Sagittarius

The Zodiac constellation of Sagittarius is the fourth constellation of God’s celestial story in the stars. This year the dates for Sagittarius are November 25-December 24, 2022, which according to the Hebrew calendar is the month of Kishev.

The name Sagittarius is Latin and means Archer. The Hebrew name is Kesith, also meaning Archer. In Arabic the name is Al Kaus, and that means Arrow. The picture of Sagittarius, likely Greek in origin, and is a mixed creature of a horse and a man, called a Centaur. The Greeks called him Cherion with a noble, just, and divine character. Cuneiform inscriptions describe Sagittarius as ‘The strong One,’ ‘Giant King of War,' and the ‘Illuminator of the Great City.’ (Star names, their Lore and Meaning) 

Some early astronomical maps show the Sagittarius constellation as simply a bow and arrow, or a bow and arrow with arrows in a quiver. There is quite a bit of folklore and varied mythology about this constellation, but the most consistent part of the constellation imagery is the bow and arrow aimed at Scorpio. Most star maps, especially since the time of the Greeks show Sagittarius as a warrior King. There is a  crown constellation near his forefeet (Corona Australis), and he is taking action to conquer the enemy as he aims his bow and arrow at the heart of the scorpion, the red star Antares. 

In Christianity, Sagittarius, with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse, symbolizes the duality of Jesus Christ/Yeshua Messiah as fully God and fully man. He is victorious, fighting in battle with authority and power, conquering evil.

There are numerous verses in Scripture that speak to the dual nature of Christ being fully man and/or fully God. Here are a few of them:

Isaiah 9:6 NRSV
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

John 1:14 AMPC
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.

Romans 9:5 NLT
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Other biblical references to the dual nature of Christ: Matthew 1:1, 1:18-25, Matthew 16:15-17, John 1:1-5

The celestial story deepens

Last month the antagonist entered in the form of Scorpio, a large scorpion with a big, bright blinking red star for its heart. This month enters the one who will fight and conquer the enemy, Sagittarius.

The Biblical meaning of Sagittarius that can be found in the Bible, especially in the psalms and story of David.

Psalm 45:3-5 NLT 
Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
You are so glorious, so majestic!
In your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
The nations fall beneath your feet. 

Psalm 21:11-13 NLT 
Although they plot against you, their evil schemes will never succeed.
For they will turn and run when they see your arrows aimed at them.
Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. 
With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

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Revelation 6:2 AMPC 
And I looked, and saw there a white horse whose rider carried a bow.
And a crown was given him, and he rode forth conquering and to conquer.

As I was reading about the constellation and researching passages of Scripture, it seemed as if I were reading about current events taking place, or soon to take place. I found myself praising and praying some of the Scripture for what is going on today. It also reminded me of the importance of praise in song. I’ve been doing more of that and it has helped adjust my focus into a more hopeful outlook.

David, in Samuel 22 and Psalm 45 sings a song to the Lord as the one who celebrates victory over the enemy. It is worth looking the entire chapter up, but here are a few excerpts:

2 Samuel 22:1-4
David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: 

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; 
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies…

2 Samuel 22:7-8
But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I cried to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.
“Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the heavens shook;
they quaked because of his anger….

2 Samuel 22:14-15,18
The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused…
He rescued me from my powerful enemies,
from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

More related Scriptures: Psalm 7:10-17, Psalm 64, Psalm 144:5-11,

Stars of Sagittarius

Most of the ancient names of the stars of Sagittarius are not used in modern star charts, with the exception of Nunki, which means ‘The Prince of the Earth.’

One of the brightest stars in the sky, located in the nearby constellation the Lyre is Vega, which is one of the three stars in the Summer Triangle asterism. Vega means ‘He shall be exalted’ and descending eagle. I included a design of a lyre with an eagle and star symbolizing Vega in the download for this month. It seems fitting as singing songs of praise and victory are a theme associated with the Biblical view of Sagittarius.

In the 69 stars that make up the Sagittarius constellation, none of the stars in the are nearly as bright as the Scorpio’s brightest star Antares. The most easily recognizable star pattern in the constellation Sagittarius look like a teapot, which is an asterism. An asterism is a recognizable star pattern that is either part of a constellation, such as the Big Dipper asterism that is a part of the Ursa Major (Big Bear) constellation, or a star pattern that are stars from different constellations such as the Summer Triangle asterism (Stars: Vega, Altair, and Deneb).

Personally, I find it comforting that the main stars of the warrior fighting the evil enemy contain the hope of victory in the form of peace and comfort in the shape of a teapot that symbolizes comfort, hospitality, and peace at home. The teapot looks a bit like a childlike drawing of a home.

The message written in the stars of the constellations of Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius can be summed up in the following verses.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NLT
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed 
into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: 
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?” 
For sin is the sting that results in death, 
and the law gives sin its power. 
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin 
and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope you are encouraged after reading about the biblical meaning of Sagittarius. On a personal level it reminds me that:

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Job 42:2 AMPC (Job speaking to God)
I know that You can do all things, and that no thought 
or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.

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Philippians 4:13 NKJV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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Flip-through video

Below is a quick flip-through video of December’s journal featuring the Sagittarius constellation. If it is not clear, you can adjust the resolution by clicking on the gear icon at the bottom right, second from the end. I’ve used the Sagittarius digital download along with some of the moon download featured in my shop: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop

Sagittarius download available!

Digital downloads used

Monthly moons digital download: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/monthly-moon-banners-journal-kit-download

Sagittarius constellation collage sheets digital download:
https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/sagittarius-constellation-collage-sheets-digital-download

Thank you for joining me on this night sky discovery
sparking with light, mystery, and hope in the midst of darkness.

The invitation is still waiting for the response to all who see it, even written in the stars:

Isaiah 55:6-9 NLT  

“Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.” 

Blessings of light and wonder,
Valerie

Bibliography

Sagittarius astronomical teapot image and information: https://alchetron.com/Sagittarius-(constellation)#sagittarius-constellation-4bcc2d03-810f-4444-863f-2318a0ccef5-resize-750.jpeg

God’s Voice in the Stars, Zodiac Signs and Bible Truth by Ken Fleming https://amzn.to/3SYRbX3

Looking Up by Troy A Brewer https://amzn.to/3R3nIJP & https://shop.troybrewer.com/looking-up/

The Witness of the Stars by E.W. Bullinger https://amzn.to/3PEUu2P & FREE ebook: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49018

Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning by Richard Hinckley Allen https://amzn.to/3cbw4QI

The Stars, a new way to see them by H.A. Rey https://amzn.to/3c7Ap7l

Materials & Supplies

Digital Downloads

Monthly moons digital download: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/monthly-moon-banners-journal-kit-download

Sagittarius constellation collage sheets digital download:
https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/sagittarius-constellation-collage-sheets-digital-download

Stencils

Stars stencil with stars mask edge 9x12”
https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-Stars-Stencil-Stars-Mask-Edge-V-Sjodin-p/l843.htm

To see all stencils I’ve designed visit:
https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-valerie-sjodin-s/2044.htm

Watercolor paint is applied over stencils with a damp cosmetic sponge. You can watch how to stencil in a journal like this on my blog in the ‘2021 Plan with me‘ posts listed in the main blog menu.

SUPPLIES

• 160 gsm dotted notebook

• Pentel P205BP2-K6 Sharp Mechanical/Automatic Pencil, 0.5mm, Black, 2 Count: https://amzn.to/3m3lPgX Kneaded eraser: https://amzn.to/3m0wDwp

• Staedtler permanent pen set: https://amzn.to/3yQ2Ixy or

• Micron pen set: https://amzn.to/3jpWOup or other waterproof pen set

• White Posca paint pen/s: https://amzn.to/3hhmV75

• Sakura 57387 3-Piece Gelly Roll Blister Card Metallic Gel Ink Pen Set, Gold, Copper, Silver https://amzn.to/3AbUJMT

• Cosmetic wedges: https://amzn.to/2IVno1J

• Extreme Elmers glue stick: https://amzn.to/3IZTynk

• Misc. Washi tape

• Coliro M600 Artist Mica Watercolor Paint Set – Metallic Watercolor Paints (6-Color Set, 30mm)

• Watercolors: Indigo (Qor brand used)

• Ruler

• Craft knife

• Spray bottle for water

• Small Scissors - https://amzn.to/2U7BgeS (comes in set of 5)

• TAPE RUNNER Premium Double Sided Adhesive Tape Runners. Acid Free, PAT Approved, 5 cartridges: https://amzn.to/3CltwtP

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FREE Space digital download

available for a limited time

Digital Art Downloads used in the pages are available in my shop

I am delighted to share this FREE Biblical Astronomy themed digital downloadable with you. It is specially formatted and sized to fit A5 journals (or similar size) or anywhere in your journal, planner, notebook, and Bible journal.

From August 2022-August 2023 posts you can find out more about the Zodiac constellations from a Biblical perspective right here on my blog.

The FREE download includes some of the following verses:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 
and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 
All things were made through him, and without him
was not any thing made that was made. 
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5 NIV

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Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army,
one after another, calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.

Isaiah 40:26 NLT

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The story of God’s plan for humanity is written in the stars. It was written before the written Word was written. God named the stars which come together to tell more details of His story. 

He counts the number of the stars; 
He calls them all by name.

Psalm 147:4 NKJV

Free download page details

Digital Art Downloads used in the pages are available in my shop

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For how-to videos for your word of the year planner journal scroll through these blog posts and read more for inspiration!