Leo  Latin for 'Lion', the symbol for Leo. It is the sign ruled by the Sun. In the body, Leo rules the heart and spine.

The first of the tasks of Hercules, a hero of extraordinary strength who won immortality by performing twelve gruelling  labours,  was to slay the Nemean Lion. Since this lion was incapable of being overcome or defeated by any weapon, Hercules had to kill it by strangling the beast with his bare arms – after which he wore the Lion's impenetrable skin as armour.

Born under the noble sign of Leo, it isn't just your strength and courage that people find inspiring about you, but also your ethical standards, moral principles and generous nature. Highly competitive, you push yourself and others to the limits in an effort to go beyond mediocrity, to challenge boundaries and set new records.

Using your talents rather than merely possessing them and, to do whatever you do successfully are your motivations for seeking the spotlight. And once in it you like to shine - winning is your birthright. As much as you enjoy being the centre of attention and love to perform, your high expectations of yourself combined with a need for perfection makes self-doubt your constant companion.

With your natural flair for making big entrances  and a fondness for drama and debate, you could choose a career in the public eye. But you also have a natural gift with children and would make an excellent instructor, mentor, coach or teacher. Irrespective of your particular choice of vocation, you will do well in positions of responsibility.

Often you give freely of your time, money and knowledge, with little concern for yourself, especially when you are attempting to bring a project to success. You are intrigued by and drawn to circumstances that demand great self-control. Seeking out assignments with a potential to produce long-lasting effects, you aim to be recognised and remembered.

The primary source of your strength is your personal independence. Your courage borders on recklessness, but you never fight unfairly or unethical, no matter how great the advantage would be. Providence helps you when you least expect it and when you need it most. Help arrives seemingly out of the blue, and new directions open up at times when there appears to be no visible solution to a dilemma.

You adapt well to environments and circumstances. Appreciating the random mixture of colour and noisy chatter of people in crowded streets and marketplaces, you are equally at home at magnificent parties and splendid gatherings of the rich and famous.

When it comes to romance, you can be painfully shy one minute and outrageously flamboyant the next. Hesitating to show the depth of your emotions, you will admire your hearts desire from afar and only when you are sure that he or she is the right one, and your love is reciprocated, will you  throw all caution into the wind and display your passion with grandeur. Enthusiastic and gracious, you know how to show your affection in ways that are befitting to a king - or queen.

You are attracted to symbols with a likeness or resemblance of the sun, especially in art objects and ornaments. And you love adornments such as necklaces, pendants or rings made of precious metals and set with gems, matching those stylish outfits you like to wear.

It goes without saying that you like the real sun too, soaking up it's rays - whether relaxing at a secluded beach, public pool side or an exclusive rooftop – is vital for you. Creature comfort is indeed something you appreciate and enjoy. And even if you weren't raised in the lap of luxury you will know how to look the part.

It is easy for you to make friends and influence people and you probably belong to many groups and circles. Regardless of the hierarchy in place, you naturally gravitate to the top, often taking on a role of authority or leadership.

Some people might mistake your sense of certainty for arrogance and your pride in your accomplishments for vanity, but they do not know you very well. Those who do, appreciate your confidence and strength as a source of inspiration.

Commanding respect, you know how  to set your boundaries. However, you tend to draw your demarcation line rather loosely and what starts out as assertiveness on your part, easily turns into an invasion and conquest of another's territory - and a dignified retreat could proof to be a challenge.

You like to surround yourself with people who have the same values as you and are willing to join your round table. Your holy grail is the 'triumph of the heart' and your crusade is to make the world a better place, and all through the power of one 'first with the head, then with the heart'.