What Are Sabian Symbols

[piercethevale]

a reply to me from the Sabian Assembly regarding the integrity of the symbols.


Dear David,
Marc Edmund Jones was the originator of the Sabian symbols, with the assistance of the visions of Elsie Wheeler. He later gave permission to Dane Rudhyar to use them in a book and modify the titles according to his own style and purpose. Others have come after him, modifying them to their own use, but common sense says there must be some obvious relationship to the original titles for the Sabian symbols or they aren't the Sabian symbols. They are some other kind of symbols. The Sabian Assembly does't own the word Sabian (you can read an article on the website about the origins of the word Sabian), but the term "Sabian Astrology" is trademarked by the Sabian Assembly -- and that title, describing the system of astrology that Marc Edmund Jones created, has been in use for well over 50 years. Sabian Astrology does not refer to the Sabian symbols. It refers to the entire system of astrology that Dr. Jones developed, taught and used. It is the system used by the majority of Sabian Assembly members and others who find value in the system.
I can only say that if someone wants to call all symbols for astrological degrees "Sabian" and they don't bear any resemblance whatsoever to the original Sabian symbols, their lack of knowledge will be apparent.
I hope this answers your questions.
Best regards,
Diana E. Roche

[piercethevale]

...and this arrived today in my e-mail, the day of the new moon in Gemini 12* Rudhyar's definition being, "Liberation from ghosts of the past".:wink:
Fascinating!:cool:

[dr. farr]

I agree with this 100%; there are other systems of astrological symbols, one of which goes back to the 9th century (connected with the decanates, and found in the Picatrix); but there is (to me at least) only 1 original set of Sabian symbols, and I think they should be set forth as they were first developed, and I also agree that the word "Sabian" should be exclusive to those original symbols (Sabean is a different word, and has a different original application, being specific to the residents of the ancient city of Harran; but that is NOT the same word as "SABIAN", which-outside of certain non-astrological historical applications-should be used only in reference to the original system of Sabian symbols)

[Flowergirl]

I keep forgetting how this works. If I have a planet at 10 degrees, 52 minutes Taurus, which Sabian symbol interpretation do I use:

10 Taurus: A red cross nurse

or

11 Taurus: A woman sprinkling flowers

thanks

[dr. farr]

You round up: so it would be = to 11 Taurus (a woman sprinkling flowers)
HOWEVER,
...there are a couple of sites which have realigned the Sabian numeration to fit the sign numeration used today all over the world: IF you are using the numeration from one of those sites, then 10Taurus52 would be still regarded as 10 Taurus (a red cross nurse)

THE SABIAN DEGREE NUMERATION LIST HERE ON AW IS OF THE FIRST KIND MENTIONED, where you need to round up to the next degree.

[Flowergirl]

Thanks dr. farr, I can relate to both unfortunately, so I'll have to sit and ponder it a bit. :joyful:

[dr. farr]

Actually that can happen often, when we look at something as close as 2 degrees in the same sign.

[piercethevale]

Thanks dr. farr, I can relate to both unfortunately, so I'll have to sit and ponder it a bit. :joyful:

Interesting...last time I checked they had the Sabians listed from 0 to 29 degrees...and I did send them an e-mail voicing my concern over that and giving my reasons...and now it's 1 to 30. I'm certainly glad to see that has happened.
As to the symbolism...these energies/precepts/cosmic laws/ that are represented by the Sabian Symbols 'MELD' one into the next...clockwise and/or counter-clockwise...as you approach the cusp between degrees the influence of the next [or preceding] degree increases...The Universe is analog...not digital...remember those old analog radios?...as you turned the dial one way or the other...the station you had just been listening to loud and clear now becomes a little fainter with just a hint of some other station coming in...turn it some more and that 'other station' mixes in even more...and so on...
It works like that...

[piercethevale]

I keep forgetting how this works. If I have a planet at 10 degrees, 52 minutes Taurus, which Sabian symbol interpretation do I use:

10 Taurus: A red cross nurse

or

11 Taurus: A woman sprinkling flowers

thanks


Yes, Dr. Farr is correct...and as you are within 8 minutes to the 12th degree ...which occurs at 11* 00' 00.ooooooooooo.........1" .....take into some consideration that symbol also...but just a tad...[IMH... but informed and experienced... O.]...remember that they do meld...and are of natural sequence so it might be said that one would consider the preceeding and following symbology anyways...to some 'degree' regardless of how close one is to either cusp....time and continued observation will tell exactly...and right now I'm just tickled that the awareness of Sabians is catching on...period.