If you were born between July 24 and August 23, the modern zodiac calls your sign Leo, which means “lion” in Latin. Today, many people read horoscopes to find love, good health, luck, or to understand their personality.
But what did the ancient people think Leo meant? What was its original message?
Be Warned! Learning the true meaning of Leo might surprise you – leading you on a new journey, different from simply checking your daily horoscope…
Astrology of the Leo Constellation
Look at the Leo constellation (a group of stars in the sky). Can you see a lion?
Even if we draw lines between the stars, it’s still hard to see one.
Here is a National Geographic poster of the zodiac, showing Leo in the Northern Hemisphere.
How did people first come up with a Lion from this? But Leo goes back as far as we know in human history.
ancient people did not see a lion shape in the sky first. Instead, they already had the idea of a lion, and then they used the stars to tell a story. The first astrologers placed the idea of a lion onto the stars as a symbol for this story.
So why a lion? What was the story?
Leo in the Zodiac
Here are some common astrology images of Leo.
Look at the zodiac in the Dendera Temple of Egypt with Leo circled in red.
Leo in the ancient Story
In places like the Dendera Temple in Egypt, people drew pictures of Leo. They believed Leo had deep meaning.
The Bible showed us in Virgo that God created the stars to tell a story. Long before the Bible was written, Adam and his children taught this story to future generations.
Leo is the last part of the story that begins with Virgo. So, even if you’re not a “Leo” by birth, this sign has an important message for everyone.
The Original Meaning of Leo (A Lion Ruler is Coming)
In the Old Testament, Jacob (father of the tribes of Israel) gave this prophecy of the tribe of Judah, one of his sons:
You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
Genesis 49:9-10
This prophecy says that a powerful ruler—like a lion—would come from Judah’s family. That ruler is Jesus, who came from Judah’s tribe.
When Jesus first came, He did not rule the nations. But when He comes again, He will return as the Lion and rule as King. This is what Leo originally meant.
The Victorious Lion
In Revelation 5, we see a scroll with seven seals. No one is worthy to open it—except one. Looking to this coming, the writings describe the Lion as the only one worthy to open the sacred scroll.
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Revelation 5: 1-5
The Lion won over his enemy at his first coming and so now is able to open seals that bring in the End. We see this in the ancient Zodiac by noting Leo over his enemy Hydra the serpent. ancient star pictures also show Leo standing over Hydra, a snake-like enemy. This shows the Lion defeating the serpent (Satan).
The Conclusion of the Zodiac Story
The intent of the Lion’s struggle with the serpent was not simply to defeat him, but to rule in peace and love. The writings picture the rule of the Lion with these words.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Revelation 21:1-7
This is the new heaven and new earth. It’s the perfect Kingdom of God. There is no temple because God and Jesus (the Lamb) live there with the people.
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:22-27
Revelation 21:22-27
In this vision, we see the fulfillment and completion of the Zodiac. All the other zodiac signs connect here:
- Gemini shows the union of God and His people.
- Aquarius promised a river of life.
- Pisces represented death’s hold, now broken.
- Aries pointed to the Lamb.
- Cancer showed resurrection.
- Libra promised perfect justice.
- And now Leo, the King, rules in glory.
We see the Kings of all the nations, ruling under the authority of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Messiah – beginning as the seed of Virgo, and at the End as the Lion.
The Hostages of the Zodiac Story
You may wonder: Why didn’t Jesus destroy Satan from the start? Why go through all the Zodiac chapters? When Jesus faced his adversary Scorpio he marked that hour with:
Now is the hour (horo) for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
John 12:31
The prince of this world, Satan, used people as hostages, like a terrorist hiding behind civilians. If God judged Satan too soon, all of us would also be judged because we sinned too. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, Satan gained control. If God punished Satan, He would also have to punish us for our sins. Satan knew that The Creator is absolutely just and if he punished sin then, to be righteous in his judgment, he must judge all sin. If God destroyed Satan, then Satan (which means The Accuser) could accuse us of our own sins and wrongdoings, bring us to judgment with him.
In other words, our disobedience put us in the ‘legal’ control of Satan. If God destroyed him, then He would also have to destroy us – because we became part of Satan’s disobedience.
The Need for Rescue before Judgement
We needed to be rescued from Satan’s control and deserved judgment. We needed ransoming from our sin. The Gospel explains it like this:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Ephesians 2:1-3
OUR Ransom, NOW PAID
In his sacrifice pictured in Capricorn Jesus took that wrath upon himself. He paid the price to set us free.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesian 2: 4-9
God never planned Hell for people. It was created for Satan. But if people reject God’s rescue, they will also face judgment.
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:41
Our Way of Escape: Now Made
Jesus’ victory on the cross broke Satan’s legal power over us. He freed us from the legal right that Satan had over us. He can now strike Satan without having to also strike us. Now, we have a way to escape judgment—but we must choose it.
Leo is currently holding back from striking the serpent so that people can escape from that Judgment.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
That’s why the final battle hasn’t happened yet (shown in Sagittarius) and judgment is still coming (seen in Taurus).
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
2 Peter 3: 10
The Leo Horoscope in the ancient Writings
The word horoscope comes from the Greek “horo,” meaning “hour.” In the Bible says, the hour of Leo is described like this:
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour (horo) has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11
This says we are like people sleeping in a building that is burning up. We need to wake up. The Lion is coming. He will destroy Satan and everyone who stays in Satan’s kingdom.
Your Leo Horoscope Reading
Here’s how to apply the message of Leo:
Leo tells you that yes, there are scoffers who, scoff and following their own evil desires. They say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that God has and will judge and then everything in this world will be destroyed. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of person ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise you need to look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where Righteousness dwells. So then since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation for you and those around you. Since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
In Summary:
Some people laugh at the idea of Jesus returning. They say, “Everything stays the same.” But they forget that God judged the world before—and He will again. So what kind of life should you live? “Live holy and godly lives… look forward to the day of God… make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.”
2 Peter 3:11–14
God’s delay is His mercy, giving more time for people to repent and be saved.
Leo is the final chapter of the ancient zodiac story, which began with Virgo.—the virgin who would bear a child.
To go deeper in the written story of Leo see:
- Understanding & receiving the gift of Life
- Quarantine and Covid as a lens to understand Separation from God
- This Current Era to freely choose the Coming Ruler – The Son of Man Paradox
- The Kingdom of God: Many are invited but…
- Why we need repentance before entering the Lion’s Kingdom