Decan: 20°-29° Leo

Dates 2024: 13-22 August 2024

Ruling planet/luminary: Mars

Zodiac sign : Leo ~ Fixed Fire 🜂

Tarot card: 7 of Wands

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Valour

Associated Major Arcana:

The Tower (Mars) & Strength (Leo)

A hill to die on

When I see the Rider Waite Smith 7 of Wands the phrase ‘a strange hill to die on’ often pops up in my head. This is a military reference (which fits with the influence of Mars – sometimes known as the Warrior planet) that describes the practice of capturing or holding high ground, regardless of the opposition, the cost or the benefit in doing so.

It takes great Strength, confidence and self-belief to stand up for what you believe is right, regardless of the cost or benefit. These are the traits that Leos (fixed fire sign) seem to have in abundance. But when I look at the Tower I can’t help but think that the figures falling from the burning building have picked a disastrous hill to die on and they are paying the price.

With these thoughts in mind, the advice of the 7 of Wands could be to be brave and defend your position, or protect yourself and your own, when you are sure that you are standing on the ‘right hill’. Pick your battles wisely.

And, just as importantly, have the Strength to give up that position, even if has been long held and defended, if you come to realise that you have been mistaken. It takes courage to admit when you’ve been wrong – not something that sits very comfortably with your average Leo, if indeed there was such a thing as an average Leo 🤣

As with previous Decans, I have found it useful to look at some keywords to see what ideas it may spark about the current Decan of Leo III.

Of fear and bravery

The Tower has long been a card to evoke fear and dread. Fear that the world you understand, the life you know, may be under threat, and dread of what might replace it. A brave new world.

The very definition of bravery is having the mental or moral strength to face danger, fear or difficulty. Hence, the Golden Dawn title for the 7 of Wands – Lord of Valour.

Prompts for 7 of Wands ~ Mars in Leo

When it is time for you to take a stand…

Ask yourself:

• Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?
• Where are your obstacles coming from – within or without?
• Will you keep going in the face of opposition?
• How far are will you go to defend your position?
• Have you picked the ‘right’ hill to die on?

Observations and synchronicities ~ on Leo III

I’m making a space here to return to over the coming days of Leo II to add any thoughts, ideas and synchronicities as they arise…

There seems to me to be such a clear sequence or story in the progression of the Leo Decans as we see depicted in the Tarot. The story is one of victory and triumph after competition followed by the persistence and strength required to hold the hard won ground. It’s action-packed!

Notes on the Decan Walk 2024/25

For more information on Decans, Astrology and Tarot and how they all synchronise please read this Substack article by Rebeka Kulcsar-Kurdi and T. Susan Chang’s 36 Secrets: A Decanic Journey through the Minor Arcana of the Tarot.

And, if you care to join me for this continuing solar return, you’ll find me on Facebook and Instagram hanging out on the corner of #decanwalk2024 and #decanastrology And I will be following @astroco_op and @tsusanchang

Here’s to another trip around the Sun!