Astrology As a Symbolic Language

[Pathwalker]

Astrology as a Symbolic Language.

Since you've decided you want to learn a new language, the Language of The Cosmos, let's start at the beginning. You've read many times here that Astrology is a Symbolic Language, but what does that mean? For starters; when we talk about the planets, we're not talking about the actual PHYSICAL planets in the sky - we're talking about the ENERGIES that eminate from those planets. The planets are merely the SYMBOLS of that energy.

Here's how Isabel Hickey explains it in: Astrology, a Cosmic Science (Copyright 1970 by Isabel M. Hickey); "Astrology deals with Symbols. The signs of the Zodiac are Symbols of great and potent forces. The physical planets are but the outer forms through which soul energies manifest. It is these that affect us, not the physical planets. When you meet a person you are not affected by his physical body. Yet you respond to his character and personality to your benefit or detriment. So it is with planetary energies."

In Astrology, every Planet has a symbol, every Sign has a Symbol, every Aspect has a Symbol. Every Symbol has its own meaning, too, and they are important. To give you just a brief idea, look at the symbol for the Sun, since it is the oldest known Astrolical Symbol. It is a circle with a dot in the center. The circle represents the eternal self, the Soul. In Alan Oaken's Complete Astrology (Copyright 1988 by Alan Oaken)he explains: “The Sun's glyph signifies the emanation of light, i.e., life giving energy from the unlimited resources of the Divinity. The circle is a symbol of infinity, as it is a perfect shape without beginning or end. The Circle is the totality of all matter which comprises the One-Supreme-Atom: The Universe of Universes. The dot is the point of Light which is sent forth as fount from which the Light comes. the Sun's symbol reveals Man's divine origin and shows him the unlimited possibility of growth which can be achieved through the conscious attunement to the dot of divinity within each being." In case you don't believe in that, or you want the simple short-hand version: The circle is the Universe. You are the dot. And that's just barely scratching the surface of ONE Symbol. But perhaps now you can understand why the Astrologers say this is a Language of SYMBOLISM.

If you examine the Symbols for the Planets, Signs, and Aspects, you will see that they are comprised of a combination of Glyphs. The main Glyphs are: “O” (the Circle: Spirit ), “ +” (the Cross: Matter), “ )” (The Semi-Circle: Soul), “ . “ (the Dot:The Beginning), and “|” and “ – “ A Vertical Rod and Horizontal Rod: Force of The Absolute). For the Signs and Planets, each of these Glyphs represents a specific occult/spiritual concept that is integral to and a specific part of each Astrological Symbol. For Aspects, they are space saving and communicate the energies of the Aspect involved. Taking the time to learn more about each of these glyphs will help you gain a deeper understanding of not just Astrology and the principles on which it is based, but of yourself and your place in this universe.


(Sources: Astrology, A Cosmic Science by Isabel M. Hickey, Copyright 1970 by Isabel M. Hickey; A Spiritual Approach To Astrology by Myrna Lofthus, Copyright 1983 by Myrna Lofthus; An Astrological Guide To Self-Awareness by Donna Cunningham, Copyright 1978 by Donna Cunningham; A to Z Horoscope Maker And Delineator, A Text book of Astrology by Llewllyn George; How To Be A Great Astrologer, The Planetary Aspects Explained by James Braha Copyright 1992 by James Braha)

Who wants to begin the discussion?

[Mandate My Ass]

1. Thanks for your post

You learn something new everyday. I always thought those glyphs were just shorthand for the name of the planet. Now that you've explained it this way, I understand the importance of putting these glyphs on tarot cards to enhance the meaning of the card's archetype. It describes the energy that the card represents as well as the story it tells.

Very informative post. Thanks also for the bibliography at the end. It looks like I've got to get to the bookstore.

:hi:

[Pathwalker]

9. Do you have any questions about the Glyphs?

I'd be glad to answer them.

[Eloriel]

2. Most excellent, Anj

Unfortunately, I have NOTHING to add. Well done, girl.

[Nancy Waterman]

3. Lovely essay, Anj. A nice start!

I like the image of celestial music. If you think of the background music to a movie, the planetary movement is sort of like the background music to our lives. The slow buildup of sad music in a painful scene is the waxing Saturn aspect. The same musical thme might repeat later during related sad scenes, as if during the retrograde and the final direct pass. The sudden crashing noise in the background might be the sudden hit from a Uranus transit; the drums and energetic music during a fight scene or a battle might be Martian music. In this metaphor, a person listening to just the music score and interpreting it without the benefit of the script or the visuals might be similar to an astrologer reading the planetary influences in someone's chart.

Each planet represents or symbolizes a different part of the human being. Interestingly, each planet also "rules" a different part of the anatomy. So the Sun, which represents the central theme of the person's life, his primary goals and focus, his task in this life, rules the heart in the body, the real center of it all. Each planeatry body also has an affinity with a metal, and gold is the one connected to the Sun. The whole economy is based on gold (sort of, these days).

[Behind the Aegis]

5. You will laugh at me

One of the best music I have found for magick, meditation, and relaxing (or inspiration) are the Xena soundtracks! Joesph LoDuca has some of the best pieces I have ever heard! There are songs for almost every emotion. I believe the music is supposed to Serb in origin, but there are all kinds of sounds and instruments (including a few vocals). I just saw "celestial music" and it made me think of it. :)

[Pathwalker]

8. Thank you Nancy and Eloriel. To follow the idea of Celestial Music,

how about giving each of the Planets a musical instrument for thisClestial Music, create a symbolic orchestra?
I am not at all musically inclined, but I have thought of this idea in the past.
For instance, I see Mercury as a Flute, playing to a staccato beat: Chirping, chirping, thinking, chirp, thoughts at a million miles a minute, chirp, chirp.
The Moon plays the Lute, slowly, mournfully (coyote singing his song for his lost mate in the background) an echoing our deepest feelings that we keep trapped inside.

What instruments do the other planets play?

[DemExpat]

13. Which plays the oboe.....for this is my favorite.

:-)

DemEx

[Me.]

4. Thank You n/t

[divineorder]

6. The Ancients called it "The Music of the Spheres"

And this thread resonates pretty well. The completeness of the circle, the balance of the triangle, the energies of the cross.

[Pathwalker]

7. "The Music of The Spheres" (Aries 29 - Sabian Symbols)

This is the Symbol for Aries 29 in the Sabian Symbols, and signifies Attunement to Cosmic Order. Dane Rudhyar says: "The individual who has entered into a new realm of possibilities of action should learn is the harmonic principles operating in this realm. The Music of The Spheres is the celectial embodiment of principles of polyphonic interplay. The individual "On The Path" should seek to understand and realize his place in the vast scheme of mankind's evolution, in the immense Chord of the harmony of the universe. The Universe SINGS - I love it.

[DemExpat]

10. Thank you so much, everybody!

I also did not have a clue about the glyphs - will need to get out our charts again as we go along with these threads...:D

The metaphor of celestial music really speaks to me as well, guys! I listen regularly to classical music for relaxation and to feel part of something.
I also remember picking up a book - but did not take it home to read - about healing energy of musical notes, which might tie in somehow with musical aspects of Astrology pertaining to medical Astrology and different organs....


:dunce: question: :dunce:

What is an aspect?

:hi:

DemEx

[Nancy Waterman]

11. An aspect is the degree relationship between planets

It is based on the geometry of the circle.

180 degrees (opposition), 90 degrees (square), and 45 (semisquare) are the hard aspects based on the division of the circle by 2, 4, or 8. They usually imply a stress or tension between the planets involved. But there is also a lot of energy implied. These relationships cannot be ignored.

The soft aspects are based on the triangle or hexagon, 120 degrees (trine) and 60 degrees.(sextile) They imply a harmonious relationship between the two planets and are so comfortable you may not notice them.

[DemExpat]

12. Thanks, Nancy.

Represented by the lines, then, in the charts.....

DemEx

[Nancy Waterman]

14. Yes, represented by the lines

but better you should know the quadruplicities and triplicities

quadruplicities: the 4 Cardinal signs, the 4 Fixed signs and the 4 Mutable signs.

Cardinals: Aries (begins 3/21), Cancer (begins 6/21), Libra (9/21), Capricorn (12/21). Each member of a quadruplicity is either in square or opposition to the others. (The first degree of each of the Cardinal signs is the first day of one of the 4 seasons - the solstices and the equinoxes)

Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio (think of the Lion, the Bull, the Angel and the Eagle in the Bible)

Mutable : Gemini, Virgo, Sagitarrius, and Pisces

triplicities: the three elements of which there are four each:

Fire, Air, Earth, and Water
Planets in the same element are in harmonious relationship to one another (trines and sextiles)

Fire: Aries, Leo, Sag
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Iti s really important for the student of astrology to know these really well. When these teaching threads get to discuss each sign individually, knowing these qualites will help you understand the meaning of the sign.