A new method for obtaining Russell-Saunders terms of atomic configurations is reported. This new method is significantly different from, while at the same time complementary to, previously published methods for obtaining atomic terms. This novel procedure is elicited by the method used to determine the splitting of S, P, D terms in weak ligand fields and the splitting of s, p, d orbitals in strong ligand fields. Thus, it shares some common features with methods for determining molecular terms. The method is simple and can be applied to both nonequivalent and equivalent electron configurations. Although simple in principle, the method has never been used to derive Russell-Saunders terms for free atoms. For equivalent electron atomic configurations, the new method is able to exclude the impossible microstates applying same principles used in molecular systems. The new method also shows students that original thinking can be worthwhile even in well-developed traditional fields. (Contains 1 note and 4 tables.)