Steven Forrest’s  interpretation of Leo may make many astrologers feel a little guilty for making fun of Leo’s big hair, ego, and showy imagery, and we just might have got the interpretation all wrong:

Leo: the lion. Now there’s a lot of competition for which of the astrological signs is the most misunderstood – but my personal favorite in that regard is “poor” Leo. You read most astrological literature about this sign and you get the impression that all Leos are insufferable; that they’re noisy, loud, constantly demanding attention and dancing with lampshades on their heads. Just generally being pretty ridiculous. But it’s actually difficult to find a Leo who acts that way. Much more with Leo you will find a kind of quiet dignity about the person. Yet out of that quiet dignity, there emanates a presence, a kind of star quality. Yet when you are praised, when people are impressed by you, there is this curious feeling that they don’t know you at all – that they’re’ looking at some hologram of you standing somewhere near you, praising that, and not seeing you at all. Why is this, what’s going on? Sun Signs

According to Dane Rudhyar, Leo was the true beginning of the zodiac. The author connects this idea to the beliefs of occultists that claimed it to be the first Celestial Hierarchy to operate in our universe. Who is Leo anyway? Are they the creator, the artist, the child at play, or the leader? Leo is believed to have a larger ego center since being ruled by the Sun. Not all Leos, though, are self-centered, but they do often have a strong desire to express their divinity, fiery essence, and creative output. The wounded pride is also something common to the Leonian personality, and this hurt is a personal blow towards their individuality and self-expression, their joyful heart not being accepted. The “solar energy” finds its true home in Leo, as it longs to shine forth, emanate personal expression freely, and without opposition. The greatest happiness is found by following the course of inner destiny, which leads one towards their creative vision, and reason for existing. In personality, Leos express a strong magnetism, and intensification; there is always a dramatic quality whether physically expressed or operating more subtly. Leo symbolizes the heart of life, will to expression, and enormous power radiating from the center.

Celebrating individuality, the major aim of the personality is to create the Self, enliven the spirit, and keep their own personal universe rotating.

Liz Greene says:

Long ago I became convinced that Leo is not really concerned with being the showy, exhibitionist figure in popular sun-sign columns. I don’t even think Leo is kingly. He’s heroic rather than kingly. Apollo the Sun-god is not king of the gods. Zeus is king and I have felt for some time that if there is any sign which is really kingly and imperious, it’s Sagittarius rather than Leo. We have become accustomed to descriptions of the loud and kingly specimen of popular lore, and could easily belive that the lion has no deeper meaning than an extroverted and exhibitionistic display of vigourous life. But there is an unexpectedly complex pattern at work in Leo, which takes us as far away from the conventionally shallow and showy lion into much more mystical terrain. I have for a long time been convinced that Leo, ruled by the Sun and therefore conencted with the mystery of individuality and the fated path of individual maturation, is not really about ‘creating’ something that other people can applaud. More profoundly, it seems to describe the development of unique individual essence and its quest for the source.

Leo’s gift for artistry, designing the life truly wanted is unparalleled. It is something of a profound art to be able to have such keen insight into life’s deeper purpose. A great power wells up in their spirit, and there is often a colorful personality – at least; Leo sees all things as significant expressions of their destiny. The Leonian is more clued into their true purpose which is to find things in life where the personality can shine. Plus, the need to be in the spotlight for their strengths and excellent individual contributions to the world at large is always there.

Charles Carter says:

Leo has a warm kindness of heart and unselfish affection that is rare in other signs. Its very presence fortifies and cheers. The Leonian has not been always kindly treated by astrological writers, perhaps because many of these, naturally enough, are Mercurians, who, once again naturally, do not seem to appreciate the greatness of the sign. Nevertheless, there is a real goodness in the true Leo