Leo (Simha) Lagna

Leo is the fifth ascendant to emerge on the horizon. Its symbol is a ferocious lion. Royal in gait and kingly in temper, this Lagna represents the Sun in its highest form, blazing forth with fire that's both destructive and cleansing. In the body of Cosmic Man or Kalapurusha, Leo rules the abdomen. The stomach is the place of fire, where food is minced and purified, leading to digestion. The final products of digestion nourish the body and mind through the blood.

Leo natives are known for their regal bearing and natural leadership qualities. They possess an inherent dignity and confidence that draws others to them. Their strong presence and magnetic personality make them natural centers of attention.

The Sun rules Leo, indicating a powerful and capable path through life. Leo shuns the night and turns active during the day. The flaming rays of the Sun activate the ardent energies of self-expression lying at the heart of a fiery Leo.

Simha is a quadruped. Its four legs give it a powerful and anchored walk—a walk that is determined, fixed on the path, with a capacity to see what's coming next and without fleeing, which is why Leo is best at perfecting what they've started. Put them on the toughest roads, and they will never vacillate to choose a different direction out of convenience.

Leo's ruling element is Agni or fire. Agni instigates the reactive mind of Leo when the need arises. Fire is thin, active, and powerful, which enables the Leo to forcefully pounce, destroying everything that gets in its way of progression.

Sage Parashara calls Leo \"violet.\" This color of spirituality signifies active awareness, selfless love, originality, and creative endeavors. Simha is not activity-driven; it just can't and can never get to those selfish levels—it's a king after all. After the destruction of the lower self, the purified mind becomes benevolent and philanthropic. Leo is a sattvic sign with a humanitarian mindset.

Leo, through its inherent fire, kills the lower ego, processes it, and, after combusting the mean character, directs the bright intelligence of man to the higher purpose of life.

Leo rules the East, the place where its Lord rises. The polarity of Leo Lagna is masculine. Leo ascendants believe in living life to the fullest, with stars forming the outline of a great and large lion. Their impact is often said to be larger than life, and their influence is magnanimous and unmissable. This is a positively charged Lagna.

Leo directs its unshakable and positive energy into this world in a style that's extroverted and unhindered. It lives in places where its energies can flow freely, such as forests, forts and fortresses, hills, fireplaces, furnaces, solariums, and Shiva temples.

Derived from fire is the dosha of pitta, which is predominant in the Simha Lagna. Pitta makes Leo somewhat oily, volatile, and hot. Simha is a clear communicator, often penetrating the thoughts of their opponents and people in general. Under the influence of the Ajna chakra, Leo is intuitive, sharply intelligent, and the king who only rules and commands.

The Ajna chakra governs intuition and higher knowledge, making Leo natives naturally intuitive and authoritative in their approach to life.

The nakshatras enclosed by Simha are Magha, Purva Phalguni, and Uttara Phalguni. Its ruling deities are its departed ancestors, Bhagwan Shiva and Aryaman, the third and fourth sons of Aditi (Mother of the Gods), respectively.

Ancestors were the patriarchs or heads of the family. They are said to be both benevolent and terrible, signifying the cloudy and thunderous nature of Simha. Bhagwan Shiva is the slayer of passions and desire-oriented activities. He, as the ruling deity, will anchor Simha in its senses, but by activating the higher awareness, he will never allow a Leo to fall prey to its passions and immoral character. Aryaman was the giver of boons. Uttara Phalguni, with its \"Star of Patron,\" motivates Leo to help when approached.

Leo has a charming persona true to their name. Their waist is slender and athletic. Their limbs are supple, long, and well-built. Their musculature is powerful, and their bones are strong. With a complexion that's ruddy, their upper body is stronger compared to their lower body.

Leo's faces are round, with eyes that are intense and staring. Their hair is light in color and has a tendency to develop baldness at an early age. Their knees and shoulders are strong, agile, and well-built, which gives them an upright posture. With a fuller body erected by long bones, they appear every bit royal and kingly.