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Astrology · La Volasfera Degrees

La Volasfera (Sepharial) Degrees

360 symbolic images and meanings, one for each degree of the zodiac, created by British astrologer Sepharial and published in 1898. A structured interpretive layer for exact degree placements in astrology.

| What Is La Volasfera?

La Volasfera is a system of 360 degree symbols, one for each degree of the zodiac, created by the British astrologer Sepharial and published in 1898. Each degree is assigned both a symbolic image and an interpretive meaning, providing a dual-layered approach to understanding exact degree placements in a chart.

The title "La Volasfera" translates roughly as "the rolling sphere," a reference to the celestial sphere and its continuous rotation through the zodiac degrees. Sepharial's system is notable for its structured format. Each degree entry pairs a concise visual image with a written interpretation that describes the qualities, tendencies, and themes associated with that degree.

Published in the same year as Charubel's The Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised, La Volasfera represents an independent and parallel effort to catalogue the symbolic significance of every zodiac degree. While Charubel relied on clairvoyant vision, Sepharial drew on his extensive background in astrology, theosophy, and occult scholarship to construct his degree meanings.

La Volasfera Degrees are symbolic rather than literal. The images and meanings work best as reflective prompts interpreted through chart context. Each entry is designed to evoke insight, not to predict specific events.

| Who Was Sepharial?

Sepharial was the pen name of Walter Gorn Old (1864-1929), a British astrologer, theosophist, and prolific author on occult subjects. He was one of the most influential astrological writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing extensively to the fields of astrology, numerology, and esoteric philosophy.

Sepharial was closely associated with the Theosophical Society and worked alongside prominent figures including Helena Blavatsky. His intellectual approach combined traditional astrological methods with a deep interest in symbolic and mystical systems, giving his work a distinctive analytical quality that set it apart from many of his contemporaries.

Among his many works, La Volasfera stands out as one of his most enduring contributions to astrological practice. Published in 1898, it reflects his systematic approach to astrology. Rather than relying on trance or vision, Sepharial constructed each degree symbol through careful study and synthesis, producing a reference work that practitioners continue to consult over a century later.

Sepharial was remarkably productive during his career, authoring dozens of books on astrology, kabbalah, numerology, and prediction. La Volasfera remains one of the foundational degree symbol systems in Western astrology.

| La Volasfera vs Other Degree Systems

La Volasfera is one of three major degree symbol systems available in Genetic Matrix, alongside Sabian Symbols and Charubel Degrees. Each system was created independently and carries its own distinctive approach. Here is how they compare:

Origin

La Volasfera was published by Sepharial in 1898, the same year as Charubel's degree symbols. The Sabian Symbols came later, produced through a collaboration between Elsie Wheeler and Marc Edmund Jones in 1925. Each system emerged from a completely independent creative process.

Method

Sepharial drew on his scholarly background in astrology and theosophy to construct each degree symbol through study and synthesis. Charubel used solitary clairvoyant vision. The Sabian process involved Wheeler entering a trance state while Jones presented blank cards. Three very different methods, each producing a complete set of 360 symbols.

Structure

La Volasfera is unique among the three systems in providing both an image and a separate written meaning for each degree. Sabian Symbols and Charubel Degrees each provide a single symbolic image or description per degree, while La Volasfera gives you two complementary elements to work with.

Using Multiple Systems

Many practitioners find value in comparing all three systems for the same degree. Where the symbols agree, the theme may be especially strong. Where they differ, each system can illuminate a different facet of the degree's meaning, giving you a richer interpretive palette.

No single degree symbol system is more "correct" than the others. They are independent symbolic lenses, each valuable on its own and especially useful when compared side by side.

| How Genetic Matrix Uses La Volasfera Degrees

Genetic Matrix has added La Volasfera Degrees as a chart type, available alongside the existing Sabian Symbol and Charubel Degree charts. This means you can now view all three degree symbol systems for every person in your account, giving you three independent symbolic perspectives on the same placements.

  1. 1

    Select the person's name from My People

  2. 2

    Open their Astro Natal Chart

  3. 3

    In the View dropdown, select La Volasfera

  4. 4

    The full La Volasfera chart is displayed. Select individual degrees to reveal the symbolic image and interpretive meaning for that degree

Image and Meaning Together

Unlike other degree symbol systems that provide a single description, La Volasfera gives you both a symbolic image and a separate written meaning for each degree. This dual structure lets you work with the visual symbol and the interpretive text independently or together, offering more entry points for reflection.

Integrated with Your Chart

La Volasfera Degrees are automatically generated for every person in your Genetic Matrix account. There is no additional setup required. The chart is ready to view as soon as you select the La Volasfera option from the View dropdown.

Use Wisely

As with all degree symbol systems, La Volasfera Degrees work best as reflective prompts, not literal predictions. Let the chart context, the planet involved, and its aspects guide your interpretation of each symbol and meaning.

Each La Volasfera degree reveals both a symbolic image and a written meaning, combining visual and interpretive elements directly within the Genetic Matrix platform, just like the Sabian Symbol and Charubel Degree charts.

| Frequently Asked Questions

What is La Volasfera?
La Volasfera is a system of 360 degree symbols created by British astrologer Sepharial (Walter Gorn Old) and published in 1898. Each degree of the zodiac is assigned a symbolic image and an interpretive meaning, providing an additional layer of insight for exact degree placements in astrology.
How is La Volasfera different from Sabian Symbols?
Both systems assign a symbolic image to each of the 360 zodiac degrees, but they were created independently by different people using different methods. La Volasfera was published by Sepharial in 1898 and pairs each degree with both an image and a written meaning. The Sabian Symbols were produced in 1925 through a collaboration between Elsie Wheeler and Marc Edmund Jones, and tend to be more narrative and scenic in style.
Who was Sepharial?
Sepharial was the pen name of Walter Gorn Old (1864-1929), a British astrologer and theosophist. He was a prolific writer on astrology, numerology, and occult subjects, and was associated with the Theosophical Society. La Volasfera, published in 1898, remains one of his most enduring contributions to astrological practice.
Does Genetic Matrix support La Volasfera Degrees?
Yes. Genetic Matrix has added La Volasfera Degrees as a chart type alongside the existing Sabian Symbol and Charubel Degree charts. The La Volasfera chart displays both the symbolic image and the interpretive meaning for each degree placement, integrated directly into your astrology readings.
Can I use La Volasfera alongside other degree symbol systems?
Yes. Genetic Matrix supports La Volasfera, Sabian Symbols, and Charubel Degrees as separate chart views. Comparing multiple degree symbol systems for the same placement can reveal richer layers of meaning. Where they agree, the theme may be especially strong.
Are La Volasfera Degrees meant to be taken literally?
No. Like other degree symbol systems, La Volasfera Degrees are symbolic and interpretive. The images and meanings work best as reflective prompts that add depth to chart analysis, not as fixed predictions or literal descriptions. Let the chart context guide what each symbol means for you.

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