LEO--THE HOUSE OF THE LION
Period--Constellation--The Fiery Sign--Hercules and
the Lion--Characteristics--Personal Magnetism of the
Type--Disposition--Money-makers--Entertainers--Health
Defects--Marriage and Love Affairs--Artistic Tendencies--Gems of the
House--The Sardonyx--Qualities of the Stone--The Chrysolite and the
Romans--The Tourmaline--Peculiarities of the Stone--Amber--Virtues
and Medicinal Uses--The Topaz.
The Sun enters the Zodiacal House of Leo on the 23rd of July and
remains in occupation until the 23rd of August. Leo is the fifth sign
in the order of the Zodiac, and is marked by the constellation of stars
bearing this name, situated in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere,
just below the Great Bear or Plough, and contains over seventy stars
visible to the naked eye, the principal star of which being designated
Cor Leonis, or the Lion’s Heart. This star is also known as Regulus,
and is useful to navigators for ascertaining their longitude at sea.
The constellation is easily identified by a group of stars forming a
well-shaped sickle on the west side of the cluster. Leo and Cancer,
being the most northerly of the twelve signs, are the nearest to the
zenith of the earth, causing the greatest warmth and heat, and are
consequently assigned to the Houses of the two luminaries, Cancer, as
being feminine, to the Moon, and Leo, as masculine, to the Sun. Leo,
coming in the centre of the fiery signs, is specially suited for the
Sun’s manifestations, and it is said that the symbol of this house,
the Lion, was given because, when the Sun, the Ruler of this House, is
in occupation, his heat resembles that of a raging lion; and it is a
well-known fact that the Sun was worshipped as a Lion by the Ancients,
the Egyptians keeping the month of July sacred to him and holding the
Ludi Apollinares in his honour.
In Greek Mythology the Lion is said to represent the monster who was
the terror of travellers in the forests of Nemæa; it was slain by
Hercules in battle, and to commemorate the great combat Jupiter gave it
a place amongst the stars.
As a symbol of this sign it is, however, much older than the Greeks,
being represented in both the Egyptian and Indian Zodiacs.
(The symbols of the House of Leo are illustrated in No. 5 of the
coloured Frontispiece.)
Astrologically, Leo is known as a fixed sign, and fixity of aims and
ideas is a marked characteristic of this type, for when they believe
themselves right in their views or opinions on any subject in which
they are interested, they are immovable although never aggressive,
deeming it not worth while to argue or explain unless their hearers are
sympathetic or reasonable.
In religious matters they have unbounded zeal and enthusiasm, often
believing they have a special mission in life which they are persistent
in fulfilling, no matter at what cost, personal sacrifice, or
inconvenience. They formulate ideas quickly, possessing a marvellous
faculty of presenting well-known facts in a new light and also
of adapting a thought or suggestion from a sermon or lecture and
enlarging and developing its meaning and purpose without reference
to the literal words of the speaker, astonishing their listeners by
their apparent mastery of the subject under discussion. Possessing
a clear brain, they invariably consider matters from a practical
point of view, scorning petty actions, and, for this reason, those
with whom they come in contact are more often ready to forward their
interests than to oppose them, so that they succeed from force of
circumstances, and are often helped by these means into advantageous
positions. It is not, therefore, surprising that in the majority
of cases where phenomenal good fortune has elevated the ordinary
tradesman into the wealthy magnate they have belonged to the Leo
type. Under ordinary circumstances these subjects are of bright
sunny disposition, high-spirited and large-hearted, with a pleasant,
affable temperament free from envy or malice. Although liable to quick
flashes of temper they harbour no grudge, having the ability to win
even their worst enemy into seeming friendliness. They are frequently
great money-makers, although not being economical by nature they do not
save, yet, luxurious and inclined to be extravagant in their tastes,
their proverbial good luck seems to carry them ever on the crest of the
wave, no matter how profuse their expenditure. In social entertainments
they come to the fore, and are good raconteurs, able to tell a story
well, the point (although always in good taste) losing nothing in their
hands, making them often the objects of envy among their less-favoured
fellows.
The constitution is usually healthy and vigorous, but they are subject
to affections of the heart which is apt from overstrain to become
irregular in its action, and the cause of palpitation and fainting
fits; they are also liable to sunstroke and diseases of the eye, and in
every case that has come under the writer’s notice, where the Sun in
Leo was in opposition to the Moon at the time of birth, the subject has
been afflicted with a squint.
In marriage and love affairs they are often unfortunate, their high
standard of excellence with their idealistic emotional natures causing
them to endow the objects of their affections with attributes of
their own imagining. In consequence they are frequently disappointed
and mistaken in their judgments; but fortunately great sympathy,
tolerance, and forbearance to the feelings of others is so natural
to this type that, in many cases of inharmonious marriage they have
adapted themselves to circumstances and conditions almost impossible
of endurance. When undeveloped, or badly aspected by other planets,
however, Leo subjects will degenerate greatly, becoming empty-headed
boasters and reckless investors, stopping at no folly in their
efforts to become popular and conspicuous; taking risky chances, and
through careless speculation losing heavily, yet even so they are
often successful in escaping the consequences of their imprudence.
Being versatile and brilliant, subjects of the Leo type succeed best
as Artists, Actors, Authors, Commanders, Officers, Stockbrokers,
Inventors, Goldsmiths, Jewellers, Fancy Dealers, etc. It is usual to
attribute artistic talent to this type, but this is not always correct,
for although they invariably possess a keen appreciation of Art and are
fond of beautiful and harmonious surroundings, the executive ability is
not frequently noticeable, although when present the artist excels in
producing pictures of golden sunlight effects of late afternoon and
sunset colourings.
In matters of friendship, partnership, or marriage they will be most
in harmony with those born during the Aries, Sagittarius, Libra, and
Gemini periods.
The gems of the House are the Sardonyx, Chrysolite, Tourmaline, and
Amber.
THE SARDONYX.--The Sardonyx is a rich red-brown stone, the top part of
which is formed of a layer of white Chalcedony, or Sard, through which
the lower part of the stone shows as a pale flesh colour; when found
without the Sard the stone becomes the Cornelian.
The Sard derives its name from a Greek word meaning flesh, and is the
Sardius of the Ancients.
The finest Sardonyx come from India and Arabia, but it is also found
in Germany and the Tyrol. It is especially good for engraving upon,
having a hard smooth surface capable of taking a high polish, and in
ancient cameos the understone is generally used to form the ground, the
lighter top layer being carved into figures, the different depths of
the carving affording variety to the effect. These qualities made it a
favourite with the Romans, who believed that the virtue of stones could
be increased if suitably engraved, so that the Sardonyx was frequently
carved with a figure representing Mars or Hercules to render its
wearer fearless and courageous.
It was also believed that in common with Agates this stone had the
property of preserving its wearers from infectious complaints and
the bites of venomous creatures, particularly from the sting of the
scorpion; and that if hung round the neck it would allay pain, give
self-control, attract friends, ensure conjugal happiness, and success
in legal matters. Also, Camillus Leonardus says, it puts restraint upon
those inclined to dissipation and makes a man agreeable as a companion.
THE CHRYSOLITE.--The Chrysolite is a very beautiful yellow-green gem
which derives its name from two Greek words meaning “golden stone,”
by which name it is referred to by Pliny. It varies in colour, and
although exactly the same stone it bears different names; when of a
deep bright green, it is known as Peridot, and when of an olive-green
it is called the Olivine. It is one of the softest of the hard stones,
being easily scratched by quartz.
The stones are found in Egypt, Ceylon, and Brazil, and specimens have
been found in meteorites and the lava of Vesuvius.
The Peridot was much valued by the Ancients, the name signifying in
Arabic precious stone, and it was at one time considered of more value
than the diamond. These were the only gems set in transparent form by
the Romans who wore them for protection from enchantment and against
melancholy and illusion. Marbodus says they should be set in gold (gold
being the metal of the Sun) to dispel the vague terrors of the night.
During the Middle Ages these stones were worn for foresight with regard
to future events, and for Divine inspiration and eloquence.
THE TOURMALINE.--The Tourmaline is of comparatively modern origin in
Europe as far as its use as a precious stone is concerned. It is very
remarkable because of its electrical qualities, for when heated one end
will become positive and attract straws or ashes, whilst the other end
will be negative and non-attractive.
It is transparent in one direction, but if looked at from another it
may be found quite opaque.
It is found in India, Siberia, Brazil, and America, and of all colours
and shadings of red, pink, yellow, green, and white; two colours may
also exist on the same crystal, which may be green at one end and
red at the other. This is probably the stone Pliny describes as the
Lychnis, which, being very susceptible to solar influences, attracted
small particles of chaff when heated by the sun, and had the power
of “dispersing fears and melancholic passions.” It was also worn to
procure inspiration, to attract favours, and to secure friends.
AMBER.--Amber has from the most remote ages been familiar to humanity,
ornaments in this material having come down to us, shaped by men of
the Stone Age, thus proving its antiquity. Many fanciful theories
were given in bygone days with regard to its origin, amongst others
the historian Nicias stating that the heat of the Sun was so great
in some regions as to set up intense perspiration in the earth, from
which Amber resulted; whilst among the Greeks a legend existed that
it originated in the tears of the sisters of Phaethon, who, in their
sorrow at his death, were turned into poplar trees, and whose perpetual
tears congealed into Amber. Pliny asserted it to be the overflowing sap
of certain trees, hence the name _Succinum_, from a word signifying
“juice”; and modern research confirms this idea of a vegetable origin,
for Amber is now known to be the fossil resin of an extinct species of
pine of the Tertiary Period.
Amber is found in large quantities on the coast of the Baltic, washed
up after storms, and the German Government exercises a strict monopoly
over the trade. It is also found round the coasts of Denmark, Norway,
Sweden, and parts of Asia and the United States; and in Essex, Suffolk,
and Norfolk. It is very light and soft, possessing remarkable electric
properties when heated. That it was once in a liquid state is shown
by the insects and plants sometimes found in it, a good many of the
insects belonging to species that no longer exist. These specimens
specially attracted the attention of the Romans and doubtless gave
Pliny his idea of its origin.
Great quantities were introduced into Rome during the reign of
the Emperor Nero, who in verse described the hair of his wife as
amber-coloured, causing much emulation amongst the ladies of his
court in their endeavours to secure the fashionable colour. The name
_Amuletum_ was given to Amber as well as to the flower Cyclamen (see
Chapter I, Part I), both having the power to protect from poisonous
drugs, necklaces being worn specially by children for this purpose, and
also as a counter-charm against witchcraft and sorcery.
Its range of medicinal virtues is very extensive, Callistratus
asserting it to be of great service at any period of life against
insanity, either taken as a powder, or worn round the neck; the
golden-yellow variety known as the Chryselutum being specially used to
ward off ague. The Rev. C. W. King says that “the wearing of an Amber
necklace has been known to prevent the attacks of erysipelas in a
person subject to them, which has been proved by repeated experiments
beyond all possibility of doubt. Its action here cannot be explained,
but its efficacy as a defender of the throat against chills is
evidently due to its extreme warmth when in contact with the skin, and
the circle of electricity so maintained, which latter may account for
its remedial agency in the instance quoted above.” He also says: “In
Pliny’s time Amber was universally worn as necklaces by the Transpadane
females of Lombardy and Piedmont, partly as an ornament and partly as a
prophylactic against goitres, to which they were subject in consequence
of the hard quality of the water they drank.”
Amber was also worn to protect from deafness, digestive troubles,
catarrh, jaundice, loss of teeth from looseness, and as a child’s
Amulet against convulsions when teething.
Its popularity as mouth-pieces to pipes, cigar- and cigarette-holders
arose from a belief in the East that Amber will not transmit infection.
It has ever been in vogue throughout China, Japan, India, and the East,
and retains its favour to the present day.
The Chinese use it extensively in incense, and it is also used in the
manufacture of various perfumes and medical compounds.
TOPAZ.--The Yellow Topaz is also a stone of this House, but being more
particularly a stone of Sagittarius it will be found dealt with under
that sign.
All yellow stones are, more or less, under the influence of the Sun,
who, as already mentioned, rules the House of the Lion.
Those whose birthdays fall in the Taurus or Scorpio periods should not,
however, wear the Sardonyx, Chrysolite, Tourmaline, Amber, or Yellow
Topaz.