Leo: Traits and Personality

Leo is the zodiac's heart. The Sun moves through Leo from about July 23 to August 22, the height of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and Leo is the only sign ruled by the Sun itself. A fixed fire sign, Leo is warm, loyal and expressive, with a natural sense of occasion and a wish to make life a little bigger and brighter for everyone around it.

The symbol of Leo is the lion, proud and protective of its pride. Astrology describes Leo as generous, creative and confident, and more sensitive to appreciation, or its absence, than it usually lets on.

Strengths

• Warmth. Leo makes people feel welcome and seen, and remembers to celebrate them.
• Generosity. With time, praise, gifts or encouragement, Leo gives freely.
• Confidence. Leo steps up when a group needs a voice or a face.
• Creativity. Leo has a flair for performance, design and anything that expresses who it is.
• Loyalty. Leo stands by friends and family with the fierce protectiveness of its symbol.

Weaknesses

• Pride. Admitting a mistake or asking for help can feel harder to Leo than it should.
• Need for attention. Without recognition, Leo can feel invisible and start pushing for it.
• Stubbornness. As a fixed sign, Leo rarely changes course once its heart is set.
• Drama. Big feelings can turn small misunderstandings into big scenes.

Leo in love

Leo loves in a big, romantic way: grand gestures, public affection, thoughtful surprises and a lot of loyalty. It wants a partner it can be proud of and one who is openly proud of it. Compliments, attention and shared fun keep Leo happy; feeling taken for granted is the quickest way to cool its fire.

The lesson for Leo in relationships is to leave room in the spotlight. A partner who shines in their own way makes the relationship stronger, not smaller.

Leo at work

Leo does best where it can lead, create or perform: management, entertainment, design, events, teaching, sales and any role with visible results and room for personal style. It motivates a team with enthusiasm and takes responsibility for the outcome.

Work that goes unnoticed or rules that allow no initiative drain Leo. It thrives on clear credit for good work and on colleagues who respect its ideas.

Leo compatibility

Astrological compatibility starts with the elements and the distance between two signs. These are the traditional pairings for Leo; any real relationship depends on the two people in it.

• Leo and Aries: two fire signs with passion, courage and a shared love of adventure; both need room to lead.
• Leo and Taurus: a square of fixed signs that both love comfort and loyalty, and both hate backing down.
• Leo and Gemini: social, playful and fun; Gemini's wit keeps Leo entertained.
• Leo and Cancer: neighbors who share big hearts and a love of family, expressed in different ways.
• Leo and Virgo: neighbors with opposite styles: Leo shows off, Virgo refines. Mutual appreciation makes it work.
• Leo and Libra: elegant and sociable; Libra's charm and Leo's warmth make an attractive pair.
• Leo and Scorpio: a square of two strong, fixed wills: magnetic and intense, with power struggles to watch.
• Leo and Sagittarius: a joyful fire match of optimism, laughter and shared adventures.
• Leo and Capricorn: ambition in common, very different styles. Respect for each other's strengths is the key.
• Leo and Aquarius: opposite signs: the individual and the group. Strong attraction and a lot to learn.
• Leo and Pisces: romance and imagination, balanced against Leo's directness and Pisces's sensitivity.

Read the Leo horoscope for today or learn more about the fire signs.

Questions about Leo

What are the Leo dates?

The Sun is in Leo from about July 23 to August 22. The exact start and end shift by up to a day from year to year; the zodiac sign calculator checks them for your birth year.

What is the ruling planet of Leo?

The Sun, which astrology links with identity, vitality and self-expression.

What is the opposite sign of Leo?

Aquarius. Both are fixed signs; Leo stands for personal expression, Aquarius for the group and shared ideals.