"Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live."

Astrologers frequently see charts where both the Sun and Moon of a person's natal chart are located in one particular sign. I've decided to begin a series of articles focusing on when this happens in each of the signs, a further expansion of and an exploration of an article I had written some time ago.

When someone speaks of being a "Double ________" (any sign of the Zodiac could be inserted in the blank) it is another way of saying that both the Sun and The Moon were in the same Sign at the moment of birth. This would always happen for a birth exactly at the New Moon, for example, and on either side of the New Moon for the period of time that the Moon remains in the same sign as the Sun.

The birth (natal) chart would confirm that the Sun and the Moon share the same Sign. The implications of such an arrangement would be a relatively congruous combination of the anticipated energies. This serves to amplify and dramatically emphasize the impact of the given sign in person's chart and in his or her life.

The Sign placement of the Sun suggests the general energetic focus of life purpose, the end to which we feel driven. The Moon represents the character of our psychological needs -- what we need on an emotional level in order to feel fulfilled.

So when we have both the Luminaries (the Sun and the Moon) in the same Zodiac Sign, we would expect a highly focused energy, a relatively well-defined direction that the individual will be inclined to follow during his or her lifetime. When both Luminaries share the same sign, we see arguably the two most important points in the Horoscope operating along very much the same lines. It gives us a sense of relatively "pure" astrological energies.

This month we're looking at Double Leo.  

The sign of Leo is often associated with courage, leadership, drama, or with high profile or high visibility individuals. When both the Sun and the Moon are in Leo, we expect an amplified degree of these characteristics to be demonstrated. People with a heavy Leo influence are often performers of some sort that are quite comfortable in the spotlight. Public recognition is important, as is the need to be honored and respected. 

Celebrities with Double Leo include:¹

Actresses Halle Berry, and Shelley Long of "Cheers".

Actors Martin Sheen, Patrick Swayze, and Peter O'Toole.

Next Month: Double Virgo

¹ Celebrity birth data and biographical excerpts in quotes are from AstroDatabank™