Blain Bovee - Sabian Symbol Specialist

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 21: A soldier derelict in duty

The Exception...

When first attempting to understand and apply the Sabian symbols, you may find that your first impression is disquieting. 

Scorpio 21 "A soldier derelict in duty" could set your mind off in thinking of individuals who fall short of completing their obligations. And, this may be true to a certain extent. Imagine a soldier who, having been given orders, failed to complete the task... perhaps did not even attempt to follow the orders.

Looking at the fixed sign symbols in Leo/Aquarius 21 "Chickens intoxicated" and "A woman disappointed and disillusioned" respectively, we are led further into a symbol sense that appears to bear disappointment. 

Chickens are not known for flight, yet when drunk on sour mash, they may perceive themselves as eagles soaring high.

A woman disappointed and disillusioned does not sound too happy. A let-down of some sort is suggested... perhaps like the chicken who when sober realizes that flying is not foremost in its aptitude set.

However, A soldier derelict in duty may also refer to an individual who does not measure his/her moral worth and character by following the line of duty. Conscience may dictate when a duty or order is to be disobeyed.

This has ever been a problem in ethics and moral questions: obligations set by duty often conflict with moral sensibilities. The Indian classic, Bhagavad Gita, for example, remains one of the world's most extraordinary books on spiritual and philosophic wisdom. Yet it is based on a human situation where a man must choose between his duty as a warrior and general in battle and his conscience regarding killing his family who are in the enemy camp. 

The question is still alive today. When is there an exception to the rule? On what basis do exceptions supersede the rule? Where does your true duty lie?

The opposing symbol Taurus 21 "A finger pointing in an open book', does interject the issue of finger-pointing, but is this because of censure from the outside, or because one finds the precedent in an authoritative text that allows the exception?

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 13: An inventor experimenting

Independent tinkering...

Scorpio 13 "An inventor experimenting, suggests taking what one can into one's own hands, in one's own space, to work on things in one's own time.

Imagine not being allowed into the embassy ball. Or perhaps not being permitted an audience with corporate investors  for your new invention. What do you do?

Scorpio 13 individuals go out to their work-shed, their garage, to their basement and work with the tools, materials and means at their own disposal. Many Scorpio 13 individuals may have a garage filled with 'stuff' of all manner kept for that 'just in case I need it later' purpose.

The 13 degree fixed sign individuals are inclined to carry their own (Taurus 13 "A man handling baggage"), Fix their own (Scorpio 13), bide their own time ( Leo 13 "An old sea captain rocking"), and gauge their own success "Aquarius 13 "A barometer").

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 12: An embassy ball

A sovereign bearing...

Embassies are grounds within a country considered to be foreign: subject to the foreign laws and protections of the country they represent. Consequently, to enter the embassy of your own country while visiting another, is to enter your own sovereign land. This is commonly understood to be the foundations for what is known as 'diplomatic immunity. 

Through Scorpio 12, we might expect to find a sense of sovereign bearing... one is the example, the representative, the ambassador of a sense of independence. Or, we might find a sense of being in a foreign land, of not fitting in like a native son, yet carrying oneself with a dignity in accord to one's own homeland.

"An embassy ball' also suggests a gathering of dignitaries, perhaps from many lands. The  'ball' would be a gathering of the elite and therefore, not open to all.

Depending on how Scorpio is conditioned by other horoscope considerations, we might find a strong sense of barriers between social strata. Think of the glass ceiling women endure in their efforts to ascend professionally.

The barrier theme is echoed in all of the fixed sign 12 degree symbols. Take a look and see if you can see how.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 11: A drowning man rescued

More... or less... than is needed...

Scorpio 11 addresses the question "How much?"

An alcoholic doesn't really need those six extra drinks. A thirsty man may only need a little water in order to stay alive.

The paradox lies in the appropriate measure. 

Emotionally, you can appreciate this in the ways emotionality can be overdone, over-board, over the top. Just as you can also understand when there isn't enough emotion to wet one's whistle. 

Consequently, the task is find a balance between far too much and far too little.

It is true that when this Sabian symbol is alive in a horoscope's 1st - 7th house relationship dynamic, you will often find a strong 'rescue' theme. A woman may attract men who need to be rescued, for example, sometimes from excessive drinking. A man may tend to be drawn to 'little girl lost in the rain' types of women. 

But there is a more positive side to the Taurus/Scorpio 11 symbol manifestation. It concerns 'blessing in right measure'.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 9: Dental work

Bite...

Take a moment to look up the range of meanings found in formal and informal expressions revolving around the word 'bite'. It is a vast array of sense possibilities... everything from enthusiasm to rude expressions of displeasure.

Scorpio 9 "Dental work" continues a motif found in all 9th degree symbols. Something is sharp. Think of a dentist tools... those pointy instrument used to poke at your teeth... drills... oh the joy... needles... every child's favorite.

Think of sharp teeth: a dog-bite; an insect bite; barracuda bite; a babies first teeth biting your finger. 

Today is Halloween. Perhaps you will be bitten with excitement... or a vampire will come to bite you. Children will need to see a dentist if they eat too much candy without taking proper care of their teeth... and that bites.

The point is, one would really like something to sink one's teeth into in meaningful human discourse, or hope for matters to turn into a 'toothless affair' if there is something unpleasant anticipated.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 8: The Moon shining across a lake

Guile...

Scorpio 8: take a rake with you when you go out to the lake tonight. Rake in the Moon shine and bring it home to me.

Nicknames for Scorpio 8 : 'Moonraker degree'; 'Moonshine degree'.

One can anticipate a strong trait of guile, wit and the ability to slip free from the clutches of authority and rule in Scorpio 8. 

Indeed, this is a slippery symbol. But think of it. The Moon, visible only because it reflects sunlight, is itself reflected across lake waters. Now try to get a hold of that. Slippery!

So, you might be dreamer. You might think you can take moonbeams home in jar. But when it comes to sheer cleverness and guile, the Scorpio 8 individual can make anything appear to be something else.

Piece of Moon cheese anyone?

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 7: Deep-sea divers

In deep...

Situations are not all the same. They are never spread out on a level playing field. Sometimes, one gets in deep. 

The key thing about "Deep-sea divers" is that they depend on others on the surface to provide them with air... a life-line... and to maintain every safety precaution for the dive.

As the 2nd degree in the 5 degree series, we can see that the 'rush' (Scorpio 6 "A gold rush") to find the gold fields may run into a situation where you really need someone to help out.

As a human attitude, this suggests that you may want to go it on your own, but eventually, you are going to need somebody.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 6: A gold rush

Something worth going for...

Scorpio 6 presents a situation where there is something worth making the effort to reach. It may be gold as in the days of the American gold rushes of California, the Black Hills of South Dakota, or the Klondike gold rush, or it may be something that is flat out worth while striving to achieve.

One little used theme within Scorpio 6 concerns the word 'rush'. 

Rushes grow near or in water. Traditionally, they have been used to weave baskets, usually in a cross-thatch style. The cross-thatch design resonates with a theme found in all 6th degree symbols. First, there is the element of construction... such as is necessary to make something durable and secure. think of building a bridge and the engineering know-how necessary for such a task... Taurus 6 "A bridge being built across a gorge.

Consequently, there is a strong capacity for working with the right materials in a constructive way, allowing one to reach the goal in mind. This is central in Scorpio 6.

Blain Bovee

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Scorpio 5: A massive, rocky shore

Why the sea is so near the shore...

One of the most existentially intensified degree placements, Scorpio 5 "A massive, rocky shore" may sound ominous... like a wild ocean crashing into a a rock cliff shoreline, but it is actually more an intense awareness of one of the facts of existing.

The opposing Taurus symbol "A widow at an open grace" does suggest an awareness of the fact that death is part of what defines human existence. But that symbol also incorporates the word 'open', hence there is a keen penetrating awareness that goes with Taurus/Scorpio 5, an awareness of humanist sensibilities not shrouded by delusions of immortality.

As the 5th degree in the first series of Scorpio degrees, expect a manifestation of genius, creativity or just a knack for pulling everything together. 

Scorpio 1 : "A sight-seeing bus" suggests going along with others for the ride.

Scorpio 2 "A broken bottle, perfume spilled" suggests something bursts into awareness of lingering and pervasive consequence. For example, maybe going along with others is not as easy as just getting on the bus.

Scorpio 3 "A house-raising" suggests cooperation again, this time, as the 3rd degree, in a way the seek to maintain, preserve of manage what was intiallly started.

Scorpio 4 "A youth holding a lighted candle' suggests the challenge of having to choose between shedding light on matters or discreetly letting them remain in the dark.

Scorpio 5.... no more stepping around realities. We are on a massive rocky shore that, over time, will be worn into gravel and sand by the powers of oceanic waters. of that, there is no escaping. And therefore, there is no time to fool around.

Think Scorpio sensibilities at their peak.

Blain Bovee

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