Leo II - A Crown of Laurels
By Tarah Stevenson
The second decan of Leo is the only decan ruled by Jupiter in both the Chaldean order and modern rulership. I can imagine any Leo reading this, visibly puffing up at the idea of being ruled by the greater benefic, twice! A word of warning, Jupiter magnifies whatever it touches, and self-confidence can quickly become over-confidence. Taking pride in achievements can easily morph into false pride – or perhaps even arrogance.
The decans are special due to the rich imagery they weave in our minds, capable of taking us just about anywhere. The second decan of Leo is no different, where we meet the Six of Wands, Strength, and the Wheel of Fortune. All three depict an image of completion and wholeness, from the infinity symbol to the never-ending cycle of the wheel.
If you’re familiar with the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, then you’ll know that the Six of Wands depicts a laurelled horseman riding through a cheering crowd. It evokes a sense of victory, success and importantly admirers. The Light Seer’s modern version has a woman bathing in the spotlight and in the background, you can see the shadows of many hands seemingly holding her in grand reverence. Oh, a Leo’s dream to be publicly adored and recognised for their talents.
So, it makes perfect sense that Austin Coppock refers to this decan as ‘a Crown of Laurels’ and states:
“On an external level, happy figures are seen here, externally victorious due to their success in this operation. They are thus celebrated not just for what they do, but who they are.”
A crown of laurels is a wreath or garland of laurel leaves worn in ancient Greek and Roman times as a symbol of victory or status. Today, the expression “resting on one’s laurels” refers to the competitive spirit. It refers to those who don’t strive to achieve anything greater due to past successes. Perhaps this hints at those with placements in this decan assuming that something is a given or comes freely, with no effort or reciprocation. That victory is inevitable! It’s pertinent to note here, that despite Leo’s pride of presenting themselves in a perpetually positive light, The Picatrix refers to this face as the “rising up of a man who is ignorant and vile”, while Agrippa associates this decan with "base men.” I think Austin said it best when he said:
“Recognition of one’s virtues does not dispel the reality of one’s vices.”
As with many concepts in astrology, here we come across the idea of duality, two sides of the same coin. The second decan of Leo strongly illuminates our sense of innate goodness, but we cannot ignore the badness, the dark. This decan allows us to see the multi-faceted nature of Jupiter, where exuberance meets hedonism and spirituality meets dogma. Does seeking glory and accolades triumph over humility and grace?
What’s particularly interesting about this decan is that most of it falls within Saturn’s bounds (11°-17°) according to the Egyptian terms. Vettius Valens describes this as “having much experience, fearful, scientific, naturally clever, narrow, religious, with many children, searching out secret lore, barren, without offspring.”
Where Jupiter magnifies, Saturn restricts and while it might seem natural to assume that Leo is full of self-confidence, beneath the surface lives doubt and fear. Both the greater benefic and greater malefic govern the day sect, which keenly resonates with the solar energy of Leo. Here we see the need for Leo to both illuminate others while also searching for its own guiding light.
Andy Warhol
Although Andy Warhol, born Andrew Warhola Jr. had a quirky nature due in part to his Moon-Uranus conjunction in Aries, he had a very strong 1H Leo stellium ~ Rising, Sun, Mercury, Venus & Neptune forming a grand fire trine with Saturn in Sagittarius and his Moon-Uranus conjunction in Aries. He created provocative art that pushed the boundaries of the typical creative norms at the time. From a young age, Warhol was obsessed with fame, fashion, celebrity and Hollywood, desperate to escape his working life background in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While his 15° Sun closely conjunct his 14° ascendant creates a strong sense of self, there’s also a need to discover what it means to be authentic and true.
Much is known about Warhol’s life because he created over 600-time capsules documenting his life from cinema stubs to his toenail clippings to fan letters. He understood that people would be interested in his life post death. What Leo doesn’t think this of themselves at least once in their lifetime? A legacy that withstands the tests of time. Andy had once told a friend to treasure his silk press design of Marilyn Monroe because “it would be worth millions one day”. He was right, it’s now worth $175 million. In the Fixed Astrology Podcast decan series by Mo and Pao, they discuss the idea of the second decan of Leo benefitting from proximity. Some sources say that Warhol was given the idea of drawing something ordinary and everyday by his friend Muriel Latow, thus inspiring the famous Campbell’s soup artwork, instantly recognised across the world. But did Warhol simply benefit from proximity, or did he actively steal other people’s ideas and artwork? There are many documented legal battles that Warhol was involved in, and he was sued at least three times by photographers who filed copyright infringement claims against him for using their photographs in his work. The Columbia Journal of Law & the Arts is a student edited publication and in 2019 published a piece entitled ‘Andy the appropriator: The Copyright Battles You Won’t Hear About at The Whitney’s Warhol Exhibit’:
“Although some of Warhol’s work was commissioned by individuals or companies, much of it was appropriated from other artists, photographers, and brands. One of his most famous pieces, the collection of Campbell’s soup cans, are examples of his habit of appropriation”
The second decan of Leo is an interesting one, because there’s a duality of having an unshakeable faith in one’s ability to shine coupled with an extreme self-doubt, one that we daren’t share with the world. Warhol was deeply insecure about his appearance, stemming from childhood body dysmorphia, which fuelled his artwork. Curator Jessica Beck of the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh said, “The artist spent his life building a glamorous persona, almost to shield himself from a slew of gnawing insecurities”. However, this didn’t stop Warhol experiencing worldwide and long-lasting fame, his second decan in Leo demanded it of him.
Whitney Houston
I’ve always loved Whitney’s music and from a young age, I would proudly tell anyone who would listen, that we shared a birthday. This seemed to strengthen my love for her, as though we shared an unshakeable bond in the stars. That we were connected somehow.
While much can be said about her tragic love story with Bobby Brown and her experiences with substance use, ultimately leading to her untimely death in February of 2012. I instead want to focus on her undeniable positive shining light. Both her 16° Sun and 11° Venus were in the second decan of Leo.
In those early years, Whitney and her beautiful voice was a force to be reckoned with. As a Pisces rising, Venus is the exaltation ruler of her ascendant and as a child she would effortlessly wow the audience with the gift of her voice. Sue Thompkins describes the Sun-Venus aspect as “the importance of popularity” and the deep-seated need to be recognised as loving and good. Again, we’re confronted by the idea of benefitting from proximity with this decan, as both Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston and her godmother Dionne Warwick were legendary gospel singers – and even Aretha Franklin was her honorary aunt!
Even though her chart ruler, Jupiter, is her out of sect benefic in a night chart, it makes a beautiful supportive trine to her Sun-Venus conjunction. Furthermore, if you count her Sagittarius MC at 18°, then this forms a fire grand trine involving both benefics and luminaries! In fact, this double Jupiter ruled decan really came through for Whitney, because the list of accolades and success she achieved is staggering. Between 1985 and 1992, Whitney released four albums that amassed global sales of more than 86 million copies. She currently holds the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time. Not only a singer, Whitney was also a model and actress, becoming one of the first Black women to appear in Seventeen magazine in the early 80’s. The Aries Moon-Jupiter conjunction points to creating pioneers and ‘firsts’.
Although countless documentaries have been made about Whitney, one stands out called ‘Can I be me?’ which circles back to the idea of identity and our sense of self being inextricably linked to the sign of Leo and the Sun. Did Whitney ever feel that she could truly be herself? Despite the fame and accolades, Whitney had insecurities about fitting the image that was created for her. Black audiences called her out because her music was too ‘white’ and often her private life was at odds with her wholesome image.
Susan Chang describes this decan as ‘your moment in the Sun’ and Whitney certainly had her moments, but Susan also states that:
“The Wheel's blessings, being unearned, cannot be expected to last”
I think the second decan of Leo is the epitome of enjoying the good fortune, while it lasts, because nothing lasts forever. Yet, while we mourn the tragic end to Whitney’s life, her voice and her legacy lives on. Her music will always illuminate hearts.
Greatest Love of All
I was always bemused when my mom would repeatedly tell me over the years “you’re lucky, you always seem to land on your feet”. Both my Sun and Mercury fall within Leo decan II - did I mention it’s the only decan to be double ruled by Jupiter? So, perhaps she had a point. Admittedly, despite the low points in my life, of which there have been many, particularly pre-Saturn return, each setback has miraculously set me up to be in a more favourable position. Sometimes, without having to “do” very much. So, yes, I recognise the privilege this decan offers, but I also acknowledge that residing in Saturn’s terms, there’s an element of loneliness, a melancholic edge, and a fragile self-esteem.
So, let me leave you with the lyrics from “The Greatest Love of All”, written by Linda Creed, originally sung by George Benson, but made magnificent by Whitney! It speaks of failure, success, shadows, belief, and dignity, all of which reflect the nature of Leo decan II.
“I decided long ago
Never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity”
So, while Leo’s are often stereotyped for having big egos and a healthy dose of hubris, below the bravado, beneath the poised decorum, there lies an inner child who isn’t always sure. Despite the uncertainty, this Leo double Jupiter-ruled decan will never stop proclaiming, dramatically and loudly, that the greatest love of all is loving ourselves.
List of famous people with placements in the second decan of Leo
Meghan Markle ~ Sun 12°
Barack Obama ~ Sun 12°
Louis Armstrong ~ Sun 12°
Louis Vuitton ~ Sun 11°
Oscar Wilde ~ Moon 15°
Tina Turner ~ Ascendant 16°
James Brown ~ Ascendant 15°
Kate Middleton ~ Ascendant 19°
Demetra George ~ Mercury 15°
Nelson Mandela ~ Mercury 16°
Stanley Kubrick ~ Venus 10°
Alfred Hitchcock ~ Venus 11°
Hilary Clinton ~ Mars 14°
Serena Williams ~ Mars 14°
About the Author
Tarah (she/her) is a professional astrologer from the UK who has studied at the Faculty of Astrological Studies, London. As well as offering natal and solar return readings, she also specialises in astrology coaching and family astrology, having recently launched her new offering – Parenting with Love. Tarah practices tropical traditional astrology with modern concepts sprinkled on top. A scientist by background, Tarah understands that there’s a place for both astrology and science. She seeks to create a supportive safe space to help others understand themselves on a deeper spiritual level.
Instagram: loveandluna_astrology
Twitter/X: LoveLunaAstro
Substack: LOVELUNAASTRO
Website: www.loveandlunaastrology.com
References
36 Faces; The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans, Austin Coppock
Aspects in Astrology, Sue Thompkins
Essential dignity and debility – an introduction to planetary condition, Kira Ryberg
Decans of Leo, Fixed Astrology Podcast
Anthologies, Book I, Vettius Valens
https://www.tsusanchang.com/blog/2019/8/5/reading-the-decans-your-moment-in-the-sun-leo-ii
https://galeriemagazine.com/andy-warhol-netflix/
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/06/08/untangling-andy-warhol
https://garrettmuseumofart.org/monday-muse-andy-warhol-his-soup-cans/
https://www.biography.com/musicians/whitney-houston
https://www.bigissue.com/culture/film/film-review-whitney-search-vulnerable-star-behind-huge-voice/
This is so well written Tarah! I also share a Pisces rising, Sagittarius MC(night chart) with Whitney, very interesting!!
This was AMAZING!!! So beautifully written 🥹✨