ORIGINS OF THE ZODIAC
THE MYTHOLOGY OF SAGITTARIUS
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Latin Name: Sagittarius meaning 'Archer'
Constellation: Sagittarius
Archetype: The Archer
Associations: Crotus and Pabilsang
Planetary Ruler: Jupiter |
The modern constellation Sagittarius was associated with the minor Babylonian deity Pabilsang, venerated at the Sumerian city of Larak. Like Sagittarius, Pabilsang wielded a bow and was also credited as a judge or legal administrator, roles that function as intermediaries between divine and earthly law, the will of the Gods and the will of the people. Some suggest the etymological roots of Pabilsang’s name to translate into something like 'Chief Forefather.' Interestingly, within the constellation Sagittarius lies the Galactic Center, the site of a supermassive black hole that may have played a key role in the origins of the Milky Way, and subsequently, our solar system. The oldest stars in the Milky Way are our most ancient ancestors.
CONNECTION TO SAGITTARIUS
SAGITTARIUS: THE ARCHER
Because the chief epithet of Sagittarius is 'the archer', many astrologers link this sign to the mythology of Chiron, the wise centaur of healing and herbalism. Pabilsang was also occasionally affiliated with healing through his wife, the medicinal goddess Ninisina. However, Chiron already has a corresponding constellation, Centaurus. The true Greek origins of Sagittarius likely lie in the lore of the satyr Crotus, a hunter who lived among the Muses and was believed to have invented archery. Both Chiron and Crotus are depicted as half-man and half-beast, symbolizing the dual animal and spiritual nature present in man. Their mythology reinforces the difficulties inherent in living between two worlds: civilization and the wilderness.
THE ASPIRATION OF SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarius is the ninth zodiacal sign, associated with aspiration. It is the third and final fire sign and the third Mutable sign. While the first two Mutable signs are ruled by the planet Mercury, the last two are ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion. Here we deviate from strategy and logic to indulge in 'what-ifs', embracing the power of positive thinking.
After going deep in Scorpio season, Sagittarius season broadens our horizons, awakening latent wanderlust. Aiming our arrow at a faraway target may literally be a long shot, but a thirst for adventure and the possibility of breaking new ground propels us forward. When the sun transits Sagittarius, we crave new experiences. Existence itself becomes a quest. However, we must be mindful of balancing our animal nature, the part of us that moves on instinct and impulse, with our spiritual nature, the part of us that seeks progress and personal growth. Enthusiasm can be our saving grace or our downfall under this sign. When we recognize which limits to honor and which to push, we become that much more likely to hit our mark.
MYTHS AS MAPS
In the quiet pull of the stars, there lies a map - spiralling back to our origins where myths and mysteries once intertwined with breath and bone. Reconnecting with these ancient stories in the realm of astrology is like stepping into an old song, whose melody we somehow remember yet cannot fully place. Each constellation a whisper, each planet a pulse, guiding us through a universe that knows us deeper than we know ourselves.
Here, myths are not merely tales but ancestral truths, woven into the fabric of our being, inviting us to reclaim fragments of ourselves lost in the modern rush. In the language of the heavens, we find our names written across epochs, asking us to listen, to remember, to understand that the vastness above is mirrored within. To know the stars is, in a profound way, to know ourselves.
Working with Sagittarius mythology
Working with Sagittarius mythology ignites a journey of exploration, wisdom, and boundless freedom. Here are three paths to weave this adventurous wisdom into your story:
1. Aim high with the Archer’s Bow
Sagittarius, crowned by the archer’s bow, embodies the quest for higher truths and distant horizons. Let this symbol guide you to align with your soul’s deepest aspirations. Reflect on your aims - are they pulling you toward inspiration and growth, or calling for a recalibration toward greater purpose?
2. Embrace Jupiter’s expansive flame
Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius carries the essence of abundance, optimism, and the ever-turning wheel of discovery. Look to myths of seekers and wanderers as maps to embrace life’s vastness. Trace where curiosity beckons you, are you ready to step beyond the edges of comfort, welcoming the unknown with an open heart?
3. Follow the Centaur’s Wild Path
Sagittarius is woven into myths of centaurs, like Chiron, the wise healer who bridges the earthly and the divine. These tales call you to honor your dual nature, blending instinct with wisdom. Reflect on how your thirst for freedom can deepen your connection to truth, forging a path of wild joy, soulful knowledge, and endless possibility.
SAGITTARIUS JOURNALING PROMPTS
In your journal, let myth guide you to explore the below prompts during Sagittarius Season.
1. Where are you aiming your arrow?
Scorpio season encouraged you to dig deep. Sagittarius season asks you to dream bigger! What is your grand vision? Where is your compass point’s true north?
2. How are you striving to balance your animal and spiritual natures?
Where could your instinct to follow a creative impulse be enriched through smarter strategizing? Alternatively, how might you further improve a well-laid plan by taking a leap of faith?
3. Consider the kind of ancestor you are becoming.
How do you want to be remembered? For your wisdom? Your fairness? The strength of your spirit? Reflect on these aspirational qualities so as to bring them front and center in your lived experience.
We all embody each of the twelve signs within us, share this with others in your life.
Connect daily with Astro-Mythology and the cosmos
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