What's Your Sign? Part IV
LEO
In this ongoing series of using astrology and the Tarot to
find the archetypes for our story characters, we need to pause briefly. Up
until now I haven’t mentioned the additional elements that affect each zodiac
sign; the four elements that the Greek philosopher Empedocles first mentioned—the elements of earth, air, fire and water.
Each sign of the zodiac is aligned with one of the elements. To date, I have skipped around the zodiac to give you one of each
(Libra-air, Pisces-water, Taurus-earth) and now we add Leo-a fire sign.
Air signs will be more concerned with insubstantial, etheric
or creative impulses, water signs concentrate more on the hidden, dark watery
world of the subconscious-more slippery impulses to nail down and earth signs
are more concerned with the concrete rather than the abstract. (Keep in mind
these are broad generalizations for our purpose of character construction.
Individual horoscopes contain other elements that mold a sign,
but on the whole these will aid you in building your character so that he/she
rings true.)
The Star IQ website
references some myths and legends of Greek heroes and Christian saints
revealed by this sign and these cards.
So, when building your Leo character
he may have to deal with the dilemma of using brute strength or inner strength. Leos tend to have outgoing personalities and leadership qualities. They need to shine and seek validation and
admiration from those around them (think of the male lion in a pride) and they love
to bask in the limelight.
The positive qualities of Leos are exuberance, passion and
creativity and include a generous and caring nature. On the negative side
(there is always at least one) the Leo faces aspects of pride and vanity.
The Tarot Reader website explains the Tarot cards in relation to Leo this way:
Strength
(Leo) is often depicted as a maiden gently subduing a lion. The card stresses
the need for discipline and control, the taming of our desire natures, known as
the id, as represented by the lion. The woman represents the ego, the higher
mind, and the knowledge of what is right and respectable. The two can be in
constant battle and it is this inner battle which is the theme of the Strength
card.
The Sun
(The Sun) provides us with warmth and life and symbolizes the need to shine.
The Sun represents vitality, consciousness, potential and the essence of self,
very much the traits of our warm, fiery Leo and themes of our Sun card in the
Tarot.
The
Sun asks us to become conscious of self, the pure essence of our being, our
true identity, and to express ourselves accordingly. The Sun is also representative
of the ego, individuality, the power of self and the conscious will and so also
urges us not to ignore the power within us.
I hope this suits one of the characters you are building or
will build. Leos are not boring and can be colorful characters to use
in your story. If you need a leader, this is your sign.
Has this astrology/tarot information helped you think of
character in a new way?
Do you think you might use it to help you develop a
character in the future?
Are you a Leo or do you know some? Does this sound like them?
3 comments:
Cracker-Jack idea there. I hadn't thought about looking at a character's sign to help build her/his back story, but it's a good idea. Somehow I accidently did that for my protagonist, Deena Powers, in my book Lottie's Legacy. But then I picked my good friend's birthday and some of her personality, so it fit.
I think many of us pick a person we know, or a combination of people we know for our characters. If you take it a step further and check out the astrological sign, you will know the deeper aspects of the person in the situations you put them in; what tempts them, where their weaknesses lie and what strengths they can draw from. Thanks for your comments.
Despicable! If you showed some respect to person who made this GREAT article, maybe there would be some credibility to your claims!!!!
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