First decan of Sagittarius

Welcome to Sagittarius, the “most philosophical of the signs” (nod to Mr. Mojo Risin’)

Personally I am fond of this decan. My own natal Mercury is here. Though Mercury is in detriment in Sagittarius, here in the first decan it has face dignity.

• The decan ruler is Mercury.
• Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter.
• The Eights are associated with Hod, corresponding to Mercury.
• The triplicity ruler of the decan is Jupiter.

So it is a pure mix of Mercury (Hermes) and Jupiter (Zeus). It is a unique juxtaposition. Mercury rules small things and details. Jupiter rules large things and the big picture. Mercury is associated with the third house of local travels and the neighborhood. Jupiter is associated with long-distance travels and the global.

The Magus (Mercury) performs his Art (Sagittarius) here. Art as in, the Art of Alchemy. And for the Sagittarius 1 decan there is a magical description of the decan in 777 with a decidedly alchemical feel:

Ascendant Decan of Sagittarius: A man with 3 bodies – 1 black, 1 red, 1 white.

This is like the description in Picatrix: “Three bodies of men of which one is yellow, another white, but the third red.” Similar, but with yellow in place of black, and with the colors in a different sequence. Where the 777 description says “a man with three bodies” which sounds like one man in three forms (Hermes Trismegistus), the Picatrix description mentions “three bodies of men,” which sounds more like distinct individuals, or even corpses in various states.

The three colors, of 777‘s description, black, red, and white, seem like an alchemical series.

• nigredo, the blackness of decomposition that was the first phase in the preparation of the philosopher’s stone
• rubedo phase, or redness, the end stage where red indicating alchemical success
• albedo, or whiteness phase, washes away impurities, bringing light to the prima materia

It is interesting that in the final phase of white in this sequence, the subject is divided into two opposites, that get united in the red phase. I say interesting that this is last in this progression instead of red which normally is end-stage, because something divided into two, or a twinning, also makes one think of Mercury, ruler of this decan, and ruler of Gemini the twins. I also associate this decan with light, and the speed of light, and speed of thought, so this albedo phase coming last emits light as the final action.

The Hellenistic deity is Loimos, associated with plague and pestilence that travels through the air. What else travels virulently? Propaganda, for one thing. Note the word “influencer” and its similarity to “influenza” and going “viral.”

Radio waves, sound waves, the internet, telepathy, slang words, ideas…all similar spreading things may apply here.

The decan has indications of growth potential, as well as boldness, liberty, travel, warfare, and virulent propagations. Talismanically it can be used for alchemically generating energy for swift approach to a goal. It also excels for brainstorming, dissemination of ideas, propaganda, and sales ability, thanks to the combination of Sag ruler Jupiter/Zeus’ airy realm on Olympus and decan ruler Mercury/Hermes, patron god of merchants and thieves.