Blain Bovee - Sabian Symbol Specialist

“A dark archway and ten logs at the bottom” Capricorn 6

December 26

“A dark archway and ten logs at the bottom” Capricorn 6

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 3:30 AM EST December 26

Building material

As you walk along, you come to a dark archway with ten logs at the bottom. How does it look to you?

The bottom is the ground… the Gaian gift of foundation… from which, with suitable and available materials, one can build something. So, how does it look to you, the logs, the archway, the possibilities, the way ahead?

In terms of the journey… life that is, human footsteps on Mother earth… what moves are you planning? A New Moon in a couple of days helps everyone form some strategies and plans. Therefore, gather materials and resources, then  begin developing plans.

Should the way ahead not seem very workable, take another look. What might appears confined and limiting, can be re-arranged. 

Recipe: gently press fingers on the outside of your eyeballs, add a little humour, a pinch of clever, stir with laughter, turn on the heat, then turn the heat off, walk away, then come back and start again. Oh! And add a drop of fae.

It is Shakespeare’s Bottom… the character in Midsummer Night’s Dream, not his bottom bottom… we find a character who mingles freely between humans and fairies. Therefore, be like Bottom and weave a plan with some faerie in it. That way, obstacles will, even in their loggishness, d’archway and ten-sense, take their remove.

“Indians rowing a canoe and dancing a war dance” Capricorn 5

December 25

“Indians rowing a canoe and dancing a war dance” Capricorn 5

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 3:58 AM EST December 25

The Big Dance

Many will celebrate Christmas on this day and the day brings rather different possibilities to the table. On the one hand, warm affections and peaceful manners can be illuminated. On the other, a tendency to be disappointed or to come crashing down from high expectations can sour the day’s desserts.

It all turns on the question, for what war does one choose to dance? When energies run high, the train can come off the tracks easily. 

Excitement is a good thing. Share it in joy as if you and your love ones were off to the big dance!

Merry Christmas!

“A party entering a large canoe” Capricorn 4

December 24

“A party entering a large canoe” Capricorn 4

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 4:24 AM EST December 24

Windfall

Let’s talk about ‘windfall’.

Imagine being a homeless wanderer walking along a dusty barren path. To either side of the road stand high-fenced yards containing large opulent homes. On the road, however, there is nothing but thirsty footsteps and an empty growling stomach. Just then, the wind swirls about and loosens a delicious fruit left high in a fruit tree that drops at your feet. Windfall.

In Faerie tales and Elven groves, windfall could be many things: an object, a playing card, a curious piece of wood, a citrine crystal or bouncing bit of bobble boo. Whatever falls your way, stop and pay attention. Windfall is where the real learning gift lies.

Usually it is so hard to get a large group on board. Today, however, although the process will have the predictable bumps… shoulders, bellies, elbows and knees… all seems to end well. 

Even in consumer hell… a prominent theme at this time of year for much of the world… one might find the right thing, in the right size, at the right price in the midst of tons of useless and unnecessary crap. The windfall principle does not follow rational ordering. Still, things will tend to fall into place.

“The human soul receptive to growth and understanding” Capricorn 3

December 23

“The human soul receptive to growth and understanding” Capricorn 3

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 4:51 AM EST December 23

Untaught zest for life

There is something strikingly unpretentious, free of artifice and ego-engineering, in all people. It has to do with the way a toddler will set-off in exploration of new situations. 

When Aunt Betty arrives from the Coast for her first visit since baby Lulu was born, there is no hesitation nor caution on either side. The child naturally and naively checks her out; Aunt Betty is bemused by the whole thing.

Today, an open regard for all things can reveal a silver lining. It may seem like someone or something has rained on the party, however, it is all good in the end.

Once again, crowded situations turn out to work well regardless of initial discomforts. If in tight situations… business, social, emotional… find a way to move around. Somehow motion, actual physical movement, is what keep everything flowing. Even being button-holed in conversation by the tech nerd at the office party can lead to something emerging to the for that benefits or at least brightens the occasion.

Be mindful of who you run into today. Even if it is that person, for whom you normally have no deep interest in engaging, pay attention. The exchange could open new avenues for growth and understanding. 

Rameau calls such a thing a happy bit of ragged windfall.

“Three stained-glass windows, one damaged by bombardment” Capricorn 2

December 22

“Three stained-glass windows, one damaged by bombardment” Capricorn 2

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 5:18 AM EST December 22

Mend

Much points to mending and repair today. It is as if the new turn on the journey requires one to first heal and repair in order to ensure successful travels.

For some, social gatherings may be too much. There can be a need to break-away from the crowd. For others, a sudden turn of good fortune may afford the time to repair or even to help others mend.

Be alert for a turn of events which, at first, seems a disappointment. It is highly likely to turn out well anyway like sudden win after an apparent loss.

As is often the case, perspective is everything. What seems damaged, may in fact, after a little mending, be just fine.

“An Indian chief demanding recognition” Capricorn 1

December 21

“An Indian chief demanding recognition” Capricorn 1

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 5:44 AM EST December 21

Extreme fidelity

This is the great turning of Winter Solstice. It is the hinge upon which life in all its seasonal richness and variety depend. For individuals, this is the true moment of resolve as we turn to ascend the heights again, seeking life’s generous windfall along the way.

When an individual is faithful to himself, in high fidelity with his integrity and self-expression, opportunity is not so much hoped for, but rather demanded. Sounds harsh perhaps, however this demand comes from those of good hearts who journey together. ‘Demand’ is born of asking… a quest and a question… and wanderers of a good heart ask of life in a way that is courageous. They are aware of being blessed and they are generous enough to bless others. 

Be resolute. Make the great turning of this Winter Solstice with blessings and courage. I wish you all extreme fidelity. Happy Solstice!

“The Pope” Sagittarius 30

December 20

“The Pope” Sagittarius 30

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 6:10 AM EST December 20

The bridge of blessing

The regard with which you hold your newborn child, is the regard of the eye of blessing.

When seeking to love and be loved throughout this life, our quest is to cross the bridge of blessing. 

The pontiff is just that: a bridge between the divine and the profane.  That bridge is within me; it is within you. On occasion we cross together, and when we do, that experience is incomparable. We might call it love, the fount of appreciation and care. 

The Sun’s journey through Sagittarius comes to a close. Winter solstice: time to close the mountain passes and trails of worldly journeying; time to come indoors, share food and drink with loved ones and fellow travellers. For in this, we are together: no matter what our tribal affinities, we all seek that bridge.

Today, be mindful of little things. The indomitable is tamed by kindness and small acts of blessing. The temptation to subdue others by force and warring behaviour is not in alignment with the time. Be resolute in blessing one another. In this way, petty issues drop away. For in this, we are together: a bridge of blessing.

“A fat boy mowing the lawn” Sagittarius 29

December 19

“A fat boy mowing the lawn” Sagittarius 29

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 6:35 AM EST December 19

On being a spiritual vessel

The thing about traveling to another land, another world, into vivifying vibrancy, is that there are specific preparations in order.

First, get in shape. The fat boy symbol points to physical condition. Treat your body as a ritual vessel, a containment field in which to receive and experience extraordinary gifts. If you are easily out of puff, get into shape. Breath, being the primary tool of journeyers, must fill and penetrate one’s physical being everywhere. Lumpatude is not conducive to the superior way.

Second, learn how to ask. Asking focusses energy on all levels. Keep it simple: a list of fifty requests with sub-clauses and conditions will not do. No whining; no privileged airs: sincerity, free from saccharine socially significant pleading, is best. In other words, drop the attitude. Simple asking cuts through difficulties, connecting hearts and minds such that spirit may sing.

Third, dress well, appropriately and with a sense of beauty. We do not speak here of haute couture or size zero desperations. Work with what you have. Use colour and flare to dress the vessel, for you are, and have always been, in direct and immediate communication with the world… an inter-species choral symphony awaits. If you desire to be reborn… to be more aware, alive, loved and loving… invoke your sense of beauty. Do not mow the lawn because the neighbours do. Set things in order because you care… with style, elegance, grace. When acting with care, all things are transformed and the vessel of human being is readied to meet with the powerful stranger.

Emotional and spiritual sensitivities excite a meeting place into which it is a good time to be launching. The Sun nears still point. Mercury, the messenger god and bestower of a thousand “Aha’s!”, reverses his course. Today, even a small commitment to yourself begins the journey that renews all things.

“An old bridge over a beautiful stream” Sagittarius 28

December 18

“An old bridge over a beautiful stream” Sagittarius 28

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 7:00 AM EST December 18

Source renewal

One of the most beautiful and sustaining images of the Sabian symbols, ‘an old bridge over a beautiful stream’ points to the way life flows on, even though those things made by human hand tend to pass away.

One could say this about human existence as well: man, thy name is transience. If anything has broken or fallen away in your affairs, it is likely it was the wrong thing for you anyway, or that it is over and gone. Today brings a renewing energy to all affairs. Think of it as a change in barometric pressure, and therefore, like a change in the weather.

Yet another time to pay attention to dream activity. As has been suggested by a reader, the curtains will tend to be ripped open, rather than gently drawn, therefore do pay attention to those quickening moments. More answers and rewards in those streaming moments  than any amount of ego engineering pondering the repairs needed to fix the bridge.

“A sculptor” Sagittarius 27

December 17

“A sculptor” Sagittarius 27

Sabian Sage © 2016 Blain Bovee boveeastrology.com

This Sabian symbol is illuminated at 7:25 AM EST December 17

Carving

Carving is related to writing. The Greek graphein, ‘to write’, derived from scratching on clay tablets with a stylus. A sculpture could be said to leave an impression on stone or wood, and therefore made it available for aesthetic perception. So too, a writer scratches words in and through a medium… stone , paper, digital zeros and ones… perhaps leaving an impression.

Today, there is a desire for expression, as if something from within seeks to press through and leave its mark in the world. Good day for creative pursuits. Good day for meditative breakthroughs that leave an impression. 

Watch for wiggling motions that free something up. In exercise, yoga, or dance, a writhing wiggling motion can be liberating. For writers, good day to allow the words to flow… worry about form and correctness later.