What wants to grow this cycle?

Leo qualities, of course! Love. Self-Confidence. Generosity. Romance. Dignity. Joy. Enthusiasm. Pride. Courage. Passion. This is the month to see your life through the eyes of a child. Children live in the moment. Their goal is having fun. Their hearts are wide open-to the joy of being an energetic being in a magical world. During Leo's month you can discover magical powers, if only you'd surrender to its spirit of playfulness. Especially in this Leo season, when stability is lacking (there are no planets in earth), you want to move with the fresh, quick spirit of a child, ready for anything. Let worry and duty fall aside. Leo is the month to be creative, to stand in your own spotlight, to celebrate your life force.

I wasn't always such a cheerleader for Leo. In fact, before I knew much about astrology, I knew one thing: I didn't like Leos. My ex-husband had a Leo Sun, and so did many of the creative types we hung out with -- dancers, musicians, and performance artists -- energetic show-offs, always grabbing center stage. Leos, I decided, were just tap-dancing toddlers disguised as adults, forever crying "Look at me, look at me!" And throughout my childhood, I hated Leo's month. It seemed an incredible waste of time--the dreariest stretch of my summer vacation, spent watching Divorce Court and reruns of Father Knows Best, when all I really wanted was to get back to school.

Imagine my surprise when years later when I discovered I had a Leo Moon. It was hidden in my chart's Twelfth House closet, where what the psyche rejects is held. My dislike of Leo was my own deficiency: I was blocked in expressing its spirit. Perhaps I paid a steep price for being too kingly in a past life. As a child, whenever I won a school election or an award, I wanted to crawl out of my skin when my mother (the stand-in for my Leo Moon) dramatically ooohed and ahhed, calling me "The Big Cheese." I wanted attention, but when I got it, I squirmed. And so in later years, when I saw others soaking up the spotlight, I considered their exhibitions shameful.

I have a friend who believes the answer to all life problems is a night on the town, full of drinking and dancing. That's not how I have fun. But having fun-however one does it--is indeed Leo's secret. When you can enjoy life, and enjoy yourself in the midst of life, your problems shrink and your confidence grows. I've since learned how to tap into the gifts of Leo's season. I now relish the opportunity each Leo month brings-to be more fully alive, doing what comes naturally, when I enjoy being me. May you enjoy what's special about you this month too!

Your Personal Season

In addition to the collective work, you've also got an individual cyclic agenda for the season, owing to the circuit of the Sun through your birth chart. Follow any natural inclinations to be self-expressive and playful now. Also look to the house where Leo falls for further clues about your personal Leo season. Where Leo appears in your chart may be where you're required to be more willful. It's important to feel that you're in charge of this part of your life. This is where you especially need to leave your personal mark on the world. The sign on your fifth house cusp can suggest the style you prefer to use. (For more information about both the personal and collective cycles, check out my monthly workshop Twelve Moons.)

Offering to the Personal Collective

Psychologists suggest that each of us has a "sympathy group" of around 12 people, those individuals whose death would leave us truly devastated. Psychologists also suggest we each have a larger group (around 150 people); these are ones we have social ties with, people we wouldn't feel shy about joining if we bumped into them at Starbucks. These groups represent your family and your tribe. Think of them when you make your Leo group offering.

Be a positive vision holder for your circle. In a meditative state, experience your own star quality, and then send this energy into the web of people you know, starting with your family and extending it to your tribe. Feel the radiance in the whole circle, how this energy exponentially increases as each member shines on, and is appreciated by, the others. Allow the images of individuals from your family or tribe to come to your awareness and one-by-one see them as the gifted, divine beings they truly are. Throughout the solar month, as you connect with your family/tribe in daily life, look for the unique qualities of each person, consider what you most appreciate about them. Let them know this--and notice how the energy changes when you do. If you find this practice difficult, it may be that Leo is afflicted in your chart-all that means is you may have to work a little harder to enjoy its gifts.