(i) Biblical Astrology of Sagittarius Introduction

In this article we look at interpreting the Biblical Astrology of Sagittarius as part of a complete series looking into the twelve zodiac signs and how they are represented in Biblical text. Sagittarius is the sign that calls us to follow our spiritual nature. Life opens as a journey to a definite goal. They are described in the bible in :

They can have vivid dreams, imagination and visions and are very receptive to spirituality. Can use higher mind to add to their wisdom.However this movement of the mind can cause difficulty when meditating as although they love spiritual things, stillness can be illusive to them.

In the lower expression of Sagittarius it might come out as a physical speed as in sports and this movement that characterises them can cause them to be susceptible to breakdowns if they do not slow down and take stock when they are stressed mentally.

My short YouTube video can be found by clicking on the image below:

 

 

(ii) Decoding the Sagittarius Glyph

Sagittarius  means THE ARCHER.

He is a centaur, with the lower body of a horse and the torso of a man. They represent the lower and higher consciousness respectively.

It can be seen as in the images below:

The 3 decans of Sagittarius are called :

1. Lyra (The Harp)
2. Ara (The Alter)
3. Draco (The Dragon)

Sagittarius consists of the Horse and the Man

In Mysticism

horse = wisdom or understanding see article on the 4 Horses of the Apocalypse

man = mind

bow = our spiritual energy

arrow = spiritual will directed

Sagittarius is mentioned in the Book of Revelation :

 

Revelation 6 : 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Describes the Sagittarius Archer

 

Psalm 58 : 7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

bendeth his bow = building up spiritual force of Om through meditation or spiritual practice.

shoot his arrows = directing them to destroy thought and emotions of the lower mind.

In the image below the ECLIPTIC is going through the head of the Archer:

 

The ecliptic is the route of the sun and as it passes through Sagittarius and it illuminates the head (higher consciousness) of the archer. This is important as it energises and galvanises the higher centres in man which makes Sagittarius  ready to evolve spiritually.

Where does Sagittarius aim his arrow in the sky ? We can see in the following image :

 

Arrow =  ( Directed Spiritual Will is aimed at Scorpio (Lust, Lower mind)

Judas = Scorpio as he is the 8th character from the left in the Last Supper painted by Da Vinci and Scorpio rules the 8th house of  Natal Chart

 

So it is very significant that the arrow is pointing to the sign Scorpio, with the capability of intense emotional/ lower energy although as we know from a previous article, Scorpio in their highest expression soars spiritually as the Eagle.

 

Psalm 64 : 7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

God is shooting arrows at the thoughts that pull us down. He uses the power of spirit through his grace to do this.

 

(iii) The Three Decans of Sagittarius

1.   Lyra (The Harp) First Decan of Sagittarius

 

When Apollo played the Harp all things were in harmony :

 

Apollo has been known as the God of the Sun amongst other titles and so when the Sun is passing through the Harp (ecliptic through Sagittarius), there is a harmony as man’s upper consciousness is illuminated (see ecliptic diagram above).

In scripture musical instruments = harmony within so  when we are aiming our arrows (will) to the higher realms of spirit  Apollo is playing his Lyre within us and we are in harmony with ourselves.

In this way we can see a relevance of these ancient myths to us today.

 

This verse combines the first 2 decans of Sagittarius :

 

Psalm 43 : 4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Vega = The brightest star in Lyra and means HE SHALL BE EXALTED. Exalted means to be raised and MUSIC is something that does that to us. The music, inner sound current that is meditated upon has the power to raise the consciousness of man.

 

Psalm21 : 12 Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.

arrows and strings = reference to Sagittarius

 

This close-up of Lyra shows a perception of that constellation as an eagle with a lyre (or harp) in its beak:

 

Isaiah 40 : 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

the eagle soars to the altar which is the next decan.

In summary we have the man (higher nature) coming out of his animal nature (horse) and aiming his spiritual will at the lower desires (Dragon). The music or harmony (Lyra) created by being in the spiritual allows man to soar (eagle).

 

 2.   Ara (The Altar) Second Decan of Sagittarius

 

One thing to notice is that the Altar is UPSIDE DOWN  in the sky. This represents the spiritual fire being directed towards the earth. In personal terms it represents the spiritual fire we experience in meditation as it purges us of our sins (ignorance of God), karmas and lower desires. 

This is reached as the 4th stage of consciousness. In the Gospels John said I can baptise in water but one will come who baptised with Fire (Jesus).

 

This fire is also talked about in the verse below :

Revelation 20 : 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

beloved city = higher mind.

heaven = spiritual realms

devoured them = lower thoughts, our attachments to the world.

 

3. Draco (The Dragon Cast Down) Third Decan of Sagittarius

 

 

 

The dragon represents our INNER FEARS. Its is mentioned in the Book of Revelation :

 

Revelation 12 : 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

In reality the dragon is seen upside down in the sky . The verse above relates the dragon to the serpent & Satan (lower mind and desires).

Thuban =  brightest star in the Draco constellation is a nautical star. It was used by the ancients as a navigational polar star. Thuban means SUBTLE & this implies that although the emotions are like a raging sea they come in subtle disguise and creep up on us.

We have seen that Draco relates to the lower consciousness of man and this is tied in with the emotions :

 

Isaiah 27 : 1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Dragon = Draco (lower consciousness)

Sea = emotions.

The sea representing the emotions is seen in the next verse :

 

Revelation 18 : 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

Our emotions can be like a raging sea stirred by the dragon when it is out of control. We go to our lower nature as our desires follow the nautical star in Draco, the bright light, but then the waves of emotion drown us. In the world the bright light of materialism shines and we are attracted to it. 

So when the dragon is cast out Rev 12 : 9 above, the star of Thuban in Draco no longer shines in us so the merchants (lower desires) cannot find domination as our consciousness is raised and the dragon within us cast out. In the above verse Rev 18: 17 this is what it means when it refers to the merchants (lower desires) standing off; their power no longer controls us.

 

(iv) Summary of Sagittarius Spiritual Path

In summary we have the man (higher nature) coming out of his animal nature (horse) and aiming his spiritual energy & will (bow and arrow) at the lower desires (Dragon). The music or harmony created by being in the spiritual realms  allows man to soar (Eagle) after the sacrifice on the altar (Ara) by spiritual fire and the lower nature (Draco) is cast out.

 

(v) Links