Sagittarius – Stars Within Their Courses

Sagittarius 射手座

Sagittarius is a light-hearted and freedom loving sign. From the seriousness of Scorpio, we move into this cheerful and optimistic sign. Sagittarius is the Archer, half-human, half-horse, who is ready for the hunt. The saying, “I shot an arrow into the air. Where it landed, I know not where,” applies almost perfectly to Sagittarius. This article will talk about Sagittarius, its astrological associations, and how to interpret this sign in a Nativity chart.

Sagittarius by Season

The zodiac signs that are most commonly used in Western Astrology are based on the seasons rather than the constellations. This is known as the Tropical Zodiac. Because of this, the Sun is in Sagittarius the same time every year, from about November 22 to December 21. These dates do vary a little from year to year, so if you were born at the very beginning or the very end of this sign, you might want to have a Nativity Chart cast in order to be sure.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Sagittarius is the last sign of Autumn, which makes it the Mutable Sign of this season. The harvest is finished, but the cold winter has not yet begun. It is time to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor from the year. We have time to talk, enjoy being with our friends and family, take a vacation, and discuss our ideas and beliefs.

Sagittarius’ Holidays

The main holidays and celebrations that fall during the Sun’s sojourn through Sagittarius relate to the celebration of Light and hope. Below are some of these holidays:

The United States – Thanksgiving, the 4th Thursday in November
Christianity – Advent, the Sunday nearest to November 30 to December 24
Filianism – Advent, November 28 to December 24
Judaism – Hanukkah, varies
Scandanavia – St. Lucia’s Day, December 13

Sagittarius by Element

Sagittarius is a Fire Sign. As such, Sagittarius is passionate and courageous. Fire is the energy that gives fuel to our lives. As a Mutable Sign, Sagittarius is the most laid back of the Fire Signs and takes herself the least seriously. Cheerful and friendly, her joy and love of life are infectious, and it is hard not to smile in her presence.

As a Fire Sign, Sagittarius is a Day Sign, and she is also Hard.

Sagittarius’ Dignities and Debilities

Planets do better in some signs than others. The relative strengths and weaknesses of each planet by sign are known as essential dignities and debilities. Here are the dignities and debilities for Sagittarius.

Ruler – Jupiter

The ruler of Sagittarius is Jupiter. Jupiter is the Greater Benefic and is the planet of good fortune and harmony. Sagittarius is Jupiter’s Day House, and Jupiter is a Day planet. For this reason, Sagittarius is the sign that Jupiter is strongest in.

Exaltation – South Node

Traditionally, the South Node is said to be exalted in Sagittarius. It is unclear as to what exactly this means on a practical level, however.

Triplicity Rulers

Triplicity rulers govern all three signs of an Element. In the Dorothean system, the rulers of Fire are the Sun by day, Jupiter by night, and Saturn is the participating ruler. William Lilly also assigns the Sun to Fire by day and Jupiter by night. In his system, there is no participating ruler, however.

Detriment – Mercury

Mercury has a difficult time operating in Sagittarius. This is because Sagittarius would prefer to be on the go than to just sit and think. Even though Sagittarius generally enjoys philosophy, she tends to lack patience for the precise intellectual disciplines that Mercury is known for.

Fall – North Node

Traditional authors say that the North Node is in Fall in Sagittarius, but what that actually means is a mystery in the present day and age.

Terms

In addition to the planets that have dignity in a sign in its entirety, there are planets that rule specific degrees of each sign. These are known as the planet’s terms or bounds. There are two main systems of the division of the terms, Egyptian and Chaldean.

Egyptian Terms for Sagittarius

0 – 12 Jupiter

12 – 17 Venus

17 – 21 Mercury

21 – 26 Saturn

26 – 30 Mars

Chaldean Terms for Sagittarius

0 – 8 Jupiter

8 – 14 Venus

14 – 19 Mercury

19 – 25 Saturn

25 – 30 Mars

Face

Each sign is divided into three parts, known as face or decantes. Each face has a separate ruler. The faces of Sagittarius and their rulers are:

0 – 10 Mercury

10 – 20 Moon

20 – 30 Saturn

Sagittarius and the Body

Sagittarius rules the hips, the thighs, and the buttocks. If you have Sagittarius prominent in your chart, these areas are especially prone to illness and injury. If you have a Cancer Ascendant, you must be careful of these areas also, because Sagittarius governs your 6th House of injury and illness.

If you have Jupiter in Sagittarius, you need to take any injuries and illnesses to these parts very seriously, because strong parts of your chart are the most dangerous. You will also have to be careful of your liver because that is one of the organs that Jupiter rules. This is also true if you have a Taurus Ascendant because in this case, Sagittarius will govern the House of Death, which is the 8th House.

Sagittarius in a Nativity Chart

The first places that most astrologers look at in interpreting a chart are the Sun, the Moon, and the Ascendant or Rising Sign. If you have your date, time, and place of birth you can learn these by getting a Nativity Chart report from an astrologer or getting a computerized report for free from Astrology Season. Here are brief descriptions of how to interpret a Sagittarius Sun, Moon, and Ascendant.

Sagittarius Sun

The Sun is one of the triplicity rulers of Sagittarius, and so it is strong in this sign. Sagittarius is also a Day Sign, which really helps the Sun to shine!

Sagittarius Sun by Day

If you were born during the day with a Sagittarius Sun, you are in the lucky position of having your Sun in Hayz, which means that the Sun is in a day sign in a day chart. This means that you are able to manifest all of the joyful, energetic, and playful qualities of both Sagittarius and the Sun. You have quite a bit of self-confidence and courage. It will be easy for you to express your Sagittarius nature boldly and fully.

Sagittarius Sun by Night

If you were born at night, your Sagittarius nature will be a little more subdued, because it will have to find a way to express itself through your Moon. If your Moon is in a Fire or Air Sign, you will still enjoy your freedom loving side and have plenty of opportunities for adventure. If your Moon is in an Earth or Water Sign, however, your Sagittarius Sun can easily get pushed aside or locked away. This could cause restlessness and dissatisfaction, and it can even lead to a feeling of depression. You will need to find ways to feed your Sagittarius Sun and give it the freedom and adventure it so desperately needs.

Sagittarius Moon

Sagittarius is not a great place for the Moon. Unless your Moon is between 10 and 20 degrees of this sign, it is in a condition known as peregrine, or a stranger in a strange land. You may have trouble with restlessness and boredom, and you will generally not have a lot of interest in Lunar activities such as cooking or nurturing others.

Sagittarius Moon by Day

If you have a Sagittarius Moon by day, your Sun will completely overrule your Moon. On one hand, this will mean that you will have fewer outward difficulties than you would otherwise. On the other hand, you are more likely to feel confined or trapped. You may find that you seem to sabotage yourself and get into trouble. The way to remedy this is to find a way to have some adventure in your life. This is a real need and hunger for you. Finding time to play is not a luxury. You can not afford to do without it.

Sagittarius Moon by Night

If you were born at night, your Moon is your dominant luminary. This will give your Moon more strength, but it will also mean that you have an impaired Moon in charge. One of the ways that this could manifest is by feeling stuck in a supportive role that you resent. How easy or hard this will be will depend on other areas of your chart, but in any case, you need to find ways to accept yourself for who you are. You absolutely need to find space for fun and to take breaks from supporting or caring for others.

Sagittarius Ascendant

If you have a Sagittarius Ascendant, you have a cheerful disposition and make friends very easily. Indeed, you are very likely to have many friends or at least many acquaintances. Whether your extroverted and sunny demeanor goes deeper than the surface will depend on the rest of your chart.

Jupiter is the ruler of your Ascendant, and the position and condition of Jupiter in your chart will have a tremendous impact on your life.

In the Whole Sign House system, the sign of the Ascendant determines the planets and signs that rule every area of your life.

Home – Pisces

If you have a Sagittarius Ascendant, Pisces is your 4th House, which makes you surprisingly sentimental when it comes to your home and your roots. This means that Jupiter is not only the ruler of your Ascendant but also the ruler of the 4th House. You identify strongly with your family traditions and the past. On the other hand, Pisces is the most mystical and the least “down to earth” sign of the zodiac. While you likely look at your home and your roots with rose-colored glasses, you may not have the interest or inclination to get involved in the practical matters of running your home.

Partnership – Gemini

With a Sagittarius Ascendant, you tend to have many friends on a superficial level, but one-on-one partnerships can be a bit of a challenge. You are easily bored and may have trouble with fidelity. Mercury-ruled Gemini rules your 7th House of Partnerships, and the most important thing for you in this area is intellectual stimulation. You need someone who is interesting and multi-faceted to hold your attention.

Career and Public Reputation – Virgo

If you have a Sagittarius Ascendant, Virgo governs your 10th House, which means that it is also ruled by Mercury. The Virgo Mercury, however, is much calmer and steadier than the Gemini Mercury. You take your career and public reputation very seriously, and you have the attention span to meticulously make sure that every aspect of this part of your life is perfect.

Do you have Sagittarius prominent in your chart, or do you know someone who does? Please comment below. I would love to hear from you.

Fire 火

July 22, 2018 by Cynthia J. Thinnes, posted in Elements, Fire, Zodiac, Zodiac Signs

Fire in its purest form is the energy given to us by the Supernal Sun. On the other hand, earthly fire is the fuel for manifestation. Thus, fire is our connection with the Divine, but it also fuels us and sustains us in our separation from the Divine.

For humans as Axial Beings, fire represents our Free Will. In the Chinese character, or kanji, for fire, 火, the middle part is a kanji in and of itself and stands for a person. On either side of the person is a stroke. When I learned this kanji, it seemed to me to represent the choice between the True and False Self.

A common theme in mythology is the theft of fire, and in a real sense, it is fire that makes us Axial Beings, with the power to choose. A keyword for fire is willpower, and a helpful slogan for fire is to turn willfulness into willingness.

Traits of Fire

At best, fire is powerful, courageous, and adventurous. Fire is energetic, honorable, confident, and bold. Fire thrives on excitement, and more than any other element, allows us to find joy on the physical plane. Fire is playful and full of life and zest.

The negative traits of fire are a corruption of its positive traits. Fire’s confidence can turn into arrogance, pride, and self-importance. Fire has the worst temper of all of the elements when aroused, and it can burn out of control.

While the dangers of fire out of control are obvious, fire dampened or not allowed to burn properly is equally dangerous. In those cases, fire can damage a person’s soul from the inside. While all of the elements can become depressed, depressed fire can turn violent and is the most likely to act upon destructive ideas or emotions.

Of the elements, fire has the least patience with sadness, illness, or restriction. In order to be able to cope, fire must see them as challenges to be conquered or as battles to be won.

Nurturing and Managing Fire

Fire must be carefully nurtured and managed. If suppressed, a person can lack energy, motivation, and drive; if not controlled, a person can become destructive to herself and those around her.

Fire needs fuel and air. The fuel for fire is always its source, the Sun. All earthly fuel for fire comes from the release of energy that has been stored from the Sun. Air, in its pure form, is the Breath of the Divine. Fire and Air are generally compatible.

More than any other element, fire needs discipline and structure. It is through discipline and structure that fire can be allowed to burn safely, giving a person warmth and energy.

Fire in Astrology

In Classical Astrology, each of the elements is ruled by a team of planets known as the triplicity rulers. There are several different systems of triplicity rulerships, but I use Dorothean triplicities. In the Dorothean system, each element has a daytime ruler, a nighttime ruler, and a participating ruler. In this system, the day ruler of the fiery triplicity is the Sun, the night ruler, Jupiter, and the participating ruler, Saturn. So for day charts, the order of precedence is the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn, and for night charts, Jupiter, the Sun, and Saturn. All three of these planets have dignity in all of the Fire signs.

The Fire Signs are as follows:

Aries 牡羊座

Cardinal Fire

Aries is Fire at its most forceful. Aries is the brave and fearless Warrior, and in the Northern Hemisphere is the sign at the first blush of Spring. Aries can be brash and bold or can be reckless, depending on how one is inclined to look upon it. Aries is fun-loving and adventurous, but also loves to “rush in where angels fear to tread.” Aries thrives on discipline and needs control in order to become her best.

Aries is ruled by Mars and exalts the Sun. Venus is in detriment in Aries, and Saturn is in fall.

Leo 獅子座

Fixed Fire

Leo is Fire at its most brilliant. Leo is the Queen, and don’t let anyone forget it! At best, Leo inspires infectious joy in all around her, and one can not help but be dazzled by her presence. More than anything else, a Leo needs to shine. Leo can be generous and magnanimous, but she can also become despondent or even lose her temper if she does not get the love and attention she needs. She can become prone to pride, arrogance, and even narcissism; the solution to this is not to affect a false humility, but instead to work to connect with Leo’s ruler, the Sun, and to allow the Sun to warm her and let that warmth shine through her to others.

Leo is ruled by the Sun. Leo does not exalt any sign. Saturn is in detriment in Leo, and no sign is in fall.

Sagittarius 射手座

Mutable Fire

Sagittarius is Fire at its most enthusiastic. Sagittarius is the Explorer and the Philosopher. Sagittarius is the most playful and humorous of all of the fire signs. Sagittarius is curious and is always up for a new adventure, either physical or intellectual. Sagittarius is direct, sometimes to the point of rudeness, and can blunder through social situations. Despite this, most people are willing to forgive Sagittarius’ lack of social graces because of her cheerful nature and charm. Like all the fire signs, Sagittarius can suffer from pride, and in Sagittarius, this can take the form of condescending pontification. More than anything else, Sagittarius needs freedom and cannot abide by restriction of any sort.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter and exalts the South Node. Mercury is in detriment in Sagittarius and the North Node is in Fall.

Signs of Letting Go, the Mutable Signs

May 23, 2018 by Cynthia J. Thinnes, posted in Modes, Mutable Signs, Seasons, Zodiac, Zodiac Signs

日本語版

As I have previously discussed, the tropical zodiac is based on the seasons. Each season begins with a cardinal sign and deepens with a fixed sign. Yet, all good things must end, and so must every season. Spring gives way to summer, summer gives way to fall, fall gives way to winter, and winter gives way to spring. So it has been for thousands upon thousands of years before, and so it will be for thousands of years to come. In Japan, the Ise Jingu shrine is torn down and rebuilt every 20 years. In this way, the skills and technology necessary for building the shrine are passed down from generation to generation. It is this impermanence that allows the shrine to endure into perpetuity. As of today, this shrine has endured for around 1,300 years. In a similar fashion, it is the mutable signs that end each season and allow the cycles of time to turn.

The mutable signs are the adaptable and yielding signs of the zodiac. They neither initiate change nor resist it. In the past, they were known as the common signs, and in Japanese, they are called 柔軟宮, juunan kyuu, or flexible signs. People with a predominance of mutable signs are curious and easy going. They like many different types of experience. They are able to “go with the flow.” People lacking in mutable signs have trouble adapting to change and to circumstances outside of their control.

Now that we have talked about the mutable signs as a group, let us look at them individually.

Gemini the Twins

双子座 (Futago Za)

Mutable Air

Human Archetype:

The Student

Sect:

Day

Planets Dignified in Gemini:

Mercury, Ruler and Night Triplicity Ruler*; Saturn Day Triplicity Ruler; Jupiter, Participating Triplicity Ruler

Planet Debilitated in Gemini:

Jupiter, Detriment**

Parts of Body:

Arms and hands

General Characteristics:

Gemini is the Jack of All Trades, Master of None. She wants to try everything. Gemini is interested in any subject and wants to get involved in anything that is going on. Gemini is talkative and busy. Gemini is quite fond of words and will often play with them. At best, Gemini is open-minded, friendly, and curious. At worst, Gemini is flighty, fickle, and indecisive.

Virgo the Virgin

乙女座 (Otome Za)

Mutable Earth

Human Archetype:

The Secretary

Sect:

Night

Planets Dignified in Virgo:

Mercury, Ruler and Exalted; Venus, Day Triplicity Ruler; Moon, Night Triplicity Ruler; Mars, Participating Triplicity Ruler

Planets Debilitated in Virgo:

Jupiter, Detriment; Venus, Fall**

Part of Body:

Stomach

General Characteristics:

Virgo is meticulous and precise but has a tendency to miss the forest for the trees. Despite Virgo’s meticulous nature, sometimes she will be untidy because if she cannot do something perfectly she will not do it at all. At best, Virgo is conscientious, detail oriented, and precise, with a sharp intellect. At worst, Virgo is a brutal perfectionist, ruthlessly finding fault in self and others.

Sagittarius the Archer

射手座 (Ite Za)

Mutable Fire

Human Archetype:

The Explorer

Sect:

Day

Planets Dignified in Sagittarius:

Jupiter, Ruler and Night Triplicity Ruler; Sun, Day Triplicity Ruler; Saturn, Participating Triplicity Ruler

Planet Debilitated in Sagittarius:

Mercury, Detriment

Parts of Body:

Hips

General Characteristics:

Sagittarius is the Archer, and her motto is, “I shot an arrow into the air, where it landed, I know not where.” Nor does she care. Sagittarius is enthusiastic and engaging. What Sagittarius lacks in manners, she makes up for in charm and sense of humor. Sagittarius likes to expound and pontificate but can be overconfident at times. Sagittarius’ charm and friendliness allow her to get away with gaffes and social blunders in a way that no other sign can. At best, Sagittarius is optimistic, generous, and friendly. At worst, Sagittarius is pompous, overconfident, and bold to the point of rashness.

Pisces the Fish

魚座 (Uo Za)

Mutable Water

Human Archetype:

The Dreamer

Sect:

Night

Planets Dignified in Pisces:

Jupiter, Ruler; Venus, Exalted and Day Triplicity Ruler; Mars, Night Triplicity Ruler; Moon, Participating Triplicity Ruler

Planet Debilitated in Pisces:

Mercury, Detriment and Fall

Parts of Body:

Feet

General Characteristics:

Pisces is a very sweet, gentle, compassionate, and self-sacrificing sign, but is the sign least suited to the modern world. Practicality and terrestrial matters are often quite beyond Pisces, and she tends to float away in her watery dreams. Pisces will see the big picture easily but has no understanding or head for details. Although Pisces must be careful of getting lost in her fantasy life, she absolutely needs to have time to retreat from the harsh realities of everyday life. At best, Pisces is gentle, kind, loving, and compassionate. At worst, Pisces is inconstant and impractical, with escapist tendencies.

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*There are several different versions of Triplicity Rulers. I use the Dorothean Triplicity Rulers.

**Sometimes planets are both dignified and debilitated in the same sign. There do exist quantitative methods of analyzing dignity and debility in which they cancel each other out; however, I prefer a more qualitative approach that considers both.