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The Meaning of 360 Zodiac Degrees

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Charubel, La Volasfera (Sepharial) & Isidore Kozminsky in one volume

The Meaning of the 360 Zodiac Degrees is a comprehensive and authoritative compilation that brings together the complete zodiac degree interpretations of Charubel, La Volasfera (translated by Sepharial), and Isidore Israel Kozminsky. These zodiac degrees—one for each degree of the 360° zodiac circle—form a subtle yet powerful layer within astrological interpretation and have fascinated astrologers, mystics, and esoteric scholars for centuries.

Each zodiac degree represents a unique symbolic vibration that can refine the interpretation of personality traits, life themes, karmic patterns, and spiritual development. From antiquity to the early modern occult revival, astrologers have attempted to catalogue and decode the deeper meaning embedded in every single degree of the zodiac.

The Historical Origins of Zodiac Degree Symbolism

The exploration of zodiac degree meanings can be traced back to Claudius Ptolemy, who associated degrees with planetary influences. During the Renaissance, astrologer Johannes Engel (Angelus) expanded this work through detailed studies of decans and individual degrees.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this tradition reached a new level of symbolic depth through three pivotal contributions:

  • The clairvoyant degree symbols of Charubel

  • The enigmatic zodiac degree series attributed to La Volasfera, translated into English by Sepharial

  • The psychologically and astrologically refined interpretations of Isidore Kozminsky

This volume unites these three influential systems into one coherent reference work, published by VAMzzz Publishing, making it invaluable for both beginning astrologers and seasoned professionals seeking to add an often-neglected dimension to natal chart interpretation.

Charubel – Clairvoyant Astrology and Zodiac Degree Symbols

Who Was Charubel?

John Thomas (1826–1908), known under the professional name Charubel, was a Welsh-American clairvoyant astrologer, occultist, and healer. Raised within a Christian framework, he later became involved in Mesmerism, herbalism, astrology, mediumship, and occult philosophy. His guiding principle, “inner and not outer,” reflected his belief in direct spiritual perception rather than dogma.

Charubel claimed to possess clairvoyant vision or “second sight,” enabling him to perceive subtle beings he called Elementals or Submundanes. He edited several occult journals, including The Seer, The Occultist, and The Psychic Mirror, and authored works such as Psychology of Botany, Minerals and Precious Stones (1906), illustrated by Aubrey Beardsley. He also wrote under the pseudonym Julius Balsamo.

Charubel as Medium and Healer

As a medium, Charubel reported communication with Colour Spirits, sometimes under dangerous circumstances. Even benign elementals, he claimed, could become violent during storms.

He developed a system of occult symbols, first published in Alan Leo’s Astrologer’s Magazine in 1893, and became widely known for his healing work, particularly in treating rheumatism. His esoteric practices included the creation of talismans and the meticulous preparation of handwritten horoscopes on parchment.

The Celestial Brotherhood

Charubel founded an esoteric order known as The Celestial Brotherhood, also called The British and Foreign Society of Occultists. Comparable in structure to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the society emphasized sacred names, planetary spirits, and inner spiritual transformation.

Astrologer Alan Leo, a member of this order, adopted the name Agorel. Though short-lived, the society left a lasting influence through its precise cosmology and spiritual symbolism.

Charubel’s Zodiac Degree System

Charubel’s zodiac degree symbols were first published in 1898 as The Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised by Charubel. A later edition incorporated the degree symbolism of La Volasfera, translated and annotated by Sepharial, and was republished in 1907 by L.N. Fowler & Co. This expanded work remains one of the foundational sources for symbolic degree interpretation in astrology.

La Volasfera and Sepharial – An Enigmatic Legacy

La Volasfera

The zodiac degree system attributed to La Volasfera is considered one of the oldest surviving symbolic degree series. The true identity of its author remains unknown. According to Sepharial, the text was translated from an earlier source by Antonio Borelli (or Bonelli)—a figure as elusive as La Volasfera himself.

Sepharial (Walter Gorn Old)

Walter Gorn Old (1864–1929), better known by his pen name Sepharial, was a prolific English astrologer, numerologist, and Theosophist. He authored over 58 books, many of which are still regarded as foundational within Western astrology.

Sepharial played a prominent role within the Theosophical Society before his expulsion following the controversial Judge Case. After leaving the Society, he continued to publish influential astrological works, including his 1907 English translation of La Volasfera, significantly shaping modern zodiac degree interpretation.

Isidore Israel Kozminsky – Zodiacal Symbology and Planetary Power

Isidore Israel Kozminsky (1870–1944?) was an Australian-born astrologer, occultist, and numerologist of Prussian Jewish descent. Closely associated with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Kozminsky integrated astrology, Kabbalah, and symbolic psychology into his work.

In 1917, he published Zodiacal Symbology and Its Planetary Power, a landmark text offering refined interpretations of each zodiac degree. His later book, The Magic and Science of Jewels and Stones (1922), revisited and expanded upon Charubel’s work on mineral spirits and sigils.

Despite maintaining a successful jewelry business and holding a doctorate in archaeology, Kozminsky’s enduring legacy lies in his contribution to esoteric astrology. Conflicting accounts exist regarding his death, with sources citing either a London Underground accident in 1940 or a V1 missile attack in 1944.

Why the 360 Zodiac Degrees Matter in Astrology

The 360 zodiac degrees offer astrologers:

  • Greater symbolic precision

  • Enhanced psychological nuance

  • Deeper spiritual and karmic insight

By synthesizing the visionary work of Charubel, the enigmatic tradition of La Volasfera, and the analytical clarity of Kozminsky, this collection preserves one of the richest symbolic traditions in Western astrology.

This article is part of VAMZZZ’s ongoing exploration of occult traditions, folklore, and esoteric history.

 

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