Madonna, Mussolini, Mick Jagger: With larger-than-life
representatives like this, it's no wonder Leo has a reputation
for being more than a little bit in love with itself. Born
with the Sun in Leo, I'm naturally quick to jump to my team's
defense ("Hey, we're not all scenery-chewing, spotlight-hogging
narcissists!"). Indeed, at its best Leo demonstrates that
each of us is special, and that it's okay to celebrate
and share what is unique about us.
But it's true that each zodiacal archetype has its shadow
side, and the sign that sits opposite it in the zodiac throws
a searchlight into this shadow. At the full moon, the Sun's
sign meets itself in the mirror, for better or worse.
As we approach the Full Moon in Aquarius, Leo's celestial
opposite, I've been noticing Leo's darker characteristics
popping up all over the place.
Consider this story from a friend who serves on the board
of directors of a local organization (groups are ruled by
Leo's opposite sign, Aquarius). A handful of members are making
extraordinary demands on the time and attention of the organization.
Ironically, these self-important individuals end up receiving
less attention than they otherwise would have.
When confronted with such brazen self-servitude - the Leo
archetype run amok! - most people respond pretty much as children
might deal with such behavior on the playground: by demanding,
"Who do you think you are?" and storming off, taking their
toys with them.
"Who do you think you are?" The implication is that you
think you're someone special - and not everyone agrees.
It's a phrase Leos get used to hearing from an early age (especially
if, like me, you grew up with an Aquarian sister!). Often
this unfair charge is leveled by a resentful soul who, feeling
overlooked by the world, begrudges Leo her unabashed pursuit
of the spotlight. Other times, though, it's a fair question
indeed. It may be the only way to effectively reign in
a "Leo" who has become drunk with hubris, especially
when her self-infatuation threatens the needs of the group.
Everyone has Leo somewhere in their birth charts. It falls
to Leo's opposite sign, Aquarius, to maintain the equality
that is so vital to an organization, a country, or even a
family. If one person consumes more than his or her share
of resources, the whole group is endangered. One could
go a step further and point out that the same thing happens
when one nation puts on its Leo costume and consumes a disproportionate
share of the earth's resources: the whole planet is endangered.
Each year, the Aquarius Full Moon provides a two-week period
for considering this inherent tension between "me" and "us."
This month's Aquarius Full Moon occurs with the Sun just past
a conjunction with Saturn and the Moon approaching a conjunction
to Neptune. Facing off in their respective signs, the Leo
Sun and Moon in Aquarius have brought formidable allies to
the table. Who will ultimately win this face-off - individualist
Leo with a growing insistence on form and structure, sometimes
veering toward authoritarianism; or collectivist Aquarius,
slipping deeper and deeper into the compassionate but muddled
waters of Neptune?
Hopefully, neither. The point of the Full Moon exercise
is not surrender, but self-examination. There is a good
reason for Leo energy in our birth charts, and in the world.
Where would we be without the joyful spirit of Leo, and without
the individual bonds it represents - the ferocious attachment
to one's lover, mate, or child? These celebrations of individual
need and attachment are the cornerstones upon which societies
are built. The Full Moon asks only that you look at your
shadow self from across the horoscopic wheel and listen to
the other side of the story. Is your Leo desire for self-expression
beginning to veer into domination and tyranny? Are you demanding
more than your fair share of attention? Are you too concerned
about yourself, your family, your country, at the expense
of other people, families, and countries? Look in the mirror
this full moon and humbly request a reality check from your
Aquarian side.
Every Leo needs an Aquarian in her life, someone who, when
we start getting a little too full of ourselves, will throw
up an icy palm and demand, "Just who do you think you are?"
I predict that as Saturn moves through their sign through
September 2007, Leos will be hearing that question more and
more. Extending far beyond this Full Moon is a Saturn season
that will deny Mussolini-style Leo dominance at every turn,
denying it every drop of life-giving recognition and applause
until it matures into its highest expression of inspiration
and true leadership - until individual impulse comes into
harmony with the collective. Who do you think you are? During
this full moon, we should do all we can to listen to our inner
Aquarian, who just might help us begin to formulate the answer.
