Sabian Symbols

Sagittarius 30 - The Pope standing on a balcony overlooking a vast crowd of the faithful
The Flag Bearer Became the Pope
At Sagittarius 30°, the Pope blesses the faithful, the fifth and final stage of the fifty-fourth five-fold sequence, and the closing degree of the entire Sagittarius series. A meditation on... Read more...
Sagittarius 29 - A fat boy pushing an old-fashioned lawn mower across a neat suburban front yard
Ordinary Duty, Extraordinary Character
At Sagittarius 29°, a heavyset boy mows the lawn on an elegant suburban street, the fourth stage of the fifty-fourth five-fold sequence, bringing the grand themes of the flag bearer... Read more...
Sagittarius 28 - A weathered stone bridge arching gracefully over a clear, flowing stream
Useful and Beautiful Were Never Enemies
At Sagittarius 28°, an old bridge over a beautiful stream remains in constant use, the third stage of the fifty-fourth five-fold sequence, which Rudhyar names, borrowing from architect Claude Bragdon,... Read more...
Sagittarius 27 - A sculptor working intently on a marble figure
Light Through Stone
At Sagittarius 27°, a sculptor works at their craft, the second stage of the fifty-fourth five-fold sequence, standing in direct contrast to the previous degree's selfless flag bearer. A meditation... Read more...
Sagittarius 26 - A lone flag bearer standing amid chaotic battle
Carry the Flag, Lose the Self
At Sagittarius 26°, a flag bearer moves through battle unarmed, the opening stage of the fifty-fourth five-fold sequence, and the beginning of a new Third Level, Individual and Mental, for... Read more...
Sagittarius 25 - A little boy riding a wooden hobbyhorse
Play Now, Become Later
At Sagittarius 25°, a chubby boy rides a hobbyhorse into imaginary battle, the fifth and final stage of the fifty-third five-fold sequence, which Rudhyar calls the foreshadowing of mature experience.... Read more...
Sagittarius 24 - A vivid bluebird perched delicately on a weathered wooden garden gate before a stone cottage
Fortune Favors the Attentive
At Sagittarius 24°, a bluebird perches on the gate of a cottage, the fourth stage of the fifty-third five-fold sequence, describing the essential technique for a life in which peace... Read more...
Sagittarius 23 - A group of immigrants standing at a border checkpoint with their belongings
Cross the Threshold Without Losing Yourself
At Sagittarius 23°, a group of immigrants fulfils the requirements of entrance into a new country, the third stage of the fifty-third five-fold sequence, combining the previous two degrees' lessons... Read more...
Sagittarius 22 - The quiet interior of an old laundry shop, steam rising softly from washing basins
The Dignity Nobody Applauds
At Sagittarius 22°, a Chinese laundry stands as the image of unglamorous, unrecognized labor, the second stage of the fifty-third five-fold sequence, standing in direct contrast to the previous degree's... Read more...
Sagittarius 21 - A small child and a dog sitting together, both wearing oversized, comically large spectacles
Borrow the Vision Until It's Yours
At Sagittarius 21°, a child and a dog wear borrowed eyeglasses, the opening stage of the fifty-third five-fold sequence, and the beginning of a new Second Level, Emotional and Cultural,... Read more...
Sagittarius 20 - Men in heavy winter clothing cutting large blocks of ice
Cut the Ice While You Can
At Sagittarius 20°, men in an old-fashioned northern village cut ice from a frozen pond for use during the summer, the fifth and final stage of the fifty-second five-fold sequence,... Read more...
Sagittarius 19 - A flock of pelicans taking flight together over open water
What the Pelicans Were Actually Protecting
At Sagittarius 19°, pelicans menaced by human behavior and refuse seek safer ground to raise their young, the fourth stage of the fifty-second five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar frames as... Read more...
Sagittarius 18 - Tiny children playing joyfully on a sunlit beach
How Much Sun Is Actually Too Much
At Sagittarius 18°, children play on the beach, their heads protected by sunbonnets, the third stage of the fifty-second five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls protectiveness. A meditation on innocence,... Read more...
Sagittarius 17 - A small crowd gathered quietly on a hillside before dawn
Why the Ritual Has to Stay Rare
At Sagittarius 17°, an Easter sunrise service draws a large crowd, the second stage of the fifty-second five-fold sequence, contrasting directly with the previous degree's warning about dulled instinct. A... Read more...
Sagittarius 16 - Seagulls circling closely around a fishing trawler at sea
The Vigilance That Comfort Erodes
At Sagittarius 16°, seagulls fly around a ship in expectation of food, the opening stage of the fifty-second five-fold sequence, and the beginning of the Span of Detachment, Sagittarius's second... Read more...
Sagittarius 15 - A groundhog emerging cautiously from its burrow entrance
The Caution That Wasn't Actually Fear
At Sagittarius 15°, a groundhog checks for its shadow on Groundhog Day, the fifth and final stage of the fifty-first five-fold sequence, which Rudhyar calls eonic consciousness, the new science... Read more...
Sagittarius 14 - The Great Pyramid and the Sphinx standing against a vast desert sky at dusk
What the Stones Were Built to Outlast
At Sagittarius 14°, the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx stand as enduring witnesses, the fourth stage of the fifty-first five-fold sequence, which Rudhyar names the power of spiritual ancestry. A... Read more...
Sagittarius 13 - A solitary widow in mourning dress standing in soft, revealing light within an old cemetery
The Ghost That Wouldn't Stay Buried
At Sagittarius 13°, a widow's past is brought to light, the third stage of the fifty-first five-fold sequence, which Rudhyar names retribution, describing karma from a completed cycle intruding into... Read more...
Sagittarius 12 - A flag mid-transformation into a soaring eagle silhouetted against a golden dawn sky
What the Eagle Actually Announced
At Sagittarius 12°, a flag turns into an eagle, and the eagle into a chanticleer saluting the dawn, the second stage of the fifty-first five-fold sequence, turning entirely future oriented... Read more...
Sagittarius 11 - A softly glowing oil lamp burning within an ancient stone container clearly shaped like a human form
What the Lamp Needed a Body to Hold
At Sagittarius 11°, a lamp burns in a container shaped like a human body within an archaic temple, the opening stage of the fifty-first five-fold sequence, and the beginning of... Read more...
Sagittarius 10 - A radiant golden-haired goddess figure standing center stage under dramatic theatrical lighting
What Luck Actually Requires
At Sagittarius 10°, a theatrical representation of a golden-haired goddess of opportunity takes the stage, the fifth and final stage of the fiftieth five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls forced... Read more...
Sagittarius 9 - A mother holding her small child's hand, guiding them carefully step by step up a steep stone stairway
What the Stairs Were Actually Teaching
At Sagittarius 9°, a mother leads her small child step by step up a steep stairway, the fourth stage of the fiftieth five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls social concern... Read more...
Sagittarius 8 - A cross-section view deep within the earth showing raw rock strata catching warm inner light, crystalline formations glowing
The Rock That Was Never Actually Finished
At Sagittarius 8°, new elements are being formed within the depths of the earth, the third stage of the fiftieth five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls psychic gestation. A meditation... Read more...
Sagittarius 7 - A small winged cherub Cupid suspended mid-air before an old wooden door
What Cupid Was Actually Interrupting
At Sagittarius 7°, Cupid knocks at the door of a human heart, the second stage of the fiftieth five-fold sequence, standing in direct contrast to the previous degree's group consciousness.... Read more...
Saggitarius 6 - A cricket match on a green English field under soft afternoon light
What Playing Fair Was Actually Building
At Sagittarius 6°, two teams play a game of cricket, the opening stage of the fiftieth five-fold sequence, and the beginning of a new Second Level, Emotional and Cultural, for... Read more...
Sagittarius 5 - An old owl perched alone on a thick branch of a large tree at night
The Wisdom That Doesn't Need an Audience
At Sagittarius 5°, an old owl sits alone on the branch of a large tree, the fifth and final stage of the forty-ninth five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls translucidity,... Read more...
Sagittarius 4 - A small child taking wobbling first steps toward outstretched parental hands
What Was Actually Holding You Up
At Sagittarius 4°, a little child learns to walk with the encouragement of its parents, the fourth stage of the forty-ninth five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls a resolution of... Read more...
Sagittarius 3 - Two men seated across a chessboard in quiet concentration
What Every Move Was Actually Refining
At Sagittarius 3°, two men play chess, the third stage of the forty-ninth five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls the transcendent ritualization of conflict. A meditation on ability, the discipline... Read more...
Sagittarius 2 - A vast ocean surface covered with brilliant white-capped waves under a dramatic windswept sky
What the Whitecaps Were Actually Riding
At Sagittarius 2°, white-capped waves display the power of wind over sea — the second stage of the forty-ninth five-fold sequence, describing what Rudhyar calls subtilization through rhythmic intensity. A... Read more...
Sagittarius 1 - Elderly veterans gathered around a crackling campfire at night
What the Old Soldiers Were Actually Passing Around
At Sagittarius 1°, retired army veterans gather around a fire to reawaken old memories — the opening stage of the forty-ninth five-fold sequence, and the first degree of a new... Read more...