THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF SAGITTARIUS

"The wisest and best of men is he who has gathered and learned to manifest in himself the lessons found in all the signs."
Swami Kriyananda

The last of the fire signs, Sagittarius symbolizes human evolution from the animal state, the inclination towards the higher, the aspiration to evolve, to abandon the Egocentric state to turn one's gaze towards the stars, towards universal awareness, a central element in Buddhist meditation.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of spiritual growth and expansion of consciousness (Jupiter is also the planet of luck, power, and wealth, so dear to our Ego). In Hindu astrology, Jupiter is so important that it is also called Guru, which means master of religious life, spiritual leader, the one whose influence liberates from earthly illusions. So much so that Hindu scriptures state that spiritual progress occurs through cycles of twelve years, the time of Jupiter's revolution around the Sun. Therefore, Jupiter and the sign it governs have the task of helping humanity expand its awareness towards cosmic consciousness.

Sagittarius exercises its authoritative power over the world by attributing a universal meaning to everything important it encounters in life.

The influence of Sagittarius is dynamic; for natives of the sign, movement and change, both physical and mental, are important. They often shift from the particular to the universal in the effort to attribute a larger meaning to everything they encounter, constantly seeking broader perspectives and often becoming annoyed by insignificant details that may slow their upward aspiration for expansion.

If the grip of the Ego is strong, expansion may only occur on this plane, and Jupiter's influence will lead Sagittarius to want to expand by imposing their worldview on others as the only possible one.

Some grounding in reality is necessary: the exuberance of the sign must have a point to aim for, an objective for its arrows, otherwise, its energy will be dispersed uselessly, the arrows will be shot without a target, purely for the pleasure of doing so. They will grasp onto things impatiently for a short while, live many superficial experiences or with superficiality that will lead nowhere, and certainly will not contribute to elevating their spirit.

Even though details bore them, neglecting them can often lead to great failures. Sagittarius needs to learn to pause and reflect before acting, carefully planning and channeling the direction of their efforts towards a significant and selfless goal not tied to worldliness and the Ego. When the Ego no longer interferes with the sign's typical enthusiasm and when they have learned to embrace calmness, detachment, and true impartiality (not the superficial attitude of being "everyone's friend" of those who plunge into life with a perpetual smile), they will be able to achieve that expanded awareness that is the very essence of wisdom. They will then be free from worldly illusions, and their superficial joy can transform into deep happiness.

However, be careful not to lose touch with reality. Nurturing lofty thoughts does not mean asceticism: one must learn to transfer spiritual principles into everyday reality. A broader view of reality and considering all things in relation to universal truths, which Sagittarius finds easier to do than other signs, can greatly help in worldly life to downsize all our faults, weaknesses, and defeats, but also our successes, and more generally, all the limitations of the ego.

MEDITATION FOR SAGITTARIUS

Sagittarius' stones support them in their continuous journeys, providing energy and confidence and stabilizing the sign's mutability to allow for a solid base from which to expand upwards, accompanying them in introspective and spiritual search.

A mala in topaz jade, amethyst, labradorite, or sodalite will support the meditation of natives of this sign.

For Sagittarius, as mentioned, it is important to cultivate a universal view of life, seeking the divine in every aspect of the world. The invitation for this sign is also to meditate regularly, to contemplate fire as a symbol of purification, and to tune into universal energy.

If you can, when you can, find a place where it is possible to meditate near a lit fire. If this is not possible, I invite you to imagine it, perhaps using a fire agate and placing it in front of you.

Sit in a comfortable position with your mala around your neck or on your left wrist (even if you are left-handed), and listen to your breath for a moment without changing it. When your breath has calmed down and you have found some peace within yourself, direct your attention to the lit fire and imagine it as a source of liberating energy rather than something painful or scorching. Offer to the fire your impurities, worries, and pride, and watch as the fire transmutes them into divine aspirations. Fire represents the purification of the ego and the quest for spirituality.

Feel the joy that arises from your heart or emanates from between your eyebrows, flooding everything around you. Imagine this joy spreading like a divine fire, purifying human afflictions; divine joy transforms human illusions into bliss and turns the entire universe into an eternal and blissful light.

The true path to God is a joyful experience, pursue your daily practice with pleasure and constancy.

"Happiness does not come by vague thinking about it, but by living it in all moods and actions of life."
Paramhansa Yogananda

SAGITTARIUS BIRTHDAY RITUAL

Sit comfortably in silence with your back straight, holding your amethyst, topaz jade, or labradorite mala around your neck or left wrist, the important thing is that it is in contact with your skin and that you have purified it before beginning the ritual.

Bring your attention to your inner being, letting it slide along the spine to reach your center (three centimeters below the navel, three centimeters inward). Take a few minutes to find peace within yourself.

Now visualize a sacred flame extending from the crystals, gently enveloping your body. This fire creates a protective and purifying mantle around you. Find your stability within this protective energy; observe the vigorous energy of the fire igniting your creativity and your power of accomplishment.

Imagine everything you desire for yourself in the coming year, letting it flow freely and with all its strength within you.

When the energy of your desires has calmed down and you feel ready, bring your awareness back to the room.

Keep your mala on or place it in a visible place for you.

SANKALPA FOR SAGITTARIUS

The expansion of Sagittarius' consciousness must necessarily rest on a deep awareness of reality that extends beyond one's Ego, beyond one's small circle of certainties about reality, and beyond one's absolute beliefs (illusions) and personal interests. Therefore, it is fundamental that natives of the sign, who are generally not inclined to listen, instead put themselves in a state of reception.

Since a sankalpa must always be positive - if you don't know why, I invite you to read here - a good intention for Sagittarius can be formulated in these words:

"I listen attentively to others"
"I am ready to welcome other points of view"
"I am an infinite being"
"My certainties are an illusion"
"My beliefs are relative and valid only for me"
"I reflect before speaking"

Amethyst is generally associated with the sign of Sagittarius as it is also one of Jupiter's stones (as is citrine quartz).

It is useful in counteracting the effects of the natural mutability and restlessness of the sign's natives, bringing calm and sobriety, thus favoring relationships and listening.