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| Temperance from The Celestial Tarot |
SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarius is the masculine, mutable fire sign of the zodiac: energetic, ambitious, generous spirits who love and value freedom, enjoy challenges and intellectual pursuits. Ruled by Jupiter - the planet of expansion, higher education, growth and travel. Sagittarians are generally open to new ideas, exploration and seeking knowledge. Sagittarius energy is active, ambitious, passionate and sexual - embodying the element of Fire. Positive traits are: optimistic, outgoing, expansive, ethical, freedom loving, exploratory, and honest or being straight forward. Negative traits can include: domineering or controlling, opinionated, judgemental, blunt, competitive, and overindulgent. Sagittarius' fiery passion combined with a strong intellect and quest for knowledge creates an energy signature that is constantly seeking balance between wisdom and instinct. They will fight when necessary (and even be overly aggressive if their goal is slipping away from them) but in turn they can also be that intellectual and spiritually wise person you know.
This balance between competive instinct and rational intellect is evident in the stories and legends of Centaurs.
CENTAURS
Centaurs are half man, half horse, representing the marriage of animal instinct and strength with human intellect and wisdom. (Some may say that the horse aspect is what represents their kind, gentle, and wise nature while it is their human side that brings in the aggressive nature. Food for thought). In Greek mythology, Centaurs were a wild and unruly lot; who liked to drink and fight, what we would call today a "macho man". They have a lot of passion, a strong sexual energy, and are certainly interested in conquest of all kinds. (Look out ladies, the Centaur will probably flirt with you and try to show off his strength to get your attention!) Can you begin to see why they are Fire Elementals?!?
However, legends also revere Centaurs as great teachers, healers, and guardians - so they've got that Sagittarian balance between instinct and intellect. On the Illustration of the Centaur card from the " Mythical Creatures Oracle", Sky Cybele has depicted the Centaur holding both a club and a scroll - symbolically the Sword and the Pen. She says if you were to ask a Centaur, "Which is mightier, the pen or the sword?" Centaur wouldn't know the answer as he sees them both as equally powerful and necessary. (Pictured below)
If you choose to work with Centaurs, you can ask them to help you achieve balance between instinct and intellect. There are times when energy, action, and assertiveness is necessary - and times when those traits are certainly not appropriate! Alternatively, there are times intellect, wisdom, and learning are necessary - and times when instinct and gut feelings are better than "book smarts". Centaurs love to teach and guide others, and can help you know when it is best to be seeking the route of wisdom and learning, or when it is best to be active and assertive or follow your passions.
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| Centaur from The Mythical Creatures Oracle by Sky Cybele |
CHIRON
It is also important to know about the King of the Centaurs - Chiron. Chiron was known as a very wise leader and teacher - perhaps not as prone to aggression as his fellow Centaurs. Son of the Titan God; Saturn, and pupil of the God Apollo, Chiron was friend and confidant to both Gods and Men. (Again, a strong connection of balance between the Higher Realm of consciousness and the Lower Realm of physicality) The Gods taught Chiron about hunting, medicine, music, and prophecy - and in turn Chiron taught these things to men. Among Chiron's famous pupils were Hercules, Achilles, Jason, and the twins Castor & Pollux.
Here is the story of Chiron's injury and how he became a constellation. Some say he was hunting a wild boar with Hercules, others say he was with Hercules (his friend) when a battle broke out among some other Centaurs. Either way, he was accidentally struck on the leg by Hercules' poisoned sword. Since Chiron was immortal this wound did not kill him, but the poison made the wound very painful and impossible to heal. Chiron's suffering was great, and he set himself to the task of searching for a cure - or to find a way to die to escape his suffering. Hercules went on a quest to help his friend find a way to die, while Chiron studied medicine and healing. During this time, Chiron discovered many cures and healing practices (none of which cured him) and he passed those cures and the healing wisdom on to others.... So here we see Chiron as the archetype of the Wounded Healer - a powerful archetype for healers to work with, especially those who are chronically I'll or disabled and yet drawn to the path of healing others.
Hercules, on his journey found the suffering Prometheus who was chained forever to a rock where an eaghle tore at his eyes, kidneys, and liver every day. Jupiter had cursed Prometheus to suffer until someone of their free will offered to take his place. Hercules told Chiron of Prometheus. Chiron was already suffering in anguish every day, and had all but given up on his search for a cure, so he agreed to take Prometheus' place. Thus, Prometheus was freed from his curse. For his sacrifice, Chiron was awarded by the Gods and allowed to die - Thus relieving his suffering at last too. Jupiter further awarded Chiron by placing him among the stars - as the constellation now known as Sagittarius.
Within Chiron's story we find the traits of a great healer, a teacher, and a compassionate, self a sacrificing, and loyal friend. This is Sagittarius energy in it's most balanced and enlightened form - one who has mastered the competitive and macho energy of fire and masculinity, and transmuted it into generosity, ethical asmbition, and knowledge seeking not just for the self but for the greater good of all.
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| Temperance from the Radiant Rider-Waite Smith Tarot |
TEMPERANCE
In the Tarot, Sagittarius is embodied in the Major Arcana card Temperance. Key words for this card are: Blending, Balance, Timing, Discipline, Self-Control, Compromise, Moderation, Alchemy, Healing, Distillation, and Flexibility. You can see how the meaning of the Temperance card relates to the story of Centaurs, Chiron, and Sagittarius energy. You can meditate on this card or journal with it to help you connect with Centaur and Sagittarius energy. Also, if this card comes up for you in a reading, perhaps it is a sign that the Fire Elementals Centaurs are near and want to work with you to teach you moderation and balance.
Working with Centaurs as Spirit Guides
You can connect with these powerful fire elementals any time you want to. Make sure you ground and center yourself, and set up protections - though Centaurs aren't malevolent or mean spirited, they can be strong-willed and they like to play rough. You can call on Archangel Michael for protection, as well as setting clear boundaries about what you will and will not allow (this is a good idea for working with any of the elementals and fairies) You do this by simply and clearly stating your intention at the beginning of your ritual or meditation. One way to invoke a Centaur is to have a fire (in a safe fire pit in your back yard or campground), play some upbeat music or drum beats, and leave an offering of wine or alcohol (the centaurs enjoy drinking) and invite the Centaurs to join you while you meditate on their lessons. You can set up an altar - this can be placed near the outdoor fire, or indoors to be used if you can't have a fire outdoors - as a place to honor them, work with them, and meditate with them. Some suggestions for your altar: candles for the fire element, a picture or small figurine of a centaur, an image of the constellation Sagittarius, pictures or figurines of horses, a book and pen to represent wisdom & learning, a knife or sword, or bow and arrow (or small figurines or pictures of these) to represent their battle skills and hunting abilities, the tarot card Temperance, and symbols or representations of health, healing, and medicine.
You can meditate at this asltar to meet your Centaur guide, or ask for their assistance in your life. The centaurs can help you in manifesting a dream to go to school or get a scholarship, or to help you study and get good grades in school. They can help you manifest a good doctor or help you in finding a healer, energy worker, or medical practitioner to help you with healing. They can help you attain your goal of becoming a healer and assist you in your healings of yourself and others. And most of all, Centaurs can help you find balance, be more assertive, bring passion to your sex life, and help you in challenges and competitions.
My Centaur altar for Full Moon in Sagittarius;
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| My Altar for Centaur |
I will be sharing a tarot spread you can use while working with centaurs, and I am working on creating a guided meditation to help you meet the centaurs. Check back here at the blog for updates!
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