Third eyes open wide as the bold Sun in Leo aligns with Sirius—the “spiritual Sun”—to generate a high frequency energy that activates the Lion’s Gate portal.

What is the Lion’s Gate?

Every summer, a cosmic opportunity peaks: the Lion’s Gate. This portal opens as the Sun blazes through Leo (“Leo season“), and the star Sirius moves closer to Earth and aligns with Orion’s belt.

When is the Lion’s Gate portal open? The Lion’s Gate portal opens every year between July 28 and August 12, with its official “activation day” on August 8 (8-8).

What can the Lion’s Gate do for me? The Lion’s Gate opening is a time of heightened intuition during which you can gain clarity on your goals and intentions.

The Lion’s Gate and Astrology

Sirius—the brightest star in the night sky, known as our “spiritual Sun”—rises in the summer sky each year, appearing just before dawn in the eastern part of the sky. Since ancient times, Sirius has held great significance. When visible with Orion, the energy is believed to open opportunities. This “portal” is considered a time when new levels of consciousness are infused into the planet and also into each of us individually, and new beginnings are available to us.

What is Sirius? Sirius, known as the “Dog Star” (because of its canine shape!) is the prominent star in the constellation Canis Major. Its rising in Ancient Egypt marked the flooding of the Nile River and the start of the hottest “dog days” of summer. Its Latin name, from Ancient Greek, means “glowing” or “scorcher.” Sirius is actually two stars (called a binary star system), but because of its great distance from the Earth, it appears as a single, incandescent star.

In astrology, Sirius represents spiritual enlightenment. At its highest vibration it can represent wealth, success, fame and power. At its lowest vibration it can embody the pitfalls of those qualities.

In 2025, Sirius joins Venus and Jupiter in a rare conjunction

Sirius is known as a fixed star, meaning it moves so slowly that it hovers in a single degree of the zodiac for years at a time. Sirius is at 14º Cancer, and on August 12, 2025, the last day of the Lion’s Gate portal opening, it comes together (conjunct) with Venus and Jupiter, both in Cancer.

Not only is it once every 12 years that Venus and Jupiter are conjunct in Cancer, but at the same degree as Sirius? This is an ultra-rare occurrence!

As it turns out, this triple mashup couldn’t be more timely. Venus and Jupiter are also known as great benefics, most helpful and positive planets in astrology. Venus is peace and Jupiter is global relations. Venus and Jupiter and Sirius are here to awaken us!

And that’s not all: Mercury retrograde joins the Sirius star party

The summer 2025 Mercury retrograde in Leo (July 18 to August 11) spans the entire Lion’s Gate portal opening. This rare layering invites deep reflection and heart-centered realignment before charging forward. It’s a great time to reflect on your messaging, and how you convey healing energy through your words and public presence.

The Lion’s Gate and Numerology

In Numerology, 8 is the number of infinity and manifestation. Our resident numerologist, Felicia Bender, contributed to the following exploration of the mind-expanding, soul-awakening power of the 8-8 portal.

As the Lion’s Gate swings open, we are swept over the threshold—imagine an old film scene where a bride is carried through a doorway, symbolizing the start of a new life. This portal invites us into a higher level of dedication to our evolution—personally and collectively. It’s a call to ascend, even if that means shedding skins and outdated versions of ourselves along the way.

Down the rabbit hole of growth. This moment is ripe for an uncomfortable-but-necessary acceleration of our spiritual growth. Think of Alice In Wonderland: she consumes the “Drink Me” potion and shrinks, then eats a cake and grows exponentially. Collectively, we’ve been in a “Drink Me” phase—contracting, recalibrating. The Lion’s Gate offers us the cake: an opportunity to expand into our next chapter.

The 8 in Numerology is the number of infinity:
• It radiates the energy of empowerment.
• It amplifies intentions in the material world.
• It’s a laser beam of manifestation—whatever you focus on now is magnified.

So when an 8 shows up in our lives, it is offering assistance to rapidly manifest whatever it’s directed toward. The 8 amplifies anything it’s focused on.

Roar! Leo energy in the Lion’s Gate

The presence of the Lion’s Gate energy aligns with the heart center and embodies the Leo traits of courage, strength and expression. The 8-8 portal aligns with these qualities, urging humanity into its next phase—one centered on unconditional love.

Of course, any birthing process is as exhilarating as it is intense. This is a graduation from “now” into “a new now.” Let go of what no longer serves your highest self—be it toxic dynamics, outdated beliefs or habits that dim your light.

How to work with the Lion’s Gate energy

Transformative times are thrilling—but they can also feel turbulent. To navigate with grace:
• Allow yourself downtime, time for reflection.
• Meditate to anchor yourself in stillness.
• Hydrate to support your body through energetic shifts.
• Rest and unplug from overstimulating devices.
• Avoid activities that feel superficial or energetically draining.

You hold a “golden” ticket to go inward: The Lion’s Gate portal is potent. During the portal opening, you may feel anxious, moody, blissful—or simply exhausted. The 8-8 energy can shift you like a sudden drop in barometric pressure. Your body, mind and spirit will need time to adjust. So if you feel exhausted, emotional, have sleep disruption, and are simply sensing that for some weird reason, life feels anything but status quo, remember to take time to nurture yourself.

Try this Lion’s Gate ritual

With the Lion’s Gate flung open, take a moment to jot down:
• What you’re ready to heal
• What you wish to release
• What you want to nurture and grow
• 3 things (or more!) you love about yourself

Then ask: How can I use my unique essence to bring more love into the world? Channel your inner Leo and let your passion and heart lead the way. You can also try this Lion’s Gate 8-8 Tarot Spread from The AstroTwins! The portal is open—step in and reconnect with your light.

🦁Join The AstroTwins for a free, live 8-8 Lion’s Gate activation!

Feature photo by Ivan Diaz