Leo, the Lion
The zodiacal month of Leo the Lion begins around now, ushering a period when the sun, Leo's governing 'planet' presides both astrologically and literally over the last golden days of sumer. Like the Nemean lion for which their sign is named, Leonian individuals are considered tough and fearless, the sun also giving them a lion's proud dignity, egotism, loyalty, and self sufficiency. With the Lion's fiery element and masculine (active or passive) polarity, further Leonian chracteristics include passion, and spontaneity, as well as forcefulness and extroversion.

Like the sun, the dandelion -which comes from the French word dent de lion- teeth of the Lion- has the power to promote well-being. Collect and wash some nutrient rich dandelion leaves and add them to a summer salad or tea. They are helpful especially in the scorching summer months, when heat and bloating become an issue, as they are a diuretic and nourishing to the liver.