10: The Leo Archetype (Pt. 2 of the Zodiac Series)

In this tenth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP explore:What does Leo energy really mean beyond the stereotypes?How can we reclaim pride, visibility, and creative fire as sources of healing and self-leadership?[To watch the video version, head over to Substack or YouTube. For the audio versions, listen through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.]This episode dives into Leo season and the Leo archetype—how it shows up in all of us, not just those with Leo placements. Chelsea and KP explore Leo as a fixed fire sign, its polarity with Aquarius, and the connection between Leo and Self-energy in Internal Family Systems (IFS). They also get personal about how Leo shows up in their own lives and how to work with clients who have strong Leo signatures in their charts.Time stamps and Topics:1:00 Intro: Welcome to Leo Season2:00 The basics: Leo as a fixed fire sign3:30 Understanding Leo through polarity: Leo–Aquarius6:45 Leo energy is inside everyone—even if you have no Leo placements10:00 How Leo shows up in KP and Chelsea’s charts14:30 Leo doesn’t always mean loud—grounded, quiet Leos exist too16:00 Leo’s fascination with the self and identity18:00 Mutable vs fixed energy: playing with identity vs defining it21:00 Role-switching, persona, and the fluid Leo Moon/Mercury combo26:00 Leo as joyful, doting, generous—sometimes hard for others to receive30:00 Leo vs Aquarius: the polarity of selfhood and collective belonging33:00 Cultural resistance to Leo energy and self-pride36:00 Why Leo energy is often misunderstood or rejected40:00 Shadow Leo: performance, power, pride, and unmet needs44:00 The joy and articulation of Leo in writers like Ross Gay 47:00 Questions KP asks when seeing Leo in a chart54:00 The ache of not being received and early wounds around pride and visibilityKey Quotes:“They were like, ‘Why are you so cheerful?’ ‘Why are you saying this?’… It was so hard to receive.” — Chelsea“That Leo energy is often told they are ‘too’ — too loud, too much.”— KP“When someone knows what they need and what they want, that's a threat to unhealthy dynamics.” — KP“I’ve always noticed people thinking I’m not being totally genuine when I show up super sunny and cheerful and excited… but it, like, so is.” — Chelsea“I think there’s such a fear of too much self-focus — what that would do.” — Chelsea“I think about how Leo is the performer, in that they're so aware of and they've played with their own persona, their own selfness, that they can step in and put on masks of other selves more easily than other people.”— KP“Even if you don't have any placements in Leo, there are many parts of you that are expressing that energy in different ways.”— KP“The shadow side of pride is being really easily hurt if someone doesn't appreciate something you did or doesn't tell you you look good today.”— KP“We need Leo energy. We need more of it. We need more Leo workshops. We need more Leo leaders.” — ChelseaResources Mentioned:* Internal Family Systems (IFS) — explored through the lens of Leo’s connection to Self-energy* The Sun Sign — as the animating force that corresponds to Self in IFS* Leo–Aquarius Polarity — balancing visibility and individuality with collective care* Ross Gay — poet and example of embodied Leo energy in joyful articulation* Frida Kahlo, Madonna, Hemingway, Obama — notable figures discussed as Leo examples* The 12 Zodiac Houses — referenced for understanding how Leo energy expresses in different life areas* The phrase “Don’t dull your shine” — discussed in the context of Leo’s wound when rejected for being too muchConnect with Us:✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack📸 Follow us on Instagram: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a question or note through Substack or DM🎧 Share this episode with someone who’s ever been told they’re “too much” or who needs a reminder to step into their sun energy.Credits:Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah LutherThe cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens. Get full access to Parts & Charts at partsandcharts.substack.com/subscribe