Sagittarius - "the Archer" in Latin, called Toxotes in Greek. Of all the 12 zodiac signs, Sagittarius has what likely could be considered as the most controversial and/or disputed origin. Most modern sources (and apparently some ancient sources) like to identify Sagittarius, the archer, with a kindly mentor centaur (horse with a man's body from the waist up), Chiron (or Cheiron). Most centaurs were wild, warring, lustful beasts. However - kindly, wise Chiron was the exception to this rule, and he was a teacher/mentor to many of the Greek heroes (such as Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius).

Not so fast... says Theony Condos in the book, Star Myths. Two of the most ancient, surviving sources - Eratosthenes (1st/2nd century CE) and Hyginus (1st century BCE) - say this is not necessarily correct. These two ancient authors identified the constellation of Sagittarius, the archer, with a mythological satyr by the name of Crotus.

In mythology, satyrs were creatures depicted as having the body of a man, tail of a horse, and the legs (or horns) of a goat. Like centaurs, satyrs were normally wild, warring, lustful beasts. Like Chiron, the satyr Crotus was an exception to the rule - and Crotus was said to be a satyr having a peaceful nature. Crotus lived on Mount Helicon, he delighted in the company of the muses (sounds like fun), and he was known as being an avid hunter. In mythology, Crotus is credited with the invention of the bow. (Eratosthenes points out that centaurs, such as Chiron, did not traditionally use bows.) Crotus was also considered to be the swiftest of the forest and accomplished in his musical skills.

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"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." - Louisa May Alcott, Sun in Sagittarius

Sagittarian energy - motivated by inspiration and aspiration! Spontaneity! Ready for encounter! Fire on the mountain! Fire energy can be warm, vital, vivacious, cheerful and loyal to whatever happens to hold its interest. Fire energy craves freedom and opportunity... yep, a steady stream of opportunity for new experiences. Fire energy can be assertive, competitive, ambitious and full of confidence looking toward the future. Fire energy learns best when actively engaging and grabbing hold of life.

Fire, especially in Sagittarius, loves adventure - but conversely has more than a wee bit of difficulty when dealing with everyday mundane life and routine. Sagittarius presses on to the future in pursuit of high ideals! In the weighty words of astrologer Stephen Arroyo: "Witness, for example the symbol of Sagittarius: the Centaur. This unique creature is still grounded on the earth with an animal body, but that does not stop him from using his human half to carefully aim his arrow at a specific goal on the distant horizon." With the Sun in Sagittarius, creativity is especially linked with aspirations and ideals. Sagittarian energy is buoyant storytelling energy. Ruled by the jubilant planet, Jupiter (Roman god of thunderbolts and lightning, and ruler of all the other gods) Sagittarian energy enjoys preaching a good sermon from a pulpit (ordained or not).

Mutable Fire
Sagittarius is what astrologers call a "mutable fire" sign. What in the heck is a mutable fire sign, you might rightly ask? Simply put, I like to call Sagittarius "the missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me" Zodiac sign. Okay... okay... I suppose I should back up and explain.

There are 3 different "modes" of reaction:

4 are Cardinal or active (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) - adapts to external demands

4 are Fixed or steadfast (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) - adapts to internal demands

4 are Mutable or flexible (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) - adapts back and forth to both external and internal demands

There are 4 different Elements:

3 are Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) outgoing, action oriented, impulsive, and "fiery"

3 are Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) physical, practical, sensual, and material

3 are Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) mental perceptions, thought, communication, and abstract ideas

3 are Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) sensitive, feeling, empathic, and healing
                               

Chances are... The above mumbo jumbo about modes and elements means less than zero to you? So, to successfully combine the "modes" with the "elements," let's focus in for a second or two on the fire signs.

Imagine
Here's a practical example. Imagine there's someone standing in front of you. Now imagine, this person is holding a rock in their hand. Now imagine this person has just thrown the rock at you...

A Cardinal (active) Fire reaction would be to throw a rock back at the jerk.

A Fixed (steadfast) Fire reaction would be to stand there unaffected by the rock, and then taunt them with something like: "Hey, go ahead and hit me again! That didn't hurt at all, you little wuss!


A Mutable (flexible) Fire reaction would be to cleverly dodge the rock, and then "thumb your nose" at their lousy aim.

Got it so far?

Aries = Cardinal (Active) + Fire = "Here's a bigger rock for you, jerk!"


Leo = Fixed (Steadfast) + Fire = "Hit me with your best shot, sucker! That didn't hurt!"


Sagittarius = Mutable (Flexible) + Fire = "Missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me!"

Among natives fulfilling the energy of their Sun’s placement in Sagittarius: some of the key concepts are: broad-minded, optimistic, philosophical, need for change and variety, friendly, open spirited and exploratory. With the Sun in Sagittarius, this fiery, energetic attitude may have been the way you perceived the image of your own father (or another significant male figure) when you were very young and still in the earliest stages of childhood.

Your birth Sun is the hero of your mythic journey through this lifetime. Let Your Light Shine!


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Regardless of whether you're a male or female, the very first love of your life was your mother (or if mom was absent, then another mother figure in your environment). The Moon symbolizes the unconscious, instincts, and what you need to feel nurtured in your life.

With the Moon in Sagittarius, you may have seen your mother as being fiery, fun-loving, adventurous, and independent. The Moon is the "place" where we go for comfort when scared.... and we tend to unconsciously nurture ourselves in much the same way our mothers nurtured and cared for us when we were very young children. You have an emotional need for adventure and independence, and you may have an instinctual urge for travel and exploring. Under stress you will want to go on an "Indiana Jones" adventure and may feel the temptation to head out for "greener pastures." You feel rejuvenated when sharing experiences, adventures, and good times with your friends. You enjoy meeting new and interesting people.

If you're one of those rough and tumble people who enjoys the greater outdoors, then take up a leisurely hobby like rock climbing to gain a heightened sense of relaxation. If you happen to prefer indoor, mental activities and adventures - then enroll for a challenging class at your local institution of higher learning. One characteristic of the Moon in Sagittarius (I've always been somewhat envious of) is if someone offends and/or hurts you? You're fully capable tossing back your shiny hair and saying "Kiss my ___, I deserve better than this, and I don't need you or the hassle. I'm out of here" (and really mean it).

As for relaxing vacations? If you're the athletic type, go ahead and save up for that special, skiing vacation in the Swiss Alps. If that's not quite your style, then attend a learning seminar in that faraway, exotic locale you've always had swimming around in the back of your head.

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The primary motivation ruling force for Sagittarius is the "need to understand." For Sagittarius, life is a grand, marvelous adventure to be experienced and lived to it's fullest. With Sagittarius, options and possibilities are endless - and Sagittarius is always headed for the distant broad horizon. In the throes of heartfelt love, Sagittarius will want his or her partner to share in this great adventure called life. One of the biggest mistakes a love partner can make is the attempt to cage Sagittarius in, either physically or emotionally.

Ruled by the planet Jupiter, one need only look to mythology to understand that attempts to cage the free spirit of Sagittarius are fruitless and end up being a big, big, big mistake. Zeus, the Greek equivalent of the Roman god, Jupiter, was the all-powerful, chief Olympian god. Zeus was married to the goddess Hera (Juno to the Romans). Mythology is full of the many, many, many, many sexual escapades of Zeus "planting his seed" with mortal women. His jealous wife Hera, was always just one step behind him. Hera excelled in nagging Zeus and bringing torments down upon the mortal women Zeus had been with.

Sagittarius will often end up unconsciously choosing to marry a practical Hera type (male or female) in order to help Sagittarius keep "one foot on the ground." Unfortunately, Zeus marrying Hera is a double-edged sword and a "Catch 22." It sets up Sagittarius and his or her lover into compulsively playing out the archetypal myth of Zeus and Hera in their day to day lives.

The living out of the Zeus and Hera myth might be done in a lliteral and/or a figurative fashion. Fortunately, most Sagittarians don't feel the need to live out the myth of Zeus and Hera and/or "plant his or her seed" in a literal way. For all of you Heras out there (male and female) - it's important to remember that Sagittarius always needs something to believe in and a distant goal to reach for (realistic or not). Unconsciously playing the archetypal role of jealous Hera, and dashing the hopes and dreams (his or her seeds) of Sagittarius, is not a wise thing for a lover to do. The more Hera plays his or her part by criticizing and restraining (and keeping one of Zeus' feet on the ground), the more discontented your Sagittarius lover will become and the more your Sagittarius lover will need freedom. That, in turn, will cause you (playing the part of Hera) to pull, criticize, and restrain even harder. Can you see the endless cycle you're caught up in?

Shadow: Being open to all possibilities means Sagittarius will often keep a back door escape route open, just in case of emergency. Commitment and obligations aren't normally a strong suit. Sagittarius should take care not to live out the myth of Zeus in a literal way. Nope, not good. Freely spreading your seed (or anything else) won't bring you (or your lover) happiness and/or contentment in this life. The grass only seems greener on the other side. While Zeus enjoyed his adventures (and planting his seeds), he always wanted to come back to the safety of home and hearth. Make sure you haven't burned all the bridges leading home by the spreading of your seed.

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