11 Ways to Work with the Lion’s Gate Portal
This post was written by Community Partner, Writer and Spiritual Holistic Practitioner, Jen Deer.
You may be hearing a lot of buzz around the term “Lion’s Gate” every year at around this time, but what is it? And how can you work with it in a meaningful way? The Lion’s Gate portal is usually portrayed as occurring on August 8 every year, hence the numerology of 88. The actual occurrence of the Lion’s Gate is when the Sun reaches 15 degrees Leo. This year on August 8, the Sun is at 16 degrees of Leo so it isn’t a full alignment, so it’s up to you which day you choose, August 7 (when it’s 15 degrees, or August 8, which is numerologicaly 8.8).
How to work with the Lion’s Gate this August
To work with the Lion’s Gate this year, you can build your relationships with the element of Fire and the celestial body of the Sun. It’s an ideal time to ground into Leonine qualities of courage, confidence, strength, authentic self-expression, generosity, warm-heartedness, sense of humor, and healthy pride.
Here are just a few ideas for how you can celebrate Lion’s Gate on August 7 this year:
- Watch the sunrise—or do sunrise yoga or meditation
- Wear gold jewelry or clothing
- Make sun tea by placing edible flowers and herbs like chamomile, calendula, and St. John’s Wort in a glass jar and set it in the Sun all day. To amplify its benefits, write the names of Leonine qualities you would like to embody on slips of paper and let them infuse the tea.
- Arrange a bouquet of yellow and gold flowers—especially sunflowers and marigolds—as a centerpiece for your dining table or spiritual altar
- Donate money to a large feline animal rescue or a domestic cat shelter
- Sunbathe in way that is safest for you. (Perhaps for only a few minutes if you have especially sensitive skin!)
- Meditate on your heart chakra and the meaning of the term “lion hearted” Can you feel more courageous and good humored? Can you offer more love to yourself? Can you channel generosity toward others while also embodying your own sovereignty?
- Create a vision board or journal about any creative ambitions you would like to manifest.
- Watch the sunset—or do sunset yoga or meditation
- Perform on stage or play games with friends. Attend or host an open mic night or gather with friends to play games that involve performing for each other, like charades. Allow yourselves to act silly and have a blast—this is an opportune for honoring your Divine inner child.
- Drink your sun tea before bed. Allow its relaxing and uplifting herbs to lull you into a replenishing and revitalizing sleep.
The Astrology of The Lion’s Gate
Astrology views Lion’s Gate as part of a larger astrological phenomenon. This idea, explored by influential 20th-century humanistic astrologer Dane Rudhyar in his work “Psychological Astrology,” refers to what he termed the Gates of Atavaric Descent. Other astrologers often call these the “Gates of the Atavars” or the “Divine Gates.” These Gates are said to occur at the 15-degree mark in each of the Fixed zodiac signs:
Leo at 15° is the strongest expression of the Fire element.
Scorpio at 15° is the deepest repository of Water.
Taurus at 15° degrees is the most potent energy of Earth.
Aquarius at 15° degrees is the highest place for Air.
Nicholas DeVore, former President of the Astrological Research Society, refers to three of these gates. He designates 15° Leo as the “First point of Affection: The Lion point.” He further refers to 15° Scorpio as “The Center of Regeneration; the Eagle-point” and 15° Aquarius as “The Center of Humanity, the angel point.” He does not refer to 15° Taurus. These designations appear in his classic reference book Encyclopedia of Astrology.
Dane Rudhyar views each gate as marking a halfway point between a solstice and equinox. They are each a midpoint as well as a portal.
Taurus at 15° is halfway between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.
Leo 15° is halfway between the Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox.
Scorpio 15° is halfway between the Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice.
Aquarius 15° is halfway between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.
Dane Rudyhar believed that the maximum release of energy was possible at points on the zodiac midway between each equinox and solstice, at the 15-degree mark of each of the Fixed signs. These four points of the zodiac are symbolized the four symbolic creatures: The Bull for Taurus—the Lion for Leo—the Eagle for Scorpio—and the Angel for Aquarius. (In the Major Arcana of the Tarot, these symbols all appear together on The Wheel of Fortune card and The World card.)
In addition, Rudhyar believed that each of these points and corresponding symbols hold immense potential for personal and collective empowerment. In the cycle of the zodiacal year, these points occur roughly around May 6, August 8, November 8, and February 5.
Of these elemental portals, the Lion’s Gate might be the strongest, at least on its face, because the Sun is in its domicile, which is the zodiac sign that it rules. This means that the Lion’s Gate is the strongest expression of the element of Fire for the whole year. The date of Lion’s Gate this year—when the Sun is at 15 degrees in the sign of Leo—is Tuesday, August 6 at 5:10pm PST. This vary based on your geographical location.
The Numerology of Lion’s Gate
The numerology of 8/8 is appealing, and many spiritual practitioners observe Lion’s Gate on 8/8 regardless of whether Leo is at 15 degrees or not. The date of August 8 is often used because August is the eighth month of the year and 8/8 is a double number, which many believe to increase power. The date of 8/8 is also reinforced because the major arcana Tarot card associated with Leo is 8. Strength which features the Lion as its main symbol. Astrologically, the number 8 is associated with Mercury, and the number 3 is associated with the Sun.
We all have Leo in our natal charts. Its house and placements vary for us all. By working with the energies of Lion’s Gate, you can refine your ability to access your own Leonine qualities, whether you are seeking to be more of a creator, father, leader, influencer, performer, or genius joker! You can also consciously step further into your own self-empowerment and sovereignty.
Want to Learn More?
- Seek an astrology reading to discover your cosmic alignments and learn how you can best balance the elements of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water and work with the planetary energies to improve your life.
*Reference The Rulership Book by Rex E. Bills to discover more zodiacal correspondences with Leo and planetary correspondences with the Sun.
More About the Author: Jen Deer is a writer and holistic spiritual practitioner who focuses on the intersections between astrological counseling and spiritual healing. Her path unfolded out of teaching literature and creative writing at universities, and she grew more passionate over time about symbology, mythology, and the power we all possess to write our own life stories.
