Path of the Zodiac #6: Leo

This is a puzzle cache. The physical cache is not at the above listed coordinates. In order to locate the cache you must decipher the true coordinates from the puzzle below. Good luck.

This is one of fourteen caches that make up the Western Sky portion of the Path of the Zodiac series of caches. Thirteen of the caches composing this portion represent the thirteen constellations that occupies the ecliptic that defines the Western Zodiac. The fourteenth cache, Path of the Zodiac: The Western Sky, can only be located after the initial thirteen caches in the portion have been located and the clues they contain gathered. The order in which these thirteen caches are found does not matter, but finding all of them is a requirement to seek out and log the fourteenth cache.

In Western mythology, the constellation of Leo has represented a lion for many cultures. To the Greeks, Leo symbolized the Nemean lion, a rather nasty feline whose hide was impenetrable to almost all forms of attack. The lion was eventually slain by Hercules who strangled the beast and then used its claws to skin it as proof of his victory. He later made use of the lion's hide as an armored cloak.

The Nemean lion was said to be the brother of the Theban Sphinx. While no match for his sibling's wits, the lion was just as partial to a good riddle. In order to find his den you must solve the Riddle of Leo. Don't worry, he didn't make it too hard, dinner is much easier to come by if you find him, after all.

THE RIDDLE OF LEO

Many have sought the den of the Nemean lion for it is rumored to be full of treasures and gleaming mineral riches. Finding the den isn't that hard, rather it is the returning part that seems to pose troubles, for it seems the lion has quite the appetite and usually likes his guests to stay for dinner.

As if to tempt more overly-brave treasure hunters to seek out his den, the lion once told a young child about his treasure and, upon letting him go, told him to tell one and all about it.

"In the North part of his cave are piles of copper coins and brilliant rubies. Beside these are two enormous diamonds, each the size of my fists. The lion also has two large blocks of talc which he uses to display a large greenish-blue stone of moroxite. In the Western portion of the lion's den is another block of talc which displays another large diamond and an enormous topaz. Surrounding these are more copper coins which nests a strange-looking moonstone that the lion says he is most proud of. Behind these, sitting in a row, were three more diamonds, each larger than the next."

Given the number of victims the Nemean lion is said to have devoured the treasures he saw probably only scratch the surface of the true wealth hoarded by the beast.

When you find the cache remember to record the clue contained inside the container. You'll need it if you are looking to complete the full series.

Outside of providing a coordinate checker for each puzzle, I will not give personal help, hints, etcetera until the whole of the Path of the Zodiac series have been completed by a few cachers. It's the only fair way to do it as completing this series should be considered something of an accomplishment and making it to the end should go to those who make it their on their own devices. Cachers that have worked out a puzzle are discouraged from giving much away if asked for help in order to keep up the level of challenge provided by this series.

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