Blain Bovee - Sabian Symbol Specialist

Libra 30: Three mounds of knowledge on a philosopher's head

Heaven, earth and man...

Libra 30 is an image recalling the popular figures of old taoist sages with over-sized foreheads upon which three prominent mounds protrude. This is an expression of bringing knowledge together in a balanced, harmonious way: heaven, earth and man... an accordance of all things.

As a fifth degree in this Libra series of symbols, there is a genius and ease to pulling off the task successfully. And, like the opposing degree symbol, Aries 30 "A duck pond and its brood", it is like 'getting your ducks all in a row'.

'Ducks in a row'? Think of how ducklings instinctively align behind their mother while swimming in a pond. There appears to be no schooling period, time of instruction ... "Okay, now you all stay behind and swim exactly this far apart in a line or a 'V' formation using your webbed feet to steer and stay in position"... they just instinctively know what to do.

It is said that the man in accordance with all things, with the Tao, walks through the marketplace unnoticed. Therefore, it may seem a paradox, or paraducks in a Marx Brothers sense, that Libra 30 individuals tend to be content while quietly in the background. 

Harmonic voices may be common here. Also a quiet disposition that all things work together in a greater accordance than may appear to be the case in ordinary human perception and understanding.

Blain Bovee

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Libra 27: An airplane hovering overhead

Transcendent focus...

Libra 27 describes a situation where one thing captures attention above all else. 

Perceptually, this is like spotting one thing within an array of many possibly interesting things. When, for example, you see a jet plane high in the sky, it seems to hover. It is, of course, traveling at 4-500 miles an hour... very fast... but the perspective from a distance seems to slow it down while it streaks through the air.

In terms of human potentials, Libra 27 suggests that a single talent or capacity takes on greater importance. Something emerges as the leading thing, and, its full realization may be out of reach, yet still worth pursuing.

Attempting to reach the super-human is a possible tendency in Libra 27 folk. The phrase "Your reach exceeds your grasp" may be appropriate. On a more positive side, to reach for a goal too far implies personal focus that does not permit of being confused about the many many things one can pursue.

Blain Bovee

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Libra 26: An eagle and a large white dove turning one into the other

Changeability...

When considered as a character trait, changeability is not often highly regarded. If at one moment a person is friendly and receptive, and the next irritable and accusing, it wears thin fairly quickly.

But when one can stretch the range of personal expression the way a wonderful piece of music... Beethoven, for example... from dulcet tones that soothe the soul to thunderous extremes of danger and majesty... that is the theatre of human character in the good sense.

Libra 26 can also refer to 'changeability' in the sense of having too many options to choose from. It is a problem of abundance, "What am I to do with all these talents?!?"

'An eagle and a dove' can refer to warring and peaceful natures, but this is more accessible when thought of as turning innocent matters into rather nasty conflicts. The key is the imperceptible shift from innocence... either assumed of oneself, or an other, and the vicious turn-about that can happen... ah, innocently?

Blain Bovee

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