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| Glyph for Sagittarius |
This month I am profiling the energy of Sagittarius, because the Sun is now journeying in this sign from November 22, 2010 until December 21, 2010. Before you close this document and mutter to yourself that you are not a Sagittarian, may I clarify that somewhere in your natal chart, YOU have this sign in one of your astrological houses. The houses in your natal chart represent different areas of activity in your life, such as personal resources (the second house) or your local environment and siblings (the third house) and so on for the twelve houses. Even if this sign is not particularly prominent in your personality, you may notice that the narrative that follows does remind you of particular people in your life.
The common wisdom in the field of astrology says that each of the signs is in a sense a “reaction” to the preceding sign. For example, the sign that precedes Sagittarius is Scorpio. Scorpio energy is introspective and intense, often delving deeply to investigate inner mysteries or those in the external environment. Scorpio can go about this process often times in the background, hidden from public view. Persons with significant Scorpio energy are shrewd observers of other people and of the political power structure. Scorpio’s investigative intelligence may unearth information about others, but the Scorpio personality may reveal little about themselves.
Sagittarius, the sign following Scorpio, focuses its energy in a much different way, taking aim in a more outward direction. Sagittarius energy is expansive and explorative. Sagittarians loves freedom, whether that means the lack of restrictions in a career or in terms of their relationships to other people. This sign, represented by the centaur, is on a journey of the mind, body, or spirit. Sagittarians love variety and diversity, and they are bored with day-to-day routines. They revel in finding out about different cultures and love tasting new cuisines. Although Sagittarians are open to all sorts of people, their passionate viewpoints can make them indignant and intolerant.
Just so that I can more neatly paint a picture of a strong Sagittarian personality, I will create a fictional character named Shakti Amara. Now that is not her birth name, but Shakti was fascinated by other religions and philosophies beginning in her early twenties, and decided to rename herself to be more in alignment with her “citizen of the world” identity. Shakti studied cross-cultural symbol systems for her undergraduate degree, and she went on to earn doctorates in Anthropology and Economics. Shakti has traveled extensively around the world, and has focused her career on economic development in the Third World, particularly focusing on building the independence of women through microloan financing of their businesses. She has published three books in her field. She is a guest lecturer at various universities.
Shakti, while open to the diversity of cultures, is passionate about her left wing politics and she finds it difficult to be tolerant of other viewpoints. At cocktail socials, she engages in heated political debates, and she often finds herself saying things she wishes she could take back. In other words, she puts her foot in her mouth quite frequently. Nothing excites her more than exotic spreads at the buffet table. She can lean toward excess, whether that be in her large gourmet appetite or in the accompanying liquor drinks. Although her argumentative debating can send people to the other side of the room, once she has left the political debate and moved on to eating and drinking, she can be incredibly funny, with a sharp wit enjoyed by many of her friends and colleagues. Although a natural charmer, Shakti avoids long-term relationships and enjoys the freedom of her bachelorette status. Shakti enjoys sports, both those in which is physically engaged as well as a spectator.
Sagittarius is a fire sign, and is associated with inspiration, exuberance, enthusiasm, love of learning, cultivating wisdom and playfulness. However, this sign can demonstrate less positive qualities such as excess, exaggeration, self-righteousness, and restlessness.
Dana Gerhardt, practicing astrologer and magical writer, says that the skill Sagittarius must develop is archery–the capacity to focus and reach targets In order to use Sagittarian energy to its fullest, one must not simply play but put this sign’s gifts into meaningful work. Sagittarius then can reach mastery, and truly reflect its symbol of the archer.
