Is there order in the universe? If so, it is only partially visible in physical form. Ask science to explain the order in the universe for us. Humans are only able to reach so far in their vision and understanding. Do you sense order out there? Chaos?
The word “cosmos” is a Greek word that means “order”, implying a deep interconnectedness of all things. Carl Sagan summarized it this way: “The order of the universe is not an assumption: it is an observed fact.” In fact, Sagen used the title “Cosmos” for his book and TV series because “it conveys awe for the intricate and subtle way in which the universe is put together.” And Einstein said simply, “When I see a piece of toast, I know that somewhere there is a toaster.”
Is it possible that, what looks to be such an orderly system of time and space as we know and understand them, could evolve from a big bang or other naturally unfolding form of creation just by chance? It would seem that some greater force than simply the chance whim of order would be necessary. This fits Aristotle’s universal law of cause and effect, which takes us back to what he called the Primal Cause.
I could go on with this but, I am bringing it up only to introduce the concept in order to consider the idea as it might pertain to astrology. My question, what I am ruminating upon, is whether there is order in our world with respect to the astrological universe? Can we consider the symbols used in astrology that make up the Language of Astrology as we know it, as having orderly meaning carried from antiquity, or are we just grabbing concepts out of the air, putting them together to fit our whims?
Robert Hand: “Studying astrology in such a way that you are actually experiencing its efficacy is the most potent thing you can do of all, because as I say in one of my standard lines- astrology is the day-to-day experience that what the mystics tell you is true- that you and the Universe are One. That’s the simplest explanation for astrology, that somehow you and the Universe are One.” This leads to the concept of:
“As above, so Below.” Are we able to see how order within the cosmos, how spiritual presence can be shown to exist and be working within our astrological world?
This concept seems to hold true when studying Sacred Geometry. Geometry literally means earth measurement. It deals with points, lines and space. Geometric patterns exist all around us. Sacred Geometry differs from mathematics because it’s focus is on geometric patterns found in nature and seeing nature create forms that are a recurrence of these patterns. The wonderment of this is seen as evidence of spiritual presence and leads one to thoughts of order and godliness in our world.
Sacred Geometry is a more complex example of the simple reality that certain shapes and patterns have come through history as symbols and these symbols carry various interpretation and significance. With astrology we also see evidence of this concept. Symbols and patterns carry meaning that has been carried forward through history. We cannot say or know from where they first emanated, but the validity of their symbolic meaning is shown to be accurate time and time again.
The astrological symbols work together to create a language, what I call the Language of Life. There are five levels to a chart in my view, as I was taught by the Hubers. Moving outward from the Center as first level, the Aspects form the second level; the Planets the third level; the Signs the fourth level and the houses are found at the fifth and outer level. You will find that there is more complication in description and less agreement as to definition the further you move from the center.
The Aspects are easily described. There is general agreement as to their meanings within different systems. The symbols for the Aspects are based on the structural symbols that are created within the circle of the horoscope when they are drawn between points. The five Ptolemaic aspects fit well within the circle. With the conjunction, the symbol is simply showing a single point in the circle. With the sextile the symbol is showing the six locations with aspect lines attaching them. With the trine we will always see that triangle when the three trine positions are linked with each other. With the square, again we see that box when attaching all 90-degree points. The opposition is simply the two opposite points in the circle. The symbol for the semi-sextile is simply showing the space above a circle radius being broken into three parts. The quincunx symbol shows a plane representing two aspected points with an inverted V below signifying how hard it is to balance the two points. The meanings for the aspects were developed based on element and modality relationships between the signs. How the meanings for the various aspects came about is discussed in more detail in another article on my website: www.donelconin.com under the name “Development of Aspect Meanings”.
There is order in the symbolism of the planets and signs as well as the aspects. The symbols for them also carry messages from antiquity. I find it hard to comprehend how these symbols, so fully packaged with information and messages, could come to be and work so well unless they also carry the order found in the universe from which they have originated and taken root.
The symbols for the planets can be shown to be created from three symbols, the Circle, the Cross and the Crescent or Semi-Circle. The Circle represents Spirit. It is assigned to the Sun, which clearly fills that role. The Crescent represents the Soul and Mind, Receptivity. It is assigned to the Moon, the lesser light, and fulfills that role of conscious/unconscious, empty/full, visible/invisible, emotion/mind. The Cross represents the Material, that which is imperfect and mortal. It is assigned to each of the five lesser wanderers, the visible planets. With Mars, the cross is placed above the circle. Here the material world is placed in higher focus and priority than the Spirit. With Venus, the circle is placed above the cross. Divinity, harmony and unity dominate the material world. With Mercury we see all three symbols. Here the crescent is fused with the circle, the dynamic interplay of spirit and receptivity dominating the material.
With Jupiter we find the crescent above the cross. It can also be described as the waxing moon. The receptiveness of the soul and mind dominant over the world of matter. This embodies growth and abundance, reaching for higher understanding. With Saturn we have the crescent below the cross. This can also be seen as the waning moon. The importance of matter supersedes the intuition and the hope for receptivity. This is Saturn’s stabilizing influence, the importance of the material.
There are various interpretations for the transpersonal planets, but I find that the symbols for the visible planets, which have been consciously and unconsciously with us as part of the symbolic astrological language since the beginning, are more central. The bottom line is that each symbol’s unique design reflects ancient beliefs about the “powers” of the planets and their impact and influence in our lives. Those powers have become the urges and energies and they are key tools guiding astrologers in understanding how they shape the individual’s life and destiny. That understanding is transmitted to those individuals in an attempt to help them also understand and find the best life paths. The position of the planets at any specific time, placed at the third level in a chart, create the points in the circle from which the aspects, and the overall aspect structure, at the second level of the chart, are “formed” or generated. The Center of the chart, the Soul, the unknown atman, self or essence, is surrounded by the aspect pattern, which is the inner wiring of the individual. The urges and energies of the planets are uniquely blended together for each person, as described by the aspects and aspect pattern. The meanings for each of the planets do cover more ground and different areas such that there is less conformity and more diversity in the meanings. They cover parts of the body, various physical urges or energies, and different mental and emotional areas, and different things. For example, Mercury covers thinking, communication, the written word but not music, the brain, sight, nervous system, hands and arms. It covers modes of transportation, learning but not knowledge, and much more. The ancients used these planetary symbols to each work as a subset of the mental and physical wholes within their worlds.
The symbols for the signs of the zodiac are a visual way of expressing the deeper essence of each sign, both in terms of mythology and personality. Did the symbols and meanings within the symbols for the signs come from what the ancients envisioned as they studied the constellations, which they thought represented deities and later named them as we know them now? That could be additional evidence of order in the universe at work. Or did the symbols and meanings for the signs come from being created from a combination of the meaning of the time of year coinciding with each sign, the cycle of spring, summer, fall and winter; and the utilization of the 3×4 elements and qualities found in both foundational and modern astrology? Or, did the signs come into form with the Babylonians as Yale Assyriologist Eckart Frahm has explained? He says that the earliest beginnings of astrology can be traced back to the Babylonians, a civilization deeply interested in mathematics and the heavenly bodies. They meticulously created tables to track the movements of the stars, and it’s believed they were the ones who invented the 12 zodiac signs. According to Frahm: the ancient Babylonians studied the night skies for 700 years, making their work “arguably, the longest lasting scholarly science project that ever existed.” We do know that the “Shiny Herd” is a term referring to the twelve major zodiacal constellations in ancient Mesopotamia. Here is a picture found on an ancient sculpture:
The MUL.APIN is the conventional title given to a Babylonian compendium that deals with many diverse aspects of Babylonian astronomy and astrology. It is in the tradition of earlier star catalogues, the so-called Three Stars Each lists, but represents an expanded version based on more accurate observation, likely compiled around 1000BCE. Here is one of the two clay tablets on which the text is written.
This exemplar shows that the tablet is unusually huge (as large as a sheet of paper) and the text is written in two columns. So, we at least are aware tha the circle of animals, the zodiac, has been part of our collective history since antiquity.
In any case, the signs of the zodiac now also offer symbolic meanings that are used as part of the astrological language. Dane Rudhyar described the signs as “the generic structure of all human individuals.” Joseph Campbell and others have discussed in detail the information that is clothed in myth and symbols. What carries all of this information forward to us? Is it also evidence of Order in our little Earthly universe? The signs are placed at the fourth level, where they color or imbue the planets, through their symbolic and anecdotal histories, providing more meaning for each planet in each individual situation.
Although the following list does not adequately cover the rich symbolism of each zodiac symbol, it at least gives a beginning flavor of how each symbol fits both the mythology behind it as well as the time of year it corresponds to. The symbols of the zodiac are archetypes that distill a sign’s core energy, capturing a wide range of meanings. Each sign is associated with specific gods, goddesses, or mythical creatures. These associations offer a richer understanding of the astrological meanings attributed to each sign, connecting personality traits and celestial influences to divine figures and their stories.
The Aries symbol, or glyph, is designed to depict the curving horns of a Ram. The Ram, the fearless Firestarter, the beginning of spring. The initiatory single pointed release of energy toward new experience; the germinating seed; Increasing daylight. Aries symbolizes individual initiatory energy, action. Cardinal Fire. Embodied by the courage of the god Ares (Mars), Aries represents new beginnings, independence, and bravery.
The Taurus symbol, or glyph, is designed to depict the head of a Bull with horns. This is the Taurus horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. The Bull, strength and patience, plants taking root, spring in its fullest expression; Fixed Earth. Linked to the earthly abundance of Venus (Aphrodite), Taurus signifies stability, determination and reliability.
The Gemini symbol, or glyph, is designed to depict the Twins or the Roman numeral II for duality. This is the Gemini horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. The Twins, inner dialogue, communication and learning. The fast-growing period that also needs adaptability. The transition from spring to summer. Flowers in full bloom. Mutable Air. Mercury’s (Hermes) quick wit and intellect, embodying curiosity, adaptability and communication is linked to Gemini.
The Cancer symbol, or glyph, is designed to depict the Crab and its claws. This is the Cancer horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. The Crab, nurturing and protective. This is the beginning of summer, bringing us to a time when the days are longest, characterized by warmth and growth. The great surge of the primary life-force stops and a secondary growth process begins; enlargement and maturation of plants. This is also a time of the need to protect and nurture the growing plant. Cardinal Water. Cancer represents sensitivity, compassion, and a strong connection to emotions through its association with the nurturing energy of Selene (Moon).
The Leo symbol, or glyph, is designed to depict the Lion and its mane and two halves of the heart. This is the Leo horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Leo the bold and playful Lion. Which brings us to the heat of the middle of summer, the fullness of the Sun. The lion represents the bold, bright and powerful sun in its fullness. The heat ripens the fruit brought forth by Cancer. Crops are developed to the most abundant state of growth before harvest. Fixed Fire. Leo is inspired by Apollo, embodying confidence, generosity and leadership.
The Virgo symbol, or glyph, is designed to depict the Maiden carrying a shaft of wheat. This is the Virgo horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Virgo, The Virgin and the symbol of harvest, the end of summer, the beginning of the transition to autumn; Mutable Earth. The god Demeter, or Persephone, the goddess of the harvest, is often associated with Virgo also representing analytical skills, precision, and intelligence.
The Libra symbol, or glyph, is the only non-living symbol and is designed to depict the Scales. This is the Libra horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Libra the Scales of justice, balance and harmony. The advent of fall. The harvest is over and night begins to prevail. The landscape becomes a work of art. Life seems to be in balance. It is a time for socialization before preparing for winter and also a time of bartering what has been made or harvested during the productive spring and summer. Cardinal Air.
The Scorpio symbol, or glyph, is designed to depict the Scorpion and its stinger. This is the Scorpio horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Scorpio with its highly sexual stinger, which also signifies the intensity and depth of this sign. Scorpio actually has four symbols associated with it: the Scorpion, the Serpent, the Eagle and the Phoenix. The Scorpion with its stinger ready to strike in the face of danger, or as a phallic image. The Serpent, which lives in the underworld, quiet and unnoticed, but ready to deliver the deadly defensive bites with venom. Additionally, the way it sheds its skin and becomes glistening and fresh once again, is, like the Phoenix, a symbol of renewal and regeneration. The Eagle with its probing and unblinking eyes, sees all. Powerful vision, fearless, tenacious. And, of course, the Phoenix that can rise above the ashes. This is a season characterized by its deepening darkness and intensifying cold. Fixed Water. Scorpio is linked to Hades and Kali.
The Sagittarius symbol, or glyph is designed to depict the Centaur or Archer. This is the Sagittarius horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Sagittarius, the half human half horse drawing a bow aimed at the heavens, reaching for the heavens and the horizon, for truth and freedom. But he is also human and tethered to the Earth. He thrives when reaching for something greater. The energy is intellectual and adaptable but needs grounding. Chiron, a centaur unlike his wild brethren, is often linked to Sagittarius. He mentored heroes like Achilles and Hercules, guiding them with his knowledge. Yet Chiron carried a wound from a poisoned arrow that would not heal. He finally sacrificed his life to free Prometheus and earned a place among the stars as the constellation Sagittarius. The is the period of long nights and short days. Transition to winters sleep, a time of contemplation. The land is quiet and cold winds speak to snows coming. The spirit yearns for light. Mutable Fire.
The Capricorn symbol, or glyph is the Sea Goat, specifically Almathea, the goat that nurtured Zeus. It is designed to depict the hoof of a mountain goat and the tail of a fish. This is the Capricorn horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Capricorn – The hoof, the goat, reflecting ambition and determination. The magical mermaid tail can synthesize creativity with productivity. Remember, this is the initial Saturn sign of foundational astrology but it cannot exist without the part that seems to better fit Aquarius. This is Winter Solstice, winter’s sleep has come. Nights are long but start to shorten. Outer stillness but an inner restlessness for the desire to live & survive is present. Cardinal Earth.
The Aquarius symbol, or glyph is designed to depict the Water Bearer. This is the Aquarius horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Aquarius has become the symbol of waves of water or electricity, expressing humanitarianism of this future forward sign. In Greek mythology Ganymede, was abducted by Zeus to serve as the cup bearer on Mount Olympus. In ancient times the time of Aquarius marked the season of rain and the celestial pouring of waters, contributing to the fertility of the earth. This has come to also represent the flow of ideas, knowledge and innovation. Longer days are happening. This is the time for beginning of new ideas, wishes and plans initiated by Capricorn to be developed and grows. Fixed Air.
The Pisces symbol, or glyph is designed to depict two fish swimming in opposite directions joined together by a cord. This is the Pisces horoscope symbol and the character that represents this zodiac sign. Pisces symbol expresses the paradoxical duality inherent in the sign, between reality and fantasy, the tangible and intangible, conscious and the subconscious. Also, the deep-seated yearning for connection. The two fish are associated with the Greek gods Aphrodite and Eros who transformed into fish. This speaks to adaption and survival amidst adversity. And, of course, also the Trident representing Neptune the God of the Sea in Roman mythology, mythologically known for representing a blue hue and raging storms, and the vast depths of the subconscious, the realm of dreams and illusions as well as mysticism. This is the time of atmospheric turbulence as torrents of rain and winds descend upon the land. Show & ice begin to be washed away. Some warmer weather with land becoming fertile. Beginning of receptivity to spring. Also, a restlessness in anticipation of this. Mutable Water.
The levels of aspects, planets and signs all involve actual physically visually available elements. You can actually see the planets and the signs. The aspects are simply the angular relationships between the planets. The meanings that are associated with the symbols used for aspects, planets and signs come from antiquity and can be considered examples of order in our little universe on Earth by way of the consistency involved in how they are understood. As for Houses, they are a construct external to this physical system. They are earthbound. It is true that they are metaphoric in description of the various places we inhabit, the various arenas in our external environment. And the houses were moulded from the twelve signs, but they differ in that they represent place, locale, and environment. The houses actually symbolize both the outer surface and the inner plane of our lives. Pluto in the 2nd might suggest issues with power and control of money or fear of loss of money but can also suggest deep values and almost transformational talents. As such, there is no clear consistency coming from antiquity for the houses. The 6th House, for example, involves work, service and health issues, but also slaves, bad fortune. It can cover the many possible issues dealing with utilizing what we have to work with in the individual experience of self, being the Cadent or Mutable house of the 2nd quadrant of experience of Self. Or it can be the space where individuals balance personal needs with responsibility, integrating work and health into a cohesive routine. It is both a defined arena of experience and representative of things associated with those areas. There is no specific symbolism attached to it. It does not come to us from some ordered past with unconscious or subconscious content. The houses are a way to put the various arenas of our external world into order. So, the bottom line is, when consider whether there is order in the astrological universe, we do not consider the houses because they are earthborn constructs of man.
The actual horoscope itself, not only depicts the specific and unique moment by describing the locations of the planets and signs in the sky at that moment, it also has clear, intelligent, and meaningful structure in its layout. I describe here, in more detail, what I have mentioned above. There are five levels in the horoscope. The Center of the chart represents the unknowable atman, Self, or essence, the core of the personality. The second level is the level of the aspects and the aspect structure. This is the structure of the individual consciousness. Here we find the central life motivation as well as the inner wiring of the individual. The set of aspects link the Core Self with the set of tools that the individual has to work with both internally and when interacting with the environment. The third level is the level of the planets, which define each point in the aspect structure. The planets represent not only the various energies and urges, but also our first level of contact with the environment. The planets, as they are linked into the aspect structure, give specific texture to the working of that aspect structure, based on the interworking of the energies and urges as described by the specific aspects and those aspects working together as aspect figures. The planets also represent the first point of contact with the environment by the way that they interact with the outer levels of signs and houses. The fourth level is the level of the signs. Rudhyar described the signs as “the generic structure of all human individuals.” Each of us has the same genetic structure as part of the collective. Our hereditary disposition is based on the signs and the basis of each planet in the chart is colored by the sign it is found in. The third level planets are influenced by the fourth level signs and the fourth level signs impact the second level aspect structure by how they imbue those third level planets. The fifth level is the level of the houses, which represents the actual environment. All the influences from our surroundings are found in the arenas of the twelve houses, as are our opportunities to influence the environment. The structure of the second through fourth levels, separate from the input of the fifth level, is all about how the individual is working with their energies, their inner wiring complete with the planets as tools which are further defined by the signs. The fifth level external world exists both as the environment met by the inner structure’s energy moving outward, and by the external world impacting that structure from the outside. We will find that having separate charts that depict both the internal and external worlds will help to describe the internal structure independently from the environment with the Inner Chart, and as it interacts with that internal structure described by the Outer Chart. A more complete discussion of the five levels can be found in another article on my website: www.donelconin.com under the name: “The Five Levels of the Chart”.
So, we come back to the same question: Can we consider the symbols used in astrology that make up the Language of Astrology as we know it, as having orderly meaning carried from antiquity, or are we just grabbing concepts out of the air, putting them together to fit our whims? I believe that the case is clear, for the same reason that we know from experience that helium is lighter than oxygen, that a balloon will float and rise, just as we know that a ball will roll down a hill, that a plant creates seeds that replicate the plant, we know that the Sun will rise in the east and set in the west, the Moon will go through phases and we know why. We know where the planet Saturn will be in its orbit at any time, and visually where by sign now as well as a hundred years ago or in the future. The symbols of astrology and the planets places in the sky, described by the signs, at any moment are represented in the horoscope. We can also describe their meanings based upon their specific interrelationship at any point in time as well as the meanings based on their movement through their individual cycles and their interrelated cycles as they dance together. These are all able to be described by combining the meanings of the symbols that are used to describe them and their specific location at any specific moment. In this way, infinitely different scenarios can be and are created. Each of us is unique, each day and moment is unique. The astrological language is able and available to use in our attempt both describe and understand each situation, both in a moment and through time. As Above, So Below. What happens in the heavens is mirrored down here on earth. There is a direct correspondence between what goes on in our physical realm and what occurs in the metaphysical realms.