We’re nearing the height of Sagittarius season, a time for opening your mind to new things and booking that trip you’ve been thinking about! The ninth sign in the astrological calendar, Sagittarius is symbolized by the archer, represented as a centaur—half man, half horse—drawing their bow. Those born between November 21 and December 21 have this as their sun sign and are known for their adventurous and independent spirit. As a fire sign, there are no dull moments for or with a Sagittarian!

Astrologer, artist, and writer Narayana Montúfar.

We recently spoke with noted astrologer Narayana Montúfar to learn more about what makes Sagittarius artists tick, and what they (and the rest of us!) can expect going forward. Montúfar’s astrological expertise has been featured in outlets such as Teen Vogue, Women’s Health, and Refinery29, and she is the author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power (2021). As well as being an astrologer and offering a range of personal astrology readings, Montúfar is also an artist herself. Specializing in abstract art, she channels the feeling of the night sky through palette, shape, and texture, resulting in canvases that pulsate with color and emotion (you can see her work here).

An example of Narayana Montúfar’s custom birth chart paintings. Courtesy of Narayana Montúfar.

From Toulouse-Lautrec to Marina Abramović, history is full of Sagittarius artists. Who do you consider a quintessential Sagittarius artist? Why?

I think Wassily Kandinsky is the epitome of the classic Sagittarian artist, as he embodied the energetic principles of this sign quite clearly. In astrology, each zodiac sign has an unshakable connection with its planetary ruler. The sign of the archer is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of philosophy, adventure, exaggeration, and spirituality. Jupiter’s immense and incomparable mass relates to the big, bold, and colorful attributes Sagittarians show in their optimistic behavior and approach to life.

Kandinsky had a total of three planets—his sun, Mercury, and Venus—in Sagittarius. He was what astrologers call a triple Sagittarius, owning a triple dose of this zodiac sign’s influence. His paintings reflect a rich inner life and a hunger to explore places very few have gone before. He was a maverick in his field, as he not only pioneered Western abstract art, but also led a revolutionary union between spirituality and art, a merging that is strongly relevant to this day.

Sagittarian archetypes include the spiritualist, the guru, the philosopher, and wanderer—all archetypes Kandisky embodied not only in his work, but also in his search for truth. He wasn’t afraid to rock the boat because a true Sagittarius is always driven by deep trust.

Wassily Kandinsky, Yellow-Red-Blue (1925). Collection of Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.

Do Sagittarians have any inherent strengths as artists?

Sagittarius’s biggest gift is their ability to see the big picture, something that is extremely handy when it comes to art. Creators from this sign aren’t prone to analysis paralysis or getting stuck in one place, as they can step away and play the role of the “observer” more easily than other signs.

Their art, even when simple, holds deep meaning, reflecting an incredibly active inner life. Sagittarian artists are lifelong learners, which gives them the opportunity to try many different mediums and types of art. They also tend to be world travelers and daring explorers, always picking up different flavors and palettes that will help them formulate their own eclectic style. This is a tireless sign that keeps the artistic process positive and fun!

Conversely, are there any weaknesses or disadvantages Sagittarius artists might have to face or overcome?

Due to the sign’s changeable nature, Sagittarius natives can easily switch gears when the time calls for it. This allows them to play around with the many possibilities that are available to them. On the flip side, if they overdo it, they will change their mind all the time, constantly jumping from one piece or style to the next, running around in circles. Like its symbol depicts, Sagittarius artists need to have a clear target, which will allow them to finish their pieces before jumping to the next one.

Do you think there is a medium or genre that Sagittarius artists might be particularly well suited for?

Not at all! Sagittarius is a very jack-of-all-trades, mental sign, meaning that variety is necessary for them to keep their juices flowing. They love to discover, learn, and even teach up-and-coming trends and genres, as they are into novelty. That being said, I do think Sagittarius has an affinity with abstract art, as it is the type of work that requires a big scale. Sagittarius is known for doing everything big!

If a Sagittarius artist is feeling a lack of inspiration or are stuck creatively, what is something they can do to get back on track and feeling inspired?

There are three things that will bring a Sagittarius their mojo back: world travel, learning, and exploring. This is a sign that adores being exposed to different cultures, as it grabs inspiration from variety. As the philosopher of the zodiac, Sagittarius needs to be exposed to people from all walks of life, too. This means that just getting out of their usual environment will help.

With the holidays upon us, any advice on what to gift the Sagittarians in our lives?

Sagittarius is one of those signs that prefers experiences instead of material possessions. A book about world travel, hiking, or exploring always does the trick. Tickets to a museum or the latest adventure film are also welcomed. But the best gift could be a weekend getaway or a trip to an exotic destination.

What can Sagittarius artists look out for or expect this Sagittarius season?

Sagittarius season in 2022 has a very different flavor due to the current retrograde of Mars. A lot of Sagittarians are seeing obstacles and delays along their path. This can be quite frustrating—but at a deeper level, these setbacks are opportunities in disguise. Sagittarians are being asked to see things from a different perspective, something they naturally excel at. Whenever confusion arrives, natives from this sign are invited to seek the answers within and not outside of themselves. By welcoming deep introspection, Sagittarian artists can access a different type of inspiration they haven’t found before.

And for the rest of the zodiac, what can we anticipate? Anything we should do or avoid doing?

Yes! Unlike most Sagittarius seasons, this year, we are being encouraged to embrace inner instead of outer exploration. The energy is incredibly internalized, in preparation for what will be a very busy year. Instead of being active and ambitious in our behaviors, the universe wants us to ask, wonder, seek, and ponder. 2022 was a year of massive change, so it only makes sense to pause and integrate all the adjustments many of us went through as we prepare to enter 2023. Instead of setting intentions and writing New Year’s resolutions, the universe wants us to celebrate ourselves by honoring how far we’ve come!

Astrologer, artist, and writer Narayana Montúfar.

Wondering which artists are Sagittarius? Here are some of art history’s best.

Kara Walker: November 26, 1969

Kara Walker (2015). Photo: Paul Zimmerman/WireImage.

James Rosenquist: November 29, 1933

James Rosenquist (1969). Photo: Jack Mitchell.

Otto Dix: December 2, 1891

Wilhelm Heinrich Otto (1928). Photo: ullstein bild via Getty Images.

Lucien Freud: December 8, 1922

Lucian Freud, Reflection (Self-portrait) (1985). Photo: Raphael Gaillarde/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

Helen Frankenthaler: December 12, 1928

Helen Frankenthaler (1971). Photo: Jack Mitchell/Getty Images.

Edvard Munch: December 12, 1863

Edvard Munch (ca. 1889). Photo: Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images.

Wassily Kandinsky: December 16, 1866

Wassily Kandinsky (ca. 1908). Photo: Bettman/Getty Images.

Paul Klee: December 18, 1879

Paul Klee (1921). Photo: Culture Club/Getty Images.