Can the Sabian Symbols be used like tarot cards?

Yes. The 360 symbols function as an oracle much like tarot or the I Ching. You formulate a question, choose a degree randomly or by the Moon's current position, and contemplate the image in relation to your situation. Rudhyar's 1973 Astrological Mandala explicitly presented the set as "a contemporary American I Ching" [1].

What is the best way to draw a Sabian Symbol?

Any consistent random method works: a random number from 1 to 360, dice, printed Sabian cards, or the Moon's exact degree at the moment you ask. Consistency matters more than the method. In Moonlit Zones, the instrument already shows the live Moon degree, which many practitioners use as their draw.

How do I interpret a Sabian Symbol I drew for a question?

Read the plain image first, then work in three passes: the literal scene, where that scene already exists in your situation, and what attitude or action the image makes possible. Avoid judging the symbol as good or bad, and avoid forcing a literal match.

Do I need to believe in astrology for the oracle to work?

No. The oracular use asks only for attention, not belief. You are using a fixed set of evocative images as a mirror for your own thinking. Rudhyar designed his version of the set for divination "even outside of astrology" [2].

What if I draw an unsettling symbol?

Difficult images belong in the set; Jones deliberately kept the destructive-seeming scenes Wheeler saw in 1925 [3]. Treat an unsettling draw as information, not omen. Ask what the difficult scene is showing you about the situation, and give it a day before drawing again.

Using the Sabian Symbols as an Oracle: How to Ask, Draw, and Listen

The Sabian Symbols work as a modern oracle, like the I Ching or tarot. Learn how to phrase a question, draw a degree, and read the image without forcing it.

Category: Sabian Symbols
Published: August 2026
Author: Moonlit Zones
Read time: 7 min

Frequently asked questions

Can the Sabian Symbols be used like tarot cards?: Yes. The 360 symbols function as an oracle much like tarot or the I Ching. You formulate a question, choose a degree randomly or by the Moon's current position, and contemplate the image in relation to your situation. Rudhyar's 1973 <em>Astrological Mandala</em> explicitly presented the set as "a contemporary American I Ching" [1].
What is the best way to draw a Sabian Symbol?: Any consistent random method works: a random number from 1 to 360, dice, printed Sabian cards, or the Moon's exact degree at the moment you ask. Consistency matters more than the method. In Moonlit Zones, <a href="/sabian-symbols">the instrument</a> already shows the live Moon degree, which many practitioners use as their draw.
How do I interpret a Sabian Symbol I drew for a question?: Read the plain image first, then work in three passes: the literal scene, where that scene already exists in your situation, and what attitude or action the image makes possible. Avoid judging the symbol as good or bad, and avoid forcing a literal match.
Do I need to believe in astrology for the oracle to work?: No. The oracular use asks only for attention, not belief. You are using a fixed set of evocative images as a mirror for your own thinking. Rudhyar designed his version of the set for divination "even outside of astrology" [2].
What if I draw an unsettling symbol?: Difficult images belong in the set; Jones deliberately kept the destructive-seeming scenes Wheeler saw in 1925 [3]. Treat an unsettling draw as information, not omen. Ask what the difficult scene is showing you about the situation, and give it a day before drawing again.