AQUARIUS THE WATER BEARER

Aquarius the Water Bearer

Preface:  As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Aquarius timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Aquarius, because somewhere in your natal birth chart, it is present. All twelve signs of the zodiac are expressed in your being, although some signs, and therefore their corresponding energies, may be more emphasized than others. The Sun sign is about your essence, your vitality (what makes you feel alive), and your self-image. Whatever your Sun sign, you are on a life-long journey to discover and fully embrace this sign’s energy. You may be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

The Sun began its transit of the sign of Aquarius at 8:10 am PST on January 20, 2012 .


“Human beings have an inalienable right to invent themselves; when that right is pre-empted, it is called brainwashing"
Aquarian Feminist Author Germaine Greer

 AQUARIAN SYMBOLISM AND RULERSHIPS

Glyph of Aquarius

Like the medieval painting shown at the beginning of this article, the symbol for Aquarius typically shows a human, either female or male, pouring water from a vessel. The Latin term “aquarius” means water bearer. The sign’s glyph, show directly above, consists of two rows of wavy lines. Among astrologers, there are varying interpretations about what these lines represent. Going back to its traditionional representation, these lines reflect rippling water, which can carry its force over a large expanse of ocean, or other body of water. Practitioner of traditional astrology Deborah Houlding theorizes that Aquarius may be a forgotten water sign, and the libation it offers the world is to cleanse, illuminate, and purify.^[1] Some astrologers view these lines as electromagnetic energy. Astrologer Bruce Nevin says these lines represent the “Water of Life” or what the Theosophists refer to as “forhat,” the vibrating electromagnetic impulses that constitute the Universe.^[2] On the other hand, astrologer Steven Forrest claims these lines symbolize the serpents of knowledge. His symbolism derives from the Bible, where the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Forrest explains that in Eve's rebellious act of eating that infamous apple, thereby causing God to extricate her and Adam from the garden, she gave birth to the precious resource of human freedom.^[3]

Aquarius is a Fixed Air Sign, and as such reflects a nature that emphasizes the use of the mental faculties in a focused way. Air signs show strong capabilities for analysis, communication, and networking. Fixed signs demonstrate the ability for steady and attentive energy directed to whatever endeavor the sign undertakes.

Traditional astrology assigned the planet Saturn as the ruler of Aquarius. Modern astrology, on the other hand, views the transpersonal planet, Uranus, as its modern day ruler. Herein lies a tremendous struggle. Saturn, as a force of containment, often symbolizes tradition and conservatism. Uranus represents the force of rebellion and unexpected change. Do Aquarians choose to align with the energy of one planet over the other? Are Aquarians a combination of these forces? Or are some Aquarians on a journey to shed the Saturnian elements in order to claim the Uranian elements? In true Aquarian style, perhaps this is a question each of us must answer for ourselves in understanding the meaning of Aquarius.

Aquarius rules the 11th house of the astrological wheel of life that relates to one’s hopes and wishes and personal goals. Traditionally it relates to our circle of friends. It encompasses memberships in groups and associations, and the networks that relate to our affinities. This is the house of “our crowd.”

According to Nevin, Aquarius rules the ankles, circulatory system, and the aura.^[4] Houlding says Aquarius governs the shins and ankles, and by its association with its Saturn rulership, relates to the bones, teeth, joints, and skeletal structure. She maintains that as an air sign, it rules the circulation of the blood and the breath.^[5]

THE TRANSITION FROM CAPRICORN TO AQUARIUS

In the sign of Capricorn, the human strives to acknowledge its own authority, and it often does so by long periods of solitude. Capricorns possess gifts for leadership, but they may also have blind spots that lead to excessive authoritarianism and adherence to the preservation of outdated systems. When we come to the sign of Aquarius, humans seek not only to become self-reliant, but to define who they are outside the indoctrination of their society and the social programming from their families.

Capricorns offer the gift of initiating action and building concrete structures, systems, or processes. Aquarius asks whether these ways of conducting business still fulfill a need, and whether they should continue to exist. Aquarius has no problem with continuing that which works, but sign natives also demonstrate the willingness to tear down those elements of society that serve no function.  Dana Gerhardt demonstrates the gift of explaining the essence of concepts in beautiful terminology, so I often quote her verbatim. Here she explains what Aquarius accomplishes in its phase of the zodiac:

“Capricorn kings inevitably get stuck in their own ideas and can’t relinquish their own authority. Creativity is stymied. Problems pile up. Fortunately, the limitations of every sign always take us to the next one’s gifts; thus Capricorn leads us to the genius of Aquarius. Altruistic, progressive, and unconventional, Aquarius brings the leap in consciousness that keeps our world from getting hopelessly mired in old dung.”^[6]

Aquarius moves beyond the reclusiveness of Capricorn, and it extends its energy externally. As an air sign, Aquarius naturally wants to network with others. Aquarius communicates on a mass scale, and this sign rules all electrical types of communication, including high tech and the Internet. Among the social air signs, Aquarius especially gravitates toward group activities with like-minded individuals.  The challenge for Aquarians is to become their unique selves while flourishing within groups for which they have affinity. While Capricorn thrives on conformity, Aquarius wants to break out of this mold for its own individuation and to move society in the direction of progress.

MORE ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF AQUARIUS

Bruce Nevin says, “The reception and dissemination of insight for the betterment of the world is the
highest expression of Aquarian energy.”^[7] Perhaps this statement gets to the essence of Aquarius, and we don’t need to concern ourselves with any more details about the sign’s struggles, goals, and paradoxes. But what fun would that be?

Steven Forrest sees freedom as Aquarius’ endpoint. In order to achieve their state of freedom, Aquarius must constantly withstand the forces of peer pressure and conformity. Forrest says that Aquarius uses both stubbornness and genius to become their true selves. He uses the term genius to mean the independence of mind to view old problems from a fresh perspective, unhindered from preconceptions. Forrest identifies the various expressions of Aquarian energy, which are outlined below[8].

       The Genius           
           The Truth Sayer
           The Scientist
           The Exile
       The Revolutionary

The following descriptions are my own elaborations of the types outlined by Forrest.. When I think of Aquarius the first type I think of is The Scientist archetype. The scientist is often a detached individual who utilizes his intellectual prowess to think up radically different approaches to tackle a problem, and this leads to inventions and innovations.  They appreciate the body of knowledge that has been developed over time, but they are challenged by the goals of overcoming present-day problems with new knowledge and strategies. Scientists often work in teams, and they often attend symposiums and conferences where they share key findings in their field.  Aquarians help their respective fields by putting forth visions of how things can be, because their thinking can be so far ahead of everyone else’s.

In my mind a closely related archetype is that of The Genius. Aquarians have the gift of looking at problems in new ways and to “think outside the box” in formulating solutions. Genius is not necessarily a pure IQ factor, but it is the ability to see issues or problems from a perspective outside the mainstream.  There are certainly geniuses in the scientific field where inventions abound, but this archetype can be applied to any field or discipline. Aquarian President Franklin Delano Roosevelt bucked his own social class to create social programs that addressed the pressing issues of the country. Even if he did not personally conceive of these programs, he was open to nontraditional concepts. Artists in the visual arts, dance, and music frequently explore and shape their creativity in radically different ways.

Another aspect of Aquarian energy can be captured under the category of The Truth Sayer.  Aquarius energy demands authenticity, and if one is compelled in this direction, then speaking truth is of prime importance.  Clearly, committing oneself to authenticity is paramount in any context for Aquarius, whether that is in the scientific community, in the field of mass communications, in the nonprofit service or advocacy sector, or in any other aspect of life in which this sign is involved.  James Joyce, the prolific man of letters, said that “Poetry, even when apparently most fantastic, is always a revolt against artifice, a revolt, in a sense, against actuality.”[9]

Speaking truth is often not met with approval by society’s institutions, or even one’s friends. When an Aquarian finds enormous challenges to one’s perspectives, there may be no viable alternative than to become The Exile in one’s society.  Countless creative people of means have fled their native environments to live in a more tolerant community.  Examples might be Josephine Baker, the African-American dancer (often partially clothed) who thrived in Paris, or perhaps writer and social observer Gore Vidal who spent part of his year in Italy, where he perceived that news coverage of America’s international policies were more openly discussed in Europe. The Aquarian writer James Joyce explained this archetype as follows: “I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it call itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defence the only arms I allow myself to use--silence, exile and cunning.”[10]

The last archetype is that of The Revolutionary, where Aquarius energy can see no other alternative for the growth of society than to call for radical changes to institutions or ways of life.  Clearly, in this archetype, the planet Uranus is functioning at its purest level.  In this context, there is little regard for convention.  .    The words of Aquarian Angela Davis, the activist Professor of Philosophy, demonstrate this astrological sign’s sentiments when she claims that “Radical simply means grasping things at the root.”[11]

Although all these archetypes may be present in individuals whose natal charts reflect an emphasis in Aquarius, please keep in mind that some members of the “Aquarius Sun Sign Club” may exhibit only one or two of these characteristics.  Some Sun Sign Aquarians may seem to reflect the Saturnian side of Aquarius.  Some examples of these individuals might be Ronald Reagan and Dick Cheney, who

identify with turning societal structures on their head, but not for the good of the masses, but rather to fulfill an idealist view of dominance by the elite.

SNAPSHOT PROFILES OF SUN SIGN AQUARIANS

Lewis Carroll
Born January 27, 1832

Known by the pen name of Lewis Carroll, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson authored the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass. The Englishman served as an Anglican deacon, a tradition he carried on from his clergyman father. Among his other interests were mathematics and photography. Carroll’s works, including his poetry, reflect the genre of literary nonsense, which he crafted with word play and fantasy.

The eldest child in a family of nine children, Carroll frequently entertained his own siblings, as well as the children of visitors to his father’s rectory. Although naturally shy and speaking with a stutter, Carroll interacted comfortably with children. He became a popular storyteller, creating elaborate fantasies, which he illustrated with pencil and ink drawings. Eventually, Carroll recorded these storytelling sessions in writings, and others encouraged him to publish these works.

Some observers of Lewis Carroll claimed that he maintained a serious and conservative values system and demeanor. Others stress that this characterization of him is erroneous and not substantiated. Some also speculated that he demonstrated pedophile tendencies, but modern analysts claim there is no reliable proof for this claim. [12]Although it is unclear how Carroll expressed his philosophy of life, it is conceivable that he incorporated both a traditional (Saturn influenced) and the nontraditional (Uranus influenced) personality, which often typifies Aquarians.

Lewis Carroll demonstrates that Aquarian quality of genius for science subjects, as well as that sign’s ability to think in innovative or quirky ways, as reflected in his gifts for fantasy and nonsense. Carroll epitomizes the sign’s ability to deviate from a characteristic norm and create something unique.

Here is an excerpt from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter X: The Lobster Quadrille:

'"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail. "There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle--will you come and join the dance?

Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?

"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!" But the snail replied "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance-- Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.

'"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied. "There is another shore, you know, upon the other side. The further off from England the nearer is to France-- Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.

Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"'

Langston Hughes
Born February 1, 1902

Born in Joplin, Missouri, Langston Hughes lived in many locales as a youth, including Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, and Mexico. The writer later recalled that his early life was characterized by lonliness, and that he found comfort in the world of books. Hughes attended Columbia University after publishing his first poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” He immersed himself in New York’s local African-American culture of music. In the 1920s, Hughes co-founded the Harlem Renaissance movement, which encouraged pride in the African heritage, serving as an inspiration for the arts and intellectual thought. The adventurous Hughes left Columbia after a year, and worked his way to destinations in Africa and Europe. He returned from his travels abroad to the U.S. a few years later, winning a scholarship to Lincoln University, where he wrote and published his first book of poetry, The Weary Blues.

Langston Hughes brought innovative dialect and jazz-influenced rhythms to his creative writing. He incorporated Marxist concepts in his early works and he never abandoned his concern about injustice against African Americans. Although his works were the subject of academic study, Hughes wrote for the average person. For over four decades, Langston Hughes wrote prolifically, one of the first African-Americans to earn a living through his literary works.[13]

Langston Hughes reflects the Uranian side of Aquarius, where revolutionary perspectives and innovation serve as inspirational fodder. In true Aquarian spirit, he believed that art should be accessible to all the public. The following is an excerpt from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature: “He could sometimes be bitter, but his art is generally suffused by a keen sense of the ideal and by a profound love of humanity, especially black Americans. He was perhaps the most original of African American poets and, in the breadth and variety of his work, assuredly the most representative of African American writers.”[14]

This Langston Hughes poem is a favorite of mine:

Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes[15]

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--
And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Michael Apted
Born February 10, 1941

British director Michael Apted’s works span the gamut of traditional television and film to more innovative works. Initially a law student, Apted changed course and became involved in television, directing the popular British soap opera Coronation at the age of 22. His film credits include his early works of Echo and Stardust. Apted later directed more commercially successful films like Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorillas in the Mist, Extreme Measures, Enigma, and the latest, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Trader.[16]

                                                              

Early in his career, Michael Apted started a documentary project that would consume a major part of his career, and from his perspective, would become his most important work. Beginning in 1964, he collaborated with Paul Almond to film a documentary series that appeared on British television. The Up series chronicled the lives of several British children from various socioeconomic backgrounds, beginning at the age of seven. The creators postulated that because British society is entrenched in its class structure, this Up documentary would illustrate how social strata affects how the participants live their lives. Each film begins with the Jesuit maxim: "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man." The documentary became a longitudinal sociological study, interviewing and filming the subjects every seven years. In a lecture to USC film students, Michael Apted observed, “I don’t think there are many shows that have given so much time to ordinary people with ordinary lives.” [17]

From an astrological perspective, Michael Apted reflects the Aquarian’s desire for using technology for widespread communication. His documentary series echoes the Aquarian concern for representing the ordinary citizen.

Anonymous
Born ?

Anonymous is part of Aquarius’ crowd in the 11^th House. As you know Anonymous is a symbol of defiance against the megastructures of government and corporations that control the average citizen through their business policies or social control practices.

The personality of Anonymous resembles many of the qualities exhibited by the Uranian energyof the sign of Aquarius. Anonymous hacks into computer systems, sometimes transferring money from business accounts into the accounts of organizations involved in various social causes. Disruption is one of the key words of Uranus, and it certainly matches the energy of Anonymous. Anonymous also takes part in various civil disobedience demonstrations. Participants in Anonymous have used the Guy Fawkes mask popularized in the movie V for Vendetta.

Rosa Parks
Born February 4, 1913

Now viewed as a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks grew up in segregated communities in Alabama in the early part of the 20^th century. As an adult, she and her husband lived in Montgomery. In December of 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus at the end of her workday as a seamstress, as was her usual routine. When the bus began to fill up, the bus driver noticed that white passengers were standing, and he went to the Black section to ask African-American passengers to give up their seats for Caucasian riders. As Rosa Parks later explained it, she refused to surrender her seat not because she was physically tired, but because she was tired of giving in to racist behavior. Parks was charged, and her arrest caused a great furor in the African-American community, which organized a one-day boycott in protest. Following that successful one day of support, the community decided to institute an on-going boycott, with the goal of eliminating segregation on the bus system. After more than a year’s boycott, the local government was forced to end bus segregation because of new court decisions, and because the public transportation system was in financial ruin.[18]

Although Rosa Parks may have lived a rather traditional life, her quietly rebellious (Uranus) stance demonstrates the power of one action. This one moment of resistance had a ripple effect leading to a series of actions that led to momentous results. As any student of history knows, this does not mean immediate success. The more traditional (Saturn) forces are there to resist change. Rosa Parks and her husband both lost their jobs because of her action. This forced the family to move to Detroit, Michigan. Although it may have caused some immediate family setbacks, Rosa Parks did have many more opportunities in her new environment. Congressman John Conyers hired her to work in his office. This Uranian side of Park’s Aquarian nature changed not only her life for the better, but also the future course of a people.

Gertrude Stein
February 3, 1874

In the progressive fashion of an Aquarian, writer Gertrude Stein lived openly in a relationship with a female partner, Alice B. Toklas. The daughter of a wealthy American merchant, Gertrude Stein was born in Pennsylvania, but the family moved to Europe and later to Oakland, California. Stein attended Radcliffe College where she studied with William James. She continued her studies at Johns Hopkins Medical School.

Gertrude Stein joined her brother in Paris, the two becoming patrons for Impressionist artists. The siblings formed a famous salon of writers and artists, where colleagues appreciated Stein’s strong and witty personality. She nurtured the careers of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. When her brother moved to Italy, Stein remained in Paris with her companion Toklas. Her writings utilized techniques analogous to Cubism and abstraction in painting, creating an innovative approach to literature. Many found her works to be difficult to understand. Her only commercial success was The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.[19]

Gertrude Stein reflects the mental genius of an Aquarian, competent in both the sciences and the arts. She wielded considerable influence in the modernism movement in literature, a rarity for women to provide leadership in the field of arts and letters in that era. Gertrude Stein broke conventions of femininity with her mannish garb, and she was open about her partnership with Alice B. Toklas, a lifestyle far ahead of her time.

Yoko Ono
Born February 18, 1933

Best known as the spouse of Beatle John Lennon, Yoko Ono had already established herself as a prominent artist when the two first met at her multimedia art exhibit in London in 1966. Born in Tokyo to a wealthy aristocratic family, Yoko lived her youth in Japan as well as the United States, since her banker father was assigned to offices in San Francisco and New York. She lived in Japan at the time the U.S. struck her native country with atom bombs.

Yoko Ono pursued her interests in poetry and visual art in the early 1960s, but many considered her work as too radical. Her art often incorporated participatory elements, where viewers were encouraged to become involved in the creative projects on display. After her marriage to Lennon, the two collaborated on projects involving music, art, and film. The couple staged events to encourage world peace, like their “bed-in” in Amsterdam, where they sang “Give Peace A Chance.”

Characteristic of Aquarians, Ono can appear detached and unfeeling. Labeled by some as the “Dragon Lady” who caused a rift between members of the Beatles, Paul McCartney remarked in his memoir, “I thought she was a cold woman. I think that’s wrong. She’s just the opposite. I think she’s just more determined than most people to be herself.”[20]

After John Lennon’s death, Yoko Ono continued exhibiting her art internationally. She composed two off-Broadway musicals, recorded albums, and performed concert tours. Ono also engaged in philanthropic efforts, particularly honoring the memory of John Lennon and his dedication to world peace.[21]

Yoko Ono possesses that Aquarian quality of uniqueness, where, if in her company, one might say to her, “You are one of a kind, dear.” She was a forerunner in feminism, in both Asia and the U.S., demonstrating an independence of mind in her beliefs and values, as well as art expression.

ENDNOTES

Note: the opening quote by Germaine Greer was extracted from Brainy Quotes.com

---

1 Deborah Houlding (December/January 2006) Aquarius the Water Bearer. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #124, pp.77-82.

[2] Bruce Nevin (1982). Astrology Inside Out. Rockport, Massachusetts: Para Research, Inc., p.84.

[3] Steven Forrest (1988). The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications, p86-91

.

[4] Bruce Nevin, Op. Cit.

[5] Deborah Houlding. Op. Cit.

[6] Dana Gerhardt (February/March 2010). Aquarius Cleans the Stables. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #149, pp.13-17.

[7] Bruce Nevin, Op. Cit.

[8] Steven Forrest, Op Cit.

[9] James Joyce (2012) BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 21, 2012 from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/james_joyce_2.html

[10] James Joyce (2012) Quoteland.com Retrieved January 22, 2012 from: http://www.quoteland.com/author/James-Joyce-Quotes/1834/

[11] Angela Davis. (2012) ThinkExist.com. Retrieved January 22, 2012 from: http://thinkexist.com/quotation/radical_simply_means-grasping_things_at_the_root/343449.html

[12] Lewis Carroll. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 03:57, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/lewis-carroll-9239598

[13] Langston Hughes. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 06:01, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/langston-hughes-9346313

[14] Langston Hughes (2012). Howard University Library. Retrieved Jan 18, 2012 Stfrom http://www.howard.edu/library/reference/guides/hughes/default.htm

[15] Langston Hughes (2010) FamousPoemsandPoets.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/langston_hughes/poems/16947

[16] Michael Apted. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 07:15, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/michael-apted-9542578

[17] Michael Apted (2011) USC News (October 21, 2011) http://uscnews.usc.edu/arts/looking_up_to_director_michael_apted.html

[18] Parks Rosa. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 11:54, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/rosa-parks-9433715

[19] Gertrude Stein. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 11:52, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/gertrude-stein-9493261

[20] Dana Gerhardt, Op.Cit.

[21] Yoko Ono. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 01:04, Jan 19, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/yoko-ono-9542162

SAGITTARIUS THE ARCHER

Preface: As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Sagittarius timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Sagittarius, because somewhere in your natal birth chart, it is present. All twelve signs of the zodiac are expressed in your being, although some signs, and therefore their corresponding energies, may be more emphasized than others. The Sun sign is about your essence, your vitality (what makes you feel alive), and your self-image. Whatever your Sun sign, you are on a life-long journey to discover and fully embrace this sign’s energy. You may be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

The Sun began its transit of the sign of Sagittarius at 8:08 am (PST) on November 22, 2011.

INTRODUCTION

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”

C. S. Lewis
British writer
Born November 29, 1898

“If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.”

Margaret Mead
American Anthropologist
Born December 16, 1901


When reading a description of the Sagittarian personality, you will often come across the term “storyteller.” Although we may think of mythology or fiction when we hear that term, stories can also be academic non-fiction work, like the cross-cultural ethnographies written by anthropologist Margaret Mead. These stories can also be imaginative journeys, like the ones told by the masterful author of creative fantasies, C.S. Lewis, the author of the Narnia works. With their tendencies toward exaggeration, some Sagittarians may tell “tall tales,” hopefully in the context of fiction rather than nonfiction. Both C.S. Lewis and Margaret Mead were fascinated by religion, but from different perspectives. In the case of the former, C.S. Lewis weaved his Christian faith into his literary works. Margaret Mead, on the other hand, assumed an impartial observer role in researching religion in the context of its nature and role within the cultures she studied.

The storyteller persona seems to be a common thread among the Sagittarian personalities I feature in my “Snapshot Profiles” section in this article. With the exception of the President of Brazil, the “storyteller” theme is obvious, with each of these individuals involved in writing, publishing, stand-up comedy, and acting. I would venture to guess that in her revolutionary days, the President of Brazil probably assumed responsibilities for publishing a newspaper or other political periodical. These Sagittarians demonstrate frankness in their speeches and writings.

Let me first disclose that my natal Sun is in the sign of Sagittarius, as is my Ascendant and my natal Mercury. Given this abundance of Archer energy, I offer more of my own perspectives in this article than I typically do. Please keep in mind that I may not be as unbiased about Sagittarius as I would like.

SAGITTARIUS SYMBOLISM AND RULERSHIPS

Glyph for Sagittarius

The glyph for this sign, shown above, displays an arrow and the central portion of a bow. In Latin, “sagitta” means arrow and sagittarius means archer, personified in the medieval painting that precedes this article The archer is a centaur, a mythological creature who is part horse and part man, as well as part mortal and part divine. The centaur holds the bow and an arrow pointed toward a target. The arrow of the glyph points upward into the sky, representing high ideals and aspirations, says astrologer Bruce Nevin. He explains that the disparity between the lower and higher natures, between the limitations of the body and the freedom of the mind and spirit are the dynamics experienced by the sign of Sagittarius. Nevin points out that this disparity manifests in physical terms as an intolerance of restriction and a love of travel or adventure. This disparity finds expression in mental and spiritual terms as openness to new ideas and a love of learning.(1)

The planet Jupiter rules the sign of Sagittarius. Through its influence, Sagittarius displays acceptance of diversity, respect for freedom, broad vision, joviality, optimism, enthusiasm, generosity, and aspirational vision. Less attractive qualities include self-righteousness, arrogance, inappropriate bluntness, overextension, excessive optimism, unhealthy indulgence, and unrealistic visions.

Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. The Sagittarian symbol of the dual-bodied centaur aptly describes the adaptable nature of a mutable sign.

As the ruler of the 9th House of the astrological chart, Sagittarius oversees institutions of higher learning, publishing, religious institutions, travel, philosophy, as well as foreign languages, foreign lands and foreigners. This house is concerned with the activities of the social collective.

Sagittarius rules the buttocks, thighs, hips, and sacroiliac region. Because of this anatomical correspondence, persons influenced by this sign in key areas of the natal chart experience vulnerability to illnesses and ailments in these regions of the body.

Often associated with the Temperance card in the Tarot, Sagittarius from this perspective more closely reflects the mature stage of development in this sign, where one’s adventures and experiences have cultivated wisdom. This is Sagittarius the philosopher, teacher, and sage. The mutable quality provides Sagittarius with ability to “balance” the established energy of the fixed signs and the fast-moving direct action of the cardinal signs. Nevin says that the angel depicted in the Temperance tarot card moves between heaven and earth, symbolizing the effort of Sagittarius to connect the spiritual realm with earthly existence.(2)

THE TRANSITION FROM SCORPIO TO SAGITTARIUS

Sagittarius represents the final phase of autumn, the realm of time bridging two seasons. Both Scorpio and Sagittarius search for the truth, and both can be brutally frank, although the Archer often conveys its blunt remarks with wit or humor. Both are keen observers, but Sagittarius is more inclined to look at the big picture. Scorpio relies on gut reactions, but may be more deliberate in its actions, while fire-sign Sagittarius uses its intuition to behave spontaneously, often causing the natives of this sign to act first, and think later.

While Scorpio concentrates its energy inward and delves into the great depths of the mysterious, Sagittarius explores the unknown as well, but it journeys in a more expansive way, participating in a variety of experiences. Scorpio may explore the depths of the psyche, while Sagittarius studies cross-cultural customs and religious belief systems.

Astrologer Dana Gerhardt observes that Sagittarius, by its position “sandwiched between Scorpio and Capricorn, … separates the two most ambitious (some would say the grimmest) signs in the zodiac.” Gerhardt continues with this analysis: “If Scorpio is the Dark Prince and Capricorn is the Old King, Sagittarius is the Fool, the court jester who tricks the world into dropping its chin so he can flick its nose. The Fool Lightens things up so that wisdom can enter the room. With his merry allusions, the Fool utters tough truths to the King without getting his head chopped off. His playfulness saves the world from destruction. His perspective brings the kingdom new life.”(3)

While I am of the opinion that adjoining signs continue a theme, I see them also reacting to the qualities of the sign before them in order to balance personality weaknesses. In the transition from Scorpio to Sagittarius, I can almost hear the Archer say, “Enough already, Scorp. You have spent too much time down in the underworld swimming in the cesspools of human depravity. Humanity should be better than this. I dare you to look up into the sky, and dream big with me. I know human behavior can be disgusting, but it is up to us to make it better. I have faith that humans can take care of business here on earth with a higher purpose, if they acknowledge their connection to the divine.”

To survive as individuals and as a species, I believe that we need faith and hope to carry us through life. Perhaps I should say that I, as a Sagittarian, require this perspective. I remember talking to one of my former co-workers as we made our way to the office from the Metro station. Although a relatively young man, he had experienced heart problems in the last decade that required surgery and recouperation. He had originally come to California to study at a university program to which it was extremely difficult to gain acceptance. He successfully gained admission. However, his health condition had undoubtedly impacted the future he had previously envisioned. He said to me, “We always think things will get better.” I remember feeling my heart sink with his statement. I myself have experienced setbacks during the last decade, but what propels me are the opportunities for betterment. I understand at one level that this is not always the case, as my colleague soberly reminded me. I think the process of aging naturally teaches us about reality and the confines of time in realizing our dreams. Yet, for me, perhaps the journey is somehow more important than the end. I have that Sagittarian need for lofty goals, be they societal goals or personal goals. I think this is why I enjoy being engaged in planning projects and proposal writing rather than in the reality-based elements of program operations. I’m better at dreaming about possibilities than handling reality.


THE PURPOSE OF SAGITTARIUS AND SOME MYTH-BUSTING


Sagittarius wears many guises in living life as an adventure, whether physically traveling or engaging in the internal journey. Astrologer Steven Forrest says that the common denominator among the diverse expressions of the Sagittarian personality is the motivation to engage in actions that expand awareness through the gathering of unfamiliar experience.(4)  He capsulizes the three destinies of Sagittarius as:

•  The Gypsy: physical gathering of experience
•  The Student: intellectual researching of experience
•  The Philosopher: intuitive collection of experience

My tongue-in-cheek take on this hierarchy of Sagittarian personas would be something along these lines:

• The College Jock or Joe 6-Pack: acquiring physical experience via football and inebriation
• The Publicist or Salesperson: using cleverness to concoct a great spin for clients or a sales pitch
• The Stand-Up Comedian or Writer: spontaneous insults earn you more than academic tenure

So what is the purpose of Sagittarius? Forrest says that the native’s wandering represents the pursuit of the ultimate meaning of life. The Archer is on a quest, he says, to uncover the Truth, as well as personal destinies. Forrest maintains that Sagittarius uses the strategy of living life as an adventure to reach this endpoint. The Sagittarian characteristics of faith, adventurousness, humor, and enthusiasm are resources in the functioning of this zodiac sign, claims Forrest. Conversely, Forrest observes that traits like bad judgment, over optimism, and overextension are the Archer’s shadow.(5)

The late astrologer Dane Rudhyar says that with the sign of Sagittarius, the night-force has reached its maximum intensity, and collectivism overpowers individualism, society dominates over the individual personality, and the far takes precedence over the near. Sagittarius becomes completely absorbed by social or mystical factors, and yearns for distant connections. This, he says, enables the complexities of society to operate satisfactorily.(6)

I can offer a personal testament to the Sagittarian focus on the external society. Even though I do not spend a lot of time in community activities, my attention is on what is going on in the events of our nation or in the world. I have been this way since I was a teen. My areas of study in college were anthropology and social welfare. I often call myself a “cyber activist” because I spend a fair amount of time reviewing information about local, national, or world politics, and deciding how I can convey my stance to decision-makers. I know this sounds odd to those who may not have a lot of natal chart energy in the collective signs. Except for cooking, I am anything but a “domestic goddess.”

Astrologer Deborah Houlding offers a radically different theory about Sagittarius. She contends that modern astrology downplays the bestial quality of Sagittarius. The Mars-like qualities of Sagittarius are rarely recognized, says Houlding, and she proposes that the fiercer aspects of this sign must be acknowledged to truly understand the symbolism. As a fire sign, Houlding observes that Sagittarius reacts spontaneously and intuitively, hence their love and talent at sports. This sign’s instincts are to act first and think later.(7)  With this tendency, Sagittarius expresses its bestial nature. Rudhyar, on the other hand, sees Sagittarius as a mental sign. I have read only excerpts from his works, so I do not know how he reconciles the traditional association of Sagittarius as a fire sign with his assessment of its mental qualities.

Sagittarius is associated with the centaurs of classical mythology, known for their crass and irresponsible ways. Centaurs are warlike and fierce. Houlding says that Chiron, the gentle wounded healer, has been associated erroneously with Sagittarius. She informs us that Chiron extricated himself from the wild, savage, and lustful ways of his race of centaurs. Houlding suggests that Chiron provided a “tempering” energy to quell the natural bestial qualities of the centaurs.(8)

Can these astrologers all be right? As a Sagittarian, I personally identify with both that ferocious quality of wanting to engage others in verbal battle (not so much physical, but I wouldn’t discount that either). Yet, I can also relate to that very mental place that Sagittarians go to frequently. I think this reflects the “mental processing” that is needed for Sagittarius to “make sense” of all of the diverse experiences in which they are engaged.


SNAPSHOT PROFILES OF SUN SIGN SAGITTARIANS

The information for the profiles was abstracted from Wikipedia, unless otherwise noted

Mark Twain
Born November 30, 1835

The quintessential American writer, Mark Twain (born Samuel L. Clemens) is best known as the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He once said, “I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year (1910), and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: ‘Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.’ ” The prescient Twain died the day following Haley’s Comet closest approach to Earth in 1910.

After working in various printing venues, Twain became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River in his native Missouri. There he began the first of his adventures, which later became the inspiration for his literary works. Twain later joined his brother out West, trying his hand at gold prospecting, but with little success. During this time in the Mother Lode, he became a journalist, and he penned his first creative work, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” which catapulted him to nationwide popularity. Twain found his niche in writing, and his travelogues were soon in demand by various publications.

Mark Twain became a well-known humorist in both his public speaking and his writing. He traveled the world, chronicling his observations for American publications. His essays often reflected a satirical tone. In his middle years, he was often in the company of industrialists, presidents, European royalty, and artists. Perhaps influenced by the Jupiterian energy of Sagittarius, Twain earned much money, but he also spent lavishly, leading to bankruptcy. Wealthy patrons helped him overcome his financial burdens.

Twain transformed his viewpoints throughout his life, becoming an avid anti-imperialist in the later years of his life. He is quoted as saying, “I am said to be a revolutionist in my sympathies, by birth, by breeding and by principle. I am always on the side of the revolutionists, because there never was a revolution unless there were some oppressive and intolerable conditions against which to revolt.”

Although often projecting an amiable persona to the public, Twain suffered from deep depression in his later years. He wrote of his deep love for his wife, yet he often spent much time away from her. The couple lost three of their four children, and this caused much bitterness for Twain that lasted until the end of his life.

Few would dispute that Mark Twain left a tremendous legacy. The website Bio.com summarizes his contributions as follows: “Mark Twain explored the American soul with wit, buoyancy, and a sharp eye for truth. He became nothing less than a national treasure.”

Otis Chandler
Born November 23, 1927

Born into the dynasty who owned the Los Angeles Times, Otis Chandler was the fourth and final member of the family to serve as the newspaper’s publisher, from 1960 through 1980. He indulged enthusiastically in his passions for surfing, weightlifting, big-game hunting, and car and motorcycle collecting. He won championships in the sport of shot put, and only a sprained wrist kept him from competing in the Olympics. Whether in his athletic pursuits or in the newspaper trade, Chandler set high standards for himself. The PBS documentary on the Chandler family (Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and their Times) quoted Otis Chandler as once saying, “My parents never forced me to be the best at whatever I do. That somehow came from within me.”

After college, military service, and a new wife and child, Otis Chandler accepted his father’s offer to apprentice as an executive with the Los Angeles Times, beginning in 1953. In 1960, he assumed leadership of the newspaper. With a distaste for mediocrity, Otis Chandler transformed the Los Angeles Times into a profitable and respected newspaper. The renowned journalist David Halberstam once commented on this publication’s evolution: “No publisher in America improved a paper so quickly on so grand a scale, took a paper that was marginal in qualities and brought it to excellence as Otis Chandler did.”

Otis Chandler valued impartiality, and when his paper ran an extensive expose on the John Birch Society, he reinforced support for this investigative journalism in an editorial, despite the fact that there were members of his family who were proud members of this conservative organization. Chandler transformed the newspaper from an overtly politically conservative newspaper to a well-staffed, more politically balanced modern publication. Otis Chandler left the Los Angeles Times in 1980, and industry observers debate whether he left on his own accord or whether the ownership entity forced him out.

Calvin Trillin
Born December 5, 1935

Writing in diverse genres, Calvin Trillin is an American journalist, humorist, poet, food writer, memoirist, and novelist. Born in Kansas City, Calvin Trillin studied at Yale University. He resides in the Greenwich Village district of New York City. Throughout the years, he has covered subjects both serious and quirky. He writes regularly for The Nation and for The New Yorker. His current column in The Nation is entitled “Deadline Poet,” where his musings on current events appear in rhyme. His books cover themes of family, food, and travel.

The Bush Administration provided abundant fodder for many political observers and humorists, and Calvin Trillin was no exception. In the 2008 Presidential race, many thought the process was epic in proportions, and Trillin followed suit with an epic poem in a book entitled Deciding the Next Decider. A very brief excerpt from this work appears on the National Public Radio website, at this link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97868793

Calvin Trillin lectures widely, and has been interviewed on various television programs. Dubbed “the Buster Keaton of performance humorists by a New York Times theater critic, Trillin authored and presented to critical acclaim two successful one-man shows at the American Place Theater in New York.

Jane Fonda
Born December 21, 1937

The daughter of a popular American actor, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda lives a full and varied life as an actor, a one-time fashion model, a fitness guru, a political activist, and a writer. She was named after a distant relative on her mother’s side, the third wife of King Henry VIII, Lady Jayne Seymour. Her mentally fragile mother committed suicide when Jane was 12 years of age.

Initially interested in art, Jane Fonda later decided to study acting with the renowned Lee Strasberg, who pronounced her a talented actor. Her acting career began on Broadway, with performances in various theater productions. After minor roles in film in the early 1960s, Fonda had her breakthrough with the film Cat Ballou, a box office success. Critical acclaim came later with her performance in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They, earning her an Oscar nomination. In the following decades, Fonda became more selective in her roles, with the opportunity to deepen her craft.

Jane Fonda became a household name, perhaps not for her acting, but her political activism. In the 1960s, she became involved in the movement to end the Vietnam War, as well as in civil rights causes. She toured military towns to speak frankly with servicemen set to deploy to Vietnam, presenting her argument about the immorality of the war. She made speeches to various veterans groups and other antiwar gatherings. Her travel to North Vietnam and her controversial pronouncements led her to be dubbed “Hanoi Jane.” To this day, many veterans harbor strong feelings against her antiwar actions. Although she never retreated from her opposition to the Vietnam War, Fonda apologized for hurting veterans and their families, stating that some of her comments and actions reflected lapses in judgment and were thoughtless.

Jane Fonda’s reputation perhaps recouped when she produced several exercise videos that became enormously successful, beginning in the early 1980s. She recently released fitness DVDs geared to the elderly. Although she has “tempered” her style, Jane Fonda still speaks forthrightly on a number of topics. A stalwart feminist, she co-founded the Women’s Media Center, an organization devoted to amplifying the voice of women in media through advocacy, training, and original content creation.

Dilma Rousseff
Born December 14, 1947

Elected on October 31, 2010, Dilma Rousseff currently serves as Brazil’s 36th President, the first woman to hold the post. She previously held the position of Chief of Staff of Brazil, appointed by former President Lula da Silva. Prior to that, she served as Brazil’s Minister of Energy.

The daughter of a Bulgarian immigrant father and Brazilian mother, Rousseff grew up in an upper middle class household in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She attended Catholic school in her early school years, but later transferred to a public school, where she became politicized in socialist thought. In the movement to oppose the country’s military dictatorship, Rousseff chose to identify with the armed struggle faction of this political group. Rousseff participated in the militant activities of the National Liberation Command. Later, in other group affiliations, Rousseff aligned with the group advocating working with the masses, as opposed to armed struggle. When the military captured her in 1970, she was referred to as the “Joan of Arc” of the guerilla movement and tortured for 22 days with punching and electric shock devices.

After serving a two-year jail term, Rousseff was released, but she was prohibited from continuing her university studies in economics because of her subversion conviction. She was later permitted entry at the university in Rio Janiero, where she continued her studies in economics. In her first position of employment, she was eventually identified as a subversive and was discharged, although she was later pardoned. Rousseff maintained her political activity “within the law.” Before working in the Lula da Silva Administration, she held various local and regional government and political party posts,

The U.S. Department of State issued a profile of Rousseff shortly after her assumption of office in January 2011. Wikipedia summarizes this report as follows: “It detailed several aspects of her life, talking about her past activity in guerrilla organizations, her tastes and habits, and professional characteristics, being described as a prestigious and detailed technician, with the reputation of a workaholic and a great ability to listen, but lacking political tact, turning directly to technicians rather than her superiors.”

As Brazil’s chief administrator, Dilma Rousseff heads the world’s fifth largest economy (based on nominal GDP) and eighth largest by purchasing power parity. In August 2011, Forbes Magazine named her as the world’s third most powerful woman, behind Germany’s Angela Merkel and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In September 2011, Dilma Rousseff became the first woman to open the United Nations General Assembly.

Margaret Cho
Born December 5, 1968

Known for her fearlessness in discussing topics of diversity in our culture, Margaret Cho is a stand-up comedian, actor, recording artist, fashion designer, and writer. Born into a Korean family in San Francisco, California, Cho attended elementary school on Haight Street, famed for its wide spectrum of
street characters reflecting the entire spectrum of city life. She was accepted into the San Francisco School of the Arts, where she thrived as a member of the school’s improvisational comedy group.

Margaret Cho began her stand-up comedy career in the clubs of San Francisco, and she eventually expanded into the college campus circuit. She soon made appearances on TV situation comedies, as well as specials and talk shows. The American Comedy Award named her Best Female Comedian in 1994.

In 1994, ABC developed a sitcom based on Margaret Cho’s standup routine “All-American Girl.” The show caused great havoc in Cho’s life. During the production of the show, Margaret Cho was criticized by network staff for her body type and round face, leading her to undertake an extreme diet that resulted in kidney failure. On the one hand, the shows’ personnel would tell her that she was not Asian enough, and, conversely, they would say that she was too Asian. Cho was also uncomfortable with some of the stereotypical portrayals of her routine’s characters. The show was eventually cancelled due to poor ratings. This experience took its toll on Cho’s physical and mental well-being.

Transformed and renewed by 1999, Margaret Cho toured nationally with her off-Broadway one-woman show entitled “I’m The One That I Want,” which garnered acclaim and was simultaneously the content for a book. Cho also continued her involvement with benefit performances for the LGBT community. In 2008, she returned to TV with the production of her The Cho Show, a reality show based on her eccentric life, intended for viewers who relate to the theme of feeling as if one doesn’t fit in. In 2009, she attained a role in the Drop Dead Diva series. Wearing her “Rainbow Dancing Dress,” Cho appeared on season eleven of Dancing With the Stars, an enjoyable but physically grueling experience for her. In 2010, Cho released her Cho Dependent album, which received a Grammy nomination nod for musical comedy of the year.

Margaret Cho continues to speak about societal issues important to her, including racial/ethnic tolerance, particularly with respect to Asians. She is deeply concerned about bullying issues, especially as they affect LGBT youth. In her performances, she addresses the issue of body self-image and its impact on women. Her involvement in these issues has brought her acknowledgement and appreciation by groups like the ACLU, NOW, and GLAAD.

ENDNOTES

Introduction: the source for the quotations are from Brainyquote.com.
The following are citations for C.S. Lewis and Margaret Mead.
Retrieved: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/cslewis115352.html#ixzz1e81nayKt
Retrieved: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretme132704.html#ixzz1e82O2vkD

1. Nevin, Bruce. (1982). Astrology Inside Out. Rockport, Massachusetts: Para Research Publishers, p.87

2. Ibid.

3.Gerhardt, Dana (December/January 2010). The Noisy Birds of Sagittarius. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #148, pp.11-15.

4. Forrest, Steven (1988). The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications, pp.76-80.

5. Ibid.

6.Rudhyar, Dane (1963). Twelve Phases of Human Experience. The Pulse of Life: New Dynamics in Astrology. Retrieved from: http://www.khaldea.com/rudhyar/pofl/pofl_p2s9pl.shtml

7.Houlding, Deborah (February/March 2007). Sagittarius the Archer. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #131, pp.25-30.

8.Ibid.