Degree Symbolism

Definition

Degree symbolism is the broad doctrine that each of the 360 individual degrees of the zodiac carries a specific symbolic image, character, or quality — much as each sign does — that can be read directly without reference to the standard sign-and-house framework. The most famous modern instance is the Sabian Symbols (Marc Edmund Jones, 1925), in which each degree is paired with a brief symbolic image; older instances include the Theban Calendar, Charubel's degree-symbol set, and the Volasfera tradition.

In Tradition

Across the long history of the doctrine — from Firmicus's 'Barbaric Sphere' through the Sabian Symbols — degree symbolism has attracted astrologers for two complementary reasons: it offers fine-grained detail not available from sign-and-house alone, and it can short-circuit the discipline of full chart reading by inviting instant per-degree pronouncements. Holden is openly skeptical about the wide disparity between the various degree-symbol sets.

In Practice

Practitioners who use degree symbolism look up the symbol for each significant degree (Sun, Moon, ASC, MC, ruler of the chart, etc.) and weave the imagery into the reading as a supplementary layer. The Sabian Symbols (Jones / Rudhyar) are the most widely cited modern set; Charubel and Sepharial's Volasfera offer older parallel sets. The disparity between systems means a single degree may carry several incompatible images depending on which tradition is consulted, so most modern practitioners either commit to one set or hold all symbolism loosely as inspirational rather than predictive material.

Historical Origin

Holden traces the long pedigree: Firmicus Maternus's Mathesis Book 8 Barbaric Sphere (4th c.), the Book of Hermes (6th c.), Pietro d'Abano (1250-1315), Johann Engel's Astrolabium planum (1488), Ely Star's Theban Calendar (1887), Alan Leo's Astrology For All, Charubel, Sepharial's Volasfera translation, Isidore Kozminsky, E.C. Matthews, Marc Edmund Jones's Sabian Symbols (1925), and Adriano Carelli (1951).

Further Reading

  • Marc Edmund Jones, Guide to Horoscope Interpretation
  • Dane Rudhyar, An Astrological Mandala
  • James H. Holden, A History of Horoscopic Astrology