Sabian Symbols: The germ grows into knowledge and life

The germ grows into knowledge and life

This universal idea is best expressed through planets in

Cancer 17 (16° - 17°)

GROWTH
Everything living tends to grow, it is an unassailable motivation for us to expand our situations and influence
"Building upon potential"

As a seed breaks open to germinate, so a seeker breaks open the shell of ego. Each reaches towards the light, one physical, the other metaphorical, yet both in obedience to the universal imperative in life - to grow. Although the seeker has meditated upon self-surrender into Unity, still they have an equal and opposite will to proclaim the uniqueness of self and project individuality forward.

Rudhyar:
THE UNFOLDMENT OF MULTILEVEL POTENTIALITIES ISSUING FROM AN ORIGINAL GERM

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The unfoldment of multilevel potentialities issuing from an original germ

Unfoldment

Whatever we pretend to be is what we yearn to become

Within each person is a level of certainty – a core of immutable distinctiveness, which actually constitutes the self as such.

One characteristic of its being is the urge, and urgency, to become. We are all moved by an inner compulsion towards situations and encounters, through which we both expand, and refine, this essential identity. By opening ourselves up, we reach out to establish every possible phase of our self-existence, and claim it as an aspect of the eternal soul.

We are as much engaged in the presentation of self as we are in real development – and we need to be careful to avoid falsely assuming and presenting qualities that we have yet to master. Still, whatever we pretend to be is an important clue that tells us what we yearn to become. This is useful information.

What we realise is that we are the germ of an idea unfolding – and this idea, which grows into knowledge, is the experience of our life, as we grow in wisdom and awareness. To gain completeness of personal realisation we must give ourselves over to every moment and totally embrace each immediate concern.

Everything living shares this irresistible determination to press forward indefinitely and uncompromisingly. As much as we are pressing forward towards greater expression, so are others. And we co-create the details of our lives by marrying their visions with our own, and trying to perfect ourselves within these interactions.

Ancient esotericists, who spoke of the philosopher’s stone, were working with this very concept. How can we turn lead into gold? In other words, how can we reclaim our spiritual glory when we are imprisoned in clay?
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And perhaps the best answer is – slowly, inevitably and repeatedly throughout eternity.

​The germ grows into knowledge and life

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 second degree of the Expression "Maturity" is the Contrasting principle.

The scope of Cancer 17 is "Building upon potential", and its means of expansion is Sagittarius 21, "Receiving guidance from a true master". Its preferred path, Taurus 25, "Participation in community responsibilities", leads to its principle challenge, found in Libra 29, "Seeking knowledge".

Awareness of its spiritual purpose is described in Aries 4, "Balancing the inner feminine and masculine polarities", which generates the feedback found in Virgo 8, "Receiving instruction towards mastery" and thus the evolutionary gateway offered by Aquarius 12, "Self-examination and improvement". 

​(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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