The Archer is really a centaur -- the lower half is horse, the upper half is a man. The man is holding a bow with an arrow aimed upwards toward the sky. This symbolizes the Sagittarian's drive to overcome basic animal instincts by aiming his thoughts into the divine realms of the heavens. In other words, you Archers are hunting for ideas and experiences that draw you into greater awareness. As such, you Sagittarians tend to love adventure, travel and philosophy -- all ways of extending beyond your immediate surroundings.

Archers tend to aim their arrows of thought upward, being the incurable optimists of the zodiac. You often look at the sunny side of life and the silver lining to any dark cloud. You are honest to a fault, for you can say what's on your mind before you realize that someone's feelings might be hurt. Since the centaur is part horse, there is also a connection between you Archers and horses, be it a love of riding or an emphasis on the most powerful part of a horse: its legs and thighs. In fact, many of you Sagittarians love outdoor hiking and long distance running.

Your motto is "It is better to know how to learn than to know." You seek knowledge and wisdom, never tiring of the quest for what is yet to come. Others enjoy being with you when you are in your outgoing and joyful mood, but you can become more sullen if you feel that your wings have been clipped. Even in a restrictive situation, however, you'll not lose hope--and it is this inspirational perspective that leads you to your greatest success.

Element: Fire

Fire signs are naturally warm. A fire gives light and heat, but it doesn't get depleted as others feed on its warmth. One candle can bring light to a room and it won't burn any faster if ten people read from its light than if there was only one. Fire doesn't plan its next move; it isn't logical. It simply is in the moment and will burn what fuel is available without judgment or forethought. For this reason fire signs can successfully rely on their intuition and survival instincts.

The fire of Sagittarius is warming, not hot -- but that's because it's far away. It's like a light in the distance that reminds us why we are heading in that direction or the stars that have been used for navigation. This is the fire of inspiration whose heat can motivate the mind to reach out into the wilderness.

House: Ninth

If the Third House is the House of Quick Trips, then the opposite Ninth House could be called the House of Long Distance Journeys. It's about foreign travel, higher education -- for that's travel in the mind and the potential adventure that the future holds.

Key Planet: Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and as such symbolizes an expansive action. He is the king of bigger, better and more. But, of course, too much of a good thing isn't necessarily good, and Jupiter can encourage us to overspend or overindulge. Jupiter acts like a magnifying lens and can make a little opportunity look larger than life. As the key planet of Sagittarius, Jupiter encourages us to take those opportunities, to live life as an adventure and to believe in something greater than ourselves.

Greatest Strength:

Your undying optimistic attitude

Possible Weakness:

Glossing over problems or avoiding difficult situations

Mixed Messages

Your mental gears may be turning as your ruling planet, Jupiter, expands your vision while data- and detail-oriented Mercury trips you up on the small stuff. Jupiter enters futuristic Aquarius in your intellectual 3rd House on January 5 for a one-year stay that could make you more curious about life. Your interest in subjects that never attracted you before is piqued. Yet Mercury's retrograde on January 11 can slow you down with missed connections, faulty information and communication breakdowns. Do your research carefully and double-check facts before making important statements. Delaying presentations until Mercury turns direct on February 1 might be prudent.

A sensitive individual may challenge you to be more responsive on January 10 when the Full Moon in emotional Cancer falls in your 8th House of Intimacy. Thankfully, a creative trine to the Moon from radical Uranus reveals ways that you can get closer without losing your independence.

Keep in Mind this Month: Turn your excitement inward by learning all you can now, rather than dissipating your energy interacting too much with others.

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