The Age of Leo - 10,000 - 8000 BC July 23rd - August 22nd
The Age of Leo heralded a golden period go tightened imagination and creativity.
Leo is a fire sign and the most creative, dominant and extrovert sign in the Zodiac.
The age of Leo spans from 10,000 to 8000 BC and is the earliest time of human culture that we can speculate about. All indications suggest that it was the height of Sun worship, the planetary ruler of this sign. the sun was of crucial importance during this time, as it increased in strength, heralding the end of the Ice Age. The first sign of humanity’s involvement with art can be found in cave paintings that date from this period. Leo is a sign of creativity and has a special association with painting. Early paint colours were made from ochre, which could be crushed to give shades of red and yellow, the colours associated with Leo. The Spring Equinox occurs in March when the Sun’s position is 0 degrees of Aries. In the age of Leo, the star that rose with the Sun on the Spring Equinox was not Aries but Regulus, the main star in the constellation of Leo. That is why the symbol of the lion is often used to represent this age.
Key Traits of Leo
Born leaders, Leo’s are ambitious, courageous and highly positive in their outlook. They can be extremely obstinate, however, and hate to be proved wrong. Thriving in adversity, they know what they want and have the resolve to go out and get it. Leo’s are strongly idealistic and full of pride. When dealing with others they are open, sincere and trusting. This sign is best in a position of leadership and Leo’s loyalty makes it easy for others to follow their command, but also forgive just as quickly. Leo has a tendency to bask in the glory that the lion feels is due. Pride can easily turn into vanity, making Leo open to manipulation. In love, Leo is warm, generous and passionate but they can be possessive. There is no holding back with enemies – Leo attacks with ruthless determination to put upstarts firmly in their place.
Leo radiates the qualities of their ruler the Sun and tends to be warm and loving people who light up a room with life whenever they enter. The Sun is an apt ruler for this fixed sign. just as the fiery Sun is placed at the centre of the Universe, so Leo people are like a hearth fire around which their family and friends like to gather. Fire as a tool became more widespread in the Age of Leo. It was used more for cooking, as a means to clear woodland, and to steer animals when hunting as meat was an important part of the human diet at this time. Fire was also used in funeral practices. Leo has many links with the Sun. The Sun’s flames bring Leo the lucky colour of orange, a blood-red birthstone, ruby and lucky foodstuff, honey.
Plants and Food
Leonine plants grow in open, sunny places and have a radiating shape like the Sunflower. The flowers are often yellow, gold or orange such as the Daffodils and Marigolds. Ostenatious flowers are also ruled by Leo.
Aniseed, Dill, Fennel, Liquorice and Saffron are all herbs associated with Leo and can be used to strengthen the heart and give comfort.
The golden amber colour of honey links this foodstuff to Leo.
Birthstones
Due to its connection with the king of the jungle, Leo is connected with royalty and therefore the sign is associated with very precious stones. the colour of Leo can also be seen in the ruby, yellow sapphire and brownish-red sardonyx while some forms of peridot are yellow-green.
Animals
All members of the cat family, mostly the lion, are associated with Leo. Other animals connected with Leo are those creatures that are considered majestic and noble like the Eagle and the horse. Animals that enjoy showing off and displaying themselves, for example, the Peacock and the Preening Swan are also associated with Leo.
Metals
Gold is the most valuable metal and has long been associated with Leo, in particular, due to the sign’s regal connections. In most cultures, gold is symbolic of riches, rulership and truth. Gold also forms the centre of economy and Leo’s ruler the Sun is the centre of our solar systems.
