THE FAIRCHILD SYMBOLS
Introduction
This set of symbols contained in this booklet was divined by a
clairvoyant who shall remain anonymous for the time being. We had
discussed the technique that was used by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie
Wheeler almost 85 years ago for the creation of the Sabian Symbols and
felt that we wanted to create a set for the current generation and the
21st century. On a clear day, January 6, 2001, we sat in a tropical setting
at Fairchild Gardens in Miami, Florida. We set ourselves the task of
creating 360 symbols in the same space of time that Marc and Elsie did
in 1925. We began at 9:30 AM. I had 360 index cards, each with one
degree of the zodiac on it. I shuffled the cards and the clairvoyant
would give a symbol, which I would write on the card. Then I shuffled
the cards again and repeated the process. We took a break for lunch,
completing the 360 degrees by 4:30 PM.
The Palm Tree
The word Palm brings to mind two images _ the posterior side of the
hand exposed with fingers outstretched and the magnificent tree whose
branches stretch towards the heavens. The word comes from the Greek
palame, or the Latin palmus meaning the palm of the hand. A little
imagination can see the resemblance between the tall arm of the palm
tree capped by outstretched fronds seeking light and the hand at the end
of the arm asking for food and friendship.
On the desert, in the tropics, and wherever there are warm breezes
and water currents, the palm thrives. Its presence in the desert
signifies an oasis of cool waters and shade after a long trek under the
heat of the desert sun. On tropical islands the coconut palm provides
food and drink. The fronds and dried bark provide raffia and rattan for
shelter, clothes, and furniture. Our industrial civilization extracts
oil from the palm and we have soap, candles, lubricants, margarine, and
fuel.
In the Sabian Symbol Set Gemini 25 is A Man Trimming Palms. Old dry
foliage often remains on the palm for a long period of time. Trimming
them makes the tree more aesthetically pleasing and encourages continued
growth. This picture can be a symbol of the care which man takes of the
earth and its resources. On an esoteric level it can symbolize the
removal of old behaviors in order to move forward on our spiritual
journey towards light and love.
In the Fairchild Set Sagittarius 20 is A small Asian child standing
on the palm of a giant's hand. The palm in this symbol reiterates the
concept of support, substance, and upliftment - gifts we receive from
the Palm tree.
In a previous home we had a tall Queen Palm whose fragrant flowers
attracted lightning bugs. At night I would look up among the fronds. The
tree was decked out in its own set of twinkling lights. On an esoteric
level we reach out of the darkness of our lives seeking light and food
to nourish our soul and body. It is my hope that this new set of symbols
will provide you with that sustenance.
