Sagittarius: Seeking the Light
Sagittarius and the Galactic Center
Hello Friends,
On the last day of Scorpio season, my family and I tended to my grandfather in his final moments on Earth. He was a beautiful soul - a charismatic and knowledgeable Gemini with a generous heart. I’ve never known a world in which he is not a phone call away. I’ve been allowing myself space to move more slowly as I digest this enormous grief.
One of my first astrology teachers, John Marchesella, taught that Sagittarius (following Scorpio) represents the the party after the funeral. While we have not made it yet to my grandfather’s celebration of life, I have been ruminating upon variations of this zodiacal hand-off. Primarily: Meaning-making after a period of difficulty.
Humans, by nature, tend to weave significance in the wake of life-altering shifts. We assure ourselves that if we hadn’t gone through certain hardships, we wouldn’t have found this other “valuable thing” in our lives - or we wouldn’t have accrued the wisdom which serves us now. This act of concocting meaning is subjective. It’s personal. And this sort of philosophy gives us a crutch (or wings!) for us to march forward.
Sagittarius is a “double-bodied,” or mutable sign. Mutable signs possess a liminal quality of having one foot in two different worlds. Sagittarius carries the image of the centaur - half human (intellect) and half horse (instinct). In the tropical zodiac, the mutable signs correspond with the shifting of the seasons. In the northern hemisphere, Sagittarius vacillates between autumn and winter. This quality of being “in-between” implies variety, pivots, and yes, pauses. Slowing down, reclaiming stillness, focusing on our breath, allowing ourselves to land in the now - this space forms the cradle for perspective to flourish. These pauses are are where meaning is made.
“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
- Inuit Proverb
Perhaps “life is the hand we are dealt,” but alternatively, “life is what you make it.” The mutable signs reveal such paradoxical truths. Perhaps both can be true.
From a sky-watching perspective, Sagittarius carries its own fascinating paradox. In the northern hemisphere, Sagittarius represents the final descent of the Sun by latitude, where daylight dwindles toward its anti-culmination on the winter solstice. The archer holds a weapon - one capable of drawing life-blood. Yet, hunting also sustained the lives of ancient people. In death, there is life. Sagittarius is the keeper of the Galactic center of our Milky Way galaxy. Ancient Greeks understood the life-giving power within this part of the sky. Galaxias Kyklos translates to “milky circle,” referring to Hera’s spilt breast milk. I’ve heard Mayan cosmology refer to the dark crevice within the Galactic Center as a cosmic yoni. Interestingly, just a few degrees away rests the first degree of Capricorn, the place of the Sun’s annual rebirth, where it will begin its climb toward the longest day of the year on the summer solstice. In total, Sagittarius represents a place of descent into utmost darkness, but also the promise of renewal.
In a modern context, Sagittarius season (ruled by benefic Jupiter) tends to emphasize celebration, joy, parties, abundance and gratitude - as well as philosophy, seeking, spirituality, humor, games, religion and understanding. Jupiter strives to elevate morale. It’s as if hope, gratitude and spiritual reverence (perspectives!) sow the seeds for our survival.
Indeed, Sagittarius invites us to find perspectives which nourish us and help transport us from the darkness and intensity of Scorpio. And to do this, it’s vital that we slow down and become more present.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been fulfilling one of my grandfather’s last wishes: to digitize their photos. It’s been an honor to witness snapshots of his life flash before my own eyes - connecting many of the dots in his story. My grandfather was inspired by the poem, The Dash, by Linda Ellis - a poem which compels others to contemplate the significance of our lives - how we live and how we want to be remembered.
My grandfather printed these cards and offered them to people everywhere he went.
My grandfather made it his mission to spread kindness, love and joy. He treated everyone with respect. He lived humbly and gave the rest away. To any offered hand, he replied, “I’m a hugger, do you hug?” I always knew I was loved and I always felt understood.
As I process the impact he had on me, our family and his communities - as I process what I witnessed in his final days, I’m smacked in the face with the reality that none of this lasts. Sagittarius season is helping me to make meaning of how my grandfather’s passing will inspire me to live. For all of us will inevitably leave this world, but what remains? What kind of ripple effect will we leave in our wake?
Perhaps Sagittarius season is inviting you to cultivate more intention or inspiration in your life too.
As the year comes to a close, I want to take this moment to thank you all for entrusting me as your astrologer this year. I feel incredibly blessed and touched by the magic which unfolds in the consultation space and beyond. Your feedback truly moves me. Please know that I’m so grateful to witness you!
May the celestial currents serve you in the highest…