Dec 17 – Sagittarius III, The Week of Giants

Today’s Legends:

• 1778 – Sir Humphry Davy, English chemist and physicist (d. 1829)

• 1891 – Hu Shi, Chinese philosopher, thinker, and educator (d. 1962)

Others:

• 1685 – Thomas Tickell, English writer (d. 1740)

• 1706 – Émilie du Châtelet, French mathematician and physicist (d. 1749)

• 1796 – Thomas Chandler Haliburton, Canadian novelist (d. 1865)

• 1807 – John Greenleaf Whittier, American poet and abolitionist (d. 1892)

• 1835 – Alexander Emanuel Agassiz, American scientist; son of Louis Agassiz (d. 1910)

• 1842 – Sophus Lie, Norwegian mathematician (d. 1899)

• 1847 – Émile Faguet, French writer and critic (d. 1916)

• 1853 – Émile Roux, French physician (d. 1933)

• 1873 – Ford Madox Ford, English writer (d. 1939)

• 1900 – Mary Cartwright, English mathematician (d. 1998)

• 1903 – Erskine Caldwell, American author (d. 1987)

• 1905 – Érico Lopes Veríssimo, Brazilian writer (d. 1975)

• 1906 – Fernando Lopes-Graça, Portuguese composer and musicologist (d. 1994)

• 1908 – Willard Frank Libby, American chemist, Nobel laureate (d. 1980)

• 1916 – Penelope Fitzgerald, English writer (d. 2000)

• 1920 – Kenneth E. Iverson, Canadian computer scientist (d. 2004)

• 1923 – Jaroslav Pelikan, American historian (d. 2006)

• 1937 – John Kennedy Toole, American novelist (d. 1969)

• 1944 – Jack L. Chalker, American novelist (d. 2005)

• 1945 – Jacqueline Wilson, English author

• 1950 – Laurence F. Johnson, American educator

• 1993 – Antonio Ruiz, Mexican writer (author of Entre Nosotros or Among Us)

Today’s Holidays:

• Bhutan – National Day (1907)

• United States – Wright Brothers Day (National observance by Presidential Proclamation)

• Roman festivals – Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, began

• International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

Today’s Astronomy: From December 17th to 20th, Venus in Sagittarius will form a 120-degree angle with Mars in Leo, and it will be squared by Uranus in Pisces while forming a 60-degree angle with Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius. This period will likely bring enjoyable gatherings, where guests arrive on time, and the atmosphere of the events will be harmonious. You can confidently express your true self in front of others. However, it’s essential to plan your spending wisely, as impulsiveness can be dangerous. It’s crucial to take a deep breath and stay calm before acting, as some things may be quite tempting. Most activities should occur after 2:07 PM on December 18th until 4:39 AM on December 19th (Central Time, USA).

December 17th Birthday Analysis:

Character Analysis: People born on December 17th are very interested in the underlying structure of things. They are practical, down-to-earth individuals who focus on the practical side of life. They have a keen interest in reality and hold disdain for unreliable things, whether superficial, imaginary, or unstable. They always want to understand the workings of things around them, and they judge people based on their actions and results rather than relying on “feelings.”

They are pragmatic and prefer things that are tangible and reliable. They don’t entertain philosophical musings unless they can see, touch, taste, or feel them. As a result, they often succeed in their endeavors because they invest all their energy into practical matters and avoid distractions. They tend to ignore superficial aspects and focus on tangible outcomes.

Love Life: People born on December 17th may desire a constant, unbroken romantic relationship due to their moral beliefs or personalities. They are natural idealists—honest and passionate. If they find a partner with the same dreams, they will remain loyal. Even if that’s not the case, they won’t take relationships lightly or deceive their partner. Their straightforward nature makes them believe that “truth” is more important than anything else. It’s not uncommon for them to have multiple marriages, as they can combine the unchanging with the changing. Many people born on December 17th maintain close relationships with their ex-partners.

If they can remain with one partner, it’s likely because the other person doesn’t try to restrict them. Being tied down can feel suffocating for them.

Wealth and Career: People born on December 17th are particularly interested in making money and are skilled at finding ways to do so. If they focus their energy and intellect in this direction, they can achieve great success. Unlike other Sagittarians who may indulge in flashy spending, those born on December 17th have a penchant for high-quality, top-tier items. This can sometimes lead to exceeding budgets in an effort to impress others.

They are also conflicted individuals, torn between their desire for grandeur and their yearning for freedom. If given the freedom they desire, they will be happy.

Health: People born on December 17th should be cautious about chronic health issues related to blood vessels, bones, and muscles. They have a tendency to indulge in food, which may lead to weight problems. They should avoid eating too much meat and fat and limit their intake of dairy products. They should engage in intense physical activity, such as vigorous exercise or yoga, to maintain their health.

Their tendency to indulge in two major pleasures—sex and sleep—can sometimes affect their mental and physical energy.

Lucky Number: People born on December 17th are influenced by the number 8 (1 + 7 = 8) and Saturn. The number 8 symbolizes a conflict between the spiritual and material worlds, and individuals influenced by this number can be lonely and indulgent. Saturn brings a strong sense of restriction and a critical nature. Due to the influence of Jupiter (the ruling planet of Sagittarius), they also tend to be optimistic and magnanimous, which creates a conflict. However, if the energies of Saturn (restriction, contraction) and Jupiter (expansion, boundlessness) can be balanced, they can achieve great things.

Ideal Romance Partners:

• March 7, March 8, March 17, March 26, April 4, April 16, April 25, May 6, July 31, August 21, September 20, November 27

Ideal Friends:

• January 8, February 15, March 6, April 19, May 21, May 27, July 11, July 15, August 3, September 9, December 20, December 24