Leo

Leo is like an eternal flame, its nature depends on the fuel supplied.
The Lesser Lion burns with his own ego. The Greater Lion is ignited by the fire
of the Divine Will, and glows with the inspiration of heaven-inspired energy.

Introduction to Our 12 Zodiacal Deities

We live in a swirling sea of magnetic forces, smaller fields contained within even greater fields, expanding throughout infinity. As our understanding increases, a new picture of the universe emerges ~ one of vast cosmic interdependence and connectedness. From first cosmic dawning to the last electron's feeble light, the whole universe is a complex of coils within coils, spirals within spirals, magnetic fields within magnetic fields.

The stars are interconnected with each other, exchanging particles and gases constantly, all flowing along magnetic field lines which are the arteries of the galactic body. The galaxy's coiled field lines diverge into intergalactic space where they ultimately connect to other galaxies. Do these tendrils of energy act as the nervous system of the universe, relaying information from star to star, galaxy to galaxy, on and on? One can only wonder.

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Zodiacal Deities examines the conditioning effects upon humanity by the specialized and quite unique energies of the star groups comprising the zodiac. We hold these star groups to be conscious, living entities in whose greater bodies we reside.

Traditionally the zodiac is described as the imaginary path of the sun through the heavens. This path "exists" only from our earth's perspective. If you were observing the path of our Sun from another planet or body in space, our sun would appear to "be traveling through" different constellations at different times of the year, to be on an entirely different path through the heavens. This path is largely an illusion but at the same time the 12 zodiacal constellations do exist as great beings, and the streams of energy which pass and repass, intermingle and interlock throughout space are by no means illusions. They express eternal cosmic relationships.

The science of astrology is a study of the interlocking forces of all the 12 constellations as they pour into and through all the kingdoms in nature, carrying with them also their own individual qualities as well as those of the seven rays, focussed through the sacred and non-sacred planets of our solar system ~ the discovered and undiscovered planetary Lives. The vision of these powers and their many weaving lines, seen as rivers and streams of light, is given to the initiate from the mountaintop of Capricorn, once that summit is reached.

As the various energies and forces circulate throughout the etheric body of our solar system ~ itself a Great Being ~ their effects depend on the state of the planetary centers, and upon the point of unfoldment of the centres within the individual planets themselves. Those great zodiacal entities who qualify life as we know it imprint their frequencies or harmonic resonance on the various vehicles that comprise a human being.

Leo, the Lion ~ Birthplace of the Individual

Leo has been identified with "The King" or life giver. The symbolism of the lion is that of the life-giving Father, the Spirit, and its nature is of the center or the heart, through which all energy flows, and the life-force emanates.

Presently, Leo may be considered the most important fire sign of the Zodiac. From Leo comes solar fire, the fire we associate with soul consciousness, the fire of higher mind. The Sun is the ruler of Leo ~ exoterically, esoterically and hierarchically. Leo keynotes are individuality and true self-consciousness.

We, the self-conscious Sons and Daughters of Mind, are above everything else the Children of Fire, for our "God is a consuming Fire." There is in us a peculiar quality which burns and destroys all that hinders our essential divine expression. This burning ground is familiar to all who tread the path.

The nature of fire is purification. We connect two elements in nature with purification: water and fire. Fire always carries forward esoterically what water has begun. As evolution occurs, fire takes the place of water and burns away all impurities; this process is known to us as baptism by water, baptism by fire. We have all heard of saints, divine beings who could "walk on water"... one who achieved this was considered to have divine powers. Walking on water symbolizes being in a physical body on this earth, but not controlled by the lower desires.

In present time we are being asked to be Firewalkers, to "walk on fire" and purify our lower mind through the use of solar fire, higher mind, the soul consciousness. During the last century humanity as a whole entered into purification by fire. The World War and the release of the atom, atomic energy, demonstrated on the physical plane the transformation occuring on the inner planes. The life within the atom was released, made avialable to enlivin a form responsive to the spiritual plan and purpose in present time. As above, so below. The Age of Materialism inaugurated eons ago is now giving way to the New Age, the Age of the Spiritualism.

"I Am That and That Am I"

It is in Leo that the human becomes the "five-pointed star," for that star stands as the symbol of individualization, of humanity, of the human being who knows themself to be an individual and becomes aware of themself as the Self. We begin to use the words, "I," "my" and "mine." In this sign the individual begins the cycle of experience wherein they acquire knowledge and develop the lower mind for their own benefit, needing to be recognized for their deeds and accomplishments.

At this stage they are the fully integrated dominant personality standing at the center of "their" universe, desiring to be recognized and to rule, assuming all revolves around them. Their physical, emotional and mental bodies are all blended and they are potent beyond the average person. They have a mind and are actively using it. The emotions are controlled or blended with their mental reactions, and are unusually powerful.

The Lion of Judah (the Soul) has to slay the lion of the personality (the dweller on the threshold). Remember we do not reach this point in evolution in one lifetime; it takes numerous cycles of "taking the lion's cloak," the metaphor for taking a physical body, to reach individualization. To slay this lion, the lower reasoning mind is sacrificed to the intuitive, universal mind. Selfishness, the self-protecting instinct, must give way to unselfishness, and subordinate matter to the use of Spirit.

The constellation Leo contains the star Regulus, the Ruler or the lawgiver, representing the thought that humans can now be a law unto themselves, for they have that consciousness within them which is the King, the ruler the soul. Hidden in this constellation is a vivid group of stars called the sickle. To the ancients who saw all external constellations as symbols, of forces in an unfolding drama vaster than even they could understand, the constellation revealed three major thoughts. First, that humans were the rulers, the King, God incarnate, an individual son of God. We have God within us. Divinity is not a manifestation outside of us, divinity is us. Second, that humans are governed by law, the law of nature, the law they make for themselves, and the spiritual law to which we will eventually subordinate ourselves. Love Is Above Law {Ponder on this}. Third, the work of the individual is to apply the sickle, cut out, cut down that which hinders the application of Spiritual Law.

During the higher phase of Leo the individual recognizes this truth. They are the King, the ruler, the prince, the Soul ~ as a wise and just king who rules those under his care according to the good of the whole. They sense the fear and hear the cries for help from those around them. They use all their acquired knowledge, skills and experience to benefit the whole. They literally subordinate the will of the lower self to the Divine Will, the will of the whole!

Very much like the ancient peoples of earth who believed they were the center from which all life revolved, only to discover on the "higher turn of the spiral" that the earth revolved around a sun ~ and that sun was caught up in an arm of a galaxy containing infinite suns and stars, only to be lost in a boundless universe full of galaxies beyond the present human imagination ~ the Leo person consciously begins their journey toward the One.

One must know oneself through true self-awareness.

Once we realize that The Divine Spirit is the True Self, we consciously become one with all humanity. The outstanding theme of Leo is the activity of the self-conscious person in relation to their environment or the development of sensitive response to surrounding impacts by the One Who Stands at the Center of its Little Universe. Leo and its influences can be summed up in the word sensitivity, and this sensitivity can be studied in four stages:

1. Physical Sensitivity to the influences and impacts coming from the external environment. As we become conscious we begin to view the sensory impact of the environment upon the physical body, emotions and mind from a place of detachment. Leo at this stage serves to solidify, "fixate," or bring such responses together.

2. Sensitivity to the Will, Wishes, and Urgings of this integrated self-conscious lower self. In essence, it is here that the Soul becomes a self-motivating entity.

3. Sensitivity to the Soul's response to life. At this stage, the Soul is "fixed" as a mediator between the Creative Fire of the Spirit and the physical world we live in.

4. Sensitivity to the Right Use of the Spiritual Will is of paramount importance. When through Leo one has developed to a point of being a "liberated" person, freedom from the oppressive karma of the lower self is achieved. We can then begin to transform the outer environment into the proper vehicle for the expression of the Inner Plan. By cultivating sensitivity to the higher impacts of those worlds which lead to the Purpose of Divinity, we accomplish our final goal through World Service.

We must have an Inner Spiritual Sensitivity and an Outer Material Sensitivity in order to truly understand the influences of Leo upon humanity and upon this planet. Throughout the universe, it is the Soul which is the conscious, sensitive theme of the Divine Plan, the Soul animating all forms of life.

Looking at the Will-to-Illumine and the Will-to-Rule, we can follow the evolutionary progress of the influence of Leo's energy on consciousness. The Will-to-Rule and to Dominate is the controlling nature in this sign, and an underlying potency in the Leo type. The Will-to-Illumine drives all Leo people on to experiment, and therefore gain knowledge. The Will-to-Illumine constitutes the driving urge towards self-knowledge, self-perception and intellectual positivity. It is the Will-to-Rule which leads to achieving self mastery and the control of the personality (for either a good or a selfish motive). It is also this same tendency which leads one to control large and small groups of people. At an advanced stage, this leads to an expression of the fusion of Leo and Aquarian potency. The purpose for all experience in Leo is preparatory for this fusion.

The fusion of the individual Leo consciousness of Humanity into the Aquarian group consciousness of a Soul infused Humanity, or our transition from the Piscean into the Aquarian Age, is occuring right now. We have found these ideas to be enlightening to our participation in this transition.

The month from July 21 to August 20, when the sun is in the sign Leo, is also the month of the Dog Star, or Sirius, and brings Sirius into close relation to Leo. Leo, in the cosmic sense, is ruled by Sirius. Esoterically, Sirius uses Regulus, the heart of the lion, as its lens.

When the new world religion is founded and functioning, a major monthly festival held at the time of the Leo full moon, dedicated to making contact, via the Hierarchy with Sirian force, will be celebrated by all of humanity. We have been inspired to begin aligning with the energies of this cycle at the August full moon, and invite all to participate in opening a conscious channel between the Hierarchy on Sirius, our planetary Hierarchy and Humanity.

Astronomy & Mythology of Leo

Leo Major, the great Lion, is a very bright and easy to see constellation of the northern skies. It lies between the stars of Cancer on the west and those of Virgo on the east. Its most recognizable feature is the Lion's mane, which looks like an inverted question mark. In the midst of this cosmic sickle is Regulus, the Royal Star of the Northern Heavens, the Heart of the Lion. The Lion is easy to find in the northern hemisphere night sky during the months of November through June, as Leo's head is located just under the ladle of the Big Dipper.

In antiquity when the Zodiac only consisted of 10 constellations, Leo and Virgo were one. The great mystery of the Sphinx might be explained in this union as we have the lion and the woman’s head, along with the symbol of the lion or kingly soul, and its relation to matter or the Mother aspect. Virgo and Leo together stand for the whole man, for the God-man as well as for spirit-matter.

The constellation Leo has 95 stars in it, two of the first magnitude. Hydra, the Serpent is associated with Leo. Crater, the Cup, and Corvus, the Raven are also aligned with this sign. These three, along with Leo, sum up humanity’s challenge in taking initiation. The soul begins its work in Leo, and acknowledges it must drink the "cup of suffering and of experience"; it meets the serpent of illusion it must overcome, and eventully the bird of prey eliminates the serpent. Hydra represents the matter aspect, and hides the soul. The Hydra lies beneath three constellations. Corvus, which stands upon the Hydra, has nine stars, the number of initiation. Interestingly, the Old Testament began with a raven, while the New Testament started with a dove, thus showing that expereince starts with the bird of matter and ends with the bird of spirit.

Medieval Christians regarded Leo as a symbol of the Lion’s Den in the Book of Daniel; to earlier Hebrews the Lion was the traditional tribal sign of Judah, based on the text of the Chapter 49 in Genesis. To the Egyptians the constellation was worshiped because the annual rise of the Nile coincided with the Sun’s entrance into Leo. On a representation of the Egyptian zodiac at the Temple of Denderah, Leo is shown as a Lion standing on an outstretched Serpent (the Hydra constellation). Both Leo and the star Sirius were believed to contribute to the heat and storms of summer.

As Above, So Below

Leo governs the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located in the head, in a small bony structure that shields and guards this very important gland. This gland is controlled by the sixth chakra, the seat of the personality.

This pituitary body is dual in its configuration: in one of its lobes, the frontal or ante-pituitary, is to be found the seat of the reasoning mind, intellectuality, and in the other, the post-pituitary, is the seat of the emotional, imaginative nature. This gland coordinates the others, controls growth, and is essential to life. Intellectuality has been defined as the "capacity of the mind to control its environment by concepts and abstract ideas." Where there is a lack of development of this gland, both emotional and mental deficiency may be found.

It is in this cave that the lion of the developed personality or individuality has its lair, and it is here that the sun god, Hercules, must conquer. For centuries the Egyptians, and especially the Hindus, have known of the chakras or force centers in the etheric body. The discovery of the endocrine system shows corresponding physical glands in the same locations. One of these, the pituitary body with its two lobes, symbolizes the cave with two openings, one of which Hercules had to close before he could control the personality with the higher mind.

For it was only when Hercules had blocked the opening of the personal emotions (post-pituitary), thrown away even his trusty club, refused symbolically to lead any longer a personal, selfish life, that he could, entering by the opening represented by the ante-pituitary, subdue the lion of the personality in the cave. These correlations are so exact that they present in little and in large an awesome testimony to the unflawed integrity of the Plan. "As above, so below." A striking correlation between biological and spiritual truths.(*)

A mantram for Leo is ... "Father, not my will but thine be done."

Shake Well Before Serving!

It is interesting to note that during the time we say the Sun is in Virgo, annually from August 22 to September 21 (the fall equinox), due to the precession of the equinoxes, and from the Earth's perspective, the Sun is actually traversing the zodiacal constellation Leo. With this consideration, we invite you to review the SouledOut.org materials on Leo freshly, from this perspective.

Print version

Credit for information and synthesis:
The collected volumes of writings by Alice A. Bailey,
specific reference here to Esoteric Astrology, p. 285 - 310
and The Labours of Hercules, p. 95 - 111
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To read the pages from The Labours of Hercules in their entirety, click here

Leo Keywords
Leo Night Sky
Sirius~Leo Festival
Leo Navigation Page
12 Zodiacal Deities
Legendary Journeys of Hercules
  Cosmology

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Artwork: Title graphics adapted from Urania's Mirror, London, c. 1825
Sphinx graphic adapted from hand-colored lithograph by Louis Haghe, c. 1846

*previous two paragraphs: text abbreviated from The Labours of Hercules, p. 110–111
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