Sagittarius: dates, element, planet, symbolism and associated stones

Who is Sagittarius?

Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac. Its glyph is an arrow pointing up and to the right, crossed by a bar. The constellation depicts a centaur, a creature half man and half horse, drawing a bow. According to Greek accounts, it may be Chiron, the wise centaur and tutor of heroes, or another figure named Crotus: the traditions differ.

A fun detail for stargazers: the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way, lies in the direction of Sagittarius. A coincidence for astronomers; a lovely one for those who enjoy poetic links with the idea of "aiming far."

The traditional sheet at a glance

Sagittarius closes autumn and leads toward the December solstice, the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere. Dates in the "tropical" zodiac, the one used in most Western horoscopes, vary by a day from year to year (leap years, exact time and place of birth): if you were born on the day of transition between two signs, a birth chart calculated to the exact hour is needed to know which one applies.

The tropical zodiac starts at the spring equinox and divides the year into twelve equal segments of 30 degrees; it no longer matches the position of the constellations in the sky, because of the precession of the equinoxes, a slow movement of the Earth's axis that completes one turn in about 25,800 years. The "sidereal" zodiac, more used in India, follows the constellations instead and therefore gives dates shifted by about three weeks.

Element, modality and ruling planet

Fire: in tradition, the element of warmth, momentum and light. Mutable: Sagittarius ends autumn and prepares for winter; mutable signs are associated with adaptability and a taste for change. Jupiter: the largest planet in the solar system, named after the king of the Roman gods; astrology sees in it expansion, generosity, faith and philosophy. It rules Sagittarius and also Pisces in the ancient tradition.

Symbolic qualities

Sagittarius is associated with optimism, a love of travel and discovery, frankness (sometimes blunt), and interest in the big questions: philosophy, religion, education, foreign languages. In traditional portraits, the flip side is impatience, scattered focus or clumsiness born of too much candour.

These portraits are conversational archetypes. Many people who love to travel were born under other signs, and many Sagittarians are homebodies. The arrow symbol does not say where one is going: it simply invites the question of what one is aiming for.

Relationships with other signs

In astrology, the relationship between two signs is described by the angle separating them in the zodiac. Here is the common vocabulary, applied to Sagittarius, with no compatibility prediction at all:

• Opposition (signs 180 degrees apart, six signs apart): Gemini. Astrologers see a face-to-face that complements, a mirror.
• Trine (same element, fire): Aries and Leo. One speaks of a kinship of tone, an ease in understanding one another.
• Sextile (complementary elements): Aquarius and Libra. A link described as stimulating and sociable.
• Square (same modality, different element): Pisces and Virgo. Tradition sees a tension that either drives things forward or irritates.

These relationships are only reading vocabulary; they decide nothing in a real relationship.

Traditionally associated stones

For Sagittarius, traditions differ. Twentieth-century jewellery lists often cite topaz and turquoise; other authors prefer lapis lazuli or amethyst. The lists tied to the stones of Aaron's breastplate differ further still.

Turquoise is widely imitated (dyed howlite, plastic); blue topaz is almost always irradiated and heated, a common and accepted practice provided the seller discloses it.

Mood tips

A "Sagittarius" atmosphere invites you to look outward: a world map on the wall, travel books, violet and blue tones, spices, world music. You might plan a walk, learn a few words of a language, read an adventure story or prepare a dish from a country you have never visited. A spicy incense (see the usage precautions) suits this kind of evening well. These are ideas for atmosphere, nothing resembling a horoscope.

What science says

Scientifically, studies to date have not shown that a birth sign allows a character to be described or events to be predicted; astrology remains a symbolic and cultural language, which can be appreciated for its tradition and its poetry without considering it a science.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to the astrological signs.