I am always amused by the books that give descriptions of each degree of each sign.  These books give a picture of what each degree means of every sign...

Do you ever look at what a degree is supposed to mean as defined by books that say they have "definitions?"  Have you  studied what degrees are supposed to represent?

I look at how far into a sign something is (e.g., 1 or 2 degrees Scorpio vs. 28 degrees Scorpio) with the thought in mind that the traits of that sign are more developed at higher numbers.  If a number seems to be REALLY important in someone's chart, I'll look at the Sabian Symbol, but for the most part I think Sabians are goofy.

There are some who assign descriptions to each degree and it is interesting to read these...  At times they are very accurate and numbers DO matter, at least to me.

I find the descriptions of each degree can be helpful in understanding a chart, for example. 

Jocelyn, some believe the opposite and that the lower the number  the more strong the placement.  I try to stay with aspects and the degrees between placements but your thoughts are interesting.  Where can I find these that you use?

I have looked in the past, but if I don't like the description I toss them! ;-)

Like the sabian for my Jupiter in Cancer in the first house is:

"At A Railroad Crossing, An Automobile is Wrecked By A Train"

Well I just don't like that! LOL I think it should have some happy description that is "Christmas like".

ha ha, Tam! so true!

No, as I do not have any Virgo :)

@Annalisa- I think I read about it on Elbert Wade, but I don't recall.  It is actually similar to what you are saying, that it is a stronger placement at lower degrees-- I'll try to explain.

It's like if, say Mars, is at 4Aries, you're going to have all of this uncontrolled, super powerful, Mars/Aries energy.  But, at a higher degree, the person would have the same Aries/Mars energy, but they would have learned to harness it and use it more for their own good.  Like a wild horse vs. a domesticated horse, I guess.  So if you have someone with Venus 2Scorpio vs. Venus 26Scorpio, the former would be more a jealous, vengeful lover but the latter would realize they have this issue, and would take steps to address it, although it is still an underlying issue.

I hope I'm explaining that right.  This is oversimplifying of course.

@Annalisa... I had so much trouble trying to find consistent advice about degrees I gave up! I sort of divide it all up into three... beginning, middle & end. I also found conflicting advice about the first few degrees Vs the last few degrees. There were arguments about which were more powerful & had the most impact or "imprint". I put it in the too hard basket!!!

Ouuu @Tam... that's awful... I'd be pissed at that! I think you're more "Twinkling Lights Sparkling on a Christmas Tree at Yule" =D

i adore the sabian stuff... probably because it is so... esoteric. i once looked up all my placements and thought: wow. i am the shit. LOL

Thanks McKenna! Who wants a dang train wreck in their first house?!

I avoid this part as I will bring in my protractor and special tablets to regrow my hair on my head.

I will start learning these very soon, promise. 

And Yes I do have Virgo.

I find some books have better descriptions than others. There are a couple  I like.  But, yes, if we enjoy what they have to say it's much better, isn't it?

Yes this is true, and its very hard for me to find books that can speak my language. I need things to be simple.

"The Zodiac by Degrees" is amusing.

Hmmm and its on sale too. Hello Amazon!

anything i have ever read on the subject just doesn't seem to make any sense.  the sabian symbols just sound like a complete load of bullshit... illogical and nonsensicle.  i've tried to understand and find a meaning, but all i ever get is "she saw them in a trance so it must be real" 

i believe a lot..  but i'm not a schmuck

EDIT:  sorry that sounds more agressive than it needs to be..  i'm still fuming off the "child overboard" on VA's thread WHO DOES THIS SH*T

true, rantares, but numbers are very interesting to me..

I  have played with numerology all my life, for example.

yes, i do agree in the power of numbers..  that i can link to geometry, and in my world all geometry is sacred.....  but i'd like to find something that explains the degrees of the zodiac that doesn't seem so completely random. 

like, the placements of fixed stars..  i see those as denoting particular degrees of the zodiac.  but then, the sabian symbol for my sun placement: "An official embassy ball"

what!?!?!

rantares- my husband's Mars Sabian symbol has had us making sick and twisted jokes for the last couple weeks:

His Mars is 8Aquarius: A Flag Is Seen Turning Into An Eagle

When I explained this to him, and the significance of Mars, his response was, "that would be painful and awkward for both of us"

lol, rantares!

i think they are silly, too

i barely have patience for the three decans of each sign----barely

i find value in plain ol' numerology, though

all my virgo has never guranteed me a love of detail

I'm sure the degrees do have significance but I'm sure the couple who dreamed up the Sabian Symbols do NOT hold the key hahaha. I doubt anyone does.

Thinking you've cracked it is like presuming to know the mind of God, imo

Just when you think you've got the basics down, something else comes up. I had no idea astrology got this specific. I don't think I want to know. :-)

(i've always had a secret fantasy to dress up in a ball gown and dance the night away with dignitaries and heads of state, the little girl in me is a total princess)

maybe there IS some truth behind the bullshit

(i've also always had a secret fantasy to abandon modern society, run off in to the woods and live off grubs and berries...  not quite the same)

Thanks you guys made mr laugh and I haven't even finished my first cup of coffee :)

I was thinking maybe sometimes it's timing. It makes sense in some way when everything is aligned just right. Like reading a scripture your whole life but all off a sudden one day it strikes a cord and you get it? Some piece falls into place.

my saturn, for example:

AN UNEXPLODED BOMB REVEALS AN UNSUCCESSFUL SOCIAL PROTEST.

what do you do with that?????

Use your Saturn to build a better bomb and devise a better plot.  ;)

*runs off cackling*

I read the descriptions for each degree, since I study numerology and I am very fascinated. I would just like to have more details, or more sources other than Sabian. I agree, I like them because it's so esoteric!!

I don't care that much to be honest, BUT it does spark my curiosity enough to amuse me though! I care much more about the signs and the orbs than I do the exact degrees.

I read the Sabian symbols for all my placements and I realised absolutely nothing.I'm not sure what to think of it,since I do not know more people with the same planet in the same sign at the same degree to tell if something coincides.Besides,I too have no Virgo,and I'd miss such a detail