Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius has an expansive, altruistic temperament. It is sometimes called a prophetic sign, for under its vibrations the objective and subjective minds work in harmony. Its fire is therefore quite different from that of the other signs of the fiery triplicity: neither as conquering as that of Aries nor as regal as that of Leo, it nevertheless combines both in a very distinctive way.
Sagittarius is a born idealist: he is the young man who sees visions and the old man who dreams dreams. Yet his idealism is not impractical, for he can foresee the outcome of a transaction from its very beginning. Sincere, open-hearted and honourable, always faithful to the truth and intolerant of those who are not, Sagittarius is a child of nature whose two sides continually reveal themselves in changing moods. He is brave, restless and ready for a challenge, yet also sensitive and inclined to withdraw. As light-footed and agile as he is in body, he is equally swift and precise in thought. He speaks directly and despises evasiveness in others; nothing angers him more than duplicity, though his anger is short-lived and never tainted by malice. He will often yield his ground to avoid a quarrel, yet can defend his position with great rigidity when a genuine principle is at stake. Trifles unsettle him more readily than serious difficulties, which he can avoid with a little foresight and diplomacy—qualities for which Sagittarius is renowned. His pure idealism brings clarity to every question, and he finds joy in honest living, sincerely endeavouring to reduce his problems to their simplest elements. An exceptional degree of mental activity is one of the sign’s most striking characteristics. The agility and directness of his physical movements find their counterpart in his mind, and his conclusions often strike their mark as swiftly and accurately as the arrow that symbolises the sign. Its general temperament is calm, lively and cheerful, and those born under it retain a certain youthfulness well into old age; indeed, they never seem as old as their years. Some, however, develop slowly, reaching their full potential only in middle or later life.
We have already noted his exceptional mental activity and the insatiable curiosity that gives him an affinity with the airy triplicity, especially Gemini, as well as the inexhaustible energy with which he tackles every problem, delighting in getting to its heart and reducing it to its simplest elements. Under favourable circumstances, Sagittarius can therefore make an excellent teacher, usually following the Socratic method of teaching through questions. He is consequently better suited to older pupils who can respond intelligently and are open to discussion. The legal profession offers an excellent outlet for his talents, though he also has good prospects in journalism and often in literature. Teaching religion or philosophy, however, seems the most congenial of all occupations.
In conversation, Sagittarius welcomes debate and enjoys “crossing swords” with a worthy interlocutor; he can be a skilled dialectician. He seems to know his opponent’s weak points intuitively and delights in an exchange of witty repartee. In the average example of the type, speech tends to be discursive, with frequent unnecessary asides, though still full of humour. In writing, Sagittarians are naturally drawn to dialogue as a literary form, and quite often to dramatic composition. Here, however, they are liable to devise implausible plots and overlong speeches, leaving their characters too little room to become “real”.
As far as money is concerned, Sagittarius is usually well provided for, unless adverse planetary influences impose restrictions. His capacity for direct, effective action is a considerable advantage in many financial affairs and makes his path much easier. In business, he has good prospects of success, whether working alone or in partnership, particularly in commercial ventures. He is quite unsuited, however, to work demanding meticulous attention to minor details, so neither clerical duties nor routine office work are congenial to him. Politics seems to offer Sagittarius the greatest scope, thanks to his self-confidence and clarity of vision.
One of Sagittarius’s two greatest shortcomings is a certain impatience and haste, which often prompts premature action. He can be so eager to gather the fruit that he cannot wait for it to ripen. He would therefore do well to cultivate patience.
Another common characteristic—and one that can be particularly disagreeable—is his tendency, in his desire to please, to make promises that he later forgets. At times, one may reasonably wonder whether he ever intended to keep them.
Sagittarius particularly delights in opportunities to be outdoors and loves all kinds of outdoor sports and work. This fosters an open, genuinely democratic spirit, making him willing to fraternise with people from every walk of life. Sagittarians often take a keen interest in schemes for social reform and in improving the condition of the working class. In such endeavours they are extremely practical: their theories rest on patient investigation of actual conditions, while their outlook is too clear-sighted for them to be drawn into radicalism.
From all this, it is evident that Sagittarius possesses qualities especially desirable in friendship. Sagittarians are spontaneous and quick to approach those who interest them. Since that interest is primarily aroused by qualities of mind, there is a firm foundation for lasting intimacy, and they are deeply loyal to those to whom they have become attached.
The same frank sincerity and honesty that make their friendships genuine are the principles Sagittarius upholds in his love life. Here, however, genuine affection often proves insufficient. If a native of this sign finds a woman who truly understands him well enough to love and trust him, his nature will unfold to its fullest heights, and he will become a devoted husband. The great danger, however, is that the average woman will not fully understand his spirit, leaving him with little prospect of success. He is also often inclined to choose a wife on rational grounds. His impulsive, direct nature makes it easy for him to strike up a friendship with a woman and then enter a relationship whose demands he cannot fully meet. Sagittarius cannot lie at the altar, so broken engagements are not uncommon with this type. This sign also produces the greatest number of bachelors, largely owing to its characteristic caution and wisdom. This is truly regrettable, for emotional development is the most necessary element in the Sagittarian nature. In marriage, Sagittarius cannot tolerate the restrictions imposed by jealousy. Even if he appears to submit, his practical nature always urging him to make the best of the situation, he will become irritating and sarcastic, and the union will be far from happy. In less developed types, these qualities often find expression in a cynical attitude towards marriage. Both sexes tend to become selfish and inconsiderate, and although they rarely allow their emotions to draw them into actual affairs, their unconventional disregard for public opinion can often embroil them in scandal.
Although Sagittarius is friendly and warmly disposed towards humanity, he is less devoted to family life, and Sagittarians are often detached from their relatives and household. When they feel close to their immediate relations, they treat them as friends; when they find them less interesting, however, they can be remarkably outspoken in their criticism, pointing out their shortcomings with embarrassing frankness.
In matters of religion, Sagittarius is often sceptical, owing to his active mind and innate desire to investigate faith and give a reasoned account of it. Whenever he encounters religious teachings that cannot withstand such scrutiny, he is uncompromising in his criticism of their shortcomings. Yet no sign ruled by Jupiter can be irreligious, and his sense of fitting harmony often leads him to hold firmly orthodox views. Indeed, Sagittarius frequently makes an excellent priest, far more interested in the practical Christianity of caring for his parish than in the strict application of “Scripture”.
Socrates
Finally, we may say that the life and work of Socrates, the greatest philosopher of antiquity, embody the finest development of the Sagittarian character, while also illustrating many of the sign’s peculiarities and even its weaknesses. His method of teaching through conversational enquiry, leading his pupils to establish the truth of their propositions through skilful cross-examination; his mental activity and democratic freedom in associating with people of every station; his defiance of public opinion and uncompromising stance towards the State; his utter indifference to domestic life, his detachment from family ties and his theories of marriage, together with the genius that made him a welcome companion and friend outside the home; and the hopeless incompatibility of his marriage, in which he must have allowed his head rather than his heart to guide him—all these qualities mark him unmistakably as a Sagittarian.