The symbolism & psychology of Leo

According to Greek mythology, Heracles’ first labour was to slay the Nemean Lion, a monstrous yet divine beast whose impenetrable hide made it invulnerable to ordinary weapons. The lion terrorised the land of Nemea until Heracles overcame it by wrestling it with his bare hands. Having slain the lion, Heracles transformed its skin into his armour, and the lion itself was later placed among the stars as the constellation Leo.

Psychologically, this myth is far more than the tale of a heroic feat. It speaks of the encounter with the Self—the creative archetype at the centre of the psyche and the source of our deepest vitality, purpose, and individuality. Like the Nemean Lion, the Self is both awesome and formidable. When unconscious, its power may appear as pride, the hunger for recognition, or grandiosity; when consciously related to, it becomes the source of authentic confidence, creativity, and leadership.

Having slain the lion, Heracles transforms its skin into his armour, suggesting that our greatest strength arises not from denying the Self, but from entering into a conscious relationship with it.

About the zodiac series

Most astrology focuses on personality traits: Aries is assertive, Taurus steadfast, Gemini curious, and so forth. Yet far less attention is given to why these traits emerge, what psychological tensions they express, and how they are meant to develop.

This lecture series approaches the zodiac through the lens of Psychodynamic Astrology. Rather than treating the zodiac as a static collection of traits, it views each sign as a psychological potential, developmental challenges, and a transformative process.

Through mythology, psychology, and symbolic analysis, this series explores the zodiac as a cycle of transformation, revealing not only aspects of character but also the deeper processes shaping human development and destiny.