Past Articles

AR 59 Neptune in Aquarius

AR 58 Mercury, Messenger of the Gods

AR 57 Moon Signs

AR 56 Chinese Astrology

AR 55 Circular Logic

AR 54 Jupiter in Scorpio

AR 53 The Lion in Winter

AR 52 As Above, So Below

AR 51 The Ancient Quest

AR 50 Astrology and Alchemy

AR 49 Star of Wonder

AR 48 Jupiter in Libra

AR 47 Once in a Blue Moon

AR 46 Sedna Enters the Arena

AR 45 Royal Stars of Persia

AR 44 Ancient Formulas for Immortality

AR 43 Twelve Gates of Heaven

AR 42 Jupiter in Virgo

AR 41 Geometry of the Spheres

AR 40 Saturn in Cancer, June, 2003 to July, 2005

AR 39 The Poles of the Zodiac

AR 38
Uranus In
Pisces
2003-2011

AR 37
Twelfth Planet, Plutinos or
Planet X

AR 36
Eclipses – Promise or Peril?

AR35
Solar Fire

AR34
The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology

AR 33
Children of the Gods

AR 32
Wheels Within Wheels

AR 31
Horoscopes of Destiny

AR 30
Zodicac of Dendera

AR 29
A Star Is Born

AR 28
Age of Aquarius

AR 27
Persia's Royal Stars of Ancients

AR 23
The Lore of a Shaman

Once the game is over the King and the Pawn go back in the same box.”  -  Italian Proverb

Sagittarius, the Archer, is depicted as a centaur. This mythical creature is half animal and half human, and in the case of the ninth zodiac sign, the centaur has a bow and arrow. How he is armed forms a critical component of his symbolism. The arrow implies the need for direction and to hit the mark he must take careful aim. The risk with exuberant Sagittarius energy is the potential for his arrows to take random flight and cause unintended harm. The centaur’s bow is meant to be aimed toward heaven and symbolizes the noble goal of liberation from his instinctual lower nature. He represents a phase of human experience which propels us to rise through our earthly sojourns and consciously choose our targets to realize our potential on the higher planes.

Sagittarius represents the quest for wisdom gained through experience. Astrological tradition holds that those born in this sign spend the first half of their lives focused outward, trying to gather as many diverse experiences as possible. In the second half of life the exploration turns inward with the potential to find meaning in experience. The key word for Sagittarius is perception. At an unconscious stage of awareness perception is highly relative and is usually based on pride and prejudice. As we evolve spiritual perception develops through the faculty of enlightened intuition.

In astrological symbolism Sagittarius widens our view, opening us to worlds beyond. As such Sagittarius is said to rule travel, long journeys, higher education and foreign lands-all the ways that we expand our horizons. Sagittarius energy is breezy and expansive and has to do with understanding and the superconsicous aspect of our awareness. Sagittarius loves to explore and speculate but like an untamed stallion this energy can be difficult to rein in and direct. Sagittarius loves to widen and expand so procrastination can be problematic as the inherent optimism believes the sun will shine forever. The power of this positive energy can be dissipated even with the best of intentions.

In the case of Sagittarius we’re dealing with the unredeemed nature of the centaur and the process of evolution is meant to draw out the positive potential of the sign. Animal instinctual power, human will activated through arms and eyes, as well as the focused energy of the bow, all combine if aimed properly to send the arrow to the heart of its intended target. The symbolism implies an evolution of consciousness which builds on an earlier level of awareness to create a more potent vehicle of expression. Sagittarius is like Santa Claus, coming before the limiting energy of the next sign Capricorn.

Jupiter, King of the gods

The Roman Jupiter was the earlier Greek Zeus and Egyptian Min-Amon. King of the gods, Zeus was the quintessential sky father. Zeus was considered the god of light and therefore wisdom, although his mythical escapades don’t always reveal his higher attributes. As king of heaven Zeus/Jupiter ruled supreme over the Olympian gods, wielding his thunderbolts. The first bolt came as a warning shot across the bow, the second, which required the approval of twelve gods known as “comsentes,” was hurled as a stronger warning. The third thunderbolt was thrown in punishment, but only after permission was granted from superior and hidden gods. Zeus was not omnipotent.

According to myth, the infant Jupiter was raised on the milk of a goat whose horns continually overflowed with food and drink. This is the origin of the cornucopia, the horn of plenty, and mythically encodes that Jupiter exudes abundance and the idea of magical and unending supply. Larger than life, Jupiter’s presence will not be denied or swept under the carpet. He wants more and bigger of everything. As ruler of wide-ranging Sagittarius Jupiter wants to look through a telescope, exploring far and wide, expanding his vast knowledge and eventually gaining wisdom through diverse experiences.

Jupiter’s glyph, which looks similar to the number 4, is composed of the crescent of the Moon elevated above the cross of matter. The crescent is also on the left or receptive side. One interpretation of this symbol is the elevation of matter through the evolution of consciousness. Jupiter’s positive qualities include a jovial expansiveness, a sporting approach to life and an unquenchable optimism. His influence is generally fortunate, benevolent and generous. Exaggerated or used unwisely these same characteristics can become extremist in viewpoint, wasteful and disregarding of resources, and trusting too much to luck which brings misfortune. This side of Jupiter can fail to see when matters are serious.

Because Jupiter always wants to take the larger view, there is a risk of dismissing details as insignificant, leading to misfortune. Jupiter deals with the realm of superconsciousness and acts to expand, and hopefully enlighten, the area he visits. As Jupiter orbits the Sun every twelve years the king of the gods returns to the place he occupied at our birth, providing an infusion of growth and energy we can optimize if we are prudent.

Jupiter in Sagittarius

Since Jupiter is said to rule Sagittarius he is in his own domain when he transits through this sign. Here he is at his most regal and perhaps also most ostentatious. Jupiter in Sagittarius is big, bold and brash. When Jupiter transits Sagittarius the Archer is filled with confidence that his arrows will hit the mark. Therefore focusing and taking appropriate aim is critical. Without will power and forethought it’s ready, fire, and then aim.

This transit can provide a much-needed sense of optimism and a widened philosophical view. Jupiter in Sagittarius engenders a love of freedom, an urge toward philanthropy, with a heightened concern for the welfare of others and a willingness to share blessings. There can even be a bit of the crusader and the sense of needing to respond to a cause. Resources can be scattered but they won’t be hoarded as there is often a tendency toward generosity which borders on extravagance. With this combination there’s an inherent belief that supply is endless and the tendency toward growth and expansion seems to never end. The risk is a sort of rose-colored glasses effect which perceives things as better than they are, basking in the imaginary glow of artificial light and not dealing with matters at hand.

Because of a sense of sustained optimism and an overall elevating effect the Stock Market should be bullish, but it’s important to note that unchecked growth is inflationary. Wise investors will feel optimistic, making hay while Jupiter’s light shines. Global markets will be favored as Jupiter’s energy in Sagittarius wants to spread far and wide. Again, conscious informed choices will serve better than the typical Sagittarius approach of shooting from the hip.

Jupiter moving through Sagittarius should bring an increased interest and focus on education, global awareness and travel. Jupiter in Sagittarius can be a like “father knows best,” combining the archetypes of teacher and preacher. Just because he thinks he’s right doesn’t mean he always is. Careful analysis of the correct target should accompany the light speed arrows that fly from his bow.

While Jupiter transits through his own sign from November of 2006 until December of 2007 the biggest planet will form several aspects to other planets in the sky. All of the aspects occur toward the end of the transit in late fall of 2007. Jupiter will first form a square, or ninety degree angle, to Uranus in Pisces which causes a chafing at restraint and an urge to break free of limitations. There can be an ideological expansion as a result of perceived conflict. This aspect can give rise to eccentricity and something of a cult mindset but it also eliminates fixed mental views.

In November 2007 Jupiter will move to form a sextile, or sixty degree aspect, to Neptune in Aquarius. This is a helpful aspect which may offset some of the challenges to Neptune caused by Saturn’s opposition which I discussed in AR #59. I believe Jupiter’s expansive search for truth can aid the evolution of consciousness which is currently taking place. Relieving the tug of war between Saturn and Neptune Jupiter in Sagittarius can shed the light of a higher ideal on what otherwise feels like a no-win standoff. Here there is potential to enhance intuitive faculties or mystical tendencies. This aspect creates an upwelling of generosity and humanitarian impulses.

Dark Companion

If we gaze into the night sky in summer, when the stars of Sagittarius are visible, and identify the constellation of the Archer we are looking toward the center of the galaxy This area of the sky is rich in mythic power. To the Mayas of Central America the Galactic Center was our cosmic birthplace and the origin of life. The periodic return of the sun to align with this place in the sky was felt to be of immense significance to the Mayas. In December 2012, at the time of winter solstice, the sun will also align with the galactic plane to form a rare resonance which occurs only once in each cycle of precession. This cycle is 26,000 years in round numbers although new evidence, and a theory that the Sun is part of a binary star system orbiting with a dark companion, is challenging that duration as well as the probable cause of Precession itself.

In the Tropical Zodiac, which is based on time and keyed to the equinoxes and solstices, the Galactic Center alignment is at 26 degrees of the “sign” of Sagittarius. Therefore every year around December 18 the sun conjoins this point from our viewing perspective as the earth makes it journey around our star. In December 2007, near the end of this transit, Jupiter will conjoin Pluto, recently demoted lord of the underworld. Jupiter will conjoin Pluto in the last degrees of Sagittarius. This is a potentially beneficial combination as light shines through the veil of illusion and there can be an impetus toward regeneration.

Stated one way we are living to see the end of the world as we know it. How we respond to these energies and these “end times” at the close of a cycle is up to us. We can choose to walk on the dark side, joining the chorus of those who chant “game over,” or we can turn toward the light and be active participants in the game of transforming consciousness and redeeming earth. We can look at Pluto’s fate and feel sad at his loss of planetary status, or we can peer through the crack in the cosmic egg, imagining Pluto as the gatekeeper to the portal of the Kuiper Belt, the Galaxy and beyond which is opening to our expanding awareness.