Guidelines for using the sabian symbols
The Sabian Symbols can add much depth and nuance to a chart reading and create a beautiful lens through which to see and experience your life. These incredible word images help fill in the higher mythic component of your life and your client’s lives, if you are a practicing astrologer. They often easily reveal personally significant facets without the need for astrological jargon and provide “Aha” moments that can greatly augment any astrological interpretation of the planets or points in your chart . They have a magical ability to create a portal into the wonderful and unique story of you!
For example, do you feel a particular resonance with butterflies? Perhaps you have a planet in the 26th or 29th degree of Aquarius or the 1st or 24th degree of Libra - the four ‘butterfly’ symbols.
If you are not already making the Sabian symbols a part of your life and / or your work as an astrologer, I encourage you to stick with it and explore them more deeply as there is much magic to uncover!
Many folks step into the world of the Sabian Symbols with little or no good information about how to use them. Or conversely with incorrect or inaccurate information about the symbols themselves and how they work.
Because I see this all the time I have designed this little booklet to help guide you accordingly. " To this end there are three things you must know about the Sabian Symbols and how to use them.
For example, do you feel a particular resonance with butterflies? Perhaps you have a planet in the 26th or 29th degree of Aquarius or the 1st or 24th degree of Libra - the four ‘butterfly’ symbols.
If you are not already making the Sabian symbols a part of your life and / or your work as an astrologer, I encourage you to stick with it and explore them more deeply as there is much magic to uncover!
Many folks step into the world of the Sabian Symbols with little or no good information about how to use them. Or conversely with incorrect or inaccurate information about the symbols themselves and how they work.
Because I see this all the time I have designed this little booklet to help guide you accordingly. " To this end there are three things you must know about the Sabian Symbols and how to use them.
#1: ALWAYS ROUND UP
It is always surprising how many people don’t know this very simple fact: When working with the Sabian symbols always round up!
For example, if your natal Sun sign is 27 degrees, 19 minutes of Taurus, the sun is actually “IN” the 28th degree Taurus. The Sabian symbol for your Sun would not be 27 Taurus, but rather 28 Taurus: “A woman pursued by mature romance”.
Here is why this is so: the first degree of every sign begins at 00 degrees 00 minutes of arc and extends to 00 degrees 59 minutes of arc. This is analogous to saying that a new born child is, at birth, “IN” the first year of his life, and although we celebrate the child’s first birthday a year later, that birthday actually means the child has left his first year and has entered into the second year of his life.
So, when you look at your horoscope, note the degree of any planet or point, then round up to the next degree. If your Mercury is 15 plus degrees of Virgo, your Sabian symbol is actually that of Virgo 16.
Also, it is preferable to express a planet’s position in the chart this way: “My Sun is ‘IN’ the 19th degree Gemini”,
rather than ‘at’ or ‘on’ the 18th degree. Expressing where a planet or point is located the first way, “IN”, serves to avoid unnecessary confusion. Better semantics!
So if the Sun in the chart is 18 degrees Sagittarius 27 minutes, it is “in” the 19th degree of Sagittarius. If you do not round up, you will associate the incorrect Sabian symbol with the Sun, in this case, incorrectly assuming that Sagittarius 18 “Tiny children in sunbonnets” is your Sabian symbol, when it is actually Sagittarius 19 “Pelicans moving their habitat”. Quite a difference between pelicans and tiny children...!
For example, if your natal Sun sign is 27 degrees, 19 minutes of Taurus, the sun is actually “IN” the 28th degree Taurus. The Sabian symbol for your Sun would not be 27 Taurus, but rather 28 Taurus: “A woman pursued by mature romance”.
Here is why this is so: the first degree of every sign begins at 00 degrees 00 minutes of arc and extends to 00 degrees 59 minutes of arc. This is analogous to saying that a new born child is, at birth, “IN” the first year of his life, and although we celebrate the child’s first birthday a year later, that birthday actually means the child has left his first year and has entered into the second year of his life.
So, when you look at your horoscope, note the degree of any planet or point, then round up to the next degree. If your Mercury is 15 plus degrees of Virgo, your Sabian symbol is actually that of Virgo 16.
Also, it is preferable to express a planet’s position in the chart this way: “My Sun is ‘IN’ the 19th degree Gemini”,
rather than ‘at’ or ‘on’ the 18th degree. Expressing where a planet or point is located the first way, “IN”, serves to avoid unnecessary confusion. Better semantics!
So if the Sun in the chart is 18 degrees Sagittarius 27 minutes, it is “in” the 19th degree of Sagittarius. If you do not round up, you will associate the incorrect Sabian symbol with the Sun, in this case, incorrectly assuming that Sagittarius 18 “Tiny children in sunbonnets” is your Sabian symbol, when it is actually Sagittarius 19 “Pelicans moving their habitat”. Quite a difference between pelicans and tiny children...!
#2: Know what version OF THE SABIAN SYMBOLS you are working with
...and better yet, start with the ORIGINAL SYMBOLS!
There are versions of the Sabian symbols and then there are the original Sabian symbols channeled by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler in Balboa Park, San Diego, in 1925. Versions are versions. The originals are the “real McCoy”... the foundation or starting point as it were.
The problem is that many people assume that someone’s version of the Sabian symbols ARE the Sabian symbols.
This is confusing. And not true.
The startling fact is, even if you are a student of Astrology, and currently using the Sabian symbols, you may not know just what you are using. For some reason, in professional Astrology, the Sabian symbols have been altered... many times... without attribution to the creator of the symbols, nor any reference to the original wording. Article’s written by professional Astrologers will, more often that not refer to someone’s “version” of the Sabian symbol under consideration. For example, Dane Rudhyar provided his own version of the Sabian symbols in his popular book, “An Astrological Mandala” (1973). He changed many of the original symbols. Many people use Rudyar’s book under the assumption that they are THE Sabian symbols. Yet they are actually his version of the symbols.
To wit, in one of the examples used above, Sun in the 28th degree Taurus, Rudhyar’s version reads, “A woman past her “change in life,” experiences a new love”. The specificity of “her change in life” may be brilliantly apropos in many circumstances, however, it does tend to assume something about the original symbol which narrows the range of interpretive sense. " The original symbol, “A woman pursued by mature romance” can easily apply to young men (many of whom will have this symbol in their charts, too!) and women. Maturity is not defined by chronological age, nor tied to hormonal changes. Plus, being ‘pursued by romance’ may point to relationship matters, however, one can also be pursued by a talent left undeveloped until the right time, or a love of music, or some other fulfilling pleasures in life. " Marc Edmund Jones is the creator of the Sabian symbols. He, together with Elsie Wheeler, a wonderfully gifted psychic, brought the Sabian symbols into being via a link- up with a channeled source of ancient wisdom. Jones hand wrote each of the original symbols on index cards as Elsie channeled them. You can find the original symbols in my book, “The Sabian Symbols in Astrological Analysis: the Original Symbols Fully Revealed”, and in Diana Roche’s book, “The Screen of Prophecy”, which contains pictures of the original note-cards with Jones’ handwriting on them.
In Marc Edmund Jones’ own classic work “The Sabian Symbols in Astrology”, the original symbols are presented with only nine of the symbols having had one word, in all but one symbol instance, changed for another. In other words, there are nine symbols that Marc Edmund Jones changed for the original symbols, in some cases, drastically altering the sense.
To be clear there is nothing wrong with using someone’s version of the Sabian symbols. However, it is important to be aware that altering a symbol’s original wording, creating a “version” as it were, is actually stepping into interpretation of the symbol.
Having said all of that... interpretation is great! That is what we are supposed to do with these marvelous symbols. Interpret them for ourselves. So don’t simply settle for someone else’s interpretation (version!) of the originals. Get to know the originals yourself. Avail yourself of their richness and beauty. Then consider the interpretive version you may be using adding to that your own interpretation. Because the originals work! Changing how the symbols read for the sake of modernizing, or expanding, or with the intention of making them more accessible to the general public, is all well and good if you cite and attribute the originals, and, know that any change is already an interpretation.
The good news?
The original Sabian symbols work perfectly just as they are. Each and every one of them is a marvelous spring board for wondrous interpretations. Extensive research over twenty five years has convinced me, and many others, that the original symbols work extremely well as the foundation for interpretation. Every core motif, every tantalizing theme and magical thread of sense is contained in the original words. After noting the original wording, one may happily explore, shape, dress, strip, nickname and add common images as an act of your own creative interpretative genius... however do start your journey with the originals.
There are versions of the Sabian symbols and then there are the original Sabian symbols channeled by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler in Balboa Park, San Diego, in 1925. Versions are versions. The originals are the “real McCoy”... the foundation or starting point as it were.
The problem is that many people assume that someone’s version of the Sabian symbols ARE the Sabian symbols.
This is confusing. And not true.
The startling fact is, even if you are a student of Astrology, and currently using the Sabian symbols, you may not know just what you are using. For some reason, in professional Astrology, the Sabian symbols have been altered... many times... without attribution to the creator of the symbols, nor any reference to the original wording. Article’s written by professional Astrologers will, more often that not refer to someone’s “version” of the Sabian symbol under consideration. For example, Dane Rudhyar provided his own version of the Sabian symbols in his popular book, “An Astrological Mandala” (1973). He changed many of the original symbols. Many people use Rudyar’s book under the assumption that they are THE Sabian symbols. Yet they are actually his version of the symbols.
To wit, in one of the examples used above, Sun in the 28th degree Taurus, Rudhyar’s version reads, “A woman past her “change in life,” experiences a new love”. The specificity of “her change in life” may be brilliantly apropos in many circumstances, however, it does tend to assume something about the original symbol which narrows the range of interpretive sense. " The original symbol, “A woman pursued by mature romance” can easily apply to young men (many of whom will have this symbol in their charts, too!) and women. Maturity is not defined by chronological age, nor tied to hormonal changes. Plus, being ‘pursued by romance’ may point to relationship matters, however, one can also be pursued by a talent left undeveloped until the right time, or a love of music, or some other fulfilling pleasures in life. " Marc Edmund Jones is the creator of the Sabian symbols. He, together with Elsie Wheeler, a wonderfully gifted psychic, brought the Sabian symbols into being via a link- up with a channeled source of ancient wisdom. Jones hand wrote each of the original symbols on index cards as Elsie channeled them. You can find the original symbols in my book, “The Sabian Symbols in Astrological Analysis: the Original Symbols Fully Revealed”, and in Diana Roche’s book, “The Screen of Prophecy”, which contains pictures of the original note-cards with Jones’ handwriting on them.
In Marc Edmund Jones’ own classic work “The Sabian Symbols in Astrology”, the original symbols are presented with only nine of the symbols having had one word, in all but one symbol instance, changed for another. In other words, there are nine symbols that Marc Edmund Jones changed for the original symbols, in some cases, drastically altering the sense.
To be clear there is nothing wrong with using someone’s version of the Sabian symbols. However, it is important to be aware that altering a symbol’s original wording, creating a “version” as it were, is actually stepping into interpretation of the symbol.
Having said all of that... interpretation is great! That is what we are supposed to do with these marvelous symbols. Interpret them for ourselves. So don’t simply settle for someone else’s interpretation (version!) of the originals. Get to know the originals yourself. Avail yourself of their richness and beauty. Then consider the interpretive version you may be using adding to that your own interpretation. Because the originals work! Changing how the symbols read for the sake of modernizing, or expanding, or with the intention of making them more accessible to the general public, is all well and good if you cite and attribute the originals, and, know that any change is already an interpretation.
The good news?
The original Sabian symbols work perfectly just as they are. Each and every one of them is a marvelous spring board for wondrous interpretations. Extensive research over twenty five years has convinced me, and many others, that the original symbols work extremely well as the foundation for interpretation. Every core motif, every tantalizing theme and magical thread of sense is contained in the original words. After noting the original wording, one may happily explore, shape, dress, strip, nickname and add common images as an act of your own creative interpretative genius... however do start your journey with the originals.
#3: There is an internal organization to the symbols
The third, ‘must know’ about the Sabian symbols is that there is an intricate internal organization within the 360 word images. What do I mean? Well, to appreciate this, let’s start with a look at a symbol opposition.
When you are considering the significance of a symbol in your own chart also take a look at the opposing symbol as if it is a component of your own symbol. Let’s take a look at Taurus 28, “A woman pursued by mature romance” again, only this time bring in the opposite or opposing symbol, Scorpio 28, “The King of the Fairies approaching his domain”. Notice how both symbols share a theme of ‘coming into one’s own’? The opposing symbol also brings a masculine element into the equation, possibly quite a relief for all the fella’s with Taurus 28 in their charts.
To illustrate further, if you have a planet or point “in” the 13th degree Gemini, “A great musician at his piano”, also consider the opposing symbol in Sagittarius, “A widow’s past brought to light”. In this symbol pairing, one can easily see themes such as memories, rehearsal, going over and over something as in preparing soil with a rake for planting, or a piece of music for performance, as well as musical elements of knowing something by heart, changing the way something is played and so on. " I also encourage you to do this when looking at the Sabian symbols in another’s (client, friend, etc.) chart.
There are many other possible considerations when looking at the opposite Sabian symbol in conjunction with the one found in the chart, not the least of which can be a wonderful rounding out of the story, possibly even bringing it full circle. A word in one symbol may trigger a deeper insight into the other symbol. Common themes can enrich and deepen your appreciation of your own symbol.There have been many times in my readings when bringing the opposite symbol to bear has met with waves of deep resonance for my clients.
Begin by taking into consideration the Sabian symbol oppositions then enjoy expanding out from there. There is so much richness to enjoy and discover, you will be glad you took this initial step! What about the Sabian symbol in a square to your own? And the symbols within the five fold cycle in which your symbol falls (0 to 5 degrees, 6 to 10 degrees, 11 to 15 degrees, etc.)? What do they say about or add to the interpretation of your own Sabian symbol? "
There is so much richness to enjoy and discover when you consider the internal organization! And best of all, there are many more amazing internal symbol degree organizations that I share when mentoring students of the Sabian symbols.
There you go. You now have a road map for deeper appreciation of the Sabian symbols. Three simple yet very important things to do when working with the symbols:
When you are considering the significance of a symbol in your own chart also take a look at the opposing symbol as if it is a component of your own symbol. Let’s take a look at Taurus 28, “A woman pursued by mature romance” again, only this time bring in the opposite or opposing symbol, Scorpio 28, “The King of the Fairies approaching his domain”. Notice how both symbols share a theme of ‘coming into one’s own’? The opposing symbol also brings a masculine element into the equation, possibly quite a relief for all the fella’s with Taurus 28 in their charts.
To illustrate further, if you have a planet or point “in” the 13th degree Gemini, “A great musician at his piano”, also consider the opposing symbol in Sagittarius, “A widow’s past brought to light”. In this symbol pairing, one can easily see themes such as memories, rehearsal, going over and over something as in preparing soil with a rake for planting, or a piece of music for performance, as well as musical elements of knowing something by heart, changing the way something is played and so on. " I also encourage you to do this when looking at the Sabian symbols in another’s (client, friend, etc.) chart.
There are many other possible considerations when looking at the opposite Sabian symbol in conjunction with the one found in the chart, not the least of which can be a wonderful rounding out of the story, possibly even bringing it full circle. A word in one symbol may trigger a deeper insight into the other symbol. Common themes can enrich and deepen your appreciation of your own symbol.There have been many times in my readings when bringing the opposite symbol to bear has met with waves of deep resonance for my clients.
Begin by taking into consideration the Sabian symbol oppositions then enjoy expanding out from there. There is so much richness to enjoy and discover, you will be glad you took this initial step! What about the Sabian symbol in a square to your own? And the symbols within the five fold cycle in which your symbol falls (0 to 5 degrees, 6 to 10 degrees, 11 to 15 degrees, etc.)? What do they say about or add to the interpretation of your own Sabian symbol? "
There is so much richness to enjoy and discover when you consider the internal organization! And best of all, there are many more amazing internal symbol degree organizations that I share when mentoring students of the Sabian symbols.
There you go. You now have a road map for deeper appreciation of the Sabian symbols. Three simple yet very important things to do when working with the symbols:
- Always round up
- Know what you are working with and better yet start with the ORIGINAL SYMBOLS
- Use the natural and inherent internal organization to enhance and augment your interpretations
READY TO START USING THE SABIAN SYMBOLS IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL WORK?
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