'Let them take center stage' What to know about Leo, the Zodiac's main character
Leo, the Zodiac sign whose season punctuates the end of the summer months, is known for its fierceness. Signified by the lion, Leos are fire signs, a bit temperamental but uncompromising in their loyalty and love for their inner circle.
Besides an ever-too-common lion tattoo, how can you spot a Leo?
In conversation with astrologer and best-selling author Lisa Stardust, USA TODAY peels back the layers on Leos, exploring key personality characteristics and how their traits manifest in the workplace and in romantic relationships.
Leo horoscope: Here's what's ahead for the 'lion' of the Zodiac
Stardust credits her love of astrology in part to her parents who she describes as New Age. She says they built a "magical home" where her love of crystals and the stars and everything occult was nurtured. "If I can give someone a sense of clarity or make them feel better about themselves, then that's the best part of my job," she says.
Learn more about each Zodiac sign
Pisces | Aquarius | Capricorn | Sagittarius | Scorpio | Libra | Virgo | Leo | Cancer | Gemini | Taurus | Aries
When does Leo season start?
Leo season's dates run from July 23 to August 22.
Key personality traits of Leos
"Leo is ruled by the sun," Stardust tells me. "The archetype is a lion with their golden hair soaking up the sun with flowers all around them."
What does that mean? That Leos are meant to shine, and that they very much enjoy being in the spotlight. They are very fond of attention and adoration. Leos are known to have a tendency towards dramatics, especially if they feel they are not getting enough attention or the affection they feel they deserve.
Leos are a fixed sign meaning they are not likely to change the way they think or swing back and forth on opinions. They are very action-oriented and hardworking, Stardust says, describing them as people who are willing to sit down and make things happen.
Leos are leaders, often taking charge and pulling to the front of the pack.
Career
Because they are hard workers, Leos are good at taking direction. The catch is that it has to align with what they already think.
They are natural-born leaders but don't much like to work in groups unless they are allowed to take charge. Once they find a group they like, however, they'll stick to it. Stardust describes Leos as "very confident in the people that they work with," explaining that they don't want to collaborate with people unless they consider those people to be family.
Leos are very loyal, both in the workplace and in their personal life. So, if they leave a company, they're likely to try to recruit others who they enjoy working with to move with them, Stardust says. They really like to work with people whom they can rely on, as reliability is an incredibly important characteristic for fixed signs.
Leos will also take on a lot, Stardust explains, because they are an action-oriented fire sign, and like to have their hands in a lot of different pots at once.
Relationships
"You have to let them take center stage," Stardust says of a Leo in a relationship. They tend to like taking charge of plans and the terms of the relationship at large.
Especially with a romantic partner, it is important for a Leo to feel adored, loved and appreciated. They need to feel they are important to their significant other, Stardust explains. As long as they have that, they are fine. Their partner can sit back while they make all the plans.
In terms of compatibility, Stardust says Leos are best matched with other fire signs like Aries and Sagittarius. Leos also pair well with air signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.
Though those signs are the best matches technically, Stardust says fixed signs always have a way of finding each other. So, Leos are known to gravitate towards Tauruses and Scorpios as well. These relationships are not always for the best though. "What happens is that they create cement, because they're so inflexible you have to get a cement mixer in order to like get things to move the relationship," she explains.
Weaknesses
Leos can be feisty and argumentative. They are a fire sign after all, and their lion energy is not to be tamed.
Leos are also known to exhibit bravado and let their pride get the best of them, Stardust shares. "If someone hurts them and lets them down, they're more apt to use their fiery nature to attack other people than to just say, you really hurt me, or to apologize in the end," she explains.
Given their fixed nature, Leos can sometimes be stubborn. Once their mind is made up, there's little chance of it changing.
"A Leo, on a bad day is like the lion in the Wizard of Oz," Stardust jokes, regal, proud, and at the whim of their emotions.
Leos can also have a tendency to be messy and stir the pot. "They like to create drama and then they'll walk away in the midst of all the drama they've created and just watch it because they find it entertaining," Stardust says.
Strengths
A Leo is typically:
Loyal
Wholehearted
Giving
Confident
Hard-working
Stardust says Leos are tremendously kind, generous and wholehearted. "Don't forget that Leo rules the heart Chakra," she says, " It's really important to know that Leos have a big heart for people that they care about."
Leos love fiercely and are often quite generous. They are excellent planners and are not afraid to take charge, leading others toward a shared goal.
New to Astrology? We've got you covered. Explore more Zodiac coverage and find out what the stars say about you with USA TODAY's astrological sign series.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: It's Leo Season! Read up on the Zodiac sign's horoscope and more.