Regnault, Jean-Baptiste (1754-1829)
The Education of Achilles by Chiron
In Greek mythology, Sagittarius represents a centaur, a half human, half horse creature with the torso of a man and the body and four legs of a horse. The centaur is depicted as aiming an arrow toward the heart of the neighbouring constellation Scorpio, represented by the red supergiant star Antares.
Most interpretations conclude that the mythology of Sagittarius refers to the centaur Chiron. Like the satyrs, centaurs were notorious for being wild and lusty, overly indulgent drinkers and carousers, given to violence when intoxicated, and generally uncultured delinquents. Chiron, by contrast, was intelligent, civilized and kind, but he was not related directly to the other centaurs. He was known for his knowledge and skill with medicine. A great healer, astrologer, and respected oracle, Chiron was said to be the first among centaurs and highly revered as a teacher and tutor. Among his pupils were many culture heroes: Asclepius, Aristaeus, Ajax, Aeneas, Actaeon, Caeneus, Theseus, Achilles, Jason, Peleus, Telamon, Perseus, sometimes Heracles, Oileus, Phoenix, and in one Byzantine tradition, even Dionysus.
Other interpretations suggest that the myth behind Sagittarius actually refers to Crotus, a satyr that lived on Mount Helicon with the Muses. Satyrs have human heads and torsos with goat legs (and sometimes horns). Crotus, much like Chiron, was a skilled musician and hunter. He even invented the bow, according to Greek mythology. Because he was close to the Muses, they were the ones who asked Zeus to place him in the sky.
I have a strong Chiron and Sag emphasis natally and really like archery 🙂
I am inclined to think Sagittarius IS better associated with the drunken, lustful, restless centaur spirits than Chiron (though I’d prefer to be the noble, sensible one). Your description of Chiron as a healer makes me think of that 13th sign that recently was rediscovered…the healer holding a snake between his two hands. Could that be the preceding/first centaur? I thought Apollo was associated with the bow (and his sister Artemis the huntress).