Blain Bovee - Sabian Symbol Specialist

Sagittarius 4: A little child learning to walk

Ambling right along...

Thinking of the uncanny stillness and silence of chess players from the preceding symbol, perhaps getting up to walk after a game is a little like the wobbly affair little children encounter when taking first steps.

The challenge would seem to be getting into motion again.

Blain Bovee

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Sagittarius 3: Two men playing chess

Lost in strategic thought...

Ever noticed that when two people are playing chess they are completely silent, lost in thought and concentration?

Perhaps that trait shows through Sagittarius 3 individuals. 

Look at 3 Pisces "A petrified forest". Does that not sound ... well, empty and eerily silent? 

Of course, the chess players are playing a game with highly defined rules and strategic possibilities. Much depends on defense and detecting the opponents weaknesses and plans for attack.  Therefore being several steps ahead of the game is an imperative.

Blain Bovee

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Sagittarius 2: The ocean covered with whitecaps

Tip of the iceberg...

To be covered is to be for the most part hidden.

Like an ocean covered with whitecaps, we know there are unseen depths and power currents below the surface. Sagittarius 2 points to a tendency to remain hidden. Consider wearing a hat or a hood. Perhaps even wearing a mask, or using anything as a means to take cover. 

This can be a positive trait when there is danger or uncertainty in the air. It is just smart to not be open and exposed... an easy target... in some situations.

It can also possibly refer to covering who one really is, what one is really up to

In an attempt to mask true intentions. For example, secret societies with severe moral, political or ethnic beliefs, may use hoods to keep their personal identities secret. By the same token, when all wear white caps, it clearly announces the identity of the tribe.

As an individual character trait, Sagittarius 2 may show you only the tip of the iceberg.

Blain Bovee

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Sagittarius 1: A Grand Army of the Republic campfire

Gather 'round my children, a story I will tell...

Sagittarius symbols begin with a reference to tribal sensibilities based on views, opinions, beliefs. The Sagittarian  penchant for world-view and shared perspective is mirrored in people gathering around a campfire. Consequently, the issue of 'belonging' is defined as identifying with like-minded groups. 

Think of special interest groups, clubs, political associations, party politics, moral and religious allegiances. Each group or tribe works for its own interests and the benefits of its own members.

There is also a reference to the past derived from the 'Grand Army of the Republic' which was in part formed to care for and provide benefits to war veterans. Consequently, social concerns... understood from a definite set of values and beliefs... is a natural outlet for Sagittarius 1 individuals.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 30: The Halloween jester

Jest, gesture, joke... gerund????

It is true that the etymology of 'jester' travels through jest and joke.. stories of a witty sort, exploits and so on, all the way back to 'gerund' which basically means to carry, to bear, to take on oneself, take charge of, perform or accomplish. 

The idea is that something is accomplished in Scorpio 30, carried off in a manner that brings a special awareness to bear.

Think of it this way: the tribe to which you belong need not necessarily be found in flesh and blood. And since this is a hallowed evening symbol, we are reminded of and the thinning of the veils between different realms of being. 

Samhain Individuals with significant placements in Scorpio 30 may have a strong sense of humor... as if they get the jest and joke of it all... but they may also, whether they can articulate it or not, be aware of others realms, other tribes, other way of being that are beyond the apparent physical world.

It is possible that individual connected with Scorpio 30 have no urgent drive to find an earthly tribe. They may know they belong whatever the social realities may be.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 29: An Indian squaw pleading to the chief for the lives of her children

Pleading and pleasing...

Remember the period of Dylan's career when he sang "You're going to have serve somebody"?

In a way, Scorpio 29 gets at that. As the 4th degree in the 5 degree series, Scorpio 29 indicates a challenge or struggle. The image of having to plead for the lives of your children certainly gets at challenging situation.

Compare with Leo 29 "Butterfly emerging from a chrysalis". Feel the tenderness involved. 

In the journey and search for belonging, you may come to a place where you must plead or please others just to fit in. But it could be that after finding a social group, or any group that seems to be the one you can belong to, life may put  you in a situation where you are stripped raw concerning where and with whom you really belong.

Imagine an Indian Squaw pleading for her children not to be sacrificed at the high temple. She probably does not care one fig about the social group, the religious hierarchy, the powers that be... she cares about her children, period. Anything to save her children. "Take me instead" she might say. "I will do whatever it takes to please the authority, the controlling powers, in order to save my children"

Unfortunately, there are stories of Scorpio 29 individuals being placed into this very tense and tender situation. 

Whatever the situation Scorpio 29 manifests in, it does tend to be a positive breaking down to an emotional core, emotional truth, revealing who you really love, care for and belong with.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 28: The King of the fairies approaching his domain

Inward allegiance...

In this series of Scorpio symbols, we can see a tribal theme emerge. Scorpio 26 "Indians making camp' brings up the search for a tribe... an itinerant journey concerning the issue of belonging. Scorpio 27 "A military band on the march" suggests becoming aware of how you must get into step with a new tribe. Scorpio 28 "The king of the fairies approaching his domain" suggests coming into one's own, preserving something that is an inward affinity of individuality, and perhaps regrouping for the way ahead.

'Allegiance' is a fruitful word here. The allegiance is a distinctively inward movement suggesting being true to your self first of all.

Looking at 28 Aquarius "A tree felled and sawed", we can appreciate a theme of 'folding'... a 'fell' seam is the seam folded over and sewn. This ties in with the dynamic of Scorpio 28 in the sense that one folds into one's self... that domain that is ever and only your own.

The idea is that allegiance to a group can only grow upon the foundation of an inner allegiance to one's self.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 27: A military band on the march

The reason you are wanted to fit in...

Today's Sabian symbol is Scorpio 27 "A military band on the march". Just as I was beginning to post here about this symbol, a message arrives in my email inbox. It reads "The reason they want you to fit in".

Open the email... this from Seth Godin, whose marketing insights are often brilliant... and the headline continues... "... is that once you do, they can ignore you."

Thanks Seth! You just wrote the Sabian Symbol Specialist blogpost for today!

After traveling to find new tribes of personal affinity (see previous post, Scorpio 26), you invariably find the tribe wants you to fit in, to walk their way, keep in step, and yadadadadada.

People with placements in the 27th degree of any fixed sign.... Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius... can: have sore jaws from the grim and bear it approach to their job or situation; have small teeth, grind their teeth at night; never seem to fit in; stick out as a trouble maker without even trying; tend to walk in ways that messes up the marching band.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 26: Indians making camp

Changing camps...

The itinerant philosopher is one who wanders the path to new fields and territories. The quest for wisdom, knowing and understanding, appreciates where one has come from, but also where one can be on-the-way to. 

Nimble adaptability also characterizes Scorpio 26. The ability to pick up and move on at a moments notice is a special theme. It is like having your bags packed and ready to go. You could sing the song "Anywhere I hang my hat, That is where I call home".

Socially, Scorpio 26 suggests the theme of tribal belonging. But the special feature here is to be on the move... a social nomad. It is a quest to ever refine the tribe to which you belong.

The song of of unseen pastures sweetly draws you along.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 25: A X-ray

Penetrating vision...

Seeing beneath surface appearances is a capacity many can relate to. It is a kind of knowing that picks up on what is going on behind surface dynamics. Perhaps this is like sensing the motivation behind a person's words and actions. Perhaps it is understanding something that, while imperceptible to the five senses, seems to emerge out of the background.

Scorpio 25 "A X-ray" suggests individuals with a capacity to see and understand deeply, bringing a penetrating awareness to the subtle nuances that characterize a situation, a person or a group. There is no urgent need to be in the limelight. Working behind the scenes carries its own sense of worth and creative satisfaction.

Considering this quality, these sensibilities press forward to the next Sabian symbol. There we see that something deep and well-integrated about one's sense of self and self-worth begins to seek the tribe to which one belongs.

Blain Bovee

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