The name comes from the idea that this alignment creates a “portal” for manifestations to take place, with “lion” coming from the sun in Leo. As astrologer and holistic psychiatrist Kayse Budd, M.D., notes, “During the Lion’s Gate portal, Sirius separates sufficiently from the sun to come into view. Since Sirius is the brightest star in our night sky, some ancient (and even current) mystics believed it infuses the earth with extra energy and light.” She adds that ancient Egyptians worshipped Sirius as the goddess Sopdet, celebrating Sirius’ return in the morning sky as the start of the farming season and the beginning of a new year. “Healers and teachers in certain new age communities believe the energy coming from Sirius contains special elevating or activating energy that can help the Earth and her people evolve,” she says. “The eighth house and eighth sign of the zodiac belong to Scorpio, so astrologically, eight has connections to power, transformation, energy, passion, and sexuality—all Scorpio themes,” she explains. Eight also corresponds to the Strength card in the traditional tarot deck; this card features a woman calmly interacting with a lion, with an infinity symbol above her head. “Thus, the number eight also has esoteric symbolic connections to strength and to the lion,” Budd says. Budd adds that eight is connected with achievement, goals, and the intersection of the spiritual and physical dimensions, signified by the interlocking circles of “8,” or the infinity symbol. “Those born under life path number eight are thought to be here to master the integration of spirit into matter,” she says, adding that similar to its tarot meaning, eight represents strength in numerology. “The sign of Leo contains and represents love, generosity, leadership, and creativity. When the sun is Leo, the entire world benefits from an infusion of these energies,” she explains, adding, “I think the best way to make the most of the Lion’s Gate is to do Leo things and aim to intensify the natural energy of the moment as much as possible.” “Do things that bring joy during and just before the Lion’s Gate to open and expand your heart,” Budd recommends. “Getting together for ceremonies, meditations, chanting, yoga, dance, art, time in nature, etc., can amplify the energy of the Lion’s Gate,” Budd explains. When you send your love to the Universe, she adds, it will most likely come back to your doubled, tripled, or more. “I look at the Lion’s Gate (and Leo Season, in general) as a time to build up my stores of love, joy, and gratitude. It is a time and a season for discovering what the self can really do,” Budd tells mbg.
