Sagittarius in the tarot

Sagittarius is the end of autumn, fire that is restless and ranging. It is mutable fire — optimistic, philosophical, candid, always aiming further than it can see. In the cards it is Art, the patient blending of opposites, and the last three Wands: swift flight, the last stand, and the burden of everything taken on.

Art

Sagittarius belongs to Art, card XIV of the major arcana — balance, moderation, the patient art of blending. It is the card to choose for someone born under Sagittarius, if you want a card to stand for them in a reading.

Its ruling planet, Jupiter, is Wheel of Fortune: growth, fortune, generosity.

The three decans

The ten-day slices of Sagittarius are three Wands, the suit of fire. If your birthday falls in one, that card is yours.

• Eight of Wands — 22 November – 1 December, the first decan: Mercury in Sagittarius. speed, momentum, news arriving.
• Nine of Wands — 2–11 December, the second decan: the Moon in Sagittarius. resilience, the last push, wary readiness.
• Ten of Wands — 12–21 December, the third decan: Saturn in Sagittarius. burden, responsibility, carrying too much alone.

The court

Two court cards share Sagittarius. The Knight of Wands — fire of fire — rules its first twenty degrees, coming in from Scorpio (12 November – 11 December). The Queen of Disks — water of earth — takes its last ten and carries on into Capricorn (12 December – 9 January).