Sagittarius
Sign 9 of 12 · 240°–270° of the ecliptic
Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. Astrologers associate it with exploration, belief, generosity and the big picture. In the tropical zodiac the Sun is in Sagittarius from about 22 November to 21 December.
| Symbol | ♐ The Archer |
|---|---|
| Element | Fire |
| Modality | Mutable |
| Polarity | Masculine (active), diurnal |
| Ruler | Jupiter |
| Exaltation | — |
| Detriment | Mercury |
| Fall | — |
| Opposite sign | ♊ Gemini |
| Body (traditional melothesia) | Hips and thighs |
| Tropical Sun dates (approx.) | 22 November – 21 December |
Sagittarius in a chart
Sun in Sagittarius: identity expressed through exploration. Moon in Sagittarius: emotional needs coloured by fire and a mutable rhythm. Sagittarius rising: a first impression in the style of Sagittarius, with Jupiter as chart ruler.
Across traditions
| Tradition | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Western (tropical) | Sagittarius | Measured from the March equinox. The Sun enters around 22 November. |
| Vedic (sidereal) | Dhanu (धनु) | Lord: Guru (Jupiter). With the Lahiri ayanamsa the Sun enters around 16 December. |
| Chinese | No equivalent | Chinese astrology has no Sun signs. The 12 animals count years, months and hours. |
Test yourself
Which element does Sagittarius belong to?
Learn it properly in the courseBuilt from the Astrolysis facts table western/signs/sagittarius.