At 03.04 UTC/GMT today, the 22nd of November, the
Sun moved (astrologically) into the zodiac sign of Sagittarius. Here in the northern hemisphere, the days are
getting shorter and the path of the sun – when we see it at all! – is low in
the southern sky. The time of solstice,
when the sun will appear to be at a standstill, is approaching – but for now,
we’re in the Fire sign of Sagittarius.
The constellation
of Sagittarius represents a centaur - the half-archer, half-horse figure who,
in Greek mythology, was a disruptive creature, a lover of riot. The most famous
story of the centaurs has them causing havoc at the wedding of Hippodamia and
Pirithous, where they attempted to carry of Hippodamia and some of her women -
the aim being to free the spirit of the women! 
Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the largest of the planets
in our solar system, and one that’s composed almost entirely of gas. Not difficult to see how Sagittarius has come
by its reputation for being larger than life, full of hot air, and a tendency
to overdo things! Jupiter is the Roman counterpart to Zeus in
the Greek pantheon - the ruler of the gods, as well as being the god of
thunder. Often shown with a lightning bolt as his symbol, Jupiter came to
represent growth, expansion, and benevolence (in astrology, the planet is
referred to as the 'greater benefic') - as well as good humour. Jupiter
was also known as Jove, giving rise to our word 'jovial'. Sagittarius, as well as being a Fire sign, is
also classed as a mutable sign – being able to change and adapt, and to
disseminate or spread. We can see this in the growth and expansion associated
with Jupiter. |
‘Sagittarius’ ©Alison
Coals
|
The sign of Sagittarius sits at the other end of the axis of
information on the zodiac, opposite Gemini. Both signs carry the quality of
wanting to know what’s going on but Sagittarius takes this quest for knowledge
out into the wider world and beyond into the universe. It takes Gemini’s information and data on its
quest, searching for ways to turn that into wisdom. Like the other Fire signs, Sagittarius is
fun-loving, cheerful, and full of energy - but that mutable energy means it can
be restless and always on the move. In cardinal Aries, we have ignition; in
fixed Leo, the fire is maintained; in mutable Sagittarius, the fire is carried
out into the world. That’s part of being on its quest for knowledge, of
course – but that doesn’t stop Sagittarius from enjoying the journey and having
adventures; just think of the Knights on their quest for the Holy Grail!
Adventure and challenge, wide open spaces, the freedom to
roam – that’s what Sagittarius loves.
It’s not just physical exploration though – it’s also the need to expand
consciousness, acquiring wisdom as well as experience. Philosophy, religion, law – anything that
involves expansion of the mind will appeal to Sagittarius. There are shamanic
associations to this sign too – the vision quest or shamanic journey could be
seen as very Sagittarian.
What happens when you overfill a balloon with hot air? It’s
likely to burst. Well, this happens here too – Sagittarius is optimistic to the
point of being unrealistic, promising to do more than is humanly possible and
not being able to deliver. There’s a
tendency to live in the future, imagining the endless possibilities, but not
noticing what’s going on in front of them, on the ground. But that optimism also leads to a belief in
luck and good fortune – more Jupiterian qualities!
‘Sagittarius’, a collage, using watercolour on paper and origami paper, comes from my AstroArt series, inspired by walking the Glastonbury Landscape Zodiac).
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