Sagittarius ~ The Archer

Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the Zodiac and is symbolised by the Archer, with it’s glyph a stylised arrow. The ancient Greeks and Romans first mentioned the Centaur ~ the mythological half-man and half-horse with which this sign is also associated today.

Obviously nowadays we don’t get many centaurs to the pound! Thus when analysing the Sagittarian nature it is most helpful to consider two factors. Firstly this sign’s ruler is Jupiter, the largest planet. Secondly, as the ninth sign Sagittarius rules the Ninth House.

So let’s initially think about Jupiter, that most fortunate planet of all ~ linked with abundance, good fortune, luck, expansion, success and growth. All of the planets have their downside though. In Jupiter’s case this mainly involves the word ‘over’! Over-optimism, over-indulgence, over-eating, over-spending and over-looking details and potential pitfalls.

Now let’s translate this to Sagittarius, a Fire sign. Sagittarians are optimistic, exuberant, outgoing, lively, enthusiastic, good humoured, generous and jovial. They are curious, creative, idealistic, fun-loving, positive, friendly and hospitable. Their defects are Jupiterian: carelessness, clumsiness, extravagance, irresponsibility, impulsiveness, impatience, over-optimism, exaggeration, sloppiness and untidiness. They are gamblers in the broadest sense, fortunately the Great Benefic smiles on their escapades.

Sagittarians like everything to be big and grand and despise meanness and pettiness. Jupiter is after all the largest planet! They take enormous risks and somehow get away with them ~ helped in no small measure by their supremely confident perspective and refusal to contemplate failure. Life sometimes gets them down, but they consider the broad picture and paint with large strokes on a giant canvas. Details are simply not their concern.

At times accused of insensitivity, Sagittarians do occasionally need emphatic clarification of certain issues! They also have a reputation for bluntness and tactlessness ~ spades are not termed user-operated gardening implements in Sagittarian circles and this can offend more sensitive Zodiacal flowers. Nonetheless their honest, sincere and straightforward nature usually shines through.

And this sign’s rulership of the Ninth House ~ which governs long-distance travel, further and higher education, our religious and philosophical beliefs and has strong links with individual freedom?

Well, Sagittarians usually love to travel. If they don’t actually do so in a physical sense, they will broaden their horizons through formal or informal education, particularly that of a further, higher or non-compulsory variety. Generally speaking they like to meet with those from other parts of the world, from different age groups, cultures and walks of life ~ displaying tolerance and understanding for their fellow human being. They are also fond of the great outdoors, often sports too and love metaphorically to fire off their arrows and then gallop headlong after them!

Despite their fun loving nature, Sagittarians do have a deeper side. They are actually quite philosophical and profound, possessing their own set of beliefs by which they run their lives. As they get older they tend to identify increasingly with mainstream opinion however and should guard against excessive dogmatism. As sport becomes more of a visual activity, they should also beware weight gain.

In all relationships Sagittarians require a lot of freedom. Homemaking is probably not their favourite activity, marriage often a temporary experience. As a Mutable sign they are easily bored ~ they like journeys, arriving means the fun is over! Relationships viewed from this standpoint are more likely to endure.

Finally as Christmas approaches, think of Santa Claus. Rushing around the world ~ delivering presents to everyone everywhere all in one night. A ruddy complexion, a fair amount of mulled wine, portly ~ yet active ~ bursting with good humour, generosity and Christmas cheer. And a confirmed bachelor too! Sagittarius, my dear, Sagittarius.....

© Paul Wade 1999