, the native has a commanding dignity,’ an inclination for organization and supervision, one who is generous, one who has a gallant independent personality, one who is ambitious and determined, a courageous person, a good ‘showman’. A constructive elevating personality, the ability to direct, one who is broadminded, disposed to be generous, has good vitality, is positive in thought and action.

Negative: The native tends to be arrogant, hastily forms opinions, has too many likes and dislikes, a dogmatic person, a tendency to shirk duties, obligations. Sometimes quick-tempered, one who is snobbish, of a pompous nature, a blusterer, a self-centered showoff. One who seeks power and authority. Native presents blatant displays of generosity, is patronizing, abuses powers of leadership, seeks praise of efforts by others.

Moon in Leo Constellation

Positive: Endows its native with pride, a dramatic type personality, faithfulness and sincerity, a love for leadership. One who is farsighted, ambitious, self-confident, and self-reliant. One who is honorable, magnanimous, candid and of a persevering nature. A tendency to lead, not follow. One who is fond of dress, home and orderliness. One who is free-hearted by nature and has a love of pleasure.

Negative: The native is conceited, jealous, entertains selfish motives. Has an overbearing manner, is a social climber, may be unfaithful, develops into a ‘pushy’ arrogant person. A gambler with life or whatever. Is fond of too much pleasure, entertainment and social affairs. Develops a disregard for facts. May be boastful. An insincere person, one of an insensitive nature. A tendency to ‘bull’ their way through any situation. Ostentatiousness.

Mercury in Leo Constellation

Positive: Endows its natives with an impressionable and optimistic nature, one who is persistent, ambitious and appreciative. The native has a tendency to ‘lead and direct’. One with determination and plenty of self-confidence. The native has a strong positive, persevering intellect, can be blunt and outspoken. Has high ideals and may become a good organizer. One who can be witty, entertaining and dramatically eloquent. A strong-minded, dogmatic pleasure-loving person.

Negative: Native develops a tendency to brag, be too abrupt, rude and crude, prejudiced. Blunt in speech, overbearing in attitude. Too demanding and tactless. One who is officious, arrogant and fickle. Of a low sensual nature. Inconstant in affections.

Venus in Leo Constellation

Positive: Endows its natives with an appreciative, companionable nature. One who is chivalrous, tends to be graceful and attractive, diplomatic and sociable. A fondness for pleasure and travel. The native is warm-hearted and loyal. Has the ability to turn their desires on and off at will. Open-minded and sensible.

Negative: The native may develop an insensitive nature, become extravagant and somewhat of a spendthrift. There will be a tendency to be cold and selfish. A tendency to misdirect dramatic inclinations. The native can almost at will become sensual or reverse themselves and be cold and selfish. An insincere nature.

Mars in Leo Constellation

Positive: Endows its natives with a venturesome, active, industrious nature. One who is fearless and independent in all their dealings. Native has a keen sense of honor and responsibility. Native is enthusiastic, enterprising and outspoken, even to the point of creating embarrassment. One who is strong, forceful and determined in argument. A sincere companion, far sighted, open-minded and some tendency to be idealistic. The native can be forceful in carrying out assignments and has good organizing ability. Native is ardent in their admiration for the opposite sex. One who is venturesome and often takes pride in their ability to take risks.

Negative: Imparts to its natives a bombastic, overly enthusiastic manner. One who has a fiery temper, subject to foolhardiness, recklessness. A danger of inordinate affection. Native is overbearing- and of a suspicious attitude. One who is insincere and inconsiderate. Subject to unbridled passions. ^[1]

In mundane astrology Leo Constellation is associated with royal events especially the ascension or death of kings and queens, the election or death of heads of state, assassinations uprisings and massacres, currency and the stock exchange, the Vatican and European Union.

Noonan (1984)

In Greek and Roman mythology, Leo the lion represented the Nemean Lion, originally from the Moon, and, after his earthly stay was carried back to the heavens with his slayer, Hercules, where he became the poet’s “Nemeasus.” The Egyptian King Necepsos, and his philosopher Petosiris, taught that at the Creation the sun rose near Denebola; and hence Leo was “Domincillium Solis”: the emblem of fire and heat. Throughout antiquity the lion and Leo have always been identified with the Sun and great dynamism, even appearing on the royal arms of England. But the lion is also the tribal sign of Judah as recorded in Genesis lclix:9:

“Judah is the Lion’s whelp . . . resting thou has couched as a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rous him.”

And this was confirmed in the Apocalypse of St. John, v:5″

“. . . Weep not; behold the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. . . .”

The lion is a most fortunate sign. Those born under it will be valiant and irascuble. They will be educated and clever individuals, relying on themselves in cases of danger or of major problems. In the horoscopes of women Leo prognosticates modesty. Ibn-Ezra states that native of Leo have  a nature of that of wolves, very gluttonous and fond of food. Ancient physicians thought that when the Sun was in the sign medicine was a poison, and even a bath could be harmful. In the Middle Ages, it was said that thunder when the Sun was in Leo, foretold of sedition and the deaths of great men. As to children, Leo indicates sterility.

The Leonian person will be of fine appearance. He will be of full height, with a broad face and grey eyes. a large nose and a wide mouth. He will have slender thighs, and his hips will be on the large side. His hair will be of chestnut color, his fingers thick, and he will have a prominent belly. Modernists add that he will have a strong, well formed back, and that his lips will be of good color. The Leonian will have a dignified pose, and his manner and walk can be described as quick.

In personality those born under the sign of Leo are kingly, formidable, sharp-tongued, hard-hearted, litigious, knavish, forgetful, and bold. They tend to be powerful by nature, and al-Biruni asserts that they are sinners and have many troubles. Those born in the first decanate will be well known among men, and Ibn Ezra adds that they will be modest while associating with kings; on the second decanate they will be magnanimous and honored by their people; and those born in the third decanate of Leo will have many friends and enemies, and ibn Ezra says that they will also be powerful, fond of women, and have abundant ailments.

Modern astrologers add that the Leonian person is creative, courageous, joyful, impulsive, egotistical, just, altruistic, conceited, and forgiving.

The Classicists say that the professions of those born under the sign of Leo include horsemen, joiners, and falconers. Modern astrologers addactors, goldsmiths, jewelers, managers, monarchs, professional athletes, and film stars. [Classical Scientific Astrology, George Noonan, 1984, pp. 70-72.]

Noonan (1990)

The Constellation of the Lion
      In classical times this constellation contained the stars that today are included in the constellations of Leo and Coma Berenices (Com). Tetrabiblos states that the two stars in the head have the same nature as Saturn and, to a lesser degree, of Mars; the three stars in the Lion’s main have the natures of Saturn and Mercury; those in the hip of the Lion and at the ti[ of his tail the same as Saturn and Venus; and those in the thighs the same as venus and Mercury. The star Regulus is given the double nature of the planets Mars and Jupiter. Both the sign and the constellation are considered very fortunate regarding agriculture and Pliny asserts that the ancient Egyptians worshipped the stars of Leo because the rise of the Nile was coincuident with the Sun’s entrance among them. However, ancient physicians thought that when the Sun was in the sign medicine was a poison, and even a bath could be harmful. It was also said that thunder from this constellation foretold sedition and the deaths of great men. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.41.]

References

1. The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, pp. 109-110, 316-317, 322, 326-327, 331-332, 336.
2. Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, Book 4, X. (Creech, 1700).
3. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.48.
4. Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, Richard H. Allen, 1889, pp. 252- 253.
5. The Witness of the Stars, E. W. Bullinger, 1893, 39. Leo (the Lion).