Sagittarius 0°-10° — the Eight of Wands
The first decan of Sagittarius runs Nov 22 - Dec 1, is ruled by Mercury under the Chaldean order, and carries the Eight of Wands — titled Lord of Swiftness by the Golden Dawn.
Eight of Wands
Lord of Swiftness
Upright: Movement, fast paced change, action, alignment
Reversed: Waiting, slowdown, missed opportunities
Full Eight of Wands meaning →Mercury in Sagittarius
Mercury in Sagittarius is the quick planet in the sign of distance, and the Eight of Wands, Lord of Swiftness, is the fastest card in the deck: eight staves in flight over open country, with no figure anywhere in the image. That absence is deliberate. Mercury in Sagittarius is news travelling, messages in transit, things already sent and not yet landed. The decan reads for periods when events are moving faster than anyone is steering them - which is favourable if the aim was good and unhelpful if it was not.
Using this decan for timing
For timing this is the fastest decan in the wheel. The Eight of Wands answering 'when' means days rather than weeks, and often that the thing is already in transit. Mercury in Sagittarius is the single clearest 'soon' in the deck.
Where it sits in Sagittarius
Sagittarius spans thirty degrees and divides into three decans, each with its own ruler and its own card from the Suit of Wands. This one is the opening ten degrees.
| Decan | Dates | Ruler | Card | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0°-10° | Nov 22 - Dec 1 | Mercury | Eight of Wands | Lord of Swiftness |
| 10°-20° | Dec 2 - Dec 11 | Moon | Nine of Wands | Lord of Great Strength |
| 20°-30° | Dec 12 - Dec 21 | Saturn | Ten of Wands | Lord of Oppression |
The sign as a whole is attributed to Temperance in the Major Arcana — see why Sagittarius carries that card.