Sabian Symbols: An old owl up a tree

An old owl up a tree

This universal idea is best expressed through planets in

Sagittarius 5 (4° - 5)

SEEING LIGHT WITHIN DARKNESS
Wisdom is not clouded by personal preference or emotions
 "Looking for and seeing the light within the darkness"

In the darkness, the owl sees. Similarly within our own make up is an aspect of awareness that does not sleep even when we slip into unconsciousness. However far down we may delve and journey, however grim and black life may sometimes seem, there is always a point of light that we can focus on in order to pull ourselves back on track. We may call it hope, faith, guidance or love and, as long as we walk towards it, it will act as the light at the end of the tunnel. To know of this wisdom gives us the liberation to explore the darker side of life wherein truth and power are found.

Rudhyar: 
AN OLD OWL SITS ALONE ON THE BRANCH OF A LARGE TREE

An old owl sits alone on the branch of a large tree

​Watch the video

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Normality

Living according to spiritual principles develops inner poise and outer success

Only when we can respond true and clear to each natural, ordinary occurrence will we know both the owl’s wisdom and the tree’s tranquillity. When all the glitter and glamour is removed, and a person is seen exactly as they are, then what shines through is the quality of personal dignity. This is born of self-respect and becomes a clear light in those who, with reliable constancy, adhere to their principles as a normal way of life. If we embody our deepest values in everyday matters, personality becomes down to earth and pleasingly authentic.

This dignity may be hidden beneath a camouflage of emotional and intellectual skills that entertain others to win popularity. This veneer needs to be carefully moderated because there is a profoundly disturbing risk of smugness, which is a distortion of spirit, and harmful in terms of grace and happiness.

Great poise can develop in one who shapes their world using a charismatic personality to demonstrate the balance between humility and self-expression while achieving worldly success based on spiritual principles.

This inevitably requires us to exercise a measure of self-restraint in many of the detailed activities we pursue en route to accomplishment. Difficult situations have to be handled carefully.

Compelled by an inner force, we feel that we must realise our potentials absolutely. This force is as strong as raw desire itself – because that’s exactly what it is, applied fully to all the details of our ordinary lives.

Its power can catch us unawares, so it takes remarkable steadiness to hold true to what we elect to make important, especially at times when the battle between conscience and temptation is emphasised by a highly charged desire nature.

The highest spiritual principles are nothing if they are not practical in day to day terms. It is foolish to distinguish between what is, and what is not, spiritual life; life is both spiritual and material simultaneously. The beautifying of personality rests ultimately on our ability to balance and integrate both sides of this coin, the two aspects of one normality. Yet to make this easier by distancing ourselves from our desire nature is false, and we must not capitulate to society’s pressure to conform, and thus become only a distorted caricature of ourselves. 

​An old owl up a tree

​Commentary

Advanced Level: Elven Star Analysis

​Although we can find relevance in some way to all 360 degrees, each degree resonates particularly, and mysteriously, with the 6 other points of its Elven Star and clues, from the 7 Words System, and the Sabian Journey, are shown in the text below. This fifth degree of the Expression "Hopefulness" is the Progression principle.

The scope of Sagittarius 5 is "Looking for and seeing the light within the darkness", and its means of expansion is Taurus 9, "Bringing light". Its preferred path, Libra 13, "Learning how to play", leads to its principle challenge, found in Pisces 17, "Celebrate your spirituality with traditional public rituals".

Awareness of its spiritual purpose is described in Leo 22, "Claiming to be an aspect of God's message", which generates the feedback found in Capricorn 26, "Allowing yourself to respond to feelings of the mysteries" and thus the evolutionary gateway offered by Gemini 30, "Choosing standards in order to express values". 

​​(This list will differ slightly from your Elven Star points unless your degree is exact, such as Taurus 15:00 not Taurus 15:39)

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