So our Sagittarian friends, lovers, husbands, and wives, and—yes— children all, without exception, need a lot of space and room to spread their wings, or shoot their arrows in the directions that turn them on, fire them up, and lead them forever toward distant goals. Don’t try and fence them in or, like a stampede of wild stallions, they’ll break down the barriers of your constraints and bound off towards better fields of gold. Give them space and they’ll stay around to enjoy your companionship, especially if you’re willing to explore and shoot for the stars with them. They can truly be your boon companions in life!
Like all signs, there are the extroverted types and the introverted types in Sagittarius. An extroverted Sag may be found roaming wild places, using their bodies to perform ever higher feats in athletics like Joe DiMaggio, performing on stage as a rock stars like Jim Hendrix and Jay-Z or pop divas, like Tina Turner, Britney Spears, or Christina Aguilera. Many action heroes and heroines in the movies are Sagittarians like Brad Pitt, David Carradine, Kirk Douglas, Jane Fonda, and Daryl Hannah. In politics and public positions we have Andrew Carnegie, Winston Churchill, Augusto Pinochet, and ‘Lucky’ Luciano running the gamut of ‘givers and takers’.
Illustrious introverted Sagittarians can be found in writers and mystics such as William Blake, Emily Dickenson, Joseph Conrad, and Madeleine L’Engle. Major Science Fiction authors such as Arthur C. Clarke and Philip K. Dick also take us on amazing adventures far into some future world, while authors like Noam Chomsky and Arundhati Roy write eloquently about present-day dilemmas. Movie directors such as Scott Ridley, Steven Spielberg, and Woody Allen explore different aspects of space, both inner and outer, while holding us on the edge of our seats through pure excitement, terror, or humor.
More up close and personal is my Sagittarian friend, Anni McCann. Anni shows the best of both the extroverted and introverted sides of this sign. When I first met her she was already a well known singer in a group called ‘Backwoods Jazz’. Her voice gave me chills. She was also an excellent yoga teacher, and gave these incredible massages as well. She spent every spare moment down by the Yuba River where she immersed herself in the elemental magic of that magnificent wild and free river and canyon while also engaging in meditation and writing music.
Anni is now very involved with Native Americans and tries her best to humbly serve and participate in their age-old rituals and ceremonies such as the ‘Calling Back the Salmon’ and Indigenous Peoples Day. I feel she embodies both the physical athletic quality of her sign, as well as the mental quest to know, but beyond that she is on a true spiritual journey towards source and oneness that brings us full circle to what the Sagittarian journey is all about.
This quest for meaning drives the Sagittarian like nothing else. They may reach far and wide for their truth, but it is ultimately their deep and abiding need to reconnect with the source of creation and life and keeps them ever searching, searching, searching.
The Sagittarius Man
If you want some excitement and adventure, this just might be the man for you, though you’d better make sure you truly enjoy these experiences yourself, because it’s not easy to tame this ‘Centaur’. Fire tends to attract Earth, and earthy people look for some realism in others which includes being responsible or well-grounded. The truth is that most Sagittarian males don’t want to necessarily grow up into stodgy, routine kind of guys. They need a lot of slack and rope. In fact, they hate to be tethered. They seek something larger than life. All Fire signs tend towards the mythic. These men seek a kind of ideal mate and may never quite find her or him. Of course many do stay committed in long-term relationships as we’ll see in some of our examples later on. It’s undoubtedly because their partners allow them the freedom they’ll take anyway!
Sagittarian men are travelers of the mind often. They like to roam through a plethora of ideas, philosophical treatises, and even mystical/spiritual explorations in order to seek the meaning in life that lures them on. They can have a breadth and knowledge of history like no other because they seek to relate fields of knowledge into a meaningful whole that makes sense both intuitively as well as logically. They are also sometimes the most amazing story tellers and yarn weavers you’ll ever encounter. That’s why they are also great song writers and movie directors. They love epics!
At their core they are romantics in the true sense of enjoying a good adventure. Don’t try to strip them of that inner life. If they show irony and even contempt as an attitude, it’s because they’re shielding that inner vulnerability which gets bruised quite easily. They seek trust and friendship perhaps even more than most. They need someone perhaps who can take care of earthy matters, but that partner must tolerate them as a true friend first and foremost.
The Sagittarius Woman
Jane Fonda is probably as good an example as any of this fiery sign seeking adventures bigger than life. Of course it helps to be born the daughter of Henry Fonda! Her illustrious father may have given her some grief, but certainly supported her bent towards acting and all the amazing roles she’s played in one way or another on screen and off.
And then she met Ted Turner, the media tycoon of CNN, and disappeared for awhile out into the wilds of one of his vast empire ranches in places like Montana.
Sagittarian women are highly opinionated and usually do have something important to say. They don’t mince words and get right to the point. I value that in one of my best friends who will call me on my blind spots, and even get a bit angry, though I always feel her heart behind her words. These are warrior women in a different way from their more earthy sisters. They have a way of directing their energies forcefully with arrow-like speed. Zam! They do often hit the target they are aiming at whether it is a project, a speech, a book, or even a relationship.
Even the more introverted women know what they want usually, and it isn’t a drab, ordinary life. Like their male counter-parts, it needs to be bigger than life in some way. These women can make great professors, for example. I know one who teaches sociology and writes a great blog on fashion complete with social commentary entitled ‘The Social Life of Second Hand Clothes’. The more intellectual types are generally liberal-minded and well-traveled souls. Those on a spiritual quest enjoy philosophical discussions about the meaning of life and whether some divine force is at work in the wonders they behold.
Sagittarian women can be cosmopolitan. Some prefer high-rises in large cities to ranches in the out backs. They can be zestful and inspiring in any sector of society. They can also be dignified and prudent because they wish to maintain their sense of strength on all levels.
In relationship they are also seeking their ‘boon companion’; a man or woman who can match them in zest for life and style of adventure whether it’s traveling from one 5-star hotel to another across the globe, or staying in remote villages and ashrams in third-world countries.
The Sagittarian Lover
Playfulness has to be a factor here, and the ‘sport’ of sexual repartees. These are lovers who don’t want to be bored, remember? They may need something ‘bigger than life’ to engage them in fantasy, or they may prefer au natural to artifice.
Often a state of non-marriage is desirous for many because they hate to be confined by fences. Zeus was certainly a good example of one such style, and to keep a Sagittarian lover happy you best not become too nagging, jealous, or suspicious! That’s the biggest wet blanket you can douse their fire of ardor with. Even so, they actually need some stability, and if the home fires are bright with love and acceptance they’ll stay awhile.
All fire signs have some difficulty with being in a physical body, but especially our Centaur friends. They so desire a realm of spirit where they can be free and unfettered. Perhaps, like Pegasus, if you can soar with them in mind and spirit the physical resting point will also be the vehicle of the animal body that carries you towards higher states of bliss.
When their lovers allow Sagittarius to simply be themselves, they return with a heart full of spontaneous fiery love, and keep things lively, entertaining, and endlessly exciting as they open new doors of possible adventures ahead on the road of life. Remember, play is a big portion of the fire of life.
Sagittarius’ Shadow
What possible shadow could this bright sign have? Truthfully, I’ve seen more Sagittarius people succumb to depression than any other sign. Why? Because when they lose a sense of hope, a sense of future possibilities, it nearly kills them and their fire simply goes out. They need, above all else, inspiration and something to look forward to. Life must have new goals ahead for them to thrive. So when their fire dims low and begins to flicker, they need a spark from someone or something whose fire is still strong.
Another aspect of their shadow seems to be their penchant to promise something and not completely carry through with it. They have a tendency to over-extend themselves when in some moment of enthusiasm or wild abandon they thought they could give you the moon. This passionate outburst may be forgotten as they bound off to other pastures, or simply ‘forget’ about it.
Liz Greene, the authority on ‘shadows’, states that often the root of their difficulty is found in how they adjust to the limitations of reality. If they are unsure of themselves in the world, afraid of failure, or can’t find sufficient maturity and/or discipline within themselves to stick to something and finish it, they often fall into the hands of their shadow which can be promising more than they can deliver, but also trying so hard to ride on someone else’s efforts, which she calls the ‘Groupie Phenomena’. These are the name droppers who always seem to know ‘the right people’ and are intimately connected with them in show business, literary, esoteric, political, scientific, legal, or even medical fields. This groupie phenomenon is observable in any field where fame, glamour, and excitement are part of the show. It’s the penchant for basking in someone else’s limelight. Certain magazines show this off in the photo-ops of parties, benefits, and soirees where everyone is grinning from ear to ear and showing us they’re in on the ‘in-scene’.
Keep in mind that every shadow looks for power of one kind or another. The defense mechanism of always being ahead of the pack, whether it is in knowing the right club, the best of the best in anything, or even the newest guru and spiritual guide is somehow meant to make everyone else feel shabbier and less interesting—downright boring by contrast.
So for Sagittarius to get back to their natural state of nobility and heart-felt warmth, they need to drop these ego-bound defense mechanisms and just enjoy the adventure of life without attaching themselves to the ‘who’s who’ list of fame, glamour, and glory.
The Sagittarius Parent
These parents make marvelous teachers for their children. They truly can aid their child in finding the right path and providing them with the best possible education to reach for their individual star. They are also the type of parents who like to have adventures with their children; taking them camping, traveling, and gaining a sense of the bigger, wider world out there.
My mother had Sagittarius rising (her Ascendant) and I remember well the outings she would take my brother and me on when we lived in Chicago. We loved those adventures of riding the El and going into the bowels of the city to old bookstores, spending hours in the amazing Museums of Natural History and Science, as well as the beaches of Lake Michigan and the zoo. She also read us stories at night, which we loved. She dramatized them and they came alive for us. She had fun with us! Later as a Grandmother she took my first born on a trip to the Grand Canyon—just the two of them. She took my daughter on a special trip to British Columbia—again, just the two of them.
The forever young-at-heart aspect of Sagittarius also makes for joyous parenting. As long as they don’t overly moralize, these parents can be some of the most supportive because they participate in guiding by being fully engaged.
Now we’re ready to look at Sagittarius with each of the other signs:
Sagittarius with Aries
Here we have two bright fire signs where exploration should ideally be easy to share. Aries likes action and both are miserable when tied down. Neither is usually afraid to rough it and both can share inspiration which leads them into experimenting with new ideas as well as following their vision. Aries likes to be physical even more than Sagittarius, and both are mentally alert signs. So why couldn’t I find more famous examples?
Sagittarius with Sagittarius
Can two ‘Centaurs’ romp happily together through the elysian fields of gold?rone to being ‘a law to her self’ as well as ‘a shocker’. This can also be a configuration prone to eccentricities and even psycho-pathologies. In her case, I wouldn’t call it ‘genius’.
Her marriage to Aries Kevin Federline barely lasted three years, though two children, both Virgos, resulted from this union. Kevin has a lot of fire including Venus in Aries and Moon in Leo (his inner anima) but his Moon is solidly grounded with Saturn. He is quite capable of responsibility as a parent, and he now has five children. Britney has conflicts over being responsible (Saturn/Pluto/Jupiter square Venus) and no longer has custody of her children. Very sad. Her lack of maturity and self-destructive/self-indulgent bent ruined what could have been a harmonious union and a happy family life with a man who’s Mars in Cancer was trying to show her the path of greatest growth (her North Node in Cancer). It would seem that Self-love is her missing step towards greater evolution which no amount of fame or money will assuage. (Venus conjoining her S. Node in Capricorn).
Sagittarius with Taurus
As I said in my ‘Relating to Taurus’ article, this is a difficult combination. Taurus is far too earth bound and security seeking for Sagittarius to be truly comfortable with.
Let me know if you’ve found a successful famous couple with this combination!
Sagittarius with Gemini
Here is the polarity of Mutable Air with Mutable Fire. Both are part of the same spectrum and both can certainly find compatibility with each other. Gemini likes to collect all sorts of experiences, ideas, information, and even people as they move through life. They are lively, quick souls with boundless curiosity. Sagittarius doesn’t like to waste too much time on trifles, but rather searches for the connections that create a meaningful coherent fusion. One seeks Reason while the other seeks Revelation.
Sagittarius with Cancer
A difficult combination due to both elemental differences as well as modes. The fiery mutability of Sagittarius must adjust to Cancer’s ultra sensitivity and need to be secure, though both signs are linked by Jupiter which is exalted in Cancer. In other words, both signs are characterized by an urge to grow.
This shows clearly the journey of Sagittarius to continue the quest rather than stay stuck in what might appear to be ‘heaven’.
Sagittarius with Leo
Mutable Fire with Fixed Fire brings visionary ideas into form. Both signs are future oriented together.
I give you two rather unusual examples of this pairing; neither involving marriage.
Sagittarius with Virgo
Mutable Fire meets Mutable Earth with some dissonance but actually the ability to adapt to each other providing there is some cohesive glue such as emotional attunement or philosophical alignment. Both can be mental signs but Virgo may seem too narrow and again—that word—confining for Sagittarius. Especially if nagging enters in to the dynamic, a Sagittarian will want to bolt.
Spielberg was married to Virgo, Amy Irving, for just four years. They have one son to unite them. The divorce settlement gave earthy Amy a whopping $100 million. Philosophically they simply didn’t jive with her Jupiter in Gemini conjoining his Uranus and opposite his Sun, but especially inconjunct his Jupiter/Venus in Scorpio. Initially they must have seen ‘stars’ with her Moon in Libra conjoining his Neptune. The dream probably ended when her Virgo tried to squelch his fire, or his Saturn/Pluto authority squelched her Venus in Leo.
Sagittarius with Libra
This can be a highly enduring combination since Air and Fire are in a nice sextile to each other which is energizing for both. Venus and Jupiter as ruling planets of each also combine well for expansion, social sharing and abundance.
Their Suns are held together by the nice sextile while their Moons don’t really connect (His in Capricorn and hers in Gemini). They both have Venus in Scorpio which aligns their values as well as their penchant for drama. They have some strange out-of-sign polarities involving Mars/Moon/Jupiter indicating wild times and powerful emotional surges.
Sagittarius with Scorpio
These two are side by side, and Sagittarius truly leads Scorpio out of any pits it might get stuck in towards bigger, vaster spaces. Both are interested in meaning and both can move towards transformation together if willing to merge the dark with the light.
Kate’s Sun conjoins Steven’s Moon creating a terrific bond in Scorpio. Their Mercury’s are conjoined in Sagittarius creating true friendship. How they handle a square between their Mars is probably by ‘making love, not war’. They both share Cancer as their Ascendants and thus are considered strongly soul-linked. Both have a great need for family and children which is an added blessing for all.
Sagittarius with Sagittarius
Can two ‘Centaurs’ romp happily together through the elysian fields of gold?
Sagittarius with Capricorn
Side by side, this time it is Capricorn who leads Sagittarius towards solidifying their ideas and aspirations into concrete manifestations and even institutions. Earthy Capricorn may bring form to Sagittarian’s dreams and fantasies.
Sagittarius with Aquarius
Here we have another sextile relationship between Fire and Air which certainly can be compatible on many levels. Both tend toward far-reaching visions of the future and both excel in education and global endeavors. Sagittarians don’t like to be bored and Aquarians, with their Uranian minds can perhaps hold their attention longer than most.
I found four examples but will probably save Mary Todd Lincoln (Sag.) for later when I write about Aquarius and her most famous husband, Abraham.
Sagittarius and Pisces
Again we have two Mutable signs but one is fire while the other is water. Certainly adjustments are necessary but both share Jupiter as a ruler and while Sagittarius is decidedly the more goal driven, questing adventurer, Pisces also seeks an inner experience which ultimately is vaster and deeper because it involves a direct experience with the Source, the divine. So both can be compatible.
In conclusion I’d like to say that studying the different signs with each other is highly skewed by simply looking at famous people. At this 9th sign completion I’m struck by the high levels of failure in intimate relationships due to fame, fortune, and glory. The lives of the rich and famous don’t have a very good track record when it comes to true spiritual unions. We would have to explore less obvious, more obscure folk to find those examples.
Like a wise man once said many moons ago, “Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble souls) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Genevieve A. Vierling C.A.P.
Astrologer
www.bluelightlady.com