======The Archer (Sagittarius)======
=====Object Information=====
  * **Type:** [[Constellation]], used in [[Astronomy]] and [[Divination]]
  * **Owners:** //Not applicable//
  * **Maker:** //Not applicable//
=====Description and Appearance=====
The Archer is the common wizarding name for the constellation Sagittarius. It is a grouping of stars visible in the night sky from various locations on [[Earth]], including the grounds of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. It is particularly significant to the [[Centaur]] population of the [[Forbidden Forest]], who are highly skilled in reading the future from celestial movements.
=====Magical Properties and Usage=====
In the magical world, particularly among [[Centaur]]s, the Archer serves as a fixed point in the heavens against which the movements of planets and other stars are measured for the purpose of [[Divination]]. The positioning of planets, such as [[Mars]], in relation to the constellation is believed to be a powerful omen.
The primary use of the Archer is to interpret the future of the magical world. [[Firenze]] the [[Centaur]] explained that [[Centaur]]s have spent centuries "unraveling the mysteries of the planets." By observing which planets are bright and where they are situated, such as near the Archer, they can foresee significant events like conflict, war, and the shedding of innocent blood.
=====History=====
The Archer's most notable appearance in wizarding history occurred during the 1991-1992 [[Hogwarts]] school year. In May of 1992, during a detention in the [[Forbidden Forest]], [[Harry Potter]] encountered [[Firenze]]. The [[Centaur]] pointed out the constellation to [[Harry]], noting that the planet [[Mars]] was unusually bright and positioned near it.
[[Firenze]] interpreted this celestial event as a sign of impending war and evidence that an ancient evil was stirring. He connected the omen in the stars to the recent killings of [[Unicorn]]s in the forest, explaining that the heavens were confirming what the [[Centaur]]s had already suspected: [[Lord Voldemort]] was active and attempting to return to power. This moment marked a significant instance of [[Centaur]] [[Divination]] being shared with a human.
=====Role in the Story=====
The Archer, in conjunction with the planet [[Mars]], serves as a crucial piece of foreshadowing in the first novel. It provides one of the earliest, most explicit confirmations that [[Voldemort]]'s spirit survived his downfall and was actively working to regain a physical form. The reading of the constellation by [[Firenze]] validated the danger [[Harry]] faced and underscored the gravity of the events surrounding the [[Philosopher's Stone]]. It established the [[Centaur]]s' wisdom and their unique, non-human perspective on the unfolding conflict, setting them apart from both the wizards and the other magical creatures of the forest.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * Sagittarius is a real-world constellation and one of the twelve signs of the zodiac.
  * In classical mythology, Sagittarius is often depicted as a centaur archer, most commonly identified as Chiron, a wise and noble centaur. J.K. Rowling's choice to have the [[Centaur]]s be the primary interpreters of this specific constellation is a direct and fitting reference to this mythological background.