Sagittarius (astrology)

Sagittarius (♐︎) (Greek: Τοξότης Toxotes, Latin: Sagittarius) is the ninth astrological sign, which is associated with the constellation Sagittarius and spans 240–270th degrees of the zodiac. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this sign between approximately November 23 and December 21. Greek mythology associates Sagittarius with the centaur Chiron, who mentored Achilles, a Greek hero of the Trojan War, in archery.[2]

This article is about the astrological sign. For the constellation, see Sagittarius (constellation).

Sagittarius
Zodiac symbol	Archer
Duration (tropical, western)	November 21 – December 21 (2020, UT1)[1]
Constellation	Sagittarius
Zodiac element	Fire
Zodiac quality	Mutable
Sign ruler	Jupiter
Detriment	Mercury
Exaltation	South Node, Chiron (questionable)
Fall	North Node, Ceres (questionable)

Sagittarius, the half human and half horse, is the centaur of mythology, the learned healer whose higher intelligence forms a bridge between Earth and Heaven. Also known as the Archer, Sagittarius is represented by the symbol of a bow and arrow.

Astrology

a Sagittarius on Notre-Dame

Along with Aries and Leo, Sagittarius is a part of the Fire Trigon as well as the last of the reproductive trinity.[3] It also follows Gemini and Virgo as third of the mutable signs, which are the signs that feature changeable quality.[4] The image of the sign says much about its features: he is able to be extremely violent or wise, brave or mild. When Sagittarius is depicted as an archer, then he is classified as human but when represented as a centaur, he is nonhuman (bestial).[5] However, the classification of the astrological sign as a human or bestial does not carry practical consequences for interpretation.[5]

As an archer, Sagittarius is said never to fail in hitting the mark and this depiction alludes to the power of prophecy, hence, the claim that seers and prophets are born in this sign.[3]

Gallery

• 
  Sagittarius as depicted in the 14th/15th century Arabic astrology text Book of Wonders
• 
  Sagittarius - The Centaur, detail from the Horoscope from 'The book of birth of Iskandar"
• 
  Sagittarius from a 1512 German woodcut
• 
  A symbolic representation of Sagittarius published in Uranographia by Johann Elert Bode. In tropical astrology, there is no correspondence between the constellation and the astrological signs

Notes

1. Astronomical Applications Department 2011.
2. Atsma c. 2015.
3. Leo 2006, p. 36.
4. Anastasi 2013, p. 212.
5. Lewis 2003, p. 314.

Works cited

• Anastasi, Sandy (2013). Astrology: Art and Science. Bloomington, IN: Balboa Press. ISBN 9781452583921.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Astronomical Applications Department (2011). Multiyear Computer Interactive Almanac. 2.2.2. Washington DC: US Naval Observatory.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°....
• Atsma, Aaron J. (c. 2015). "Kheiron : Greek goddess of justice".CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Leo, Alan (2006). Astrology for All. New York: Cosimo,Inc. ISBN 1596059249.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Lewis, James (2003). The Astrology Book: The Encyclopedia of Heavenly Influences. Canton, MI: Visible Ink Press. ISBN 1578591449.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Reid, Lori (2015). The Guide to Astrology. Parragon, flo Street house, 4 Queen Street, Bath BA1 1HU, usa: isaiah. ISBN 9781407511306.CS1 maint: location (link)

External links

• Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (over 300 medieval and early modern images of Sagittarius)