THE LION
MIDDLE  SIGN OP THE FIRE TRIPLICITY July 22 to August 22

This is the heart of the Grand Man or Micro­cosm. It is a masculine, commanding, fixed, choleric, fiery, changeable, northern sign of the Zodiac, the middle point of the magnet of the Fire Triplicity. It governs the heart and blood of life, the higher attributes being belief and self-control. The Sun enters the sign Leo on or about the 22d of July each year, and departs from the sign on or about the 22d of August. It takes six days for the Sun to come into full touch and action with the sign. Therefore, a person born between the dates of the 22d and the 28th of July would not receive the full central results of the sign's individuality, as this person would be born on the edge of the Zodiac, which is known as the Cusp. Its impulses partake of the sign the Sun has just passed through and out from. The native thus born will par­take much of the attributes of the sign of the Zodiac, wherein the Moon was located at the time of birth.

The people born under this sign are kind-hearted, generous, sympathetic, and magnetic. They make good nurses when in full sympathy with the patient. They are emotional, very intuitive, and are generally able by means of this power to escape the consequences of their actions. Leo people are fine conversationalists, excelling in repartee, and are the best of story-tellers. They always make a point, and always see the point.

When the true individuality of Leo holds sway, these people have a noble ideal, with a loyal love, confident, pure, and abundant. Having minds of the practical, philosophical, and spiritual combined—a triunity—they radiate a lu­minous substance, which makes them a most powerful people for good, with a marked ability to inspire others.

Under such conditions they have the most remarkable power in moulding public opinion, and in swaying great audiences. In fact, the truly awakened Leo men and women are invincible if they will learn the pathway of silence.
Leo people have a great love for their own, and will not yield to advice or dicta­tion in the management of their children. Leo women who have been looked upon as angels in the neighborhood will some­times show an astonishing ferocity if their children are hurt or reproved. A fault found with them, a complaint made by a teacher or a friend, will arouse these mothers to the highest pitch of passionate excitement.

The motto of the Leo woman is "Love me, love my dog." The natural intuition of these people is very great, and this talent is sometimes so con­stantly exercised that it leads to deep-seated aversion and prejudice. They have been right in their estimates of people six times out of ten, therefore they must be right ten times out of ten. Argu­ment is of no use under such conditions. In fact, it is well to let the Leo person enjoy his opinions without interference. The balance of happiness for the rest of the family is usually to be found in that method.
Those born under this sign are in some respects near of kin to those who come under the head  of the same triplicity.

They would rather plan than work, and they are by no means fond of details. They are sometimes very lazy, and, like the cat, are fond of basking in the sun and dozing in the chimney corner. They are fond of all creature and home comforts. The men usually know where the best markets are to be found, and have a real genius in catering for the table. The women have the same talent in selecting, and among them are found our most in­spirational cooks.

PERSONAL   APPEARANCE
Usually persons born under this sign have a strong wiry body, not over tall, but well proportioned, broad shoulders, round head, with light or ruddy complexions, strong, deep voice, and large eyes, and are often under a peculiar spiritual influx.

COMPANIONS
Companionships and true genial friends for Leo people will usually be found first among Sagittarius people, next among those born under Libra, or under Aries.

FAULTS
The faults of these people are most marked. Many of them are cunning, tricky, natural prevaricators, and chronic borrowers. They are hot-headed, im­petuous, fiery, and passionate. They are easily attracted by the opposite sex, and are not usually distinguished for con­stancy. They take quick prejudices, but are sometimes more correct in their esti­mate of people than their cooler-headed and more passive neighbors. There are occasional liars to be found in this sign, and like the cat some of them will ap­propriate that which is not given them.

Leo is the only sign in the Zodiac that is governed by the Sun, and to this solar influence is ascribed the passion and im­petuosity of those who come under it. These faults are somewhat modified in Leo women, proving the truth of what has been previously stated, that training and environment have their influence upon the mighty planetary forces. Our girls are more sheltered and carefully educated than our boys;  they cannot give rein to their natural impulses, and so learn to dominate them. But a Leo woman who has not thus controlled herself will be apt to go even farther in duplicity and appe­tite than a Leo man. When these faults are overcome, there is no better, stronger, or more helpful person among all the signs of the Zodiac.

DISEASES
The diseases to which Leo people are liable arise from weakness of lungs, heart troubles, violent fevers, back and kidney troubles, which any long-continued des­pondency will greatly increase.
All these ailments and every other known to man can be entirely dominated, forever cast out, by those who realize that mind is the master and body the servant of mind.

MODE   OF   GROWTH
The spiritual evolution of the Leo character is by cool and passive contem­plation and silence. They should ever bear in mind that their governing planet is the Sun, and that true growth can be attained only by a combination of heat and cold, light and shadow. Their best discipline seems to come from suffering, loss, and sickness, through which they learn the futility of deception and passion. Every Leo individual should be sure to set apart some moments each day for silence and repose; also periods of abso­lute solitude. Only in this way can true polarity be obtained.

The greatest pains should be taken by those born under this sign to discriminate between natural intuition, which is theirs to a remarkable degree, and the abuse of this native genius, which degenerates into a mean and hurtful prejudice. They should try to see that this latter trait of character is a positive hindrance to their own growth, because hurtful to others. They also need to exercise themselves more in regard to the comfort and happi­ness of others, and less in regard to their own. The selfishness of this sign must be overcome before there can be any true progress. Leo people should often take a careful inventory of their own faults and weaknesses, and in this way learn charity for others.

GOVERNMENT   OF   CHILDREN
Children who are born when the Sun is well centred in Leo should be most care­fully guarded, on account of having fine sensitive natures, with a strong emotional impulse to imitate others. They are very apt to lack individuality. Special in­struction should be given to teach self-control in all animal and sex functions. Without a strong hand and proper educa­tion, these children are very apt to partake of many vices and evils which lead to paralysis, consumption, or insanity. A great responsibility rests upon parents and guardians who have the charge of these young people.

Leo children are quick to observe any duplicity or inconsistency on the part of those around them, and will meet it all with corresponding hypocrisy and a deep cunning. They are exceed­ingly imitative, and must therefore be taught independence of character. They not only imitate the actions and the faults of others, but they have a great power in imitating voices and gestures. They must never be aroused to combat, but a constant endeavor must be made to raise them above the common level of humanity. Such training requires line upon line, and precept upon precept. If parents could be made to understand the grand possi­bilities of the regenerate Leo character, they would not spare themselves in this educatory work.

The minds of these sensitive and talented children should be kept busy with simple, wholesome, and amusing tasks. There can be no har­monious development of a child born under this fiery and impulsive sign with­out constant and varied amusement. Just as a young lion can be brought into subjection by steadfast love and unvary­ing kindness, so can the little human lion be tamed and developed into all goodness. He must be constantly under observation, but must not know it. If he is conscious of being watched, he will immediately commence to deceive and prevaricate.

These little ones should never be pushed one side. They should be the constant companions of judicious parents or guar­dians. Parents must be careful not to transgress the rules they have made for these little ones. The true nature of the higher individuality of Leo is law and order; but many Leo people go through life from the cradle to the grave without being appreciated, or even understood. This sign is governed by the Sun, and the gems are ruby and diamond. The astral colors are red and green.