VelaraFire · Fixed · Ruled by Sun
Leo
Leo is the only sign ruled by the Sun — and it gives off heat. It is the sign of creativity, play and a heart that wants to be seen.
- Dates
- July 23 – August 22
- Symbol
- The Lion
- Element
- Fire
- Modality
- Fixed
- Ruling planet
- the Sun
- Exaltation
- None (traditional)
- Opposite sign
- Aquarius
- Body (classical)
- Heart and sides
Personality
The Leo nature
Leo is fixed fire: steady warmth rather than a spark. Astrologers describe it as generous, loyal and big-hearted, with a natural sense of occasion. It leads by example and lifts the people it loves. The shadow side is pride — Leo can need applause more than it admits, and takes a lack of recognition personally.
Growth edge: Shining without needing the room to confirm it.
Born on the cusp?
The dates move. Your chart doesn't.
The Sun is in exactly one sign at any moment, but the switch-over shifts by up to a day from year to year. If you were born near July 23 or August 22, only your exact birth time can say which side of the line you're on.
Leo shares its element with Aries and Sagittarius. Its opposite sign is Aquarius.
Sun-sign traits describe a twelfth of the world. Your Moon, Rising and planets make them yours.
The Big Three
There's more to you than Leo.
Your Sun sign comes from your birthday. Your Moon and Rising signs need the full date, time and place — and they change far faster.
Sun — your core self and identity. Changes sign about once a month.
Moon — your emotions and inner needs. Changes sign about every 2.3 days.
Rising — how you meet the world. Changes about every two hours on average.
The myth
The story of the lion
Leo is the Nemean Lion, whose hide no weapon could pierce. Heracles strangled it as the first of his twelve labours and wore its skin as armour; Hera then placed the lion among the stars.
The Babylonians also saw a lion in these stars.
The ♌︎ glyph is usually read as a lion's mane and tail.
In the night sky
Leo among the stars
Its brightest star, Regulus — “little king” in Latin — spins once every 16 hours or so, so fast that it bulges at the equator.
Regulus sits almost exactly on the ecliptic, the Sun's path. That's why the Moon regularly passes in front of it.
FAQ
Leo, quickly
What are the Leo dates?
Leo season runs from about July 23 to August 22. The exact moment the Sun changes sign shifts by up to a day from year to year, so if you were born near either date, your birth chart settles it.
What element is Leo?
Leo is a fixed fire sign. It shares its element with Aries and Sagittarius.
What planet rules Leo?
Leo is ruled by the Sun.
Sources
- Theoi Project — the myth of Leo
- Constellation Guide — Leo
- Wikipedia — Leo (constellation)
- Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos I (rulerships, exaltations) — LacusCurtius
- Wikipedia — Astrological sign
- Wikipedia — Astrological symbols
- Wikipedia — Zodiac Man (classical body associations)
Dates are given in UTC unless noted; local dates can differ by a day. Last checked 4 October 2026.
Meet the rest of your chart.
Enter your birth date, time and place. Velara does the astronomy — you get the reading.
Free to start — birth chart, daily scores and a daily tarot card included.