Leos are bold, warm, and loving. They are also the ultimate performers. They can dazzle with the theatrical flair of a Broadway star and the charisma of a politician. They are captivating personalities. No matter how quickly they’ve just been introduced to a topic, they can speak eloquently about almost anything because they have such a way with words.

Leos inject ambition into everything they do. They are ruled by the heart. Their actions are natural and effortless because they are brash and confident and trust their instincts.

Leos have an unrelenting appetite for growth that is easily satiated by the praise of others. When they are hurting, it shows. They will use their anger as a protective wall to shield their vulnerabilities. They want to be perceived as unbreakable because they are scared of admitting vulnerability, needing things from other people, or being incomplete.

A Leo's bad sides appear when their admirable character traits cross over into excess. They can be perceived as overbearing, but this is due to their hyper-presence and warmth.

Leos have a reputation for bragging a lot. They see bragging as sharing. Sharing their accomplishments with others makes Leos feel connected, and they expect the same in return from their friends. They want to be celebrated, but they are equally happy to celebrate you.

Leos like to feel important. They don’t necessarily want to be worshipped. They just want to be recognized for their authentic selves. The difference between admiration and worship is subtle, but it’s the difference between a Leo being preoccupied with themselves, or being focused on the good of the people they care about.

Leos want to be the center of the universe. They want to be rewarded for being the best and the brightest. They want to be given special treatment. But they also want to feel deserving of it.

Leos hate being bossed around. They are very much in charge of their own destiny. Leos are perpetually wounded by what they perceive to be acts of betrayal and abandonment. Their pride is a sword that they wield to protect their autonomy.

Because their sense of honor is so intense, Leos hold both themselves and others to a very high standard. They can feel deeply wounded when someone breaks that code. There is an ingrained need for everyone to acknowledge and validate their existence. This can lead to what can be labeled as narcissistic or absolutist behavior that borders on the absurd.

Leos hate being told what to do, but if you can get them to listen, they can usually be persuaded—especially if you make them feel like it was what they wanted all along. But they’ll always secretly resent that they didn’t reach this conclusion alone. Leos don’t like to be told to do things, and they especially don't like being forced.

As friends, Leos are attentive, loyal, and generous. They always feel the need to give more than they receive. As one of the most playful and luxury-loving signs, they treat you the way they treat themselves, and will spontaneously do nice things for you just because they feel like it. They’re not really into keeping track of turns or even splits.

If you give a Leo a reason to feel special, they will shower you with the same level of attention, affection, and praise. Friendship means everything to them. And if you have a problem, they will drop everything and come help you.

Leos are very proud and value their honor. If you hurt a Leo’s feelings, they will make you very aware of it with the silent treatment. They can be vindictive and hold onto resentment for a long time. Even if you made them mad five years ago, they’ll still remember it. And they’ll remember it the way they want to remember it. They’ll hold onto their version of the story and you just have to accept that this is their way of forgiving you.

To Leos, loneliness is a captive state. It binds them to the cage of their own desire. They’ve got a hole inside of them that they try to fill with love, attention, and approval. They want to be loved for who they are. They want genuine connections, but take a long time to learn how to initiate them. They’re always searching for meaning.

Leos make a lot of friends, but they’re not so good at keeping them or deepening these relationships. The problem is that they're able to form superficial connections with their ample charm, but. It can be hard for them to show the vulnerability that deeper relationships require. While they’re great at communicating with the world, they’re not really that great at communicating their thoughts and feelings.

To connect with people, they’d have to open up about their own emotions, and that’s something they’re not comfortable doing. What they don’t realize is that emotional expression can be the very catalyst for developing deep connections. Leos can feel the need for companionship, but they don’t know how to create a space for it to grow. They don’t understand that friendship requires constant work—and that you get what you put in. They’re the type of person who says “I’ll call you!” and then never calls because they’re always very busy.

Of course, Leos aren’t doomed to a life of loneliness. They just have to learn how to be vulnerable. They have to find a way to be friends with people without seeing others as only a source of attention.