Sun's Transit in Leo

The Sun will enter the Leo constellation (the sidereal sign of Leo) on Tuesday night, August 16 at 9:53 PM EDT, which will be August 17 at 1:53 AM UTC. You can use World Time Buddy to convert these times to your own time zone if needed. The Sun will remain in Leo until September 16 or 17 depending on your location.

According to Vedic astrology, the day that the Sun enters sidereal Leo is called “Simha Sankranti.” Simha is the Sanskrit name for Leo. Sankranti here refers to the Sun's entry (ingress) into a new sidereal sign every month. Simha Sankranti is generally auspicious for matters related to finance, trade, and commerce; for peacemaking; and for health practices.

This month’s sankranti is one of the rare and special Vishnupati days observed in certain parts and sects of South Indian/Vedic culture and astrology. On these days, Lord Vishnu is said to make a special appearance to bless devotees with prosperity, spiritual bliss, happiness, and peace of mind. Special pujas and other rituals are performed on these days.

Vishnupati occurs four times every year when the Sun transits into one of the fixed sidereal zodiac signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. Great power is generated on the day that the Sun, the soul of the world and sustainer of life, transits into these four signs of material and spiritual stability. They are related to Lord Vishnu, the Divine archetype of worldly and spiritual power who preserves and maintains the world.

In astrology, the Sun represents our fire energy, individuality, status, will, behavior, physical body, vitality, ambition, resistance to disease, eyesight, the heart, bones and skeletal system, confidence, and profession (authority, fame). When it transits in its own sign of Leo the Lion, the Sun’s expression is especially dynamic, fortunate, and powerful.

In Leo, the Sun reflects a regal nature and adventurous spirit, leadership capacity, philanthropy, warmth, generosity, courage, fame, independence, honesty, and stamina. Of course it depends on the house Leo occupies in one’s own natal chart as to how this transit will manifest, but in general, it can suggest quite a vibrant time of year for many of us when our whole mind-body-spirit system naturally seeks to rejuvenate and recharge itself.

Synchronistically, during the Sun’s transit in sidereal Leo every year, the northern hemisphere also experiences late summer. This is known as the Earth season according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Earth season, which comes after the Fire season of summer, is the period when we are meant to ground our minds and bodies as we transition from the yang/hot period to the cooler drier period of autumn (Metal season).

The Earth season is the in-between time when Mother Nature takes a much-needed rest. This is when we should follow suit by slowing down, pausing, re-setting, and re-calibrating. In the Earth season, we will benefit by cultivating whatever it is we need to thrive. Most importantly, our digestive systems come into significant focus and need special care during the Earth season.

If we are out of balance in any way at this time, there will be a tendency for damp conditions to erupt in the body (like loose bowels or colds and coughs), or we may become plagued with worry, anxiety, and over-thinking. We can find more balance and harmony by spending time in nature; avoiding oily, sugary, and cold foods and drinks (eating healthful, cooked/warm foods and drinks); visiting the acupuncturist and taking certain medicinal herbs (like tonifying herbs); using uplifting and grounding essential oils; and making time to regularly exercise, meditate, and perform conscious breath practices that activate the power of letting go into a state of flow and ease.

And we really do need to focus on breathing, as there is a weak representation of the Air element at the time of the Sun’s Leo ingress. This can contribute to inflammatory conditions…so any and all breath practices will indeed be extra important and supportive in the coming days and weeks!

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! St. Francis of Assisi