‘In the Box’ Mary Cassatt 1879 {{PD}}

Dear Leo: What’s the most powerful thing you’ve discovered about yourself in  the past year? Because whatever that is, it will be behind what drives you forward on your Path this coming Solar year, through to your next birthday. If this powerful thing involved you facing matters you’d rather not deal with, then bravo/ brava, you are clearing out psychic material that may have held you back for a long time, and claiming your power as your own; and if this powerful thing was about demanding respect and standing up for yourself, then you have set the stage so that you’ve left behind those who aren’t right for this leg of your journey, and you’ve attracted those who are–with the result that you are now poised to go far at a new, empowered level. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

Józef Chełmoński 1881 {{PD}}

You’d agree that driving a team of spirited horses with your eyes closed is not a good idea, wouldn’t you, Leo? ‘Cause that’s effectively what you’re doing right now by avoiding dealing with all sorts of things that need tending. You may be feeling a deep need to be respected (what lion doesn’t?) and this need, unmet, could be fueling your insistence on autonomy, independence, and some risky behavior that’s meant to win you applause but that’s likely to make others turn away, angry at your total lack of willingness to either cooperate or reciprocate. Best course of action is to allow the Full Moon in Aquarius to enlighten you–open yourself to a higher (and more objective) vision of what you need, and allow higher mind to guide you, just for a bit. That will start you on a new and much better direction, one where your fiery Leonine talents (that are just brimming to come out) will find a real, and appropriate, audience. Happy Birthday, dear Leo, and good luck!

Leo, quit frightening everyone with your erratic behavior. ‘Horse Frightened by Lion’ George Stubbs c1765 {{PD}}

It may feel like fate’s messing with you right now, dear Leo, but it’s really every erratic impulse, dark issue, and ignored problem in your life that are roiling the psyche and disturbing all your best-laid plans. The good news is you can stabilize things by taking a hard-line, no nonsense approach and refusing to go to emotional extremes–but then you’d lose all the spontaneity, creative spark, adventurous spirit, and to-hell-with-the-consequences bravery you’ve been exhibiting of late. Try to find a bit of a balance, for your sanity’s sake; acknowledging that others are there to interact with, rather than to do your bidding, will go a long way toward smoothing the feathers that have been ruffled by your recent, oh-so-madcap behavior. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

David Roberts 1837 {{PD}}

This coming Solar year, dear Leo, through to your next birthday, it’s all about the cogitatin’–you may have The Big Idea that creates your fame and fortune, you may act as a phenomenal communicator, bringing stimulating conversation, knowledge, even peace to those with whom you interact, or you may represent that seminal idea of yours in the Great American Novel or in your own version of Giza. In any case, this year should be one where you can create a true and meaningful representation of your character and the reason you came here, and contribute to Art and the social order in the process. Good luck, and Happy Birthday, Leo!

Degas 1873 {{PD}}

This year ambition and desire fulfillment take center stage for you, dear Leo; everything else pales next to goal attainment. You’ll have an intense need to build something, to create something lasting, to make your mark–and who can blame you, you’re ready! Show who you are, your uniqueness and your skills, and aim for empowerment that opens the door to other, bigger prizes. Still, important as this is for you, and primed as you are to move forward, remaining sensitive to partners, mates, and those with whom you cooperate is vital to real success, for how much fun will it be for you to attain glory if you’re alone? The lion seeks isolation under only the most extraordinary circumstances; this coming year, through to your next birthday, you’ll act with passion and discipline, and appreciate those who surround and support you, if you want to make those dreams a reality.

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Go after that dream, dear Leo. ‘Affiche Salon des Cents’ 1901
Alfons Mucha {{PD}}

Dear Leo, I’ve got some unusual advice for you concerning this coming Solar year, through to your next birthday: pursue your ambitions and desires, and your reward will be circumstances that heal and that bring forward unique skills. Now, notice I didn’t say you’d achieve those ambitions–maybe you will, maybe you won’t–but in going after what you want you’ll create some wonderful side effects. Important too will be the people you partner with, pursue romantically, and/ or whom you meet along the way; you may form some life altering and forever-after attachments during this year. There’ll also be a significant ‘surprise’ factor or a mandate for you to express the individuality in material form–one or the other will be instrumental in adjustments you make to the life Path, and so to where you end up by your next Solar Return. One caution: discipline yourself, avoid needless rebellion, or the Universe will stick its fingers in and hold you back–don’t let that happen! Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

It won’t all be frantic activity–you can take some time off, too, Leo. Oscar Bluhm ‘Pergola’ 1892 {{PD}}

You’re awaiting that ‘big idea’, dear Leo, but it’s not here quite yet; in the meantime, balancing the emotional life and the life of the mind, the physical needs and the spiritual ones, and exploring those facets of your Beingness that make you uniquely you, are all good ways to prepare. You’ll need to be ready to act when that idea hits, and you’ll also need to know who you are, inside and out–how else will you create from that big idea something only you could’ve done? It’s likely to be an action-filled and exciting period, and if you make the right choices and do what needs to be done this coming year through to your next birthday, you’ll be more than ready to make of the inspirations that come to you something exceptionally special. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

Cat by Isoda Koryusai (1766–1788) Only lived to be 22, but still managed to leave us something of note. {{PD}}

You may feel a little like you’re living in the proverbial fish-bowl this coming year, through to your next birthday, dear Leo; thoughts, feelings, and actions will all be both exaggerated and broadcast, in one way or another, during this period. In a way, it may seem like you can’t catch a break; from your point-of-view if could feel as if you’re just expressing yourself, but others may see you as having dark or hidden motives, as trying to be deliberately mysterious (and so deliberately provocative), as grabbing for power, or as trying to change the world (or just your corner of it), which can on its own attract both praise and accusations of pretentiousness. What’s a Lion to do? Whatever the f*ck she wants, that’s what. Let them talk; you need to spend the year acting and being who you are to the fullest, and if that means things soar successfully or go wonky once in a while, well, that’s the only way you’ll learn, isn’t it?

On the use of an asterisk to tone down profanity: I think it looks like a little sparkle, which is what you get when you use that kind of spicy word in the first place–so rather than feeling like I’m dodging the word, I’m making it more graphic, like those terrible poems trendy 50 years ago, where the word ‘bottle’ fills the shape of a bottle–it may be a tad tiresome, but you get the picture–

‘Music’ Matisse {{PD}}

What happens when we are caught between enacting our social role and turning away from it in order to deal with things we’d rather avoid, or to establish ourselves in a position respected by others? We live a year like the upcoming one for you, dear Leo! You may be entirely caught up in identity and role matters, and so have little time or mental room to accommodate those emotional, home, and mate issues that may arise. That’s okay; the partner will give you some slack when they see how important it is (and extra so for a Solar Leo!) for you to make it clear to all just who you are, what you want to do, and how you want to be treated. Don’t forget to thank your support system, and to offer them empowerment through your own gains and advances. You may end up making a lot of changes this year, through to your next birthday, and they will be permanent ones–take your time as you do change things, and you’ll finish the year in a much more suitable power situation than when you started it. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

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