It’s a new moon today! Perfect for starting a new project, making a fresh intention, or finding a new way to think about things.
This new moon is in Leo, so we’re going to use that as our springboard for all the creative goodness we’re channelling today. This is actually perfect because Leo is allll about creativity – youth, vibrancy, self-expression, and a childlike sense of wonder and joy. These are all things we can harness and find in ourselves, no matter what chronological age we are. Every person either remembers or can imagine what it’s like to feel alive and carefree! I’m going to show you how to use this to create your characters, and how it can even inform your setting and your plot. And of course, you can use your new knowledge to observe the people around you and try to figure out if they have noticeable Leo placements in their astrological charts!
Leo.
Let’s break down some of the defining characteristics of a person with strong Leo energy in their birth charts.
Keywords for Leo: Creativity, self-expression, leadership, performance, rulership, generosity. Warm-heartedness, arrogance, charisma, dominance, drama, expression, pride. Confident, loyal, ambitious, enthusiastic, optimistic, passionate. Stubborn, theatrical, courageous, energetic, dignified. Flamboyant, self-assured, magnetic, extroverted, stubborn. Adventurous, and radiant!
A person with strong Leo placements – and by this I mean Leo as their Sun, Moon, or Rising sign – might show any or all of these tendencies. They are generally – but not always – comfortable in the spotlight, and they have a brightness about them that people are drawn to. Whether they want to be or not, they are often the sunshine in the room – the bright light that people want to be close to. These people have a strong creative streak, and this might be seen in the obvious ways, like painting, writing, or dance, or in less obvious ways – the way they lead a company, the way they create a meal, the way they solve a problem.
Leo people often dress beautifully. It’s part of their self-expression, and it’s important to them to look nice. They’re proud of the work that they do, and they do well with lots of praise and lots of affection. They need their value to be acknowledged – as do we all, but for a Leo it forms a real part of their self-identity, so when they are dismissed or ignored, it’s harder to bounce back from.
Leo is a fixed sign, which can come across as stubbornness or as perseverance! They’re incredibly loyal, devoted to their chosen ones – their pack, if you like – and will aggressively defend those in need. Not only are they a fire sign, they’re also ruled by the sun – you don’t get much fiery-er! So their passions are big, deep, and wild. They like parties and people, interactions and excitement. Buuuut not all Leos are extroverts! Some Leos shine more quietly, radiating their warmth gently. Equally, although they thrive on engagement with others, they also need to laze in the sun and play with their creativity in their own way, taking time to enjoy themselves.
So how does this translate into our writing?
As with all things, there is a balance of positive and negative energy with any zodiac sign. You get to choose if your character is a hero (generous, warm-hearted ruler) or a villain (arrogant, proud, dominatrix). Of course, the best characters are those fully rounded ones with hints of all the virtues and vices muddles, like we all are, into one.
If we give them the energy of a particular zodiac sign, not only do we have an instant list of qualities that they might possess, we can also build a consistent list of how they will respond to various situations.
Those two things are key. As the author, we need to know how our characters will respond – yes, even when we’re pantsers and we have no idea what they’re going to do next. It’s not about knowing the plot – this bit ties in with the other part – consistency. Consistency in our characters is what makes our readers relax, trust us, and come back for more. They can do something surprising and even ‘out of character,’ but if it makes sense – if their reaction is consistent with the fully-fleshed person you’ve built them into – your readers will follow them without question.
(Quick side note: I understand that when pantsing, you often have to follow your characters and figure out later why they did it. That’s fine. We’re just talking about development of character, which can of course be done beforehand if you like, halfway through if that fits, or even at the end and retroactively fitted.)
Character Development
So this is how we do it. Take the list of keywords up above and build yourself a character from the ground up. Consider a character you already have in mind, or the blank paper cutout that’s ready to be coloured in. How would these attributes fit them? Let’s think of a couple of archetypal characters to start us off. Remember that you can exchange genders and attributes as you see fit; this is just a jumpstarter!
Warrior Queen: larger than life, a natural leader, loyal to her chosen army. Born to the spotlight. Demands respect from her followers. Dramatically different method of leadership to her predecessor. Has a creative vision for how to win the war and save the kingdom.
What kind of character is she?
We like her. She’s courageous, and passionate about her people. Sure, her stubbornness might at times be a problem, and she may be rigid when it comes to taking advice, but that’s a great character arc point. She’s radiant and we’re rooting for her to succeed, even when her flamboyance threatens to overturn all the best laid plans.
We don’t like her. She’s so self-assured that there’s no space for anyone else’s opinions. It’s her way or the highway. Blind loyalty means she doesn’t see where her chosen one went wrong, and her fury when she finds out fires outwards, as she refuses to take responsibility. Her character arc could end with her pride coming before a fall, or maybe the loss of the battle that weakens both her army and her sense of self.
Antihero Trickster: This person’s need for glory outweighs their need to obey the law. They believe they’re above the law! They want to beat the system, for the sheer hell of it; to win the hearts and minds of the adoring public – a character you love, or a character you love to hate?
What kind of character are they?
We like them. Their theatrics are so ambitious, you have to laugh. They entertain everyone, even when they’re technically breaking the law, and their high energy is high octane thrilling! Their high-stakes dramatics are so loveable you can’t help but laugh and support them.
We don’t like them. They might be magnetic, but they’re dangerous. Their need for attention gets other people in trouble, and their wild creativity means only their inner circle can guess what they’re going to do next – and they’re not telling.
Big Bad Boss: He’s arrogant but you’re drawn to him. So charismatic that everyone notices when he walks into a room, and follows his every move. Needs to dominate. Adventurous when it comes to his business, stubborn as hell when others try to change him.
What kind of character is he?
We like him. He’s the grumpy in the grumpy-sunshine trope, but for his love interest, the sun comes out and he’s warm and cuddly as a kitten – unless the love interest happens to love his dominant side. His animal magnetism makes his ambitious projects a cert, and that confidence pays off. His character arc may include an overreaction to a slight, the outrage at being ignored, and the humbling feeling of meeting a match to his own strength.
We don’t like him. He’s the asshole boss who sees his colleagues and staff as inferiors in his boardroom kingdom. His ambition got him a long way, but his fire burns rather than warms, and his self-assuredness fuels his judgemental attitude. He dresses to impress and judges harshly anyone who doesn’t meet his standards.
You get the idea. I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it in your capable hands / minds!
1. Resilience: Leos often show remarkable resilience. Their natural optimism helps them believe they can overcome any obstacle.
2. Determination: They tend to double down on their efforts, showing fierce determination to succeed despite the odds.
3. Leadership: In crisis situations, Leos often step up to lead, rallying others with their charisma and confidence.
4. Pride: Their strong sense of pride can be both a strength and a weakness. It may motivate them to persevere, but it can also make them reluctant to admit defeat or ask for help.
5. Dramatic responses: True to their theatrical nature, Leos might respond to setbacks with dramatic flair, potentially exaggerating the situation.
6. Creativity: They often use their creative thinking to find innovative solutions to problems.
7. Stubbornness: Leos can be stubborn in the face of adversity, refusing to give up even when it might be wise to do so.
8. Courage: They typically face challenges head-on, demonstrating the courage associated with their sign.
9. Protective instincts: If others are involved, Leos often become protective, putting others’ needs before their own.
10. Seeking attention: In some cases, they might seek attention or sympathy from others when struggling.
Setting
Leo season is a sweet summer party of a time.
It’s hanging out with your besties around the campfire (the perfect place to join in with other writers / astrologers / spiritual besties nudge nudge – upgrade to paid and join the Tales Around The Campfire).
It’s the office that’s buzzing with inspiration and enthusiasm.
It’s a school playground full of magic.
It’s friends, fun, kids, celebrations, families of origin and choice.
It’s a warm hug on a cold day.
It’s shared outrage at social injustice.
It’s picnics and festivals and theatres full of luvvies and admiring audiences.
Choose a setting that epitomises Leo season for you, or take a character from above and write the setting they fit most seamlessly into.
Astrologically there’s a lot going on in the skies at the moment, and while you may not know what any of it is, the energies will be moving you and the people around you anyway. Take a breath this new moon day and give yourself the gift of some time with your imagination. Let your creativity stretch and sparkle.