Category Archives: Astrology

Sagittarius

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This carving from the Parthenon depicts hand-to-hand (Hand-to-hoof?) combat between a centaur and a human.

This carving from the Parthenon depicts hand-to-hand (Hand-to-hoof?) combat between a centaur and a human.

Sagittarius (the astrological sign of those born November 23–December 22) is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. Its name is Latin for “the archer,” and its symbol is Sagittarius.svg, a stylized arrow.

The Babylonians identified Sagittarius as the god Nerigal or Nergal, a strange centaur-like creature firing an arrow from a bow. It is generally depicted with wings, with two heads, one panther head and one human head, as well as a scorpion’s stinger raised above its more conventional horse’s tail. The Sumerian name Pabilsag is composed of two elements – Pabil, meaning ‘elder paternal kinsman’ and Sag, meaning ‘chief, head’. The name may thus be translated as the ‘Forefather’ or ‘Chief Ancestor’. The figure is reminiscent of modern depictions of Sagittarius.

In Greek mythology, Sagittarius is identified as a centaur: half human, half horse. In some legends, the Centaur Chiron was the son of Philyra and Saturn, who was said to have changed himself into a horse to escape his jealous wife, Rhea. Chiron was eventually immortalised in the constellation of Centaurus or in some version, Sagittarius.

The arrow of this constellation points towards the star Antares, the “heart of the scorpion.”

Sagittarius is undoubtedly one of the most positive of the star signs. If you were born under this sign, you are extremely confident in whatever you do. Being one of the luckiest signs, fortune seems to favor you, whether you plan things or not. That’s also the reason you don’t mind taking the odd risk or two. You feel as if you can’t possibly lose. This almost cocky attitude is something that attracts people to you.

You’re also very enthusiastic, and this is contagious — people can’t help but feel the same way in your presence.

Because people like you so much, they want to help you achieve your goals. But sometimes your life objectives are colossal — those arrows seem to shoot much further than the eye can see. Your philosophy is to bite off more than you can chew and then chew as fast as you can.

People around you will sometimes feel that you’re overly ambitious, and that your aims are pie in the sky. This is not likely to change you: you’d always rather aim high and take on the adventure of life than get to the end of the road regretting that you didn’t have a good go at making your dreams come true.

Scorpio

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A scorpion was sent to kill the hunter Orion for his arrogance.

A scorpion was sent to kill the hunter Orion for his arrogance.

Scorpio, the eighth astrological sign of the western zodiac governs those born between October 23 and November 22 each year.

In Ancient Egypt, Scorpio was the equivalent of the Serpent. Serpents were worshiped by ancient Egyptians. In Egypt not only are there serpents of the houses, but each quarter in Cairo had a serpent-guardian.

Before the discovery of Pluto in 1930, the planetary ruler of Scorpio was Mars, but modern astrologers tend to use Pluto as the sole ruler.

According to the ancient Greek poet Hesiod the giant huntsman Orion went away to the island of Crete to spend his time hunting in company with goddess Artemis and Leto. Orion threatened to kill every beast, which made the goddess of earth Gaia angry. To punish him for his arrogance she sent against him a huge Scorpion which stung Orion to death. At the prayer of Artemis and Leto, Zeus, the ruler of the Olympian gods, put Orion and the Scorpion among the stars as a memorial of him and what had occurred.

Libra (September 23 — October 22)

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The infant Narcissus is presented to the aged prophet Tiresias. Tiresias the prophet was placed in the sky as the constellation Libra by Hera.

The infant Narcissus is presented to the aged prophet Tiresias. Tiresias the prophet was placed in the sky as the constellation Libra by Hera.

Libra, the scales of justice, is the astrological sign that governs those born September 23 to October 22 each year.

Libras are first and foremost focused on others and how they relate to them. For a Libra, everything is better if it’s done as a pair. Libras are good when paired up, too, since they epitomize balance, harmony and a sense of fair play. While they are true team players at work, their favorite partnership is at home: marriage. Libras feel most complete when they are coupled up with their lover, forever.

It’s the Scales that symbolize Libra, and just like that balancing mechanism wants to stay even, Libras want to be on an even keel. Think of the Scales of Justice and how they work at striking the right balance. Likewise, Libras are objective, just and want to do what’s best for everyone. It’s possible, though, that this penchant for fairness is for a different reason: Libras abhor conflict. The scales study every possible angle in the hopes of achieving peace and harmony, so much so that others may see them as fickle and indecisive. If that’s what it takes to avoid a confrontation, that’s fine with the Scales. The Libra-born are keen strategists, organizing groups with poise and getting the job done. Further, you can expect the Scales to be companionable, sociable folks.

Libra is ruled by Venus. In ancient Roman mythology, Venus was a smooth seductress who was at her best amid pleasurable excess and Libras are certainly carrying the torch for her today. The Scales are cultured, refined and love beautiful things. Most of all, they love beautiful people, which is why Libras do so well at cocktail parties or at the theater, opera or ballet. Those born under this sign always have the right thing to say.

You can expect the Scales to make a fair argument, too, since they live by the principles of diplomacy and compromise. When this approach doesn’t work, however, Libras are not above using their persuasive charms to get their way. Libras are polite and don’t like to fight, far preferring to talk things through.

The great strength of the Libra-born is their quest for fairness, peace and harmony. That the Scales are the great diplomats of the zodiac further helps their case.