| Leo
Horoscope - Leo the constellation - Leo the Lion
Leo, the Lion, the fifth constellation of
the Zodiac, is located between Cancer and Virgo and is best
seen in the Northern Hemisphere in spring. The Sun passes
southeastward through Leo from about August 23 to September
23, just prior to crossing the celestial equator at the
autumnal equinox. Its brightest star is Regulus (Latin for
"little king"), a blue-white star located 84 light-years
from the Sun; Regulus has two dimmer companions, making
it a triple star. Twice as close is the second brightest
star, Denebola (Arabic for "tail of the lion").
Leo is the apparent radiation point of the Leonid meteors,
seen in November. |
| Lion
gemstone:
Ruby
 Ruby
is one of the most highly prized gems. A transparent variety
of the aluminum oxide mineral Corundum, it owes its red
to pale rose colour to minute amounts of chromium. The most
valuable stones have a deep pigeon's-blood red color. Although
a brilliant stone, it lacks the fire of a diamond and is
often cut to enhance the colour, even at the expense of weight.
For more than 500 years the finest rubies have come from
a small area near Mogok, Myanmar, where they are washed
and sieved from limestone gravels. Rubies also occur in
the gem gravels of Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and North
Carolina. The stone often referred to as a ruby in the Old
Testament and other ancient texts may actually have been
a garnet or a spinel. The confusion between these stones
has been perpetuated in the names of less valuable gems.
As a gemstone, the ruby has been popular
for centuries, believed to help heal and open the heart,
as well as illuminating the emotional level of life and
revealing divine love. In the Ancient World, it was believed
to contain prophetic powers, thus enabling any wearer to
predict the future based upon color changes within the stone.
It was formerly thought that, if fashioned into a ring worn
on the left hand or into a brooch worn on the left side,
this jewel would endow its owner with the magical ability
to live in peace among enemies. It has also been credited
with warding off misfortune and ill-health, and is often
given as a gift to symbolize success, devotion, integrity,
health and passion. |
