♌︎ Leo · July 23 – August 22 · Fixed fire

Leo Zodiac Sign: Traits, Dates & Compatibility

By Dima Tretyak · Updated October 23, 2026 · Sun dates calculated, not copied

Leo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun, and its warmth, vitality and need to be seen shape much of how Leo-born people move through life. The Sun is in Leo from July 23 to August 22 (2026, US Eastern; the exact days shift by a day from year to year).

Leo at a glance

Dates: July 23 – August 22
Sun enters: July 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM EDT
Sun leaves: August 22, 2026 at 10:19 PM EDT
Symbol: ♌︎ The Lion
Element: Fire
Modality: Fixed
Polarity: Active
Ruler: ☉ Sun
Exalted here: None
In detriment here: ♄ Saturn
In fall here: None
Opposite sign: Aquarius
Same element: Sagittarius, Aries
Natural house: 5th · romance & creativity

Leo traits

Fire is the element of enthusiasm, action, warmth, impulse and confidence, and Leo carries it in a steady, glowing form. People born under this sign often lead with the heart. They tend to show feeling through what they do rather than what they say, and they usually try to live their ideals instead of announcing them. Fire also brings impulse, so a Leo may act on a warm feeling before weighing the cost.

Leo is a fixed sign, which means it holds on, sustains and resists change. Once a Leo commits to a person, a project or a belief, loyalty tends to follow. That staying power is a gift in anyone who has to keep a group together. It can also harden into stubbornness when circumstances call for a change of plan. The polarity is active, so this sign tends to initiate and put itself forward instead of waiting to be asked.

The Sun is Leo's ruler, and the Sun stands for identity, vitality, purpose and the conscious will. A sign ruled by the Sun often has a strong sense of who it is and a wish to shine in that role. Saturn is in detriment here. Saturn speaks for limits, duty, time, structure and patience, and in Leo it works against its own nature. Leo-born people may find strict limits and slow timelines uncomfortable, and they tend to grow when they learn to accept those things on their own terms. No planet is exalted or in fall in Leo. The opposite sign is Aquarius, fixed air, which is original and detached where Leo is personal and warm. Aquarius shows what Leo can learn: caring about the many as well as the few.

Strengths

Leo's best qualities come from the heart. People born under this sign tend to be warm and sincere, and their vitality can lift a room. They are often faithful once they commit, and the fixed quality gives them staying power. Their magnetism and comfort with authority suit them to roles of trust, where others look to them for direction. Because they would rather act on their ideals than talk about them, their example often does the persuading. A practical streak keeps the warmth useful instead of merely pleasant.

Weaknesses

Leo's typical excess is being led too easily by feeling. Generosity and impulse can be taken advantage of, and they may slide into dissipation if nothing sets a limit. The fixed modality can turn loyalty into rigidity, so a Leo may hold a position long after it has stopped serving them. With Saturn in detriment, patience may feel like a burden rather than a support, especially when the duty is dull. A strong need for recognition can also make criticism sting more than it should.

Leo in love

In love, Leo tends to be warm and loyal. Affection usually shows up in action: planning something generous, standing up for a partner, making an occasion feel special. Fixed fire means feelings are slow to fade once they are lit, so commitment often runs deep. Leo may need to watch for impulse in the early stages and for stubbornness during disagreements. Aries and Sagittarius, the other fire signs, tend to match Leo's enthusiasm. Aquarius, the opposite sign, offers the attraction of opposites, with a cooler and more independent outlook.

Leo as a friend

Leo-born friends tend to be generous hosts and loyal allies. They often take the lead in making plans, and they show up for people in practical ways. Fixed loyalty means old friendships are kept up with real effort. The flip side is a wish for appreciation, and a Leo may feel hurt if kindness goes unnoticed. Friends who are frank and let Leo take the spotlight now and then often find the bond easy and lasting.

Leo at work

Leo tends to do best in positions of authority, where warmth counts for something. Ambition and comfort in front of others suit roles that involve leading a team or speaking to an audience. The practical side of the sign helps turn ideas into results. Saturn's detriment suggests that routine paperwork may wear on Leo, so room for initiative matters. Leo does well when credit is shared and responsibility is clear.

The three decans of Leo

Decan	Sun from (2026)	Sub-sign	Ruler
1 · 0°–10°	July 23	♌︎ Leo	☉ Sun
2 · 10°–20°	August 2	♐︎ Sagittarius	♃ Jupiter
3 · 20°–30°	August 13	♈︎ Aries	♂︎ Mars

The first decan, from July 23 and ruled by the Sun, is Leo in its purest form. It tends to be proud and warm, and strongly centered on identity and purpose. The second decan, from August 2, carries Sagittarius and is ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter adds growth and generosity, so this decan often seems more optimistic and idealistic, with a love of freedom and a touch of the teacher. It can also bring restlessness and excess. The third decan, from August 13, carries Aries and is ruled by Mars. Mars adds drive and courage, so these Leos tend to be pioneering and frank, with a love of novelty and a quicker temper.

Leo compatibility

Questions

✦What are the dates for Leo?

The Sun is in Leo from July 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM EDT to August 22, 2026 at 10:19 PM EDT. The exact day can shift by one from year to year, so people born on July 22 or August 22 should check their birth year.

✦What element and modality is Leo?

Leo is a fixed fire sign (active), ruled by Sun.

✦What are Leo traits?

Leo-born people tend to be warm-hearted and magnetic, with plenty of vitality. They often show feeling through action and live their ideals instead of just talking about them. Their shadow side is following feeling too easily, which can lead to impulse and excess.

✦What is Leo's ruling planet?

Leo is ruled by the Sun, which stands for identity and the conscious will. That is why Leo is often seen as a sign with a strong sense of self and a wish to shine. Saturn is in detriment in Leo, so rigid structure tends to feel less natural to this sign.

✦Who is Leo most compatible with?

Leo shares the fire element with Aries and Sagittarius, so these signs tend to understand its enthusiasm and directness. Aquarius, the opposite sign, brings the attraction of opposites, since it is fixed like Leo but belongs to air. Any pairing depends on the full charts of both people.

✦What is Leo's weakness?

Leo's typical excess is being led too easily by feeling, which can leave its generosity open to being taken advantage of. The fixed modality may add stubbornness, and Saturn's detriment can make patience hard to come by. These are tendencies to reflect on, not fixed outcomes.