Everything You Need to Know About Dating a Sagittarius

Smitten by a Sagittarius? Join the club! Between their incredible humor, their extensive expertise on the most esoteric subjects, and their insatiable desire to jet-set on a moment’s notice, these exciting, passionate, and spontaneous fire signs are impossible to resist. Symbolized by the archer, Sagittarius are on a perpetual quest for knowledge. Shooting their arrows incredible distances, Sagittarius’s real delight is the retrieval—the journey is the destination. So are you ready for an adventure? Before you buy a one-way ticket to Timbuktu, here are some key details you must know about dating a Sagittarius.

Birthday: November 22 to December 21

Modality: Mutable

Element: Fire

Ruling planet: Jupiter

Represented by: The archer

Tarot card: Temperance

Best crystals: Lapis lazuli, black tourmaline, rose quartz, carnelian, malachite

Keywords: Carefree, optimistic, blunt, active, adventurous, lucky, free, noncommittal, curious, philosophical, outspoken, impulsive

Best traits: Adventurous, optimistic, passionate, outspoken

Worst traits: Noncommittal, flaky, blunt, careless

Love anthem: “Run Away With Me,” by Carly Rae Jepsen

Famous Sagittariuses: Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Hailey Bieber, Madelyn Cline, Alix Earle, Jin, Zoë Kravitz, Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Jake Gyllenhaal, Charlie Puth, Conan Gray, Auli'i Cravalho, Jay-Z, Ian Somerhalder, Lil Baby, Scarlett Johansson, Rita Ora

In astrology, Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter—the gigantic planet that governs luck, abundance, and expansion. Boasting the motto “go big or go home,” Jupiter is basically the patron saint of being extra…and Sagittarius is delighted to oblige. Whether racing up Mount Kilimanjaro, enrolling in (yet another) virtual workshop, or cracking jokes at a local open mic night, Sagittarius is all about confidence and limitless positivity—I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? All these years later, the best acronym to describe Sagittarius’s signature philosophy is still YOLO.

It’s easy to get swept up in the wild, whirlwind frenzy that defines this sign’s experience—but it’s important to remember that Sagittarius’s spirit is like a tornado: It’s a powerful force that serves a decent amount of chaos. You see, Sagittarians aren’t the best at linking “actions” with “consequences.” Generally speaking, these archers would prefer to throw spaghetti at the wall than spend hours performing due diligence and contemplating strategy. When it comes to partnership, it’s important to remember that Sagittarius will pursue its passion with all their might…until they lose interest. It’s not that this sign wants to break hearts, it’s just that they don’t realize that a shotgun wedding at Las Vegas’s Elvis Chapel is actually the same type of marriage that means lifelong commitment. I mean, how could those possibly be the same things?!

It’s not that Sagittarius doesn’t want partnership: This fiery archer would love to team up with a copilot! But at the beginning of a romance, it may be hard to tell the difference between true love and a star-crossed booty call—after all, Sagittarius begins every connection with passionate infatuation. So the best way to tell what Sagittarius is seeking is to ask. Unlike other signs who may use this dialogue as a sort of impromptu lie detector test (hi, Scorpio, I’m looking at you), Sagittarius is extremely straightforward and deeply appreciates the honest candor. They’ll be sure to tell you exactly what’s on their mind (even if it hurts your feelings).

So, you eloped with your Sagittarius crush in an unexpected haze. Mazel tov! Now what? Well, it’s important to remember that Sagittarius—the last fire sign of the zodiac—has the energy of a wildfire: blazing, expansive, and occasionally dangerous. Sagittarius is fiercely independent, and when coupled…well, that doesn’t really change. Although you may begin accompanying your Sagittarius partner on their adventures, Sagittarius will still need to have solo experiences. This isn’t because the fiery archer wants to exclude you—it’s actually because they want to tell you about their journey after the fact.

Sagittarius has the extraordinary ability to transform even the most mundane pursuit (say, a quick trip to the corner store) into a full-blown adventure. For this sign, virtually everything has the ability to become an epic, and since Sagittarius is a natural storyteller, they delight at the opportunity to entertain their beloved through riveting narratives. This is, of course, part of what makes Sagittarius such an effortless comedian—it’s no wonder that Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Richard Pryor, and Chrissy Teigen were all born under this zodiac sign. At the end of the day, Sagittarius’s dynamic witticism pairs perfectly with their taste for adventure: When they have a story to tell, you’re definitely going to want to listen!

Another thing to keep in mind is that as a mutable sign, Sagittarius is extremely adaptable. This archer’s lifestyle is almost nomadic: They’re always down to explore a new philosophy, switch perspectives, or travel to uncharted places. If you ever need to infuse some new energy into your dynamic, don’t be afraid to introduce a little exploration! After all, in ancient mythology, Sagittarius was depicted as a centaur, so there’s nothing this fire sign loves more than saddling up for an adventure.

Have you ever been stranded in the Mojave Desert with a twisted ankle and a limited supply of water? Lost at sea in a rowboat with only a handkerchief and a pack of chewing gum? Escaped an avalanche by using a garbage lid as a sled? Well, Sagittarius has—and when you link up with this adrenaline junkie, you will too!

Life with a Sagittarius is like sitting in the passenger seat of Indiana Jones’s wrangler: exciting, bumpy, and unpredictable. Yes, “danger” is Sagittarius’s middle name, so don’t be surprised if your wildfire lover finds ways to raise the stakes in your partnership, making the bond itself a bit risky. That’s right, Sagittarius cannot seem to get enough of outdoor sex!

Because Sagittarius is so enthralled by their own pursuits, it’s not always easy to get this archer’s attention. Sagittarius is turned on by people who take initiative, so don’t be afraid to be loud, stomp your feet, or even blow a whistle to let them know you’re interested. Whatever you do, just don’t try to tell them what to do: There’s nothing this fire sign despises more than feeling stifled. Of course, there’s a fine line between “confinement” and “boundaries”—the latter isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When linking up with a Sagittarius, my recommendation is to openly discuss your wants and needs from the beginning and establish some ground rules (for instance, no matter where Sagittarius is on the map, they should always plan to send you a “goodnight” text) so that there are no questions down the line.

Let's talk compatibility!

The Signs You're Most Romantically Compatible With

The Signs You're Most Sexually Compatible WIth

Think You're Not Compatible? You Might Be Wrong

Sex with a Sagittarius is never the same twice. This sign is endlessly curious, adventurous, and yes, kinky. They don't want to do the trusted oral-missionary-doggy routine every single time! They crave variety. Try having sex in new places—like a private jet, or at least on the couch. Or suggest a roleplay scenario, a sex position that looks fun, or a new sex toy to try. Read erotic together! Brush up on your dirty talk! You get the picture—your keyword here is new.

The way to win over a Sagittarius's heart is to get either their adrenaline or their minds racing (or both!). Suggest going to an amusement park so you can ride a roller-coaster together, or watch a horror movie with tons of jump scares. Or captivate a Sag's mind by going to a philosophical lecture or learning a new skill, like taking a cocktail-making class or signing up for salsa lessons. Just don't do dinner and drinks every date night—that's boring!

Sagittarius and Aries (March 21-April 19)

Fellow fire sign Aries is definitely down for off-roading with a Sagittarius. They're the only sign in the zodiac that can rival Sagittarius's thirst for adventure! Aries admires Sagittarius’s dynamic spontaneity, while Sag loves Aries' bravery and just-do-it POV. Together, these two are unstoppable.

Sagittarius and Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Sagittarius and Gemini are opposites on the zodiac, and in this case, it's true that opposites attract. Together, Sagittarius and Gemini are a playful, adventurous, and scarily intelligent couple. They bring out the best in each other!

Sagittarius and Leo (July 23-August 22)

Another fire sign, Leo, shares Sagittarius's optimistic outlook on life. Both these signs are naturally lucky, which makes them generous with their friends and the people around them. Leo is smitten by Sagittarius’s unparalleled sense of humor, and Sag loves Leo's shine.

Sagittarius and Libra (September 23-October 22)

Social butterfly Libra is the perfect foil for Sagittarius. These two have a ton of fun together, but diplomatic Libra can smooth over any ruffled feathers when Sagittarius accidentally puts their foot in their mouth. Plus, Libra loves showing off their social skills—and secretly loves the gossip and drama of it all.

Sagittarius and Sagittarius

Who understands Sagittarius like another Sagittarius? These two archers *get* each other like no one else. Together, they can travel the world, ponder the deepest questions in life, and have some mind-blowing sex, too.

Sagittarius and Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Air sign Aquarius is perhaps the best intellectual match for Sagittarius. There's no one else in the zodiac who can rival Sag's endless curiosity and quest for knowledge. Sag's interests tend towards the philosophical, while Aquarius leans more scientific, so these two can learn a ton from each other, too.

Sagittarius and Taurus (April 19-May 20)

Taurus is practical, thoughtful, and a homebody—so basically, the opposite of Sagittarius, and not in an opposites-attract kinda way like Gemini (more on Gem in a minute). These two just don't understand each other at all.

Sagittarius and Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Pragmatic Virgo is unsure of Sagittarius’s reckless behavior, while Sagittarius sees Virgo as needlessly fixated on rules and regulations. Sagittarius is just not a fit with earth signs (unless those earth signs have a lot of fire in their birth charts, too).

Sagittarius and Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Yeah, another earth sign here. See, earth signs are all about security and stability, which are basically Sagittarius's least favorite things. Sag is most comfy when they're living spontaneously, jet-setting from country to country on a whim, and nothing sounds less fun to a Capricorn!

Sagittarius and Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Empathetic Pisces sees Sagittarius’s physical distance as an emotional detachment, while Sagittarius sees sentimental Pisces as overly sensitive. Sag will accidentally hurt Pisces's feelings, it's all but guaranteed.

Sagittarius and Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Sagittarius and Cancer are a curious case. You'd think they'd clash–Sagittarius is the jet-setter of the zodiac, while Cancer is a total homebody—and in some cases they do. But in other cases, their differences work. Sagittarius helps coax Cancer out of their crab shell, while Cancer gives Sagittarius somebody to come home to.

Sagittarius and Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

This is another amazing-or-terrible combo. Sagittarius and Scorpio are side-by-side in the zodiac, which can sometimes lead to a cutie-next-door kinda vibe—best friends who tease each other, but also always have each other's back. However, this can also sometimes show up as a sibling-rivalry type of relationship, and not the fun kind.

Aliza Kelly

Aliza Kelly is a celebrity astrologer, columnist, author, and host. Referred to as a "rising star" in modern spirituality, Aliza has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vogue, The Cut, and many other publications. She's the author of three books: The Mixology of Astrology: Cosmic Cocktail Recipes for Every Sign; Starring You: A Guided Journey Through Astrology; and This Is Your Destiny: Using Astrology to Manifest Your Best Life.

Erika W. Smith

Senior Astrology Editor

Erika W. Smith (she/her) is the Senior Astrology Editor at Cosmopolitan. She also contributes lifestyle, travel, and sex and relationships coverage. In her decade-long media career, she's become an expert in the "women's lifestyle" beat and has held staff positions at Refinery29, BUST magazine, and HelloGiggles. Her book Astrosex: How to Have the Best Sex According to Your Star Sign was published in 2021.