The Sagittarius symbol: The archer
The archer is a centaur drawing a bow, often identified with the wise centaur Chiron or with Crotus, a satyr said to have invented archery. The center of our galaxy lies in the direction of the constellation. The arrow aimed at the horizon is the sign’s image of aim and aspiration.
Sagittarius closes autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, the weeks before the December solstice. It is the sign of long nights, feasts and plans for the year ahead.
Jupiter rules Sagittarius. In astrology Jupiter is the planet of growth, faith, generosity and wide horizons, and in Sagittarius it turns toward travel, learning and meaning.
Sagittarius strengths
- Optimism
- Expects things to work out and often helps them to.
- Honesty
- Says what it thinks and means well by it.
- Adventurousness
- Will try the new dish, the new city, the new idea.
- Generosity
- Shares what it has and what it knows.
Sagittarius shadows
- Tactlessness
- Tells the truth without checking whether it was asked for.
- Restlessness
- Wants the next horizon before finishing this one.
- Overpromising
- Says yes with enthusiasm and runs out of hours.
Sagittarius in love
Sagittarius loves with humor and freedom: shared trips, long talks about everything, a partner who is also a friend. It needs someone secure enough not to need constant reassurance, and who can tell it when its honesty stung. Being tied down feels like a threat; being trusted feels like love.
Sagittarius at work
Sagittarius thrives in work with scope and purpose: teaching, publishing, travel, law, philosophy, international work, anything that widens horizons. It dislikes micromanagement. Big goals with room to roam suit it, along with a colleague who keeps track of the paperwork.
Sagittarius and its opposite sign, Gemini
Sagittarius sits opposite Gemini. Together they make the axis of meaning and facts: Sagittarius reaches for the big picture, Gemini checks the details. Sagittarius often grows by listening as well as it speaks.
Best matches for Sagittarius
- Sagittarius and Aries Two fire signs: bold, fun and always up for the next plan.
- Sagittarius and Leo Fire with fire: warmth, laughter and big-hearted adventure.
- Sagittarius and Aquarius Fire and air: shared ideals and a mutual respect for freedom.
Traditional matches, from how the elements and modalities sit together. Any two signs can work. Sagittarius compatibility with every sign.
Sagittarius rising
Sagittarius rising makes an open, friendly first impression. You tend to smile easily, speak frankly and treat new places as an adventure, so people often find you good company. The lesson of this rising sign is that a promise made in enthusiasm still has to be kept.
Find your rising signMoon in Sagittarius
With the Moon in Sagittarius, you need space, movement and something to look forward to. A plan, a trip or a big conversation lifts your mood. You may try to cheer yourself up before you have let a feeling land, so it helps to give hard feelings a little time before you move on.
Find your moon signSagittarius questions
What are the Sagittarius dates?
The Sun is usually in Sagittarius from November 22 to December 21. The exact start and end shift by a day or so from year to year, so if your birthday is on the edge, a birth chart calculated for your year, time and place settles it.
What element and modality is Sagittarius?
Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign, ruled by Jupiter. Its opposite sign is Gemini.
Which signs are most compatible with Sagittarius?
Traditionally Aries, Leo and Aquarius, because of how their elements and modalities sit with Sagittarius’s. Any two signs can work; the pairing pages describe what each match tends to need.
What does it mean to have Sagittarius rising?
Sagittarius rising makes an open, friendly first impression. Your rising sign depends on your birth time and place, not your birthday; the rising sign calculator works it out.