Blain Bovee - Sabian Symbol Specialist

Virgo 8: First dancing instruction

Like the very first time...

I know. It sounds like tribute to a hit pop song by Madonna. But like Madonna, no one really thinks she meant "for first time" literally...

Virgo 8 continues a theme that addresses the values that guide social interaction. You can 'mesh' like a merry-go-round. You can compromise for others, or compromise yourself as in the harem. Here in "First dancing instruction" there is a suggestion that you might have to take a few basic courses... such as a dance class... in order to further refine social graces.

The more profound theme, however, addresses the fact that you can start over any moment, in each and every moment. You can do this, and yet know that all is not lost just because you went back to the beginning. 

Think of it this way. Its like breathing. You can always return to the in-breath. That is precisely the foundation of all mindfulness meditation practice. When your mind wanders in thoughts and emotions, jumping like a monkey from limb to limb, simply return to the inhalation, to the breath, to the natural simplicity of in the present moment. 

Whether you are trying to save what you can of what you have done, achieved learned, or whether you are starting completely fresh, you can always return to the beginning.

"First positions!"

Blain Bovee

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Virgo 7: A harem

Integrity and compromise...

How much can you compromise before your own integrity is compromised?

That may be the core issue in Virgo 7 "A harem".

There may a suspicion the Virgo 7 individuals are too enamored of their creature comforts. One could imagine lounging around home with deep soft cushions on soft sensuous beds eating sumptuous foods and sipping glasses of aphrodisiac nectar. And that may be true in some ways. 

But there is also a rugged quality or character trait in and through Virgo/Pisces 7. 

Recently, I saw an earthy couple... you know the type: short on funds (they had rented a community car) practical earth clothes as if they lived in a garden, tell-tale personal items that have one think "Hippies" or "Granolas"... in a parking lot.

It was a hot summer Friday. A day when people head off to the cottage or go camping. Clearly this couple was on such a camping expedition. But here's the thing... the Virgo 7 thing... they had tied a queen-size futon with ropes to the top of their sub-compact community rental car. A cotton futon.

Anyone who has ever owned a futon, and anyone who has ever moved with a futon, knows how easy they are to carry and transport. So easy it makes you want to carry the thing to the backyard and set fire to it. Then just have a futon store deliver a new futon to your new place.

But this couple were off camping with their futon of comfort tied to their rental car roof-top. 

That is a Virgo 7 story.

Blain Bovee

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Virgo 6: A merry-go-round

Round and round we go....

The famous ride to nowhere is not about the futility of trying to make forward progress... something a circular merry-go-round will never delivery. It is about the attempt of the individual to work with others, to pursue the dream in a social context. The idea is to mesh with others like the gear that move a merry-go-round.

There may be ups and downs but this is to be expected in the context of the larger picture. In a sense, this is about getting onto the ride with others... not without an element of fun... and take up the challenges of moving forward together... even if it seems to be a circular pattern that continually returns to the same thing.

Blain Bovee

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Virgo 5: A man dreaming of fairies

Ultra-refined human sensibilities...

All of the 5th degree symbols are extremely fascinating. 

The cardinal 5th degree-symbols all carrying an element of intense inner energy, pointed to a discrete goal or way of achieving in the world.

 "A triangle with wings" is an expression of personal ideals taking flight (Aries). "A man teaching the true inner knowledge" is a expression of pointed flow of inner sense, free from editing (Libra). "An auto wrecked by a train" is an expression of an individual willing to take on the social forces of convention single-handedly (Cancer). "Indians rowing a canoe and dancing a war dance" expresses a heightened sense of adrenalin, rising to the occasion.

The fixed 5th degree-symbols are the most existential of Sabian symbols.

"A widow at an open grave" (Taurus); "A massive rocky shore" (Scorpio); "Rock formations at the edge of a precipice" (Leo); "A council of ancestors" (Aquarius) all single the individual out face to face with his/her own issue of existing.

The mutable sign express a greater acceptance and refined sense of understanding or believing inherently in a deep core value about humanity.

"A man dreaming of fairies" expresses an open sensibility, highly refined and attuned to issue of the individual carrying his/herself in accordance with a dream for all humanity. It just seems so possible, so doable. We could all be as one. We could be aware of how we are all as one and act accordingly, with understanding, appreciation and super-sensibility for all life.

As a 5th degree in the 5 fold series, this tends to work out well unless other factors militate against the dream.

Blain Bovee

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Virgo 4: A chocolate child playing with whites

Playfulness overcomes differences...

Virgo 4 in the original "Chocolate child playing with whites" is one of the least known in the Astrology world... at least in the sense that the original version is relatively hard to find.

The symbol does seem to touch a sensitive nerve with its words and phrasing, but the fact is its main thrust is a wonderful sense of acceptance, lack of bigotry and a distinct capacity to overlook all differences through a playful, explorative attitude.

For Aug 26, 2009, we will watch events closely because other factors in the heavens could easily be less tolerant. Mars opposed Pluto with Mercury squaring both, all in Aries point positions; Venus entering Leo... so much 1st degree activity. 

The Sabian symbol observation will watch for the humanistic energy of the Sun's position (Virgo 4) to guide major new starts of pointed, explosive or commanding nature.

Blain Bovee

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Virgo 3: Two angels bringing protection

Background presences...

Imagine recoiling from a brusque social reception... one totally unexpected and perhaps somewhat brutal in its pointed aggression.

Such an encounter may have you wanting to just leave Dodge, get out of town, give up on making a social impact or contribution.

Enter a rather unexpected helping energy... a like a protective ally, invisible maybe, but an almost palpable presence.

Point is, you are not alone. Virgo 3 could be called "The Invisible helping Hand". 

Another way to appreciate the experience of Virgo 3 is to think of a space into which you retreat only to find an uncanny sense of protective energy... such as guardian spirits.

Blain Bovee

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Virgo 2: A large white cross upraised

Higher standards...

Higher standards sounds like a good thing. Often we associate the intent to 'raise the bar' a good sign of character.

Sometimes, however, standards are use like a weapon. Think of severe moral standards used to justify attack and condemnation. Not very comfortable.

The idea in Virgo 2 is that after putting your head above the crowd, a few pot-shots are sure to be aimed in your general direction. This calls for a quick and nimble vigilance understood as 'knowing when to duck'.

Blain Bovee

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Virgo 1: A man's head

Identity refined...

All first degree symbols refer to a beginning, an emergence of some sort.

Virgo 1 addresses the developmental moment of ego definition... a refined sense of self as distinct from others. n terms of core values, Virgo 1 addresses character formation, hence the word 'cultivation' in the sense of cultivation of character.

Also like other first degree symbols, the initial thrust is met quickly by a response/reaction from others, from the world. It is as if as soon as you put your head outside, you are met with resistance or some manner of test.

Tune in tomorrow...

Blain Bovee

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Leo 30: An unsealed letter

Open but covered...

Leo 30 presents a very special sense of availability.

It addresses things that are perhaps not immediately perceptible, yet available.

An unsealed letter is one folded, turned face down, inside an envelope, but not sealed.

In terms of issues of the heart, human longing and spiritual energy, Leo 30 calls for trust that what you long for is present, even if seemingly not present. Disappointment, suspicion, despair, bitterness, or any negative emotion, only poisons what is longed for.

Therefore be of good cheer, confident and trust all is well. 

It is.

Blain Bovee

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Leo 29: A mermaid

Emerging with a new skin...

The 'mermaid' degree is tightly woven with the 'birthing' degrees of Leo/Aquarius 14.

The theme is emerging into a new realm just as a newborn baby emerges from the womb into the world. Tenderness, softness and delicate factors are the qualities associated with emergence. 

The motion is like that of wiggling free from something tight, something that binds... a useful tip for individuals with placements here. the 'wiggle' motion can be very liberating in many arenas of life when the situation becomes tight.

An oft cited version of Leo 29 reads "A mermaid has climbed to the rocky shore of a bleak coast; she awaits a prince who will bring her immortality"  Immortality???? A Prince?????  Good grief. Immortality is not a word that plays well with the symbolic images of the Sabian symbols. Yet we continue to see and hear other fanciful renditions of the Sabian symbols in written works of professional Astrologers. Unbelievable!

You might as well say "A mermaid crawls on a rock and waits for some handsome Irish boy to delivery her the gift of immortality and maybe some pizza... meanwhile  someone with green eyes is making crinkling noise with a foil bag that had been blowing around in the wind, decides to blow it up and pop it".

The original symbol is "A mermaid". Nothing more is needed here in order to work and understand the sense of the symbol. Honor the original words, the original symbols.

Blain Bovee

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