Leo Season 2024 – Choosing Love
22 July to 23 August
Leo season always feels glorious for the Sun as it basks in the light of its own terrain, like a King returning home to the fanfare of his citizens. Leo season also embodies the generous nature of summer – think like the bounty of fresh foods, sun-warmed skin and long days it offers in which to be playful and creative. It’s a time of celebration and pageantry, and even those of us in the South can feel the spirit of this come alive. How can you lean into Leo’s energy in the month ahead? Here are some themes to explore:
Creative self-expression
The passionate fire of Leo inspires creativity and self-expression, so perhaps plan in the month ahead ways to explore facets of yourself through creative pursuits. I for one will be invigorating a lino printing project that celebrates my love of astrology and the ocean. For you, it could be dance, drama, music, visual arts, whatever lets you play and share your light with others.
Integrity
When you know yourself well, know your value system and allow that to guide your choices, you can trust you are acting with integrity. Each year during Leo season I re-visit my value systems to ensure I am aligned in heart, thought and actions.
Self-value and confidence
Self-value and individual expression are on the table with Leo. A healthy individuality is knowing your unique worth and value while appreciating the privilege of being alive and gifted with unique talents and skills.
You may spend the next month asking questions like “Who am I, now” and “What do I appreciate about myself” or even “Do I have the same values and am I acting in line with them”? The confidence of Leo can shine strongly when you have a steady sense of self-awareness and know your own worth.
Choosing love over fear
Fear is a powerful motivator and can cause us to act from the shadows of Leo; false pride, arrogance or an overinflated sense of self. Valuing and appreciating yourself well means also valuing that same in others. This is the path of the heart, which Leo rules, encouraging loving interactions in the world. Boundaries are required, of course, but you can still choose love from a distance while trusting others are doing the best they can.
Stellar dates for your diary
The month ahead has its ups and downs, and most of the action is taking place in the mutable signs as Jupiter and Saturn square off in the sky. More on that soon, but meanwhile, here is a snapshot of the important stellar activity in the month ahead:
23 July – The Sun opposite Pluto may bring tensions to a head as you have intense encounters with others. Avoid scraps over power and control, and instead channel this energy into creative change for the good of the many.
26 July – Mercury enters Virgo, and it’s time to plan all the plans and prepare all the to-do lists! Mercury will go retrograde here from 5 – 29 August, but as it’s in Virgo I consider it Mercury retrograde Lite. The retrograde period will be perfect for doing those “pending” tasks you’ve been planning for months now. Or just a good old-fashioned decluttering.
2 August – Venus square Uranus could bring further fireworks linked to the 14 July Mars-Uranus conjunction. Friction around authenticity and acceptance may create sparks, but if you can communicate sincerely common ground can be found. It’s also a chance to experiment and try something new in your relationship life, so try stepping out of your comfort zone to explore new freedoms.
4 August – inspiring and generous Leo New Moon, more on that to come!
5 August brings Venus into Virgo which isn’t quite so exciting, as the Queen of pleasure and lovin’ saunters into Virgo’s practical and minimalist realm. After the luxury and drama of Leo, expect your Venus affairs of love and beauty to adopt a more astute and simple approach. Try streamlining your beauty regime, assessing your relationships and refining your style.
7 August is one of my favourite days this month, as the generous Sun in Leo enlivens Jupiter in Gemini with a sextile aspect. With a little elbow grease, you can create new opportunities with abundant outcomes, as long as you balance your heart and your head.
15 August brings Mars to Jupiter in Gemini, and while this can be a heated transit, I’m suggesting this as an opportunity to energise the playful side of Jupiter in Gemini with some friendly yet competitive sports. Whether it’s backyard cricket, park croquet or beach volleyball, gather your friends for fun and laughter of the sporting kind. It’s also a chance to light a fire under any Jupiter in Gemini projects you are hesitating about.
19/20 August is a complex dynamic as Jupiter in Gemini squares Saturn in Pisces with Venus egging them on from Virgo, right as the Sun squares Uranus. It’s a mix of hopeful growth versus grounded reality, and when the practical truth may burst a few bubbles, frustrations can boil to the surface. More on this to come, but the suggested mantras for these days are “go slow to go fast” and “grounded growth brings long-term benefits”