Symbols and Colors

SpiritualSymbols&Colors
WrittenbyKatieVaughnKelso
ColorsalsowrittenbyCaseyCarothersandChristineBreeseD.D.,Ph.D.
Introduction
Symbols have always surrounded us in our daily lives and allow us to process immense amounts of informationinashorttime.Wemakequickdecisionsbasedonaglanceatstreetsigns.Weconnectbusinesslogos andbrandnameswithanarrayofmeanings.Everytimewereadabookwetransformthelettersonthepageinto meaning. We even think in images and dream in symbols. Jean Houston, in her Mystery School (2003) lecture, explains,OneofthegreatmajoraccesswaystotheextraordinaryuniverseisthroughimagesItisthesecret toolofthehumanmindbrainsystemasitrelatestoanddownloadstheuniverseandthisisafactknownbyall peoplesandallplacesandtimes:imageshavepsychophysicalandpsychospiritualpotency...Thismeansthatin boththeancientcreationstoriesandmodernonesaswell,thereareimagesthatevokeinusanddecodeinusthe veryplaceoftheeverpresentorigin. Just as our dreams are filled with symbols that are rich in meaning, the same great archetypal personalitiesandstoriesappearallovertheworldwiththesamemeaning.Houstonfurtherasserts,Beneaththe surfacecrustofconsciousnesswearefilledwiththegreatstories,thegreatthemes.Itsjustpartofthegivensof the psyche: archetypes, numinous borderline persons, great energetic transformative tales, the hero/heroines journeywearecodedwiththestory.Theyarepartofthetranspersonalandgiveusthepower,andthedomain, and the impetus, and the courage of the larger journey. These images became imbedded in the psyche of humankindandareawakenedthroughtheuseofsymbols.Wearefilledwithsymbolicstructures.Symbolsare there,redolentinthepsycheofourselves...Symbolscontain,likeaDNA,codingsofimmenseinformation,anda symbol,whenitwakesupinyou,willsuddenlyfloodyourmindwithtremendousamountsofknowing.Those symbolsseemtobecodedinthehumanpsyche. This symbolic understanding is paramount to religion and spirituality, as well as culture. According to editor,MirceaEliade,inTheEncyclopediaOfReligion(1987),Symbolismistheverylifesbreathofreligion.Every sentiment,everyideal,everyinstitutionassociatedwiththephenomenonofreligion,beitnobleorignoble,subsists inanatmosphereofsymbols.Itisthroughsymbolsthatreligionssurviveinourmidstandthroughsymbolsthatwe gain access to the religious life of past or alien cultures. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,affirmsthis:Theurgetomakepictures andsculpturesofthegodsisahumanneedwhichhasfoundexpressioninmostreligions,althoughsome,notably Judaism,haveprohibitedit.AsChristianitydeveloped,imagesofChrist,theVirginandthespiritsbecameobjectsof reverence, sometimes credited with the power to perform miracles The human mind is so constructed that for mostpeople,comprehensionofanythingimpliestheabilitytopictureorvisualizeit. Thiscourseendeavorstorevealthemeaningsbehindsymbols.Itisabeginning,aplacetostartthestudents understanding.Letmebeclear:Idonotpretendtohaveuncoveredthecompletemeaningofeveryreligiousand spiritualsymbol.Asyouread,youwillbegintounderstandtheinexhaustiblemeaningsbehindsymbols.However, youwillalsofindthreadsofmeaningthatconnectasinglesymboltoanarrayofmeanings,whichisessentiallythe key of symbols: one can look at a symbol and have a flood of understanding that connects culture, religion, spirituality, and the psyche. For this reason, even as it appears overwhelming, there is much repetition, for, as HoustonandEliadepointout,thesamestorieswiththesamesymbolismaretoldoverandoveragainregardlessof timeorplace.Inthisliesthetruevalueofthiscourse.Asyoureadyourothercourses,suchasWorldReligionsor Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology, use this one as a reference guide, a point of connection between ideas and cultures,topiecetogetherthelargerarchetypalstoriesandgleanthewisdomtheyholdforus.Remember,thisis onlythebeginningofunderstandingthepersonalwisdomthesesymbolsholdprivatelyforyou.Enjoy! Inverted or Upsidedown Symbols: Although an inverted or upsidedown symbol can mean the opposite of the symbol rightside up, it can also simply mean something different than the symbol viewed normally,anddoesnotnecessarilyhavenegativeorominousmeaning.AccordingtoMan,Myth,AndMagic:The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, Inverted symbols,forexample,thingswhichareupsidedown,backwards,thewrongwayaround,aregenerallyconnected withevil,blackmagicandwitchcraftbecausetheyreverseacceptedstandardsofwhatisgood. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 1
ReviewOfLiterature (ExamquestionsarenotdrawnfromtheReviewOfLiteraturesection) TheAncientArtOfColorTherapy(1975),byLindaClark.Duetotheabundanceofmaterial,thisbookwas not actually quoted from for this course, however, it remains an inspiration and contains much useful information,thereforeitissuggestedreadingforUMSstudents,asClarkexplainsintheAuthorsPreface,This book is the result of twenty years of research; it covers the information found in nearly every major book ever writtenonthesubject.Clarkstartswiththebasichistoryandfunctionoflightandthengoesontoexplainhowit has been used by doctors and other practitioners (whos names have been removed for security) to affect psychologicalandphysicalhealthincludingnutritionandeyeproblems.Shethengoesontoexplainwhatcolors to use associated with gemstones and amulets. Clark is not a practitioner herself, but an author of numerous booksonhealthfullivingandeditorofGracemagazine. Color Test: The Remarkable Test That Reveals Your Personality Through Color (1969), by Max Luscher, translated by Ian Scott. This book is yet another test that describes personalitythrough the patterns of colors a person chooses based on affinity, as the jacket states, The principle of the Luscher Color Test is that accurate psychologicalinformationcanbegainedaboutapersonthroughhischoicesandrejectionsofcolors.Whilethe testcanbegivenbylaypersons,itismeantforpsychologists,physicians,andotherprofessionals.Thisbooktakes a psychological approach, suggesting anxiety managements, and strategies for conflict resolution based on the resultsofthetest.MostoftheinformationforthiscoursecamefromChapter6:TheMeaningOfTheEightColors (grey, blue, green, red, yellow, violet, brown, and black). Max Luscher is a Swiss psychologist and color consultant who developed the color test in the 1940s and popularized its use in Europe as a test for psychologists,physicians,andevenjobscreenings. The Encyclopedia Of Religion (1987), edited by Mircea Eliade. This comprehensive work provides informationon all typesof religious traditions, ideas, practices,persons, andphenomenafrom earliest times to the present. Eliade was educated as a philosopher with long periods of study in India at the University of Calcutta.HedirectedtheHistoryofReligionsdepartmentattheUniversityofChicagoforthirtyyears,andhas published extensively on the history of religions, notably on shamanism, yoga and cosmological myths. He speaks8languagesfluentlyincludingRomanian,French,German,Italian,English,Hebrew,PersianandSanskrit. What Is The Enneagram? (2004), by Helen Palmer and David Daniels, was used in this course. The informationcamefromtheirwebsitewww.theauthenticenneagram.com.HelenPalmerisalsotheauthorofseveral acclaimedbooksontheenneagramincludingTheEnneagram:UnderstandingYourselfAndTheOthersInYourLife. Fromtheirwebsite:HelenPalmerisateacherofpsychologyandintuition.Shehasauthoredfivebooksinthe literature of consciousness, including two international bestsellers on the Enneagram topic, which have sold overhalfamillioncopiesworldwide.HeleniscurrentlythesubjectofapublictelevisiondocumentaryBreaking Out of the Box: Discovering the Enneagram, and together with David Daniels, M.D., codirects The Trifold Schoolorganizationthatreflectsherthirtyyearcommitmenttobridgingpersonalandspiritualrealities. David Daniels, M.D., a leading developer of the Enneagram, is Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Medical School. Dr. Daniels maintained a private psychiatric practice in Palo Alto, California for over 30 years and is a longtime teacher of the Enneagram. Together with Helen Palmer, he pioneered the Enneagram Professional Training Program designed to bring highquality Enneagram knowledge to individuals working in fields ranging from business to psychology He has developed many applications of the Enneagram, including individual and couples therapy, dream work, coaching, leadership styles analysis, and conflict resolution. Dr. Daniels served as codirector of the First InternationalEnneagramConferenceatStanfordUniversityinAugust,1994.HealsowasafoundingDirectorof theInternationalEnneagramAssociation(IEA)anddidmuchtoassureitssuccess.Thissiteisveryuserfriendly anduseful.Itisjampackedfullofinformation,selfteststodetermineEnneagramtype,andinformationforeach typetoeffectchangeintheirreality.Itisafabulousresource. The Everything Understanding Islam Book (2003), by Huda. Huda is an educator, freelance writer, editor, andhasbeenAbout.comsGuidetoIslamsince1998.HudaholdsaM.Ed.degreeinMontessoriEducation. TheGathas(1995),byHazratInayatKhan,isinvolume13:SacredReadingsofa14volumeset.Khanis, withoutadoubt,thesupremeauthorityonSufism. The Hidden History Of Jesus And The Holy Grail: The Early Christian Church Leaders Adopted Scripture And Teachings That Would Obscure The Truth About The Royal Bloodline Of Jesus (1997), by Sir Laurence Gardner, is a SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 2
lecture.ThislecturewasbasedonGardnersbookBloodlineOfTheHolyGrail:TheHiddenLineageOfJesusRevealed. For over ten years Gardner has been the historian and sovereign genealogist to thirtythree royal families in BritainandEurope.ThislectureunraveledthelayersofmeaningandsymbolismbehindthestoryofJesus,the Messiah,MaryMagdalene,aswellasotherkeyfiguresintheBible.Gardnerrevealsmistranslations,coverups, and hidden agendas in an academic and logical analysis of authentic historical records. This is a fascinating, easilyunderstood, and convincing discussion of the manipulation of the Church by corrupt leaders to control society,eliminatingtheroleandauthorityofwomen.Ilovedthisarticle(whichshowsmybias).Ifthereisone thingthatIrecommendasfurtherreadingforstudents,thiswouldbeit. HowToHealWithColor(1992),byTedAndrews.Thisbookgivesanoverviewofcolortherapy,instructing readers in the development of color sensitivity and teaching them techniques to heal the chakras affecting the personsmental,emotional,andphysicalwellbeing)usingcandles,airandwater,nature,andmandalas.Mostof theinformationforthiscoursecamefromthechapterColorsAndTheirEffects,whichcontainslistsofphysical problemsandcorrespondingbeneficialcolorsaswellasasynopsisofhowthedifferentcolorsworkingeneral. Ted Andrews, is a fulltime author, student and teacher in the metaphysical and spiritual fields. He conducts seminars, symposiums, workshopsand lectures throughout the country on manyfacets ofancient mysticism pastlife analysis, auric interpretations, numerology, the tarot and the Qabala as methods of developing and enhancinginnerpotentials.AndrewsisacertifiedSpiritualistmedium,hypnotist,acupressurist,andisinvolved inherbology. JewishLiteracy,KeyConcepts,StarOfDavid(2002)waswrittenbyRabbiShragaSimmons.FromtheJewish LiteracyProjectHomepageatwww.aish.com,RabbiShragaSimmonsisanIsraeli,Orthodoxrabbi,whoworksas a writer and editor for Aish.com and has volunteered to answer questions for the About Judaism site. This articlewasveryinformative. LifeColors(1991)wascreatedbyPamalaOslie.TheAuraLifeColorsQuizinthecoursecamefrom this book. The quiz allows people to identify themselves with a LifeColor, and then discusses the LifeColor in categories such as Relationships, Sex, Red Parents, Red Children, ProblemSolving, Money, Success, Occupations, and Health. The information on the lifepurpose, talents, obstacles, and strategies for fulfilling lifedestiny of the LifeColors was the most useful for this course. From her website, www.auracolors.com,PamalaOslieisanauthor,consultant,speaker,lecturer,andprofessionalpsychic.Formore than fifteen years, she has traveled extensively throughout the country presenting seminars and conducting workshopsabouttheemerginghumanpotential,psychicabilities,auras,andthepowerofourbeliefstocreate ourreality.Osliesworkisrecommendedforfurtherreading. ManAndHisSymbols(1964)waswrittenbyCarlJung.ThisbookpresentsCarlJung,thefamouspioneer ofJungianpsychology.Fromthepublishers:Illustratedthroughoutwithrevealingimages,thisisthefirstand only work in which the worldfamous Swiss psychologist explains to the layperson his enormously influential theoryofsymbolismasrevealedindreams.SincedreamsarecoveredindepthintheUMScourseDreamsAnd Dreaming,JungsworkwasnotextensivelyusedinthiscourseonSymbolsandColors.MarieLouisevonFranz contributedtwoofthesixessaysinthisbook,aswellascompletingtheeditingafterJungdied. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995) was editedbyRichardCavendish.This21volumeencyclopediasetisacommonlibraryreferenceforanthropological studies of religion and spirituality. According to the Readers Guide found in volume 1, it is designed to provideanunbiasedexplorationintothereligionsandculturesoftheworld,pastandpresent,andtheirbelief systems.Itisacomprehensiveguidetotheworldsmajor(andmanyoftheminor)faiths,philosophies,legends, mythologies,andfolklore,aswellasliterature,symbolism,superstition,andthesupernatural,fromtheremote pasttothepresentday.Theencyclopediaisaseriesofarticlesbydifferentauthorsandwasextremelyusefulinits thoroughness. MandalaSymbolism(2005)byMichaelBrown,Ed.S.MichaelBrownisaLicensedProfessionalCounselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy, and OrganizationalConsultant.Since1972,hehasbeenconductingindividual,family,couplesandgrouptherapy.He leadsoutdoorretreats,seminars,andweekendworkshops,andgivespresentationstoconferences,radio,andTV programsoncounselingissues,creativity,personalgrowth,professionaldevelopment,andspiritualrenewal.The mandala exercise for this course comes from the section of his website titled Mandala Symbolism, which is
SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences
reprintedfromCoastalPathways,Volume3,No.6,July,1991,VirginiaBeach,Va.Thisisalovelyexplanationof whatmandalasareandhowtheycanbeusedinonespersonallife. MaryMagdalene:TheBeloved(1999)waswrittenbyMargaretStarbird,authoroftheacclaimedGoddessIn The Gospels: Reclaiming The Sacred Feminine and The Woman With The Alabaster Jar. This article comes from www.magdalene.org, whose mission is to educate visitors about the various perspectives that exist about Mary Magdalenesortingoutthevariousthreadsofhistory,mythandreligion.Magdalene.orgisasecularsite;wedo not endorse any particular religion or set of spiritual beliefs. Starbird, however, has her own website, www.telisphere.com/~starbird/ that educates the public about Mary Magdalene and the Bible. Starbird, a Roman CatholicScholar,firstbelievedthestoryofJesusChristsmarriagetoMaryMagdaleneaheresy.Shesetoutto refuteit,butinsteaddiscoverednewandcompellingevidencefortheexistenceofthelostbrideofJesus,Mary Magdalene, in Starbirds own words. Starbird uses extensive study of history, heraldry, symbolism, medieval art, mythology, psychology, and the Bible itself to piece together history. Starbird has an M.A. degree in comparative literature and further postgraduate study at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Starbird is a delightful author,combiningatalentforstorytellingwithacademicresearch.Ihighlyrecommendherbooks. Pan (2004) was written by Aaron Arsma. This essay came from the Theoi Project, a site of individual entries of the various divinities and monsters, containing quotessourced from a wide variety of classical texts. The Theoi Project: Guide to Greek Gods, Spirits and Monsters, was created and edited by Aaron Arsma in associationwithTimSpaldingandtheancienthistory/artsitewww.isidoreofseville.com. TheRose:AMarianSymbol(2002)waswrittenbyBrotherJohnSamahaM.,S.M.Thisarticleisfromawebsite maintained by The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute located at the University of Dayton, a CatholicandMarianistinstitutionofhigherlearning,inDayton,Ohio.BrotherJohnM.Samaha,S.M.,belongstothe Pacific Province of the Marianists, and is currently working at Villa St. Joseph in Cupertino, California. He is a memberandofficeroftheMariologicalSocietyofAmerica.Thisarticlewasalsothoroughandinformative. The Sacred Cauldron (2000) and The Sacred Sword (2000), by Michael Ragan, from www.danann.org. From MichaelRagan:TheTempleofDanannisanonprofitorganizationfoundedin1979.Ourmissionistoresearch, teachandpracticethelife,philosophy,andreligionoftheancientIrish.Ourteachingsandwritingsarebasedon extensive research using a multidisciplinary approach involving archeology, anthropology, history, literature, mythology, folklore, language and art. As I learned, I also wanted to share with similar interests and similar thirsts. So in 1979 the Temple of Danann was founded as a simple teaching function. The goal, which has remained unchanged, was to expand the knowledge and understanding of the Old Religion of Ireland. In the beginning we shared much with the British influenced Craft. Over the years, continuing research and study of Irish lore, history and mythology has considerably broadened our knowledge and greatly focused our vision... Today, we can rightly be considered Irish reconstructionist we have developed both an introductory and an advancedcourseofstudyforthoseinterested.WealsopublishaquarterlyJournal,whichprovidessomeofthe resultsofourongoingresearch.Thissiteisgreatforgettingwellresearched,thoroughinformationonWiccan symbols,traditions,andpractice. Is The Star Of David Koshe?, by Rabbi Rick Chaimberlin. This article comes from www.yashanet.com. Chaimberlin has extensive Bible knowledge and publishes a Messianic Jewish quarterly magazine called Petah TikvahMagazine. SymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),byJohnBradner,explainswhatChristiansymbolsmeanand whytheyareusedatdifferenttimesoftheyear.Arrangedaccordingtothechieffestivalsandseasons,allentries withineachcategoryarealphabeticallylistedwithnumerouscalligraphicillustrations.Whilethisbookcoversthe explanationsofthesymbolsfromaChristianpointofview,itrarelygoesintothespiritualhistoryofthesymbols beforeChristianitycooptedthem. SymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992),byJ.C.Cooper.Thisbookcoversawidevarietyofsymbolism from traditions world wide. Jean C. Cooper is educated in Perennial Philosophy, and writes on philosophy, comparativereligion,andsymbolism.SheistheauthoroflucidintroductoryworksonChinesereligionsuchas Taoism, The Way Of The Mystic (1972), Yin And Yang (1981), and Chinese Alchemy (1984). In addition, she wrote several works in the fieldof symbolism, including Fairy Tales:Allegories Of The InnerLife (1983),Symbolism, The UniversalLanguage(1986),SymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992),andthebroadrangingclassicinitsfield,An Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Traditional Symbols (1978). This book was formatted like a dictionary and it provides muchoftheinformationusedintheAnimalssectionofthiscourse. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 4
1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), by Rowena and Rupert Shepherd. The authors, bothBritisharthistorians,arejoinedby12otherexpertsinthisfieldtopresentanamazingarrayofmulticultural interpretations of the world as condensed into symbolic images. They define a symbol as something that a particular culture considers to mean something else. Chock full of multicultural (including Africa, Europe, the MiddleEast,theFarEast,theAmericas,andthePacific)religiousandculturalinformationonsymbols,eachwithits own accompanying pictures, this book was userfriendly, interesting, and wellorganized (especially for a subject thatcaneasilygetoverwhelming).ThebookcontainseightsectionssuchasHeavenandEarth,Charactersand People,andObjectsandArtifacts.Thisbookwasinvaluabletome.Aftersiftingthroughdozensofbooksonthe subject,thisonewasfunandeasilyunderstood,withperspectivesthatreachedtoeverycorneroftheglobe. The Witch In Every Woman: Reawakening The Magical Nature Of The Feminine To Heal, Protect, Create, And Empower(1997),byLaurieCabot.LaurieCabothasmorethanfortyyearsofexperienceasaspiritualcounselor andpracticingwitch.CabotusesthewisdomofancientCeltictales,storiesofherownmaking,ritualactivity,and spiritualcommunion,toshowhowancienttruthscanempowerandexultthefeminineandlifepathstosuccess andpersonalfulfillment.Anenjoyableandinformativebooktoread,Cabotbringstogethertheancientwisdom ofwiccawithherownintuitedinformation. TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),byBarbaraWalker.With1,350entries,thisfeminist encyclopediaisthemostusedbookforthiscourse.Walkerhastheabilitytotellthewholehistoryofasymbol, leading them each back to their archetypal beginnings. In reading and crossreferencing this encyclopedia, the universalmythicalpatternsinspiritualityandcultureemerge.Thisbookisamusthaveforanyonewhohasever feltlikethereisadeepermeaningtomyths,legends,andsymbolsthanthemuddled,confusedretoldversions typically available. However, it must be noted that there is a distinctly feminist bent to this compilation of material.Notably,attheheartofmosthumanstoriesliestheprimallifeissuesofbirth,reproduction,anddeath. As such, many symbols are traced back to surprisingly sexual origins. A researcher and writer, Walker has authored numerous books including The Womans Dictionary Of Symbols And Sacred Objects, The Crone, The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets, TheSkepticalFeminist, The Essential HandbookOf WomensSpirituality And Ritual,Feminist FairyTales, Amazon, The SecretsOf TheTarot,TheI ChingOf TheGoddess, The BookOf Sacred Stones, etc. The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets is 25 years worth of synthesized information on mythology,anthropology,religion,andsexuality.In1993,BarbarawasnamedHumanistHeroineoftheYear by the American Humanist Association, and in 1995 she received the Women Making Herstory Award from NewJerseyNOW.Icannotrecommendthisbookhighlyenough.Itisamusthaveforyourbookshelf. World Tree(2005), from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia website: Wikipedia is a Webbased, multilanguage, freecontent encyclopedia written collaboratively by volunteersandsponsoredbythenonprofitWikimediaFoundation...Itspurposeistocreateanddistributeafree internationalencyclopediainasmanylanguagesaspossible.Wikipediaisoneofthemostpopularreferencesites on the web, receiving around 60 million hits per day. Wikipedia contains approximately 1.6 million articles It began as a complement to the expertwritten Nupedia on January 15, 2001 It is edited by volunteers in wiki fashion, meaning articles are subject to change by nearly anyone. Wikipedias volunteers enforce a policy of neutral point of view whereby views presented by notable persons or literature are summarized without an attempt to determine an objective truth. Because of its open nature, vandalism and inaccuracy are problems in WikipediaThestatusofWikipediaasareferenceworkhasbeencontroversial,andithasbeenbothpraisedforits free distribution, free editing and wide range of topics and criticized for alleged systemic biases, preference of consensus to credentials, deficiencies in some topics, and lack of accountability and authority when compared with traditional encyclopedias. Its articles have been cited by the mass media and academia and are available under the GNU Free Documentation License. As a research site, Wikipedia is questionable. However, I cross checkedWikipediainformationwithothersourcesandfoundittobeconsistentlyaccurate.Itsbenefittomewasits concisesummariesofsymbolssuchastheWorldTree.
SpiritualSymbols
Adam: In prebiblical myths, Adam and Eve are created by the Earth Goddess from her adamah, life givingclay/blood,soAdamisamanmadeofblood.BarbaraWalker,inherbookTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983),says,TheideaofAdamsribwastakenfromaSumerianGoddesswhoformedinfants bonesfromtheirmothersribs.ShewasbothLadyoftheRib,andLadyofLife.SeeEve. Air:SeeElements. Alchemists: Alchemy was influenced by both western and eastern tradition. Alchemy was practiced in ancient Egypt, spread to the Middle East, and by the renaissance it was flourishing in Europe, with contributions from both Kabbalists and Rosicrucians. Alchemy was also being practiced in China, Japan, India, and Persia as well, although the historical factsarefuzzy.Alchemistsweresupposedlyattemptingtolearnhowtocreategoldorsilver frompurifyinganybasemetal,althoughthisisametaphor.TheywerereallypracticingThe Art (as it was called by Greeks, Chinese, and Indians): a spiritual path of purifying their base selves to receive the gold of enlightenment. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia states, Alchemy is an early protoscientific practice combining elements of chemistry, physics, astrology, art, semiotics, metallurgy, medicine, mysticism, and religion. The common sense and the media normally identify three main goals many alchemists sought for. The most renowned goal of alchemy is the transmutation of any metal into either gold or silver. Alchemists also tried to create the Panacea, a remedy that would cure all diseases and prolonglifeindefinitely.ThePhilosophersstonewasthekeyinthesegoals. This mythical substance, which could just as well be a powder or liquid as a stone, would supposedly have the ability to do both. The third goal was creating human life. Their exploits into astrology, metallurgy, mysticism,andreligionprovideuswithmanysymbolsthathavebothphysicalandspiritualmeaning.Manyare included in this course, such as the symbols for the elements. The Philosophers Stone, or Stone of the Wise, wasparticularlycrucialtoWesternAlchemyasitisthegoaloftheWork,anditcantransmutebasemetalinto gold, or, according to some, give eternal life, according to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002).IntheEasterntradition,theGoldenElixirorGoldenFlower, withtheabilitytocuredisease,restorevitality,andgiveimmortalitywasemphasized.PhilosophersStoneand ChinesecharactersforGoldenElixirtotheleft. Alligator:SeeAnimals. Altar: From the Latin altus meaninghigh, an altarisusuallya raisedarea ofworship, dedicated to a divinity.Prayerscanbecarriedtothedivinityusingfireorsmokefromthealtar(incenseandsmudgesticksserve this purpose), and sacrifices and offerings are made to deities at altars. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in their book1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),state,Theitemsassembledonanaltarprovidea connectionbetweenpeopleandthespirittowhichthealtarisdedicated.Altarsareusedaroundtheworld,from AfricatoMexico.SeetheUMScourseAltarsandRitualsformoreinformation. Altar Light: Altar Lights symbolize the divine by maintaining an eternal fire. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd,intheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,Thecustomofkeeping lightsburningbeforealtarswasprefiguredbythefiresusedtoconsumethesacrificesmadeuponthem.Many religionstendedeternalfiresincludingtheZoroastrians,Romans,andtheVestalVirgins.Romanshadthelongest lived altar light. Candles are used to symbolize the eternal light by Buddhists, and Christians use a sanctuary lamp during vigilance and prayer, symbolizing Christ as The Light of the World. Similarly the Jewish tabernaclelampislitatnightsothatGodsdivinitywouldbevisible.SeeGoddess:Vesta. Ambrosia:SeeFruit. Amulet:AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt And Myth (2002), amulets are Small objects or pieces of jewelry imbued with magical or protective powers usually worn about the body. They can take the form of the deity they call upon or reflect the evil they are protecting against and are widely used and varied. Egyptians and Romans used such amulets as Ra or a cornucopia.InHindupractices,theyincludeVishnusFootprint,theVishnupadaandtheplaqueofHanumanfor bravery.IntheMiddleEastandpartsofAfricaitiscommontowearahandshapedamuletcalledtheHandof Fatima(thedaughteroftheProphetMohammed). SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 6
Angel:FromSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohnBradner,wereadthatAngelskneeling neartheHolyFamilyindicateadorationdueadivinity.Theheraldangel,sometimesseenfloatinginspacewith righthandraised,representstheannouncementtotheshepherdsandisatrueNativityAngel.Anangelinacircle intheskystandsforthestarseenbytheMagi.SeetheUMSAngelsandAngelCompanionscourse.
Animals
Alligator:ANorthAmerindiancultanimal;appearsonblackstonecarvingsonthenorthwestcoastandisthe totemanimalofaclanoftheCreeIndians,accordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper.In ancientEgyptianbeliefs,thealligator(crocodile)wasasacredanimal,aswellasinAboriginalbeliefsystems. Bat:Thebathasanambivalentsymbolismandmythology,beingunluckyanduncleaninsometraditions, andluckyandanacceptablefoodinothers,accordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper. BatsareeateninAssyriaandAfrica,andusedascharmsinEgyptbutdemonizedbytheOldTestament,asunclean abominations, depicting impurity and adultery. As a creature of night and dark places, bats are symbolic of desolation and desecration in many parts, but in China, though being a nocturnal yin animal, its name is a homophone of happiness, fu, and thus becomes happiness and good luck. For indigenous Americans, the bat represented shamanic death and rebirth, as the bat lives in the mothers cavewomb. In parts of Africa, bats are sacred,thecarriersofsoulsofthedead(asaremostcarrionbirds).Inthewest,whilebatsaresupposedtowardoff locustsandhangontrees,theyarealsoassociatedwithvampires,witches,graveyards,death,andthedevil. Bear:Thebearisoneoftheoldestifnottheoldestoftheverifiablesacredanimals;evidenceoftheBear Cult exists from earliest times, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper. Sacred shrines and altars have been dedicated to the bear since the Neanderthals and the bear remained sacred for shamanistic cults of the North American Indians, Icelandians, Finland, Siberia, and Japan. The Innuit honor the polarbearastheGreatSpirit.Oftensymbolizingthehunt,theshebear(oftentheGrizzly)symbolizesmaternallove and renewed life after the winter hibernation and springs new cubs. The Amerindians consider the bear the GuardianoftheWest,asdotheHopiIndians.ThebearishonoredbytheAinusofJapanbutconsideredabuffoon bytheCherokee,etc.TheshebearasUrsaMajoristhetotemanimalofArtemis,theAmazonianmoongoddess. Bee:Beesareprobablythemostuniversallysymbolicofinsects;objectsofadmiration,veneration,and fear and subjects of cults, rituals and beliefs in birth, death and the soul; they are also connected with supernaturalpowers,accordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper.Astheprovidersof thefirstsweetener(honey),preserver,andalcohol(mead),beeswerewidelyrecognized,sometimesasspiritual messengers.Theyareassociatedwithpurity,chastity,andvirginity,buttheirstinghasaphallicconnotation.The Lower Egypt royal symbol meant he who belongs to the bee, while Vishnu, Krishna, and Indra are called Madhava,Nectarbornones.InChinathebeeisassociatedwithindustryandthrift(feng).Demeterwascalled thePureMotherBeeandtheGreatMotherwasalsocalledTheQueenBee,whilebeeswerecalledthebirds oftheMuses,andwerebelievedtohaveguidedtheIoniansfromGreecetoAsiaMinor. Bird:SeeBirds. Boar: The GoldenBoar is one of thegreat solaranimals while the White Boar, dwellerinthe swamps andrepresentingthewateryelement,islunar.Insometraditionsitdepictsallthatisevilandunclean,inothersit can be divine, appearing on altars and images of gods, also on coins and standards; but it always symbolizes strength, fearlessness, savagery and wildness, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper. Often the boar represents the wild boar of winter and the coming spring, such as in the Sumero SemiticmythofTamnuz,theBoarofCalydon,andtheGraecoRomanboarofAres/Mars.Theboarissacredto Aphrodite,Demeter,andAtalanta.ItisdepictedinthehuntsofAdonis,Meleager,Hippolytus,andOdysseus.It wasthesacredanimaloftheearlyOlympicGames,aspatronofhonestplay.TheboarappearsinScandinavian, Teutonic, Celtic, and Druid myth, in Zoroastrian as the shining boar of the sun, and to the Chinese and Japaneseasthelunarwhiteboar. Buffalo: In North Amerindian lore the buffalo or bison portrays supernatural power, strength, and fortitude;italsorepresentsthewhirlwind,accordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper. The Plains Indians consider it sacred and the Cree, Pawnee, and Sioux consider the Cosmic Buffalo as their Grandfather and Father of the Universe. There are buffalo dances, festivals, sacrifices, and rituals among the Mandan Okapi, Zulus, and Malaysians. Vana (Vedic god of the dead) and The Taoist Lao Tzu both ride on a buffalowhileBuddhaissometimesdepictedasabuffalo. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 7
Bull:Asthebearistheprimarysymbolicandsacrificialanimalofthehunter,thebullisthatofpastoral andagriculturalcommunities,anditwasreverencedandworshippedfromearliesttimes,accordingtoSymbolic AndMythological Animals(1992) by J. C. Cooper.Representing usefulness, strength, virility,andambivalence, it wasthetotemanimalofthewarrior,andtheskygod.However,whenriddenbyagoddesssuchasAstarteor Sidonian Europa, the bull became a lunar symbol, together creating fertility. The Wild Bull was the consort of Inanna, Queen of Heaven and represented the god Baal for the Canaanite, Syrians, and Phoenicians. The Zoroastriansbelievedthebullwasthefirstanimalcreated,andwasreveredinEgyptasApis.ForHindusthebull representedstrength,speed,andfertilityasAgnis,theMightyBull,SivaridestheBullNandin(Guardianofthe West);theBuddhistgodofthedead,Yamaissometimesabull;andYahwehistheBullofIsrael. Butterfly:Inchangingfromthemundanecaterpillarandgoingthroughthestagesofdissolutionbefore emerging as the celestial winged creature the butterfly symbolizes rebirth, resurrection and the powers of regeneration,accordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper.InChinesesymbolism,the butterflyrepresentsimmortality,leisure,andjoy,andinJapanthebutterflycanalsorepresentthefalselover.In Greecethebutterflyrepresentedthesoul;inthePimamythitistheCreator;andinAustralianAboriginalmyth thecaterpillarwentupintotheskytofindoutwhathappenedtothedeadandcamebackasabutterfly. Calf, Golden: The Golden Calf is a symbol for Horus, a bullcalf form of Osiris, son of Isis, also called Hathor,whoincludestheGoldenCowinherprocessions.IsraelitesconsideredtheGoldenCalfsacredastheGod who led them to safety out of Egypt. According to Barbara Walker in her book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of MythsAndSecrets(1983),TheIsraelitesmadeofferingstohim,satdowntoafeast,thenroseuptoplay,which translatestocopulate. Cat: Egypt is where cats were first domesticated and revered as the Sphinx. In her book The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains,thecatwascarvedonIsisholysistrumand represented the moon. Probably due to their nocturnal behavior, they were associated with the moon and therefore the goddess. The saying that cats have nine lives was created in medieval times and probably comes from the Egyptian mythic ninefold goddess Ennead. It was at this time that cats were first associated with witches,whenitwassaidthattheycouldtransformthemselvesintoacatsshapeninetimeswithintheirlife.In England,thecatbecamethetotemofthemoongoddess,andinScotland,thegoddessofwitches,Mitherothe Mawkinstooktheformofeitherahareoracat.BytheInquisition,NicholasRemyhaddeemedallcatsdemonic and it became superstition that a witchs familiar was a gray cat and this led to the practice of burning cats in wickercagesonMidsummer,Easter,andShroveTuesday.ThecatwasthetotemanimalfortheEgyptiangoddess Bast(MotherofCats),aswellasArtemis/Diana.SeeSphinx. Camel:ThecamelisthemostvaluableanimalintheMiddleEast;itisnotonlyasacrificialanimalbutalso providesfoodandmilk,thehideisusedforleatheranditshairiswovenintoacoarsecloth,itisalsobelievedtobe apotropaic and a cure for rheumatism; the camels droppings are used for fuel, according to Symbolic And MythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper.Thecamelsymbolizesobedienceandsubservienceastheguardianof watersandspringsinArabiaandconsideredtheanimalofParadiseinIslamandtheProphetsworebyacamel. Cheetah: A Natural symbol of swiftness and speed, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper. The cheetah was trained for hunting in Assyria and Egypt and, along with lions and leopardsfollowedDionysos.AtotemanimalofAfrica,thecheetahwashonoredinritesanddancesofhunting. Cow: The cow is still sacred today in India, but throughout history has been an important creation symbol.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerintheTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),Perhapsthe mostcommonmanifestationoftheGreatMotherasPreserverwasthewhite,horned,milkgivingMooncow,still sacredinIndiaasasymbolofKali...Thecowwashonoredasthewetnurseofhumanity,andherimageisstill inadvertentlyinvokedtothisdayasanexpletiveHolyCow,oraperjorativeSacredCow.Egyptianlegendtells ofthesacredMotherHathorintheformofaheavenlycow,creatingtheMilkyWaywiththemilkfromherudder anddailygivesbirthtotheGoldenCalf(thesun),HorusRa,whoisalsoreveredbyAaronandtheIsraelites.Italy meanscalflandandaccordingtolegendwasthegiftoftheMilkgiverwhowascalledbymanynames,Lat by Etruscans, AlLat by Arabs, Latona, Lada, Leto, or Leda in Greece. In northern Europe her name was Audumla,Freya,orfiercecowandtheuniversewasequatedwithcurdledmilkinearlymythology.FromIndia comesthebeliefthattheuniversewascreatedfromtheChurningoftheSeaofMilk.Japanscreationmythsays that the primordial curdlecurdle was mixed with the first deities to make earth. Ancient Sanskrit speaking peopleandRomansalsoheldthecowasimportant. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 8
Crab:ThecrabisthesymbolforthezodiacsignofCancer.India,Egypt,Persia,China,northernEurope, andCentralAmericaallheldsimilarbeliefsaboutthecrabasforetellingthecomingoftheendoftheworld.See UMSAstrologyBasicscourse. Deer: Universally a symbol of swiftness, agility, gentleness and timidity, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper. The deer has been associated with the moon goddesses Artemis, Aphrodite, Athene, and Diana, as well as Apollo, and Vayu, the Vedic god of the wind. In China the deer representedhighrank,officialsuccess,andwealth.Celticsbelieveddeertooksoulstotheunderworld,andthey wereatotemanimaloftheIndigenousAmericans.TheAinuofJapanbelievetheycomefromheaven,madeof thehairofdeer,butthattheyhavetheevileye. Dog: The dog has been the companion of humans before history was recorded. In mythology, the dog appearsatthesideofthegoddess,guardingtheentrancetoherafterworld,whichisreflectedincardnumber18 oftheTarotdeck,twodogshowlingatthefullmoon.AccordingtoTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983) by Barbara Walker, Nearly everywhere one can still find the belief that dogs can see ghosts and other spirits, left over from the formerly universal association of canines with the world of death and the special preserve of the underground goddess. The Threeheaded hound, Cerberus, guarded the gates for Hecate, the deathgoddess, according to myths. The Celtic gatekeeper was a dog named Dormarth or Deaths Door. The EgyptianAnubis,godofgatewaysandmummification,isoneoftheoldestGodDogsknownastheOpenerof theWayandassociatedwithSirius,theDogStar(alsothestarthethreewisemenfollowedtofindtheChrist child). Anubis traveled to Christianity and became associated with Gabriel as judge of the dead. Romans worshipped Anubis, as well as other dog deities as keeper of the Great Mothers gate and guardian of the householdandwomen.TheRomancultgoddesstooktheformoftheshewolfLupa,whosuckledRomulusand Remus.DianatheHuntresswassaidtohaveadogcompanion,anddogsareoftenconsideredwitchsfamiliars. AstheGreatBitch,thedogwassacredtotheIndoEuropeangoddessSarama,theRomangoddessLupa,theWolf Bitch,andArtemis/DianaasthehuntingdogsAlani.SeeAnubis. Dolphin:TheKingofFishesispreeminentlythesymbolofseapowerand,asthearrowofthesea,itis swiftness,accordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper.Thedolphinisassociatedwith ApolloandisdepictedonthewallsofhistempleatDelphi.ItisassociatedwithAstarteandwithIshtar,aswell asIsis.FromSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohnBradner,Withpagansthedolphinhadbecomea popularsymbolofsalvationandimmortalitybeforeChristianstookitoverforuseintheCatacombs. Dragon: From the Greek work for serpent, dragons appear in mythology both east and west. GenerallyconsideredbenevolentinEasternmythology,dragonstendtorepresentgoodfortune, thunder,orwisdom,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002). In the West however, they are often depicted as fire breathing,humansacrificedemanding,andlivingincavespiledwithtreasure.ThisPhilistinesea god took the shape of a merman, fishman, or serpentman and was the god of farming and fishing.TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalkersays,On accountofthebadpublicitygivenhimintheBible,henaturallybecamealeadingdemonoftheChristianhell. SeeUMSAstrologyBasicscourse,ChineseDragon. Elk:AmerindianandSiberiansymbolofstaminaandstrength,thewarriorenergy,supernaturalpower, the whirlwind, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper. The elk is the totem animaloftheOmahas. Fish: This symbol has traditionally been a world wide symbol for the Great Mother, as a pointed oval, sign of the yoni, Vesica Piscis or Vessel of the Fish. The Hindus first gave this title to the goddessbecausetheysaidawomansyonihadafishyodor(inactuality,thisodoriscausedbyan outofbalancenaturalbacteriaofthevagina;ahealthyyonishouldsmellmorelikewarmyogurtdue to the acidophilus). In Chinese mythology the Great Mother KwanYin often appeared as a fish goddess. Minaksi, a portrayal of Kali became the fisheyed one who swallowed Shivas penis. Similarly,IsisbecameAbtu,theGreatFishoftheAbyssafterswallowingOsirisspenis.TheGreek word,delphosmeantbothfishandwomb,andtheOracleofDelphiwasoriginallyconnectedtothe goddessThemis,whotooktheshapeofagreatfish,whale,ordolphin.Thetraditionofeatingfishon Fridays is practiced in Catholicism but was originally a celebration of the fishgoddess Aphrodite Salacia because her sacred day was Friday, which in Latin turned into the Day of Venus for SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 9
Frog:Thefrogisasymboloffertilityandthefetus.Thismedievalwitchstotemstemsfromtheancient Frog of Hecate or Egyptian Queen of Heavenly midwives, Hekat, whose sacred amulet of a frog included the wordsIAmtheResurrection(Walker,1983).InRomeHecatebecameVenus,whosefleurdeliswasatrinityof frogs.TheBabylonianfertilitycharmofacylinderissealedwithninefrogscorrespondingtotheninefoldgoddess oftheninemonthsofgestation. Goat:Bothsexesofthegoatsymbolizefertility,vitality,andceaselessenergy.Thehegoatistheepitome of masculine virility and creative energy, while the female typifies the feminine generative power and abundanceThegoatislustpersonified,accordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper. GazelleandAntelopealsotakeonthesymbolismofthegoat.Asoneofthefirstdomesticatedanimals,goatskins were made into drinking bottles and parchment while the hair was woven into cloth and the meat and milk consumed.ThegoatwasassociatedwithsuchgodsasArtemisandDionysos(whosometimestooktheformofa goat).Panwashalfgoat,AzazelwastheSemiticgoatgodoflifeandcreativity,andLeshiwastheRussianwood spiritsatyr.Satyrswerehalfgoat,halfman.Christwasreferredtoasthescapegoattakingawaythesinsofthe world.ThegoatAmaltheasuckledZeusDictynnosandherhornsbecamethecornucopiaofplenty.Goatswere important to the sacrifices of Artemis and Athene, as well as at the Roman Lupercalia, as fertility magic. In Chinesetraditionthegoatrepresentsthemasculineyangprinciple,asthespiritgodYangChing. Goose: The goose, like many fairytale creatures, has a rich and powerful past. Originally an Egyptian myth, Mother Hathor takes the form of the Nile goose who lays the Golden Egg of her son, Ra, the sun god, which is sometimes called the gooseegg. The Mother Goose is also credited with producing the primal World Egg that hatched the universe. Shamans had a tradition of climbing a Heavenly Vine, or Ladder of Set, to the otherworldly home of a solar deity, whose incantation was the Egg of the Goose appearing from out of the sycamore. Fairytales such as Jack and the Beanstalk and Mother Goose are thinly veiled retellings of these religiousmyths.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,LikeHathor, Mother Goose was the godmother of all children. In her pictures she always wore the traditional garb of the witchmidwife:blackcloak,pointedhatliketheEgyptiancrown,andmagicwand.SeeEgg. Griffin:AlsospelledGriffonorGryphon.ThisimaginaryMiddleEasternandAssyriancreature is half eagle (head and talons) and half lion. According to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992)byJ.C.Cooper,thegriffincombinesthepowersoftheearthandsky.Asaguardianit furthermoredepictsvigilanceandvengeance.IttraveledtotheEastandsharedthesymbolism ofenlightenmentandwisdomalongwiththedragon.InGreeceitbecamesacredtoApolloasa solarbeing,Atheneaswisdom,andNemesisasvengeance(whosechariotisdrawnbygriffins inRomanart).InIndiaandScythiaitbecameTheBirdofGoldandguardianofthegoldminesaswellasthe sun,sky,anddawnfortheirassociationswithgold. Hare: The hare is a universal lunar animal from Mexico, South Africa, Asia, and China. According to SymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper,Thehareisalwaysanattributeoflunardeitiesandacts astheirmessenger;likethemoonitdepictsperiodicdeathandrebirth,rejuvenation,resurrection.Thehareisalso universallyafertilitysymbol;italsorepresentsfleetness,timidityandcraftiness.InAssyriaandEgyptthehare isconsideredananimalofthehuntbuttheTurksandJewsconsideritanuncleanfood.InRomeitwasletloose aspartofthefestivaloftheFloralia.TheCeltsassociatedhareswiththeirmoongoddessesandhuntergods,who often held the hare, as well as the Scandinavian Freyja and the Teutonic Holda, Harke or Harfa. The Teutonic lunar goddess Oestra or Eostra, whose name derives Easter, was hareheaded, and thus the hare became the Easterbunny.ThehareintheMoonepitomizesthefeminineyinandissometimesconsideredthemakerofthe elixirofimmortalityandpatronoflongevity,andtheguardianofallwildanimals.TheBuddhatooktheformof SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 10
lovemaking,believingthatfishwasanaphrodisiac.FromSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997) byJohnBradner,weread,EarlyChristiansfrequentlyusedthefishasasymbolofChrist,duetoits similarityintoChristinGreek.Likemanywidespreadsymbols,Christianitycooptedthefishasthe symbol of Christ, codenaming Jesus the fish (left top). Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, The fish symbol of the yonic goddess was so revered throughout the Roman empire that Christian authorities insisted on taking it over, with extensive revision of myths to deny its earlier femalegenital meanings. Mary is sometimes portrayedwiththefishsymbolonherbelly,representativeofthewomb.Salmonareaparticularly importantfishforindigenousAmericans,aswellasCelts.
the Great Hare and the Hindu moon god Chandras carries the hare. European legends regarded the hare as a witchs familiar and unlucky. Manabozho was a Great Hare creator for the Amerindians and West Africans celebratedthehareasthemagicalBrerRabbit. Horse:Thehorsehasbeenassociatedwiththesacredkingordivinerulerthroughouthistoryandpeoples, including the people of Norse, Rome, Greek, Crete, Sweden, Celts, Norway, Germany, Kent, and Pagans of NorthernEurope.Horsesacrifices,rituals,statues,andtitleshavebeenprolificsinceancientpaganhorseworship. ThetitleHengistandHorsa(StallionandMare)wasusedinKentasthetitleoftheKingandQueen,therulingpair. Thislatercarriedovertoothertraditionssuchastackingatwoheadedhorsetothethresholdofhomesforluckin Jutes.Warriorstestedtheirstrengthonhorses,wereburiedwiththeirhorses,androdetoheavenonthebacksof horses.Severalcostumesaroseoftearingsacredkingstopiecesbypriestesseswearinghorsemasks(inSweden),or byliteralhorsesinCretemythology.PopeCalixtusIIIinthe15thcenturyandtheChristianKingHaakoninthe10th centurycondemnedhorseworshippingandsacrifices.InherbookTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains,TracesofthehorsesacrificepersistedinEnglanduptothe16thcentury,whenit wasstillcustomaryforallhorsestobebledonSt.StephensDay,thedayafterChristmas,forluck. Jaguar:AccordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper,Thethirdlargestcatin theworldandthelargestspottedone,thejaguarisheldinconsiderablefear;itisamagicalandwereanimaland is a power symbol, although symbolically somewhat ambivalent, like the Chinese tiger which represents male creative power and the fierce warrior but also the powers of darkness, the female earth and destructive forces, and is associated with the cave, symbol of the womb, and with the Western regions. It is a shamanic and cult figureforCentralandSouthernindigenousAmericans.TheMayanscreatedsacrificialceremoniesandofferings tothejaguargodandtheAztecgodofwarriors;Tezcatlipocaisdepictedasajaguarwithaneagleathisside. Kylin:ThisChinesecreaturehastheheadofadragonwithasinglehorn,alionsmane,astagsbody, and the tale of an ox and embodies the yinyang with the Ky the masculine and Lin the feminine aspects. It is exceptionally gentle and symbolizes the feminine yin of benevolence and good will. Kylin accompanies sages andimmortalsandappearsduringthereignofvirtuousmonarchs,aswellasheraldsthebirthoffamouspeople likeConfucius.AccordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper,itisanincarnationofthe fiveelementsofthefivevirtuesandhasinitscompositionthefivecolours. Lamb:ThelambhaslongbeenasubstitutesacrificialofferingintheJewishtraditioninexchangeforthe firstbornsonsoriginallysacrificed.ThiscustomledtotheassociationoflambwithChrist,asthesonofYahweh (God)sacrificedforthepeople.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains, As the Lamb of God(agnusdei), Jesus was supposed to redeem the firstborn son Adam, and through him the wholehumanrace,whichmustbewashedinthebloodofthelamb,asthechurchtaught. Leopard: The leopard represents ferocity, aggression, and courage, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper. In Arabic, it is called Nimir and also denotes a boy who shows courage, boldness, and grace. In Egypt it is the emblem of Osiris and associated with the Greek Dionysos. In China they symbolize bravery and warlike ferocity and in Africa they are often a cult animal and considered sacred to the Benin Royal Family in West Africa, as well as being a totem animal for the ewe. Christianity associatedtheleopardwiththedevil. Lion: The lion is a symbol of the sun for Greece and Romans and also a symbol for the goddess (Ishtar, Astarte, Cybele, and Hathor) in the Middle East and Egypt. The lion also workeditswayintoArthurianlegendsastheSphinxlioness.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),says,Sometimessheappearedwithtwolionheads lookingforwardandbackward,likeherRomancounterpartJanusJane.Thiswasasymbolof time, with the hieroglyph xerefu and akeru, the Lions of Yesterday and Today. See Cat, Sphinx.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), In China and Japan lions are symbols of bravery and protection. Pairs of stone lionsguardtheentrancetoBuddhisttemplesandofficialbuildings.Thelionontherightwillbemaleandhave itsleftpawoveraglobesymbolizingthesun.Thelionontheleftwillbefemaleandhaveitsrightpawonacub, symbolizingcompassion.AgoldenmanedlionwasthetotemanimalofApolloChrysocomes. Mascot:Themascot,asananimalrepresentingateamorgroup,originatedfromanimalfamiliars(spirits takingtheformofanimals).Themoststereotypicalexampleisthatofawitchsblackcat.BarbaraWalker,inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, The mascot of a pagan totemic clan was its animal SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 11
mask, worn on ceremonial occasions. Traditionally associated with paganism and witchcraft, mascoto meant witchcraftandmascoasorceressinProvencalFrench;bothwordsalsoderivefrommask.SeeMask. Mouse:TotemanimaloftheGreeksungodApolloSmitheus. OctopusorPolypus:AccordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper,theoctopus isasymbolofinconstancyandfaithlessnessasitchangescolourunderstress.Theoctopusisoftendepictedin AegeanartandCretanjars.InMediterraneanartitsarmsbecomeaspiral,representingthunderandthephasesof themoonbutinCelticandScandinavianart,theyarestraight.Polynesianmythstelloftheprimordialoctopus bearingtwochildren,FireandWater,whobeganaconflictthatdestroyedtheworldbyflood. Otter:Itscloseassociationwithwaterhasdefinedthisanimalformanycultures.J.C.Cooperinthebook, SymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992),explains,TheotterwasanimportantcultanimalinancientPeruand wasassociatedwiththeocelotaslivingnearstreamsandwater;thetwocanbecombinediniconography.Ittakes onthefeminineenergiesofearthandwater,beinggraceandplayfulnessfortheAmerindiansandisatrickster fortheindigenousNorthAmericans.TheZoroastriansassociateditwithOrmuzd,andtheCeltswiththeLordof Animals,Cernunnos.TheAinuconsidertheotterforgetful. Owl:Asananimalofthenight,theowl,likethemoon,isanobvioussymbolofthegoddessandtheyare thetotemanimalsofMinerva,Athene,Lilith,andBlodeuwedd(Welshgoddess). Python:MotherHeragavebirthtothepythonwithoutthehelpofamalegodandtheserpent,likeLucifer andHephaestus,descendedtotheearthwomb,givingtheserpentthegoddesssecrets,makinghimintoanoracle of Delphi. Python and ApolloPython, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983),werereallythesamegodlikeallotherlightanddarktwins.SeeSerpent,below. Ram:Aswiththebull,stag,andgoat,theramrepresentsthefertilegod,sacrificedforthesakeofhumanity (often replacing the human sacrifice). Aries, the sun god, was depicted as a ram whose annual death and rebirth signifiedanewyear;theEgyptianholyramwascalledAmenRa;theJewsyearlysacrificealambtotheramgod identifiedwithYahweh;andramsweresacredinIsraelastheconsortoftheHolyEweRachelwholatermarried JacobintheBible,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Scorpion:TheScorpion,representingautumn,isoneofthefouranimalsassociatedwiththefourtimesof the year, and is often interchanged with the serpent. Babylon, India, Greece, and Maya of Central America all recognizethescorpionconstellationofstars.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMyths And Secrets (1983), Astrological myths everywhere placed Aquarius the Waterdrawer at the winter solstice, TaurustheBullatthespringequinox,LeotheLionatthesummersolstice,andScorpioattheautumnalequinox. Egyptian myths tell of Scorpio killing Horus in midwinter and later being resurrected by his Mother Isis. ChristianityadaptedthemasthefourtotemsoftheevangelistsandthefourangelsoftheApocalypse(Walker, 1983).SeeUMSAstrologyBasicscourse. Serpent/Snake: Due to its ability to renew itself through shedding its skin, the snake was believed by the ancient world to avoid old age and gain immortality. In The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains,Abasicserpentmythsaid the dual moon goddess of life and death made the first man. Her bright aspect suggested making him immortal like a snake, able to shed his skin; but her dark aspect insisted that he shoulddieandbeburiedintheearth.Thereverencefortheserpentcanbeseeninavarietyof expressions such as the Italian aver piu anni dun serpente Being older than a serpent. The Greek term for a snakescastisgerasoroldage.TheMelanesiansayingtosloughonesskinmeanseternallife(Walker,1983). TheHindugoddessAnantatheInfinitetooktheformofaserpentastheinnerfemalesoulofman,andthetemple KhmerofAngkorWatinCambodiawasdedicatedtotheserpentgoddesswhonightlyembracedthekingand signaled fora new kingwhen she did not appear. The Negritos (Chinese)said that MatChinoi was the divine serpent Mother of the Chinese. Aegeans worshipped women and serpents. Indigenous American Hopi ask the snaketocarrytheirprayersforrainintheSnakeDance(Shephard,2002).InIndia,theserpentgoddessiscalled Kadru, in Babylonia it is Kadi or Der, in Egypt she is called Mehen the Enveloper, the Akkadians called her Ninhursag,herJewishnamewasNehushtan,etc.AccordingtoSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohn Bradner,AserpentshownatthefootofthecrosssignifiestheevilresponsiblefortheFallofMan. SheepandShepherds:GreeksandRomanssacrificedsheeptoZeus/Jupiter,Hera/Juno,Mars,Silvanus, Terminus, and Aphrodite, as they could be eaten and their hide made into cloths. According to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper, Generally symbolizing silliness, timidity, helplessness and SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 12
unintelligent conformity, the sheep needs a shepherd to lead it; it also signifies placidity. From Symbols Of ChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohnBradner,weread,TheshepherdsrepresentthehumbleJewishfolkto whom Christ was first presented. Hindus regard the sheep as evil while Muslims believe them holy and Hebrewsconsideredthemamostvaluedpossession.InChina,shepherdsworshippedHuangChhPing,godof sheep.SheepincarnatethesoulsofancestorsinMadagascar. Sphinx:SeeCat. Sleipnir:TheNorseeightleggedgrayhorseofOdin.Thehorsesymbolizeddeath,asinthegallowstree onwhichOdinhung,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Spider: Thespider has symbolized the controller or weaver of fatefora variety ofspiritual traditions. Athena was associated with the spider in early writings as her totem animal, spinning the web of fate, and later as the maiden Arachne whose weaving inspired such jealousyinAthenathatsheturnedArachneintoaspider.HindumythologystatesthatMaya, thevirginfaceofthetriplegoddess,wasrepresentedbyaspider,spinnerofmagic,fate,and earthlyappearances similar to the Wheel of Fate (Walker, 1983). Clotho and the Virgin Moera were also associated with the spider. Due to the spiders habit of devouring her consort, she was depicted as the death goddessKaluUma.Similarly,Aztecmythologyheldthatspiderswerethesoulsofdeadwarriorwomenofthe preAztecmatriarchate,whowoulddescendfromheavenonsilkenthreadsattheendoftheworldtodevourall themenonearth.TheAmazoniansalsohadFatespinners.MedievalEuropeassociatedspiderswithwitches.The Ashanti(WestAfrica)spidergod,Anansi,ispicturedhere. Stag: The stag is preeminently a solar symbol, at war with the serpent. The stag trampling on the serpent, like the eagle with the snake in its talons, depicts the conflicting opposites, positive and negative, the finaltriumphofgoodoverevil,oflightagainstdarkness,andthespiritovermatter,accordingtoSymbolicAnd MythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper.ThesacredstagoftenappearswiththeTreeofLifeandrepresentsthe fertility god in SumeroSemitic rituals. The Celts associated the stag with the horned god Cernunnos and the huntergodCocidius,ashavingmalefertilitypower.InGreece,Artemisschariotisdrawnbystagsanditwasan attributeofDiana,Dionysos,andBacchus. Swine: Swine are found everywhere but Australia and New Zealand. They have a varied symbolism, representingextremefertilityandhenceprosperitybutalsotheheightofgreed,gluttony,lust,obstinacy,passion, and the unclean. The Great Mother goddess is sometimes associated with a fertility sow; in Rome they are sacrificedtoMarsasthegodofagricultureandtoCeresandTellusatharvestfestivals;inGreecetheyaresacrificed toDemeterthefertilitygoddess;thepigsometimesrepresentsSetinEgypt;Hebrewsconsideritanuncleananimal; Celts considered it food for the gods. It was ceremoniously hunted and killed and the Celts fertility goddess, Keridwen, was a sow. In China, they represent untamed nature, naturally greedy, and dirty. In Hawaiithe Hog childisconsorttotheFireGoddess.InMelanesia,thetuskedboarwasmostsacredtomenssecretsocieties. Tiger:AccordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper,IntheEastthetigertakesthe placeofthelionastheKingofBeasts;itrepresentsroyalty,fearlessness,ferocity,andwrathTigersofWrath.Itis alwaysapowersymbol.InIndiathetigerrepresentstheroyalcast,Kshatriyas.InChinaitisconsideredthekingof thebeastsandlordofthelandanimals,embodyingtheYangaspectsofauthority,courage,prowess,militarymight, and protection. The god of wealth rides a tiger, as well as Chang Taoling (Taoist Pope). In opposition to the CelestialDragon,itbecomesayinsymbolrepresentingearth,lunar,andmatter(whilethedragonrepresentsspirit). In Malaysia they were feared; in Sumatra they were powerful and friendly; in Java they were friendly; in South America they were shamanic animals; in Japan the tiger represents courage and warrior hero qualities; and Buddhismdepictsitasanger,oneofthethreesenselesscreatures(monkeyrepresentsgreedanddeerlovesickness). Toad:AccordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper,Asananimalofthehumid principleandonethatappearsanddisappears,thetoadislunarinitssymbolismbutalsorepresentsresurrection. Itcanalsodepictevil,theloathsome,anddeath.ThetoadwasassociatedwithAhriman,theevilpowerofgreed, envy,avarice,andalsofertilityinZoroastrianism;ChristianityassociateditwiththeDevilandwitches;Celtsalso believed it to be evil; in China it became a lunar symbol of the yin longevity, wealth, and moneymaking, and unassailability.InPolynesiaitrepresentsdeath;indigenousNorthAmericansbelieveditwasthedarkmanitou ofevil;butinMexicoitrepresentsearthandthetoadstoolisthesacredmushroomofenlightenment.
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Turtle/Tortoise: According to Symbolic And Mythological Animals(1992) by J. C. Cooper, As a creature of the waters, the tortoise is lunar in its symbolism and typifies the creative powers, fecundity,regeneration,time.Atthebeginningofcreationitfrequentlyisdepictedsupporting the world. In Hinduism, the tortoise supports the elephant (solar/masculine principle) who carriestheworld;inChinathetortoisealsosupportstheworld,withitsfourfeetbecomingthe fourcornersoftheearth;inJapantheCosmicMountainandabodeoftheSenninissupported by the turtle; the Ainu of Japan consider him the servant of the god of the sea; and the Indigenous Americans considertheturtleasymbolfortheearth(Shepard,2002).IndigenousAmericanturtlesymbolistotheleft. Unicorn: A mythical horse with a single horn in the middle of its forehead represents this symbol, possibly originating from the Babylonian dragonbeast of a horses body, lions legs, scales of a snake, and a hornedhead.Thiscreaturemayhaveappearedasabullinspring,strugglingwiththelionofsummer,similarto the emblem of the lion and unicorn (bull seen in profile) of the British coat of arms. Walker asserts that the unicornisaClassicsymbolofthephallichorsedeity,orsacredkingincarnateinahornedhorse.Theunicornis often seen in religious art with the Virgin Mary. John Bradner, in Symbols Of Church Seasons And Days (1997), states,Accordingtolegendtheonlywaytocaptureaunicornwastolayatrapforit,whichwouldbeavirgin seatedwheretheunicornwasaccustomedtorun.Theunicornwouldstopandgotoherandlayits[horned]head inherlap.ChristianwritersmadethisanallegoryoftheAnnunciationtotheVirginandtheIncarnationofChrist, bornofavirgin.SeeUMSWizards,MagicalCreaturesAndAdeptscourse. Whale:AccordingtoSymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals(1992)byJ.C.Cooper,alsocalledWhinlepoole, the whale symbolizes the power of the waters and hence regeneration, but it is also the engulfing grave. The AinuofJapanconsiderthewhalethegodoftheseaandthewhaleoccursthroughoutInuitlegendsandfestivals. Wolf: Although the general symbolism of the wolf is one of evil, destructiveness and devouring, its fierce qualities can also be protective and therefore venerated, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992)byJ.C.Cooper.TheEgyptiangodUpuatorApUatcanbedepictedasawolf,aswellasKhentiAmenti, OpeneroftheWay;inZoroastrianismAhriman,symbolofhumanevilisdepictedasawolf;inCeltictraditionthe King of Ireland was descended from a wolf and Cormac, and are often considered helpful animals; in Scandinavian, the wolf is ambivalent; in Japan it is admired for its ferocity, tenacity, and swiftness among the Ainus.ThewolfisthetotemanimalofGreeksungodApolloLycaeus.SeeDog. Animals,Totem:Manynativecultures,includingNativeAmericanIndiantribes,usedanimalstorepresentthe embodimentofacertaintypeofenergy.Forinstancetheowlisasymbolofwisdomandthedogisasymbolofloyalty. Ankh:ThissymbolisalsoknowninEgyptastheCrossofLifeandKeyoftheNile.Originally evolvedfromthesymbolfortheGoddessinLibyaandPhoenicia,thissymbolwasadaptedbythe EgyptianstorepresenttheunionoftheGoddess(oval)andGod(cross),whichproducedthelife giving floods of the Nile each year, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of MythsAndSecrets(1983).TotheEgyptians,thissymbolrepresenteduniversallifecharmofevery being. Christianity later refined the Cross of Life to one that lacked the female oval in the 5th century,butoccasionallyuseditearlyonasasymbolforimmortality. Anointing:AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanIn ArtAndMyth(2002),Anointingusuallysignifiesthecrossingofasymbolicthresholdandachangeofstatus [it]involvestheuseofwetelements(water,oil,milk,blood,andsoon)tomarkeventssuchastheconsecration of a priest, a coronation, or the inauguration of a project. Indian religions, Christians, Jews, Egyptians, and others use anointing in their religious ceremonies. Christians usually used holy water or oil for anointing at baptism,death,ordinationorcoronation.YounghunterswereanointedwiththebloodoftheirfirstkillinBritain. JewsanointedSacredkingsorpriestswhobecameaMessiah,oranointedone.InEgypt,anointingwasusedto purifyshrinesaswellashumans,aliveanddead. Antichrist:TheantichristisaChristiancreationfortheequalandoppositeofChrist.BarbaraWalker,in TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explainsthisuniversalpatternofdualism,wherebyeach godhadtohaveanequalandoppositeantigod,andtheAntichrististhisoppositeforChristandeverythingHe standsfor.TheAntichristresultedfromanimmaculateconceptionofSatan.Throughouttimemanypeoplehave been dubbed the Antichrist including Nero, Attila, Genghis Khan, Merlin, Frederick II, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm,Hitler,andevenseveralpopes.
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Anubis:ThisEgyptiangodcomesintheformofajackalheadedhumanandrulestheunderworldand mummificationastheopeneroftheway,actingasjudgeofthedead,likeHermes,intheGreekPantheonof Gods,ruleroftheUnderworld.AnubisispartneredwithNephthys,anundergroundaspectofIsis,accordingto BarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),andbothwereconsideredessentialto the worship of Isis and Osiris. Anubis was also known as the Great Dog and, at times, demanded the highest honors. Anubis may have been originally a canine incarnation of Shiva, whose name also meant a jackal, accordingtoWalker.SeeDog.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Apex: This pointed conical cap, worn by the Roman high priest, Flamen Dialis, was a phallic symbol representingacontinualunionwiththeQueenofHeaven,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). Dialis never went outdoors without wearing his hat. The wife of the Flamen,calledtheFlaminica,representedtheGoddessandwasmoreimportantthantheFlamen.Onherdeath, theFlamenautomaticallylosthissacredofficeandonceagainbecameanordinarycitizen.Thesecustomswere commoninRomeandalludetoanimportantandpowerfulpriesthoodofmagicalwomen.InCeltiberianpagan imagery,theApexiswornbythelordoftheunderworld,Helman,theconsortofthegoddessHel.Theheavenly counterpart to Helman and Hel were the god Frey and goddess Freya, who also wore the cap. The Apex later becamethecrownofEgyptianpharaohs,thepopestiara,thebishopsmiter,thefoolsorduncecapwornbythe CarnivalKing,andwitchhatwornbyTantricpriestsandsorcerersinTibet. Apple:SeeFruit. Aquarius:SeeZodiacSigns. Ash:Asallthingshavingtodowithfire,ashrepresentspurification.AccordingtoRowenaandRupert Shepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),EarlyJewsmixedtheashesof burnt offerings with water to create the water of purification (used after touching the dead), as the ashes containedthelifeforceoftheslaughteredanimal.Buddhistsbelievetheashofcremationhadspecialpower;in Chinese folklore ash warded off evil spirits and ghosts; for Christians it represents penance (such as Ash Wednesday);andHindusbelievedburningextractedtheoriginalpurifiedelementsfromanobjectandsosadhus (ascetics)smearthemselveswithash. Athene:SeeGoddess,Mother/PreserverGoddesses. Avatar:Anavataristhenameofasoulwhohasmasteredthephysicalworldbutchoosestoreincarnate backintoaphysicalbodytoteachothers.TheDaliLamaandBabajiareexamplesofavatarswhoremaintoteach us.Thesepeoplethemselvesbecomesymbolsofenlightenmentandmasteryandtheirimagesareoftenplacedon altars(Walker,1983).SeeUMSGreatSpiritualTeachers,GurusandYogiscourse. Axe:Asoneoftheveryfirsttoolsofhumans,theaxegainedspiritualattachmentforitsincrediblepower and strength. According to Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, even the earliest stone axes were probably thought to contain dynamicpower,foronimpacttheyemittedexplosivenoisesandsparksreminiscentofthethunderandlightning of the storm gods, and they also destroyed enemies. Iron from meteors was considered a metal of the gods because it came from heaven and the creation of iron axes increased their value because they were nearly invincible in battle. The doubleheaded axe became a religious symbol of sacrifice in Crete, and thin, curved, doublebladed axes became an emblem of the goddess, displayed above sights of sacrifice. The upside down triangleswerewidelyusedasthesignforwomenandtheshaftasasignformen,togetherrepresentingunion. BaptismandBathing:BaptismisthepracticebytheCatholicChurchtosubmergebabiesorconvertsin holywatersothattheymaybecleansedoftheirsinfulcreationsex,(Walker,1983).Inthispractice,aswellas many others, water represents cleansing, purification, and rebirth. The Celts also used a type of baptism in a sacredpoolorwellaspartoftheirnamingceremony.BathingisprevalentinIndiantraditions,wherewashing takesplacebeforeprayer,fastingoranyimportantventure.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheir book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Bathing is often associated with ritual purificationWorshippersatShintoshrinesinJapanwashtheirhandsandmouthsastheyenter,whileMuslims mustcompleteastrictlyprescribedseriesofritualablutionspriortoprayer.Manyculturespracticebathingin holywaters,suchastheGangesriver,JewishMikveh,andJapaneseBuddhistsbathingunderwaterfalls.InCeltic mythology,theirgoddessbathesinawellonceayeartoretainheryouth.SeeWater. Bat:SeeAnimals. Bear:SeeAnimals. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 15
Bee:SeeAnimals. Bells: Another symbol of masculine and feminine union, Bells have been used for social, ritual, and magicalpurposesfromtimeimmemorial.Inthepagantemplesofantiquitythebellsoutershellwasregardedas femaleandtheclapper,alatersubstitutionforthehammerwithwhichthebellwasoriginallystruck,asmale, according to Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish. The Chinese rung bells to summon rain, the Tyrolese used them to protect the harvest, domestic animals wore bells in Italy to ward off evil spirits and the Evil Eye, High Priests in the Old Testament wore golden bells. Bells are significant to the religions of Assyrians, Babylonians, Hindus, and Egyptians.TheLibertyBell,churchbells,andweddingbellsstillholdmeaningtoday. Bible:TheBibleoriginatedfromtheGreekwordbybloswhichmeansholybook.Thistermoriginallywas used for the library of texts collected by the priestesses of Byblos, the City of the Great Mother and the oldest continuouslyoccupiedtempleintheworld,(Walker,1983).TheBiblehastakenonmanyforms,fromsacredtext, toOldandNewTestament,butconsistentlyremainsasymbolforlearning,religiousandspiritualteachings,and writings.TheChristianBibletodayisacompilationofseveralbooksbydifferentauthors,John,Mathew,Mark, and Luke, but has, at different times included dozens of other books, many of which were denounced at the CouncilofCarthagein397A.D.(Gardner,1997).TheBible,OldTestamentandNew,hasbeentranslatedthrough avarietyoflanguagesandusedbythepowersinchargetomeettheirneeds.ConstantinewasaPaganleaderwho whittledtheGospelsdowntothefourremainingauthors(amongthetextdiscardedaretheGnosticGospels,the GospelofMary,TheGospelofThomas,theGospelofMaryMagdalene,andtheGospelofPhillip,someofwhich weresmuggledtoEgyptandlaterrecovered).KingJameswasaprotestantwhoorderedtheBibletranslatedinto English. There are many other examples of rewriting the Bible and each time, changes were made to suit the needsoftheauthoritiesatthetime. BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,Thegreatestmistakeof religiousauthoritiesinthewesternworldwastheirviewoftheBibleasintrinsicallydifferentfromotherancient scriptures,inthatitwasdictatedwordforwordbyGod,notcollectedslowly,rewrittenandmiswritten,revised, and worked over by human beings for a long time. The notion that the Bible did not evolve haphazardly, like most other holy writing of the same period, persisted almost up to the present day, even among people who shouldhaveknownbetter. One of the saddest alterations to the Christian Bible is the exclusion of women from places of power. Barbara Walker elaborates, In several books the word translated God is really a feminine plural, Goddess, especiallyinreferencetothematriarchalfunctionsoflawgiving,avengingcrime,andbestowingtheimperiumof leadership.AmongtheseisthedestructionofthesignificanceofMaryMagdalenefrombelovedcompanionof JesusandleaderoftheApostles,torepentantharlot.ThisisthankstoaRomansermonbyPopeSt.GregoryIin 591A.D.(Starbird,1999).Onceonelooksbeyondtheliteraltranslations(ormistranslations)oftheBiblicalstories, the universal symbolism begins to shine through, for the Bible contains the same mythic stories of all people. Walker(1983)exclaims,Allpeoples,nearlyeverywhereintheworld,sharedthesamefablesofthecreation,the flood,themagicgardenwithitstreeoflifeanditsprimalcouple,thewiseserpent,theheavenpiercingtower,the divided waters, the chosen people, the virgin mothers, the saviors, and all the rest. See Mary Magdalene and Jesus.SeeUMSMysticalBeginningsofChristianitycourse.
Birds
Bird: Birds have held symbolic meaning for many different cultures and peoples. In symbolism and myth, birds, with their powers of flight, universally represent the spirit, the soul, ascent to the heavens and communication between heaven and earth, gods and men. Havingwings,theycanalsosymbolizeangelsandthehigherstatesofbeing,andareameans of travel to the next world, according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper.AccordingtoMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, Men have always envied the birds abilitytofly,whichbroughtthemintocontactwiththeskypowersandthegods.TheLatin originofthe wordbird,aves,meansbothbirdandancestralspiritorghostor angel.Barbara Walker,inherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),pointsoutthat,
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becausebirds traveled freely between the earthly and heavenly realms, they were everywhere regarded as angelic messengers, givers of omens, possessors of occult secrets, as well as soulcarriers. Carrion crows and vulturestooksoulstoheaven.Storksbroughtthembacktoearthforrebirth. IndoEuropeansbelievedthatasoulcouldappearintheformofabird.Birdsareinvolvedinthemagicand spiritualpracticesofSouthPacific,Indonesian,CentralAsian,andSiberianshamansandprophetswhoallbelieve they cantransform themselvesintobirds.Ecstaticflightisamagicalpowerof theBuddhist yogis.In Celticmyth fairies could change into birds (which is why they are shown with wings). The Maori gods of the South Pacific island were often halfbird, halfman in form. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Maori gods, called manaica, are also represented in carvings withaheavilystylizedorabstracthumanformandbirdlikecharacteristics.ThegoddessFreya,ofnorthernEurope, hadmagicfeathergownsthatgavemagiciansthepowertoflylikebirds.MayanandAztecpriesthoodspossessed elaboratefeathergarmentsaswell.EachdayofthethirteendayweekoftheAzteccalendarwasrepresentedbya differentbird.Thebirdalsobroughtthecosmiceggthatbirthedtheworldinmanycreationmyths.Seeegg. Albatross: Considered the god of the sea by the Ainu of Japan, the albatross, with its huge wings and ability to seemingly never touch ground, plays a roll in many island cultures, including the South Pacific and coastalEuropeans.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanIn ArtAndMyth(2002),OneHawaiiansayingrunskamanukaupuhaloalookamoana(Thealbatrossthatobserves thesea):Thebirdrepresentsacarefulobserver. Cock: FromSymbolsOf ChurchSeasons And Days(1997) by JohnBradner, weread, Thisis a symbol of PetersdenialandsooneofthesymbolsofthePassion.Astheannouncerofdawn,thecockhasbeenconsidered asolarbirdwiththemasculineprinciplesofcourage,vigilance,war,andaggressionandwasoftensacrificed,but theCeltsandotherScandinavianssometimesassociatedthemwiththeunderworld.Awhitecockwasconsidered sacred to the moon goddesses Athene and Demeter, while the golden cock was sacred to solar gods such as Apollo,Anubis,Osiris,andNephthys.InChinathecockwasconsideredfortunateandwardedoffevilspiritsand inChristianitythecockwasbelievedtohavethepowertofightdarkness. Crow:Thiscarrioneatingbird,alongwiththevultureandtheraven,wasasymbolinnorthernEurope for the death goddess Krake also called Queen of Witches. The crow has appeared in many legends, Valkyries andAngloDanish,astheGoddesssorawitchsfamiliarorshapeshifter. Cuckoo:Thecuckoobirdwas,inmedievalEurope,thebirdofMayandthefertilityrightsofMayday.It wassaidthatthisbirdsangtheannouncementofMay. Doves:Knownforlove,passion,andlife.AccordingtothestoryofJesusbaptism,theHolySpiritbecame adoveandflewdowntoJesus,andconsequently,ThisistheusualsymbolfortheSpiritofGod.Thus,during the canonization ceremony of Christian saints, white doves are released to represent the soul rising to heaven, accordingtoSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohnBradner.However,likemanysymbols,thislatter Christianmeaningstemsfromanoldertradition.DovesalsosymbolizesexualityandlustasAphroditesfamiliar, the symbolic bird of lust in India, and the Syrian dove goddess, consort to the snake god. According to The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalker,thedoveisAphroditestotem,thebirdof sexualpassion,symbolicallyequivalenttotheyonijoinedtoherconsort,thephallicserpent,thedovegoddess stoodforsexualunionandLife.GypsiesrememberthisSyrianCoupleinfolktales.AccordingtoSymbolicAnd Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper, The dove is one of the most venerated creatures, symbolizing the spirit, the soul, bringing the spirit down to the earth, and the transit between one state and another; it also representspeace,innocence,gentleness,timidity,andchastity,thoughinsometraditions(andespeciallyasthe pigeon)itcanrepresentlasciviousness.DoveswereuniversallysacredtotheGreatMotherandQueensofHeaven andweredepictedwiththemassymbolsofmaternityandfemininity.Terracottarepresentationsofdovesare found as early as 4500 B.C. in Mesopotamia and 2500 B.C. in Egypt. Associated with the Tree of Life and particularlytheolivetree,thedovesymbolizespeace,theGoldenAge,andrenewedlife. Duck:InChinaandJapan,ducksaresymbolsofhappiness.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherd intheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),Mandarinducks(socalledbecauseoftheir flamboyantplumage)aresymbolsofconjugalfelicityandfidelity.
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Eagle:Eaglessymbolizefireandlightning.AccordingtoTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets (1983) by Barbara Walker, the eagle is a Classic soul bird, symbol of apotheosis associatedwiththesungod,fire,andlightning.TheeagleistheroyalbirdofRomeandRoman emperors had an eagle released over their funeral pyre to carry the soul to heaven. Greeks believedthattheeaglewasrepresentativeofthelightningspiritsandnailedthemtothetopsof templesaslightningrods.Zeustransformedhimselfintoaneagletocarryhislovertoheaven. Pagans associated the eagle with the rites, and called down fire from heaven, in sacrificial rituals. Eagles are also symbolic of the soul of Heracles. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), The eagle is often associated with nobility The double headed eagle, a solar symbol representing the absolute power of royalty and sky deities, was already familiar to the Mesopotamian Third DynastyofUr(21122004B.C.),anditappearsintheHittitesanctuariesofthe13thcenturyB.C. in central Anatolia. The Holy Roman, Prussian, and Russian Empires would later use this as theirimperialsymbol(topleft). Goose:ConsideredtheGreatCackler,thegooseisbelievedtohavelaidtheeggofcreation. Hawk:Egyptianpharaohshadahawk,representingthesolarhawkofHorusreleasedattheir funeral. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Many tribal peoples of North America believe the swift and keeneyed hawk to be the messenger of their ancestors. Its cry is so sharp and shrill that it piercesthehumanmind,sothattheancestorscallcanbeheard.Indigenousrepresentationof thehawkpicturedhere.HawkswereusedforaristocraticsportinbothEuropeandJapan.InNorsemythology thehawksitsonaneagle,sittingontheYggdrasil,WorldTree.SeeTreeOfLife. Magpie(woodpecker):ThetotemanimalforthegodMarsinRome. Nightingales: The nightingales sweet singing at dusk has made it an appropriate symbol of love. However,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),ThemournfulnessofitssonghasmeantthatinEuropeanfolkloreithasbeenassociatedwiththe soulsofthedamned. Owl:Theowlisrecognizedassignificantinmanycultures.TheRomansusethesamewordforwitchas theydoforowl;GreeksassociatedtheowlwithAthene;theMesopotamianscalledtheowltheeyegoddess;the owl was the totem of the triple goddess in the form of Lilith, Blodeuwedd, Anath. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, The owl is also a bird of wisdom because it used to embody the wisdom of the goddess. In general, the owl is considered a familiar of women and the goddess, associatedwiththenightandthemoon. Peacock: Sacred to the mother of Roman gods Juno, the Etruscan goddess Uni, the Hindu goddesses Sarasvati and Maya, the Argive goddess Hera. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of MythsAndSecrets(1983),Thepeacocksiridescenttailfeathereyessymbolizedthegoddessswatchfulness,her manycolored veils, and her plumes of justice, against which the hearts of men were weighed, as against the plumesofMaatinEgypt.InRomanmythsempressesarecarriedtoheavenbypeacocks.InChristianNativity scenes,peacocksrepresentimmortalityandeternallife,accordingtoSymbolsOfChurch,SeasonsAndDays(1997) byJohnBradner. Pelican: Like the stork, the pelican is also associated with the arrival of babies. Barbara Walker, in The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),asserts,thepelicanwasanearlysymboloftheSacredHeart. Legendtoldthatpelicanmotherspeckedholesintheirbreastssothattheirinfantscouldbenourishedfromtheir heartblood. Although this is unfounded and probably derived from the habit of pelicans to rest their beaks in their breast feathers, Walker asserts that The selfsacrificing mother pelican became a popular motif on both ecclesiasticalandsecularcoatsofarms. Phoenix: Patron bird of the Phoenician god Phoenix, this mythical bird burst into flame, cleansing itself before rebirth, representing eternal life. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, He rose to heaven in the form of the Morning Star, like Lucifer, after his fireimmolation of death and rebirth. The Phoenixs journeyrepresentedthedeathofthesacredkingforEgyptians,whoperformedceremonies
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representing his cremation, journey to heaven as a bird, and rebirth up to the second century. In Egyptian mythology,thephoenixwasalternatelyamanandafirebirdwhoperiodicallycrematedhimselfandroseagain from his ashes(Walker,1983). In Greek, the sacrificial sacredking of Astarte who wouldbe burnedat Byblos wascalledthePhoenician.Egyptianphoenixtotheleft. Raven:Withblackplumage,theravenisoftenassociatedwiththelordofdeathandresurrection.TheBig Raven,whowasceremoniallycastratedandkilled,wastheancestralwizardkingoftheChukchishamans.The DanescalledtheirkingoftheunderworldsValraven.ValkyriesoftheNorsesupposedlytookontheformofthe raveninordertodrinkthebloodofslainwarriors.RavensweretheanimalaccompanyingOrphicinitiatesand Raven was the title of initiates who attained the first degree of enlightenment for the Mithraic Mysteries, the moongoddesswhoreceivedthedead.TheGermanicheroEmperorFrederickwassaidtobeguardedbyravens andintheArmenianversionofthesameemperor,hestillsleepsunderamagichillcalledRockoftheRaven. Stork: Classic bird of birth, the stork carries souls from heaven to earth. Man, Myth, And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, states, Legendstellofstorksbeingtransformedintohumanbeings,possiblybecausethelargesizeanduprightposture suggestanaffinitywithmankind.TherearelegendsofstorksinGerman,Greek,Arab,andEasternlegends. Swan: The swan appears in many myths, from Hindu swan maidens to the Scandinavian Valkyries incarnatedasaswan;toKaliorKauritakingtheshapeoftheswaninbattle;totheswanknightKrishna;andthe similar Greek Zeus disguised as a swan, whose lover the goddess Leda gives birth to the world egg; to old religion myths of the Knight of the Swan, servant of women of the Knights Templar and the Grail myths. Shamansacrosstheglobehavedonnedswanfeathercloaksduringceremoniesthatmayrelatetothesemyths.As the largest birds of the northern hemisphere, people of the Old Stone Age to the Middle Bronze Age have worshipped swans in their art. According to Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,Thesizeoftheswananditsflighthighinthe skyimpliespower,anditsassociationwithwaterimpliesfertility. Thunderbird: Ruler of the heavenly realm, the thunderbird is revered in North America. RowenaandRupertShepherd,intheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth (2002),retellsomeofthethunderbirdlorefromtheVancouverIslandofNootka,Windsblow whenheruffleshisfeathers;thesunshineswhenheopenshiseyes;whenhemoveshiswings, thebrightcoloursofhisfeathersflashandemitlightning;andwhenheclapshiswingstogether, thunderisheard Vulture: A totem animal of the Great Mother goddess in her death aspect, the vulture was revered in NeolithictimesastheembodimentoftheMothersspirit,eatingthedeadandcarryingthemuptoheaven.Barbara Walkerexplains,Vultureswhodevouredcorpseswereregardedasherangelsofdeath,sincetheycarriedthedead piecemealtoheaven.ThevulturewasparticularlyimportantinEgypt,whereitwasworshippedasMut,Isis,or Nekhbet and was considered the origin of all things, and ancient Iranians exposed their dead to vultures in dakhmas,towersofsilencethatwerebuiltwhentheyworshippedMah,themoongoddess(Walker,1983). Waterbird:TheinfluenceofmissionariesonindigenousAmericansispresentinthesymbolism ofthewaterbird,whichisalsocalledthewaterturkeyorcoyotebird.AccordingtoRowena andRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),the waterbirdhasasymbolismsimilartotheChristiandoveoftheHolySpirit. Blood:AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt AndMyth(2002),BloodisassociatedwithlifeforceinmanyculturesandintheHebrewBibleitisacquaintedwith lifeitself.BloodisequatedwiththesoulinChinaandusedinvoodooinWestAfrica.Bloodsacrificeswereusedin cultures including Mayan, Judaism, Roman mithraic and others. Shepherd explains,bloodletting was a way to expresspity,afirmrulershipandtocalltogodsinattendance.Oftenwatersymbolizesblood.SeeWater. Blade: The corresponding masculine symbol to the feminine chalice is the blade. At its most basic level, the blade is an upside down V shape, or a triangle, and corresponds to the male reproductiveorganofthepenis.Initsmorecomplexform,thebladecanappearintheformofa knife,sword,dagger,sickle,reapinghook,etc.Thebladewasoneoftheearliesttoolsofhuman kind and during the Bronze Age became a valuable tool. Many great mythic tales include a sword,suchastheBrightSwordoftheTuathadeDanann,ExcaliberofArthur/Merlinlegends, orDraoisSwordofLight.Withallmythictales,thesereferencestoaswordhaveadeeper SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 19
meaningthantheswordsuseasaweaponortool.TheBladeasasymbolhasmoretodowithitsuseasatoolfor cutting and digging. In his article The Sacred Sword (2000), Michael Ragan explores the symbol of the sword and concludes,Itheldthemagicalqualitiesofnotonlyprotection,butalsowasasymbolofillumination,wisdom,skill, creativity, speech and honorthe symbol of Illumination and Truth. Moon sickle is pictured here. See Chalice, underthewombsection. Blood,Blue:SeeQuintessence. Blood,Menstrual:Inancienttimes,beforethediscoveryofmensparticipationinconception,menstrual bloodwasreveredasthesubstancelifeismadeof.Itwasbelievedthatitwassometimesretainedwithinthebody tothickenintotheinfantthatwouldemergeandinthiswasthesecretofreincarnation.Itsapparentconnectionto themoonandanunharmfulbleedingprocesswasastoundingandastonishingtoancientpeoples(particularly men, who were completely ignorant of the process), who called it things like incomprehensible, sacred, supernatural,deity,andspirit.TheHinducreationtheoryisthattheGreatMotherformedtheuniverseandallof creationwithherclotted,orcurdedsubstance,andwomendothissamethingonasmallerscale.SouthAmerican Indianscalledthissubstancemoonblood;theMesopotamianGreatGoddessNinhursagmadepeopleoutofher bloodoflifeandclay.Similarstoriesappearthroughreligionsandcultures.TaoistChinaassociatedthecolor redwithwomen,blood,sexualpotency,thesacred,andcreativity;andwhitewithsemen,passivity,anddeath. Traditionsandsuperstitionsarosearoundmenstruation,includingthedrinkingofmenstrualblood(sometimes literallysuchasEgyptianPharaohsbloodofIsisforimmortality,sometimesonlyinmyth,liketheCeltsred meadofdivinityfromthefairyqueenMab). Beliefs that it is unclean, stemming from fear, were also evident as Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, Because menstrual blood occupied a central position in matriarchal theologies, and was already sacerHolydreadfulpatriarchalascetic thinkers showed almost hystericalfearofit.Thisfearhasledtoavarietyofpracticessegregatingwomen,atleastduringtheirmenses,from men.Itwasbelievedthatmenwouldlosetheirwisdom,strength,vitality,andsightiftouchedbyamenstruating woman in Manu. The avoidance of marital relations with a menstruating spouse is observed by Orthodox Jews, although in Judaism today, there are differing opinions on how much physical contact needs to be prohibited. AmericanIndiansdonotallowmenstruatingwomenintosweatlodgesandvariousotherritualsandceremonies. Menstruating Christian women were not allowed inside a church up until the 1600s. The uncleanliness of menstrual blood was the excuse for why women were not allowed to become clergy of the Catholic Church, althoughpostmenopausalwomenarenotallowedeither.Unfortunatelythisfearandignorancearoundmenstrual bloodhasalsoinfluencedthemedicalprofession,andaslateasthe20thcentury,Scottishmedicaltextquotedanold rhyme: Oh! Menstruating woman, thourt a fiend, from which all nature should be closely screened (Walker, 1983).Thesebiaseshavehadimpactonwomenshealthcareinsofaraswhatstudiesareconductedandthecareand attentiongiventowomenshealthconcerns,whichcontinuestobeunderstudied. Boar:SeeAnimals. Bones/Skeleton: According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), skeletons have been a symbol of death in Europe since the late Middle Ages: a primeexampleisthecommonmedievalallegorycalledthedancemacabre,inwhichskeletonsandallranksof humanity are shown dancing around each other, indicating that death was no respecter of position, age or gender.TheMexicanDayoftheDeadorDiadelosMuertos,marksthedaythesoulsofthedeadmaybejoined totheliving.SimilarWesternfestivalsincludeHalloween,allSaints,andallSoulsDay.Onthesedays,skeletons aredresseduptoseemalive,andfoodintheshapeofbonesisfeastedon. Breath:AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth (2002), breath is linked with power and the animating spirits, whose breath set the winds and planets in motion.Indigenouspeoplesbelievedthatpowerpassedthroughpeopleintheirbreath,andCeltsheldsimilarbeliefs. Bronze:SeeMetal. Broomstick:Thisimagehasbeenassociatedwithwitchesbecauseitisusedinpaganritualsofmarriage andbirth,butitissignificantbeyondthesimplisticimageryofaHalloweenwitchwithherbroom.Thebroom wasthesymbolforthetriplegoddess(representingmaiden,mother,andcrone),orthepriestessmidwifeHecate inRome,becauseitwasusedtosweepthehouseofanyevilspiritsafterthebirthofachild.Itisalsoasymbolfor marriageandsex.OldweddingcustomsofjumpingoverthebroomstickthatGypsies,Pagans,blackslavesin19th century America, and others performed may originate from this. Later, the broomstick became associated as a SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 20
sortofhorseforwitchestoride,whichisanallusiontowomenbeingontopduringsexandtheChurchsclear disapprovalofanytypeoffemalepleasureorpowerduringsexormasturbation.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, at times a witchs broomstick seems to have been nothing morethanadildo,anointedwiththefamousflyingointmentandusedforgenitalstimulation.Thebroomstick hasbeenusedtosymbolizefemalesexuality,includingmarriageandbirth. Buffalo:SeeAnimals. Bull:SeeAnimals. Butterfly:SeeAnimals. Cabala/Kabbalah: This medieval Jewish mystical idea is influenced by Tantrism and Sufism and is similartotheChristianideaofcourtlyloveduringthemedievalperiod.ThebasicpremiseisthatGodslossofhis femalecounterpart,Shekina,createdalltheillsoftheworld,anduniversalharmonywillberestoredwhenthe god and goddess are once again one. Under this belief, sexual union between people becomes a sacred act helpfultorestoringthisdivineunion.Asasymbol,theCabalarepresentsunionandconnectionofmasculineand feminine. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, universal harmony mustberestoredbymakingthegodandhisgoddessoncemore,one.TheSeferhaZoharorBookofSplendor isthemajorcabalisticworkandwaswrittenbyMosesdeLeonofGuadalajarainthe13thcentury. Camel:SeeAnimals. Candle: Candles have long been a symbol of light, during the short and dark winter months and especiallyontheWinterSolstice,theshortestdayoftheyear.TheYulecandles(longerthanregularcandles)in the Christian traditionare left burningall night onChristmasEve, according to Symbols OfChurch Seasons And Days(1997)byJohnBradner,theyaresymbolsofgoodluckaslongastheyremainburning.AccordingtoMan, MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),thebirthdaycandles representedapersonslifeasasinglesourceoflight,asinglefragmentoftheuniversesstoreoflight,andstands foranindividualpersonslifeasasinglefragmentoflifeintheworld. Candelabrum: Many cultures use candelabras in temples and rituals for illumination and symbolicmeaning.TheyilluminatedthetemplesandritesoftheGreeksandRomans;theyare one of the three main implements of Buddhist rituals; in Mexico they are the TreeofLife candelabrawithpaganandChristiansymbolsandadornChristianaltars.TheMenorah,aseven branchedcandelabrumfromtheJewishtabernacle,isusedduringimportantJewishrituals.Itisshapedlikean almond branch, symbolizing Aarons almond wood staff. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),thesevenbranchesalsosymbolizethesevenpillars ofwisdom,andthesevendaysofcreation.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMyths AndSecrets(1983),theMenorah,probablyrepresent[s]theSevenSistersorMoonHorae,sinceitwasdecorated withyonicsymbols.Menorahtotheleft. Cancer:SeeZodiacSigns. Cannabis: Known as the holy herb, cannabis is sacred to Rastafarians who take the herb as a sacrament,withtheresultofalteredstatesofconsciousness,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheir book1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Capricorn:SeeZodiacSigns. CasteSystems,Hindu:Calledthepundra,theHinducastesystemisasystemwhichclassifiespeopleand isdefinedbymarksonthebodythatconsistoflines,rectangles,circles,ortriangles,dependingonthesect.While theycanbepaintedonanypartofthebody,theyareusuallypaintedontheforehead,andasceticsandholymen calledsadhushavethemtattooedon.RowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth (2002), explain, these symbols often reflect a devotion to just one attribute of the deity, and so express adherence to that aspect alone. In her book The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Walker explains,theAryanpriestsdevisedthecastesystemtorelegatenativepeoplestoalowerstatus,andtopreserve thisorderwithaclaimofdivineordinance. Castle: The castle is one symbol in a larger system of hierarchy, established to justify the relegation of peopletocertainclasses.Placingsomeselectindividualhighupwithinguardedcastlewallsgivesthemessage thatnotonlyaretheymoreimportant,butalsohavedivineordinance,muchlikeIndiasUntouchables. Castration: Castration is the removal of either just the gonads and/or the penis of the male sex organs. Thishasbeendoneindifferentculturesthroughouttimefordifferentpurposes.Today,withintheU.S.,repeatsex SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 21
offendershavetheoptionofvoluntarycastration;buttheoriginsofcastrationaremuchmorespiritualinnature and go back to the days before men figured out they had a hand in the magical and mysterious experience of birth. In her book TheWomans Encyclopedia OfMyths AndSecrets (1983), Barbara Walker explains,before men understood their reproductive role, they tried to make women of themselves in the hope of achieving womanlike fertility. Myths and stories of the gods reflect this endeavor by the efforts of gods, including the EgyptiansungodRa,tohavechildrenthroughartificialmeans(likebirthingababyoutofhisthigh)oractually removingthemalereproductiveorganssothattheyappearedmorefemale.Whentemplestothegoddesseswere common,menwishingtoservecouldbecomeeunuchs,andwereconsideredrespectedservantsofthepriestesses. Thegenitalsofeunuchshadbeenremovedinordertobecomemorefeminine,andtheirrolewasalsotoprotect thepriestesses.Castrationwasalsopracticedformonkswhocouldnotexistcomfortablywithsexualdenial.In India, there is a third sex category called hijras, who are people born biologically male, or intersexed; upon decidingtobecomehijras,theyreceivecastrationinordertobetterservetheirgoddess.Thehijrashaveasocially constructed gender identity, and cultural duties such as performing rituals at the birth of children and specific religiousobligations. Cat:SeeAnimals. Cauldron:SeeWombsection. Cave:SeeWombsection. Cernunnos:SeeGods. Cerridwen:SeeGoddesses. Chakra: This Tantric symbol, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983),representstheringsorstagesofenlightenment,visualizedasstepsascendingthespinalcolumn, as the inner serpent goddess Kundalini uncoils from the pelvis upward to the head. Each chakra has a corresponding energy, number, and color; for instance, the 4th chakra is the heart center, is green in color, and workswiththeenergiesofloveandconnection.Formoreonchakras,refertotheChakrasandAurascourse,for specificcolormeaningsofchakrasrefertotheColorssectionofthiscourse. Chalice:SeeWombsection. Chaos:TheideaofchaoscomesfromtheGreekwordfortheundifferentiatedmixtureofrawelements supposedtooccupytheWorldGoddessswombbeforecreationandafterdestructionofeachrecurrentuniverse, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). Chaos symbolizes the eternalfluxoftheuniverse. Charon:SeeGods/UnderworldGuardians. Cheetah:SeeAnimals. Cherry:SeeFruit. Cherub:OriginallythisHebrewtotemanimal,calledKerubh,wasrepresentedbyacreaturewitheagle wings,lionfeet,bullheads,andserpenttails.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMyths AndSecrets(1983),theHebrewcherubrepresentedthefourseasons,cardinaldirections,andelements.Probably this Hebrew cherub originated from an earlier mukarribim, guardians of the shrine of the moon goddess at Marib.LaterthecherubwasadaptedbyChristianityasthefatlittlenakedbabieswithwingsandloveinspiring arrowswhoguardheavensgates,likeCupid. ChristmasTree:SeeTrees. Circle:Thecircleisoneofthemostbasicandwidelyusedshapesinsymbolism,representing wholeness, oneness, and completion. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, states, From ancientritestoastrology,alchemyandmagic,thecircleisoneofthemostpowerfulandmost widelyusedofallsymbolsIfyouwanttodepictagroupofthings,linkedtogether,complete initselfandseparatedfromeverythingoutsidethegroup,theshapewhichmosteffectively expressescompletenessandseparatenessatthesametimeisthecircle.SeeOneunderNumberssection. Circumcision:Thiscustomofremovingthepieceofskincoveringtheheadofthepeniscalledforeskin,is practicedinEgypt,Persia,andtheMiddleEast.Thiscustommayhaveoriginatedasameansofemulating menstruation,asitwasperformedonteenagedboysdressedupasgirls.IntheOldTestamentoftheBible, circumcisionisfirstmentionedinthebookofGenesisasasignofthecovenantwithGodthroughoutallgenerations ofmales,asAbrahamsetsouttoleadanationofJewishpeople.Traditionally,circumcisionhasconnectedJewish SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 22
malestotheirreligiousmalecommunityaswellastotheirlineageofforefathersandtoGod. Itwasalsopracticedas asubstituteforcastrationasawayofhonoringadeity.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983),circumcisionisasymbolicversionofthesacrificeofvirilitytoadeity.SeeSacrifice. Clover:SeeShamrock. CommunionWafer:Thecommunionwafercomesintheformofbreadorcrackerandistakenduringa Catholic Mass ceremony as the body and blood of Christ. According to Myth, Man And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, The host, or communionwafer,isasymbolofChristbutwhenithasbeenproperlyconsecratedintheMass,italsoisChrist. SeeTransubstantiation. Convent: This religious center evolved from pagan colleges of priestesses who were dedicated to religiousservice.Thesepeoplewereunmarried,andconsequentlycalledvirgins,althoughtheywerenotnecessarily biologicalvirgins.Bothsexes,malemonksandfemalepriestesses,livedandworshippedintheconventunderthe ruleofanabbesswhoownedtheland,asitwascustomaryforwomentobelandownersuntilthesecondhalfofthe first decade when the Catholic church used discrediting female ownership of land as a way to gain power and property.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explainsthatasChristianlaws encroachedonwomenspropertyrights,manywomenofnobleranktookvowstoremainsingle,soastoprotect their wealth from the claims of husbands. Thus originated the socalled convent of noble ladies, an independent miniqueendomTheabbessconductedherowncourtsoflaw,keptherownseatintheimperialparliament,and maintainedherownstandingarmy.TheAbbessbecamecanonizedlikeBishopsandwasabletoretainthepagan structureandcustomsoftheconvent(includingsexualfreedom). TheAbbess,attimes,heldpowersovernotonly the convent, but also surrounding towns and countryside. Within these sanctuaries, education and culture were highlyvaluedandsomeofthefinestintellectualandartisticladieswereschooledwithintheirwalls.Accordingto Walker(1983),Thewordnunoriginallymeantanurse,thatis,apriestessofahealingshrine,likethenymphsin colleges of Hygeia and Panacea in pagan Greece. By the 12th century the Catholic Church was placing more restrictionsonconventsandtheirnuns,cuttingthemofffromtheoutsideworldandrestrictingeducation. Copper:SeeMetal. Cornucopia:Ahornfilledwithflowersandfruitofplenty.Itsoriginsareambiguous,perhapscoming fromZeus/Jupiter,whocreateditfromthehornofthenannygoatAmaltheainthanksforhernurturing; perhapsitisfromabullshorn.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983),AfavoriteRomanemblemofthegoddesswastheCornucopia,HornofPlenty:acows hornpouringforthallthefruitsoftheearth.Forthesignificanceofthecow,seeCow. Cow:SeeAnimals. CowrieShell:SeeYoni. Crab:SeeAnimals. Creation:Auniversalbeliefamongallpeoplethroughouttheworldisthatofacreationorbirthofthe universe and/or world. The qualities of precreation, darkness, liquid, and movement are similar to that of the uterusandmenstrualbloodofacreationparent(mostcommonlyamother).AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Most creation myths speak of a splitting or opening in the dark,formlessMother.Thebeginningoftheexistingworldissignaledbythecomingoflight. Crone:SeeCrone/DestroyerGoddess. Cross:TheLatin,orPassion,crossbecamethemainsymbolofChristianityinthesixthcenturyA.D. Before it was coopted by Christianity, the cross was a pagan symbol throughout Europe and Asia. FromMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995) weread,OlderthanChristianity,thecrosshasbeenusedasasymboloftheworld,thesun,fire,and life.TheChristiancrossisanemblemofthetriumphoflifeoverdeath,ofgoodoverevil.The Scarecrowisoneoftheoldestusesofthecrossandwasimploredinsacrificialmagicforfertilityoftheearth,not to scare away crows. The cross also represented the phallic Tree of Life, and often appears with the feminine shape of the circle. The Romans used the cross as a tool to execute millions including Jesus, so the cross also becameasymboloffearanddeath.ThecrossbecameasymbolofhealinganddivinityduringtheMiddleAges whenchurchesalloverEuropeclaimedtheyhadapieceoftheTrueCrossthathealedpeople.InTheWomans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker states, Today the cross is often an article of jewelry, attestinganamuletfunctionvirtuallyindistinguishablefromitsmagicalprophylacticuseinantiquity. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 23
CelticCross:AlsocalledKiakra.Thissymbol,withthecombinationofthemasculinecrossand the femininecircle, represents sexual union. In TheWomansEncyclopedia OfMyths And Secrets (1983),BarbaraWalkersays,ThesocalledCelticcross,withthecrossingofthearmsencircled byaring,wasanotherLingamyonisignofsexualunion,knowntotheHindusasKiakra. Greek Cross: This equal armed cross seems to be the earliest form of the cross, used since prehistoric times, and appears in several forms. According to Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated EncyclopediaOfMythology, ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,10,000B.C.atLeMasdAzil,a cave in the French Pyreness has engraving or painting of this cross. The meaning is uncertain becausetheearliestcrossmaybefourdirections,plusacenter,maybeasymbolofthesun.The Greek cross is shown in association with Christ, Isis, and Sarapis. The Womans Encyclopedia Of MythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalkersays,Thegoddess Isisisshown onthe Isiac Table with the cross in one hand, a lotus seedvessel in the other, signifying male and female genitalia.
Swastika:Theswastika,anequalarmedcrosswithbentendsisveryoldandoftenstandsfor the sun or fire, life and vigor, possibly originating from the whirling round firedrill of indigenouspeople.ItisveryoldandhasitsoriginswiththeEgyptianankh,asymboloflife whichappearsfrequentlyinEgyptianart,heldinthehandofagodorappliedtothenoseofa deadmantogivehimlifeintheafterworld,accordingtoMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustrated EncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish.One oftheoldest,mostuniversalsymbolsoftheworld,theswastikafromtheSanskritsvastikameans sobeitoramenandcanbeseenonPaleolithicmammothivorycarvingsfromtheUkrainedating10,000B.C. TheswastikasymbolizedmanydeitiesformanyculturesincludingIceland,Japan,Scandinavia,NorthAfricaand representedtherotatingaxismundi(AxeoftheWorldanancientvisionoftheworldspinninginthecosmos) forPersia,AsiaMinor,andGreece,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983). It is believed to be the symbol of the rain god in Central and South America, as well as the Aztec rain goddess. Some North America Indians, New Mexican Indians, Dakotas, Creeks, Pueblos, Blackfoot, and others useditinrainmakingrituals.InJapantheswastikarepresentedinfinity.Thetwodepictionsoftheswastika,the leftpointing (counterclockwise) and the rightpointing (clockwise) were called the Moon Swastika and the Sun SwastikaandwereassociatedwiththeGoddessandGod,respectively.TheHindusidentifiedthesolarswastika withthegodGaneshaandthelunarswastikawithhisconsortandmotherofBuddha,KaliMaya;earlyChristians adoptedittorepresentChristunderthetitlecruxdissimulata,disguisedcross(Walker,1983).GreekMycenae and Etruscan (Italy) fortresses and sword hilts as early as 3rd century A.D. in Denmark were decorated with swastikas,aswellasearlyChristianandpagantombsinNorthernEurope.TheHopiIndiansusedthissymbolto depictthefourdirections,north,south,east,andwest.Unfortunately,theNazismistooktheclockwiseswastika (rightpointing) as a purely Aryan sign and adopted it as the sign of the Nazi party in the1930s, causing it to becomeasymboloffear,shame,anddeathinthemodernday. TauCross:ThissymbollookslikeacapitalTandisoccasionallycalledtheOldTestament,Advent Cross, or Prophetic Cross. The Greek word for T is tau and is how this cross gets its name. This cross symbolizes the cross that Moses made of a staff with a bronze serpent on the top. Druids made the Tau cross of striped oak trees with a branch fastened on to represent arms and symbolizedgod.TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalkersays,A Tau cross was the sign of the holy day aptly named the Invention of the Cross. The Latin Cross eventually replacedtheTauCross. Crossroad:Crossroadsbecameasymbolofesotericmeetinggroundsbetweenpagansandgods,witches and the devil, a place where justice was created and ghosts walked the earth. Originally, it was revered as the symbol for the crossing over of the dead. The Greeks and Romans believed that Diana was the mistress of the crossroads,andherchildrenwerethespiritsofthecrossroads.TravelersmadeofferingstoherandCompitalia festivals were held at roadsides. The Hermetic cross, a Greek equalarmed cross carved with twin serpents, becameatalismanthattravelersleftatcrossroadsin10thcenturyIrelandastheroadsweresometimesdedicated toHermes.Ascrossroadsbecameasymbolformeeting,gallowsandcrucifixeswereerectedthere.Criminalsand SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 24
those who committed suicide were buried at crossroads as sacrifices because it was believed The Goddess as Mother Earth, dispenser of naturallaw and creatress of birthanddeath cycles, wasalways present where the dyinggoddied,accordingtoTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983byBarbaraWalker. Crown: Crowns are usually the most important part of the regalia of divine and early rulers. AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt AndMyth(2002),Inthecaseofmortals,itisassociatedwiththebestowalofdivinerightupona sovereignduringacoronationceremony.InIndiathecrownofkingsiscalledthemukut;the HinduscalltheircrownofdivinekingshipKiritamukuta;theBuddhawearstheMuktadharin.In SymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohnBradner,weread,theuseofcrownstodenotesovereignty and kingship, or in other cases as wreaths to denote victory, is very ancient. Western alchemists believed the crownsymbolizedcompletionandperfectionofametal.SeeHeadDress. Cuckold:Thislabel,takenfromthecuckoobird,wasgiventopeoplewhoattendedtheMayDaygames in medievalEurope. Thisfertility ritual included socially sanctioned promiscuous behavior. Barbara Walker,in TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),says,Themanwhobecameacuckoo,orcuckold,wasone who didnt care whether his wife was faithful or not, for both of them attended the Maytime festivities when ritualpromiscuitywastheruleoffertilitycharmaslateasthe16thcentury. Cupid: This Roman god of erotic love is called Eros in Greece, and Kama in Hinduism. Son of Venus and Mercury(alsocalledAphroditeandHermes),Cupidsymbolizessexualunion;butduringtheRenaissanceperiod,he wasdepictedasthediminutivewingedbabywithlovearrows.TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983) byBarbaraWalker,saysancienttalismansofCupidwerenotbabies;theywerewingedphalliofbronze,ivory,or wood. Death:DeathisaformidablepartofeverysocietyandreligiononEarth,andwhathappensafterdeath has been the motivating factor for many religions. The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983) by BarbaraWalkersays,Ithasbeensaidthatdeathcameintoexistenceonlywiththeriseofmansconsciousness,a roundaboutwayofsayingdeathismorerealforhumansthanforanyotheranimalbecauseonlyhumansforesee it.ReligionsowetheirexistencetotheuniqueabilityofthehumananimaltounderstandthatitmustdieIts hardforanyperceivingmindtoperceiveitsownnothing,withcessationofallperception.Deathhasbeencalled the Dreamless Sleep by worshippers of Kali, the House of Dust or Road Of No Return in Babylon, and the IntermediateStatebyTantricBuddhism.Usuallyconceptsofdeathstillincludeperceptionwithasenseofplace. Deer:SeeAnimals. Demon:FromtheoriginalGreekworddaimon,demonoriginallywasusedtodescribeafriendlyspiritor guardian angel. During medieval times, when Christianity was degrading all pagan beliefs, demon became a negativetermforthemessengerofSatanthatwaseitherspiritoranimalinform.Unfortunately,animaldemons wereusedasproofduringthewitchtrialsofthe12thand13thcenturies.TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983)byBarbaraWalkersays,Notonceintherecordedtrialsdidauthoritiesquestionwitnessesability to distinguish these demons from ordinary animals. It was taken for granted that anyone, even a small child, couldrecognizeHisSatanicMajestynomatterhowcleverlyhedisguisedhimselfasanapparentlynormalbeast. SeeGods/UnderworldGuardians. Devi:SeeGoddesses. Devil:SeeGods/UnderworldGuardians. Diamond: This precious gem has become a symbol for commitment, virginity, and love as the rock of weddingbands.DiamonditselfliterallytranslatesintoWorldGoddessandwasbelievedtobesolidifieddrops ofthedivineessence,embeddedinrockswhentheworldwascreated,accordingtoTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalker.TheserockswereconsideredsacredtotheGoddessbecausetheywere harder then any other stone, and consequently revered by the cults of virgins or priestesses (predecessors to the convent). In Tibet, the earth goddess Tara assumes the form of a Diamond Sow, which is considered the female counterpart to the Dalai Lama. The Tarot cards, predecessors to the modern playing cards, have a diamond suit, representingtheancientpentacleorsignoftheMotherEarth.SeeConventandTarot.
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FourDirections
Directions: Each culture has oriented itself around systems of directions. Many have included 6 directions: north, south, east, west, above, and below. The indigenous Americans called this the medicine wheel, and sculpted it with large rocks onto the plains as well as symbolizing it in fetishes and art. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in their book 1000 Symbols: WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,Thesimplestformoforientationwasbythe sun,thustheeastwasbasedontherisingsunandwestthesettingsun.Themeetingpointof thedirectionsvaried;fortheInca,itwastheircapitalcityCuzco,fortheMoslems,itisMecca. North: On the medicine wheel, north represents air, animals, the mind, heart, wisdom, balance,harmony,andwhiteraceswhoknowthewaysofmind,science,researchandtechnology, accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002).InChinesetraditionitdepictswinter,water,andisrepresentedbyatortoisewitha snakearoundit.BuddhistsofJapanbelievenorthisprotectedbythebluegodBishamonten,whiletheYorubaof NigeriaassociateitwithredandthegodOgun. East:Onthemedicinewheel,eastrepresentsfire,thehumanworld,spirit,thesparkoflife,spirituality and the place from which one sets out on the vision quest; it is also related to the yellow races, masters of the waysofmeditation,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanIn ArtAndMyth(2002).InChinesetraditionitdepictsspring,wood,andablueorgreendragon.BuddhistsofJapan believeeastisguardedbytheredfaceddeityKomokuten,whiletheYorubaofNigeriaassociateitwithgreenand yellowandtheirgodEshu. South:Onthemedicinewheel,southrepresentswater,plants,emotionsandmovement,theinnocence of the child and the red race who know how to dance in harmony with the earth, according to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002). In Chinese tradition it depictssummer,fire,andthephoenixoraredbird.BuddhistsofJapanbelievesouthisguardedbythewhite facedZochoten,whiletheYorubaofNigeriaassociateitwithwhiteandthegodObbatal. West:Onthemedicinewheel,westrepresentsearth,minerals,thebody,dreaming,intuition,memories, andtheblackraces,whoknowhowtodanceanddrumthenaturalrhythmsoftheearth,accordingtoRowena andRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002).InChinesetraditionit depicts autumn, metal, and a white tiger. Buddhists of Japan believe West is guarded by the greenfaced Jikokuten,whiletheYorubaofNigeriaassociateitwithblackandtheirlighteningdeity,Shango. Dog:SeeAnimals. Dolphin:SeeAnimals. Dragon:SeeAnimals. DreamSymbols:SeeDreamsandDreamingcourse. Drum:Usedbythepriest,magician,andshamanofindigenouspeople,thedrumswereusedinavariety ofritualsandmagicalpractices,includingsignifyingspecialoccurrencesorevents,duringreligiousceremony,to communicatemessages,tofrightenoffevilspirits(believedtopreventstormsandearthquakes),andasamusical instrument. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, states, The throbbing beat of the drum in many societies forms a bridge to the supernatural.
Earth
Earth: The female counterpart to the masculine sky, the earth is idolized as a divine mother by many peoples, due to its nurturing gifts of food, water, and shelter. According to Rowena and RupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),InChina thedomeoftheskyrepresentsyang,whileearthrepresentsyin.TheBatammaliba(fromToga, Africa)calltheirskygodKuiye,andhiswife,theearthgoddessButan.FortheMaori,thegodis RangiandtheearthgoddessPapatuanuku.However,inEgypt,theskyisruledbythegoddessNut,whoseearth husbandisthegodGeb,andinChristianitytheskyrepresentsthemanteloftheVirginMary.Theequalarmed crosswithinacircleistheastrologicalglyphfortheearth.SeeElement. Gaea: (Gaia) The Greek name for the earth as Mother and Provider. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains that Gaea is the Greek name for Mother Earth, the Deep SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 26
breasted One, called Oldest of Divinities. The Olympian gods swore their oath to her before Zeus, and were ruledbyherlaw,astheoldestofalldeities. KhonMa: KhonMa is the Tibetan name for the earth. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of MythsAndSecrets(1983),saysTibetansviewedearthasMotherEarth,theoldmothergoddesswhorulesover allspiritsemanatingfromtheearthelements. Tara: The IndoEurope earth goddess, in Latin known as Tarra Mater; in Hebrew, Terahl; in Gaulish Taranis; in Etruscan, Turan, according to Barbara Walker, in her book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983). TerraFirma:TranslatedasMotherEarth,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983),thetitlewasTakenfromtheHomericphraseGreatMother,FirmlyFounded,Oldestof Divinities. Eden:SeeParadise,Eden. Egg:TheeggsymbolizesnotonlylifebutalsotheCreatressoftheworld,theuniverse,andthesun.From Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by RichardCavendish,Theeggisasymbolofnewlifeandfertility.TheideaofaWorldEgg,birthedbyMother Night, the great goddess of darkness who produced the first creature, appears in many early creation myths, especially from the Orient. The Cretan writer Epimenides introduced the World Egg to Greece in 600 B.C. The Egyptian sun god Ra was born of the Cosmic Egg made by the god Khnum, with mud from the Nile. The EgyptiansignforwombandtheWorldEggarethesame.AnothermythtellsoftheSunEggbornofthegreat cackler goose. In Hindulegend, thegolden WorldEgg calledHiranyagarbha hatches Brahma, thesun. Chinese legendsaysthatthefirstbeing,PanKuappearedfromtheCosmicEgg.ThebisexualEros,godofdesirewasalso saidtohavebeenthefirstcreaturebornfromtheWorldEgg. Eight:SeeNumbers.
Elements
Elements:LongbeforethePeriodicTableoftheElementswascompiled,humansasearlyasSumeria(the earliestliteratecivilization)werecategorizingthefourbasicelementsas:earth,air,water,andfire.Alloverthe world,NativeAmericanIndians,Aztec,Hindus,Chinese,Greeks,Egyptians,andRomansallrecognizethesefour basicelements.AccordingtoTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalker,Oneach oftheinhabitedcontinents,thesamefourelementsweredistinguishedasbuildingblocksofallsubstancesliving ordead,organicorinorganic:water,fire,earth,andair. Scientists,untilthe18thcentury(whentheperiodictablewascompiled),believedinthefourelementsas the building blocks of life as temperaments: sanguine (caused by an overabundance of blood), phlegmatic (phlegm),melancholic(causedbytoomuchbile),andethereal(ether)whichmixedtogethertocreatethetemper of a person. Indian legend says the four elements were created by the Great Mother Kali, who wrote Sanskrit, whichissaidtobeinvestedwiththepowerofcreatingwhateverisspoken:VAforwater;Raforfire;Laforearth; and Ya for air. Kali created humans out of the four elements, blood, heat, solids, and breath and is shown in Westerniconographyasholdingthefourelementssymbolizedasbloodforwater,scepter(lightningbolt)forfire, lotuswheelforearth,andswordforair.InGreecethiswastransferredtothegoddessNemesisasacupforwater, anappleboughorwandforfire,wheelforearth,andaswordforair. TheTarot,aforerunnerofthemoderndeckofcards,wascreatedinfoursuitswhichmirroredthesefour elements,cups;wands,rods,orscepters;pentacles,coins,ordiscs;andswords.NativeAmericansdesignedtheir villages and encampments so they lined up with the four directions, which also corresponded to the four elements,aswellastheircolorsandqualitiesforexample,wind:north,war,andyellow;fire:south,summer, farming, and red; water: west, spring, peace, and blue; earth: east, autumn, magic, and white. The Aztec had similar categories with water and earth and associated with the Mother Earth goddess, while fire and air are associated with the Father Sky god. In pagan lore, spirits of superhuman nature were connected with the four elementsasundines(water),salamanders(fire),gnomes(earth),andsylphs(air). Thereissometimesafifthelement,ether,addedtotheseprimaryfourelements,whichiscomprisedof theheavenlystuffofsuchthingsasgods,angels,starspirits,saints,astralbodies,andthegasthatfilled outerspace,asbelievedbyastronomersofthe18thand19thcenturies.Whythesefourelementsarechosenabove othersisunknown.Itisspeculatedthatthesearethefourwaysofreturningthehumanbodybacktoitsorigins: burial(earth),burning(fire),carnalbirds(air),orcarriedawayinriversortheocean(water).Walker(1983)states, SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 27
Ingeneral,theloreoftheelementswasaprimeexampleofwhatmaybeoneofhumanitysmostcharacteristic behaviorpatterns:classifying.Belowaretheelementsandselectedexamplesofmeaningsthatinnowayinclude thesignificancetoeverycultureandtime. Fire: Masculine, Fire of Life, Wands, Ra, scepter, south, blue, summer, fire, red, farming, salamanders,ruby,Mars.Alchemicalfiresigntoleft.SeeFire. Water: Feminine, mothering vehicle of the energies of birth, nourishment, and growth, Cups, Va, blood, west, red, spring, peace, blue, undines, honey, milk, sapphire, lapis lazuli, Venus. Alchemicalwatersigntoleft.SeeWatercategory. Earth: Feminine, the world supporter and base, Pentacles, La, Lotus, east, white, autumn, magic,gnomes,gold,Jove.Alchemicalearthsymboltoleft.SeeEarth. Air: Masculine, the breath of life, swords, Ya, north, black, winter, rabbit, wind, war, yellow, sylphs,silver,crystal,diamond,Saturn.Alchemicalairsymboltoleft.
Eleven:SeeNumbers. Elk:SeeAnimals. Enneagram: The Enneagram is an ancient teaching of the nine types of personalities or strategiesthatpeopleembodyinordertomeettheirbasicneedsofloveandsafety.Theorigins of the Enneagram are unknown. Some believe that the geometrical symbol of the Enneagram originatedwithPythagoras,othersbelievethatitisanearlyformoftheCabbalisticTreeOfLife, stillothersbelievethatitcomesfromtheIslamicSufitradition.ThemodernEnneagramwas compiled, created, and taught by Oscar Ichazo (19761982) in his Arica Training. Enneagram comes from the Greekrootenneameaningnineandgrammeaningfigure.Intheiressay,WhatIsTheEnneagram(2004), Helen Palmer and David Daniels explain, Hence, the Enneagram is a diagram or star with nine points representing the nine personality patterns. Each of these nine patterns is based on an explicit set of perceptual filtersthatdetermineourworldview.Underneatheachoftheninepatternsisabasicpropositionorbeliefabout whatyouneedinlifeforsurvivalandsatisfaction.Theninepersonalitytypesarenicknamedbyvariousexperts. Althoughthesenicknamessometimesarenotnecessarilyuniversal,theyarecommonlycalled,thePerfectionist, the Giver/Helper, the Performer/Achiever, the Romantic, the Observer, the Loyalist/Safety and Security, the Epicure/HaveFun/Adventurer,theProtector/Boss,theMediator/Peacemaker.SeeUMSEnneagramcourse. Eve:LikemostBiblicalstories,EvehasahistorybeforetheBible.OriginallyanIndiantaleofKaliMa,titled Jaganmata,whichmeansMotherofAllLiving,EvewasknownasJiveorIeva,theworldCreatress.InAssyrian mythology, Eve was the MotherWomb, Creatress of Destiny and made the first man and woman out of clay. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, the original Eve had no spouse excepttheserpent,alivingphallusshecreatedforherownsexualpleasure...BecauseJehovaharrogantlypretended tobethesoleCreator,Evewasobligedtopunishhim,accordingtoGnosticscriptures.ThoughtheMotherofAll Livingexistedbeforeeverything,thegodforgotshehadmadehimandhadgivenhimsomeofhercreativepower. Atthebeginningofmanyreligiousdoctrinesisagoddesswhocreatedagodtobehercompanion,butthistheme waslatercorruptedtoreinforcepatriarchalcreationmyths;thestoryofEveisnoexception. Eye:Theeyeisasymbolofknowledgeandtruthofthesoul.TheAmericandollarbillsportsa trianglewithaneye.WhentheEgyptiangodRaopenshiseyes,thesunrises,whenhecloses them,lightdisappearsanditisnight.TheEgyptianAllSeeingEyeofthefirstgoddessoftruth andjudgment,Maat,laterbecametheEyeofHorusandRa(left),whichcouldcauseterror.This tale morphed into the Evil Eye, which caused hardship and fear. Charms against the Evil Eye tend to be synonymouswithsymbolsfortheyoni (uterus/vulva)suchascowrieshellsortrianglesinIndia,Greece,andthe Balkans. Medusas eyes could petrify all but the worthiest viewers. Early Neolithic portrayals of an Eye Goddess SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 28
who searches mens souls have been found all throughout Mesopotamia and the old saying that eyes are the windowsofthesoulstillremains.BothChristiansandMuslimsbelieveintheAllSeeingEyeofaholybeing.Also, as Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, It seems men were very much averse to meeting a direct glance from a woman. In the most patriarchal societies, from medieval Japan to Europe,itwascustomarytoinsistthatproperwomenkeeptheireyelidsloweredinthepresenceofmen.Thereis alsothethirdeyeofmetaphysicalpracticesthatallowsforinnerandoutervisionsandmeditations. Fasting:AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt And Myth (2002), Fasting symbolizes devotion, renunciation and penance. Christians fast during Lent as penancebyabstainingfromselfgratification;Jewsfastforrepentance,mourning,atonementduringYomKippur and other holy times; Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset; in many Indian religioustraditionsfastingisanactofhumilityandrecognitionofinsignificancebeforeGod. Fates:SeeTriplegoddess. Feasting:AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt AndMyth(2002),Feastshavemanymeanings.Theymarkritesofpassagesuchasbirth,deathandmarriage,or seasonaleventssuchastheharvest.Japanesefeastinhonorofthericedeitiesatthericeharvest;inScandinavia thefeastsareassociatedwithwarriors;JewsfeastonPassover,thedaythatmarkstheHebrewflightfromEgypt. Feather:Ancient Egyptians associatedfeathers withthe balance of truth and lying. A symbol of peace and carrier of prayer for Native Americans, Feathers have, predictably, many magical and ritual roles in the complex religious activity of southwestern Indians. But their greatest prominence is as the primary symbolic decorationontheprayersticksthataresoimportanttosuchtribesasthePuebloorNavaho,accordingtoMan, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish. The carrion eagle and turkey feathers are associated with death, while the hawk feathers are connectedwithwar.SeeBirds. Fiftytwo:SeeNumbers. Fire:ManysocietiesassociatefirewithadeitysuchasApollo,Helios,Hestia,LokiandLleuaccordingto Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by RichardCavendish.SeeElements. Fish:SeeAnimals. Five:SeeNumbers.
Flowers
Flowers: Across all cultures, flowers are a symbol of love, appreciation and devotion felt for those to whomtheyaregiven.Flowersrepresentpurityandsweetness. Carnation:CarnationsgrewinthewakeoftheVirginMarystearsonthewaytoCalvaryandsotheyare a symbol of love. In China they are a symbol of marriage. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), state, In the Victorian language of flowers, red carnations symbolizemaritallove;pink,compassionate,maternallove;white,purespirituallove;andyellow,rejection. Cherry Blossoms: Significant in Japan, the cherry blossom symbolizes spring, purity, and shortlived beauty.RowenaandRupertShepherd,intheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),go on, Because the blossom is in flower only briefly before dropping, the Cherry tree is a symbol of purity and shortlivedbeauty.Thefallenblossomissometimesusedtosymbolizewarriorswhohavediedyoung.InChina itcanrepresentthefourthmonthoftheyear. Chrysanthemum:TheChrysanthemumisasymbolofautumnandlonglifeinChinaandJapan.Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), explain, The Chinese name for this flower is almost a homonym with the word meaning to remain; and it is linked to the numbernine,whichformsahomonymwiththewordmeaninglongtime.Forthisreason,theChrysanthemum flower is a symbol of long life. The Chrysanthemum, along with the plum, orchid, and bamboo, is one of the FourNobilities,whorepresentthevirtuesofaConfusiangentleman.InJapanitistheemblemfortheimperial family. Daisy:Anothersymbolofinnocence,associatedwiththeVirginMaryandinfantChrist.Daisieswerealso sacredtotheNorsegoddessFreya(Shepherd,2002).
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Iris: First associated with the Greek messenger goddess Iris, they are sometimes associated with the VirginMary(asareplacementofherlily).TheyalsosymbolizeearlysummerinJapan,accordingtoRowenaand RupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Lily: The flower of the SumeroBabylonian goddess Lilith. Barbara Walker, in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),referstoitastheliluorlotusofhergenitalmagic. Thelilyoftenrepresentedthevirginaspectofthetriplegoddess,whiletheroserepresentedher maternalaspect.ThelilyalsobecameassociatedwiththevirginmotherofGod,Mary,andin theSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),JohnBradnerstates,Asasymbolofpuritythis flowerbelongsparticularlytotheVirginMary.AnotherVirginMother,Juno,also Used a lily on her conception of her saviorson Mars. In general the lily symbolizes the female reproductive capacityand,asWalker(1983)pointsout,Thismythreflectedanearlybeliefintheselffertilizingpowerofthe yoni(vulva),whichthelilysymbolized.ThismythwaslaterassimilatedintotheChristianchurchbyadopting thedayofJunosvirginconceptionastheFestivaloftheMotherofGod,in656A.D.atthe10thCouncilofToledo. TheFleurdelissymbolizesthelily,theFrenchroyalfamily,andtheTrinity,duetoitsthreeleaves(totheleft) (Shepherd,2002).SeeLilithunderMother/PreserverGoddesssection. Lotus:Agreatwhitewaterlily,varietiesofwhichgrowfromIndiatoAustralia.Earliestlotus art was found in 3000 B.C. in India on a fertility goddess. The lotus or Cosmic Flower is the symbolformanyEgyptian,Indian,andOrientalGoddessesincludingPadma,Cunti,Lakshmi, andShakti,andisoftenpairedwiththemalelingam.Thelotusphysicallyrepresentedtheyoni orvulvaandmanymythsofaSupremeFathergodwhocreatesall,actuallytelloftheirbirthof alotus(meaningauniversalgoddess),includingBrahmaandRa(thelotusalsosymbolizedthe sun due to its raylike pedals). In Hindu creationmythology the spirit of the Supreme Being waspersonifiedbyagoldenlotusonagreatseaInessenceitsignifiesthefemaleprincipleof life,fromwhichstemsfertility,prosperity,creationitself;andalsoenlightenment,immortality, andresurrection,accordingtoMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology, ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish.Fromthisbeliefoftheyonibeingthephysicalentrance tospiritualknowledge,arousemanyspiritualsexualrituals,suchasthesexualexercisesofOrientalmysticsandritual cunnilingusoftheEast.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),furtherasserts,The central phrase of Tantrism, Om mani padme hum, meant the Jewel (male) in the Lotus (female), with interlocking connotations: the penis in the vagina, the fetus in the womb, the corpse in the earth, the God in the Goddess representingallofthese.Thelotusisusedinfuneralrites,votiveofferings,andtombpaintingsanditispartofsocial ceremony. The association of the waterlily with the lifegiving Nile made it one of Egypts many sacred objects, standing for fertility and resurrection In Egyptian mythology the waterlily represented the newlycreated earth, seenintheformoftheflowerfloatingonthewater,enshriningthemysterioussecretsofthegods,(Cavendish,1995). Itisplacedwiththemummiesofwomen.InGreeceamultitudeofpatternsweredevelopedfromit,whicharefound alsoinIndiaandinEtruscanandRomanart.SeeLingamandYoni. Marigold:AssociatedwiththedeadbyMexicans,theyareusedasdecorationduringtheDayoftheDead. TheyareassociatedwiththesungodApolloasthetalegoes,theNereidClytiewho,havingbeenspurnedinlove bythesungod,wastransformedintoamarigoldandeverafterturnedherheadtofacethesun,asinterpretedby RowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Narcissus:OneofChinasFourNobilitiesalongwithplum,cinnamon,andchrysanthemum,narcissus flowers are symbols of good fortune and the New Year. Part of the character for narcissus means Daoist Immortal, so the flower can also stand for the Eight Immortals. In Greek legend, Narcissus was the beautiful youth who died looking at his own reflection, and eventually turned into the narcissus flower. Rowena and RupertShepherd,intheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,Hesymbolizes thedeadlycostofexcessiveselfabsorption. Peony: Symbols of good fortune, riches, female beauty, and the yoni, it is associated with erotic love. Rowena andRupertShepherd,in their book 1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth (2002),state,In ChinesethepeonyiscalledtheKing(orQueen)ofFlowers.Itisalsorepresentsspringasoneofthefourflowers representingtheseasonsalongwiththelotus,chrysanthemum,andplum. Poppy:Poppiesaresymbolsofsleepanddeathduetotheirmedicinalqualitiesasasleepaid.Theyare associatedwithwinterandDemeter,whodrankpoppyjuiceinthefallandsleptthroughwinter.IntheGreco SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 30
Roman pantheon, the poppy is the flower of Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, Nyx, goddess of the night, and Morpheus,godofsleepanddreams,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:What ShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Sunflower:Anotherflowerthatfollowsthesun,theSpanishcalleditgirasol,turntothesun.Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), state, Hence it becameassociatedwiththefaithfulloveofgodand,inportraiture,withloyaltyanddevotion. Tulip:AsymbolofthedivineandparadiseintheOttomanEmpire,thetuliporlaleusesthesameletters asthewordforAllah.IntheNetherlandstulipsbecamehighlyprizedassymbolsofwealthandbeautyduring the16thcentury,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt AndMyth(2002). Rose: Symbols of beauty, fertility, and purity, roses were sacred to Aphrodite, the Muses, Aurora,andDionysus(Shepherd,2002).FirstassociatedastheFlowerofVenusandhersacred prostitutes, the rose is a feminine symbol of sexuality and love for many traditions. A white rose, like the lily, represented virginity and the red represented sexual maturity. The original fivepetalled rose was sacred to witches and pagans along with the fivepointed pentacle and theappleblossom.Likewise,itwasassociatedwiththeEgyptianfivepointedstarofIshtarand AphroditesMysteriesoftheRose.InMarianism,theChristianVirginMaryadoptedtheholy rose as her female symbol in conjunction with the masculine cross, and during the Gothic period, Mary Magdalenewassymbolizedbytheroseinthecathedralsbuiltforher,namelytheNotreDames.InIndia,theGreat Mother is sometimes called the Holy Rose and in the East the Tree of Life and Immortality is a rose tree. The Mongolian version of this tree is called Zambu and the Hindus recognized the cosmic RoseApple tree on the mythicalparadiseislandJambu.ThenumberfivewassacredtotheMariansbecauseitwasthenumberofpetals intherose,andalsointheappleblossomanothervirginitysymbolgivingrisetothefivelobesofthemature apple,thecorrespondingsymbolof[virginity],motherhood,fruition,regeneration,andeternallife,accordingto BarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).InZoroastrianism,theroseisassociated withinnocence,whosethornsarearesultoftheevilintheworld;inSufism,theroseflowerisasymboloflifes pleasure,andthethorns,itspain;inIslamtheyareassociatedwithparadise;InChinatheysymbolizeyouthand thefourseasons.TheRosetteisastylizedrosefromMesopotamiathatisconnectedtotheGoddessInanna,andin the GrecoRoman culture, Aphrodite/Venus, as well as the Virgin Mary with the cross, is the symbol of Rosicrucianism(Shepherd,2002).SeeRosary. Violet: A modern symbol of female modesty and frailty (for instance a shrinking violet), violets traditionallyadornedtheparticipantsofDionysianfestivals(Shepherd,2002). Fly: Celtic and Greek folklore both assert that flies and insects carry human souls, and women can conceive by swallowing a fly. The Middle Eastern God, Baal Zebub, translates to Lord of Flies or Lord of Souls.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,Behindsuchimages canbeseenanarchaicmodeofthought,predatingthediscoveryoffatherhood,whenmenevolvedvariouscrude theoriestoexplainthemysteryofhowafetuscametobeinawomansbody.SeeBirds. Footbinding: This Chinese symbol of beauty is just one of many forms of mutilation like corsets, breast implants,andfemalegenitalmutilation,whichhavebeenusedtocrippleanddisempowerwomen.Thispracticeof slowlybreakingthebonesofthefeettocausetinyfeet,tookplaceforathousandyearsuntilthe20thcentury.Itwas performedonwealthyyounggirls(age5or6)bytheirmothers(likemanymutilations)andtransferredovertothe Westastheidealoftinyfeet,insuchtalesasCinderella.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets (1983), states that like many mutilations, Chinese men were conditioned to intense fetishistic passion for deformedfemalefeet...Thecrippledwomanwasconsideredimmeasurablycharmingbyreasonofhervulnerability, hersuffering,andherhelplessnessshecouldntevenescapeanattackerbyrunningaway.Thegoalwastoobtain threeinch long feet called lotus hooks, and, according to Walker (1983), the four smaller toes were folded completely under the sole, then the whole foot was folded so the underside of the heel and toes were brought together.However,manywomendiedofgangreneorsuppuration. Forty:SeeNumbers. Four:SeeNumbers.
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universalmoralityagainstwhichonemustmeasureoneself.Itrestswiththecompassesuponthelodgesaltar; the combination of compass and set square has come to symbolize masonry. The compass also represents the circularsun,withraysateachpointofthecompass.SeeGreatArchitect. Frog:SeeAnimals.
Freemason:Settogetherthecompassesandthesquarearesignificantsymbolsforfreemasonsas they have come to be associated with building temples. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), compasses representtheneedtokeepthepassionscircumscribed,andthesetsquaresymbolizesthe
Fruit
Fruit: Fruit is the symbol of harvested labors, the result of hard work and abundance. Fruit represents theprize. Ambrosia:Thismythicalfoodgiveseverlastinglifeandhealsallwoundsandisoftenrepresentedwith wine,honeyorfruit.InGreeklegends,MotherHeragivestheothergodsadrinkofmagicalwine,whichgives themimmortality,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).However theancientsacredeasternIndiantextsalsoimpartthisideaofafoodordrinkthatgivesimmortalitysuchasthe Vedicsoma,Persianhaoma,andEgyptiansa.Allofthesewordsarealsoconnectedwiththemoonandmenstrual blood,suggestingimmortalitythroughthelifegivingfeminineblood. Apple:Applesaresignificantinourculture,fromsayingslike,Theappleofmyeye,orAn applefortheteacher,tofolklegendsaboutJohnnyAppleseed,andAmericanapplepie.The appleinChristiandogmacomesfromtheTreeofKnowledgeinEden.Itisthekeytooriginal sin, the fall of grace from God. From Symbols Of Church Seasons And Days (1997), by John Bradner,weread,BytraditiontheappleisthefruitoftheParadiseTree.Itisusedsometimes asasymbolofChrist,thenew(orsecond)Adam.However,theapplesfivepetalblossoms, like the rose and pentagram, in older IndoEuropean tradition represents the knowledge of sacred femininity, sexuality,andimmortality.TheGoddessmagicalparadisetooktheformofapplegrovesinmanytraditionssuchas theCelticApplelandofAvalon,theNorsegoddessIdunsmagicalappleskeptthegodsimmortal,andtheGreek goddessHerasmagicalapplegardencontainedtheTreeofLifeandthesacredserpent.Asignificantaspectofthe appletowitchesandgypsiesisthefivepointedstarofappleseedsinthecoreoftheapplewhencuttransversely, andrelatestomythologyabout theVirginKore(Core)withinher EarthMotherDemeter.BarbaraWalker,inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, The fivepointed star in a circle was the Egyptian hieroglyph for the underworld womb, where resurrection was brought about by the motherheart of transformations.Thus,amonggypsiesandpaganstheapplesymbolizedasacredunion. Cherry:Todaythissymbolisusedinslangforavarietyofexpressionsfromacherryredpaintjob,tothe hymen of a virgin. Like the apple and pomegranate, this fruit represents the virgin (or maiden) goddess, and depending on the cultures view of sex, may also include temptation. According to Barbara Walker in The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),thecherrysymbolizedtheVirginGoddess:bearinghersacred bloodcolorandbearingitsseedwithin,likeawomb.Manyculturesincludethecherryinmythsorpractices. Buddhas virgin mother Maya, was supported by a cherry tree, the Sala, while giving birth; Gypsies use the cherryinlovemagic;andtheFrenchcourtlyloveusedCherryasthenameforthebeloved. Peach:Similartotheapple,thepeachisasymbolinChinaforthegenitaliaofwomen.Orientallegends tellofgodsbeingreborninmagicalpeachgardens.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983),PeachblossommeantavirgininTaoistsymbolism,whilethefruitstoodforamature womanwhosejuiceswereessentialtomanshealth. Pomegranate: The pomegranate, like the apple and peach, also represented female sexuality and reproduction.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,Thepomegranate withitsredjuiceandmanyseedswasaprimesymbolofuterinefertility.Legendtellsthateatingpomegranates impregnatedwomen(Nana,motherofAttis);keptsoulsintheunderworld(Persephone,Kore,andEurydice);its juice was used to anoint the pillars of Solomons temple; it wasdrunk on the occasion of important weddings; andaccordingtoSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohnBradner,Thisfruit(hasthe)meaningof thehopeofresurrection.Tothisday,thestatueofArgiveHeraorOurLadyWiththePomegranate,holdinga childandapomegranate,isworshippedbypilgrimsatCapaccioVecchio. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 32
Fool:MedievalCourts,CrowIndiansoftheNorthernPlains,Dakotatribes,Iroquois,AfricanAzande,and Korean Cherokees all have social positions for a character like the fool. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, says, The privileged positionofthefool,theclownandthejesterallowshimawidelatitudeforsatiricalcommentonsacredinstitutions. Byprovokinglaughterandbringingsuppressedanxietiestothesurface,heoftenplaysatherapeuticrole. Foot Washing: Common in the Bible, Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in their book 1000 Symbols: What ShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,washinganothersfeetshowshumilityandhomage,particularly whenperformedbythepowerful. Fountain:SeeWater. Four: Groups of four appear all throughout religion and spirituality. Barbara Walker, in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,fourcardinalpoints,thefourwinds,thefoursidesoftheHoly Mountain (pyramid), the four spirits called Sons of Horus the four Princes of Heaven revered in China and Japanasguardiansofthefourcardinaldirections:abluedragonintheeast,aredbirdinthesouth,awhitetiger inthewest,ablackwarriorinthenorth.Therearealsothefourelements,fire,water,earth,andair;andfour elemental totem, four angels of the Apocalypse and four evangelists, in Christianity symbolized as the bull (earth),lion(fire),serpent(water),andeagle,angel,orman(air).SeeNumbers. Gaea:SeeEarth. Ganges:SeeWater. Garlic: This Christian talisman of protection against vampires and werewolves, like the crucifix stems frompaganbeliefthatonecouldobtainimmortalitybydrinkingthebloodofgods(similartotransubstantiation). Garlic was taboo in GrecoRoman goddess temples, probably because sweetsmelling breath was required for group contact and sexual worship, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983).However,asRowenaandRupertShepherdexplianintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMean InArt And Myth(2002),In antiquity garlic was associated withthe moon and magic,and believed to protect againsttheEvilEye,snakes,scorpions,spirits,vampires,werewolves,magic,andillness. Gemini:SeeZodiacSigns. Ghost:Originallymeaningthespiritofanancestor,aghostwasaguest(fromthesameGermanicroot) invitedtofestivalsandfeastssuchasSamhainandAllHallowsEve.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopedia OfMythsAndSecrets(1983),statesthataghostisoriginallyaspiritofadeadancestorinvitedtotribalfeasts.It was a European custom to preserve, decorate, and consult the skulls of dead ancestors; however the Christian doctrineoftheresurrectionrequiredburialoffullbodies.Itisbelievedinfolklorethatghostsareangeredwhen nothonoredandtendtorevisitplacesfromtheirpast,especiallythescenesoftheirdeath. Giants:Giantsappearinmythologyasoneoftheearliestracesofpeople.Themostobviousoriginsofthe mythologyofthegiantcomefromachildsperceptionoftheadultworld:thatabiggerbeingismorepowerful and knowledgeable. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets, (1983), states, Like grownups seen through the eye of the toddler, giants tended to be fearsome, sometimes bloodthirsty but sometimes benevolent; possessors of an arcane ancient wisdom; and adepts of magic. Within mythology this GiantarchetypesymbolizesaprimalElderRace.TheBibleclassifiesgiantswithothersaviorsanddivinebeings as having earthly mothers and divine fathers. Walker asserts, Semitic tradition held that all the biblical patriarchswereofenormoussize.Abrahamwasseventytimesasbigasamodernman.Nonformallyeducated Arabs and Hindus still assert that the ancient peoples of the Golden Age of humanity, who built megalithic structures,weregiants.Walkerparaphrasesthemaslikeparentfigures,theearliestracesweregigantic,sinless, wise,andlonglivedandwithanunderstandingofreincarnationthroughamatriarchalfamily.Ancientlegends ofThorandlegendsfromGreecetelloftravelingtoagiantlandviacrossingriversofmenstrualblood,calledthe Styx in Greece. The Titans of Greece were also a giant race, children of Mother Earth and Father Sky. Many Oedipuslike legends evolved out of this primal giant beginning. The Irish still believe that giants inhabit the chamberedundergroundsofTarawhodwellthefourthraceofgodswhosettledIreland(Walker,1983).These peoplewerecalledtheTuathaDeDanann,aftertheirgoddessDana,whobecameTitania,theFairyQueenoffolk legends.ItwasbelievedthatasawarenessandbeliefinGiantsdiminished,sotoodidtheirsizeandpoweruntil theywerelittlepeoplesuchaselvesorfairies,andthereligiousmythsbecomechildrensfairytales. Goat:SeeAnimals.
Gods
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God: Recognized later than the goddess, the god in misogynistic traditions has tended to usurp the goddess original qualities, such as Creator. Paired with the goddess, the god provides the cosmic masculine componentofcreationpreservationdestruction(theaspectsofthetriplegoddess).Inhisfertility/creatoraspect, thegoddiestoprovidethefertilityforhispartner,Gaia(Earth).Thishasbeenreenactedinmanytraditions,with thecouplingofasymbolicfertilitygodandasymbolicmaidengoddessoftenapriestandpriestessorkingand queen, and then sometimes literally killing the fertility god, other times only symbolically killing him. The fertilityofthepriestess/queeninsuredthefertilityoftheland.Inhisfather/preservationaspect,thegodisoften representedasheavenorthesun.Heisusuallycreatedbythegreatgoddessandthencoupleswithhertocreate theuniverse.Theyoftenappearasconsortsofthetriplegoddess,suchasShiva,Hades,Pluto,Neptune/Poseidon, theDevil,etc.Thetridentistheirsymbol,mostoftenassociatedwithPoseidon/Neptune,andrepresentsthetriple lingam consorting with the triple yoni of the triple goddess. In His death/destroyer aspect, he appears as the underworldguardian.Ideally,thiswasaplaceofregeneration,wheredepartedsoulsrestedbeforerebirth,butit laterturnedintotheneverendinghellofpunishment.
Fertility/SaviorGods
Fertility/Savior Gods: From the Greek Soter, savior literally means one who sows the seed and metaphoricallyreferringtoaphallicfertilitygod,consortoftheMotherEarth,suchasRomesSemoSancus,Soter isoftenincorporatedintothenameofgodsordivinekingssuchasDionysusSoterandAntiochusSoter.Savior gods all had similar life patterns of being born of a virgin mother and god, and coming to earth to save the virtuous, whose death insures that salvation. It is a common myth for goddesses and fertility saviorgods to copulateinnewlytilledfieldstoinsurefertility,oftenreenactedwithpriestessesanddivinekings.ThePersian, Egyptian,Babylonian,MiddleEastern,andChristianbeliefsallhadsaviorsamongtheirmyths. Ares(Greek)/Mars(Roman):GodofWar,Marsalsohasrootsasafertilitysaviorgod.Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, Mars was red because his basic IndoEuropean prototype was the preVedic flayed god Rudra, father of the Maruts or sacrificial victims, red with their own blood. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, intheir book,1000Symbols:What ShapesMeanInArtAndMyth (2002),Its glyph representsdirectionanddesireoverthecircleofspirit.Venus(Aphrodite)isMars(Ares) counterpart.SeeGreatGoddesses.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Cernunnos:CernunnosistheCeltichornedgoddepictedinsacredartwithaheaddressofantlers,sittingin ameditativelotusposition.HeisthefertilityconsortoftheGoddess,andparticularlythissymbolrepresentsunion between maleandfemale.According to BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983) Medievalromancesspokeofpaganheroeswhoacquiredgodlikepowersbyfallingintoatranceofcontemplation ofthegoddessasladylove.SeeHorns.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Christos: Meaning Anointed One, Christos was the title of many Middle Eastern sacrificial gods Attis,Adonis,Tammuz,OsirisderivedfromOrientalcultsofthesacredmarriage,accordingtoBarbaraWalker inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Kokopelli:FluteplayingKokopelliisadeityofmagic,traveler,andbringerofbabiesforthesouth west indigenous American tribes. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Kokopelli symbolizes fertility, sexuality, procreation and a passion for life. He is associated with the strong, bright colors of the macaw, symbolizingthevividnessoflifelivedtothefull. Messiah:APersianwordfortheAnointedOne,asaviorgodwhoissupposedtocometoearthatdoomsday tosavethevirtuous.InherbookTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerassertsthatthe MessiahisbasedontheKalkiAvatar,finalincarnationofBuddha,duetoappearintimetosavethevirtuous,before destructionofthisuniverse.Oftenbornofavirginmotherandgod,theMessiahhasbeenassociatedwithZoroaster (Persia),Elijah(Jewish),DavidandJoseph(fromtheTalmud,carriedoninChristianity),andJesus(Christian). Mithra:APersiansaviorgod,proclaimedProtectoroftheEmpirein307A.D.andmorepopularthan Jesus during the first early Christian era. In fact, many of the details of Jesus life were copied from Mithra. Mithrasbirth,onDecember25th,wasalsowitnessedbyshepherds,andMagicbroughthimgifts.He,too,hada miraculousbirthoftheSunGodandtheMotherofGod(althoughhermortalityisquestioned).Mithraperformed miraclesandhealing,finallypartakinginaLastSupperwith12disciples,andreturningtoheavenatthespring SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 34
equinox.Thesimilaritiesgoon.Mithrascult,however,wasstrictlymasculine,comprisedofcelibatemenonly. ThewomenparticipatedintheirownworshiptotheGreatMotherasIsis,Diana,orJuno. Moses:LikeJesus,Mosesisabiblicalcharacterwhosemythicdeedsandlifestoryfollowthepatternof sacredkings. Egypts archetypal Moses characters included Thutmose, Ahmoses, and Heracles, who all performedheroicdeeds.Thesecharacterswerebornofvirginprincessorpriestessmothers.TheAkkadmythof King Sargon is similar as well. He, too, was born of a virgin priestess (titled Virgin Bride of God), and was rescuedfromabasketfloatingontheriverbyadivinemidwife(aswasHeracles,Perseus,Horus,Jason,Trakhan ofGilgit,Oedipus,Joshua,SonofNun,andmore).Hismiraclesarealsoreplicatedfromearliermyths.Isis,onher journey to Byblos, parted the river Phaedrus, as did Bindumati with the river Ganges. Barbara Walker, in The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,ThehistoricalbasisofMosesmythsseemstohavebeen theexpulsionofJewsfromEgyptduringanoutbreakofpestilence,possiblyleprosy.Moseswasacharacterof histime,likeallsaviorkings,andhewasthepredictedsaviorandleaderofhispeople,theJews. Jesus:OthernamesincludeJaho,Iao,Ieuw,Jehu,Joshua,Ieu,Ieud,Jeud,Iasion,Jason,Iasus, and Yeshua. His titles included Christ, derived from Christos, meaning Anointed One, from the MiddleEastern tradition of saviorgods like Adonis and Tammuz, and ZeusSabazius, signifying him as the nocturnal sun or Lord of Death (Lord of the Underworld); Good Shepherd, which Jesus shared with Osiris and Tammuz; King of Glory, shared with Sarapis; LightoftheWorldandSunorRighteousness,sharedwithMirthaandHeracles;KingofKings, GodofGods,sharedwithDionysus;EnlightenedOneandLogos,sharedwithHermes;Sonof ManandMessiah,sharedwithVishnuandMirthra;etc. JesusisthemostsignificantsymboloftheChristianChurch,astheLordandSaviorwhodiedforthesinsof the world. The Bible is a composite of four different alleged accounts of Jesus life by Mathew, Mark, John, and Luke.However,thereareotheraccountsbypeopleclaimingtohavealsoknownJesus.Thesearegenerallytitledthe GnosticGospels,andincludetheGospelofMaryandtheGospelofThomas,amongothers,althoughthesearenot accepted by the church and are disputed among historians and theologians. Barbara Walker, in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),pointsout,Moderntheologianstendtosidestepthequestionofwhether Jesuswasinfactafableorarealperson.ThereisverylittleofficiallyrecordedaboutJesusphysicallifeand,what issuggestedfollowsapatternofreligiousandspiritualprocedures.Forinstance,theJewspracticedthesacrificeof SacredKingstoappeasetheirgod,Yahweh,intoforgivingthesinsofman,anditwouldseemthatJesusplayedthis role.WalkerexplainsthattheGospelsappeartohavenotbeenwritteninthetimeofJesus,orevenbypeoplewho knewhimandThedetails[ofJesuslife]wereaccumulatedthroughlateradoptionofthemythsattachedtoevery saviorgodthroughouttheRomanEmpire.JesusborrowedfromAdonis,thathismotherwasaconsecratedtemple maiden, from the House of Bread and the tradition of eating bread to represent the body (along with Osiris, Dionysus,andothers).LikeAttis,Jesustimedhissacrificeatthespringequinox,onlytoarisethreedayslater.Like Orpheus and Heracles, Jesus held the secret to eternal life. The similarities go on. See Bible. See UMS Mystical BeginningsofChristianitycourse.ChristsMonogram(signature),picturedabove,comprisedofthefirsttwoletters inhisnameinGreek(Christos)meansauspicious. Quetzalcoatl: Born of the goddess Chicomecoatl, this Aztec saviorgod follows the same life pattern as othersaviorgods.Hissymboliccropwascorn,hisdeathandresurrectionbeinglinkedtothepatternsofplanting, growth,andharvest(Walker,1983).
Father/SunGods
Father/Sun Gods: For most cultures the sun represented the lifegiving father while the moon or earth represented the mother. Often, the father god is the consort of the mother or triple goddess, sometimes in the simpleformofthemoonorearth,suchasArtemisorGaia,sometimesastheGreatGoddessessuchasAstarteor Hathor. Apollo (Greek and Roman): Born of the moon goddess Artemis (as most gods are born of moon, sea, earthorheavengoddesses),ApolloistheGreek(andRomanbythesamename)sungod.Heissymbolizedbythe totemanimalswolfasApolloLycaeus,mouseasApolloSmitheus,goldenmanedlionasApolloChrysocomes, andwhenApollotookoverthegoddessspowersofprophecy,music,magic,poetry,andhealingsuchasatthe Oracle of Delphi, he became the Great Serpent, Apollo Python/Sol Niger (Black Sun). In the Bible he is called Apollyon, Spirit of the Pit, and the Egyptians knew him as Apep or Apophis, the Serpent of Darkness,
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accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).SeeUMSGods,Goddesses andMythologycourse. Baal: Consort of the Mother Astarte, the Semites recognized Baal as the Lord. Barbara Walker, in The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,EverygodwasaBaal.Thetitlewasintroducedinto IrelandviaPhoeniciancoloniesinSpain,andbecametheIrishBelorBial,LordofBeltain.BaalBerithwasGod of the Covenant; BaalGad was the goat lord, another Pan; BaalHadad was the Lord of the Hunt; Baal Hamman was Lord of the Brazier or fire; Baal Peor was Lord of the Cleft as the Phoenician phallic god coupled with Asherahs yonic cleft, as Walker explains; BaalZebub as Lord of Flies, Lord of Death, or Conductor of Souls; and the female equivalent was Baalat as the Middle Eastern Lady goddess. See UMS Gods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Cronus (Greek)/Saturn (Roman): This titan god, son of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth), predated the greek gods and would later castrate and replace his father Uranus. Trying to preventthesamefate,Cronustriedtoswallowallhischildren,butZeus(hisson)eventually succeededindeposingofCronusastherecognizedfather(Walker,1983).Cronusmeanstime andaccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMean InArtAndMyth(2002),Initsglyphthecrossofmatterpressesonthecrescentofthesoul.See UMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Haschezhini: A Navaho black god of fire and creator of the stars and constellations, Haschezhini came into being with the earth and is an ancient, dark and masculine force, accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt And Myth (2002). Haschezhini wearsa black maskand sows the Pleiades on his left forehead. Being quick to anger,itissaid that he caused the people to migrate from thefirst to this fifth worldbysettingitonfire. Iao:IaoisthenameofGod,speculatedbyOrphicstobethesameasDionysus,firstbornofthegods.In The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker explains that Iao is One of the most common and most revered secret names of God for use in spells, charms, and invocations, adopted from Neoplatonicmysticswhocalledittheessenceofthe[pagan]Logos.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythology course. Poseidon (Greek)/Neptune (Roman): the sea god Neptune, its glyph is Neptunes trident, accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt AndMyth(2002).Neptunewasaconsortofthetriplegoddess,andhistridentrepresentedhis triplephallus(Walker,1983).SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Ra: Ra, the Egyptian sun god is the father of every pharaoh, by virtue of his coupling with the queen mother.Oftenconfusedasthesupremedeity,RaisthesonoftheEgyptiandivinemother,calledbyNut,Hathor, Isis,theGreatCat,andMehurt.WhiletherearescripturalattemptstoerasethegoddessesinRasbirth,calling himselfbegottenandselfborn,thesamesourceslaterstateheisthediscwithinthymotherHathormade strong each day by thy mother Nut, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983).SeeEye.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Sin: Born of Inanna or Nanna, the virgin queen of heaven, Sin was the moon god of Mount Sinai,MountainoftheMoon,andtheruleroftheLandofSinim,landofthelunarmoon, (Walker,1983).AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983),HewasthegodwhoreceivedtheTabletsofLawfromtheprimalMotherofCreation, Tiamat.AsMosesgod,Hestillhadthesamemountainthroneandthesametablets.Abiblical scholarhaspointedoutthattheJehovahoftheHebrewswasmerelyanothertransformationof theprimitivelunardeityofArabia.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Tetragrammaton: The secret name of God in Hebrew, yodhevauhe or YHWH, was the Tetragrammaton or fourletter word. The root of the Tetragrammaton was HWH meaning being,life,andwomaninterchangeable,whichwasinLatinEVE(Eve).BarbaraWalker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, Thus, the socalled inner meaning of the Tetragrammaton was really Eve, mother of all living, the real creator of the world and mother of Adam, according to Gnostic scriptures. Important to the Cabala, the Tetragrammaton was confused by uneducated medievalwritersasamagiccharmornameofademon. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 36
Uranus (Greek and Roman): Representing heaven, Uranus is the consort of Gaia (Tellus in Rome), the primordial mother; Uranus fathered Saturn (who later overthrew him) and the Titans, including Cronus. See UMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Zeus (Greek)/Jupiter (Roman): Ruler of the pantheon and father of heaven, consort to Hera or Gaea (the Great Mother Goddess), Zeus was not originally the patriarch or ruler of Mount Olympia.Thathonorwaslefttohiswife,asGaeaOlympiaandGreatMother.Onlylaterdidhetry to usurp her lifegiving powers (Walker, 1983). This same god was called Jehovah by the Jews. According to Rowenaand Rupert Shepherd in theirbook 1000 Symbols:WhatShapesMean In Art And Myth (2002), Its glyph shows the soul (crescent) crossed by matter (the cross). See UMS Gods,GoddessesandMythologycourse.
Gods/UnderworldGuardians
Underworld Guardian: Most underworlds are ruled by a supreme deity, who is often the twin of the heavenlysupremedeity.SeeTwins.BelowaresomeoftheUnderworldGuardians. Charon: Charon is the Styx ferryman of the underworld. Other representations of this guardian to the afterlife are Hermes, Christianitys Peter, and the Greek St. Charus. Also, China and the Balkans both have traditionsofburyingthedeadwithmoneytopayforthecrossingtothenextworld.Thiscrossculturalarchetype representsthegatekeeperbetweenlifeandwhatcomesafter. Devil: The evil Christian devil comes from the need of every dualistic religion for God to have an opposite. In fact, devil and divinity share the same root word devi (feminine) or deva (masculine), meaning divineandgoddessorgod.Originally,thewordsdivineanddevilishwerefairlyneutraltermsandsimplymeant good and bad, or niceand hurtful;and the gods and devils couldact in both ways. According to TheWomans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalker,Iftherewereanydevilishattributesonwhichmost myths agreed, they were the rather godlike qualities of (1) superhuman intelligence, and (2) superhuman sexuality The devil was essential to the dualistic theology that Christianity copied from Persia. The Persian belief regarding God and the devil is that they were twin brothers, and the devil was the creator of earth and worldlythings;sotheymadesacrificestohim.ItwasevenacknowledgedthatpaganDevilWorshipcouldheal the sick around the same time as early Christianity. Walker (1983) states, The Christian devil became a composite ofancient deities inasingleProteanform, with the goathorns ofPan, Marsyas, and Dionysus; the tridentofNeptune,Hades,andShive;thereptilecharacteristicsofLeviathan,Pythion,andOuroborus;thefireof AgniandHelios;thebreastsofAstarteandIshtar;thewolffaceofDis,Feronius,andFenrir;wingsofBabylonian cherubim;andbirdtalonsofancestralspirits. The belief that the devil seduces people to give him their souls has been cause for punishment by the church, and even death during the witch trials. As Walker points out, the Fathers and theologians never explainedhowthedevilcouldprofitfromthepact,otherthantoreceiveasoulthatwashisanyway.AsSamuel Butler said, no one heard the devils side of any story, because God wrote all the books. Christianity and Judaism both claim that God is the cause of all good in the world and man is the cause of all evil, so human fascinationwiththedevilmaycomefromwantingtopassontheresponsibilityofproducingevil.Thereforethe devilbecamethescapegoatformanssins.Accordingly,thesevendevilscorrespondwiththesevendeadlysins: Luciferwithpride,Mammonwithavarice,Asmodeuswithlechery,Satanwithanger,Beelzebubwithgluttony, Leviathanwithenvy,andBelphegorwithsloth. Hades (Greek)/Pluto (Roman): Pluto is the Roman ruler of the Underworld, and consort to Persephone.ThecombinationoftheinitialsPlutoLowellmakesuptheglyph,accordingtoRowena andRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002).Hadesis thelordofdeath,pagangodoftheunderworld,partnerofHecateorPersephone.Hehasalsobeen calledEitaandAdeinRome,partnertoPersipnei.InGreecehebecametheabductorofPersephone, whichbecamethecreationstoryoftheseasons.HadeswasalsocalledAidoneus,Pluto,Pluton,andlordofriches. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Hades represents the phallic Hidden God in the womb of the Earth. Due to his location within the earth, he is often regarded as knowinghowtofindgemsandpreciousmetals.Christianitylaterturnedhimintothedevil.Walkerexplainsthat likeallundergrounddeities,Hadeswasthoughtaleadingresidentofhell,whichwasoftencalledbyhisname insteadofbythenameHel,thegoddess.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 37
Hermes (Greek)/Mercury (Roman): Messenger of the gods. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Its glyphthe moons crescent (the soul) over the circle (spirit) over the cross (matter)encompasses allthe other planetary glyphs and may be derived from the caduceus. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Hermes was the consort to the Great Mother goddessAphrodite,andasshewastheladyoflife,hewasthelordofdeath,andconductorofsouls. ThisunionwasrecognizedalloverIndoEurope.EgyptrecognizedhimasThoth,Romeas Mercury,andhewasoneandthesamewithBuddha.Walkerexplains,AnEnlightenedOnebornofthevirgin Maia, he was the same as the Enlightened One (Buddha) born of the same virgin Maya in India, Maya translating as moon. Hermes was the god of magic, letters, medicine, and occult wisdom. See UMS Gods, GoddessesandMythologycourse. Iblis:IblisistheArabicnameforSatan,leaderofthedjinnspiritsmoreancientthenevenAllah.Inher bookTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerexplainsthatSatan,orShaytan,is theangelwhorebelledagainstAllahandrefusedtoworshipAllahscreation,Man. Lucifer: From the Latin title means Lightbringer, represented as the morning star god who announced the daily birth of the sun, as Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983),putsit.HewascalledShaherbytheCanaanites,whoalsohonoredhisbrotherShalem,theeveningstar whonightlyannouncedthedeathofthesun.TheJewishMorningServiceisstillknownasShaharit.Thesetwo brothers, Shaher and Shalem were sons of the Great Mother Asherah (also called Helel). Canaanite mythology states that Shaher tried to steal the throne of the powerful sun god, and was cast out of the sky (heaven) by a lightningbolt.ThisstorywaslaterborrowedbyJudaismandthenCatholicism. Pautiwa: The indigenous American Zuni people recognize Pautiwa as the Chief of Kachina Village, an underworldlocated at the bottom of a lake near Zuni. When a Zuni dies, they are received at the bottom of the lake by Pautiwa, a helpful and benevolent god. According to RowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth (2002), For all Pueblo peoples, Kachinas are spirit beings who embody the essences of all aspectsoflife;inPautiwascase,thesearedignity,beautyandleadership. Satan: Satan originated as a god of death as the Egyptian Great Serpent Sata, son of the earth, who is dailyregeneratedinthegoddessswombandthusisimmortal.Satanappearedastheundergroundtwinofthe sungodHorusRaandwasthephallicconsortoftheGoddessSati,orSatet,whowassimilartothevirginaspect ofKaliinHinduism(Walker,1983).Thesnakegodwasoftenpairedwithafountainimageofthegoddessasa fertilitysymbolandassociatedwithOraclesofDelphi.InherbookTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains,Theserpentwasoftenasymbolofthesungodsalterego,theBlackSunkspirit of night or of death in such pairs as Osiris/Set, Apollo/Python, Anu/Aciel, Baal/Yamm, etc. Lucifer, another lightningserpent,wasidentifiedwithSatanasafallengod(meaninggodofdeathortheunderworld).Aswith othergodsofdeath,SatanwasdemonizedbytheearlyChristianChurch.SeeDevil,andTwin.
Goddesses
Goddess: Also called Devi in The IndoEuropean tradition. The ancient goddess is the dual partner of God.Inmostoriginlegendsauniversal,omnipotentGoddesscreatedtheworld,universe,andalllivingthings, as well as God, endowing Him with His powers. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts, the Goddess was a fullfledged cosmic parent figure who created the universe, its laws, rulerofNature,Fate,Time,Eternity,Truth,Wisdom,Justice,Love,Birth,Death,etc.Misogynistichistoriansand authors broke down the Goddess into diminutive forms, sometimes masculinizing her, demonizing her, or otherwisedisguisingher,althoughalittleresearchoftenrevealsthearchetypalcharacteristicsofthislifegiving goddess. Although she created God, in many religions, God becomes powerhungry and usurps her power by claimingtobethefirstCreatorandcreatingaphallocentrictheology;Zeusisoneexampleofthis.Aspatriarchal societiesandreligionsencroachedonthepaganpeoples,hertemplesandshrinesweretorndownorrededicated. Thismatricidecontinuestodaywithlegendsthatarehalftold,hidingordistortingtheroleoftheGoddess,orby simplycallingallancientdeitiesGods.However,itisimpossibletodestroyanarchetypalenergy,andalthough she was forgotten, her symbolism and energy was not lost. Many mystical spirituality systems preserved the knowledgeoftheGoddess,forinstance,Wiccacontinuedtoworshipher,andhertheologyandcoreconceptsare SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 38
included in patriarchal traditions like Marianism, the worship of Mother Mary. The aspects or faces of the Goddessarepersonifiedthroughaplethoraofgoddessesfromculturesaroundtheworld,astheancientsaying goes,theGoddesshasathousandnamesandfaces.OftentheseappearasGreatGoddesses,TripleGoddesses, Maiden, Mother, or Crone Goddesses. However, even though I have listed the goddesses into categories for organizationalpurposes,allofthegoddessessimplyreflectthesameomnipotentGoddessandtheirqualitiesand powersoverlapeachotheragreatdeal.
GreatGoddesses
ThemostsupremeandpowerfuloftheGoddesssfacesaretheGreatGoddesses,reveredastheoriginal and supreme Creatress/Mother of the universe, including Aphrodite/Venus, Asherah, Astarte, Demeter/Ceres, Hathor,andsoon. Aphrodite(Greek)/Venus(Roman):Cyprussgreatgoddess,oftenheraldedastheGreekgoddessof love, Aphrodite embodied all three of the MaidenMotherCrone aspects of the Triple Goddess, as did Venus, the same Roman great goddess of sexuality, including birth and death. She was also knownattimesastheFates,Moira(anothernamefortheFates);Ashera,Astarte,orDeaSyria,asthe Goddess to the oldest continuouslyoccupied temple in the world; in Rome she is called Venus; EgyptianscalledherAyMari,theSea(Walker,1983).HerpatroncitywasPaphosonCyprus,and During the Christian era, Aphrodites temple on Cyprus was converted into a sanctuary of the virgin Mary, another name of the same goddess, but in this sanctuary the virgin Mary is hailed to this day as Panaghia Aphroditessa,AllholyAphrodite,accordingtoBarbaraWalkeinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983).SeeFatesunderTripleGoddesses.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Asherah:Semiticgreatgoddess.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983),TheOldTestamentAsherahistranslatedgrove,withoutanyexplanationthatthesacredgrove represented the Goddesss genital center, birthplace of all things. See UMS Gods, Goddesses and Mythology course. Astarte:ThisBabyloniangreatgoddesswasworshippedasearlyastheNeolithicandBronzeAge,asthe Lady of Bablos. She embodies the triple goddess as the creatorpreserverdestroyer (as all great goddesses), continuously eliminating the old, to make it anew. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983),states,Astarteruledallthespiritsofthedeadwholivedinheavenwearingbodiesoflight,visible fromearthasstars.Hence,shewasknownasAstroarche,QueenoftheStars,anditisshewhogavesoulstheir astralbodies.AlthoughsheisaprototypeoftheVirginMary,AstartewasdemonizedbyChristianity.SeeUMS Gods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Demeter(Greek)/Ceres(Roman):CereswastheLatinGreatMotherEarthgoddess,similarto theGreekKore.DemeterwastheMycenaegreatgoddess.FromDemeaningdeltaortriangle, referringtothevulvaandmetermeaningmother.AswithallGreatMothers,Demetergavebirth toalllife,butalsoappearsasallthreetripleaspectsofthegoddess,creatorpreserverdestroyer, or maidenmothercrone. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983),states,CorrespondinglettersSanskritdwr,Celticduir,HebrewdalethmeanttheDoor ofbirth,death,orthesexualparadise.Thus,DemeterwaswhatAsiacalledtheDoorwayofthe Mysterious Feminine the root from which Heaven and Earth sprang. Walker goes on to explainthatCeres,AstheearthrulingaspectoftheGoddessstrinity,Ceres combinedwithJunoasqueenofheaven,andProserpineasqueenoftheunderworld.AsCeresLegiferashewas atheLawgiverandherpriestessesareconsideredthefoundressesoftheRomanlegalsystem,accordingto Walker,andCeresruledRomeforfourcenturiesbefore200B.C.Patronofcrops,herfestival,theCerealia,was kept by farmers of the British Isles, as well as Roman and Christian farmers. See UMS Gods, Goddesses and Mythologycourse. Devi:ThisSanskritwordmeansDivineorGoddessandistherootwordformanyIndoEuropeannames fortheGreatMother,accordingtoTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalker. Hathor:Egyptiangreatgoddess,motherofthegodsandqueenofheaven.Likeallgreatgoddesses,she embodiedthetripleaspectsofcreatorpreserverdestroyer.AsCreatressshewasHetHert,TheWombAbove bringing forth in primeval time herself and then the world, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). She was the seven Holy Midwives, giving each Egyptian their seven SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 39
soulsatbirth.Latersheappearsinmedievalmythsasinherpreserver/motheraspectoffairygodmother,Mother Goose, Mother of the Sun King, and Lady of the Lake. As the destroyer she appears as the huntress, with her totemanimal,theSphinx.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. SpiderWoman:RecognizedastheCreatressbytheNavajo,SpiderWomanistheweaverofthepatternsof timeandspace,thesymboloffate,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:What ShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002).SpiderWomanissaidtohaveconsortedwithFatherSkyandboretheWarrior Twins,MonsterSlayerandBornforWater.ShetaughttheNavajowomentoweavetheirblanketsandrugs.Shewas RedSpiderWomantothePawnee,whotellofherdeathtransformingherintothehealingrootofthesquashplant. Tanit:AnothernameforthePhoeniciangreatgoddess,TanitwasrecognizedbytheCarthaginiansas aheavenlyvirgin,queenofthestars.SheisalsoknownasAstarte,Ashtoreth,andAsherah.According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Her priestesses were famous astrologers, whose prophecies were circulated throughout the Roman empire and even rivaledbythepronouncementsoftheCumaeansybils. Xochiquetzal:DaughterofCoatlicue,thisAztecgoddessofallwomenissimilartoAphrodite(Walker, 1983).
TripleGoddesses
OftentheGreatGoddessencompassesallthreeaspectsofthetriplegoddess,asthemaidenmothercrone, or creatorpreserverdestroyer, which also appears in almost every culture, as Athene/Minerva, Cerridwen, Fates, KaliMaandmore.SometimesthesethreeaspectsoftheGoddessareseparatedintoindividualdeities,sothatone willencompassthemotheraspectalone,onethecrone,another,themaiden.Mostgoddessesfallintooneofthese three categories, as a fertility (maiden) goddess, protector (mother) goddess, or a deathbringer (crone) goddess. What is often missed about the crone or death aspect to the Goddess is the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth,andthatonlybythedestructionoftheoldisthereroomforthenew. Artemis(Greek)/Diana(Roman):ThisAmazonianmoongoddesswasrecognizedbytheLatinnameDiana orGoddessAnnainEphesus,andisrecognizedasthemotherofcreatures.Shewasthetriplegoddessofthethree phases of the moon, waning (lifegiver), full (preserver), and waxing (lifetaker). According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Her huntress aspect was another form of the destroying CroneorWaningmoon,andhertotemanimalswerethehuntingdogsAlani,forherpriestesseswhoworshipped herinGreece,andtheshebear,orUrsaMajor.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Bast: ThisEgyptian cat goddess was mother of Egypts most sacred animal, cats,and Bubastis was her holycity,wherethegreatesttemplewassupposedtoreside.TheGreekscalledherArtemisorDiana,whowere alsomothersofcats.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),The catslegendaryninelivesstemmedfromArtemisasthemotherofthenineMuses,correspondingtotheEgyptian Enneadofnineprimordialdeities.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Cerridwen:CerridwenistheCeltictriplegoddess(representingthethreestagesoffemalelife,maiden, mother,andcrone),withanemphasisonthecroneasananimaltotemofawhite,corpseeatingsowofthemoon. TheGreekscalledthisfaceofthegoddessDemeter,theSyriancalledherAstarte(botharealsorepresentedby sows).AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),Cerdo,theSpanish versionofCerridwenistheGoddesswhobothtookaway,andharvestedsoulsinhercharacterasthesourceof life,andthereceptacleofthedead.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Chimalman:AztectriplegoddessandmotherofthesaviorQuetzalcoatl,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerin TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Fates: Fates symbolize the course of life. The mythological figures of Fates crosses cultures and stems from the image of the triple goddess, as rulers of past, present, and future, who are usually personified as the VirginorMaiden,Mother,andCrone.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983), states, Nearly all mythologies bear traces of the triple goddess as three Fates, rulers of the past, present, and future.ThesethreearchetypescanalsobepersonifiedastheCreator,Preserver,andDestroyer.Originallyfrom theIndoEuropeanMotherofKarmaorKaliMa,thisfemaletrinitypopsupthroughoutmythologyastheWeird Sisters of Western Europe; in Greek they show up in many forms such as the Muses or Aphrodites trinity of celestialnymphs,Eunomia,Dike,andIrene(meaningOlder,Destiny,andPeace);inAngloSaxonmythstheyare thethreeweaversoffatewhocouldsustainortakeawaylifeatcriticalmomentsbyaddingstringtotheirwebof life;theRussianvirginofdawn,whobecameMaterMatutainLatin,ErosinGreek,andtheSlavicBujanorBuyan SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 40
all were fair maidens weaving life with silk. When she stopped, someone died. Fate became Fortuna for the Romans;andGypsiesbelieveinthethreeladiesinwhitewhoguardanewbornscradleandtakelifewhenitis time.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Gunas:TheGunasarethethreestrandsofthreadusedbyfate.Originallyatantricsymbol,thethree strandswerewhite,red,andblackforthedivinefemalePrakritiwhoisalsoKali.AccordingtoBarbaraWalker inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),theGunasrepresentPrakritisthreeaspectsofCreator, Preserver, and Destroyer; or giver of birth, life, and death. The VirginCreator was Sattva, white; the Mother Preserver was Rajas, red; the CroneDestroyer was Tamas, black. Combined, these three faces of the triple goddessrepresentedpurity,passion,anddarkness.SeeFatesonpreviouspage. Hecate: Originating in Egypt as one of Hathors seven midwives, Heqit, midwife of the birthchamber, HecateisatriplegoddessrecognizedinGreece,astherulerofheaven(creator),earth(preserver),andunderworld (destroyer).SometimesshewasonlyrecognizedasHecateSelene,themooninheaven,whileArtemisthehuntress ruled Earth, and Persephone the destroyer was patroness of the underworld. Hecate became the patroness of travelers,andshrineswereerectedtoheratthreewaycrossroads.Shewasalsothepatronessofchildbirth,winning herparticularcontemptandfearfromtheCatholicauthoritiesduringthemiddleages(Walker,1983). KaliMa:OriginallyatriplegoddessofHinduism,Kaliisbestknownforhercrone/destroyeraspectand is portrayed in many religions. According to Barbara Walker inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Kali was the basic archetypal image of the birthanddeath Mother, simultaneously womb and tomb, giveroflifeanddevourerofherchildren:thesameimageportrayedinathousandancientreligions.Shetypifies thelifegivingandlifetakingEarthMother,andshestoodforExistence,whichmeantBecomingbecauseallher world was an eternal living flux from which all things rose and disappeared again, in endless cycles, states Walker.HawaiisvolcanicKaliisjustoneexample,asshewasworshippedinTantra;consorttoShivainBrahman (although her triple aspect was divvied out to three gods, Brahma/creator, Vishnu/preserver, and Shiva/destroyer);alsocalledIevaorJiva,KaliwasknownasMotherofAllLivingandfoundherwayintotheOld TestamentasEve;thekaluwerepriestessesofthemoongoddess,latermasculinizedasSinai;similarlytheCeltic priestessesoftheGoddessKelewerecalledkelles;etc.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Hestia(Greek)/Vesta(Roman):RomangoddessVestafromtheearlymatriarchaltradition(called HestiabytheGreeks).TheVestalVirginswereherpriestesses.Theywerecalledvirginsbecause theydenouncedmarriage,beingdevotedtotheGoddessandsymbolicallymarriedtothephallic godPalladium,notbecausetheyneverexperiencedsexualintercourse,asinfact,motherhoodwas oneoftheirsourcesofpower.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983),furtherstates,theVestalswereentrustedwithkeepingalighttheperpetualfirethatwas themysticheartoftheempirethatburnedfor600years,untiltheVestalscame under attack by the rising Christian powers in 382 A.D., although many Vestal traditions were passed onto Christiannuns,suchasheadshaving.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Virgo:VirgotranslatestotheVirginandmayhaverepresentedavarietyofgoddessesfromErigone, goddessofjustice;AstraeatheStarryOne;Libera,Libra,ortheLadyoftheScales,judgeofmenandrulerof their fates, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). See UMS AstrologyBasicscourse.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. WhiteBuffaloMaiden:SiouxNationlegendtellsofhowWhiteBuffaloMaidenbroughtthemtheSacred PipefromtheGreatSpirit,appearingfirstasabeautifulmaidenandleavingasawhitebuffalocalf.Accordingto Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book, 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), When a youngwomangoesthroughpuberty,sheisunderthespecialguardianshipofWhiteBuffaloMaiden.

Mother/PreserverGoddesses
Athene (Greek)/ Minerva (Roman): Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom and the moon. Athene,themothergoddessofAthenshadseveralconsorts,includingHephaestus,Pan,andPhallas, and was worshipped as Holy Virgin. Originating in North Africa, Athene was recognized as the LibyanTripleGoddessNeith,Matis,Medusa,Anath,orAthenna,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerin The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). Daughter of Medusa and Zeus, Athenes phalluslikesnakehairedmaskhadtheabilitytoturnmentostone.AtheneandMinervasharedthe totemanimal,theowl(symbolofthemoon),withLilithandtheWelshGoddess Blodeuwedd.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse.TheSignofAtheneispicturedonpreviouspage. Buana:CelticcowgoddessknownastheGoodMother,(Walker,1983). Coatlicue:TranslatedasLadyoftheSerpentSkirt,shewastheAztecGreatMotherofthedeities,sun, moon,andstars(Walker,1983).Shecoupledwiththesaviorgods. Hera (Greek)/Juno (Roman): The Roman Great Mother Goddess, and consort to her brother Jupiter (Zeus in Greece), Juno had many faces including Juno Fortune, goddess of fate; Juno Sospita,thepreserver;JunoRegina,queenofheaven;JunoLucina,goddessofcelestiallight;Juno Moneta, the advisor and admonisher; Juno Martialis, virgin mother of Mars; Juno Caprotina or Februa,goddessoferoticlove;JunoPopulonia,motherofthepeople;etc.HersacredmonthJune has retained its tradition of weddings, as Juno presided over marriage and family. Barbara Walker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,EveryRoman womanembodiedabitofGoddesssspirit,herownsoulaJuno,correspondingtothegeniusoftheman.Juno waslaterdroppedwhilegeniusremained.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Isis:ThisEgyptianMotherGoddesscoupledwithOsirisandbirthedHorus.ShewastheMother of Life, while her dark twin sister Nephthys was the destroyer Crone of Death. Barbara Walker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),quotesEgyptianscriptures,In the beginning there was Isis, Oldest of the Old. She was the Goddess from whom all becoming aroseshegavebirthtothesun.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Lilith:Inthe OldTestament,LilithbecamethefirstwifeofAdam,whotriedtoforcehimselfontoherinthe patriarchal missionary position. It was the only sexual position acceptable to Moslems and Christians because it emphasizedwomenasearthwhoweresubjecttomenasheaven(Walker,1983).Lilithnotonlyrefusedtosubmitto Adam, but also cursed him and flew away to live by the Red Sea (another form of Kali Mas fertile, but sacrifice demanding,oceanofblood).GodcommandedhertoreturnandsubmittoAdam,butshecursedhimtooandspenther dayscouplingwithdemonsandbirthingahundredchildrenaday.GodinturncreatedAdamssecondwife,Eve,tobe more docile. However Lilith was no rebellious creation of God, but the Goddess by the names of Belitili, Belili, and Baalat, sacred to Sumerians, Babylonians, and Canaanites.Barbara Walker, in TheWomans Encyclopedia OfMyths And Secrets(1983),explains,LilithsfecundityandsexualpreferencesshowthatshewasaGreatMotherofsettledagricultural tribes, who resisted the invasions of nomadic herdsmen, represented by Adam. The story of Lilith has all but disappeared in the revisions of the Bible, but her daughters, the lustful lilim shedemons were feared through the MiddleAges.SeeDemons,andEve.SeeUMSGods,GoddessesandMythologycourse. Ma:UniversaltitleoftheGoddess.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983), saysMaisaBasicmothersyllableofIndoEuropeanlanguages,worshippedinitselfasthefundamentalnameofthe Goddess.Theuniversalityofthemotherword(notsharedbywordsforfather)indicateseitherthatthehumanrace carried the same word from its earliest source to all parts of the earth at a period previous to the discovery of fatherhood;orelsethatallhumanbeingsinstinctivelysaysomethinglikemaasthefirstverbalsoundandassociateit withthemothersbreast,consequentlywithemotionaldependenceonadivinityperceivedasamilkgivingmother. Mama: Another form of Ma, Mama is a title for the Great Goddess, Kali, also called Mamaki (spirit of Fertilizing Waters); and Mamata (spirit of belonging). Mesopotamia titled her Mami, Mammitu, and Mama, whocreatedhumansfromclay.
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SunGoddess:InOrientaltraditionthesunisfemale.FortheJapanesethegreatsungoddesswas OmikamiAmaterasu.InHindu,thegreatgoddesswasAditi,Motherofthe12zodiacalAdityas, spirits whowould reveal their light at Doomsday, according to Barbara Walker in herbook, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). For Tantric Buddhists, she was Mari or Mary,thesun.FortheArabs,shewasthegoddessAtthar,Torchofthegods.InGermany,shewas Sunna;theNorwegianscalledherSol;theCelts,Sulis,meaningeye/sun;andinBritain,shewas recognizedasallthree. Bitch: Sacred name for ArtemisDiana, bitch refers to her Scythian alani or hunting dogs. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), The Bitch goddess of antiquity was knowninallIndoEuropeancultures,beginningwiththeGreatBitchSaramawholedtheBedicdogsofdeath.For RomanstheGoddessLupawastheWolfBitchInChristianterms,sonofabitchwasconsideredinsultingnot because it meant a dog, but because it meant a devilthat is, a spiritual son of the pagan Goddess.
Crone/DestroyerGoddesses
Crone:Thepagandeityofthetriplegoddessappearsinthreephases,themaiden,mother,andcrone;the crone being the third aspect of life includes wisdom, death, and rebirth. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), throughout the world the crone has had different forms, exemplifiedbysuchfiguresasKalitheDestroyer,CerridwenthedeathdealingSow,AtropostheCutter,Macha, Hecate,Hel,EreshKigal,Morgan,QueenoftheGhostworld,QueenoftheUnderworld,QueenoftheShades,and Persephone the Destroyer. The crone exemplifies the cycle of life that includes old age, winter, death, the waningmoon,anddoomsdaythatmakesroomfortherebirthandnewbeginningsofthemaiden.Thecronealso represents the last phase of a womens life in which women became very wise when they no longer shed the lunar wise blood but kept it within, the crone was usually a goddess of wisdom Minerva, Athene, Metis, Sophia,andMedusa(Walker,1983). Hag: Originally, hag wasa revered title for a holywoman who represents the third phase of the triple goddess,thecrone.Ahagwasawisewomanorpriestess.ItcomesfromtheEgyptianhaqandhekau,thetitleofa powerful matriarchal ruler. Barbara Walker, in TheWomans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), describes hertransformationinGreeceasHecate,theCroneorHagasQueenoftheDead,incarnatedonearthinaseries of wisewomen or high priestesses. In Norse myth, hagi means a sacred grove of Iron Wood. In Northern Europe, stone idols such as the Stone of Scone represented the hag and are considered sacred. Hag did not become a derogatory term until Christian ministries ordered the idols shattered. Walker (1983) recites, Once I wastheGoddessandnowIamnothingatall. Mara:Ancienttitleforthecronegoddess,Marawasadeathbringer,andhernamehastraveledallover theworld.BuddhistsrecognizeherasFearofDeath;Hinduscreatedlegendsaboutherentrappinghuntsmen inmirrorsofdeath,astorythatwasretoldinPelasgianofDionysus;SlavsknewherasMora,whodrankthe blood of men; Semitics knew her as Marah, the passive weight and darkness of the underworld; the New TestamentcalledherMaralah,andhershrinesaplaceoftrembling.AsanotherfaceofKali,KelMariwasMara inEgypt;inHebrewshewasMariamne,Miriam,andMary;othernamesincludeMariAmmaandMari(Walker, 1983). Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts that Mara is an ExceedinglyancientnameoftheGoddessasCrone,thedeathbringer.Thenameanditsvariantsmaybefound fromIndiatonorthernEurope. Gold:SeeMetals. GoldenCalf:SeeAnimals. Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, is the essence of the Golden Rule. Originally the foundation of the Tantric karmic law as Do good to other beings as if they were his own self, yogis broughtthelawtotheMiddleEast.TheBuddhistversion,Whatyesow,thatshallyereap,wascopiedbyChristianity 500yearslater.Akkadia,Egypt,Greece,andtheJewishallhadsimilarproverbs.Althoughthislawhasbeenattributedto masculineheroesandGods,itwasoriginallysacredtotheGoddessinsuchformsasHillel,Dike,andMaat. Goose:SeeAnimals.
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Grail,Holy:TheHolyGrailisaprimeexampleofthecombiningofpaganandChristiansymbolism. The Holy Grail is the chalice or cup used by Christ during the last supper, when He said that infamousline,thisismyblood.AftertheResurrection,JosephofArimatheabroughttheGrailto Glastonburyforsafekeeping,butitdisappeared.Itbecameasymbolofgallantryandchivalrytogo onGrailQueststofindtheHolyGrailduringtheRenaissance.MultipleGrailstories,allofcomplex symbolism and containing Christian dogma, were written and continue to be created; some based loosely on historical figures such as the Knights Templars and King Arthur and the Round Table, whose origins are still being explored by historians. However, as Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, The real origins of the Holy Grail were not Christian but pagan. The grail didnt become Christianuntilthepoet,RobertdeBorronofBurgundi,wroteapoemabouthowthecuphadbeengiventothe devilbyangels.Uponbeingoutcast,itfelltoearth,whereitwasmadeintoacupandgiventoJesusbyJosephof Arimatheaandit,predictably,becamethecupofdoom. Thepagansymbolofthegrailissynonymouswiththechaliceandcauldron.Itrepresentsthewombof thegoddess,thepowerofcreation.Paganmythsofcauldrons,chalices,andgrailsfrequentlyincludethembeing filledwithunending,lifesustainingbloodorwine,anillusiontothemenses.Thepaganmythisofthegrailbeing kept by a holy harlotqueen, Repanse de Joie (Dispenser of Joy), possibly in the Spanish Pyrenees, at a temple toppedwithagiantrubytitledHolyRose,ontheMontsalvatch(MountofSalvation).TheKnightsTemplars,as describedbyWalker,wereagroupofwarriorsdedicatedtotheGrailTempleandthedefenseofwomen,and rescued damsels in distress. True to the mythological tale, they waited for the coming of a Mahdi, or Desired Knight,whowouldendtyrannyandcreateapeacefulkingdomunderthelawofthegrail,whichisasymbolic wayofsayingthelawoftheGoddess.KingArthurwasthatKnight,andhisKnightsoftheRoundTablewereall KnightsTemplars,andofcourseGwenhwyfar,alsocalledGuinevereandCunneware(meaningfemalewisdom andanameforthetriplegoddess)washisqueen,theearthlymanifestationofthegrail.Earlygraillegendsclaim thegrailbattlecryisAmor,orLove,andwithbannerssportingtriplelilies,symbolsofthegoddess.During theearlypartoftheseconddecadetherewasarebirthofpaganismandgoddessworshiping,whichisevidentin the building of such churches as the Notre Dame (Our Lady, with Lady being an analogy to the goddess), the reverenceofcourtesans,andthenotionofcourtlylove.Thepaganversionofthegrailstorieswastorestorethe balanceoffemininityandatimeofpeaceandcooperation,orunionbetweenthepromised,benevolentleaderand his divine partner. Unfortunately, the Church responded with the Inquisition and Burning Times. French Christians transformed the grail story from pagan toChristian with such works as LEstoiredelSaint Graal by VulgateCycle(1230),andLaQuestedelSaintGraalbyaCistercianmonklaterinthecentury.Withtheremoval oftheemphasisoftheDivineFeminineonthegrail,itsimplybecameanobjectthatheldtheBloodofChristand the Grail stories were rewritten to disempower women and promote Christian values. See Lily, and Mother/PreservergoddessLilith. GreatArchitect:Theeyeinthetriangle(ontheU.S.dollarbillandelsewhere)originatesfrom thefreemasonsymboloftheGreatArchitectoftheUniverse.AccordingtoRowenaandRupert Shepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),thissymbolrepresentsthe maingoverningprincipleatworkinthephysicaluniverse,thebuilderofallGodTheGreat ArchitectisusuallydepictedastheallseeingeyeofGod.SeeFreemason. GreatYantra:SeeHexagram. Griffin:SeeAnimals. Grotesques: The tradition of the Grotesques or Creatures of the Grotto of paintings and figures of demons in churches was created by the Catholic attempt to convert pagans. Barbara Walker, in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,Earlychurcheswerebuiltrightovertheheathengrottoand thesamedeitieswereworshippedsidebysidewithChristianonessothepeoplewouldcontinuetocometothe churchbyforceofhabit,findingtheirfamiliaridolsthere.PopeGregorytheGreatorderedhismissionariesto accommodate the ceremonies of the Christian worship as much as possible to those of the heathen, that the peoplemaynotbemuchstartledatthechange,(asquotedinWalker,1983).Pagangods,suchasanimalgods, sirens, masques, gorgons, the Green Man, satyrs, serpent deities, and more, were all depicted in painting and statue. The Church eventually declared these Grotesques Demons, but they remained within church walls and people continued to pay homage to them, making offerings, praying to them, and touching them for luck. According to Walker, Sometimes a porch, a facade, or a whole church presents a symbolic meaning entirely SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 44
foreign to worship, even inimical to the Church. Later, this tradition evolved into the fashioning of secret symbolsandsymbolicmeaningstochurchartbyartists,masons,andsmithswhomayhavebeenpartofsecret societiesdedicatedtokeepingthetraditionoftheoldreligionalive. Gunas:SeeTripleGoddess,Gunas. Hades:SeeGods/UnderworldGuardians. Hag:SeeCrone/DestroyerGoddesses,Hag. Hair:Hairisbelievedtohousethesoulandisatoolforthedeitiesinmanytraditions.BarbaraWalker,in TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),relates,Asshownbyitsimportanceinwitchcharmsand inthemutualexchangeoftalismansbetweenlovers,hairwasusuallyviewedasarepositoryofatleastapartof thesoul.Traditionholdsthathairisusedasatalismanofprotection,anofferingtothegoddess,atoolofthe goddess to control the weather/cosmos; Tantric sages believed they can control the weather by binding or unbindinghair.Itisananalogyfordeath(tobeintheshadowofthequeenofShadeshairistobeneardeath),as well as a mythic tool of resurrection in many goddess myths (such as Isis resurrecting Osiris). Egyptians place locksofawidowshairinherhusbandstombasprotectionintheafterlife.Manygoddessesareportrayedwitha significanceplacedonthehair,aswildorwithsnakes(suchasMedusa).Paganpriestesses/witchesbelievethat they can control the spirit world with their loosened hair and this led St. Paul to greatly fear these spirits and create the rule that a womans hair must be covered in church. It has been a tradition in biblical Judaism for marriedwomentocovertheirhair,andithasbeenshavedorcutshortforeaseoftotalimmersionintotheritual bath,calledthemikvah,justbeforethewedding.However,womenwerenottotaketheinitiativeincuttingof their own hair, as this was punishable by death. Gypsies used hair in love potions and it was a custom of the MedievalAgeforloverstoexchangehairlocksasasignofloveandforafuturespellifaloverisspurned.Walker explains,Whoeverpossessedanothershairhadpoweroverhissoul.Hairisalsoassociatedwiththesungods suchasApollo,asrepresentingtheirraysandvitality. Halloween: This modern holiday has its roots deep in spiritual tradition and is about honoring the spirits/ancestorsonadaywhentheveilsbetweentheworldsarebelievedtobethinnest.BarbaraWalker,inThe WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explainsThepaganideausedtobethatcrucialjointsbetween theseasonsopenedcracksinthefabricofspacetime,allowingcontactbetweentheghostworldandthemortal one.ChristianitynameditAllSoulsDay(November1st)afterAllHallowsEve,andbaseditontheCelticfest forthedead,Samhain.Thelordofdeath(alsocalledtheGrimReaper)wasknownasSamana,andinspiritedthe festivalstitle.TheIrishcalleditVigilofSamanandconsidereditholy.Thegameofdunkingforapplesisbased onadivinationtoolbelievedtorevealthefutureonthisnight,withthetankofapplesrepresentingthecauldron ofregeneration.SeeCauldronintheWombsection. Halo:Alsocallednimbus.ThehaloistheChristiansymbolofanapotheosis,deification,orcanonization. Ahaloisaringoflightaroundafigureshead,suchasJesusorMary.ThissymbolwastakenfromtheEleusinian MysteriesinwhichtheHaloasaviorgod(calledDionysus,Triptolemus,orIasus)washonoredattheFestivalof theThreshingFloor.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),He [Haloa]representedthegrain.Athisbirth,hewaslaidinamanger.Hewassacrificed,buried,andresurrected: the sequence representing harvest, replanting, and new growth. His flesh and blood were consumed by his worshippersintheformofbreadandwine.InTantrictradition,itbecamethethousandpetaledlotusoflight, called the nimbus, or cloud of light, around the heads of enlightened sages. The halo was also an Egyptian symbolforthedailyrebornsungod.RowenaandRupertShepherd,intheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMean In Art And Myth (2002), explain, Related to the Ancient Egyptian sundisc, haloes were first depicted around deities associated with the sun, such as the Zoroastrian godAhura Mazda.Roman sun deities such as Apollo andMithrashavesunraycrownsthatrepresentthesamething. Hammer:FromMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown (1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,wereadthatThehammerisoneoftheearliestsymbolstobedrawnfrom technology,andintheSovietUnionsymbolizesthepoweroftheworkingpeople:thecombinedmotifofhammer andsicklerepresentstheallianceoftheindustrialworkingclassandthepeasantry.SeeBlade. Hare:SeeAnimals. HeadDress: Hats, outside of being practical, have meaning for the society; like clothes, they can identify deities, social groups or individuals, according to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What ShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002).ThebookMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,Religion SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 45
AndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,givestheexamplethatHornedheaddressesarefrequently meanttogivethewearerthestrengthandvirilityofpowerfulhornedanimalslikethebull.Headdressessymbolize powerandstrengthespeciallyforsoldiers,priests,andotherpersonsofpower.SeeCrown. Heart: The heart has long been a symbol of the soul and a persons character. Many phrases usedtodaydatebacktoearlierassociations;suchasapersonsheartmaybeheavy,cold,hard, light, warm, or soft. A heart may be stolen or filled with emotion. Absence makes the heart growfonder,unlessofcourseitisgivenbackandtheheartbreaks.TheEgyptiansregardedthe heartsoul (the Ab) as the most important of 7 souls given by the Hathors or seven birth goddesses, as the one to be weighed against the Feather of Truth by Maat at the gates to the underworld. Theabwasconsideredthemostimportantbecauseitwasthebloodsoul,filledwiththeessenceofthegoddess, andfosteredthebeliefthatmenstrualbloodcamedirectlyfromtheheart.Consequently,astheorganofcreation givenbythegoddessandusedforreproduction,theheartwasalsotheprimeofferingtothegoddessasitwas believed she needed something in return in order to continue creation. Barbara Walker, in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explainsthattheprimitivetheorywasthatwhatadeitygavemustbe returned at least in part, to keep up the deitys energy to give more. The practice of removing hearts from mummiesprobablystartedasanofferingtothegoddess.TheheartisalsosignificanttoTantricsageswhobelieve thatwithintheheartisrepresentedthecenteroftheuniverse,orChidambaram,wheretherhythmofeternityis dancedbyShiva.Theheartbeatissaidtobethebasictempoforpoetry(iambicpentameter)andmusic. Heart,Mother:TheMotherHeartofearliertimeswassimilartotheSacredHeart,anddescribedinthe sametermsasthetempleinwhichdwellsthelifeoftheworld,asarose,acup,atreasure,aspring,asafurnace ofdivinelove...asabridalchamber.(JungandvonFranzquotedinWalker,1983.) Heart,Sacred:TheSacredHeart,amoonwithinaheart,wasadoptedbyCatholicisminthe17th centuryafterSt.MargaretMarieAlacoquehadavisionofit.However,thissymbolwassported instainedglasswindows(ChapelofSt.ThomasAquilnasandConventdesCordeliersinParis) andcloisterwalls(Jacobincloister)datingbacktoearliercenturies(Walker,1983).Christianity addedthethornedwreathandcrownofChristtotheheart. Heart,Sufi:ThesymbolofthemysticalpathofIslamistheSufiHeartwithwings.Thewings symbolize ascension, the star, divine light, and the moon, and responsiveness to the light. Hazrat Inayat Khan, the orders founder, chose the symbol and explains its meaning in The Gathas(partofTheSufiMessages,a14volumeset):Itexplainsthattheheartisbetweensouland body,amediumbetweenspiritandmatter.Whenthesouliscoveredbyitsloveformatter,itis naturallyattractedtomattertheheartissubjectnotonlytogravitation[theearth],butalsotoattractionfromon high,andasintheEgyptiansymbology,wingsareconsideredasthesymbolofspiritualprogress;theheartwith wingsexpressesthattheheartreachesupwardtowardsheavenThecrescentrepresentstheresponsivenessof thecrescenttothelightofthesun,fornaturallyitreceivesthelight,whichdevelopsituntilitbecomesthefull moon. The principal teaching of Sufism is that of learning to become a pupil The crescent in the heart represents that the heart, responsive to the light of God, is illuminated It is the divine light, which is representedbythefivepointedstar,andthestarisreflectedintheheart,whichisresponsivetothedivinelight. Andtheheart,whichhasbyitsresponsereceivedthelightofGodisliberated,asthewingsshow.Therefore,this sentencewillexplain,inshort,themeaningofthesymbol:theheart,responsivetothelightofGod,isliberated. Hell:SeeUnderworld. Henna:Alsoknownasredochre.ThisherbwhengroundisanaturaldyeandusedtraditionallyinIndia and Egypt, although others throughout history have also taken advantage of it, such as Greek worshippers of Hecate and Gypsies. Henna produces earth tones of red, considered the sacred color of the goddess and used to stainhair,nails,andskin(especiallythesolesofthefeetandhands).AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),hennawasusedtostainwomenspalmsandsolesthesacredcolorofthe goddess,(because)hennawasimportantinhersacrificialrites.Itselfasymbolforthegoddess,itcandyetheskinin patternsthatalsohavesignificancesuchastheOmsymbol.DuringtheMiddleAges,becauseofitsassociationwith thegoddessandfemalereligion,Hennawasassociatedwithwitchcraftandconsideredahereticalcrime.
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Hexagram: Also called Magen David, Shield of David, Star of David, Solomons Seal, Sri Yantra, or Great Yantra. The hexagram, two triangles, one right side up, one upside down superimposeduponeachotherisancientinitsorigins,andimportanttoTantricHinduismand Judaism,aswellasothers.Itcombinesthemostbasicsymbolofthefeminine,thedownward pointing triangle (often referred to as the Yoni Yantra, cup, chalice, or Holy Grail and has obviousconnectionswiththewomb),withthesymbolforthemasculine,theupwardpointing triangle(oftenreferredtoastheprimordialandrogyneorblade,andhasobviousconnections withmalesexualanatomy).FromMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndThe Unknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,wereadthatThehexagramstwintriangles,onepointingupand theotherdown,canbetakentoembodytheesotericmaximasabove,sobelowandinterpretedasasymbolof Godandman,ofthemagicpowerofmanasthepotentialmacrocosmandmasterofallthings.Thetwotriangles oftheHexagramalsosymbolizethefireandwater,ofalchemyandmayrepresentthePhilosophersStone.Sixis the numerological number of balance and harmony, much like the Cabala sixth sefirah, Tifereth, and the harmonizingsphereoftheTreeofLife.KnownasSolomonsSealandMagenDavid,thissymbolwasusedbythe JewishKingsDavidandSolomon.HundredsofyearsbeforeitbecameasymbolofJewishreligion(itwasfirst discussed in the 12th century and officially accepted in the 17th century), it was used on shields during warfare betweengentilesandotherIsraelites(thusitsothernameShieldofDavid).Fromthisuseitbecamethesymbolfor GodsprotectionandguidanceoftheJewishpeople(Chaimberlin).SeealsothenumberSix. TheStarofDavidhasothersymbolicmeaningsasRabbiShragaSimmons,inhisessayJewishLiteracy,Key Concepts, Star Of David (2002), explains, The six points of the Star of David symbolize Gods rule over the universeinallsixdirections:north,south,east,west,upanddown.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopedia OfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explainsthatbeforeJudaismcooptedthissymbol,itwasknownastheYantraand waspartoftheTantricHinduCabalisticsexworshipthatJudaismincorporated,andthenlatereliminatedasthis symbols original meaning. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains TheoriginalsourceoftheMagenDavidwastheTantricGreatYantra,whichstoodforunionofthesexes:the downwardpointingtrianglebeingfemale,theupwardpointingonemale,thetwosignifyingtheeternalunionof GodandGoddess.Walkergoeson,Inthecourseofinfinitetime,theGoddessconceivedasparkoflifewithin her triangle, the bindu, which was eventually born and developed into a male, symbolized by the upward pointingtriangle...Thesignofthisunionwasthehexagram.ThisBindumati(MotheroftheBindu)wasthedeity whopersonifiedtheGreatYantra.Inmyth,sheisadivineharlot,rulingnaturewithmagicandmiracles.Walker asserts that, From the Tantric image of the sexual hexagram arose a Jewish system of sex worship connected withthemedievalCabalaand,fromthis,arosethetraditionofdisplayingthehexagramtorepresentthisunion. Thereisalsosignificanceinthetwotrianglesthatmakeupthecompletesymbol,InKabbalah,thetwotriangles represent the dichotomies inherent in man: good vs. evil, spiritual vs. physical, etc. (Simmons, 2002). The creationstoryinGenesisborrowedthehexagramtorepresentthe6thday(ofthe7tocreatetheworld)inwhich Godmademan.Unfortunately,thisbeautifulsymbolwasalsousedduringtheHolocausttomarkJewsfromthe restofsocietybymakingthemwearanarmbandwiththeStarofDavidprintedonit. HierosGamos:SeeSacredMarriage,Marriage. Himalaya:SeeParadise,Himalaya. HocusPocus:ThismagicalincantationcomesfromtheMiddleAges,whenliturgicalwordswereintonedas invocationsandcharms.InherbookTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains, Hocuspocusisacorruptionofhocestcorpusmeum,thisismybody,fromthesacramentoftheEucharist. Holly:SeeTrees,Holly. HolyWars:HolyWarsarewarsthatarejustifiedbyreligion.Peoplehavebeenkillingeachotherinthe nameofreligionforthousandsofyearsandcontinuetodosotoday.InTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983),BarbaraWalkersaidthatthecrusadeswereHolywarsdesignedtowrestpropertyawayfromthe heathenorhereticenemiesoforthodoxChristianity.Christianlords,clergy,andsoldiersalikefoughtthesewars, and were promised not only the normal spoils but also instant remission of sins and admission to heaven guaranteednomatterwhatcrimesthecrusadermayhavecommitted(Walker,1983).TheCrusadeswerearesult of tension between the Holy Roman Empire and other powers of Europe, particularly pagan Normans and MoslemSaracenswhothreatenedtotakecontrol.PopeUrbanIIattemptedtosolvetheproblembydeclaringthe crusadesinthe10thcentury.InTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerstatesthat SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 47
Forthenext400years,ChristianknightswentforthtoastonishtheSaracenswiththeirintellectualnavetand their military sophistication, developed in a feudal society based on warfare, claiming eight to ten million casualties. Honey:Anaturalpreservative(alongwithsalt),sweetener,andsourceofalcoholicfermentation,honey was significant to ancient cultures. In her book The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker explains, honey was widely regarded as a substance of resurrectionmagic. Honey was used by the people of Asia Minor to embalm the dead, placing them in fetalpositionsinpreparation for rebirth, in 3500 to 1750B.C.HoneywasthesacredessencetothegoddessPandora,theAllGiver.Honeyhasbeenassociatedwith thegoddessasherbeebalm,investedwithrestoringlifetothedead.AnicknameofgoddessDemeteristhe pure mother bee, and goddess Aphrodites symbol was a golden honeycomb. The titles of high priestess or queensoftenmeansbee,suchasMelissaandDeborah.Thehoneymoon,traditionallyfromtheweddingnight spanningalunarmonth(thesamespanofafullcycleofmenstruation),indicatesthecloseassociationofhoney withthegoddessandrebirth.InBabylonia,honeyisgiventoabridegroomonhisweddingdayanditisspread on the threshold of newly married couples houses in Croatia. In Germany, beehives were decorated at a wedding.Honeyisawidespreadsymboloffruitfulnessinloveandmarriage,andhasalonghistoryevenasan aphrodisiac according to Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish. Norse mythology tells of a nectar of the gods that inspires wisdom, literacy, magic, and eternal life, which was a combination of honey and wise blood or menstrual blood. Walker (1983) asserts that blood, honey, and salt are the three substances most often associated with resurrectionorrebirth.TheChinese,Sanskrit,AncientGreek,andEnglishwordforhoneywineormeadallhave a common root. Ancient Babylon had a honey god, and honey represented the universe. Richard Cavendish furtherexplains,Inthebeliefofmorethanoneancientpeople,honeyisabundantinholyordivineplacesinthe bookofExodus,theGodofAbrahampromisestheeldersofIsraelthathewillbringthemtoalandflowingwith milk and honey. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah feeds the pious in heaven with honey and Manna, and in a number of medieval mystical prayers, Christ himself is addressed as the honeycomb. Honey is poured in offeringsandlibations.Russia,SouthAfrica,Silesia,Switzerlandallhavecustomsinvolvinghoney. HornofPlenty:SeeCornucopia. Horns:Thesignificanceofhornsdateasfarbackasthecavedrawingsof5thcenturyB.C.intheiroriginal representationasthestaganddoeoffertility.Menwearingbull,stag,ram,orgoathornsareprolificinprimitive sacredartandlaterbecamethehornedgodsActaeontheStag,DionysusorZeustheBull,AmentheRam,and PantheGoat,whowereunfortunatelyallcombinedlatertoproducetheChristiandevil.TheHornedGodwas representativeofthelifeforceofNature(Cabot,1997).AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), horns were connected with the oldest Tantric belief concerning male vitality:thatbysuppressionofejaculation,mysticenergymountsupthespinetotheheadandflowersforthin wisdomandmagicpower,madevisiblebyhorns.MariAsherah,thedivinecow,tooktheformofamoonbull, muchlikeShiva,theWhiteBullNandi,theBlessedOne.Thissymbolcrossesculturesandhasbeenusedbythe Aztecs,Mayans,Egyptians,Greeks,Romans,andCeltsinspiritualandreligiousforms.Notably,importantCeltic festivalsoffertility,suchastheSpringEquinoxfestivalofBeltane,utilizethearchetypalenergiesofthestagand doeinaritualofunion,balance,andfertility;thisritualhassurvivedintothiscentury.AccordingtoMan,Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, The outstanding courageand virility of the male horned animal led men to adopt the horn as the emblemofmanhood;thegodsthemselveswerefrequentlydepictedashornedinancienttimesAchallengeto mans strength, horned creatures have been both feared and admired by him for millennia. The Bible makes several allusions to horns in association with Yahweh being the horned one. See Gods Underworld Guardians, Devil,Yahweh,Tertragrammaton. Horse:SeeAnimals. Horseshoe: The horseshoe is a symbol of the beginning of creation and cycle of life, as the Great Mothersfertility.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983),Hindus,Arabs,andCeltsregardedtheyonicshapeofthehorseshoeasasymbolof theGoddesssGreatGate,thusitwasalwaysesteemedasaprophylacticdoorcharm.Druidsand Hindusbothbuilttemplesintheshapeofahorseshoe,andArabscreatedsacredarchitectureinitsshape.TheGreeks consideredittheWordofCreationorOm,anduseditssignasthelastletterintheirsacredalphabet,Omega. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 48
Humours, Four: Developed by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates (469399 B.C.), these four vapours of the body were believed by western physicians to regulate health, character and temperament. Medicinewasprescribedtobalancethefourhumoursandrestoreequilibriumtothebodyandmind.TheFour Humours,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),areasfollows: Blood:(redincolor)hotandmoist,associatedwithairandasanguinetemperament(amorous,happy, generous,andoptimistic). YellowBile:Hotanddry,associatedwithfireandcholerictemperament(violent,unreasonable,vengeful). Phlegm:(green in color)cold and moist, associated with waterand a fanatic temperament(slow, dull andcowardly). BlackBile:coldanddry,relatedtoearthandassociatedwithamelancholytemperament(gluttonous, lazy,sentimental,pensiveanddepressive). Huppah: The Hebrew huppah is the marriage canopy traditionally held above a couple during a Jewish wedding.Thiswasasymbolofpermissiontoenterawomenstent,leftoverfromatimewhenwomenownedthe property and tents, and she gives permission for her husband to dwell with her. In her book The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains,Thetentandthelanditoccupiedweresymbolic ofthewomanherself.Beforethedevelopmentofpatriarchalrules,shehadcompletecontrolofherproperty. Husband:. Hus means bonded to the house. All over Europe and India, before the patriarchal rule of IslamandChristianity,therearecustomsandphrasesthatreflectthismatriarchalcontrol.InGreeceahusbandwas calledastrangerandnotconsideredapartoftheclan.InArabiahusbandsdidnotgainprominenceorrecordina clanuntiltheyfatheredchildren,atwhichtimetheygainedthetitleabu,orfatherof...Thewifeownedthehouse and land and the husband worked the land for her, but the wife retained the harvest. In her book The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains,amongAngloSaxontribes,husbandrymeant farmworkasitstilldoesbecauseahusbandwasusuallybondedtoworkonhiswifesland...Theoldcustomof providingworkincompensationformarriagegaverisetothewordbridegroom,literallythebridesservant. Iao:SeeGods,Jesus. Iblis:SeeGods/UnderworldGuardian. Idolatry:Anidolisanimageinthelikenessofadeityandidolatryisworshippingthatidolasasymbol of the deity. In her book The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker explains, The pagan habit of making graven images of deities and heroes was copied by the Catholic church and never abandoned, despite Gods many prohibitions of idolatry in the Bible (Exodus 20:4, Leviticus 19:4, and more). During the Protestant Reformation, idols were one reason Protestants felt that the Catholic Church no longer followedtheBible.Itwasfearedthatpeoplewouldlosereverenceforidols,andthuslosereverenceforGod. ImmaculateConception:ImmaculateConceptionreferstoconceptionfreeoforiginalsin(Evesaccused seductionandAdamssubsequentrebellionwhichcausedthefallofgrace).Oftenerroneouslythoughttorefer to the conception of Christ, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception actually was invented to absolve the VirginMaryoforiginalsinfromthemomentofherownconception.Itwasbelievedthatapersontaintedwith sincouldnotbearagod,andfurthermore,couldnotbeworshipped.However,Mariolatrywasprolificbythe12th century so the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was created to make her holy. In 1854, Pope Pius IX approved an article of faith in which he said that Mary at the first instant of her conception, was preserved immaculatefromallstainoforiginalsin,bythesingulargraceandprivilegegrantedtoherbyAlmightyGod(as quotedinWalker). Incense: Incense is often used in meditation or spiritual practices for a variety of purposes. According to Man,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichard Cavendish,Theburningofsweetsmellingsubstancesinreligiousceremonies,bothpublicandprivate,isofgreat antiquityandcommontomanypeoples.Pleasingodorshavebeenthoughttodelightthegodsandtobeoffensiveto evilspirits.Smokerisingtoheavenwasbelievedtosymbolizetheascentofprayerandsoulstoheaven. Sage: From the Latin salvere, meaning to save, sage has been used for purification and healing in EuropeanandNativeAmericantraditions(Shepherd,2002).ItisevenattributedtotheVirginMaryforitspurity. Frankincense: This incense was prized by the Greeks, Romans, and Jews. The Boswellia tree in Africa and Asia produces the gum for this incense. According to Symbols Of Church Seasons And Days (1997), by John
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Bradner, Since it was an accompaniment of worship, it symbolizes divinity. It was also used on the altars of JewishTemples(Shepherd,2002). Myrrh:ThegumforthisincensecomesfromAfricaandArabia,andisbitterandpungent.FromSymbols Of Church Seasons And Days (1997), by John Bradner, we read, Ancient peoples valued it as an ingredient for perfumesandunguents.Itsymbolizesasufferingbodyordeathbecauseitisusedtoanointbodiesbeforeburial. TheBiblicalJesuswasanointedwithMyrrhtwice,athisbirth(Matthew2:11)andathisdeath(Mark15:23)andit wasusedtorepresentrebirth.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains, myrrhrepresentedthemysticvirginmotherwho wasalsoMotherDeath,calledMary,orMiriam,orMari,or Myrrha,orastheChristianscalledthevirginMaryMyrrhoftheSea.Inaparallelpaganmyth,thepriestess Myrrha births the god Adonis, and myrrh was used as an aphrodisiac in his honor. In the Orient, myrrh representedMara,thespiritofdeath. Incubus: The incubus is the practice of inducing a spiritual/insightful dream or vision. In her book The WomansEncyclopediaofMythsandSecret(1983),BarbaraWalkerexplains,Thepaganincubuswasaspecialpriest embodyingapropheticspiritwhocouldcomeindreamsorvisionstothosewhoincubatedovernightintheearth womborpitofatemple.TheGreeksritualizedthispracticeofincubationinthetemplesofAsclepiusandHygeia, theEgyptianusedthetemplesofImhotep.ThepracticewasChristianizedaswatchingorkeepingvigil,staying upthroughthenight,prayingforguidance.Abyproductofthesenightstaysintemplesandchurcheswassexual relationsbetweentheincubatorandthepriest/priestess,andtheChurcheventuallydemonizedtheincubus. Indulgence:IndulgenceistheCatholicChurchspracticeofabsolvingsins.AccordingtoBarbaraWalker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Bills of indulgence became the spiritual carrot correspondingtothestickofexcommunication,whichwasthoughttosentencethesinnerirrevocablytohellfire. They were sold by Renaissance popes as a means to support their lush lifestyles, and promised to military leadersofthecrusades. Infallibility:TheideaofInfallibilityisthatGodwouldnotallowhispopetoactorspeakwithouttotal divine approval, so therefore whatever the pope did or said was necessarily right and true. The idea first appearedinthewritingsofTorquemadainthe15thcentury.CardinalCajetanoagreed,andthepopecreatedthe bullPastorEternus,makingitapartofcanonlaw.Bythe19thCentury,scientistswereprovingstatementsofthe popetobefalse,atleastwhenitcametomattersofearthsciences;sothebullwasrevisedthepopeswordwas onlyinfalliblewhenhespokeofficially.However,thatdidntholduplongeither;asBarbaraWalkerinherbook, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains It was soon found that popes were wrong in numerousstatementsofficiallyenshrinedinbullsandencyclicals,anditwasrevisedagain,thistimethepope isinfallibleonlywhenspeakingonmattersoffaithandmorals. Infernus:SeeUnderworld. Innocents,Slaughterof:TheSlaughteroftheInnocentsisanarchetypalpartofthelifeofasacredkingor messiahordivineleader,inwhichthecurrentkingiswarnedofthebirthofhisrivalandsuccessor;inanattempt toretainpower,heordersalltherecentlyborninfantskilled.ThishasoccurredinthemythsofNimrod,Sargon, Moses,Jason,Krishna,Jesus,andMordred. Jaguar:SeeAnimals. JambuIsland:SeeParadise. Jesus:SeeGods/SaviorGods,Jesus. Jewel in the Lotus: This translation of the Tantric holy phrase, Om mani padme hum, refers to sexual intercourseliterally,butsymbolically,ithasavarietyofmeanings.SeeUMSMantrascourse.BarbaraWalker,in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), breaks the sexual symbol down as this: the fructifying maleprincipleenclosedwithinthesustaining,birthgiving,envelopingfemaleprinciple.Italsoreferstocreation orthesparkoflife;aswellasthedeadbodyenclosedinthewombofMotherEarth;thecosmicdanceofShiva (thelotus)andKali(thejewel);orthesleepinggod,betweenreincarnations,cradledintheLotusofhisMother (Walker,1983). Journey: Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, states symbol of mans attempt to gain salvation, spiritual perfection, paradise; examples include the Christians journey in Pilgrims Progress, and the Quest of the Holy Grail: a methodofattainingholinessorwisdomisoftencalledapath,roadorway. Jupiter:SeePlanets. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 50
Justice:ThepopularsymbolofJusticeasablindfoldedwomanholdingascaleineachhandcomesfromthe LibrasignoftheZodiac.However,thenotionthatjusticeisfeminineisnotspecifictoastrology.PagansandRomansboth attributed justice as a feminine characteristic. Pythagoreans said, iusticia and aequitas (justice and equity) are innate attributesofthefemininenatureprinciple.(asquotedinWalker,1983)Zodiac.SeeUMSAstrologycourse. Kaaba:AlsocalledKubaba,Kuba,andKube.ThisshrineofstonesinMeccaiscurrentlydedicatedtothe Islamic God, Allah, but was originally constructed in honor of the triple goddess Manat, AlLat, and AlUzza. KnownastheOldWoman,thisgoddesswasworshippedbyKoreshites,thetribesmenofMohammed.Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, The stone bore the emblem of the yoni,liketheBlackStoneworshippedbyvotariesofArtemisalthoughthissymbolismhasbeenlost. Kalanemi:TranslatedasRimoftheWheelofTime,thisearlyzodiacwassymbolizedbytheMilkyWay (literally),andtheWorldSerpent(figuratively)whoencirclestheearth,chasingitstail.TheKalanemiwasstudied as a guide for seasons, festivals, and Sabbaths. Barbara Walker, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983),asserts,KalanemiwasprobablyanaspectofKaliMaastheCroneofTime. Kalenderees: Ancient Hindu dervishes, who were traveling teachers of Tantric doctrine in Persia and Arabia. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, Their cult of the GoddessKalimayhavebeentheoriginofthefemalecenteredSufisectwhichreveredthesamefeminineWordof Creation(Om,Umm:theMatrixorMotherbelly),andbelievedthatreligiousfulfillmentformenorwomencould befoundonlyinsexuallove. Karma: The Hindu symbol for karma is a neverending cycle of life, in which each action producesanequallypowerfuloppositereactionnecessarytomaintainbalance.Itissimilarto the concept fate. Barbara Walker, inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explainsTheGoddessslawwasthatanyindividualevolutionmustbeworkedoutbyaseries ofreincarnationsthroughtheturningofthegreatwheeloftime.Evilactionsresultedinrebirth toamoreevillife;goodactionsbroughtlivesofincreasingvirtueandhappiness. Man Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by RichardCavendish,says,Thelawofcosmicrequitalforonesgoodandbaddeeds,knownaskarma,isacentral concept of all Hindu and Buddhist sects, the chief aim of which is the acquittal of the soul of its debts; this is achievedbysuccessiverebirthuntiltheslateiswipedcleanEveryaction,everythought,everypassingwishis alinkinthechainthattethersmanmorefirmlytothewheelofbirthdeathrebirth;hemustcontinuetoreturnto earthuntilallkarmaisexpended.TheWheelofLife(left)isoftenartisticallydepictedinthemandala. Kernos:Meaningkernelorheart,thisEleusiniasymbolrepresentedthefertilityandharvestofnew life,andwasrepresentedbyaseedsplantedinasacredpot(symbolicoftheuterus).Later,thisevolvedintothe traditionofwomenplantingwheatorbarleyinapotcalledGardenofAdonis.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),saysCeremoniesofthekernoswerestillobserveduptothe20thcentury inSardinia,Sicily,Calabria,andotherareas. Keroessa:ByzantinetitlefortheHornedOne.SeeHorns. Key: Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), editedbyRichardCavendish,says,Animportantsymbolinmagic,religionandfolklorebecauseitprovidesand preventsaccesstosomesoughtafterplaceorspiritualcondition;associatedwithentrancetotheMysteries,andto degrees of initiation; in many religions the key has the power to open heaven and hell; freedom of a city is symbolicallygrantedbybeinggiventhekeys,andadecorativekeyispresentedon21stbirthdaystounlockthe doorofadultstatus. KhertNeter:SeeUnderworld. KhonMa:SeeEarth. Kingship:Thekingwasconsidered,inmanycultures,sacredleaderforthegoddess.Inancienttimesof Asiatic, Sumeria, and Assyria, kings were chosen by women and were not succeeded by their sons. Barbara Walker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,Womenwerethekingmakersinthe lands he ruled. Marriage was the earthly representative of the Goddess, and in the form of the queen, was essentialtothepositionofkingship Kiss: The gesture of a kiss symbolizes affection and love, usually and probably derived from copying the affectionate behavior of mothers with their children. It was also common for mothers to prechew food and feed it mouthtomouthwiththeirchildreninGermanyandAustria.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMyths SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 51
AndSecrets(1983),says,Scholarsbelievekissingoriginatedwithmouthtomouthfeeding,practicedamongancient Greeksandothersasaformofloveplay.InEuropeitwasbelievedthatkissingpromotedbondingbetweentribe members, but kissing was unheard of in northern Asia, and the Eskimos rubbed noses instead. Judas in the Bible betrayedJesuswithakiss,symbolizinghowclosetheywere,andthesignificanceofthebetrayal. Knighthood: The ceremony of Knighthood involved touching each shoulder in turn with a sword. BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,IntheMiddleAges,aknight wascreatedbyasymbolicimitationoftheritualthatusedtomakeamanintoagod:beheadinghim.Celtsand Greeksalikeperformedthisritual. Knot:Knotswereasymboloffatefortheancients,whenitwasbelievedthatthegoddessof fate tied the threads of life together to cause certain events. Aphrodite was responsible for tyingtheknot(marriage)betweencouplesandIsisHathortiedoruntiedTat,theKnotof Fate for Egyptians (Walker, 1983). Greeks, Pagans, Celts, Witches, Scotts, Jews, Mexican midwivesallbelievedin,and/orused,knotmagictoinfluencefate.Man,MythAndMagic:The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish,describestheknotas Apowerfulmagicalweapon,becausetotieaknotistoimpedethepersonagainstwhomthespellisdirected;to untietheknotistoreleasethevictimfromthespell;thewitchesladder,astringwithnineknots,wasbelievedto throttle the victim slowly to death; in many societies knots were tied at love and marriage; tying knots is widely believedtopreventconception,anduntyingthemisthoughttoeasechildbirth.Celticknotpicturedhere. Koran: This sacred book of the Moslem religion is believed to be written based on the Prophet Mohammedslifebyhisclosefollowers.Man,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,Religion AndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,saysthattheKoranisThesacredbookofIslam,Gods eternalanduncreatedword,whichwasrevealedtoMohammedwhilehewasatMeccaandMedina;itcontains 114 chapters, or suras, and is regardedasinfallible. However,BarbaraWalker, in TheWomans EncyclopediaOf Myths And Secrets (1983), states, many dont know the Koran was an enlarged, revised version of the ancient WordoftheGoddessKore,reveredbyMohammedstribe,theKoreshites(ChildrenofKore),whoguardedher shrineatMecca.LiketheChristianandJewishbibles,theKoranhasbeenrevisedandrewrittenthroughoutthe decadestosuittheneedsofthoseinpower.SeeKaaba. Kula: This Hindu word associated with menstrual blood refers to the flower or nectar of menstruation. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), says, A girl bore the Kula flower at first menstruation, which assimilated her to the clan spirit dwelling in maternal bloodlines. It also refers to the circumcision of adolescent boys in Fiji, through the belief that his genital blood gives him fertilitymagic.SeeCircumcision. Kyklos Geneseon: This Greek symbol translates as Wheel of Rebirth or Wheel of Becoming and represents the idea of reincarnation. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts that it is a symbol of early Greek ideas of reincarnation put forth by such philosophical sects as the PythagoreansandStoics. Labarum: This is the symbol that Constantine claimed to have seen in a vision in the sky, which converted him to Christianity. It is known as the monogram of Christ. Later records of the story change the symboltoacross.Constantinelaterorderedthissymbolplacedontheshieldsofhissoldiers.Infact,thissymbol belongedtothegodMithra,honoredbythesoldiersofthelegions.ConstantinesclaimthatitrepresentedChrist was an attempt to assimilate the symbol and thus Christianize his soldiers. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), claims that a series of holy signs from Philae show that the labarum evolvedfromtheEgyptianankh.SeeAnkh. Labrys: This doublebladed ax was used as a ceremonial weapon, representing the goddess by her variousnamesGaea,Rhea,Demeter,andArtemis.ThisdeitywasworshippedbytheAmazonianandScythian warriorwomenofancienttimes,andtheaxwasusedinherhonor.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopedia OfMythsAndSecrets(1983),pointsoutthatInmoderntimesthelabryshasbeenadoptedbylesbiansasasymbol of reminiscence, in jewelry or art, of the allfemale community of Lesbos and its founding mothers who worshippedonlythegoddessinnatureandineachother.
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Labyrinth:AlsocalledDromenon.Thelabyrinthrepresentsajourneyofdeathandrebirthand is used as a spiritual tool for symbolic rebirth of the spirit and soul. Originally meaning HouseoftheDoubleAxfromtheceremonialLabrys,(seeabove)thelabyrinthwasusedasa small visual representation over the entrance of sacred caves used for the purpose of rebirth ceremoniesorlifesizedpathcarvedordrawnontocavefloors.Fromthelabyrinthevolvedthe maze,whichhasbeenasacredsymboltoGnostic,Pagan,andChristiansalike,whouseditin floor designs and hedges. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), says, Early labyrinthine designs on coins, caves, tombs, etc. referred to the earthwomb such labyrinths were meant for ceremonialwalking.SeeLabrys,above. Ladder:TheGnostictraditioncalleditaxismundi,MithraicMysteriescalleditklimax,Egyptiantradition called it Ladder of Set, and Christianity called it Jacobs Ladder and Ladder to Paradise. The ladder is a symbolforthesoulspathtoheavenandbackagain.ItisusedinShamanisticdeathandrebirthceremoniesandis climbedbysages,prophets,kingsandbodhisattvas.Asianstribes,whoplaceditongraves,andEgyptians,who reserved the ladder for pharaohs and prophets, believed that souls ascend to heaven on a ladder. In India, the laddersrungsweremadeofwoodenswordblades;inChinatheywereknives;inAsia,therewerefourteenrungs forthefourteendaysofdarkwaningofthemoon;inGnostictradition,thesoulladderhadsevenrungsforthe sevenheavens.Atthetopoftheladderitwasbelievedtheseekerwouldmeettheirdeity,andtheladderwasalso asymbolofthemarriagebetweengodandgoddess,asthesexualinnuendoofthetitleklimaxsuggests.Barbara Walker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,Priestkingsinantiquityclimbedsoul ladderstomeettheGoddessontheoccasionoftheirhierosgamosandalsoafterdeath,whentheirsoulsreturned totheMotherwhoborethem.SeeSacredMarriage. Lamb:SeeAnimals. Lantern: Particularly important to Buddhists, for whom the light of lanterns symbolizes the Buddhas wisdom and knowledge, according to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book, 1000 Symbols: What Shapes MeanInArtAndMyth(2002).InChina,theyarealsoconnectedwithfertility,andalitlanternisusedasafertility charm.DuringtheChineseLanternFestivalandJapaneseBonFestival,lanternsarebelievedtoattractthesoulsof deadancestors.Similarly,pumpkinlanternsarelitonAllHallowsEveorAllSaintsEve(October31st).Christ holdingalanternsymbolizesthelightoftheworld. Laurel:SeeTrees. Leopard:SeeAnimals. LeftHand:FromtheLatinwordssinisterleftanddexterright,theleftacquirednegativeconnotations, aswellasbeingassociatedwithwitchcraft.Incontrast,theright,ordexterous,acquiredpositiveconnotations,as inskilled,righteous,andcorrect.InFrench,left,gauche,meansclumsyorstupid;theEnglishtranslationisgawky. The Italian mancino means deceitful; the German link means wrong and perverse; the AngloSaxon lyft means worthlessandweak.Thisbiastowardtherightcomesfromapatriarchaldevaluingofthefeminine,traditionally associated with the left side. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts, Allmythsagreethattherightsidewasmale,theleftsidefemale. Lent: The fast of Lent is a Christian tradition of abstaining during the month of March, in recognition of Christs sacrifice. In actuality, this tradition evolved from the Saxon tradition of Lenetmonath (one lunar month duringthelengtheningofdays),whichwascopiedfromtheRomanMatronalia(FestofMothers).Womenheld theseRomanfertilityrightsinthesacredgrovesoftheAventineandPalatinehills,wheretheysacrificedtoConsus, theharvestgod,andfastedandpracticedabstinenceinpreparationfortheAprilfertilityfestivalofCeres. Leo:SeeZodiacSigns. Lesbians:ThewordlesbianisderivedfromthefemaleonlyGreekislandofLesbos,inhabitedbyAmazons. LesboswasdedicatedtotheworshipofAphroditeandArtemisinthe6thcenturyB.C.andthesedeitieswerehonored with charis (music, dancing, philosophy, poetry, art, and romance). This island produced the famous poet Sappho (unfortunately,onlyasmallportionofheroriginalworksurvived).Thehistoryoflesbianismisasvariedanddifferent asthereareculturesandwomenintheworld.Ingeneral,apatriarchalsocietyhasnotencouragedindependentfemale relationships.However,abeliefinfemalesnotbeinginherentlysexualhasalsocreatedexceptionalfreedomforwomen to live and be together (for example, because of Queen Elizabeths claim that women were not sexual, lesbian relationshipsintheformofBostonMarriageswerecommonduringtheturnofthecentury).Ignoranceoffemale sexuality has engendered a fear of women by patriarchal structures of the past, and this resulted in discrimination SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 53
againstlesbians.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,ChristianEurope regardedlesbianismasacrimewithoutaname,andsometimesburnedlesbiansalivewithouttrial. Libra:SeeZodiacSigns. Light:Manymysticaljourneysincludeatimeofdarknessanddiscovery,attheendofwhichtheseeker seesthegreatlightofillumination(oftenexperiencedliterally).Man,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopedia OfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,says,Inmosttraditions,darkness precedesandisolderthanlight,andwhenlightcameintobeingitpenetratedadarknessthatwastherebeforeit, justastherisingsunbanishessleepandtheblindnessofnightandbringsthedaytimeforactivity.Wepatternthe basic rhythm of our lives on this alternation of night and day In religion, legend and symbolism light is primarilyconnectedwithgoodandwithcreativepower. Lightning:LightningisatoolofGodinmanymyths.AncientEuropeanandIndiancreationmythstellof aHeavenlyFatherconsummatingMotherEarthwithalightningbolt.Manygodshavewieldedthelightningbolt, including Zeus (Greek), Jupiter (Roman), and the original Dyaus Pitar (meaning Father Heaven in India). LightningalsowasasymbolofadescendingfromheaventoearthasDumuzi,Leviathan,andDionysusdidand laterinspiringthefallfromgracestoriesofLuciferandSatan.Amongthebasicassumptionsatplayhereisthat Godisfieryinnature,andthegoddessiswatery. Lilith:SeeMother/PreserverGoddesses. Lily:SeeFlower,Lilies. Lingam:ThelingamisaHindusymbolforgodingeneral,Shivainparticular;anditisrepresentedbya penis (either lifesized or large pillarlike) and is the counterpart to the feminine yoni. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), says, The lingamyoni is still the supreme symbol of the vital principle,representingmaleandfemalegenitaliainconjunction.AnancientcustomofGreece,Rome,theMiddle East,andHindusistohavebridesandpriestesses(alsocalledtempleharlots)undergoaceremonyofthelingamin whichtheyenterintosacredmarriagewithGod(Shiva)throughritualpenetration.SeeJewelintheLotus,andYoni, Pillar. Lion:SeeAnimals. Little Red Riding Hood: This fairy tale is based on the archetypal characters of the triple goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone). Little Red Riding Hood is the redcloaked maiden (Diana of paganism), sent on an errand by her mother (the mother), to visit her grandmother (the crone). On her way she is interrupted by the threatening wolf, (also the crone), but is rescued by the woodsman (representing any number of forest gods). BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),seesthatTheHunterwasoriginallyle ChasseurMaudit,orpaganlordofthehunt;whilethemaneatingSheWolforgrandmotherwasawesternformof theKalika.SeeDog. Logos:Logosistheideathatthesupremedeitycouldcreateanythingthatwaswantedbysimplycalling itsname,includingothergoddesses/gods,universesandcreatures.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, The Logos, then, was divine essence concentrated in a Word and made manifest,asJesuswascalledtheWordmadeflesh.Logoswaspopularamongpatriarchalreligionsbecauseit gave male deities the power to create, which had until then been reserved for the Goddess. Logos has passed from Tantrism to Neoplatonic philosophy to Christianity, but originated with the Egyptian concept of hekau, WordofPower.TheoriginalDeitiesinvestedwiththeWordofPowerwereGoddesseslikeHecate,Kali,etc.,who created sacred languages (Sanskrit), mantras, and alphabets. The original Word, the tone that created the universe, is Om, and it is claimed in mythology to be spoken by Kali as an invocation of her own pregnant belly(Walker,1983).KalisOmisnotspecifictoEgypt,andappearsinthenameofmanygoddesses,forexample theCelticmoonmotherOmh(SheWhoIs);andShebanmoontempleofMaribAum(BellyoftheWorld).Lydians calledtheirgoddessqueenOmphale;Greekscalledtheirtemplesomphalos;andtheGreekshonoredOmasthe lastletteroftheiralphabet,Omega(meaningGreatOm).SeeOm,andName. Lorelei: The Lorelei is the name of a famous rock of the Rhine River. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains that it is anciently identified with a Watersiren or River goddesswholuredmentodeathbydrowning. Lotus:SeeFlowers,Lotus.
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Lucifer:SeeGods/UnderworldGuardian,Lucifer. Luna:ThisLatintitleforthemoongoddessisconsorttotheGnosticsungodSol.BarbaraWalker,inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts, Together they represented fire and water, whose combinationproducedtheBloodofLife.Manycreationmythstellofthemoonastheultimate,firstcreatress, whocreatedtheworldoutofherprimaloceanofchaos. LunarCalendar:SeeMenstrualCalendar. Ma:SeeMotherPreserverGoddesses,Ma. Magen David: Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, The original source of the Magen David was the Tantric Great yantra, which stood for union of the sexes; The downwardpointingtrianglebeingfemale,theupwardpointingonemale,thetwosignifyingtheeternalunionof God and Goddess. Taught to the Jews by Cabalistic sexworshippers, the Yantras original meaning was later obscured.SeeHexagram,StarofDavid. Magic:MagicwaslegalinRomantimesandtolerateduptotheearlyMiddleAges,whenitassistedthe nobilityandchurchandwasoftenemployedindecidingaffairsandwardingoffdemons.BarbaraWalker,inThe WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,Thoughthechurchcondemnedmagicasadevilishart, theAgesofFaithwerefilledwithmagicalbeliefsandpractices. Magic Carpet: The idea of a Magic Carpet appears in several cultures. It probably originated from an Eastern Shamanic tradition of initiates learning to fly during spiritjourney. In Asia, during the initiation process,theinitiatewascarriedonacarpetbyfourpriests(similartothepracticeinancientEgyptoffourSonsof Horus carrying dead men). Also, learning to fly to heaven and back again in trance was an important part of deathandresurrectionceremonies.AMagicCarpetbecameasymbolforbeingabletotravelinthemind. Mama:SeeMotherPreserverGoddesses,Mama. Man:TheoriginalNorsewordmanmeantwomanandwermeantman,(Walker,1983).Manwasalsoa titlefortheprimecreatressmooninScandinavia.InRome,ManorManawasthemotherofallmanes(ancestral spirits).EventheSanskritrootwordmanmeantmoonandwisdom. Mandala: The mandala (Sanskrit for circle) is used as a meditation tool in both Hinduism and Buddhism.Usuallycircular,amandalacanalsoappearinotherforms,suchasthelotus.BarbaraWalker,inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states that as an Oriental sacred diagram or meditation symbolContemplationofthemandalawassupposedtoleadtomysticalinsight.Man,MythAndMagic:The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, further explains,Themandalaorcircleisoneofthemostwidespreadofallsymbols,foundinreligiousartinallpartsof theworld.IntheEast,itsoconsecratedthatspacemayberegardedaschargedwiththepresenceofdeitieswho havebeenhousedwithinit.Oftenusingrepeatingdesignsandcolors,mandalasmayalsobesplitintosections witheachsectionrepresentingadifferentaspect,likeamedicinewheel. Mandorla: A Mandorla, from the Latin word for almond, is the vesica, halo or aura that surrounds saintsinmedievalChristianart(includingChristandtheVirginMary)andthedeitiesinBuddhistart. AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),Encompassingtheentirefigure,itsymbolizeswholenessandhealing. Manifest Destiny: Manifest Destiny was the phrase of early white settlers to North America who believedthatitwastheirdivinelyappointedmissiontosettlethecontinentfromseatosea,civilizingthenative peoples in the process. This civilizing process, besides being arrogant and greedy, was often inhumane and cruel.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),saysthatwhenNativeAmericans objectedtoManifestDestiny,thegeneralincommandssolutionwastoexterminatethebuffalo,onwhomthe PlainsIndiansdependedforfood,shelter,andclothing.Whenthegreatherdswerekilledandlefttorot,many Indiantribesdiedoffamine.ThiswashailedasaworkingofManifestDestiny. As well as endeavoring to inflict mass genocide on the native people, the white settlers took it upon themselves to convert the native people to their own religion. In response, a Seneca chief told missionaries in SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 55
LotusPosition:Sittingcrossleggedwitheachfootontoptheoppositeknee.ThisTantricyogapose is practiced for meditation. Celtic Gods were also depicted in the Lotus Position as were some figuresmadebyPaganScandinavians.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets (1983), points out, The medieval church denounced this crosslegged pose as a relic of paganism,anddeclaredallwhosatcrossleggedwereworkingsorcery.
1805: Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion, or take it from you; we only want to enjoy our own. Brother,wearetoldthatyouhavebeenpreachingtowhitepeopleinthisplacewewillwaitalittlewhileand see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest, and less disposedtocheatIndians,wewillthenconsideragainwhatyouhavesaid.(Starkloff,ascitedinWalker)The genocideoftheNativeAmericanpeopleisashorrendousastheHolocaustandtheInquisition;however,itdoes notusuallyreceivethesameawarenessintheUnitedStates. Mantra:AMantraisacombinationofwordsofpowerthatarespokenrepetitivelytoinvokedivineenergy. ThisbeliefissharedbytheEgyptianideaofhekauandNeoplatonictheoryofLogos.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explainsTherootwordmanmeantfemininewisebloodemanatingfromthe moon;itwasusuallydefinedasIntelligence.(SeeMan.)MantrashavebeenusedbyEgyptians,Hindus,RomanPagans, Tibetanlamas,andTantricyogis.Themotherofmantrasisconsideredtobematrikamantra,KalisWordofCreation,Om, asthewordthatbroughtintobeingtheuniverse.Walkerasserts,Hindusbelievedanythingcouldbeaccomplishedif one only knew the correct mantras. The Catholic Church had a similar belief which caused them to retain the Latin languageformass,longaftercommonersnolongerspokeLatin,becauseitwasbelievedthattherewaspowerinvestedin theverysoundofthewords.SeeLogos,andJewelInTheLotus. Mars:SeePlanets. Mascot:SeeAnimals,Mascots. MashyaandMashyoi:AnearlyversionoftheAdamandEvemythfromPersia,MashyaandMashyoiwerethe primary couple birthed from the earths womb after 40 years of gestation (a parallel to the 40 weeks of pregnancy). BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),says,God(AhuraMazda)toldthemnotto listentotheliesofthedevil(Ahriman).Buttheydisobeyed,andcametoregardAhrimanasthecreatorofthefeminine elements, water, earth, and fruit. Like the biblical creation story, this couple also gave birth to seven other primary couples,whosedescendentspopulatedtheearth.SeeEve,Adam,andParadise,Eden. Mask:Maskshavebeenusedastoolstoconnecthumanswithdeitiesoranimalspirits.Theycanfunction as hidden identities, and as repositories of sacred power, personifying the supernatural and also marks of distinction. The earliest mask cave paintings were Old Stone Age of France and Spain c. 20,000 B.C. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, It is commonplace in primitive religionthatdeityresidesinasacredmask.Itisbelievedthatwhenthemaskisputon,thewearerbecomesthe animalordeityitrepresents.CarlJunginhisbook,ManAndHisSymbols(1964),clarifiesthatareligiousmask wearerisntpretendingtobealion;heisconvincedthatheisaLion...[He]sharesapsychicidentitywiththe animal(ascitedinWalker,1983).Manycultures,fromPaleolithictimestopreChristianEurope,andtomodern Africa,Melanesian,andAustralia,allusemaskmagic.Scandinavianpeopleswordformaskwasgrim,whichwas also a part of their gods names, like Grim Reaper (the masked reaper of souls). Christianity demonized the wearingofmasks,claimingthatonewhodidsowaspossessedbythedevil,leadingtothenegativeconnotation ontheGrim Reaper.Man,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, states, In many primitive societies a mask is more than a means of changing your appearance; it is a link with the world of the spirits, a channel by which men can tap the force possessed by supernatural beings the human guardian and wearer of the mask partakes of the power of the spiritordivinitywhichthemasksymbolizesandistherebyelevatedabovethecommonmassoftheuninitiated. Mass:ThisisaCatholicreligiouspracticethatincludestheconsumptionofwineandbread,representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ. BarbaraWalker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts that mass is derived from the Latin missa, from the PersianMithraic communion cake called mizd, thoughttoembodythedivinefleshandbloodoftheSoleCreatedBullsacrificedbyMithra. MatrilinealInheritance:BeforetheGreekscreatedasystemofpatriarchalrule,whichwaslateradoptedand spreadbyChristianity,almosteveryonefollowedthesystemofMatrilinealInheritanceinwhichpossesions,children, property,andevenkingdomswerepassedfrommothertodaughter.Traditionally,amaidenwouldstayinherhome, inherittheland,andbeburiedunderherhearth,withtheexpectationthatsonswouldventureouttofindawife.In fact, it was sometimes a violation of law to take a bride from her family. Remnants of this system of succession survivedinpartsoftheBritishIslesuntilthe9thcentury.TheEnglishwordheirisderivedfromtheGreekwordfora femalelandownerhereorHera,thegoddess.TheLatinwordforlandowner,latifundia,isderivedfromthegoddess Lat.InEgypt,Lydia,Africa,Ireland,theMiddleEast,andwithintribessuchastheSioux,Cree,Kiowa,Algonquin, Pawnee, Seminole, Seneca, and Seminole, women were mistresses of the soil (Walker, 1983). Perhaps, because SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 56
womenwerethefirsttocultivateland,itwasconsiderednaturalasBarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAnd Secrets(1983), explains:Indian mendidnt resent theprerogatives of motherright. Theyconsidered the mothers authority natural, as Christians considered the fathers authority natural. Christian missionaries tried to reformthesesystems,whichresultedincreatingamasculineauthoritywhichactuallydisruptedclanties,anddidnot valuewomensautonomy.Walkerexplains,Patriarchalreligiousauthoritieseverywherechangedancientsystemsof matrilineal inheritance to put property in the hands of men. Interestingly, a side effect of this was to produce weddingsthatmockedstealingthebrideandpropertyfromthebridesfamily.Walkerasserts,Thelegal/ecclesiastical waronfemalepropertyownershipwentoncenturyaftercentury,untilwomenweresohamstrungbythelawsofGod andmanthattheyhadalmostnothingleftthattheycouldcalltheirown. Mara:SeeCrone/DestroyerGoddesses,Mara. Mari:NamefortheCroneGoddess.SeeMara. Marriage:Marriageisareligiousandsecularsymbolofcommitmentbetweentwoormorepeople,aswell asbetweenapersonandadeity,theimplicationsofwhichvaryfromculturetoculture.OriginatingfromtheLatin word maritare, marriage was a union presided over by the goddess AphroditeMari before the rule of patriarchal religions,butlaterwouldbepresidedoverbyherson(withDionysus)HymeninGrecoRome.Matriarchalsocieties retained flexibility about the structure of marriage and the necessity of marriage. Asian gods had to be married; Brahman priests could not perform important rituals unless they were married; Oriental mystics believed mens spiritualityrequiredmarriage;Tantricbeliefwasthatwomenrepresentedthegoddess;unmarriedIsraelitescould notbecomepriests;Jewishscriptureinsinuatedthatmengainedstatusthroughmarriage;theRomanhighpriest,the FlamenDialis,onlyruledthroughhismarriagewiththeFlaminica,thehighpriestess;theCeltspracticedpoligamy; and preBrahmanism Indian wives retained sovereignty. In China, the bride was represented by a phoenix and consideredempressfortheday.Similarlyin16thand17thcenturyEuropethebrideworeawreathorcrownlikea queen (Shepherd, 2002). All over the globe, a mans authority was justified through his marriage, which was completely retractable by the wife. According to Barbara Walker in her book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths AndSecrets(1983),theearlyAnglicanmarriageserviceincludedthebridegroomsaying:WiththisringItheewed, and this gold and silver I give thee, and with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly chattels I thee honor.Thebrideresponded:Itaketheetobemyweddedhusband,tohaveandtohold,forfairerforfouler,for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom [which possibly means meekandobedient]inbedandatboard,tilldeathusdepart. TheGreeks,oneofthefirstpatriarchalsocieties,believedthatamanshoulddominateandcontrolhiswife. AttheturnofthefirstcenturyA.D.,duringtheriseofpatriarchalreligion,theattitudetowardmarriageandfemale sovereigntychangedtoreflectmasculinecontrolanddominanceoverpropretyrightsthathadbeenhandeddown matrilineally.TheEarlyChurchFathersdidnotfavormarriage,believinginthesanctityofvirginityandcelibacy. BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),statesthattheTheChristianpriesthood was fighting ancient traditions in which it was remembered that male spiritual authority was dependent on marriage: either a hieros gamos (Sacred Marriage) between the ruler of a land and his Goddess, or the mandatory husbandshipofpriestswhowerenotallowedtocontactthedeitiesunlesstheyhadwives.However,theregulation ofmarriagebytheCatholicChurchwasevidentasearlyas1215A.D.,wherecelibacyforpriestswasestablished.In 1439A.D.,theCouncilofFlorencedeclaredmarriagetobetheseventhsacramentofthechurch,wheremarriagewas definedbytheconsentofthepartnersratherthanonthearrangementsofparents.By1563,attheCouncilofTrent, some important changes were made and a number of decrees concerning marriage were adopted. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book, 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), In many cultures,thebrideleavesherparentalfamilywhenshemarries.Oftenthiswasseenasadeathinthefamily,asin the case of Japanese brides who wore white to symbolize their death and ancient Greek brides who were accompanied to their new home by lamentation and torches to ward of evil spirits. See Husband, and Sacred Marriage. Mars:SeePlanets. Martyrs:AmartyrinChristianityisonewhoiswillingtodieforhisbeliefs,andmanywerepersecuted untodeath.OneoftheearliestofthesewasStephen,whowasstonedtodeathandwholaterbecamecanonized as a saint by the Church. Early Christians were persecuted for their faith by both the Jews, from whom their religionwasanoffshoot,andbytheRomanEmpirethatpoliticallycontrolledthem.Martryrsemergedwiththe Reign of Terror by the Roman Emperor Diocletian that began in 303 A.D., when a general persecution for SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 57
Christians was called, ordering the torture and death of all clergy. In 304 A.D. there was a decree that all Christians sacfrifice to the Roman gods, or be tortured and killed. This was the last big wave of persecutions which had begun with previous emperors, and they basically came to an end in 306 A.D., when the Emperor ConstantinereversedthepersecutionsandlegitimizedChristianityin313A.D.withtheEdictofMilan. Mary:AswithJesus,MarythemotherofGodisacompositeofmanyearlygoddessessuchasAphrodite Mari;theblessedvirginJuno;StellaMaris(StaroftheSea),anotherfaceofIsis;TheOrientalvirginmotherofthe redeemer,Maya;theSemiticqueenofheaven,Mariamne;andmore.OverthefirstfourcenturiesoftheChristian era,theideaofMaryformedandwastransformedwithdifferentaspectsofthegoddess.Itisforthisreasonthat FathersoftheChristianChurchstronglyopposedtheworshipofMarybecausetheywerewellawarethatshe wasonlyacompositeofgoddesses,asBarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983), pointsout.Aswell,shestates,TheSpeculumbeataeMariaesaidMarywasliketheJunoArtemisHecatetrinity: queen of heaven where she is enthroned in the midst of the angels, queen of earth where she constantly manifests her power, and queen of hell where she has authority over the demons. The Church went to great lengths to prevent Mary from being worshipped, although she was the logical repository of adoration of the goddess for recently converted pagans. Apparently, Anastasius declared, Let no one call Mary the Mother of God, for Mary was but a woman, and it is impossible that God should be born of a woman (Walker, 1983). However, Marys position in the church has varied over time. The Patriarch of Constantinople, Germanus, in 717A.D.claimedthatashistruemother,Godobeyedherthroughandinallthings,makingherthepathto grace.ThebeliefthatMarywasaliteralvirginisamistranslationoftheoriginalLatintext(Gardner,1997).See Virgin/Birth. MaryMagdalene:TheBiblicalfigureofMaryMagdalenehasrecentlybeenasubjectofmuchscholarly andtheologicaldebate.PopularbeliefisthatMaryMagdaleneisarepentedsinnerandfollowerofJesus,whom Jesussavedfromstoningandexorcisedsevendemonsfromher.ThisviewisactuallynotsupportedbytheBible, andcomesfromadeliberateconfusionofMaryandanunnamedprostitute,alsointheBible,byPopeSt.Gregory I in 591 A.D. However, the exorcism of the seven demons is biblically accurate, according to Sir Laurence Gardner,inhislectureTheHiddenHistoryofJesusandtheHolyGrail(1997).Inactuality,MaryMagdaleneisthe sole person that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection, a defining event in Christianity, as well as being a financial backer and valued companion of Jesus. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, Books later eliminated from the canon by Christian censors gave further curious details about the relationship: Jesus loved Mary Magdalene more than all other apostles, called her Apostle to the ApostlesandtheWomanWhoKnewtheAll,andoftenkissedher.Hesaidshewouldexceleveryotherdisciple inthecomingkingdomofLight,whereshewouldrule. Other biblical writings eliminated from the canon of the bible, the Gnostic Gospels, reveal a loving, if not intimaterelationshipbetweenMaryMagdaleneandJesus,whomhecalledDearlyBeloved.ExactlywhoMarywas isunknown,althoughhistorianshavesomeidea.ShecouldbeMaryofMagdala,signifyingthatshewasimportant enoughtobeassociatedwithwhereshecamefrom,likeJesusofNazarene(Gardner,1997).Magdalenemayalsohave meant She of the templetower, as Walker (1983) suggests, meaning that she was a priestess and sacred temple harlot.ItmayalsobethatMaryisthetitleoranorderofpriestesses,asGardner(1997)suggests,andifthisisthecase,it mayalsobetrueofMarythemotherofJesusaswell.MaryisacorruptionofthegoddesssnameMariorMara.The BabylonianTripleGoddessMariAnnaIshtarmaybetheoriginsofthisarchetypalsacredharlot,whoboreasavior son.Walkerasserts,TheGospelofMarysaidallthreeMarysofthecanonicalbookswereoneandthesame.See Mara,Jesus,Bible,Prostitution.SeeUMSMysticalBeginingsofChristianitycourse. Maize: In Mayan mythology, humans were madeby mixing the gods ownblood withmaize flour. The Mayan earth god is depicted sprouting from a stalk or maize (left). Rowena and RupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,Formost ofthegreatculturesofancientCentralAmerica,toeatmaizewastoeatthefleshofthegods, andthisbeliefmayaccountforthepracticeofhumansacrificeasagifttothegodsinreturn. TheIndigenousAmericansrecognizedmaizeasoneofthethreesisters,alongwithbeansand squash,whichformtheirstaplediet.TheHopiusemaizeinhealingceremonies,blessing,andto makemasksanddolls.TheHopiMaizeGodispicturedatleft. Maypole:AspartofthepaganMayDayfestival,maypolesofcoloredribbonswerewovenbyyoungwomen andmendancinginoppositedirections.MayDayisafertilityfestival,themaypoleaphallicsymbol.SeePillar. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 58
MedicineWheel:SeeDirections. MedicineBundle/Pouch:UsedbyNativeAmericans,themedicinepouchcontainssacredandspiritual objectssuchasherbs,ceremonialtools,andobjectsspecialtotheowner.RowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000 Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),state,Itmaybemadebyanindividualforpersonaluse,bya healer,ashamanoramedicineman,orasacollectiverepresentationofthespiritualpowerandcohesivenessofa tribeorasociety. Menorah:SeeCandelabrum. MenstrualCalendar:AlsocalledLunarCalendarandtheMayanCalendar.Thissystemdivides theyearin13months,of28days,eachcontainingfour7dayweeksandisbasedonthewaxing and waning of the moon in which the Sabbath falls on the new, waxing, full, and waning moons.Thissystemcreated364daysaccumulatedfromthelunarmonths,soitwasnecessaryto alsoaddadayeveryyeartomake365days,whichcreatedthesayingayearandadaywhichsimplyreferstoa full365dayyear.BarbaraWalker,authorofTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,Ithas been shown that calendar consciousness developed first in women, because of their natural menstrual body calendar, correlated with observations of the moons phases. In this system, a normal gestation of pregnancy lastsaperfect10months(280days).By1000B.C.,Chinesewomenhaddevelopedalunarcalendar,dividingthe phaseofthemooninto28stellarmansions.AvariationofthissamemythcallsthemansionsHsiu,Houses andstatesthattheMoonMother,eachnight,restsinadifferenthouse.InancientLatiumitwasbelievedthatthe Goddess transitioned on the 7th day of the week and so it became unlucky to do activity on this day and the custom of resting on the seventh day was created, a custom that even the biblical God followed. Romans, Greeks,northernEuropeans,Mayans,andEgyptiansallhavesimilarbeliefsandcustomsoftrackingtimebased onthemoonsdevelopment.TheGregoriancalendarbasedonthesun,thecalendarusedtoday,wasintroduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII to correct the Julian calendar (also based on the sun) and became the dominant calendarinthenextthreedecades.Whentheswitchfromlunartosuncalendaroccurred,therewasagreatdeal ofconfusionsurroundingthedatesoffestivals(thosethatconsistentlyfallonaparticulardayoftheweek,like thefirstSundayofthemonth,arebasedonthelunarcalendar)andthetimelineofmythsandlegends. Mercury:SeePlanets. Meriah:SeeTrees. Merlin:Merlinisacharacterofmythandlegendthathaschangedovertimeandwiththerewritingof themythsbyChristians.Inallthemythsheisotherworldly,withexceptionalconnectionwithnature,prophecy, and wisdom, whether that be as a Druidic wizard, Welsh wild man of the woods, a prophet or shaman, magicianorbardtotheFairyQueen,theChristianwiseman,ortheChristianizedsonofavirginmotherandthe devil, whose good nature always prevailed; he consistently appears as a servant of the goddess. He has been calledAmbrosius(fromtheambrosiaoftheGoddess),Lailoken,andMyrrdin.Merlinsconnectiontothegoddess isevidentinhismyths.BarbaraWalker,authorofTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),asserts, MerlinlearnedallhismagicfromtheGoddess,intheguiseofMorganleFay,orVivian(SheWhoLives),orthe LadyoftheLake.Attheendofhislifeshetookhimbackintohermagiccaveandwrappedhimindeathlesssleep untilhisSecondComing...PaganBritonsbelievedMerlinwouldreturnfromhisenchantedsleeptoannouncethe comingofanewageofpeaceandfertility.ThegoddesswasalsocalledtheFairyQueen,Nimue,Muirgen(Celtic watergoddess)inhislegends.AlthoughChristianwriterstriedtohidethisconnection,itwasevidentthathewas connected to goddess worship, and in the 16th century, the Council of Trent prohibited the Book of Merlins Predictions.SeeUMSWizards,MagicalCreaturesandAdeptscourse. Mermaid:Themythichalfhuman,halffishcreatureoftheseawasasymbolofthegoddessasAphrodite (thelover)orRan(thedeathbringer)fornorthernEurope.Inherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker asserts, Literally Virgin of the Sea, the mermaid was an image of fishtailed Aphrodite, the medieval Minne, Maerin, Mari, Marina, mereminne, maremynd, mareminde, marraminde, or maraeman.Themermaidwasthecreaturethatreceivedthebodiesandsoulsofmenwhentheyweresentouton funeral boats and she was the cause of drowned fishermen, entrapping them in her nets. See UMS Wizards, MagicalCreaturesandAdeptscourse. Messiah:SeeFertility/SaviorGods,Messiah.
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Metals Gold: Gold has been associated with majesty, god, the sun, wealth, and immortality. According to RowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),Goldisassociatedwith divinityasitisincorruptible,neitherrusting(likeiron)nortarnishing(likesilver),anditisalsopurifiedbyfire. Gold was associated with immortality because it was incorruptible, and often the tree of life or its fruit was depictedasgolden,(includingtheJapanesetreeoflifeontheparadiseislandHoraizan,andtheNordicgolden apples of the heaven Asgard). Some religious cultures put gold into the mouths of the dead at their burial to insureimmortality.Egyptiansmaskedtheirroyalty(whoweredivinelyguided)withgoldbecausetheybelieved thatagodsfleshwasmadeofgoldandtheirbonesofsilver;andtheirsungodRawasstronglyassociatedwith gold. Christians also considered it a pure substance associated with God, majesty, and the sun. According to SymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),byJohnBradner,Goldrepresentswealthandroyalty.Asagifttothe Christ Childit symbolizes his kingship. Goldrepresents enlightenment in Buddhism, andthe colors gold and yellowaresacred.Inalchemy,goldsymbolizesenlightenmentandtheGreatWorkofturningabasemetalinto goldwasametaphorforthisenlightenment. Silver: Silver symbolizes the moon, femininity, treachery and is also associated with the gods and immortality,buttoalesserextent.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMean InArtAndMyth(2002),IntheWesternClassicaltradition,theSilverAgewasthesecondageofmortalscreated by the greater god, Jupiter. The metal was associated with purity, femininity and the moon, to which it was linked because of its colour, and so it is sometimes represented by the moons glyph. Alchemists also linked silver to the moon and femininity and the Lesser Work was the symbolic transformation of a basemetal into silver,metaphoricallythefeminineenergies.InEgypt,itwasbelievedthebonesofgodsweremadeofsilver.In Christianity, silver represents treachery because Judas betrayed Christ with thirty silver pieces. As a form of currency,silveralsorepresentswealth. Copper: Copper rusts from an orangebrown color to a green, associating it with autumn in classical times. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), The color green was thought sacred to Venus, so copper is linked to both the goddess and her planet and is sometimesrepresentedusingVenussglyph.InChina,thewordforcopper,tong,issynonymouswithtogether, soitisplacedonbridalbeadsasanaffirmationofalongrelationship. Bronze: As a lookalike of gold, deities and ritual objects were made out of bronze in Buddhism, Hinduism,andbytheChinese. Mezuzah:ThisJewishtitleforadoorcharmagainstevilspiritsisnotuniquetoJewishcustom.Copiedfrom theEgyptian PillarsofHorus,hieroglyphicspellsengravedinto tabletsoneithersideofthedoor,doorcharms datebacktoHindustatuesofKaliguardingdoorentrances.Inherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerasserts,Touchingorkissingthedoorcharmwhenpassingthroughdatesbacktothe HinducustomoftouchingtheyoniofthedoorpostKalifigureforluck,whenenteringhertemple.SeeKaliMa. MiddleEarth:Inherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerasserts, Middle Earth is the Scandinavian Midgard, the world of men, located between the spirit worlds above and below. Midwifery: Meaning wisewoman or witch from the AngloSaxon medwyf, midwives originated as priestesses of the goddess, who had sole domain over her temples of healing. Egyptian and Malayan Semai midwiveswerebothruledbyHathorandconsideredsacred;Mexicansrecibidoraperformedthedutiesofpriestess, obstetrician,godmother,andwitch,oftenusingknotmagic;Romehonoredmidwivesasobstetrix,whodeliveredthe baby,nutrixwhotaughtthemothertonurse,andcerariawhoperformedthebirthrituals.Eventhroughthemiddle agesofEurope,midwivesweregivenexclusivereinoverthemysteriesofpregnancyandchildbirth,partlydueto thebeliefsandcustomsofpatriarchalreligionabouttheuncleanlinessofmenstrualblood.However,midwiveshad the secret knowledge of sex, birthcontrol, birthingaids, and abortifaciants, which made them feared and hated amongpatriarchalauthorities.InTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),BarbaraWalkerasserts,The realreasonforecclesiasticalhostilityseemstohavebeenthenotionthatmidwivescouldhelpwomencontroltheir ownfate,learnsecretsofsexandbirthcontrol,orprocureabortions. Inquisitionhandbooksstated,noonedoesmoreharmtotheCatholicfaiththanmidwives,andin1559 A.D.,EufameMacalynewasburnedaliveinScotlandforelicitingamidwifeshelpinrelievingbirthpains(Walker, 1983). Midwives were a major target for the inquisition and unfortunately the profession fell into the hands of
unqualified and uneducated male doctors and patriarchal clergy. The use of chloroform to ease childbirth was disputed by some clergy, who believed that it was a decoy of Satan, according to one New England minister. However, Queen Victoria used it during the birth of her eighth child and publicly announced that it was a great blessing, which overruled the clergys protests. Unfortunately, death by what was kown as Childbed Fever was commonforwomenbecauseofinfectionduetoignoranceofsterilepractices.SeeBlood,Menstrual. MilkyWay:TheancientssawalikenessbetweentheMilkyWayinthenightskyandmilkorriversand proclaimedittheGreatMotherslifegivingmilk.AccordingtoBarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983),TheancientsbelievedthisheavenlystarstreamissuedfromthebreastoftheQueenof Heaven.WorshippersofArgiveHerasaidthestarsweremadeofmilkfromHerasmooncowincarnation.This same moon cow was called Io by the Ionians or Europa, consort of Zeus by others. Norsemen, Scandinavians, Celts,aswellasotherEuropeansallbelievedinadivinecow,WhiteCow,orMoonWay.Thissamecow becamethecowwhojumpedoverthemooninnurseryrhymesandisshownhoveringoverthemoon,justas the mooncow is depicted in pagan icons. The Greeks called it gala, mothers milk. Akkadians called it the RiveroftheDivineLady, the Great River Hiddagal; Egyptians called it Nile in the Sky, and Arabians called it MotheroftheSky.SeeCow. Mirror: Mirrors have a range of symbolism from a variety of cultures. Sometimes they are seen as reflecting the truth (like Medusa seeing evil reflected in Perseuss shield) or divinity (such as the Christian speculum sine macula or flawless mirror of the Virgin Mary reflecting Gods flawlessness); they also can be connectedwiththesun,liketheJapanesesungoddessAmaterasuOmikami(Shepherd,2002).Thereflectionof thephysicalinamirror,water,orphotographhavebeeninvestedwithcontainingpartoftheonlookerssouland disruption of this image by rippling the water, breaking the glass, or ripping the photo, was believed to potentially damage the persons soul (thus the taboo against breaking a mirror and the Native Americans reluctancetobephotographed).AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983),TheesotericmeaningofthemirrorwasexplainedlongagobyPlotinus,whoconnecteditwiththeHindu conceptofMaya,creatressofthereflectionsofspiritualrealityinthemirrorofthematerialworld.Matterserves asamirroruponwhichtheUniversalSoulprojectstheimagesorreflectionsofitscreations,andthusgivesriseto thephenomenaofthesensibleuniverse. Mistletoe:SeeTrees. Mola:ThiswasthenameofthesaltedfloursprinkleonsacrificialanimalsbytheVestalVirginsinRome. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Mola was credited with miraculouspowers,aswasthesaltthatChristianslaterusedtodedicatealtars.SeeVirgin,Birth. Money:Theuseofanintermediarysubstancetosellandbuygoodshasbeenusedforeons,asopposed toastraightbartersystem.Onepopularformofmoneywasthecowryshell,symbolicoftheGreatMothers yoni.TheuseofcoinsormintformoneydidnotevolveuntilRome.DerivedfromthenameoftheGreatMother goddess, Juno Moneta, coins were manufactured and housed in her Capitoline temple. According to Barbara WalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),Silverandgoldcoinsmanufacturedtherewere valuablenotonlybyreasonoftheirpreciousmetalbutalsobytheblessingofthegoddessherself,whichcould effect good fortune and healing magic. The original Roman coins were manufactured with the face of the emperorononesideandthefaceofagodontheother. Moon: The moon has been associated with the goddess since the earliest of religions and peoples.Duetoherlightgivingatnightandconnectionwithmenstrualcyclesandseasons,the moonwasbelievedtobethefirstcreatress,MotheroftheUniverseandGreatMotherformany peoples.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,The Moongoddess created time, with all its cycles of creation, growth, decline, and destruction, whichiswhyancientcalendarswerebasedonphasesofthemoonandmenstrual cycles.Everywhere,themoongoddesswasworshippedasthethreefoldrepresentationofCreatress,Sustainer, and Destroyer. Egyptiansbelieved themoon to be the Mother of the Universe; Babylonians consideredit more sacred then the sun; Oriental peoples viewed the moon as sacred before the sun; in Asia, the moon was consideredthegoddesssreflectionoftheworld;AshantipeoplesnamedalltheirdeitiesBoshun,meaningmoon; SiouxIndianstitledthemoonTheOldWomanWhoNeverDies;IroquoistitleditTheEternalOne;African rulers of Eritrean are titled Moon, as well as the rulers of the Tutsi tribe. According to the Vedas, the moon retrievessoulsafterdeath;MexicanscalltheDestroyerMoonMictecaciuatl;incentralAsiatheTartarsrecognized SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 61
the moon as Queen of Life and Death, Macha Alla. Walker explains, Because the moon was the receptacle of soulsbetweenreincarnations,itshelteredboththedeadandtheunborn,whowereoneandthesame.Lateinto ChristianizedEurope,themoonwashailedasOurLadyandMotherofGodandcustomssuchasscheduling weddingsbasedonthemoonphasespersisted. Moon,CrescentandStar:ThissymboliscommonlybelievedtorepresentIslam(likethecross representsChristianityandtheStarofDavid,Judaism),however,itisnottheuniversalsymbol ofIslam.ThestarandmoonpredatesIslambyseveralthousandyearswhentheywereusedby thepeoplesofCentralAsiaandSiberiaascelestialsymbolsoftheirsun,moon,andskygods. This symbol was also used to represent Diana (Greek goddess) and Tanit (Carthaginian goddess).ThecityofByzantiumalsochosethecrescentmoonandstarastheirsymbol.The earlyMuslimcommunitydidnotassociatethemselveswithasymbol.Huda,authorofTheEverythingUnderstanding IslamBook(2003)andAbout.comsGuidetoIslamsince1998,states,ItwasntuntiltheOttomanEmpirethatthe crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul)in1453,theyadoptedthecitysexistingflagandsymbol.LegendholdsthatthefounderoftheOttoman Empire,Osman,hadadreaminwhichthecrescentmoonstretchedfromoneendoftheearthtotheother.Taking thisasagoodomen,hechosetokeepthecrescentandmakeitthesymbolofhisdynasty.Forhundredsofyears,the OttomanEmpireruledovertheMuslimworld.AftercenturiesofbattlewithChristianEurope,itisunderstandable howthesymbolsofthisempirebecamelinkedinpeoplesmindswiththefaithofIslamasawhole.Basedonthis history,manyMuslimsrejectusingthecrescentmoonasasymbolofIslam.ThefaithofIslamhashistoricallyhad nosymbol,andmanyrefusetoacceptwhatisessentiallyanancientpaganicon. Moses:SeeGods/SaviorGods. MotherandMotherhood:Thefirstobviousrecognitionoffamilyandparentagewasthatofa mother and her offspring, as this connection in animals and humans was physically observable. The inability of men to create life (and the ignorance of the process of reproduction) led to many interesting practices and beliefs such as castration, circumcision, and miraculous creation stories. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983),states,Duringtheearlyevolutionofthehumanrace,motherhoodwastheonly recognized bond of relationship. Like any mammalian family, the primitive human family consistedofmotherandoffspring.Thisconnectionformedthebasisofearlytribalbondsand propertyinheritancerights.Beyondkinshippatterns,themotherwasassociatedwithcosmic creation.ThiswassoaccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherd,whoexplainintheirbook 1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),InmanyEuropeanlanguagesthewordformotheris etymologicallyassociatedwiththematrixinwhichallthingsexist,theamorphousmatterfromwhichallthings are created. Most cultures recognize a great mother goddess who created the world and other deities (who wouldlaterclaimtobetheprimarycreator).Oftenthisgoddesswasessentialtorulership,asinthecaseofthe Egyptian queens of the pharaohs getting their authority as the Mother of Egypt from the goddess Nut. The MotherGoddesswastheearliestdeityrecognizedandworshipped,andstatuesandotherartisticrepresentations have been found of her from as early as the Stone Age. As with the earth, the mother is known not only for fertility,butalsofordeathandregeneration,asthecontinuanceofthecycle.Thefirstimagetotheleftisanearly representationofthegoddess,withthespiralingsymbolonherbellyrepresentingfertilityandtheuniverse.The second image, of a woman giving birth, is an alchemical illustration representing creation. See Castration, MatrilinealInheritance,Circumcision. Mountain:SeeParadise,Mountain. Nakedness: Nakedness was a prime attribute of the goddess, for it was the mysteries of her body that producedcreationandhadpoweroveramansbody.Furthermore,theTantricsagesassertedthatritualsshould be performed sky clad as the goddess saw all people as equal, without the rank and class that garments emphasized. Barbara Walker, inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts, It is widely recognizedthatthemagicofthegoddessdweltmoreintherealityofherfleshthaninhergarments...Bycontrast tothisearlieremphasisonnakedness,themagicofmenandtheirgodsusuallydweltintheirgarments.Medals, badges,rank,anduniformstendedtobeemphasizedinpatriarchalsocietiesasawayofassertingpower. Name:ManyancientpeopleupthroughtheMiddleAgesbelievedthatthenameofathingwasthesame asthethingssoul.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,Forthe SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 62
purposesofmagicandreligion,thenameofanythingwasconsideredidenticalwiththethingitself,aspiritual handlebywhichthethingorthesupernaturalbeingcouldbemanipulated.TheEgyptiangoddessRenenetwas thekeeperofsoulnames.EgyptiansandIndiansbelievedthatwithouttheirsoulname,apersonandevenagod wouldwitherawayanddie.Thesoulnameandfoodwereoftenconnectedinthatbothwereneededforaninfant to survive. This is reflected in France, where children are given a milkname by their mothers; in China, childrenweregivensecretricenameswhentheybeganeatingrice;andintheIndianmyth,thegodExistence criedafterhisbirth,Givemeaname,forwithoutanameIwillnoteatfood(asquotedinWalker,1983).The importanceofnamingtheancestrallineindifferentcustomsandtheuseofafamilynameoriginatedfromthis emphasisonthepowerofnames.Thepowerofinvestingachildwithanamewasgiventodifferentpeoplein different times, although it usually was the responsibility of religious leaders. Egyptians, Babylonians, Phoenician, Scythians, and northern European tribes that included the Celtic and Germanic people, as well as othermatriarchalpeoples,allusedamaternallineagefortheirheritage.Withtheincreaseofpatriarchalpower, thisnamegivingwaspassedtothefathersandfamilynamesweretracedthroughthepaternallineage.Walker states, Transitions from matriarchy to patriarchy were marked by fathers takeover of the namegiving function.Egyptiantombs,Romanepitaphs,andChristiantombstonesallhavethedeceasedsnamecarvedinto it,evolvingfromthebeliefthattowriteandspeakthenameofthedeceasedallowedtheirsoultocontinuetolive. Ancientpeoplealsobelievednameshadtheabilitytocreateand/ordestroywhenathingsnamewasverbalized (Sanscritwasbelievedtobeonesuchlanguage).Walkerexplains,Precedentsolderthancivilizationevolvedthe ideathatforcesofcreationanddestructioncouldbeactivatedbypronouncingadivinename.Thisappliedeven tothegods,whowerecreatedbytheGreatMotherwiththespeakingoftheirnames. Natron: Natron is the name of the saltwater fluid that Egyptians used for mummification. It was supposed to replicate the birth fluid and preserve the mummy until rebirth. Barbara Walker, in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,Curinginsaltwaterwasamagicalimitationoffetalexistence. ThemummywassupposedtobeawaitingrebirthfromtheGoddessswomb. Neptune:SeePlanets. Nine:SeeNumbers. Nirvana:IntheEasterntraditionofkarma,nirvanaisthefinalescapefromthecontinuouskarmicwheel oflifeandrebirth.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,[nirvana]was supposed to lie beyondall sense perceptions, memories, loves, hates, fears, joys, or will; it was like the Tantric ideaofDreamlessSleep,forever.Thisisincontrasttothetrendyideaofnirvanaasanotherworldlyparadise.As the ultimate achievement of a human soul, according to the laws of karma, nirvana could only be achieved by holymenwhoconqueredtheirdesiresthroughlifetimesoflearningandpractice.SeeKarma. North:SeeDirections. Nun: A nunor religious woman, evolved from pagan priestesses, derives its title from the word nurse becausepriestesseswerealsohealers.However,nunhasanotherreligiousmeaningastheEgyptianprimalocean, whichlaterevolvedintotheHebrewwordforfish,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983).SeeConvent.SeeUMSMysticalBeginningsofChristianitycourse.
Numbers
Numbers:SeeUMSDivinationSystemscoursetolearnaboutdivinationwithnumbers. 0:Anabstractconcept,zerorepresentedthecompletecycleandcircleofallthatisandnothingatthesame time(Shepherd,2002).TheancientHindusandMayansoriginallyconceptualizedzero(althoughattwodifferentends of the planet) and the Hindus brought it to the Arabs and Europe. It was important to the Kabbalah, where zero represented what existed before creation; it is therefore allied with divinity, yet represents nothing and infinity, accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). 1:Onerepresentsunity,totality,andthesupremedeityofmonotheisticreligions.RowenaandRupert Shepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,thebeginningandthe firstbeing,onerepresentsprimalbeginningsandcreation.TheChinesecharacterforone,ahorizontal line, also represents unity and the source of everything (Shepherd, 2002). It represents fire, GrandfatherSun,andcreationintheNativeAmericanEarthCount.SeeCircle. 2: Having obvious connections to duality, polarity, binary, and pairs, twos have been important in spiritualityastwinsandoppositessuchasGod/Devil,earth/sky,male/female,good/evil,left/right.However,binary systemsareaproductofthelinearmindandnaturerarelyabidesbythem.Thereisusuallymorethantwooptions, SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 63
and even the binaries that we think are the most fundamental like male/female do not pan out as natural laws (manyculturesrecognize more thantwogendersandsexes).Nonetheless, thelogicalbraintendstocategorizein religionandelsewhere.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),InPythagoreantheory,tworepresentsthefemaleprinciple.Tworepresentsthebody,introspection, earth,death,andGrandmotherEarthintheNativeAmericanEarthCount.SeeTwins. 3: The number three, represented by the triangle, represents the trinity: GodChristHoly Spirit (Christian trinity); maidenmothercrone (the triple goddess); creatorpreserverdestroyer (the triple goddess); Brahma/creatorVishnu/preserverShiva/destroyer (the Hindu Trimurti); Isis OsirisHorus (Egyptian); heavenearthhumanity (Chinese philosophy); and more. Rowena and RupertShepherd,intheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),state,In manycultures,itrepresentsdivinetriumvirates.Pythagoreantheorybelievesthreerepresentsharmonyandthe unionofunityanddiversity.Therightsideuptrianglerepresentsmasculinityandvirility,andtheupsidedown trianglerepresentsfemininityandfertility.InIslam,itrepresentsthesoul;intheNativeAmericanEarthCount,it representsemotionsandwater.SeeTriangle. 4:Representedbythesquare(left),fourrepresentsperfectioninPythagoreantheory.According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Related to the square, four represents matter, solidity, and stability. There are four seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall, marked by two equinoxes and two solstices in the Wiccan tradition;therearefourelements:fire,water,earth,air,intheGrecoRomantradition;four HumoursinIslam;fourEvangelistsinChristianity.ForsomeJapaneseandChinese,itisahomonymfordeathanda taboonumber.FoursymbolizesbalanceandharmonyintheNativeAmericanEarthCount.SeeSeasons. 5: Represented by the pentagram (fivepointed star) or pentagon (left), five represents the perfect number of man, in the Pythagorean theory (Shepherd, 2002). Humans have five senses,fivefingersandtoes,andspreadoutlikeDaVincisViturianMan,humansfitwithina pentagramwithfourlimbsandahead.Christreceivedfivewoundsathiscrucifixion;thereare fivepillarsofIslamicpiety;bothIndia,China,andIslamicmysteriesrecognizefiveelements (fire, air, earth, water, and ether); the Quintessence of the hermetic mysteries likewise recognizes a fifth essence or elementofspirit.ThenumberfivewassacredtotheMariansbecauseitwasthenumberofpetalsintherose,andalso intheappleblossomanothervirginitysymbolgivingrisetothefivelobesofthematureapple,thecorresponding symbol of [virginity], motherhood, fruition, regeneration, and eternal life, according to Barbara Walker in The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).Asignificantaspectoftheappletowitchesandgypsiesisthefive pointedstarofappleseedsinthecoreoftheapplewhencuttransversely,andrelatestomythologyabouttheVirgin Kore (Core) within her Earth Mother Demeter. Walker (1983) explains, The fivepointed star in a circle was the Egyptian hieroglyph for the underworld womb, where resurrection was brought about by the motherheart of transformations. Thus, among gypsies and pagans,the apple symbolizeda sacred union. Five represents sacred human who makes the bridge between earth and sky, past and future, and the material and spirit worlds in the NativeAmericanEarthCount,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt AndMyth(2002).ThepentagonsymbolizesthefifthsephiraontheKabbalisticTreeofLife,Geburah,whichrepresents severity,justice,warandtheplanetMars.SeePentagram. 6:Representedbythehexagram(SeeHexagram),sixrepresentsharmonyandbalance,associatedwith the Cabalas sixth sefirah, Tifereth, and the harmonizing sphere of the Tree of Life. According to RowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),inrelationto the cube it represents matter and threedimensionality and in Pythagorean theory it represents justice.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets (1983) explains, Six was everywhere the number of sex, representing the union between the triple goddessandhertridentbearingconsort,whichiswhyChristianauthoritiescalledsixthenumberofsin.The nameofawitchsspell,thehexisassociatedwiththenumbersix,fromtheGreekhexandthesymbolforahexis hexagonal.Thehexagramrepresentstheunionofmaleandfemale,thephilosophersstoneoffireandwater,and GodsprotectionoftheJewishpeople.JudeoChristianmythologystatesthatittooksixdaystocreatetheearth; 666isthenumberofthebeastoftheapocalypse;inBuddhism,therearesixperfectionsandrealmsofexistence. SixrepresentstheancestorsintheNativeAmericanEarthCount.
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7:Sevenisauniversallysignificantnumber.InJudeoChristianmythologyitisthenumberofdaysina week, the seventh being the day of rest, and according to Rowena andRupert Shepherd in 1000Symbols: What ShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),ForChristiansitisthenumberofVirtues,ofdeadlysins,sacraments,joys and sorrows of the Virgin, among others. There are seven chakras; the Egyptians believed that the Sevenfold Hathor endowed each person with seven souls; there are seven heavens in the Malayan Semai tradition; there weresevenplanetsintheoriginalastrology(Mercury,Venus,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,Moon,andSun);theseven branchesoftheJewishMenorah(thesacredcandelabrum)representcreation,theplanets,andthesevenheavens; therearesevenstarsinUrsaMajor(importanttotheChineseandothers).SevenrepresentstheDreamofLifein theNativeAmericanEarthCount. 8:Eightisthenumberofpetalsofthelotusandthespokesofthedharmachakrawheel,bothimportantto Buddhism, symbolizing the path of spiritual perfection. In Chinese tradition, there are eight directions, Eight ImmortalsandEightPreciousThings;JesusinhisSermonontheMountgaveeightBeatitudes(blessings);there areeightraysonthestarthatrepresentstheBabyloniangoddessofloveandwarInnanaandtheGreekgoddess ofloveAphrodite(Shepherd,2002).EightrepresentsNaturalLawintheNativeAmericanEarthCount. 9:RowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),state,The tripling of the triple, nine represents the powerful multiplication of the symbolism of three. Nine represents yang in Chinese tradition and is the number of the directions (eight) plus the center. It represents the moon, rhythms,cycles,changes,andmovementintheNativeAmericanEarthCount. 10:Anotherabstractnumber,tenisthebasisofthedecimalsystem.RowenaandRupertShepherd,in 1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),state,tenrepresentscompletionandthereturntounity. As the sum of one, two, three and four, Pythagoreans considered ten to be a numerical version of the quintessence,withdivinepower;itwassometimesrepresentedasatriangleofdots(fourtoeachsideandonein themiddle)calledtheTetrakys.GodgaveMosesTenCommandments,andtenrepresentsthecollectivemindin theNativeAmericanEarthCount. 11: There were 11 faithful apostles to Christ and in the Native American Earth Count it represents the Stars,orStarNations,andtheabilitytotraveltothem;byextension,itmeansalteredstatesofconsciousness, accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). 12/13:Thenumber12appearsofteninreligiousandspiritualtradition.The12apostlesofChrist;the12 tribesofIsrael;the12signsofthezodiac;12monthsofthesuncalendar;theMayancalendarpredictstheyear 2012willbethepivotalyearforcolossalworldchange.Twelverepresentsthetwelveplanetsandtwelvewindsin theNativeAmericanEarthCount.However,thenumber13isalsosignificantandmanyofthesefamous12sare speculated to be 13s,such as the missing 13th tribeof Israel;it is the traditional number of witches in a coven; MaryMagdaleneasthe13thApostleofChrist,fortherewere13presentatthelastsupper(making13unluckyto Christians); when the Gregorian calendar was being created there were originally 13 months, like most moon calendars including the Mayan (13 months of 28 days), but one was taken out. Christians feared the number thirteen and prized the number 12. Barbara Walker, author of The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, In general, the symbols of ancient matriarchy came to be known as night, the moon, and the number 13, while those of patriarchy were day, the sun, and the number 12. Thirteen represents the goddess MotherintheNativeAmericanEarthCount(Shepherd,2002). 40: Significant to ancient Mesopotamia, the new year was celebrated forty days after the Pleiades had disappearedunderthehorizon,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanIn Art And Myth (2002). The significance of forty carried into the Bible, first with the forty nights and days of the flood,andthenMosesreceivingtheTenCommandmentsafterfortynightsanddaysofwaitingonMountSinai. Similarly,Christfastedforfortynightsanddaysinthedesert;Exoduslastedfortyyears;andChristresurrected andappearedtohisdisciplesfortydaysafterhisdeath. 52:Thenumberofweeksinayear(includingtheMayancalendar). 108:ThenumberofbeadsonHinduandBuddhistPrayerBeads,itensuresthattheprayerisspokenat least100times(Shepherd,2002). 360:Asthenumberofdegreesinacircle,360representsperfectionandcompletionofacycle. Ten Thousand: Japanesewish the emperor a longlife with theaffirmationbanzai which means ten thousand years. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), explain,IntheDaoDeJing,tenthousandmeansall. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 65
One Hundred Thousand: As a number too huge to conceptualize, one hundred thousand represents infinity.RowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,inearly culturesthissymbolizedahighnumber,consideredbeyondreckoning:itbecameastandardtermforinfinity.In todaysculture,perhapsonetrillionwouldbesimilarinitseffectivenesstoconveytheideaofinfinity. Obelisk:Alsocalledbenbenstoneorbegetterstone.AnEgyptianobeliskisagiantphallusshapedstone. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, Usually the obelisk was regardedasanerectionoftheearthgodGebinhisperpetualeagernesstomatewiththegoddessofheaven. Octopus:SeeAnimals,OctopusorPolypus. OdorofSanctity:TheodorofsanctityistheChristianbeliefthatentombedsaintssmellsweet,insteadof smellingofdecayingfleshofsinners.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983), explains,Accordingtotheconventionalphrase,everytruesaintdiedintheodorofsanctity,forthesweetsmell wastakenasasymbolicassuranceofundecayingimmortality,tiedtothechurchsdoctrineofresurrectionofthe flesh.ThisbeliefhasearliertiestotheEgyptianpracticeofusingfragrantoilsandspicesformummificationso thatthedeceasedwouldsmellpleasingandbeacceptedbythegods. Oil:Oilhasbeenusedtoanointpriests,kings,andholyobjectsasitisbelievedtoinvokeGodandpurify thesoul.RowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,Used in lights, olive oil becamesynonymouswith illumination; usedinthe eternal lights ofsynagogues, it becamea symbol of spiritual power and illumination, andfrom the more fragrant oilsof a life of sweetness and devotion.OliveoilwasusedforcleaningthebodyandpromotingyouthfulnessintheancientMediterranean, andintheCameroon,palmtreeoilwasusedwithredcamwoodtolikewisesymbolizeyouthandfertility.Palm woodoilisassociatedwithlife,health,andwealthintheCongo. Om:Logosistheideathatasupremebeingcancallintoexistenceanythingtheywantifthey knowthenameorword,knownastheWordofPower.OriginatingintheOrient,thereligious songscalledMantrasarerepetitivechantsoftheseWordsofPower.TheMotherofMantrasis knownasOm,andisbelievedtobetheoriginalwordthatcreatedtheuniverse;spokenbyKali, it represents her pregnant belly. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983),explains,OmistheUniversalWordofCreationspokenbythe Oriental Great Goddess upon her bringing forth the world of material existences; an invocation of her own pregnant belly. Kalis Om is not specific to Egypt and appears in the name of many goddesses like the Celtic moonmotherOmh(SheWhoIs);ShebanmoontempleofMaribAum(BellyoftheWorld);Lydianscalledtheir goddessqueenOmphale;Greekscalledtheirtemplesomphalos;theGreekshonoredOmasthelastletteroftheir alphabet,Omega(meaningGreatOm).SeeLogos,Name. Omophagia: The omophagia was the Greek religious custom of consuming the flesh of their human and animal sacrifices. Barbara Walker in her book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, Accordingtotheprimitivetradition,worshipperswereexpectedtotearapartthevictimwithbarehandsandteeth, devouringhimraw,asin theearliest cultsof Dionysus,Orpheus,Zagreus,andothergods torn to piecesin their myths.Omophagiacanbetranslatedaseatingintothebelly.IntheChristianHolyCommunion,thereis,aswell, a merging with the Divine through symbolically consuming the body of Christ through bread and wine. See Transubstantiation. One:SeeNumbers,One. OneHundredEight:SeeNumbers,OneHundredEight. OneHundredThousand:Seenumbers,OneHundredThousand. Otter:SeeAnimals,Otter. PalmTree:SeeTrees. Pandora:LikethebiblicalEve,themythofPandorawasdistortedbymentoblametheevilsoftheworld onwomen.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,Pandorasvessel wasnotaboxbutahoneyvase,pithos,fromwhichshepouredoutblessings:awombsymbollikethecornucopia, ancientlyusedasavesselofdeathandrebirth.OriginallybasedontheearthgoddessRhea(theAllGiver),the mythofPandorawasdistortedbyHesiodtodeclarethatZeussenthertoEarthtopunishmenwithpain,strife, sickness, and all other affliction; in this he included hope so that man would not commit suicide, but suffer longer.ZeusgavePandoraavasefulloftheseevils,andinhercuriositysheopenedit,asZeusknewshewould, andreleasedthemintotheworld.Erasmusmistranslatedhervaseasboxinthelatemedievalperiod. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 66
Paradise: Paradise unanimously is connected to divinity, immortality, and the virgin mother. Barbara Walker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,ThePersianPairidaeza(Paradise)was amagicgardensurroundingtheholymountainofthegods,wheretheTreeofLifeborethefruitofimmortality. PairidaezawasalsothedivineVirginwhowouldgivebirthtothefutureRedeemer:theMahdi,orMessiah,or Savior,ofDesiredKnightofSaracenicGrailmyths.TheHebrewsversionofparadisewaspardes,gardenalso withconnotationstoavirginbride.PagansandChristiansalsohaveversionsofaparadise. Eden:TheideaofatropicalparadiseinwhichworkandhardshipisunknownstemsbacktothePersian Heden, the primal garden in which the first couplelived in the golden age,located in thewest, where the sun sets.LaterHebrewinterpretationsofHedenturnedintotheGardenofDelights,whichwaslatertransformed intotheGardenofEdenbytheNewTestament(Walker,1983). Himalaya: These mountains were known in Sanskrit (the root language for other IndoEuropean languages)asMountainsofParadiseandhaveinspiredotherculturesimagesofparadise,suchastheGerman Himmel(Walker,1983).SeeMountain,below. Jambu Island: This is the tantric version of the fairyland, Blessed Isles, and Eden, a paradise of rose apple trees,likenedtoShaktisbody.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983), TheshapeofJambuIslandislikeayoni,theChariotorthroneofShiva.InitscenteristheDiamondSeat(vajrasana)or clitoris,wheretheWayofAwakeningisdemonstratedtothesexuallyandspirituallyenlightened. Mountain:Mountains,formanypeopleshavebeenasymboloftheGreatMotherandproviderofthenatural world,probablybecauseoftheconnectionbetweenlifesustainingriversandstreamsandmountains(associatedwith themenstrualbloodofthegoddess).BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states Perhapsmorethananyothernaturalobjects,mountainsmostoftenrepresentedtheGreatMother,ineverylandthe mountainswereidentifiedwithbreasts,belly,ormonsvenerisoftheearth,aswellastheparadisewheregodslive. Mount Everest is also called ChomoLungMa or GoddessMother of the Universe, and its nearby cousin, AnnapurnaisknownasGreatBreastFullofNourishment.TheheadwatersoftheGanges,NandaDevitranslatesto BlessedOne.TheHimalayastranslatetoMountainsofHeaven,similartoMountOlympus,homeoftheGreek pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Hindu version of Olympus was Mount Meru or Sumeru, translated Good Mountain; the Chinese had the Mount of Paradise; the Iranians called their MountainMother High Haraiti; the Japanesetraditiontellsofamagicmountain,Fujihama;theancientDravidianMountainMotherwascalledHariti;the PersianhomeofthesungodAhuraMazdawasMountHara.Also,asRowenaandRupertShepherdpointoutin1000 Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),Mountainsarethemeetingplacebetweenheavenandearth,where thegodscanbeencountered.SuchmountainsincludeMountOlympus,MountSinai,theHimalayas,andthefour sacredmountainsoftheNavajo.SeeWater. Pangaea:Todayscientiststheorizethatallthecontinentsstartedoutconnectedasonelandmass they call Pangaea. However, the title Pangaea was borrowed from the pagan name for the mountain shrine to the Earth Mother in Thrace, translated as Universal Gaea. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), She was also called Ida,Olympia,andPanorma,UniversalMountainMother.SeeMountain,above. Shalimar: The Oriental mythical garden paradise of love where kings and the goddess would join in sacredunion.Shalimarrepresentedboththebodyofthegoddessandtheafterworld,similartoboththeTibetan ShalMari,landofsouls,andtheMiddleEasternGreatGoddessSheolMari,amagicgardenwithintheMother Earth,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Path:Asasynonymforaspiritualjourney,thisrepresentsaspiritualpath.AccordingtoMan,MythAnd Magic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish, ThepathorroadorwayisafrequentlyusedsymbolTheimageoftheopenroad,runningfreelyonacross hillanddale,representingadventure,release,andfreedom.SeeLabyrinth. Peach:SeeFruit,Peach. PearTree:SeeTrees,PearTree. PearlyGate:AstheChristiansymbolfortheentrancetoheaven,thePearlyGatewasderivedfromthe pearlyentrancetotheseagoddessAphroditeMarina,whowasherselfthegatetoheaven.BarbaraWalker,inThe WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),asserts,VariousyonicsymbolsoftheGoddessweresaidtobe borderedwithpearls.ThissameideaisreflectedintheChinesegoddesssJadeGate.
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Pegasus:FromGreekmythology,thiswingedhorsesymbolizesthesacredking/herosfinaljourneytoheaven. BornofMedusa(asymbolforwisdom),orDemeter,PegasushasalsobeencalledArionandAganippe.Originating fromPegae,thetitleforthepriestesswhotendedthesacredspringscalledPegainCorinth,thetaleofPegasusfirst evolvedinEgyptandthenlaterspreadtoGreece.InthemythofBellerophon,Pegasusisriddenbythedyingsacred kinginanattempttoflytoheavenandbecomeimmortal.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets (1983), asserts, Pegasus represented divine inspiration as well as godlike apotheosis. Pegasus is associated with the moon goddess (as represented by his moonmothers Medusa or Demeter) and a muse of poets who can figurativelyflytoheavenfromtheinspirationofPegasus.SeeUMSWizards,MagicalCreaturesandAdeptscourse. Pentacle: A five pointed star, pointing to the sky, surrounded by a circle, the pentacle is a physical object. The pentacle has been used in many religions and traditions all through the planet. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), outlines the significanceofthepentacleatdifferenttimes.ThemythoftheEgyptianGoddessKorecutting anappleandrevealingthefiveseededstarinthecenterofthecoreisprobablythe first appearance of the pentacle. Egyptians thought of the pentacle as representing the underground womb of nature.InBabylon,thissymbolwascommonlydrawnonpotsandwasbelievedtopreservethecontents.InJudeo Christian tradition, the pentacle is the first of Seven Seals meant to represent the names of God. Hermetic magiciansusedthesignasthemodelforMantheMicrocosm,apersonwitharmsandfeetstretchedout,muchlike DaVincisViturianMan.ForthepaganCelts,thepentaclewasthesignoftheundergroundgoddess,Morgan.Many paganandWiccantraditionshaveusedthepentacleforcenturies.IntheMiddleAges,becauseitcanbecreatedout ofoneunbrokenline,itwasconsideredtogiveprotectionfromspirits(becausetheyneededagatetoenter),soit wasoftenusedasamagicalsymboltoencloseanareaandconsequentlyearnedthenamesofDevilsSign,Witchs Cross, Wizards Star, Govlins Cross, and Witchs Foot from fearful church clergy. A pentacle pointing down, althoughcommonlybelievedtobeasymbolforSatanworship,isactuallytherepresentationofthehornedgodwho appearsintheshapeoffourhornedanimals(ram,goat,stag,andbull),andhumanform.SeePentagram,below. Pentagram:Thepentagramisafivepointedstarwithitsfifthpointfacingtowardthesky,encasedwithina circle. It is important in the Wiccan tradition. As with many things of this tradition, the meaning changes for each individualperson.However,somebasicunderstandingsofthissymbolarethatthestarrepresentsthefourelementsin correspondencewiththefourdirections(clockwisefromtoprightwater/west,fire/south,earth/north,andwind/east) withthefifthpointrepresentinglifeforceenergyorspirit.Italsorepresentsapersonwitharmsandfeetstretchedout, muchlikeDaVincisVituvianMan.Thecirclesurroundingthestarisalsosignificant.SeeCircle. PhallusWorship:Religionsandculturesthatworshippedmaledeitieshadatendencytoworshipmale genitalia as well, just as goddesscentered religions worshipped the vulva. The male genitals were used as symbolsofownership,authority,andhonor.Thewordstestimony,testify,andtestamentallcomefromthesame rootastesticlesandwerebasedonthepracticeofswearingoathsuponeachothersgenitals.BarbaraWalker,in TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),asserts,Phallusworshipisstillevidentinthesymbolsand sayingsofthemodernworld,althoughitsmeaningislesslikeimpregnationandmorelikedeath.Guns,cannon, missilesandotherweaponsarethephallicsymbols...Initsworshipofthemasculineprincipleofaggression,the modern world sorely misses the central idea of ancient Goddess worship: that true power is the power to preserve.SeeLingam,andObelisk. Pillar:ApillarintheformoftheMaypole,obelisk,sacredtree,cross,andsoon,representsthesacredmale genitals. Probably originating from the phallus worship of Shiva in India, giant phalluses were erected at temple entrancesinAsia,Siberia,andIndia,andmiracleswerereportedtohappenintheirpresenceandsinswerebelievedto be forgiven. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states, Blood was anciently consideredessentialtothelingampillar,whichHindusfrequentlypaintedredorsmearedwithblood.Thisprobably stemsfromtheancientbeliefthatblood,notsemen,impregnatedwomen.SeeObelisk. Pisces:SeeZodiacSigns,Pisces. PlanetarySpheres:Anearlyformofastronomy,theChaldeanastrologicalcosmologywasstudiedandpracticed intheearlypartofthefirstcenturythroughouttheMediterranean.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMyths AndSecrets(1983),states,Accordingtothiscosmology,theearthlayunderaseriesofnested,invertedcrystalbowls, turnedindependentlyofeachotherbystarangels.Thesun,moon,andotherknownplanetsweresupposedtoturnon theseplanetaryspheres,andthisexplainedtheseeminglyindependentmovementsofcelestialbodies.Gnostics,pagans, andChristians,amongothersadaptedthisconceptintovariousbeliefs.Forinstance,theEgyptiansbelievedtherewere SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 68
sevenplanetaryspheres,eachguardedbyaheavenlymidwife(anaspectofHathor).Thesespheresalsorepresentedthe sevengatesofheaven.Transversely,theyalsobelievedthereweresevenbowlsextendingintotheinterioroftheearththat representedthejourneytotheabysses,calledtheSevenRecessesorGates.
Planets
The planets are associated with Gods, perhaps because the ancients noted their continual movement aroundtheearth.SeeUMSAstrologyBasicscourse. Jupiter: Largest of the planets, it is named for the Roman ruler of the pantheon, Jupiter. AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt And Myth (2002), Its glyph shows the soul (crescent) crossed by matter (the cross). Astrologically, it is associated with growth and expansion, and so with the liver and pituitary glands.ItiscalledthewoodplanetinChinesetraditionandconsideredfemale,associatedwith spring,growth,andbirth.Its12yearcyclemarksthezodiac,winningitthetitletheYearStar.It representsthethunderboltinalchemyandrulesSagittariusandPisces(withNeptune). Mars: This red planet is named after the God of War. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Its glyph represents directionanddesireoverthecircleofsprit.Astrologically,itislinkedwithmasculinity,andthe expression of individuality, energy, aggression and desireand so with blood, the excretory organs,theadrenalsystem,muscles,thenoseandtheexternalreproductiveorgans.Venusisits counterpart.InChinesetraditionitistheFirePlanet,correspondingtothesouthandrulingthe summermonths.MarsrulestheastrologicalsignsofAriesandScorpio. Mercury:Thefastestplanettocirclethesolarsystemtakesitsnamefromthemessengerofthe gods.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth (2002), Its glyphthe moons crescent (the soul) over the circle (spirit) over the cross (matter)encompassesalltheotherplanetaryglyphsandmaybederivedfromthecaduceus.It governsthenervoussystem,hearing,speaking,respiration,thyroid,limbs,bowels,feet,andgall bladder. Its colors are metallic blue, lilac, and yellow and it is called the Water Planet and associatedwiththeNorth,inChinesetradition.MercuryrulesVirgoandGemini. Neptune:NamedfortheseagodNeptune,itsglyphisNeptunestrident,andthisplanetisblue green.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),Astrologically,theplanetrelatestothemobile,fluidworldsofdreams,invention, imagination,psychismandmysticism,whileitsinfluencecanberelatedtotheeffectsofalcohol andnarcotics.Itgovernsthepinealglands,thepartofthenervoussystemthatcontrolsdreams andpsychism,auras,andchakras.NeptunerulesPiscesalongwithJupiter. Pluto: The furthest planet from the sun was named after the Roman ruler of the Underworld, PlutoLowell,andthecombinationoftheinitialsmakeuptheglyph.AccordingtoRowenaand RupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),Astrologyrelates theplanettothedeeppsyche,andhowpeoplecopewithfundamentalchange;itsinfluenceleads to an urge to refocus and reformulate values and ideas. It rules obsession, power, control, sexual instincts, and attraction. It governs the excretory system, reproductive organs, metabolism,regenerativeprocess,anditisrelatedtothecolorblack. Saturn:ThisslowestmovingplanetisnamedforthetitanSaturn,sonofUranusandGaia,theEarth Goddess.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),Initsglyphthecrossofmatterpressesonthecrescentofthesoul.Inastrologicalterms it is related to old age, the father, structure, restriction, hardship, discipline and learning; it also represents the parts of the personality one avoids examining. It governs the bones, skin, teeth, ligaments, joints, spleen, and hearing. Its colors are black and muted. In Chinese tradition, it is consideredtheregulatororEarthPlanet.SaturnrulesCapricornandAquarius. Uranus:NamedfortheGreekgodandconsortofGaia,theprimordialmother,Uranusfathered Saturn(wholateroverthrewhim)andtheTitans.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), Astrologically, Uranus is associated with disruption, revolution and sudden change, and represents the powers of revolutionary SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 69
transformation and the urge to break through restrictive boundaries. Uranus rules Aquarius withSaturn. Venus:Thisplanetderivesitsnamefromthegoddessofloveandisthebrightestplatentinthesky. AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth (2002),Itsglyphdepictsthecircleofspiritoverthecrossofmatter.Astrologically,itrepresentsthe female, allurement, beauty, harmony, refinement, attraction, affection and relationships. It governs the hair, skin, facial features, kidneys, thymus gland, circulatory system, and female reproductiveorgansandisassociatedwiththecolorgreen.InChinesetradition,VenusistheGreat WhiteorMetalPlanet,andisassociatedwithgold.VenusrulesLibraandTaurus. Pluto:SeePlanets,previouspage. Pomegranate:SeeFruit,Pomegranate. PrayerBeads:Buddhists,Muslims,Hindus,andCatholicsalluseprayerbeadstoassistthemintheirprayers. RowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),state,Thesesetsofbeads symbolizetheprayerandmeditationforwhichtheyareused.JapaneseandChineseBuddhistsuserosarystrandsof 108 beads to insure that they say the Buddhas name at least 100 times. Similarly, Muslims use their prayer beads, misbaha or subha, to insure that they recite the ninetynine names of Allah and his attributes, and to help them memorize a variety of prayers. Strings of 33 beads can also be used. Shepherd (2002) explains, The beads act as a symbolicchain,connectingandbindingthehumantothedivine.Hindususetheirmalas,prayerbeads,tohelpthem recitemantras.Thereareavarietyofmalastobeusedduringdifferentsituations,whetherpeaceful,powerful,wrathful, orforprosperity.RomanCatholicprayerbeads,knownasrosaries,werefirstdevelopedinthe13thcenturytoassistin prayerstoMary(herconnectionwithrosesgavethebeadstheirname),andhavesincedevelopedintoavarietyof prayers.Theyusuallyhave165beadsinfifteensetsoftenbeads,andonelargerone,thesmallonesrepresentingAve MariaorHailMary.ThelargebeadsrepresentPaternosterorOurFather.SeeRosary. PrayerWheel:Aprayerwheelisarotatingdruminscribedwithorcontainingprayers,oneturnofwhich isconsideredtohavetheequivalentpowerofaspokenprayer(Shepherd,2002).Individualsusesmall,handheld prayerwheelswhilelargeonesarerotatedbypilgrimsoutsideofBuddhistshrines. PrayerStick:Prayersticksappearinavarietyofcultures,fromtheJapanese(Ainu)IkupasuytoEthiopian totheHebrewMattahtoNativeAmericans.Theyareusedinrituals,atceremonialsitestocarryprayer.Theycan bemadeofwoodorreedanddecoratedwithsacredobjects,feathers,theownersname,etc.,andcanbeavariety of sizesandshapes. According to RowenaandRupert Shepherd in1000Symbols: What ShapesMean InArt And Myth (2002), Sticks may be placed, according to custom, around a ceremonial site or they may be bundled togetherandplaceduponit. Prophecy: The ability to prophesize wasa necessary gift of holymen and women of biblical times and consideredtheirmostimportanttalent.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983), explains, The ancients chief standard of judgment for any holy man or woman was his or her power to prophesycomingevents. Prostitution:Prostitutionisoneoftheoldestspiritualandfinancialoptionsavailabletowomenandwas highlyhonored.Templeharlotsorprostitutepriestessesfilledthetemplesofancienttimes.IntheHindutradition theywerecalleddevadasis;intheMiddleEasttheywerecalledCharitesorGracesandpracticedcharis,kindness, and beauty (later translated as charity); in Egypt they were called ghazye, sacred whores; Tantra called them Veshya. Temple prostitution was practiced in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Eryx, Corinth, Babylon, Asia, etc., by the thousands.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,Ancientharlots often commanded high social status and were revered for their learning as well as their ability to heal. They were well educated, like courtesans, prized as wives, and considered to have the magical ability to heal and prophesize. Even during times of incredibly little power for women, temple prostitutes wielded independence, respect,andpower.AsChrisitanitygainedinpopularity,thistimehonoredpracticebecamediscouraged. Python:SeeAnimals,Python. Qi:(AlsocalledChi)AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt And Myth (2002), Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the belief that every living thing is composed of fundamentalenergy,calledQi.Throughyinandyang,Qiformsintofiveelements(wuxing):fire,water,metal,wood andearth.Chinesemedicine,includingacupunctureandTaoistinternalalchemy,allarebasedonQi. Quetzalcoatl:SeeGods/SaviorGods,Quetexalcoatl. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 70
Quintessence: A sign of divine rule, quintessence or blue blood was called by the Romans quinta essential or essentialfifthpart,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).Hindugods, suchasShivaandVishnuaredepictedwithdarkblueskin;thePictsandotherBritishtribespaintedthemselvesblue before religious ceremonies or battle; the alchemists of Medieval times identified a blue elixir with the properties of spiritualilluminationandphysicalresurrectionasquintaessential;andtheEssentialFifthwasincorporatedintotheTarot deckasthefifthtrumpsuitthattellsofmysticaldoctrines.Thequintessencehasbeenincorporatedintolegendsofdeities includingAphroditeandHoraceaswine,ambrosia,nectar,honey,ormenstrualbloodofthegoddess.Homerbelieved that the blue blood of the gods was the ethereal fluid of Aphrodites honeybees and Aristotle believed that the quintessencewasafifthelementafterearth,water,air,andfire,whichthebodiesofgodsweremadeof. Ra:SeeGods,Father/SunGods,Ra. Rabbatu:TitleoftheSemitichoddessandherpriestesses,rabbatuisthefemaleformofrabbiandmeans HolyOne,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Ragnarok:Theendtimes,doomsdayofNorselegends,RagnarokwouldcomewhenHeimdallsignified thelastbattleofthegodswithaLastTrumpofhishorn.Theearthwouldbedestroyed,thesunwoulddisappear, the gods would die, and chaos would again rule, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of MythsAndSecrets(1983). Ram:SeeAnimals,Ram. Raven:SeeBirds,Raven. Reincarnation:Meaningrefleshingofthesoul,thisbasicbeliefaboutthecyclicalnatureoflife,death, and rebirth (in contrast to one life ending in either heaven or hell), is prominent in many spiritual paths from Hinduism to Paganism. In legends, reincarnation was controlled by a variety of fate goddesses from the Great Mother who controlled the Wheel of Becoming to Kalis Wheel of Karma, according to Barbara Walker in The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).SeetheUMScourseonReincarnationformoreinfo. Revelation:Todayrevelationreferstoanyreligiousvision,opinion,orevenfortunetelling,butitsroots go back to the Latin revelatio, meaning to draw back the velum or veil. According to Barbara Walker in The WomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),ItwastheGoddesssrainbowveilthatconcealedthefuture andthesecretsofthespiritunderthecolorsofearthlyappearance,thatarerevealedindeath.Later,theBibles BookofRevelations,recountsSt.JohntheDivinesdoomsdayvisionandsimilardoomsdayrevelationsareheldin theScandinavianVoluspaorSybilsVision. Riddles:According to Man, MythAndMagic: TheIllustratedEncyclopedia OfMythology, Religion And The Unknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,Thetellingofriddleswasoncefarmorethananamusementfor children:acondemnedmanmightsometimesriddlehiswayoutofthenoose,whilecertainAfricantribesused theminconnectionwithrainmakingandintheCelebesitwascustomarytotellthemonlyinthepresenceofa corpse. Rose:SeeFlowers,Rose. Rosary: This symbol, so often associated with Catholicism and St. Dominics beatific vision, was adaptedfromthepagansandhasitsrootsintheHindujapamalarosechaplet,orRosaryoftheMantras,worn byKaliMa.Therosaryisusedtocountrepetitiveprayersormantras,likeaportableprayerwheel.Accordingto Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Its alternately red and white beads symbolize her Mother and Virgin forms and the Buddhist Rosary Upanished addresses its uses. The Arabs adaptedredandwhiterosesassymbolsoffemininity,callingtheirrosarieswardijaorrosegarden,andinLatin itwascalledarosariumandwasassociatedwiththecultoftheVirginMaryintothe14thcentury.InGermany,a wreath of roses called a Rosenkranz was the symbol of virginity for maidens, and in the East, this same wreath representedsacredmarriageandwaswornbythephallicgod.SeePrayerBeads. Runes:ThesacredrunicalphabetoriginatedfromaNorsetaleofOdingainingtheknowledge of runes in return for his selfsacrificea common demand in myths in return for male acquisition of feminine wisdom. Odin hung in a Yggdrasil tree for 9 nights, the traditional childbirthperiodforwomen,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). Originally called the Elder Furtharc, the runic alphabet has 16 to 33 symbols,althoughoriginallystartedwith24.Therunesbecameatoolofdivinationforthepagansbycastingthe rune.ConsequentlyChristianitydemonizedthepractice.
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Sacred:fromtheLatinsacermeaninguntouchableasbothholyandunclean,andreferredtosomething tabooorsetasideforadivinepurpose. SacredGeometry:SeeUMSSacredGeometrycourse. Sacred Marriage: Also called Hieros Gamos, this ceremony symbolizes the union and balance between the Goddess and God, or the archetypal feminine and masculine. The sacred marriage refers to the union of a rulertobe,actingthepartofasacredking,andapriestessqueen,actingthepartofthegoddess.Thispractice was prevalent in pagan tradition. In her book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Barbara Walkerexplains,Thesacredmarriagewasonceconsideredessentialtotheking. Sacrifice:AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt AndMyth(2002),sacrificederivesfromtheLatinsacrumfacere,tomakeholy.Malehumansandotheranimals weresacrificedtodeitiesinmanytraditionsasaformoffertilitymagic.Thissacrificerepresentedthelaststepinthe cycleoflifeandthesacrifice,especiallyifhuman,wasconsideredbothkingandgod;itwasbelievedthatwhatever is killed becomes father. The next step of birth or resurrection would continue the cycle, especially if the ritual includedconsummatingwithaqueenorpriestess(Walker,1983).AnimalsweresacrificedtoShiva;criminalswere sacrificed in place of kings at the Sacaea festivals of Babylon, for Scythians and Amazonian Sacae; Jewish sacred kingsandChristianmartyrsweresimilarlykilledorcrucified;theEgyptiansofferedanimalstosymbolizemen;and inEgypt,India,andtheMiddleEast,pigswereoftenconsideredthesacredvictims(astheconsortofAphrodite,the boargod Vishnue). Often the meat was not wasted, while the blood (considered the carrier of the soul) or other inedible parts were offered to the gods. Sometimes, as in the case of Chinese Shang rulers (c. 17001050 B.C.) servants,familymembers,andsoldiersweresacrificedatthedeathoftheruler. Sagittarius:SeeZodiacSigns,Sagittarius. Saints: A saint is a deceased person who has been canonized by the Pope because of their superior holiness.TheearlyChristiansaintsallowedforapantheonofgodlikebeingstoworshipforthenewlyconverted pagans, and also allowed the goddesss multiple forms, as well as other gods, to be represented as saints. The ancient GrecoRomans started the practice of apotheosis or godmaking, which was later practiced by the pagansthroughceremoniesofreleasingbirdsoulstorepresentthenewlydeceasedflyingtoheaven. Sala:SeeTree,Sala. Salem:AlsoShalem,Shalom,Selim,Solomon,Shalman,Salmon,andShalmaneser.SalemistheSemitic word for Peace. In herbook, TheWomans Encyclopedia OfMythsAnd Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker explains, JeruSalemwastheHouseofPeace,orofthegodSalem. Salt:Salt,havingthepeculiarproprietiesofpreservation(bothfoodandbodies),comingfrom thesea,andtastinglikebloodbecameasymbolicinstrumenttokinship,likematernalblood, accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).Sharing saltwasconsideredtocreateabondandwasusedinRomanweddingritesandArabbondsof goodfaith.JewsandChristiansusedsaltwhendedicatinganaltar,anditisoftenused inmanyotherritualsorspiritualpractices.RowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanIn ArtAndMyth(2002),explainthatbecauseitisfoundinseawater,andinrocksaltonland,itisassociatedwith the sea and earth, and thus with female energy. In European folklore salt was given cleansing properties and throwingsaltoveronesshoulderwassupposedtothrowsaltintheeyeoftheDevil.Similarly,inJapansaltis scatteredatthethresholdsandfloorsoffuneralservicesbecauseofitscleansingandpurifyingpowers.Itwasa philosophicalelementinalchemy(symboltotheleft). Sapphire: This word is a corruption of sappur, meaning holy blood and represented by lapis lazuli, associatedwiththedivinebluebloodoftheBabyloniancronegoddess.SeeQuintessence. Satan:SeeGods/UnderworldGuardian,Devil,andSaturn. Saturn:SeePlanets,Saturn. Savior:SeeGods,Fertility/SaviorGods. Scales:Scalessymbolizejudgment.IntheEgyptianHallsofJudgment,theheartsofthedeceasedareweighed againstafeatheronthescalesofthegoddessMaattoseeifthesoulwithintheheartsisheavy.Ifitisvirtuousandlight, thedeceasedwillliveonintheafterlife.Ifnot,theywillbedevouredbyamonster(Shepherd,2002).Avarietyofdeities areshownwithscalesincludingtheGreekgoddessofjusticeThemis,ArchangelMichael,andLadyoftheScales,Libra, judgeofmenandruleroftheirfates,(Walker,1983).TheScalesarethesignofthetenthZodiac,Libra.
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ScallopShell:FromSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),byJohnBradner,wereadThescallop shellwithafewdropsofwaterisasymbolofbaptism,andattimesoftheBaptismofChrist. Scepter: Meaning staff, from the Greek skeptron, the scepter symbolizes authority (Shepherd, 2002). FromSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),byJohnBradner,weread,asanemblemofroyal powerandauthority,kingsmayholdarodorwandcalledascepter.Originallythismayhavebeen simplyastaffandlateraweapon.Sceptersfrequentlyterminateatthetopwithafurthersymbolsuch asaneagle.SeeWand. Scorpio:SeeZodiacSigns. Scorpion:SeeAnimals. Scythe:AccordingtoMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndThe Unknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,Symbolofdeath,andoftimewhenlinkedwithdeath; death is frequently represented as a skeleton carrying the scythe with which he mows down the living. Seasons: Agricultural societies live closely with seasons and break the years cycles into a variety of parts. AncientGreeceandEgypthadthreeseasons,basedontheNilesriseandfall.SimilarlyJapansseasonsarebasedon thegrowthofrice.InChinatheseasonsareconnectedwithdirections,colors,animals,andflours.SeeFourDirections. Theancient Celtsmarked their year by thesolsticesandequinoxes, celebrating theminsymbolic richfestivals: The WinterSolsticeandbeginningoftheyearisSamhain;theSpringEquinoxmarksImbolc;Beltane,theSummerSolstice, markstheseasonofcourtship;andLammas,theAutumnSolsticemarksharvestandbetrothals,accordingtoRowena andRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Serpent:SeeAnimals,SerpentSnake. Seven:SeeNumbers,7. Sex Organs: According to Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And TheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,Thefeelingthatthesexorgansaredirtyanddisgustinghas notbeensharedbymostoftheworldspopulation.Thepowersofreproductionwerethoughttobeamongthe fundamental potencies of the universe, and to represent them in images was to invoke them in activity. From prehistorictimesmenhavemadeidolsandfiguresdepictingtheprimarysexualattributesoftheirchiefdeities. Shadow: Often described as one of several souls of a human, the Egyptian name was khaibut and the Romanscalleditumbra.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,The shadowwasavulnerablesoulbecauseitwasexternalandhadtobecarefullypreservedfromaccident.Itwas believedthattheshadowsoulcouldbegivenawaytoeitheragodorthedevil,inwhichcasethepersonwould beshadowless.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArt And Myth (2002), shadows are often associated with the dead. The Jewish Underworld Scheol translates to shadowandisthedwellingplaceofthedead. Shalimar:SeeParadise,Shalimar. Shamrock: Also called clover. Mesopotamia, Crete, Egypt, PreIslamic Arabia, and the Celtic tradition all depicted the trefoil in art. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states,PreIslamic Arabs calledthe trefoil shamrakh, the threelobed lily or lotusfloweroftheMoongoddessstrinity;adesignofthreeyoniswhichappearedonartifacts oftheancientIndusValleycivilization.TheIrishworshippedthesymbolasthetriple doorofthetriplegoddess,whosegodoftheShamrock,titledTrefuilngidTreeochairofTripleBearerofthe TripleKey,representedatriplephallus.ChristianitylateradoptedthesymbolasSt.Patrickswayofexplaining thetrinitytothepagans,forasJohnBradnerinSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),explains,Thethree leavedclovermakesagoodTrinitysymbol.Thefourleavedcloverwasasignofluckandagoodomentothe Druids,asitstillistodayformanypeople. SheepandShepherds:SeeAnimals,SheepandShepherds. ShieldofDavid:SeeHexagram. Shimenawa:SacredstrawropeshungtodesignateaholyplacesuchasaShintoshrine.Theycancontain symbolsofthedeitiessuchasstonesandaretwistedtotheleftforgoodfortune.AccordingtoRowenaandRupert Shepherdin theirbook,1000Symbols: WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),InShintolegend,ashimenawa wasplacedbehindthesungoddessAmaterasuOmikamitopreventherfromreenteringtheRockCaveofHeaven. Silver:SeeMetals,Silver. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 73
Six:SeeNumbers,6. Sky:Themasculinecounterparttotheearth,theskyisregardedbymanypeoplesasadivinefatherfigure, andthehomeofthegods.AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),InChinathedomeoftheskyrepresentsyang,whileearthrepresentsyin.TheBatammaliba(From Toga,Africa)calltheirskygodKuiyeandhiswife,theearthgoddess,Butan.FortheMaori,theskygodisRangi andtheearthgoddess,Papatuanuku.However,inEgypt,theskyisruledbythegoddessNut,whoseearthhusband isthegodGeb,andinChristianitytheskyrepresentsthemantleoftheVirginMary. Sleipnir:SeeAnimals. Sneeze: Similar to the shadow, the ancient IndoEuropean world believed humans had multiple souls, oneofwhichwasanairorbreathsoulthatwasindangerofbeingexpelledfromthebodybyasneeze.Thusthe Roman pagans coined the saying God bless you or Gesundheit, May you have health as a verbal charm against losing their breathsoul. Similarly, the practice of covering the mouth when yawning was meant to preventthelossoftheairsoul.SeeShadow. SolomonsSeal:SeeHexagram. SonofMan:Theconceptofagodmadewhollyintheimageofman,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerin TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).ThetermwasappliedtoVishnu,thePersianMessiahYima theSplendid,andthentoChrist.Thesesonsofmanweresupposedtobeabletodefeatdeath,whereassonsof womenweredestinedtodie. Soul:Theologiansandphilosophersalikehavetheorizedonthesoul.TheearlierGermanictermforsoul Seele denoted the feminine ultimate reality, was called psyche, pneuma, anima, alma, and was ruled by the goddessesKore,Sophia,Metis,Sapientia,andJuno.Itwasbelievedthateverymanhadafemininesoul(Walker, 1983).AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),Thephilosophers reasonedthatifGod=air=soul,thentheairwithinabreathingpersonwasaninnerGodjudginghisactions,an interiorconscience.TheEgyptiansassociatedthesevensoulsofahumanaakhu,ab,ba,kakhaibut,khat,andren (primordiallifespiritorblood,heartfromthemothersheart,theghostafterdeath,thereflectedself,theshadow, thephysicalbody,andthenamerespectively),withtheSevenHathors,guardiansoftheplanetaryspheres.The GreeksattributedthesoulstogodssuchasthespirittoPsychewhomarriedErosthebody.Thebreathorairsoul wasparticularlyimportanttotheBrahmanwhobelieveditwastheonlysoulprovidedbythefatherandmany deitiesperformedmiraclesusingtheirbreath. South:SeeFourDirections. Speaking in Tongues: Also called glossolalia, speaking in tongues refers to a spiritual or religious experience in which a person experiences a trance or sense of ecstasy that is accompanied with spontaneous speakingofalanguageunknowntothespeakersconsciousmind.Theyarethoughttobetemporarilypossessed bythedivinespirit,accordingtoWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).TheBiblicalSt. Paulwasknownforhisabilitytospeakintongues,and,aswell,thepracticehasconnectionstoBuddhism.As Walker (1983) explains, The idea originally came from Buddhists who claimed that when Buddha addressed gods,demons,men,andanimals,eachheardtheEnlightenedOnespeakinthelanguagehecouldunderstand. Sphinx: The sphinx was a twoface goddess of birth and death sometimes depicted with two heads and two foreparts, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets(1983).Sometimescalledxerefuandakeru,theLionsofYesterdayandToday,the goddessHathortooktheformofaSphinx,askingmentheriddle,Whatgoesonfourlegsatdawn,twolegsat midday,andthreelegsatsunset,andisweakestwhenithasthemostsupport?Shekilledthemiftheycouldnot answer.KingOedipusfinallysolvedtheriddleasbeingeithermanorthesungodRa,whodailymadehisway acrosstheskyturningintoanoldmanbynight,bothofwhomcrawlonfourlegsatbirthordawn,twolegs duringmiddayormostoflife,anduseacrutchorthirdlegatsunsetortheendoflife(Walker,1983).See UMSWizards,MagicalCreaturesandAdeptscourse. Spider:SeeAnimals,Spider. SriYantra:SeeHexagram. Stable:ThissymbolrepresentsthestructurethatJesusChristwasbornin,althoughtheBibledoesnotsay whatkindofstructureitisanditisunlikelythattherewouldhavebeenastableinPalestine,ashorseswerefew andfarbetweenaccordingtoSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),byJohnBradner.Nonetheless,thestable hasbecomethesymbolforthehumblestructureinwhichChristwasbirthed. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 74
Stag:SeeAnimals,Stag. Star:Thissymbolhasmanylayersofmeanings.Itisamessianicsymbolaswellasaroyalsymbol, inadditiontobeingasymbolofguidance.TheStaroftheEastguidedtheWiseMentoJesusand itisalongtraditionfortravelerstousethestarsasaguide,accordingtoSymbolsOfChurchSeasons AndDays(1997),byJohnBradner. StarofDavid:SeeHexagram. Stigmata:ThestigmareferstothefivewoundsexperiencedbyChristatthepassion.Theseincludethe fournailwoundsonbothofhishandsandfeet,aswellasthespearwoundsonhisside.AccordingtoRowena andRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),thestigmatamaybetransferred toChristians,mostlywomen,asasymbolofmysticalidentificationwithChrist.St.Franciswasfirsttoreceive thestigmatainthe13thcentury. Styx:AlsocalledAlphathebeginningorbirth,anddaughteroftheoceanaGreatGoddess,the Styx was the Greek mythical river that the dead crossed to get to the underworld land of death and rebirth. OriginatingfromasecretyonicshrineatamountainnearthecityClitor,theStyxrepresentedtheGoddesss fertilemenstrualblood.Inmythology,OceanmarriedPallas(representingthelingam)andafterwindingaround 7timesintheunderworld(representingthe7monthsofgestationoriginallythoughtnecessaryforbirth),Ocean and Pallas gave birth of Power, Force, and Dominance This was a mythic expression of the magic power supposedlyengenderedbythecombinationofsemenandmenstrualblood,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinher book,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).ThisissimilartotheRiverofBlood,thepaganbarrier toFairyland,andtheRiverJordanthatJewishsagescrossed.Manyculturesheldsimilarbeliefs,includingGreece andIrelandintothe17thcentury.Thepracticeofburyingthedeadwithmoney(oftenintheirmouth)camefrom thebeliefintheneedtopayfortherivercrossing(Walker,1983). Sun: Deities such as the Egyptian gods Ra and Horus and the Oriental goddess Omikami Amaterasu, as well as others, have been associated with the sun. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish,explains,Onthefaceofit,thereisnomoreobviousrecipientofdivinehonorsthan thesun:visibleandyetmysterious,beneficentandyetthoroughlydangerous,itisthegiverof lifeandyetthemostpotentofdestructiveforces.Totheleftisthesungoddesssymbol.Thesimplesunsymbolis justthecirclewiththedotinthemiddle.Astrologicalsun/divinitysymbolistotheleft.FortheFreemasons,this signrepresentsthepointfromwhichaMasterMasoncannoterr,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin theirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Swine:SeeAnimals,Swine. Sword:Asasymbolofthephallus,theswordwasoftenpairedwithfemalesymbolssuchasa pyramidofbrushwoodintheScythiantaleofthewargodHerodotus;aswell,theNorsepaired theswordwiththehouse.Thepyramidandthehousearebothsymbolicoffertility.Man,Myth AndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedby Richard Cavendish, explains,Regarded with mysticalreverence in the DarkAges, the sword wascreditedwithapersonalityandpowerofitsown;indancesofimmenselyancientlineageit replacedthesticksandclubsofvictorycelebrationsandseasonalfertilityrites.SeeBlade. Talisman: From the Greek telesma, a talisman is a charmed object, often with inscription. In China, talismanswerewrittenonpaperinalanguagethoughttobeunderstoodbythespirits,calledghostscript.In Japan,thegofutalismanoffersgoodfortuneandissoldandgivenawayatShintushrines.ThetawizisanIslamic talismanofstoneormetalinscribedwithaquotefromtheQuran.Themagicsquareofawordorsumthatcan be read in any direction inspired the Jewish Kabbala, as well as European alchemical and hermetic traditions. Hindususeavarietyofobjectsfortalismans(Shepherd,2002). Tao:Tao,translatedastheTheWayorPath,isanancientChineseprinciplesignifyingthefundamental ortruenaturetheworld.Taoisanamelessconceptofunitythatbothprecedesandencompassestheuniverse, with yin and yang as counterbalancing forces in its manifestation. Espoused in the writings of the early Chinese philosperLaoTzu,itlaterbecamethebasisforthereligionofTaoisminChina.Itisalsothepracticeofconserving vitalenergyforcesimilartoTantrism,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMyths AndSecrets(1983).Inthispractice,menabstainedfromsexualorgasminordertonurturetheiryangenergy,which
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wasthoughttobeabsorbedbytheyinenergyforceofawomansorgasm.(SeeUMSGreatSpiritualMastersand Teacherscourse). Tara:SeeEarth. Tarot:Predecessorofthemoderndeckofplayingcards,theTarotoriginatedwiththeSaracensandwas brought to Europe by gypsies. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), The Tarot has been linked with several nonChristian mystical systems: the Cabala, Hermetic magic, classicalpaganism,witchcraft.Moreover,AlfredDouglasstates,TheTarotspeaksinthelanguageofsymbols, thelanguageoftheunconscious,andwhenapproachedintherightmanneritmayopendoorsintothehidden reachesofthesoul(quotedinWalker,1983).TheTarot,alongwithmanybooksofpictures,wasoriginallyused intheEast,toteachtheilliteratesmysticaldoctrines.SeeUMSDivinationSystemscourse. Tartarus:Greeknamefortheunderworld.SeeUnderworld,Hell. Tattoo/Scarification: Men get tattoos as signs of honor, courage, and manhood in the South Pacific islands,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002).In Africatattooing,scarification,andpaintingallhavereligiousandtribalsignificance.InancientChinaandJapan they areused to denote social groupsand classes.Unfortunatelytattooing was also used during the Holocaust andsoithasbecomeasymbolforconcentrationcampsurvivors. Taurus:SeeZodiacSigns,Taurus. Ten:SeeNumbers,10. TenThousand:SeeNumbers,TenThousand. TerraFirma:SeeEarth,TerraFirma. Thirteen:SeeNumbers,12/13. Three:SeeNumbers,3. ThreeHundredSixty:SeeNumbers,360. Throne: Modern monarchs, as well as GrecoRoman ones and also Egyptian deities, use the throne to symbolizeauthority.RowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002), explain,Athroneisaspecialseatsymbolizingtheauthorityofagodorasovereigntheauthorityrepresented byathronemaybetemporalorspiritual. Thistle:SeeTrees,Thistle. Thumb:Thesoulwasfrequentlydescribedasthesizeofathumb,whichtheHindusreferredtoasthe innermost Self, [that] dwells forever in the heart of all beings and the Katha Upanishad also states, is deep within the heart. He is the lord of time, past and future, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).Theimageofathumbsizedpersonstampingoutaheartbeatwithinthe heart(similartotheDancingShivastampingouttherhythmoftheuniverse)traveledtoEuropeandsurvivedin theformoffolklore,suchasatoryofThumbelina. Thyrsus:Dionysusrodandstafftippedwithapineconesymbolizedthegodsabilitytofertilize;often seeninconjunctionwithawinecup,representingthefemininecounterpart. Tiger:SeeAnimals,Tiger. Toad:SeeAnimals,Toad. Toga:Thisheadgarmentwasoriginallywornbytherulingclassofthematronaetribeinprepatriarchal Rome, and was a sign of political power. Also, a toga was a loose, onepiece garmen that fastened over one shoulderandwasworninpublicbycivilians. Tohu Bohu: The Hebrew Tahu Bohu or primal chaos was the elemental formlessness between the destruction of one universe and the creation of the next, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). Originally this stemmed from the Asiatic belief in the Goddess Kalis cauldronorseaofinfiniteformlessnessfromwhichallpotentiallifewascreated. Tomb:AsahomeforthedeadsinceNeolithictimes,tombsareoftenfilledwiththenecessitiesofdaily lifeaswellastherichesoftheoccupantslife.Egyptiansviewedtheirtombsaswombsofrebirthintotheafterlife. RowenaandRupertShepherd,in1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),explain,Themagical symbols painted on the sarcophagus enabled its occupant to continue to live in this world and in the Otherworld.Romantombsbecamededicatedtothedeceasedspirit,likeanaltar. Tophet:SeeUnderworld.
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Torch: Believed to ward off evil that lurks in darkness, torches are attributed to the goddess Demeter/Ceres,whousedtheminherUnderworldsearchforherdaughterPersephone,andalsotothegoddess Hecate, who likewise used them in the underworld. In the GrecoRoman tradition, torches are used during processions to temple gatherings, to escort a bride to her new home, and are the attribute of Hymen, god of marriage.TheyareusedattheOlympicgamestosymbolizethespirit(Shepherd,2002). TotemAnimals:SeeAnimals,Totem. TotemPole:UsedbyNativeAmericantribesoftheNorthwestcoast,totempolesarelargecedarpillars carvedwithtotemanimalsrepresentingsacredstories,legends,andbeliefs(Shepherd,2002). Transubstantiation: Catholic belief that the wine and bread of the Holy Communion are literally transformedintothebloodandfleshofJesus.Thisritualgoesbacktomoreprimitivesacrificesinwhichtheblood and body of the sacrificed was literally consumed. Cults of Osiris, Mithra, Attis, Dionysus, and Orpheus all practiced blood sacrifices. Worshippers of Dionysus drink wine symbolizing the gods blood (Shepherd, 2002). Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, The theory behind transubstantiation was the most primitive kind of magic, the echo of some prehistoric cannibalistic religion The flesh and blood consumed becomes an innate part of the diner If he eats a god, he becomes godlike, (JobesquotedinWalker,1983).WhilealiteralbeliefintransubstantiationisintegraltoCatholicism,itwasoneof themainthrustsoftheProtestantReformation. Transvestism:Thepracticeofcrossdressing,orthemoreextremecastration,startedasawayformento gain access to religious and spiritual activity which was the domain of women in prepatriarchal times. By wearingwomensclothing,theyhopedthedeitieswouldfindthemacceptable.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),states,Menstransvestismwasrootedintheancientdesiretoimitate female magic and occurred in Europe, Rome, and the Middle East. Many indigenous peoples recognized shamansormedicinemenwhodressedoractedaswomen,suchastheNativeAmericanberdacheandthehijraof India.
Trees
Apple:Applesaresignificantinourculture,fromsayingslike,Theappleofmyeye,Anappleforthe teacher,tofolklegendsaboutJohnnyAppleseed,andAmericanapplepie.TheappleinChristiandogmacomes fromtheTreeofKnowledgeinParadise.Itisthekeytooriginalsin,thefallofgracefromGod.FromSymbolsOf ChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997)byJohnBradner,wereadBytraditiontheappleisthefruitoftheParadiseTree. ItisusedsometimesasasymbolofChrist,thenew(orsecond)Adam.However,thesymbolismoftheapples fivepetalledblossoms,liketheroseandpentagram,comesfromtheolderIndoEuropeantraditionrepresenting theknowledgeofsacredfemininity,sexuality,andimmortality.Thegoddessmagicalparadisetooktheformof apple groves in many traditions, suchas the CelticAppleland of Avalon, the Norse goddess Idunsmagical appleswhichkeptthegodsimmortal,andtheGreekgoddessHerasmagicalapplegardenwhichcontainedthe TreeofLifeandthesacredserpent.Asignificantaspectoftheappletowitchesandgypsiesisthefivepointed starofappleseedsinthecoreoftheapplewhencuttransversely,andrelatestomythologyabouttheVirgin Kore(Core)withinherEarthMotherDemeter.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets (1983),explains,ThefivepointedstarinacirclewastheEgyptianhieroglyphfortheunderworldwomb,where resurrectionwasbroughtaboutbythemotherheartoftransformations.Thus,amonggypsiesandpagans,the applesymbolizedsacredunion. ChristmasTree:Thissymbolisoneofmanysymbolsthatstemfromthetree(suchastheTreeof LifeorTreeofKnowledge).Thecustomofcuttinganevergreenandbringingitindoorsduringthe short,dark,daysofwintergoesbacktoNorseYulecelebrationsofthedarkestdaysofwinter,but was coopted by Christian Missionaries in an attempt to easily convert the local pagans. Hence, themodernchristmastreewascreated,accordingtoSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997) byJohnBradner.BarbaraWalkereexplainsinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),On thenightbeforeaholyday,Romanpriestscalleddendrophoriortreebearerscutoneofthesacredpines,decoratedit, andcarrieditintothe[GreatMothers]templetoreceivetheeffigytoAttis.Figuresandfetishesattachedtosuchtrees inlatercenturiesseemtohaverepresentedawholepantheonofpagandeitiesontheWorldTree.
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Tree of Life: Also called World Tree. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,explains,Aninfinity ofsymbolicdetailaccompaniesthedifferentpartsoftheWorldTreeThecosmictreeoftenbore fruitswhichthegodsatetoensuretheirimmortality:andsoitbecameatreeoflife.Theideaof thetreeastheuniversedatesbacktoScandinavia,wheretheOdenAsh(Yggdrasil)wasgiventhis quality;inIndiaitwasthefig(Asvattha);inHinduitistheBanyan;inChristianityitistheapple tree and many other religions have similar ideas, including China and Russia. The Celts and Druids represented it as the sacred oak tree, connecting the three worlds of the upperworld, middleearth,andunderworldthroughitsbranchesandroots.Theconceptoftheaxismundialso isvisualizedasaworldtree,intheMayancultureasWacahChan.Wikipedia(2005)encyclopedia states, It is a common shamanic concept of the healer traversing the axis mundi to bring back knowledge from the other world. The axis mundi both connects heaven and earth as well as providedapathbetweenthetwo.TheDruidicWorldTreeistopleft,theKabalisticTreeofLife istothebottomleft.SeeYggdrasil. Holly: This bush of thorny leaves and red berries is green year round and is used in many winter celebrations.ItwasalsotheburningbushofMosesvision.ThisplantwasimportanttotheDruidsaswell,and representeddeathandregeneration.ItwastheplantofMotherHolle(orHel)theNorseunderworldgoddess.In Germany,witchesusedhollyformakingwands.InTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),Barbara Walkerstates,Redhollyberriesshowedthefemalebloodoflifecolor,correspondingtowhitemistletoeberries associatedwithmaleelementsofsemenanddeath.AtYule,thewinterfestivaloftheDivineMarriage,thesetwo plantsweredisplayedtogether.TheDionysiancultofRomantimesdisplayedthehollywithivyasthesymbolof feminineandmasculinebalanceduringtimesofthesolstitialfestival.Becauseofitsconnectionwithsex,itwas renounced by Tertullian and the Council of Bracara as not fit for Christians, although the practice of adorning doorways with it continued. Kissing under the mistletoe originally represented a union between the man and mistress of ahouse.As well,accordingto Symbols Of Church Seasons And Days(1997) by John Bradner, hollyis symbolicofthecrownofthornsanddropsofbloodontheSaviorshead. Pear Tree: All throughout the ancient world the pear tree was significant. VishnuNarayana was recognized as lord of pear trees in the Himalayas; in Eurasia it was recognized to have feminine significance; Russiansuseditasaprotectioncharmforcows;peasantsofEuropebelievedittobealifetreeforgirls.The PartridgeinaPearTreeisananalogyforthemythofAthenessacredkingPerdixsjourneyfromearthtoheaven asabird,withthehelpofthegoddess.BarbaraWalkerstatesinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983),Hewasthepartridge,shethepeartree.ChristianstranslatedthepartridgeasChrist. Laurel:Man,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995), editedbyRichardCavendish,says,Poets,militaryheroesandOlympicvictorsallsoughtthecrownoflaurelas the highest honor. Sacred to Apollo, the laurel or bay was also associated with oracular powers. The nymph Daphne, of Greek myth, was turnedinto alaurel tree in order toescape the lecherous arms of thegodApollo, whoconsequentlyworeawreathoflaurelleavesanddeclaredthetreesacredtohim. Meriah: Like the ancient Israelites, the people of northern India also made sacrificial offerings to their gods by hanging the victims on crosses or trees, called Meriah. Barbara Walker, author of The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states that the Meriah is a Sacrificial victim bought for a price and hungonatreeorcrossbetweenheavenandearthinnorthernIndia,asanofferingtotheearthgoddessTara,or herspouse,FatherHeaven.IntheOldTestament,AbrahamgoestosacrificehissonIsaactohisgodYahwehon thesacrificialmound,Moriah;similarly,thePolynesianscalledtheirsacrificialplacemorai. Mistletoe: Mistletoe is a parasite that lives on oak trees and means all heal (Shepherd, 2002). The mistletoesymbolicallyrepresentsthemythicalunionbetweenthegodandgoddessthroughyearlycastrationand deathofthesaviorgod.FortheDruidsandpagansofEurope.,thisritualwasnecessarytoinsurethepeaceand fertilityofthelandandpeople.ItwasconnectedwiththedeathofBaldurinScandinavianlore.Theoaktreewas viewed as the living god, called Zeus, Jupiter, Balder or Dianus of Dodona; the mistletoe, with its white semen coloredberries,wasconsideredtheplantsgenitalia.Inthesamefashionasancientsacrificesofhumansaviorking, thegenitals(mistletoe)ofthegodwerecastrated(cutoff)inceremonialfashion,beforethesacrificewasperformed. AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),Attheseasonof sacrifice,Druidicpriestsceremoniallycastratedtheoakgodbycuttingoffhismistletoewithagoldenmoonsickle, SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 78
catching it in a white cloth before it could touch the ground, so it remained like every sacrificial deity between heavenandearthThephallicmeaningofthemistletoemadeitthekeythatopenedtheUnderworldwomb,key andphallusbeinginterchangeableinmysticalwritings.Thefemalecounterparttothemistletoewastheholly,with itsredmenstrualcoloredberriesrepresentingthegoddess,LadyoftheGroveandmoonmotherDianaNemetona, andconsorttothegod.ThroughtheRenaissance,mistletoewasstillbeingplacedonaltarsinEnglishchurcheson Christmas Eve. From Symbols Of Church Seasons And Days (1997) by John Bradner, we read, mistletoe in the Christianworldbecomesasymbolofjoyandgoodwill.Thetraditionofkissingunderthemistletoemayhavecome fromthereligiousceremonyofthekissofpeace(Bradner,1997).SeeHorns,andHolly. PalmTree:LiketheappletreeofthebiblicalGardenofEden,thepalmtreewasthesacredtreeoflifeinthe Babylonian Primal Garden, sacred to the goddess Astarte (in Hebrew known as Tamar, which translated to Palm Tree).BarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),explains,TheGoddesswas oftenembodiedinaMotherpalm,givingthefoodoflifeintheformofcoconutmilkordates.Thegoddessspartner wasBaalPeor,alsoknownasPhoenix,deityofPhoenicia,whichtranslatestolandofthepalm. Sala:ThesalaisthesacredcherrytreeunderwhichtheVirginMayagavebirthtoBuddha.Representing virginity,thecherryiscommonlyassociatedwiththegoddess,alongwithotherredfruitssuchastheappleand pomegranate,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Thistle: According to Symbols Of Church Seasons And Days (1997), by John Bradner, The thistle as a thornyplantand,asasymbolofsorrow,isasymbolofthePassionand,inparticular,thecrowningwiththorns. Willow:Alongwithwater,thewillowrepresentedtheGoddessHelice,thevirginalformofHecate.Willowalso representsmelancholyandsorrowasitsassociationwithqueenoftheUnderworld,Persephone,andOrpheus;Chinese coffinswerecoverdwithwillowboughs.Man,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndThe Unknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,explains,Atraditionalemblemofgriefandmelancholy,thewillowis alsoasymbolofforsakenlove,anditwasoncecustomaryforthejiltedtowearawillowgarland.However,accordingto BarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),willowwandswerebelievedtogiveprotection intheunderworld,invoketheMuses,andweresacredtothemoongoddess. Xikum: Representing Ishtar, this sacred Babylonian Tree of Heaven, spread her branches into the celestialandnetherworlds,holdingtheSaviorTammuzinhermidst,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). This same tree later appeared in the Moslem Koran as Zakkum,theTreeofHell. Yggdrasil: Norse name for the Terrible Horse or The Horse of Ygg [Ogre], symbolic for Odinsgallows tree where menrodeto Death,according to Barbara Walker inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). It is also considered a World Tree, connecting nine worlds:Asgard,Alfheim,andVanaheiminthebranches;Miogaro,Jotunhaim,Nidavellir,and Svartalfheimaroundthetrunk;andHelheim,Niflheim,andMuspelheimattheroots,according totheWikipediaEncyclopedia(2005). Triangle:Thedownwardpointingtriangleisthemostbasicsymbolofthefeminine,the(oftenreferred toastheYoniYantra,cup,chalice,mountain(Pueblo),orHolyGrailandhasobviousconnectionswith thewomb),andtheupwardpointingtriangleisthesymbolforthemasculine(oftenreferredtoasthe primordial androgyne, blade, or clouds (Pueblo) and has obvious connections to male genitalia). However,thetrianglegenerallysymbolizeswomenandspecificallyfertilityinitsrepresentationofthe vulva.Egyptianhieroglyphics,aswellasgypsysymbolism,holdsthetriangleasthesignforwoman and the Greek letter delta, triangle stood for the AllMother Demeter or Mother Delta. Tantric tradition called it the Triangle of Life or Kali Yantra. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans EncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),Mostancientsymbolsystemsrecognizedthetriangleasa sign of the Goddesss VirginMotherCrone trinity and at the same time as her genital holy place, sourceofalllifeanditwasworshippedasanicon.AlsoworshippedwastheChristianHolyTrinity. Trident:TriplepointedstaffofHades,Pluto,Neptune,Poseidon,Shiva,andtheChristiandevil. SymbolicallytheTridentrepresentedthetriplephallusdisplayedbyanygodwhosefunctionit wastomatewiththeTripleGoddess;amasculinecounterpartofthetriangle,explainsBarbara Walkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).TheIrishshamrock wasanotherrepresentationofthetriplephallus.
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Trinity: Many religions have a trinity of archetypal energies. These including the Creator PreserverDestroyer; femalemalemixed; FatherMotherSon trinity (like the pagan OsirisIsis Horus; ZeusRheaZagreus; ApolloArtemisHeracles); the Triple Goddess in the form of the Maiden, Mother, Crone (ParvatiDurgaUma/Kali of India; AnaBabdMacha of Ireland; Hebe heraHecataofGreece);andtheChristianTrinityoftheFather,Son,andHolySpirit,according toBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).Thetrinitysymbolto theleftrepresentstheinterconnectednessofeachpartofthetrinity;ifone circle is broken, the whole trinity falls apart. Other trinity symbols include a triangle and a shamrock. See Triangle,andShamrock,Numbers,3. Tuat:SeeUnderworld,Tuat,andKhertNeterbelow. Turtle:SeeAnimals,Turtle/Tortoise. Twelve:SeeNumbers,12/13. Twins: Pairs of opposites permeate religion in the forms of light/dark, yin/yang, good/evil, god/devil. Barbara Walker asserts in her book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Throughout all mythologiesthesamepaircanbefound:twinsoflightanddarkness,bornfromtheGreatMother.Everydualistic religion opposing a principle of evil to a principle of good had to begin with the two principles personified as offspringoftheprimordialwomb.TheCeltsrecognizedDylan(powersofdarkness)andLleu(light),twinsof theGoddessArianrhod;theGreeksnamedthemorningandeveningstarsthegodsCastorandPollux,bornofthe primal mother Leda; the Persians recognized Ahura Mazda and Ahriman as the God and devil, twin sons of Zurvan,symbolofInfiniteTime;NativeAmericanscalledtheWhiteMannituLordofLifeandtheBlackManitu LordofDeathandrecognizedtheirmotherastheMoonGoddess,TheOldWomanWhoNeverDies;etc. Two:SeeNumbers,2. Unicorn:SeeAnimals,Unicorn.
Underworld
Hell:ThisChristianversionoftheUnderworldconsistantlyfollowsthedualistrealityofhellandheaven. DerivedfromthenameHel,theNorseQueenoftheUnderworld(aCronegoddess),hellisarepositoryofsoulsfor the afterlife, a womb of regeneration. Positive and negative connections have been placed on this world, but originally it was a place souls went to await rebirth. The Underworld has been ruled by many, Persephone or Hecate,PlutoorHades.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)pointsoutThe early hell seems to have been a uterine shrine or sacred cave of rebirth, denoted by the Norse hellir. The early imageofhellasawomboffiremayhavelentitselftootherimages,thatofthevolcanicmothermountainofthe Hawaiian volcanogoddess Pele, another keeper of souls until rebirth; the Christian inferno of the hell that non Christiansaresenttoupondeath;theRomansbelievedthattheovenisthemotherandsoulsandbirthedinher ovenlike womb (Walker, 1983). These early versions of hell are of a place of judgment and rebirth. Patriarchal asceticreligions,suchasthePersianZoroastrians,createdthefirstimagesoftortureinhellfordamnedsouls.Jewish tradition held that hell was the alternative for those unfit for spending eternity with God in heaven, and most women were doomed to live in hell due to their subversive natures. Christianity later added the idea of eternal torture.Christiansdevelopedafascinationwithhellandspentmuchtimecategorizingthedemonsofhell,creating artisticrenditionsofhell,preachingsermonsonhellfireanddamnation,andtellingchildrenhorrendousstoriesof hell in order to impress upon them the fear of God. However, as Walker (1983) explains, In the end, scholars wereforcedtorenounceHellbecauseitmadeGodlookmorevindictivethanman,thoughfewdaredadmitthatthe vindictivenesssanctionedandstressedbythechurchwasreallymansalone.Shaftesburysaiditwasimpossibleto adore a God whose character is to be captious and of high resentment, subject to wrath and anger, furious, revengeful. Infernus:LatintermfortheUnderworld,meaningtheplacewithin. KhertNeter:AlsocalledAmentiandTuat,thisistheEgyptiantitlefortheUnderworld.BarbaraWalker,in TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983),says,KhertNeterwasthelandofmanymansions,ruled nominallyatleastbythemysteriousNeter,anarchaicdivinitythatseemtohavemeantmaternalancestors. Tophet: Another name the Underworld; Solomon offered fire sacrifices to the Tyrian god Heracles MelkartorHolechbyburningvictimswhopassedthroughthefiretoeternallife(meaningtheybecamegods) ontheshrineofTophet,accordingtoBarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Thefireburningdeathwasalsousedforheroesandkings.SeeHell,seeabove. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 80
Tartaras:Greekwordforhell. Tuat:EgyptiantermforUnderworld,sometimesenvisionedasawomb,oragreatsnake.SeeHell,Khert Neterorpreviouspage. UnderworldGuardian:SeeGods/UnderworldGuardian. Vagina Dentata: Translated as the toothed vagina, this phenomena occurs in Native American storiesinwhichyoungwomen(sometimesthedaughterofaCreator)withvaginadentatagotothe trickster coyote for help in making her reproductively safe. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), explain that the vagina dentata symbolizes the dangerous side of female sexuality and procreation. The Vaginae Dentatae is also found on the PeruvianChavindeities,particularlytheStaffGoddess. Vajra:Sanskritforjewel,phallus,orlightningreferringtomalesexualpower.BarbaraWalker,inThe Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains that the vajra is the male spirit enclosed in the female, graphicallyrepresentedbythelingamyoni.ItissimilartoVajrasanaordiamondseat,referringtotheclitoris. Vampire: Evolving from the basic belief in the necessity of blood for life, it was commonly believed that feedingbloodtodeadspiritscouldturnthemintotheundeadorvampires.BarbaraWalkerexplainsinherbook, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), The primal notion that all life depends on the magic of menstrualbloodorthebloodofMoon,assomeprimitivessayevolvedacorrespondingnotionthatthedeadcrave bloodinordertomakethemselvesliveagain.Themoonwasconnectedtovampiresastheirproviderofvitallifeforce (Walker, 1983). The Greeks believed that the dead could be called from the Underworld with offerings of blood. Necromancywascenteredaroundthisnotion,andthesuperstitionsoftheMiddleAgesperpetuatedfearofvampires. Veil:Veilshavebeenusedbysocietiesaroundtheworldtoconcealthedivine,powerfulordangerous frommortalsight,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook,1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanIn ArtAndMyth(2002).LiftingIsissveilrevealedherpowerfulmysteries;whenheenterdtheTentofthePresence, Mosesveiledhisface;Roman,Chinese,andChristianbrideshavebeenveiled(redfortheformer,whiteforthe latter)untiltheyareofficiallymarried(torepresentmodestyandvirginity);Christiannunssincemedievaltimes wearaheaddressorveiltosignifytheyarebridesofGod. Venus:SeeGreatGoddesses,Aphrodite(Greek),(Roman),andPlanets,Venus. Vida: Similar to the Hindu Vedas, the Vida is the Norse term for the sacred poetry of religious tales, accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Virgin Birth: Priestesses of ancient goddesses including Ishtar, Asherah, Aphrodite, and Vesta were calledHolyVirgins.Virginitywasaconditionascribedtoanunmarriedwoman,notasexuallyabstinentor inexperiencedwoman.Infact,theseHolyVirginpriestesseswereoftenalsotempleharlots,whohadvirgin bornchildren(calledparthenioibytheGreeks).BarbaraWalkerexplainsinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOf MythsAndSecrets(1983),ThefunctionofsuchholyvirginswastodispensetheMothersgracethroughsexual worship; to heal; to prophesy; to perform sacred dances; to wail for the dead; and to become Brides of God. MotherMarywasoriginallydescribedintheHebrewGospelsasalmah,youngwoman,whichwasmistakenly translatedasvirgin.Allearlysaviorswerebornofvirginaltempleharlots.SeeGods/SaviorGods. Virgo:SeeGreatGoddesses,Virgo,andZodiacSigns,Virgo. Vulture:SeeBirds,Vulture. Vulva: An obvious symbol of fertility, the vulva is usually associated with Mother Goddesses, accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdintheirbook1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Hindus honor the yoni as the goddesss womb and the spouse of Shiva, who is symbolized by the lingam. Drawingsofpaganfertilityicons,knownasSheelanagig,ofavoluptuouswomanholdingopenprominentvulva, werefoundoncavewallsinIreland.SeeYoni. Wand:Wandscomeinavarietyofforms:akingsscepter,theconductorsbaton,thegodstridentorrod, theshepherdscrook,amagiciansstaff,andevenasimplestick,allsymbolizingpowerandvirility.Accordingto Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, As symbols of authority, the wand and the rod can be traced back to the staffs of priest kings and magician healers of antiquity. In Egypt they were an emblem of royal authority and Red Indian chieftainsborecarvedwandsastheirbadgesofoffice;thefairywandisanagentoftransformation;theWizard wandisusuallyofhazelwood,English,Irish,andWelshDruidwandsweremadeofyew;Medievalmagicians
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hadmagnetizedsteelcapsatthetipprojectingapowerfulmagneticforce.Theuseofasword,inplaceofawand, occursintherecordsofEnglishwitchcraftpastandpresent. War: War was virtually unknown to the matriarchal societies of the Neolithic and early Bronze Age. Evenafteritcameintobeingwithstrongpatriarchicalforces,itwasthegoddesswhowouldbringpeacewhenit wasevokedamongwarringpeoples(Walker,1983).Thegodsofthepatriarchycreatedareligionandcultureof hierarchies,domination,andwar.Thisviolencehasbecomemainstreaminourpatriarchalcultureoftoday,andit isintertwinedwithourpoliticalandpersonalrelationships.Inthissystemofthedominatorandthedominated, womenbecometargetsymbolsofpower.ThesymboloftheMotherisoftenusedforacountry,andprotecting themothercountryisusedinmilitaryrhetorictogainsocialpopularityandconcealtherealmotivationsofthe war. Further, war enacts the Oedipus complex by allowing mature and powerful men to send their younger, handsomer, more virile rivalsthe sons who can be made obedient soldiers and sent off to be destroyed, accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983).Walkerexplains, Warsarebegunbyelitemalesandcarriedoutbythoseoflowerstatus,whilepriesthoodsblesstheeffortIn effect, war is a gentlemens agreement between the authority figures on both sides that they will kill off each othersyouths,andevenwinsocialapprovalandadulationfordoingso.
Water
Waterisanessentialpartofmanyreligiouspracticesaswellasbeinganimportantsymbolin manymythictales.Oceans,rivers,streams,lakes,tears,blood,wine,baptism,andrainarejusta few of the forms water takes. Water represents cleansing and purification in many practices includingCatholicBaptism.Totheleftisthealchemysymbolforrunningwater.SeeElements. Fountain:Assourcesoflifegivingwater,springsandfountainshavetraditionallyrepresentedasource offertilityandthewateroflife.AccordingtoMan,MythAndMagic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, As the springhead of living waters, source of fruitfulnessandlife,fountainshavebeenseenasthehauntofvirginnymphsandasbebestowersofyouthand wisdom. Ganges:MillionscometotheGangaRiverinIndiaeveryyeartobathebecausetheGangesisasymbolof cleansing,baptism,andredemption.DaughterofthemountainmotherNandaDevi(BlessedGoddess),theGoddess Gangaclaimedtheriverasatoolofhermagicpowers.BarbaraWalker,inTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAnd Secrets(1983),recountsthewordsofahymntoShiva:Heapsofsin,accumulatedbyasinnerduringmillionsofbirths[an allusiontoreincarnation],aredestroyedbythemerecontactofawindchargedwithhervapor...Asfireconsumesfuel,sothis streamconsumesthesinsofthewicked.SagesmountthestairedterraceoftheGanges;onittheytranscendthehighheavenof Brahmahimself:freefromdanger,ridingcelestialchariots,theygotoShivasabode.Sinnerswhoexpirenearthewaterofthe Gangesarereleasedfromalltheirsins:theybecomeShivasattendantsanddwellathisside.Theybecomeidenticalwithhimin shape;theyneverdienotevenonthedayofthetotaldissolutionoftheuniverse. Wells: Wells traditionally have symbolized a feminine regenerative power. Barbara Walker explains in her book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Springs, fountains, ponds, wells were always female symbols in archaic religions, often considered waterpassages to the underground womb, in northern EuropeassociatedwithMotherHel,whosenamealsogaverisetoholyandhealing. WerewolforWolf:Alsoknownasspiritwolf,themodernconceptofthewerewolforiginatedwiththe medievalwolfclanwhoworshippedtotemwolfanimals.GrecoRomansalsoworshippedwolfgodsintheform of Zeus Lycaeus (wolfish Zeus) or Lycaeon, the Pelasgian wolfking and consort of the Ninefold Goddess, Nonacris. Other lycanthropy (werewolfism) gods included Apollo Lyceaus, descended from the Egyptian dog deityAnubis,andconsortofthedivineWolfBitchArtemis;theRomanDisPater,Soranus,andFeronius,consort of Goddess Feronia (Mother of Wolves); and the SheWolf was a face of the Triple Goddess, according to BarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). West:SeeDirections. Whale:SeeAnimals. Wheat: This is a symbol for food and, with grapes and a cup, symbolizes the last supper of Christ. AccordingtoSymbolsOfChurchSeasonsAndDays(1997),byJohnBradner,wheat,whichisafamiliaringredient ofbread,standsforJesuswhosaid,IamtheBreadoflife(John6:35). SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 82
Wheel: In general, a simplistic symbol of the Goddess, the wheel has many variations. Barbara Walker, in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, A primary Oriental symboloftheGoddessasrulerofFatewasthekarmicwheel,oftenidentifiedwiththewheelof the galaxy, the Milky Way, or zodiac, circling the outer reaches of the universe around the Goddesssyonioromphalos(navel),herearthcenteredhub.Thetantrictraditionvisualizedthis wheel as a mandala representing the Triple Goddess; the Celts saw the karmic starwheel as representingMotherArianrhod(thatlaterinspiredtheFarrisWheel);andinEthiopiathegoddess satinthemiddleofawheelofflames.TheHindurecognizedtheChakraasawheelrepresenting perfectcompletenessandunifyingtimeandspace.Vishnuwasrepresentedbythesixspoked wheelwhiletheeightspokedwheelrepresentedtheeightcardinal directions. The Buddhist Wheel of the Law, or dharmachakra (also called Wheel of Truth and Golden Wheel), symbolizestheabilityofBuddhistteachingandenlightenmenttorolloverandcrushfalsehood,accordingto Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002). When the wheel containsflames,itisasymbolofthesunanditislinkedwithbothCelticandRomanskygodssuchasJupiter. The Native American Wheel of Life is a central belief in their traditions, and as Shepherd (2002) explains, Humans spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological experiences of life, and their connections with the elementsandwiththeotherworldsoftheearth,plants,animalsandminerals,arereflectedanddescribedwithin themanyinterrelatedmedicinewheels,whichintheirtotalityformthecomplexwheelorHoopofLife. Whisper:Asitwasbelievedthatthedeadandgodscouldonlyspeakinwhispersbecausetheydidnot havetheirphysicalform,whisperingwasbelievedtobethewayspiritsandgodscommunicated(Walker,1983). Whistling:Thoughttobethemagicpowerofwitches,whistlingisaformofsympatheticmagictocontrolwind. Widdershins: Meaning counterclockwise, widdershins was the term for the direction of the moon and represented the lefthand path of paganism. Walking three times widdershins around a fairy hill and then sayingopendoorwasbelievedtoopenthewaytothefairyland. Willow:SeeTrees,Willow. Wings:Representingunhamperedmobility,wingsandfeathershavebeenassociatedwithdeitiesallover the world. Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, explains, Perhaps because mans body, wingless and earthbound, has never normally been able to levitate, let alone fly, the ability to take off and soar freely away from terra firma, as demonstratedbybirds,hasarousedmansaweandlonging.SeeBirds. Wolf:SeeAnimals,Wolf.
Womb
An obvious symbol of creation, the womb has been symbolized and worshipped in a variety of forms fromancienttimesuntiltoday.Caves,burialchambers,andtempleswereseenaswombsoftheMotherEarthin theFarEast,whereaburialgarbhameantwomb;theSanskritwordfortempleisgarbhagrha,orwomb;the GreekoracleofDelphifromdelphosmeantwomb;andevenMegalithicandNeolithicpeoplesburiedtheirdead inwombshapedtombsandcarvedtheshapeintostone,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopedia OfMythsAndSecrets(1983).Thedownwardpointingtriangleisalsoacommonsymbolofthewomb. Cauldron: In the general sense of the word, a cauldron represents a container for magical potions, energies, intentions, or spells and can be a shell, a bowl, or any other container. In a strictersense,acauldronisablackkettlepotthatisatoolofWicca.Man,MythAndMagic:The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), edited by Richard Cavendish, explains that as a symbol of plenty, the cauldron was connected with fertility Certainmythologicalcauldrons were allegedly capable of reviving the dead. Others were believed to contain a liquid that could confer poetic inspiration on those who drank it. In its Bronze and Iron Age origins, the cauldron stood as a symbol for the TripleGoddessoffate,andeventodayretainsthisconnotationwithitsconnectiontotheWeirdSistersoffate.In Egypt, the hieroglyphic sign for the threefold creatress of the sun, universe, and gods, was a picture of three cauldrons.NorseandAryanlegendsbothtellofmagicalcauldronsthatappearinsetsofthreeandcontainthe ambrosiaoflife.British,Welsh,Celtic,Hittite,PaganmythsalltellofCauldronsoftheGoddessthathavespecial powers of renewal and healing. In The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 83
describesthecauldronasthesymbolcommonlyopposedtothecross,asthewitchesobjectofworship;inpagan tradition, the Great Mothers cosmic womb. As the pot of blood in the hand of Kali, the cauldron signified cyclicrecurrence,asopposedtothepatriarchalviewoflineartime(Walker,1983). Inhisarticle,TheSacredCauldron(2000),MichaelRaganexploresthecauldronssymbolismandexplains,It isthesymbolofprimarycreation,theGreatWomb,thesource,theMotherGoddessherself...Itcanfeed,givedrink, heal,restorelife,sootheragingspears,containswisdomandthroughoutretainsitsotherworldconnections.Within thatcauldronarehealing,inspiration,wisdom,sustenance(bothphysicalandspiritual),andtheveryessenceoflife itself.Thechaliceandtheblade,assymbols,areconnected.Thebladecreatesthespaceforthecauldrontoexistby notonlymakingitsafe,butalsocreatingtheintegritynecessaryforthegiftsofthecauldronthroughtruth.Michael Raganexplainsthat,includedintheCauldronasthenecessaryelementsofWisdom(Sword)orIlluminationand theFireintheMindofourSwordofInspiration.It[thecauldron]cannotbepossessedasinownership.Itcanonly beprotectedandheldinsafetybythemasculinefigure(Ragan,2000). Cave:Acavesymbolizesthewomboftheearthandhasbeenusedassitesofworshipsincebeforechurches wereconstructed.AccordingtoBarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983), The cave was universally identified with the womb of Mother Earth, the logical place for symbolic birth and regeneration. Both the Sanskrit and Roman words for a place of worship (the cave) meant womb. Some of the earliestevidenceofreligionthatisknowntodaycomesfromsophisticatedcavepaintingsinFrancethatappeardeep withincaves.Manygoddessesofearly cultures claimed thecaveastheirdomainand/orentrancethroughwhich theycreatedlife,includingtheHindugoddessKurukulla,pagangoddessesCybeleandMithra,LatingoddessSybil, CretangoddessRheapagan,aswellasothers.By376A.D.theVatican,inanattempttopromoteChristianity,was seizing caves dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Mithra. In the 15th century, Pope, Calixtus II attempted to outlaw religious ceremonies in sacred caves. In The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), Barbara Walker,explains,asentrancestotheunderworld,caveswerestillassociatedwiththeGreatMothersyonicgate. Chalice: Many ancient earthworshipping religions recognized a divine feminine goddess, symbolized by a cup, cauldron, chalice, or moonall representing fertility and immortality. Likewise, a divine masculine god was symbolized by a rode or blade. The chalice is among these symbols for the goddess (other symbols include the cauldron, cup, and the moon). Sir Laurence Gardner, in his lecture The Hidden History of Jesus and the Holy Grail (1997) states, a chaliceoracupwasthelongeststandingsymbolofthefemale.Itsrepresentationwasthatofthe sacred vesselthe vas uterus, the womb. At its most basic form, it is the shape of a V or an upsidedowntriangleandphysicallythiscorrespondstothefemalereproductivegenitalsof both the vulva and the womb (uterus) which illustrates this symbols deep meaning of fertility, creativity, and prosperity.Thesymbolofthechaliceappearsinmanymythictales,includingArthur/MerlinlegendsofHolyGrail quests (the magical cup given by the priestesses of Avalon on the Isle of Apples, which had been lost), as well as Cauldron of Rebirth, given to Bran, and the Healing Cauldron of Goibniu. The chalice is also used in Catholic communion ceremonies in which the blood of Christ is held within a cup. With new understanding of these importantsacredsymbols,newmeaningcanbegainedfromtheancientmythictales.AccordingtoMyth,ManAnd Magic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish,The cupisafemalesexsymbolbutitalsocarriesconnotationsofnourishmentandabundance.Whenitbecomesthecupof theEucharist,andstillmorewhenitbecomestheGrail,ithasclearlyfartranscendeditssimpleanatomicalreference. WorldEgg:SeeEgg. Wreath:Symbolicofvictory,OsiriswasgivenawreathbyAtumathisvictory;ApolloholdstheLaurel wreathsacred;theoakwreathorcoronacivicawaswornonlybytheemperoratthetimeofAugustus;oliveleaf wreathswereassociatedwiththedeadandwithOsirisinEgypt;thewreathsamanwasawardedduringhislife werecarriedatRomanfuneralprocessions;andeventoday,wreathsofflowersareplacedoncoffins(Shepherd, 2002). Xikum:SeeTrees,Xikum. Xisuthros:SeeZiusudra.
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YabYum:ThisTantriccoitalposturerepresentstheunionofgodsandgoddesses,andpositions bothpartnersupright,facingoneanotherandfreetomove,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinher book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). This reenactment of intercourse between God and Goddess is not specific to Tantra. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd, in 1000 Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),givetheexamplethatintheBabyloniancult of InannaIshtar, the high priestess and the king would promote the lands fertility by re enactingsexualintercoursebetweenthegodandthegoddess. Yahweh: Originating from the Canaanite moon deity Yareah, Yahweh was one Hebrew vocalization of theTetragrammaton,thesecretnameofGod,aswasYah,Yahu,Jahveh,Jahi,andJehovah,accordingtoBarbara WalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). YinandYang:ThisChinesedualisticconceptoflightanddark,maleandfemale,summerand winter,deathandlife,isrepresentedbythismandala.TheYinYangsignisancientandquite popularintodaysmetaphysicalfield,illustratingthebalanceandharmonyofopposingforces withinagreaterwholewhichareinterconnectedandyetinterdependent,inthenaturalworld. Inthisrespect,theYinalsocontainstheYang,andtheYangalsocontainstheYin. Yggdrasil:SeeTrees,Yggdrasil. Yantra:Similar to the verbal mantra, the yantraisa tantricmeditation sign suchas the Sri Yantra or GreatYantraoftwointerlockingtriangles,symbolicoftheunionbetweentheGoddessandGodandthecycleof time,accordingtoBarbaraWalkerinTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983). Yoni: Tantric word for the Vulva, the Yoni was symbolized variously by a triangle, fish, doublepointedoval,horseshoe,egg,andfruitsandpersonifiedbytheGoddessKaliorCunti,or the Yoni Yantra, the Primordial Image (a triangle) and source of all life, and is often in associationwiththelingam(phallus).SymbolicrepresentationoftheYoniispicturedontheleft. Yoni/CowrieShell:Probablybecausethisshellresemblesthevulva,ithasbecomethesymbolofrebirth for many peoples. According to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), the cowrie shell everywhere represented the divine vulva and usually conveyed the idea of rebirth. Originally deriving its name from Kauri, or KaliCunti, the Yoni of the Universe, the cowrie has been used in association with death since the Solutrean period, 20,000 B.C. when skeletons were found decorated with cowrie shells. Egyptians also decorated sarcophagi with the shells. In India the cowrie shells are worn to shield the evil eye; Moslem women wear them during pregnancy; Japanese women decorate their wardrobes with them for luck; gypsieswearthemasaprotectiveamulet,andintheSudanitisusedinmagic,Romansbelieveditwasasymbol ofanAlmaMater(soulmother),anditisvaluedtodaybybothMelanesiansandPolynesians. Yoni/Cunt: From its origins this word means knowledge, learning, insight, remembrance, wisdom, accordingtoTheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets(1983)byBarbaraWalker.Thiswordcomesfromthe Goddess Cunti of Kunda of the Orient, believed to be the Yoni of the Universe. Cunt as a slang word was not createdalonebutratherevolvedinmanylanguages,includingGreek,Indian,Italian,ChineseandEgyptian,and comes from the same family of words as country, kin, and kind. Walker (1983) says, Kin meant not only matrilineal blood relations, but also a cleft or crevice, the Goddesss genital opening. Cunt as a synonym for womenstemsbacktoancienttimes,butitwasnotusedinaderogatoryway.Althoughtodaythiswordhascome tosymbolizeshame,dirtiness,andmeanness,thereisamovementtoreclaimthewordcunt.SeeYoni,above. Zen:AschoolofMahayanaBuddhism,thisJapanesewordisatranslationoftheChinesechan,whichin turnhasitsrootsintheSanskridhyanaorcontemplation.BarbaraWalkerinherbook,TheWomansEncyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), asserts that Zen is a system of controlled meditation to master various skills, especially the martial arts. Zen favors direct, experiental realization of enlightenment through meditation and dharmapractice. Zero:SeeNumbers,0. Ziggurat: This Babylonian pyramid, called the Mountain of Heaven, was the contact point between heavenandearth,andservedasthetempleandpalacewhichheldthesacredmarriagebetweenkingsandthe goddess, according to Barbara Walker in The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). See Paradise, Mountain. Ziusudra:Sumerianlegendofafloodhero,carryingtheseedsofthenewuniversethroughwateryChaos betweendestructionofoneworldandthebirthofthenextandwastheprecursortotheBiblicalNoahandhisArk. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 85
Zodiac
ZodiacSigns:ReferUMSAstrologyBasicscourseformoredetailedinformation. Aries:March21April20.Thisisrepresentedbytheram,whichisthefirstsignofthePost LatinModernZodiac.Aries,beingtheoutrushingforceofbeginnings,isrepresentedby ramhornsintheforcefulnessoftheram,whichlowersitsheadandchargesblindly. Taurus:April21May21.Taurusisthebull,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), who state Its glyph is said to symbolizeabullshead;italsorepresentsthefullandcrescentmoon,whichisexaltedin Taurus.Appropriately,therefore,thesignisruledbyVenus. Gemini:May22June21.Thissignrepresentsthetwins,accordingtoRowenaandRupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), who state that its glyph could depict the number two in Roman numerals, or a gate; the sun enters the gatewayofthesummersolsticeattheendofGemini. Cancer: June 22July 23. The sign of the crab begins the Summer Solstice. According to RowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002), Itsglyphmaybebaseduponacrabsclaws,orsymbolizethewaxingandwaningmoon. Leo: July 24August 23. The lions tail is sometimes said to be reflected in its glyph, accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002). Virgo: August 24September 23. This is the sign of the virgin, according to Rowena and RupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),whoseglyph mayrepresenthervagina,ovariesanduterus. Libra: September 24October 23. The scales take their name from the chariot that carried PersephoneintotheUnderworld.ItmarkstheAutumnEquinoxanditsglyphmayshow thesunonthehorizon,accordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:What ShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002). Scorpio:October24November22.Representingdeath,thescorpionisthesignofautumn. AccordingtoRowenaandRupertShepherdin1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAnd Myth(2002),fortheMaya,itwasthesignoftheDeathGod,whiletheancientEgyptians linkeditwithAnubis,theguardianofthenecropolis. Sagittarius: November 23December 21. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth(2002),Sagittariusisthearcher,andsoits glyphrepresentsanarrow.Itisusuallydepictedasacentaurfiringanarrow. Capricorn: December 22January 20. The goat with the fish tale is associated with the Babylonian god Ea. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), The Ancient Egyptians linked it to Set, the god of chaosandmisfortunewhowassometimesdepictedasagoat. Aquarius: January 21February 19. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), The waterbearer Aquariuss glyph representswaterandcommunication. Pisces: February 20March 20. The sign of the fish, according to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), explaining that Its glyphrepresentsitscontradictoryaspects:Pisceansoftenfeelpulledintwodirections;they areartistic,intuitive,imaginativeandimpressionable.
SymbolsConclusion
This gives you an idea of various symbols in different cultures. One can easily see how a symbol can speak a thousand words, if it is a familiar symbol. Symbols have been used to convey ideas and concepts for thousandsofyears.Thesesymbolshavesurvivedthroughouttime.Newsymbolsarebeingcreateddaily.Even the Rock musician named Prince came up with a symbol to represent his persona, and marketed himself as a symbolratherthananameinordertocounteractarecordingcontractlegality. Inthemeditationthatgoeswiththiscourse,youwillhaveachancetocomeupwithyourownpersonal symbol. This symbol can represent you as a person, a goal you might have, or anything you choose. First, however,letuslookatcolorsandwhattheirmeaningsare,sincesymbolsandcolorsgohandinhand.
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TheMeaningOfColors
WrittenbyKatieVaughnKelso,CaseyCarothers,andChristineBreeseD.D.,Ph.D.
Introduction
Color is energy in the form of light. This includes direct and reflected light. Color is a vibration, or frequency of light. This is made up of particles, which are also waves, according to physics. Color is directly emitted by matter, and it is also reflected by matter. Matter is not as solid as it seems, and is actually very spaciousandluminous.AlloflifeonEarthisdependentonlight,andalllightcontainscolors.Eventheairwe breatheismadeofcolorsandlight. Colorsurroundsus.Weusecolortorepresentspecificmeaningsandemotions.Thecolorswechooseto wear or place in our homes affect our moods and the messages we send to the world. Colors have been used throughout the centuries to represent holidays, status, and selfexpression. They are also used for medicinal purposesandtocreatemeaninginrituals.
TheScienceOfIt
SirIsaacNewtonwasthefirstrecordedscientisttoobservethecolorspectrum.Hedidsobyusingaprism to split sunlight into different colors. This spectrum consists of the seven basic observable colors of red, orange, yellow,green,blue,indigo,andviolet(www.crystalcure.com).Arainbowdisplaysthissamearrayofcolorsbecause raindropsalsosplitlightintothespectrumofobservablecolors,justliketheprism.Itisnowknownthatthecolor spectrumextendspastredandvioletintocolorsthatthehumaneyedoesnotregister.Thecolorspectrumispartof alargerspectrumcalledtheElectromagneticSpectrum(EM)andconsistsofenergyflowingatavarietyofvelocities andlengths,accordingtoNASAsarticle,ElectromagnetSpectrum.Thelongerthewave,theslowerthevelocityof energy.Radiowavesareatthelongest,slowestendofthespectrum.Microwavescomenextandtheninfrared.Next comesthevisiblelight,flowingfromabout700nanometerstoabout400nanometersandconsistsofNewtonsred, orange,yellow,green,blue,indigo,andviolet.Attheotherendofthevisiblespectrumandbeyondareultraviolet rays, then gamma rays and xrays flowing at the highest velocity which can cause harmful radiation (www.imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov). The human eye actually perceives only three colors, red, yellow, and blue. All the infinitecolorsthatareseenaresimplyacombinationofthesethreecolors.Whitelightactuallycontainsallcolors, includingthosethatareaboveandbelowthehumanabilitytophysicallysee.
ColorIsVisualEnergy
Light, sound, and matter are all the same substance, but each is a different portion of the frequencies, perceivedwithdifferentphysicalsensesbecausetheyarefarapartonthespectrum.First,letslookatmatter.Itis importanttorealizethattheheaviestmanifestationsofmatterarenowheretobefoundonEarth.Infact,theheaviest typeofmatter,orthemostcondensedmatterwithverylittlespacebetweentheparticlesoftheatoms,canonlybe foundindensestars,theheaviestbeingfoundinblackholeswherematterissoheavythatlightcannotevenescape itsgravitationalforce.Thisalertsustothefactthatonlyasmallrangeofthelargerangeofmattertypesisfoundon Earth.Ourphysicalsensescannotevenperceivesomeofthedensermatterthatcanbefoundinthecosmos,because wecouldnotevenbealiveinaphysicalbodyifwewereanywherenearthesedensetypesofmatter. Humanhearingcanonlyperceivetherangesbetween20hertzand20,000hertz.Thisisasmallportionof allthepossiblefrequenciesexistingintheuniverse.Thereareinstrumentsthatcanmeasuresoundsthatarefar below and far above human hearing, and these frequencies are welldocumented, and even commonly used in ourdailyreality.Harmonics,whichareabovehumanhearing,actuallyinfluenceourhearingeventhoughweare notawareofit.Whatdistinguishesonepersonsvoice,musicalinstrumentorpitchofanotefromthatofanother personaretheharmonics.Ifitwerenotforharmonics,everyonesvoiceandinstrumentwouldsoundthesame. Assoundgetshigherandhigherinthescaleoffrequencies,itactuallybecomeslight.Assoundgetslowerand lowerinfrequencies,iteventuallyenterstherealmofmatter.Lightisthehighestoffrequenciesperceivableby physical human senses. Humans can see light frequencies between red and violet, the rainbow colors. It is actuallyaverysmallportionofthetrueexpanseoflightfrequencies. The concept that a color holds a frequency that has vibrational impact on matter has been explored in metaphysicsinavarietyofways.AccordingtotheGlobalPsychicsOrganization,Eachcolorcorrespondstoa vibrational frequency and the qualities associated with that frequency will tend to influence the activities SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 88
conducted in that environment and the attitudes of those in it, and even around it. (www.globalpsychics.com) Therefore, colors have physical impact on our emotions, psyches, and bodies. Every physical and nonphysical entityintheuniverseismadeofenergyvibratingatvariousfrequencies.TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHeal WithColor(1992),explains,Alloftheorgans,tissues,andsystemswithinourbodyarecomprisedofsimilarly vibrating atoms. If something irritating (such as an improper food substance) enters the body, it can result in alteringthenormalvibrationalpatternofthebody,orinthiscasethedigestivesystemWecanusevibrational remedytotemporarilyrestorebalancetothatproblemarea. AswithanyhealingsuggestionbyUMS,thesearesuggestionsnotprescriptions.Theseremediesinclude sound, aromatherapy, flower and gem essences, crystals, and colors. Colors are also important to rituals. For instancedifferentcoloredcandles,aswellasgemstones,depictdifferentmeaningsandcanbeusedinceremony toevokeemotions.Suggestedtoolsofhealingincludevisualizingthecolor,wearingthecolor,meditatingonthe color with candles, crystals, or visualizing the color filling the aura and chakras. The Auras and the seven Chakras(energysiteswithinandaroundthebody)areonespiritualwaythatcolorscanimpactus.Eventhough theauraisnotusuallyvisible,thehumaneyecanbetrainedtoperceiveandunderstandthespecificmeaningsof the light and colors of the aura and chakras (www.thiaoouba.com). Please refer to the UMS Chakras And Auras courseformoreinformationonthemeaningofcolorsinthechakrasandauras.
ThePhysicalImpactOfColors
Colors affect humans in many ways. Everyone is familiar with colors that are soothing, stimulating, or nauseating.Coolcolorsandhotcolorsareanotherwaypeoplearelikelytodescribecolors.Coolcolorswouldbe shadesofbluesandgreens,orpastelshades,whereashotcolorswouldbeshadesofredsandoranges,orneon colors. Knowing which colors produce certain kinds of effects can be useful information in healing or regeneratingprocesses,andcanbeusedeffectivelyinmeditationsandvisualizationtechniques.Notonlycanwe seecolors,butwecanalsofeelthem.Justmeditatingonaparticularcolorcancreateprofoundshiftsinemotional andmentalstates,whichinturncreatesbiochemicalprocessesthatenhancehealthandwellbeing. Peopleinallkindsofbusinesses,fromrestaurantstoclothingstorestointeriordecoratingconsultants,are allawareofwhatdifferentcolorsdotoourphysical,mentalandemotionalstates.Forinstance,restaurantshave learnedthatsignswithwarmorhotcolorslikereds,yellowsandoranges,causepeopletofeelhunger,oratleast thinkaboutfood.Evenclothingstoreshavefoundthatusingcertaincolorswillmakepeoplefeelgoodandbuy merchandize.Dependingonwhatthemerchantisselling,thiswillbethedeterminingfactoronwhatcolorsthe merchantwilluseindecoratingthestore.Interiordecoratorswillasktheclientwhatactivitieswillbetakingplace ineachroom,andwillsuggestcolorsthatwillenhancethoseactivities.Colorsarewellstudiedintermsofhow theyaffecthumanbeingsandtheirresponses.
ThePsychologicalPerspective
Thenotionthatcolorsaffectpeopleisalsodiscussedinpsychology.PsychologistMaxLuscher,inColorTest: TheRemarkableTestThatRevealsYourPersonalityThroughColor(1969),explains,Theautonomicnervoussystemis concerned primarily with those functions which take place below the threshold of awareness andfor this very reasonmust operate on an automatic, selfregulating basis Colors, apparently have an unconscious effect on this nervous system; for instance, purered has a decidedly stimulating effect on the nervous systemblood pressure increases, respiration rate and heartbeat both speed up. Luscher developed a system called Color Psychologyinwhichheusedaneightcolortestofdarkblue,bluegreen,orangered,brightyellow,violet,brown, black,andneutralgreytodeterminepersonalstresslevel.Hedidthisbyplacingeightcolorcardsinfrontofthe person and recording the sequence in which each color was picked up. He also discovered that colors can have medicinalpurposes.Forinstance,brightyellowcolorscanbeusedtoavoidillnessandbluelightcreatesacalming effect. Nowletslookatwhatthedifferentcolorsareandwhattheirpropertiesmaybe.
SpiritualMeaningOfColors
Red:Redisthefirstcolorthatcanbeseenbythehumaneyeinthecolorspectrum.Redemitsarather coarseenergythatisbasicandstimulating.Ithasthelongestwavelengthofthevisiblecolorsinthespectrum.It represents passion, strength, conquest, vigor, action, vitality and power. It also stimulates primal levels of SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 89
survival issues. It is an exciting color, and it drives and challenges people. Red is the most often used color in flags,foritmakesastrongstatement.Itmightnotbesurprisingthatthelifeforceinourarteriesisthecolorred. Ifapersonisgoingintoachallengingsituationoracircumstancewhereanargumentmightarise,redisa goodcolortowearifonewantstheupperhand.Redcanbeanintimidatingcolor.Redmakesthingshappen.It blows apart feelings of selfpity, drudgery, melancholy, indifference and depression. It creates enthusiasm and aggressiveness.AncientRomansusedredflagstosignalbattle.Similarly,inIndia,redisthesymbolforasoldier. According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic, Vol 2 (1985), red represents energy, lust,passinganger,andvitality.Redissaidtobethecoloroffireandbloodandhasbeenassociatedwithwar, danger,strength,power,determination,aswellaspassion,desire,andlove. Redcanchaseawaythecold,bringbettercirculationoftheblood,anditalsoarousessexuality.Itisno mistake that it is the primary color used on Valentines Day. Itdenotes deep commitment and passionin love, andittriggersthatloveintophysicalexpression.Thegivingofaredrosesymbolizeslove,beauty,andrespect. (www.gardensner.com) Even as red can signal anger, it also signals love, and can be a very happy color. Red is symbolic of stimulation, marriage, strength, love, lust, power, fertility, and health (www.northerncandles.theshoppe.com/candle_color_meanings.html).InChina,redisusedinweddingsasagoodluck charm,whileinSouthAfricaredisthecolorofmourning.(www.colorwheelpro.com/colormeaning.html). Redcanbeusedtopromptpeopletomakequickdecisionsandgettheattentionofothers.Redisacolorof leadershipandhighenergy.Inconjunctionwiththe aura,redsymbolizesmaterialisticthoughts.Inthe medicinal field, red can be used for bringing on warmth and burning out cancer. Red boosts human metabolism, increases respirationrate,andraisesblood pressure(Luscher,1969).Redrepresents thefireelementandis thecolorof the RootChakra.Thegemstonesembodyingredqualitiesaregarnet,ruby,redjasper,rosequartz,redcoral,bloodstone, aragoniteandfireagate.Thewebsitewww.crystalcure.comstates,Forhealing,thesestonesaresaidtobeexcellent foranemiaandotherblooddeficiencies.Redoffersahealingvibrationforemaciation,depressionorlethargy. TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWithColor(1992),states,RedisastimulatingcolorItwarms anditactivates.Itawakensourphysicallifeforce.Itcanbeusedforcolds,poorcirculationandmucusailments, aswellastoraisebodytemperatureandincreasebloodflow.Italsostrengthensapersonsphysicalenergyand will,aswellasstimulatesdeeperpassionsinsex,love,courage,hatredorrevenge.Andrewsexplains,Toomuch red can overstimulate and aggravate conditions. High blood pressure is an indication of too much red energy withinthesystem.Redassistsinthehealingofacne,AIDS(withindigoandviolet,followedbypinkandgold), anemia,lowbloodpressure,colds,andpneumonia,andsoftredshelpwithmenstrualproblems. RosyRed:Roseisahigheroctaveofred.Redhastodowithphysicallove,butrosehastodowiththe lovethattranscendshumanversionsoflove.Itisrepresentativeoftheabilitytoholddivinelove,unconditional love,andcompassionforfellowhumansandanimals.Thisisamorematurekindoflove.Notonlyisitnotas deep a vibration as the color red, but rose represents feelings of a finer spiritual value. Rose represents understanding, sympathy and mercy. The ability to have empathy (to stand in someone elses shoes and experience their pain) is also represented by rose, or pink. It also represents forgiveness and softness toward others,tolerance,aswellasfun,laughter,andcreativepower.Itisalsoassociatedwithsharinganddevotion. ClearRed:Clearredisrepresentativeofmovinganger. LightRed:Lightredisasymbolofjoy,sexuality,sensitivity,passion,andlove. DarkRed:Darkredrepresentswillpower,rage,andcourage. ReddishBrown:Reddishbrownisassociatedwiththeharvest. RedOrange:TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWithColor(1992),declaresthatredorangecanassist inthehealingoflowbloodpressureandhayfever. Pink: Pink is the color that represents universal love. It stands for friendship, romance, purity, and compassion. It is also representative of beginning a new relationship, raising energy and healing. Pink draws love.Thegivingofapinkrosesymbolizesathankyouandshowsadmiration.Thegemstonethatcanbeused to exemplify these qualities is rose quartz. Pink in an aura means the person has achieved a perfect balance between spiritual awareness and the material existence. (www.thiaoouba.com) According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic, Vol 2 (1985), pink represents love, compassion, and understanding. Accordingtowww.crystalcure.com,Althoughgreenistheprimarycolorusedwiththeheartchakra,itcanalsobe effective to use pink stones (such as rose quartz or rhodonite) if more softness, affection and love seem to be neededinworkingwiththeheartchakra.TedAndrews,inHowToHealWithColor(1992),states,Pinkcanbe SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 90
used to awaken compassion, love, and purity. It eases conditions of anger and feelings of neglect. It helps stimulatethethymusglandandtheimmunesystemofthebody.Inmeditationpinkcanassistwithgreatertruth andiscomforting.Pinkcanbeusedtoassistinthehealingofbreastsandcancer(aftertheuseofblueviolet). Orange: Orange is the color of fall and harvest. Orange could be associated with social energies, including creating a feeling of well being, uniting people and causing cooperation with others. Orange is associated with joy, wisdom, happiness, creativity, success, attraction, and stimulation. It addresses fear and insecurities and other disharmony in the emotional body. It represents energy for change in the emotions and partsofselfthatarenotfeelinggoodaboutself.Itisnotasurprisethatorangeisusedasthecolorfortheclothing of spiritual seekers at ashrams. Seen in the aura, orange is a power color and a majority of orange in the aura indicatesaspiritualteacher(www.thiaoouba.com/see_aura_color.htm).OrangeisthecoloroftheSacralHaraChakra. It is a color that brings feelings of well being and cooperation. It keeps people from squabbling amongst themselves. According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic, Vol 2 (1985), orange representshumor,ambition,harmony.Givinganorangeroseshowsyourenthusiasmanddesirefortheperson. Orangeisamoremellowcolorinthespectrumofwarmcolors,comparedtored.Orangeisamixtureofthe vitalityofredandtheintellectualityofyellow,balancingthephysicalprimalurgeswiththeintelligencetoassess what is truly fair and right. It enhances selfconfidence, but not in the same way as red. Red incites and excites, whereas orange gives quiet poise and selfesteem that need not be expressed outwardly. Red is rather outgoing, whereasorangeiswelcoming,andcallspeopletogetherforfellowship.Apersondressedinorangeishardtoresist or not notice. Orange in places where people congregate or collaborate can enhance the outcome of the groups interactions with each other. Orange helps in overcoming bad habits, especially habits of attitude. It helps one overcome prejudice, judgment, and unfair bias. Orange banishes loneliness, guilt and remorse, some of the most cripplingemotionsofmankind.Theseemotionsleadtoinsecurity,andorangecanaddressthis.Italsopreventsfear ofchange,andratherinviteschangeintomorepositiveenergies.Itisthecolorofhopeandasecondwind. Orangeisaveryhealingenergy.Itstimulatesnotonlyemotionalwellbeingbutalsophysicalwellbeing; however,itdoesthisinaslightlydifferentwaythatreddoes.Orangehasamoresubtleapproach,butiseffective nonetheless. Ted Andrews, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states that orange stimulates feelings of sociability.Itistiedtoouremotionalhealthandtothemuscularsystemofthebody.Toomuchorangeaffectsthe nervesandshouldbebalanced withshadesofgreenblues.Orangecanassistinhealingconditions of thespleen, pancreas, stomach, intestines, and adrenals. Individuals experiencing emotional paralysis or depression can be helpedwiththiscolor.Itcanbeusedtohelprevitalizethephysicalbodyandassistwithfoodassimilation,asitis goodfortheeliminativesystem.Orangeissaidtoincreaseoxygenflowtothebrain,stimulatingappetite,increase sexualpotencyandimmunity.Accordingtowww.crystalcure.com,Forhealing,thesestonesareessentialforhealth andvitality.Itregulatesfoodintake.Orangeiswarmandpositive.Thegemstonestorepresentorangearecarnelian andfireopal. DarkOrange:Darkorangecanmeandistrust. OrangeRed:Orangeredrepresentssexuality,passion,andarousal.PsychologistMaxLuscher,inColor Test:TheRemarkableTestThatRevealsYourPersonalityThroughColor(1969),believesorangeredrepresentsForce of Will and is eccentric, active, offensiveaggressive, autonomous, locomotor, competitive, and operative. Its affectiveaspectsaredesire,excitability,domination,andsexuality.Orangeredrepresentsanenergyexpending physiologicalcondition.Itspeedsupthepulse,raisesbloodpressureandincreasestherespirationrateorange redistheurgetoachieveresults,towin,success;itishungrilytodesireallthosethingswhichofferintensityof livingandfullnessofexperience. Pastel Orange: Pastel orange assists in healing muscle aches; soft orange assists in allergies, yellow orangeassistswithbladder,bowels,andkidneys. Gold: Gold is a higher octave of orange, and channels the energy of orange into spiritual awakening, or spiritualwisdom.Itinvitesspiritualrebirthandpossessesahighlevelofspiritualhappinessandwisdom.Itrepresents thebeautyofthesoul.Itprovidesencouragement,tolerance,comfort,warmth,openness,optimism,andillumination. Itisthewiseone,theteacher,anditassistswithcommunication.Itsuggestsandadvises.Itmakesnovaluejudgments andhasgreattolerance.Itisalsocheerfulandgiveswarmheartedfeelings.Itisthelightofjoyandhappiness.Itis symbolicofwealthandgoodhealth.Thegemstonethatcanbeusedtorepresentgoldiscitrine.Intheaura,goldisa strengtheningandchargingfield(www.globalpsychics.com).TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWithColor(1992), statesthatgoldenyellowshadesarehealthfultoboththebodyandthemindGoldisapowerfulstimulanttothe SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 91
immune system of the body. It helps awaken the individuals own healing energies to assist the body in restoring homeostasisandcanawakenenthusiasm.Inmeditation,goldisoftenseenrightbeforeapeakexperience. Yellow: Yellow is the color of maximum brightness and luminosity, illuminating all that it touches. Yellow, the color of sunshine, produces a warming effect. The color yellow represents joy, energy, intellectual awareness, creativity, and a synthesis of new ideas and optimism. It alleviates some emotional problems, especially when the emotions become entangled around an obsessive thought. It helps to correct negative tendenciesandhabitsinthethoughtprocesses,andbringsharmonytoobsessivethoughts.Itisagoodcolorto usewhentryingtoworkwithandchangenegativepartsofthepersonality,asyellowisoptimistic,bringingmore positiveoutlooksinthementalattitude. Psychologist Max Luscher, in Color Test: The Remarkable Test That Reveals Your Personality Through Color (1969), believes bright yellow represents Spontaneity and is eccentric, active, projective, heteronomous, expansive, aspiring, and investigatory. Its affective aspects are variability, expectancy, originality, and exhilaration.Yellowsprincipalcharacteristicsareitsbrightness,itsreflectivity,itsradiantqualityanditsnon substantial cheerfulness. Yellow expresses uninhibited expansiveness, a loosening or relaxation. Hindus wear the color yellow to celebrate the Festival of Spring. Giving a yellow rose demonstrates friendship, joy, and the promiseofanewstart.Yellowisthecoloroftheairelement. Yellow is also the banisher of fears and insecurities, chasing away selfdoubt and fear of change. It stimulatesthementalfacultiesandlogicalthoughtprocesses,soanythingthatisillogicalorunreasonable(asin unseen fears) is done away with. It is a wonderful color for manifestation in the physical world, giving illuminationtothemysteriesofthemind.Yellowalsostimulatestheabsorptionabilitiesofthemind,causingthe mindtoworklikeaspongeandabsorbinginformationandinputmoreeasily. In Egypt yellow is the color of mourning, while in Spain, executioners traditionally wore yellow. In nature however, yellow can mean warning. According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic,Vol2(1985),yellowrepresentsintellectandtrickery.Thiscolorcanbeusedtoevokeupliftingfeelingsand clearafoggyhead,butwhenitisoverusedyellowhasanegativeeffectonemotions(www.globalpsychics.com). Intheaura,peoplewhoglowyellowarefullofinnerjoy.YellowisthecoloroftheSolarPlexusChakra. Thesepeoplearenottieddowntoanythingandtendtobeverygenerous.Ayellowauraorhaloaroundthehead issymbolicofaspiritualteacher(www.thiaoouba.com/see_aura_color.htm)ItisnotunusualtoseepicturesofJesus andotherholypeopledepictedwithayellowhalo. Toholistichealers,yellowisthecolorofpeace.(www.factmonster.com)TedAndrews,inhisbookHowTo HealWithColor(1992),statesthatyellowisstimulatingtothementalfacultiesoftheindividual.Itcanbeuseful for depression. It helps reawaken an enthusiasm for life. It can be used to awaken greater confidence and optimism. It can be used for digestion problems, including the stomach, intestines, bladder, and entire gastrointestinaltract.Yellowcanassistsinthehealingofabdominalcramps,alcoholism,lossofappetite,burping, indigestion,kidneys,andliver.Thegemstonesthatrepresentyellowarecitrine,amber,andtopaz.Accordingto www.crystalcure.com,Forhealing,thesestonesaresaidtoaidinthetreatmentofdiabetesandconstipation.They canalsobeusedtoneutralizeahaggardorafatcondition. Sulfur:Sulfurrepresentspainandanger,orhardship. Lemon: Ted Andrews, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, Lemon is vitalizing and stimulatingtothebrain.Itcontainsashadeofgreenwithinitsspectrum,andthisworksasacleanser.Lemonassists in bringing toxins to the surface so they can be cleansed out and is good for tissues and bones. Lemon yellow assists in healing abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, bones, burping, eczema, indigestion, rashes, and other skin problems. YellowOrange:Yelloworangecanassistinthehealingofthebladder,bowels,andkidneys. Green:Greenisthefirstinthelineofcoolcolorsthatcalmandgiveresttothehumanorganism.Itisthe onethatisactuallyatthecenterofthespectrum.Itbringsbalanceandalignmentoflifesmaterialandspiritual aspects. It is a harmonizing factor between the warm colors and the cool colors. It is no wonder that most of nature is green, as it is such a balancing color between physical beingness and spiritual beingness. Green promoteshumankindsphysicalmaturationwithspiritualmaturation.Whenthesetwoaspectsarealigned,itisa forcetobereckonedwithintheuniverse.Greenisthecolormostcommonlyassociatedwiththemotherearthand fertility(aswellastheearthelement).Thecolorgreenrepresentsabundance,stability,hope,selfrespect,healing, and harmony. According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic, Vol 2 (1985), green SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 92
represents calming, sympathy, and possessiveness. Ancient Greeks used the color green to represent victory, whilethepeopleofScotlandusedgreentosymbolizehonor.(www.factmonster.com) Green is the color of balance and represents the master healer and life force. With green, life is rejuvenatedandstimulated.Itisapowerfulmagneticcolorthatattractspositivepowerandisastronghealing ray.Itisacolorofhealthandvitality.Italleviatesstrainthroughbalancing,ratherthanthroughstimulationasthe warmcolorsdo.Itrelaxesthenervoussystemandisagoodcolorfortensioncontrol.Greeneasesemotionaland mentalstatesofdistress.Deepemotionalwoundscanespeciallybehealedwithgreen.TedAndrews,inhisbook How To Heal With Color (1992), states that green balances our energies, and it can be used to increase our sensitivityandcompassion.Ithasacalmingeffect,especiallyforinflamedconditionsofthebody.Itissoothingto thenervoussystemGreencanbeusedtoawakengreaterfriendliness,hope,faithandpeace.Itisrestfulandre vitalizingtoovertaxedmentalconditions,balancingtotheautonomicnervoussystems,andhealingforcardiac conditions, high blood pressure, ulcers, exhaustion, and headaches. However, it should NEVER be used in cancerous tumors or anything of a malignant nature, as green also stimulates growth. Green assists in the healingofheadaches,anxieties,highbloodpressure,nerves,andulcers. Somegemstonesthatcanbeusedtoexemplifythequalitiesofgreenaregreenjade,emerald,malachite, tourmaline,peridot,chrysoprase,andaventurine(www.crystalcure.com).Accordingtowww.crystalcure.com,For healing,greenisusedtobalancethevibrationsofthenervoussystem.Itissaidtoaidanyheartproblemorblood pressuredisorder.Itisalsousedtorestoretirednervesandwillhelpthoseinneedofmoreenergy.Ifaperson hasastronggreenpointintheirauratheyarenaturalhealers(www.thiaooba.com).TheHeartChakraisgreenand greenisoftenthecolorassociatedwithheartenergies,sinceitisthebridgebetweenphysicalandspiritualjustas theheartis(www.globalpsychics.com). Order and consistency can be established with green. It assists with establishing healthy habits and routinesindailylife.Itsupportsselfregulationandassistswithclarifyingthepurposeoflife.Itcreatesapeaceful andsereneenvironmentandstagnationischasedaway,bringingorderandabundanceofproductivity,ifnotin themoment,settingthespaceforproductivitytocome.Greenisassociatedwiththeelementofair. Many people associate green with money and abundance. It does attract abundance, prosperity and wealthnotfromaperspectiveofaction,butfromsettingthespaceforwealthtoarrivebysettingacalmspacefor good things to manifest in. Green provides balance, and therefore it leads to lack of poverty and economic instability.Thelushnessofthegreenearthisamanifestationofthisgreenenergyofabundanceandwealth. DarkGreen:Darkgreenrepresentsgreedandjealousybutalsoattractsloveandsocialdelights. Yellowgreen:Yellowgreenrepresentssicknessandcowardice. Olivegreen:Olivegreenisassociatedwithpeace. Blue: This is the coolest and calmest color of the spectrum. Blue symbolizes loyalty, faith, truth, tranquility, heaven, and wisdom. Blue correlates to intellect and consciousness. Blue is the color of creative energy and is associated with compassion. According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic,Vol2(1985),bluerepresentsintuition,seriousness,andhealing.Inancientaswellasincurrenttimesblue isthecolorusedtorepresentpublicservantssuchaspoliceofficers.InIran,blueisthecolorofmourning,while in China it is worn by female children. Egyptian pharaohs wore blue to protect themselves from evil. In conjunction with healing, blue can be used to calm the senses and slow human metabolism. Blue is the color associatedwiththeelementsofwater.Peoplewithabluestrongpointintheirauraarerelaxed,balancedand readytoliveinacaveandsurvive.Theyarebornsurvivors.(www.thiaoouba.com/see_aura_color.htm) BlueisthecoloroftheThroatChakra.Somegemstonesthatcanbeusedtorepresentblueinceremonyare sapphire, sodalite and blue topaz (www.crystalcure.com). According to www.crystalcure.com, For healing, these stonesaresaidtoaidthetreatmentofanyblockageordiseaseofthethroat.Itisalsohelpfulwheninflammation occurs, since blue is a cooling color. It is also said to aid with internal bleeding and nervous conditions. Ted Andrews, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, Blue is cooling to our system and it is relaxing quietingtoourenergies,andithasanantisepticeffectaswell.Itisstrengtheningandbalancingtotherespiratory system of the body. It is excellent for high blood pressure and all conditions of the throat. Useful in healing children,itiseffectiveineasingchildhooddiseases,alongwithasthma,chickenpox,jaundiceandrheumatismIt is beneficial to venous conditions of the body, and can awaken intuition, ease loneliness, spark inspiration and artistic expression. Very effective when paired with warmer colors, blue assists in the healing of abscesses, headaches,toothaches,asthma,highbloodpressure,bronchitis,burns,fevers,inflammation,andliverproblems. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 93
Light Blue: The energy becomes finer as we move toward the cooler parts of the color spectrum. Blue entersanevenmoresereneareathangreen.Itislessphysicallystimulatingandismoreastringentinvibration.It soothesworriesandlessensgriefandloss.Itpromptsthehumanmindtoconsiderthetruthaboutinfinityand howthehumanfitsintothatinfinity.Itraisesahumanabovethecoarservibrationsofthewarmercolors.Ithelps usletgoofpettinessandpetpeeves. Lightbluecausesustomovetowardtherealmofhigherconsciousnessandspiritualmaturity,evolving into a higher being. Light blue symbolizes spiritual development, faith in spirit, sincerity, and peace. It is energizing to devotional and spiritual powers, bringing into being spiritual qualities of guidance and ethical inspiration.Bluecandeepenfaithintheprocessoflifeandconsciousness,givingthehumanbeingmorepeaceby knowledgealonethatahigherforce,ordeeperforce,guidesthewholeprocess. Ted Andrews, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, light blue can assist in the healing of anxieties, powder or ice blue can assist in the healing of blisters, nausea, and swelling. It soothes all types of anxiety,givingtranquility.Ithelpsinsomniaandcalmsthemind. BlueGreen: Psychologist Max Luscher, in Color Test: The Remarkable Test That Reveals Your Personality Through Color (1969), states that bluegreen represents elasticity of will and is concentric, passive, defensive, autonomous,retentive,possessive,andimmutable.Itsaffectiveaspectsarepersistence,selfassertion,obstinacy, and selfesteem. Green expresses itself psychologically as the will in operation, as perseverance and tenacity. Bluegreen is therefore an expression of firmness, of constancy and, above all, of resistance to change. Ted Andrews, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, The brighter greens, leaning toward the blue spectrum,arepowerfulinhealingmostconditions.Bluegreencanassistinthehealingofbleeding,bronchitis, burns,menstrualproblems,andnerves. DarkBlue:darkblueisrepresentative ofexpertise, depth,knowledge,moderation,and power.Usedark bluetopromotejoy,loyalty,andchange.PsychologistMaxLuscher,inColorTest:TheRemarkableTestThatReveals YourPersonalityThroughColor(1969),believesthatdarkbluerepresentsdepthoffeelingandisconcentric,passive, incorporative,heteronomous,sensitive,perceptive,andunifying.Itsaffectiveaspectsaretranquility,contentment, tenderness,love,andaffection.Darkbluerepresentscompletecalm,bloodpressure,pulseandrespirationrateare allreduced,whileselfprotectivemechanismsworktorechargetheorganism.TedAndrews,inhisbookHowTo HealWithColor(1992),statesthatroyalblueisveryantisepticandithelpsthebodyassimilateoxygen.Itcanclear thefoggymindandisanaidtonegativephysicalconditionsthataffectthebrain.Royalblueassistsinthehealing ofAlzheimersdiseaseandeyes.DeepBlueassistsinthehealingofepilepsy,hemorrhoids,andinfluenza. BluePurple: Bluepurple followed by yellow can assist in the healing of Alzheimers disease. It is also usefulforspiritualpurposes,includingdeepmeditationandexplorationoftheunconscious. Turquoise: Turquoise projects a refreshing, cool, and imaginative force. It is the symbol of youth. It is saidthatturquoisehasacalmingeffect.Thegemstonethatcanbeusedtorepresentthiscolorisaquamarine.In the aura, this color indicates dynamic quality of being, highly energized personality capable of projection, influencing other people. (www.thiaoouba.com/see_aura_color.htm) People with turquoise in their aura are good organizers.TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWithColor(1992),states,Turquoiseassistsinthehealingof earaches,bronchitis,epilepsy,influenza,andrashes. Aqua:Aquaissimilartoturquoisebutitisrepresentativeofmotivationandactiveness.TedAndrews,inhis bookHowToHealWithColor(1992),states,Aquaiscoolingtothesystem.Itcombinesthebeneficialeffectsofblueand green,vitalizingthesystemandpurifyingaswell.Itiseffectiveinskinconditionsandforacutepainandearaches. Indigo:Thisisamixtureofpurpleandblue,theinbetweenshade.Itmovesusfurtherintothespiritual realmsoflife,symbolizingmankindsThirdeyeChakra,orspiritualvision.Itisusedtocleartheheadandopen the third eye. This color represents power, integrity, and intellect. It is the ray of serious selfintrospection, contemplation,analysisfromaspiritualstandpoint,andincreasedintuitivepowers.Itcouldbethoughtofasthe colorofthespiritualaspectsofmankindsintellect. Indigo is also a sedative and useful when meditating to gain depth, intuition, and awaken devotion, however too much indigo can cause depression and feelings of isolation. This color assists in transforming the shadowselfifoneiswillingtodelveintothemurkierwatersofhisorherconsciousness.Itleadstocomprehension andselfknowledgethatmighttakeaturnthroughthedarkhallsofthepsycheatfirst,buttherewardsaregreatfor thisbraveactofselfinquiry.Itassistsinansweringthequestionsweaskourselves,likewhoarewe?andwhy arewehere?Withthiscolor,theabstractfusesintotheconcrete,bringingloftyideastoEarth. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 94
It is only natural that with selfintrospection comes an increase in spiritual and intuitive powers. Mankinds sixth sense is still in development and this is the first step in that maturation. Indigo can assist in developingthisnextstepinevolution.Ithelpsusrecognizethebiggerpictureandletgoofthesmallerpictureas the basis for reality. Perception spontaneously awakens and intuitive powers cause us to explore even deeper statesofconsciousnessthantheoriginalselfinquirythatstarteditall.Itisacolorusedbyspiritualteachersand studentswhowishtoincreasetheirintuitiveabilities.Indigohelpswithselfdisciplineinspiritualendeavors,but alsoassistswithmoremenialselfdisciplinelikemanagingtime,moneyandactions. The gemstones sapphire, azurite, and indigo can be used in ritual to promote the qualities of indigo. Accordingtowww.crystalcure.com,Forhealing,thesestonesaresaidtoaidthetreatmentofmentaldisorders. Ted Andrews, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, Indigo and the deeper shades of blue are dynamic healing colors on both spiritual and physical levels It is strengthening to the lymph system, the glands,andtotheimmunesystemofthebody.Itisanexcellentbloodpurifierandcanassistindetoxifyingthe body.Itisacolorthatisbalancingtothehemispheresofthebrainandthenervesynapsesbetweenthem.Itis effectiveintreatingallconditionsoftheface(includingeyes,ears,nose,mouth,andsinuses)...Itcanbeusedfor problemsinthelungsandforremovingcertainobsessions.IndigoalsoassistsinthehealingofAIDS(withred andviolet,followedbypinkandgold),alcoholism,allergies,excessiveappetite,eyeproblems,andParkinsons. Violet/Purple:Thisisthehighestcolorvibrationthatwecanseewithourphysicaleyesinthespectrum andalsohastheshortestwavelength.Itisamixtureofredandblue,sothiscolorisalsoasortofbridgebetween thewarmandcoolcolorsinthespectrum.Purpleissymbolicofambition,luxury,power,wisdom,independence, mystery,magic,andspirituality.Itrepresentsconfidenceanddignity,anditisnowonderthatroyaltyofearlier erasreserveditasacolorthatcouldonlybewornbykingsandqueens,princesandprincesses.Theonlymaterial available for making dyes were plants, minerals, and a few animal or insects. The dying process required the luxuryoftimeandmoneyandthismeantthatcolorfulpaintingsandpiecesofclothingwereonlypossessedby the wealthyand becamea status symbol. Purple carries the energy of great fame. (www.afgen.com/gamble7.html) Cleopatra and Roman Emperors used the costly purple made from hundreds of crushed snail shells. In some instances,itwaspunishablebydeathtowearpurpleifonewasnotroyalty. AccordingtoRichardCavendish,editorinchiefofManMythAndMagic,Vol2(1985),violetrepresents warmth and humility. Violet is intimate, erotic, intuitive, and sensitive understanding, if somewhat unreal and wishfulfillment.PsychologistMaxLuscher,inColorTest:TheRemarkableTestThatRevealsYourPersonalityThrough Color (1969) states, Violet attempts to unify the impulsive conquest of red and the gentle surrender of blue, becomingrepresentativeofidentification.Thisidentificationisasortofmysticunion,ahighdegreeofsensitive intimacyleadingtocompletefusionbetweensubjectandobject,sothateverythingwhichisthoughtanddesired mustbecomeReality.VioletisthecoloroftheCrownChakraandbondsphysicalrealitywithspiritualreality, givingapersonconfidenceinhisorherabilitytoachievepurpose,goals,andprosperityontheearthplane. Purple is a color of great personal integrity, and is very honest, acting with great wisdom and right action.Selfconfidencethatcomesfromapersonwhoisspirituallymaturecreatesselfdignityaswell.Purplecan assistwithovercomingmanmadeobstacles,selfimposedorotherwise.Iteradicatesevilinfluencesorideas,and risesaboveanysuchcreationsinduality.Itisabovetheideasofduality,darkandlight,goodandbad,pleasant and unpleasant. It is the wise knowingness of eternal self that is not afraid of any part of duality, and resists nothing,eventhemoreunpleasantaspectsoflife.Purpleseeseventhedarkersideofthingsaspartofthewhole picture.Problemscannottouchthisenergy,anditdoesnotevenacknowledgethatdarknesshasanymorepower thanlighterenergies,andseesthattheybothbalanceeachotherout,equalingzerointheend.Purplerecognizes evilassimplyapartofthedramatoworkwith,learnfromandexperience. Violet can be used to stimulate inspiration and humility, and dream activityas wellas help connect to pastlives in meditation. According to www.factmonster.com Leonardo da Vinci believed that the power of meditationincreasestentimeswhendoneinapurplelightsuchasthepurplelightofstainedglass.Purpleisa colorfrequentlyusedinmeditationandcanbeusedtoaidpeoplestrivingforspiritualfulfillment.Whenpurple isobservedintheauraitissaidtobeacloudofspiritualityandwillneverbeastrongpointintheaura. Purple is a very fine energy that sets the tone for spiritual attainment and purity. It is not focused on worldly sensations or pleasure and seeks to show mankinds purpose and inner self. It is the beginning of perfections path. Perfect happiness is gained through alignment with the eternal self, the source of all consciousness. It gives great joy to theperson wholivesin thislevel of vibration. It is considered by many the SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 95
mostspiritualofcolors,anditistheenergyofselftransformation.Purplerepresentsthemostadvancedstagesof spiritualevolvement.Itlooksdeepbeyondthesurfaceandfindsanswersthatreflectthebigpicture.Purpleisa veryinspiringatmosphereforspiritualadvancementandcontactwiththespiritualworld.Somepeoplethinkof purpleasassociatedwithsorrow,butitismoreaboutreverenceandmindfulness.Itrepresentsasupremestateof consciousnessandhappinessthatisaboveandbeyondthehappinessthatanordinaryhumancanattainthrough Earth level success and wealth. It is deeper than anything physical, mental or emotional. It is the depths of spirituality that purple is concerned with. According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic,Vol2(1985),purplerepresentsgreatspirituality. Purple is astrong medicine forall negative feelingsand thoughts, forit takesone beyond the levels of duality.Inthemedicinalfieldthegemstoneamethystcanbeusedtorepresentthequalitiesofpurple.Purplecan beusedtotakeawaypainwhiledoingdeeptissueworkonboriccells(www.globalpsychics.com).TedAndrews,in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, Purple is purifying to the system, but because of its high vibration, it should be used sparingly. Too much purple can create or aggravate depression. It can be used to stimulate venous activity in the body. It can also be used for headaches. The redpurple range is beneficial for balancingpolaritiesofthebody.Thebluepurplerangecanoftenbeusedeffectivelytoshrinkthings(asinthe caseoftumors)andtocooltheskin,easinginflammation. The gemstones that represent purple are amethyst, fluorite, and ametrine. According to www.crystal cure.com,Forhealing,thesestonesaresaidtoaidinsomniaoranymentalrelateddisorder. TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWithColor(1992),states,Violetisacolorthataffectstheskeletal systemofthebody.Itisveryantiseptic,cleansing,andpurifyingonphysicalandspirituallevels.Ithelpsbalance thephysicalandthespiritualenergies.Violetisgoodtouseforcancerousconditionsofthebody.Arthritiscanbe easedbyvioletlightthatleansmoretowardtheblueshades.Violetisalsostrengtheningtothebodysabilityto assimilateanduseminerals.VioletassistsinthehealingofAIDS(alongwithredandindigo,followedbypink andgold),bones,diabetes,growths,infection,influenza,andleukemia. BlueViolet: Blueviolet assists in the healing of abscesses, toothaches, arthritis, cancer (followed by pink),growths,andskinproblems. RedViolet:Redvioletassistswithacne,arthritis,andbreastproblems. LightPurple:Lightpurplecanbeusedtodrawinromanticfeelings. DarkPurple:DarkPurplecanbeusedtoevokesadnessandcausesfrustration. Magenta:Magentarepresentsimagination. Brown: Brown is the color of stability, reliability, and the earth.This color can be used to eliminate indecisiveness and improve the color concentration. Brown holds a steady energy coarse and is the color of endurance.Brownisoftenthoughtofasanegativecolorinthatsomeofitsqualitiesareunsettling,materialistic,and negatingspirituality.Thiscolorcanneutralizenegativeenergyandencouragestability.PsychologistMaxLuscher, in Color Test: The Remarkable Test That Reveals Your Personality Through Color (1969) states that brown represents sensationasitappliestothebodilysenses.Itissensuous,relatingdirectlytothephysicalbody,anditspositionin the row gives an indication of the bodys sensory condition. Brown corresponds to a hearth or home, familial security. The element earth is represented by the color brown. The gemstone associated with brown qualities is tigerseye.TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWithColor(1992),states,Brownisalsoacolorthatcanbeusedin healing.Itisespeciallyeffectiveforemotionalandmentalconditions.Browncanhelpawakencommonsenseand discrimination.Itcanhelpbringanindividualbackdowntoearthandiseffectiveineliminatingspacyfeelings. Gray: Gray is the color most commonly associated with sadness. Gray is representative of negative thoughts,depression,andthepresenceofthedarksideofpersonalities.PsychologistMaxLuscher,inColorTest:The RemarkableTestThatRevealsYourPersonalityThroughColor(1969)statesthatgrayisentirelyfreefromanystimulus or psychological tendency. It is neutral, neither subject nor object, neither inner nor outer, neither tension nor relaxation.Grayisnoninvolvement,compensatory,noninvolvement,therejectionofcolors.Thegemstoneusein ritualtorepresentgreyishematite.Graycanbegroundingforpeoplewhoaretooexcitableorscattered. Silver:Thecolorsilverstandsforaconnectiontothestars,themoon,andspace.AccordingtoRichard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic, Vol 2 (1985), silver flashes represent great creativity. In the aura,silverisusedtochargethesixthlevel.(www.globalpsychics.com).TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWith Color(1992),states,Silverandsomegrayscanbeusedtoamplifytheeffectsofothercolors,muchinthemanner ofwhite.Silveriseffectiveinmeditationsusedtodiscoverthemetaphysicalsourceofanillnessordisease.Unless SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 96
we discover the source, the likelihood of its reoccurrence is high. It can also be used to help an individual discoverandapplytheirowncreativeimaginationandactivateinnateintuition. White: White contains the entire light spectrum, blending all the colors into one. This might seem oppositeofwhatonewouldthink,butitstrue.Whiterepresentspurelove,goodness,kindness,helpfulness,and positivepower.Whiteiscommonlyknownasacolorofpurityandcleanliness.Whiteissymbolicofvirginityand newlife.Thecolorwhiteisstandsforpatience,purity,protection,andpeace.Whiteisthestrongestofallcolor vibrations.Whiteisknownasthepurestformoflight.Whiteisthecontainmentofallcolors,withalltheiraspects andproperties.Itisperfection,enlightenment,andfulfillmentofallpersonalquestsforselfrealization.Thisisas perfectasahumancanget.Itrepresentsastateofreachingtheheightsofgoodness,wisdom,maturity,fairness, andothersuchpositiveattributesthatareassociatedwithperfectionofthehumanbeing.Itisacolorofaccepting allspiritualtruthsandbeingabletoapplythemtodailylifeandphysicalrealityinapracticalmanner.Whiteis thecolorofthemaster,wholenessoftheself,onewithallthatis,andsuperhumanpowers.Whitealsocleanses and repels disharmony or harm. It creates immunity to unpleasantries and self doubts. It is a very stabilizing influenceandisaplaceofnofear.Inadequaciesvanishinthecolorwhite,fearsarenonexistent,andignoranceis nolongerafactor.Itisaplaceofallknowingness. AccordingtoRichardCavendish,editorinchiefofManMythAndMagic,Vol2(1985),whiterepresentsa deathwish.Whiteissymbolicofmourningincountriesacrosstheworld.Angelsareusuallyseenwearingwhite robes.Awhitecandlecanbeputinplaceofanycolorinceremony.Givingawhiteroseissymbolicofinnocence, humility,andsympathy.Thewhitecolorintheauraindicateshealthissuesanddepictsalackininnerharmony. White is a color that signifies health, wholeness and completion so it is fitting that many health and spiritualorganizationswearwhite.Ithealsallillnessesandwoundsineverylevelofhumanexistence,including physical,mental,emotionalandspiritualharm.Whitecanbeusedmedicinallytotakeawaypainandbringpeace to a victim. Ted Andrews, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, white is strengthening It can awaken great creativity. When in doubt as to what color to use, you can seldom go wrong with white light. Whitecanalsobeusedatthebeginningandendofahealingsessionwithcolorstoamplifytheeffectofanycolor. Thegemstoneusedtorepresentthequalitiesofwhiteisclearquartzcrystal. Black:Blackisknownastheabsenceofcolororlightandwasassociatedwithevilnessattimesbutcanalso beunderstoodtoencompasstheentirecolorspectrum(likewhite).Blackstandsforpower,death,evil,formality, andmystery.AccordingtoRichardCavendish,editorinchiefofManMythAndMagic,Vol2(1985),blackrepresents deep discontent. Black usually receives negative connotation. However, it can also be used to banish negative feelings.Blackistheuniversalcolorofmourning.NativeAmericansbelievedthatblackwasagoodcolorbecauseit wassimilartothecolorofsoil,whichbroughtlife.InChina,malechildrenwearblack.TheEgyptiansbelievedthat blackcatshaddivinepowers.Inritual,blacktourmalinecanbeusedtodisplaythequalitiesofblack. Inthemedicinalfield,blackwassaidtorepresentthwartedambition.PsychologistMaxLuscher,inColor Test: The Remarkable Test That Reveals Your Personality Through Color (1969) states, Black represents the absolute boundary beyond which life ceases, and so expresses the idea of nothingness, of extinction. It represents renunciation,surrenderorrelinquishment.TedAndrews,inhisbookHowToHealWithColor(1992),statesthatblack is the color that is shrouded in confusion. Many individuals shy away from using black in color therapy and healing,butIhavefounditbeneficialattimes.Blackisaprotectivecolor,anditcanbeusedtogroundandcalm extremelysensitiveindividuals.Itactivatesthefeminineormagneticenergiesofthebody,strengthening them.It should be used sparingly, as too much black can cause depression or aggravate such emotional and mental conditions. Blackcanbeeffectivelyusedalongwithwhitetobalanceapersonspolaritiesandbringstability.Black can also activate the subconscious and bring perspective to a situation. Black should always be used in conjunctionwithwhiteoranothercolor. DullColors:AccordingtoRichardCavendish,editorinchiefofManMythAndMagic,Vol2(1985),dull colorsrepresentdisharmonyandproblems. ClearLight:Transparencymightnotbeconsideredacolorinthetraditionalsense,butinspiritualcircles clearlight,ortransparency,isoftenusedinmeditation.Itisalsoconsideredwhitespirituallight,whichisalsoa combinationofallcolorswiththeiraspectsandproperties.Itiscombinedwiththehighestformofloveahuman canhold.Thiscolorcouldbethoughtofasthepurestofallcolors,thecolorofGod.Inmeditation,itisconsidered thesourceofallcolors,thenothingnessfromwhichallcolorswereborn.Itistheblendingofthematerialplane SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 97
andtheintangibleplanes.Humanvisioncannotseethislight,butinmeditationitisveryvisibleatafeeling sense level. It is the sanctuary of the eternal self, which is at the center of the nothingness from which all experiencesandmentalconstructsspring.Clearlight,ortransparency,isthesourceofalllife,theplaceofeternal consciousnesswhicheachofusisatthecore,theGodself.Clearquartzordiamondsarethegemstonesthatbest reflecttheenergyofclearlight.
LifeColors
LifeColors refer to a persons primary personality traits that show up within the aura. Pamala Oslie explainsinLifeColors(1991),Therearemanydifferentcoloredbandsinapersonsaura.Thebandthatisclosest to the body reveals the persons priorities, methods of processing life and primary purpose for being on the planetIcallittheLifeColor.Theotherbandsoftheaurafrequentlychangecolorsandpositions,reflectingwhat is happening with the person at a given time. However, the band closest to the body, the LifeColor, does not usuallychange. Osliebreaksupthelifecolorsintothreecategoriesthatreflecthowpeopleprocessinformation:Physical colorsthatindicateprocessinginformationthroughthebodyarered,orange,magenta,andyellow;Mentalcolors that indicateprocessing life intellectually are tansand green;andEmotional colors thatindicate processing life primarilythroughemotions,feelings,andintuitionareblue,violet,indigo,lavenderandcrystal.LifeColorsarea tool,theyaremeanttohelpapersonunderstandandaccepthimselforherself,andlearntostayinbalanceand utilize their power. However, as Oslie states, A person is not restricted to living only within her LifeColor. ChoosingtocomeintothislifewithaparticularLifeColordoesnotmeanthatonecannotexperiencethequalities, purposes, priorities and methods of the other LifeColors. While we have our original LifeColor, we also continuouslyaddothercolorsintotheouterbandsoftheauraEachpersonneedstofulfillhisorherLifeColor before[s]hecansuccessfullyandharmoniouslyexpandtotheothercolors.[S]hemustfirstloveandacceptwho [s]he is before [s]he can satisfactorily experience the qualities of the other colors. In other words, every color/personality has positive aspects as well as challenges, and denying any trait will leave a person feeling disconnected, confused,and disharmonious. Learning the tools of another color can be useful to a person once theyhavefullyacceptedandintegratedtheirownpersonality. BelowarethedescriptionsoftheLifeColorstestandthelifecolors.
AuraLifeColorsQuiz
(fromLifeColors(1991)byPamalaOslie) AnswerYes,SometimesorNotothefollowingquestions Choosetheoneortwocategorieswiththehighestnumberofyesresponses.Ifthetwohighestcategoriesarevery closeinnumbers,youprobablyhaveaCombinationColor,meaningbothcolorsareyourLifeColor.Iftherearethreeorfour highcolors,youmayhaveaddedoneortwocolorstoyouraurathathavebecomepartofyourpersonality. yes some no LifeColorRed times Ienjoytangiblephysicalrealitymorethanspiritual,emotional,ormentalconcepts. Ienjoytheanimalistic,physicalpleasureofthebodysex,eating,drinking,etc. Ioftenhaveaquicktemper,butgetoveritquicklyanddonotholdgrudges. Ienjoyexpressingmyselfthroughmysexualityandmyphysicalbodymorethanthroughmy emotionsormyintellect. Ipreferworkthatisphysicalandhasimmediate,tangibleresults. Itendtobeangrylonger. Ihaveahardtimeexpressingmyfeelingstoothers. Iamusuallypowerful,selfconfident,independentandpractical. Ienjoytakingphysicalactiononprojectsratherthantheorizingaboutideasandplans. ItendtobelieveonlyintheexistenceofthosethingswhichIcanphysicallytouch. Iampersistentandhardworkingandusuallykeeptherestoftheteamgoing. Itendtobehonestandblunt. Totalofeachcolumn SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 98
yes some times Itendtobeaphysicaldaredevilandrisktaker. Irelishdangerous,thrilling,physicalchallenges. Havingaregularjobandafamilyfeelsboringtome. Iprefertospendtimealone. Ipreferdoingindividualsportsandchallengesratherthanteamsports. Ienjoythechallengeofgoingbeyondphysicallimitations. Idonotneedtosharemyemotionalfeelingswithanyone. Spiritualbeliefsandconceptsdonotinterestme. Ipreferoccupationswhichallowmetoexperienceraw,physicalcourage. Iamnotinterestedinwhatotherpeoplethinkaboutme. Itendtousemoneyfordaringadventuressuchasmountainclimbingorcarracing,rather thanforinvestment. Peopleoftenseemeasselfabsorbedandaloof. Totalofeachcolumn yes some LifeColorMagenta times Ilikethebizarreandtheunusual. Idonotusuallyconformtosocietysrulesorlaws. Although I love parties and social events, I have trouble keeping friends because my behaviorsometimesshockspeople. Ienjoyoutrageousartisticexpression. Idonotlikebeingresponsibleforfriendsorfamily. Iamaquickthinker,butpeoplerarelyunderstandmyideas. Ilovetolearnaboutnewthings,buttendtohaveashortattentionspan.Ioftenleavethingsunfinished. Ifeelaloneandmisunderstoodalotofthetime. Actingfoolishandoutrageousisfunanddoesnotembarrassme. Mylifestyletendstobeflamboyantandeccentric. Iwouldenjoybeingmarriedseveraltimesjustforfun. Ibelievecontroversyisnecessaryandthatitkeepslifeinteresting. Totalofeachcolumn yes some LifeColorYellow times Itisveryimportanttometobeabletoplay,havefun,exerciseandbewithpeople. Iliketolaughandcheerpeopleup. I have or have had a tendency to regularly overdo at least one of the following: drugs, alcohol,cigarettes,caffeine,sex,exercise,chocolates,sweetsorovereating. Whenthereisconflict,myfirstimpulseistorunawayoravoidthesituation. Ineedphysicalexerciseordanceonaregularbasis. Iliketobecreative,artisticorworkwithmyhands. Ienjoyphysicalwork. Itendtolookyoungerthanmyage. Myfeelingscanbehurtveryeasily. Iwishpeoplecouldjustplayallthetime. Ibelievethatsexshouldbefun. Iliketobespontaneous.
LifeColorOrange
no no no 99
Totalofeachcolumn
no no no 100
yes some times Iprefersecure,stablejobswhichprovideregularpaychecks. Itendtokeepmyfeelingsandemotionstomyself. Iprefertoseetheproof,logicanddatabehindideas. I enjoy working with mechanical or electronic gadgets and machinescomputers, calculators,appliances,andelectronicgames. Ienjoyworkingwithdetails. Iamaveryanalytical,logical,andsequentialthinker. Iampracticalwithmoneyandprefersecureinvestments. Iusuallyfollowtherulesandabidebythelaws.Ipreferstructure. Itendtotakealongtimetomakeadecision.(Takeaslongasyouwanttoanswerthisquestion!) Itypicallyfollowaregularroutine. Myattitudeisseeingisbelieving. Itendtobeapackrat,hangingontothingsjustincaseIneedthem. Totalofeachcolumn yes some LifeColorEnvironmentalTan times Ienjoyanalyzingandmeasuringtheenvironment. Iamabletojudgeweight,distanceandvolumethroughinnerphysicalsense.(Icantellhow muchsomethingweighsbyholdingitinmyhand.) Iamalogicalandpracticalthinker. Iamslowtodevelopfriendsandusuallyspendmytimealone. Moneyisimportanttomeforsecurityandstability. Iamaresponsible,dedicatedemployeewhofollowsdirectionswell. Iperceiverealityaslogicalandthreedimensional. Iamaveryprivatepersonandkeepmyfeelingstomyself. Iamquietandreservedbutindependentandstrong. Ipreferastablejobandreliablepaychecks. Itendtobeseriousandselfcontrolled. Whenraisingchildren,Iwouldbearelationaldisciplinarian. Totalofeachcolumn yes some LifeColorSensitiveTan times Homeandfamilyaretwoofmymostimportantpriorities. IfeelsupportingcommunityactivitiesandattendingfunctionssuchasPTAmeetingsisimportant. Iamasensitive,calm,patientandrationalthinker. Havingasenseofsecurityandstabilityinmyhomeisimportanttome. Icareaboutpeople,butenjoyentertainingonlyafewclosefriends. Itendtobequiet,resolvedandoftenshy. Iprefertounderstandthelogicinasituation,howeverIamalsoemotionallysupportiveof peoplesneeds. Ibelievethatservicetohumanityistruespirituality. IprefertoworkinasupportrolewhereItakecareofthedetails. Iusuallyputmyfamilysneedsbeforemyown. Iprefertoworkinastructuredenvironment. Iusuallyworkoutmyemotionalupsetsinacalm,logicalandquietmanner.
LifeColorLogicalTan
Totalofeachcolumn
no no no 101
yes some times I frequently feel scattered, often forget appointments, or overbook my schedule with conflictingappointments. Icanseeallthedetailsthatneedtobetakencareof,butIhavedifficultydecidingwhichones needtobedonefirst. MypossessionsarenotveryimportanttomesoIhavetroubletakingcareofthem. Iamconstantlymisplacingthings. Itendtotheorizeaboutemotionsratherthanactuallyexperiencethem. Ipreferjobsthatallowmetoworkrandomlywithallthedetailsofaproject. IenjoyattendingsocialfunctionswhereIcantalkwithalotofdifferentpeople. IgetsobusyandthingsgetsohecticthatIoftenforgettopaymybills. Iamopen,optimisticandveryfriendly. Ilovehumanity,butIamoftenuncomfortablemaintaininganintimaterelationship. Iusuallyseenumeroussolutionstoaproblem. Iknowmanyacquaintances,buthaveveryfewclosefriends. Totalofeachcolumn yes some LifeColorGreen times Icanbeaworkaholicandhaveahardtimerelaxing. ItendtobeaperfectionistandIamusuallydemandingonmyself. Ilovetolearnandtobeintellectuallystimulated. Icanbestrongwilledandtenacious. Itisveryimportanttometosetgoals,toknowthatpeoplerespectmeandtomakealotofmoney. Ienjoybeinginchargeanddelegatingresponsibilitiestoothers. Ilikethingstobeorganizedandwellplanned.Ifrequentlywritelists. Ienjoythechallengeofdevelopingplansandideas,ratherthandoingdetailedwork. Ihavehighstandardsinrelationshipsandtendtobeboredeasilybymostotherpeople. Icanbecomeimpatientandfrustratedwithpeopleiftheyarenotmotivatedandambitious. Peoplecanbeintimidatedbyme. Ifrequentlydrinkcaffeinatedbeverages. Totalofeachcolumn yes some LifeColorBlue times People frequently turn to me with their emotional problems and I usually lovingly and patientlyhelpthem. Ihavebeenknowntocryeasily. Oneofmystrongestprioritiesistobeinalovingrelationship. IfeelguiltyifIsaynotosomeone. Godandspiritualityareveryimportanttome. Moneyisnotamajorprioritytome. Itendtohelpandtakecareofeveryone. Ifrequentlyhavecoldhandsandfeet. Whenthereisconflict,Iwanteveryonetoloveeachother. Loveandpeoplearethemostimportantelementsinmylife. Itendtofeeltheemotionsofotherpeople. Ihavedifficultylettinggoofrelationships.
LifeColorAbstractTan
Totalofeachcolumn
no no no 102
LifeColorViolet
IfeelthatIhaveamessagetogetacrosstopeople. Ihaveastrongdesiretohelpimprovetheplanet. IhavealwaysfeltthatIwasgoingtobefamousordosomethingimportant. Ihavehadadesiretoperformtoaudiences. IfIhadalotofmoney,Iwouldtravelorbecomeinvolvedinhumanitariancauses. Iamveryinterestedincosmicanduniversalconcepts. Ifrequentlyendupinleadershippositionsoratleastatthecenterofattention. Ieasilyvisualizefutureevents. Iampassionateaboutsexandhaveastrongsexdrive. Icanbecomeinvolvedintoomanyprojectsatthesametime. Freedomandindependencearemajorprioritiestome. Iwouldmuchratherbeselfemployed. Totalofeachcolumn
yes some times
yes some times Ienjoyfantasyandmakebelievemorethantherealworld. Iamquiet,sensitiveandspiritual. Ihaveadifficulttimemanagingmoney. Itendtospendalotoftimealone,daydreaming. I prefer pretty, gentle and fine artistic things and I am uncomfortable with dirt, bugs, or harshenvironments. Iamoftenforgetfulandfrequentlyspacey. Peopleaccusemeofbeingirresponsibleandunrealistic. Ihavedifficultydealingwitheverydayresponsibilities. Iamanimaginativeandcreativethinker;however,Iusuallyhavetroublefollowingthrough withmyideas. IseemtobeoutofmybodymorethanIaminit. Itendtowantotherstosolvemyproblemsforme. Iprefertoworkinrelaxed,lowstressenvironments. Totalofeachcolumn yes some LifeColorCrystal times Ioftenchoosetoworkinquiet,calmandpeacefulenvironments. Iamextremelysensitiveandcanbeoverwhelmedbybeingaroundtoomanypeople. Ineedtospendalotoftimealoneinquietmeditationtoreplenishmyself. Spendingquiettimereadingorbeinginmygardenistherapeuticforme. Physicalrealityoftenfeelscold,harshandthreateningtome. Idontalwaysknowhowtobehaveinsocialsituations. MyspiritualityandmysereneinnerconnectionwithGodarethemostimportantaspectsofmylife. Frequently,IamunsureofwhatIamsupposedtodoontheplanet. Itendtobewithdrawn,quietandinsecure. Ifeelsaferandmoresecurewithotherstakingresponsibilityandmakingdecisionsforme. Iamcarefulwithmoney. IoftenfeelIhavequiet,innerhealingpowers.
LifeColorLavender
Totalofeachcolumn
yes some no times I have difficulty relating to the world in its current condition and often dont feel that I belonghere. Ihavedifficultyrelatingtomyphysicalbody. Ihaveahighlysensitivephysical,emotionalandpsychologicalsystem. I have no issues regarding sexualityheterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexualityin myselforinothers. Iknowthatthereisspiritualenergyinallthings. Ihaveastrongcuriosityaboutphysicalrealityasitrelatestospirituality. Iamextremelysensitiveandcompassionate,yetstrongandindependent. Itendtoquestionandchallengeold,dogmaticbeliefsandmethods. Icannotbeforcedtooperateagainstmybeliefsevenifitwouldmakeothershappy. Ifeelmorecreativeandspirituallyadvancedthanothers. Myappearanceoftenseemsandrogynous. Wakingupsuddenlycausesmephysicalpain. Totalofeachcolumn YouhaveaRedOverlayifyouhavethefollowingqualities yes some no RedOverlay times Ifrequentlyexperienceintense,oftenuncontrollableangerorrage. Mylifeseemstobeaconstantstruggle. I consistently experience conflict and frustration regarding relationships, health, money, and/orcareer. I experienced at least one of the following as a child: a) emotionally, physically, or mentally abandoned or rejected (i.e., unwanted child, adopted, alcoholic parent, etc.); b) emotionally, physically,ormentallyabused;c)lifethreateningsituationbeforebirth,atbirth,oratayoungage. Red LifeColors are physical and sexual. Oslie states, They love expressing themselves through their sensualityandtheirphysicalbodies.Theylivetheirlivesinthehereandnowwithzest,strength,courageandself confidence.Redsarenotabstract,theyareliteralandneedtangibleproofthatsomethingexists.Theydonotfocus on spirituality. Reds love physical labor and immediate results. When in their power, Reds are energetic, courageous,fullofstamina,endurance,optimistic,loyal,honest,trustworthy,andlustyforlife.Outofpower,Reds easilyanger.Sometimesviolentlyexplosive,theyareclosedminded,andbecomeuncompromising.Effectiveoutlets formaintainingredpowerareexercise,sports,therapy,andlearningwhentocompromiseorlookforotheroptions. Osliestates,ThelifepurposeofRedsistoliveinthephysicalworldwithgusto,courageandenergy.Theychoose toexperiencelife,withallithastooffer,throughthebodilysensationsoftouch,taste,smell,sightandsound. Orange LifeColors are also physical colors and are thrillseekers and daredevils. Oslie states, Oranges puttheirlivesonthelinejusttofeelalive;thestakesmustactuallybelifeanddeathforOrangestofeelasenseof accomplishmentandsatisfactionForOranges,thrillsandexcitementaretheaspectswhichareessentialinlife. Evil Knievel is an example of an Orange. Oranges are not intellectual or spiritual, preferring the challenges of physical reality, strategizing and planning adventures, calculating the next move of their opponent. In their power Oranges are resourceful, energized, and self confident,living life to itsrawestlevel,facing their dreams and even potential death. Oranges do not hesitate to put their lives in danger to save anothers. Out of their power Oranges can become egotistical, selfcentered, and lack affection, caring, and compassion. Balance is the keytoOrangesstayingwithintheirpower,learningtobalancetheirbody,mind,andspirit.Osliestates,Thelife purpose of Oranges is to experience physical existence to its fullest extent, to reach the apparent limitations of realityanddaretopushpastthem.
LifeColorIndigo
103
Magenta, another physical LifeColor, are nonconformists. Oslie states that Magentas dont choose to abidebysocietysmores,expectationsorstandards.Theseindividualisticthinkersconsiderfollowingthecrowd to be boring and restrictive. They prefer to live beyond restrictions and limitations. Andy Warhol was a Magenta. Magentas are intelligent, innovative, imaginative, and creative, enjoying the bizarre, outrageous, and controversial, they are outspoken and humorous. In their power, Magentas have the courage to set their own style, going beyond the traditional and familiar. They are creative, selfaccepting, selfappreciating, and encourageotherstobethemselves.Outofpower,Magentasaredespondent,isolatedandlonely,notlivingtrue totheircurious,innovativestyle,creatinglowselfesteem,boredomanddespair.Magentasneedtolearntolove andacceptthemselves,withpermissiontobedifferent,actingontheircreativeimpulses.Osliestates,Thelife purpose of Magentas is to explore the new and to experiment outside of normal, everyday boundaries. They strive to keep life from becoming staid, complacent, and common. Magentas love to keep us questioning and pushingbeyondouracceptedlimits,tokeepusfrombeingsatisfiedwiththestatusquo. Yellow,thelastphysicalLifeColor,areplayfulandhumorous.Osliestates,Yellowsbelievelifeismeant to be enjoyed. They do not take life seriously, nor do they like to work. Their work must be play for them. Yellows are spontaneous, energetic, creative, friendly, intuitive, giving, joyful beings and also procrastinate. Yellowsaresensitive,fragile,insecure,irresponsible,lackcommitment,andareeasilyhurt.Theyareshyaround newpeople,butturnintothelifeoftheparty.Yellowsaresensitivetoothersproblems,wantingtoplease,but if the situation is emotionally involved and not easily fixed, they tend to run away from it. They are natural handsonhealersastheycanintuitbodilypainandchannelenergythroughtheirbodies. In their power, Yellows have abundant energy, making them fidgety and squirmy. It is important for yellows to be physically active, so they remain filled with joy and happiness. Yellows out of their power may become addicted to obsessions such as sex, drugs, food, chocolate, and parties, becoming depressed, lethargic, and apathetic. They can lack commitment, avoiding serious relationships. Oslie states, Yellows need to understand that commitment can help them reach deeper levels of intimacy and selfawareness, and therefore actually add more fun, excitement, and freedom to their lives. Otherwise Yellows can drift aimlessly, confused andpenniless,foreversearchingforsomethingtobringthemjoy.Creativeorphysicalactivitiesaretherapeutic forYellows.Osliebelievestheirlifepurposeistohelplightenupandhealtheenergyontheplanet.Theyremind peopletonottakethemselvesortheirproblemstooseriously. LogicalTan,thefirstofthementalLifeColors,arecautiousthinkers,focusingondetailslikeallthetans.They arealsological,analyticalandkeepthoughtsandfeelingstothemselves.Osliestates,LogicalTansliketoestablisha firmfoundation,andthenslowlybuildbrickbybrick,stepbystep.Otherwise,theyareafraidtheentireprojectwill collapse on them Everything for Logical Tans is done in an orderly and sequential manner. Logical tans like repeating patterns, reliability, predictability, easily having their sense of security thrown off, they find stability and securitycomfortable.OtherLifeColorsfindLogicalTansslowandboring.Theyliketheconcrete,scientific,orhaveto personallyeyewitnessphenomenasuchasE.S.P.andpsychicabilitiesbeforetheywillbelieveinit.Intheirpower, LogicalTansarereliable,responsible,anddependable,accomplishingtasksthoroughly,andefficiently.LogicalTans outofpowerbecomenarrowminded,stubborn,critical,andresistanttochange.TostaybalancedLogicalTansneed onlytorecognizetheirskepticismandevaluatewhetheritisrealistic,orperhapsbasedonafearofmovingforward, accordingtoOslie.LogicalTansneedtolearntotakesomerisksandexpresstheirfeelings. TheEnvironmentalTan,alsoamentalLifeColor,isaccompaniedbyaforestgreencoloredbandwithin theaura.EnvironmentalTansalsodesiresecurity,stability,andlogic,butdesirestructureanddisciplineaswell. They are intuitively spatial thinkers and relate kinesthetically and mentally to their environment. Oslie states, Theyexperiencetheirrealitybyphysicallytouchingtheirenvironmentandthenmentallyanalyzingit.While being veryintelligent, Environmental Tans can often appearaloof and unresponsive because they have trouble expressingthemselves,keepingtheiremotionsandpersonallifeprivate.Outofpower,EnvironmentalTansare inflexible and new experiences can cause them anxiety, so they like their environment to be predictable and reliable. To stay in balance, they need to become willing to go beyond their mental and physical senses, experiencingnewpossibilitiesandexpressingtheirfeelings.WalksinnaturecanhelptheseTansstayinbalance. Osliestates,EnvironmentalTanswanttheplanettobeaplacewheremoderntechnologyfitsinharmoniously with the physical environment. The Environmental Tans purpose for being here appears to be to analyze, understandandlearnfromthreedimensional,physicalreality.ManyEnvironmentalTanshaveaninnatedesire tohelpimproveorrebalancethephysicalenvironmentontheplanet. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 104
SensitiveTansareanotheranalytical,mentalLifeColor,butwithabluestripintheiraura.Theyareloving, intuitive,andcompassionate,makingthemquiet,sensitive,andsupportive.SensitiveTansarerational,intellectual, private,unselfish,calm,understanding,patient,serviceoriented,humanitarian,sentimental,andnostalgic.Desiring stability and security, they are oriented in their home and family. While emotional, like Blues, they remain more rationalandcalmduringconflictandlesspronetohugemoodswingsanddrama.Osliestates,SensitiveTanssend quietnurturingenergyouttopeople.Theyhaveacalmsenseaboutthemwhentheyarehelpingpeople.Theycan be very efficient therapists because they are sincere and patient listeners. They deduce answers based on data as well as intuition. In their power, the logic and intuition of Sensitive Tans balance each other, supporting their intuitionwithcommonsenseandlogic.Whentheyareoutoftheirpower,thesetwoforcescancreateconflict,and theSensitiveTanmanynolongertrusttheintuitionbutcanbecomeunsure.SensitiveTansneedtolearntotrust theirintuition,tostayintheirpower,andalsototakecareoftheirownneeds,notjusttheneedsofothers.Oslie states,Allowingthemselvestoreceivewhattheyneedfortheirwellbeingwillhelpthemmaintaintheirpositive energy,aswellaskeepingthemfrombeingabusedortakenadvantageofbyotherpeople. Abstract Tans have a red band in their aura but are not associated with the Red LifeColor. Another logical mental LifeColor, Abstract Tans are bright, curious, sensitive, nonlinear and unfocused. Oslie states, Abstract Tans are open, friendly and outgoing. They have incredibly optimistic personalities. Though they frequentlyhavehighenergy,itisusuallyscattered.Whiletheyaredetailoriented,AbstractTansarerandomin their thought processes, sometimes working simultaneously on all steps, which can lead to trouble organizing theirlives.Theycanbeflakeyandunreliablebecausetheyhavetroubleprioritizingtheirlife.AbstractTanslove learning new things, excited about research projects and data collection, but they also love social gatherings, giving them a chance to talk with a wide variety of people, gathering information. Oslie states, Abstract Tans alsohaveanunconditionalloveforhumanity.Theylovepeopleonaveryuniversalandgenerallevel.Theyhave a broad acceptance of and a great curiosity about other peoples differences other cultures, languages, and lifestyles. In their power Abstract Tans are energetic, optimistic, bright, accepting, openminded, flexible, and friendly, working on many different projects. Out of their power, Abstract tans are scattered, forgetful, distractible,easilyconfused,ineffective,overcommitted,andlackfollowthrough.ItishelpfulforAbstractTans tolearntogivethemselvessomestructuresuchasschedulesandguidelines,althoughnotaconfinedandrigid system (unlike other Tans, this constricts them) to help orient them. Abstract Tans feel unconditional love and totalacceptanceforhumanitythattheycanutilizetoteachpeopletoacceptthemselvesandeachother. Green,thelastofthementalLifeColors,isbright,quick,andcompetitive.Greensenjoychallengesand takingrisks,andpowerfulandintelligent.Theydonotlikeoverlydetailedprojects,asthishamperstheirspeed andbecomestediousandboring.Theyprefertodeveloptheplananddelegatethedetailstosomeoneelse.Oslie states,WhenGreensareintheirpower,theycanaccomplishanything.Theylovetosetgoalsandaredetermined toachievethem.Greensaremoversandshakerswhenitcomestotakingaction.However,Greensarestrong willed and feel their way is the right way; rarely admitting defeat, they hate to be wrong. Out of their power Greensbecomearrogant,frustrated,bitter,andresentful,needingtobeincontroloftheirenvironment,emotions, income,andrelationshipsbutblamingothersfortheirproblemsandlashingoutverbally.However,Greensare alsoselfcriticalandoftenjudgethemselvesasfailures,eventhoughtheyaccomplishmorethanmost.Tostayin powerGreensneedtotakeresponsibilityfortheirownlives,takingbackthepowertheygaveaway.Osliestates, TheGreenslifepurposeistoexperienceasmuchaspossibleinthislifetime,toaccomplishasmuchastheycan, togrowandlearnintellectually,andtoempowerothersbyexample. BlueisanemotionalLifeColor,beingloving,nurturing,intuitive,spiritual,sensitive,andsupportive.Oslie states,Blueslivefromtheirheartsandemotions.Theirpurposeforbeingontheplanetistogivelove,toteachlove andtolearnthattheyareloved.Bluesaremothering,naturalcounselors,nurses,andteachers.Theyhavealotof friendsandspendtimehelpingtheirfriendsinneed,butcantakeonothersdramasandburdenthemselves.They cryeasilybecausetheyaresad,hurt,angry,happy,orinempathywithsomeoneelse.Alongwithbeingintuitive, BluesareveryspiritualandpsychicintheirexperiencesofcommuningwithGodoraHigherPower,etc.Theyare excellent hosts, and make sure everyone is included in a social gathering, being deeply compassionate and empathetic.Oslieexplains,TheBluesgreatestgiftsaretheirabilitytogiveunconditionalloveandtheirintuitionor inner knowing. People love being around Blues who are centered and in power because Blues radiate love, acceptanceandforgiveness.Nomatterwhatmistakesapersonmakes,Blueswillloveandforgivethem.Intheir power,Bluesareextremelytrustworthy.Unfortunately,theycanbecomedoormats,beingeasilytakenadvantage SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 105
of. Out of their power, Blues are overly dramatic, manipulative, victimized, martyred, continuously seeking love (theirmaindesire)andconsumedwithselfpity,becomingdepressed.Bluesneedtolearntheyarelovablejustthe waytheyare,toletotherslovethemandtolovethemselves. Violet LifeColors also experience life emotionally. Oslie states, Violets are the dynamic, charismatic personalitieswhoareleadingusintotheNewAge.AllVioletsaredevelopingtheirskillsandtakingontheirroles asleadersontheplanet.ThesepeopleworkforhumanitariancausesingroupssuchasGreenpeace,FarmAid, etc.andfeeltheyareheretochangetheplanetforthebetter.Oslieexplains,BecausethisisaVioletAge,any Violets who are not accomplishing what they came here to do are experiencing an inner push, even an inner earthquakeTheVioletAgebeganinthemidsixties,definitelyatimeofsocialchangeandupheaval,andwill continueuntilapproximatelytheyears20002014,atwhichtimetheplanetwillbeginitstransitionintotheIndigo Age,intoaneraofpeaceandharmony. Violets are characterized by emotional depth, compassion, passion, travellust, and visionary qualities. People are drawn to their charismatic and magnetic personalities, and they are natural, inspiring performers. Violetsarefocusedonthefutureandtheoutcomeoftheworld,focusingontheplanetandwhatmustoccurto insure its survival. Oslie explains,Violets who arein their power and in touch with their vision can see what must happen to ensure the survival of the planet. They are accepting and compassionate, allowing others to followtheirownpath;butaVioletoutofcentermaynotyetbeintouchwithhisorherlifemessageandfeels unsettled,becomingnarcissistic,arrogant,selfimportant,andpompous.Violetsneedtokeepthelargeruniversal schemeinperspectiveandstayintheirpower,rememberingthattheyareonlyonepartofthewhole.Takingtime to focus and meditate will help Violets stay centered. Oslie states, The Universe will support Violets on their pathbyalmostmagicallyandeffortlesslyopeningallthedoorsbeforethem.Violetsknowthatthisisthewaythe Universe naturally operates. While many of the other LifeColors cling to the belief that life is hard work and struggle,Violetscanteachustotrusttheuniversalflow. Lavender is another emotional LifeColor. Lavenders are whimsical, living out of their bodies in fantasy, enchantment,dreams,myths,withspiritualbeings,angels,andfairies.Oslieexplains,Lavendersliveinafantasy world.Theyprefertospendtheirtimeoutoftheirbodies,wherelifeisprettyandenchanting.Theyaresensitive, gentle,freespirits,imaginative,intuitive,inattentive,andlackfollowthrough.Theyarefragileandfrail,livingin theirfeelingsandemotions;theyhaveahardtimekeepingajobandearningmoney,butcanbeentertainingand educational.Theyusetheirintuitionsandextrasensoryperceptiontoseesounds,smellcolors,etc.Osliestatesthat Lavenderscantakeusbeyondourlimitedandperceivedrealityintoaworldfilledwithpossibilities.Lavenders believethatotherworldsexist.Theyenjoyplayinginotherdimensionsandotherrealities. While Lavenders are visionary, they often lack the drive to see their ideas come to life. In their power, Lavendersshowusthroughartthepossibilitiesofotherrealmsthroughtheircreativetalents.However,whenthey are out of their power, Lavenders are out of touch with this world, lacking the ability and courage to support themselves. Lavenders need to learn to be brave enough to be in their bodies and face this world, learning to be responsibleadults.Theycanusetheinformationtheygetfromotherrealitiestohelptheminthisthreedimensional world.Oslieexplains,Lavendersareheretoexploreotherrealitiesandthendescribethemtous.Theyarehereto stimulateourimagination,toinspireoursenseofwonderandtokeeptheideaofmagicaliveinusall. CrystalLifeColorsarealsoemotionallybased,representingaclearconduitorchannelforhealingenergy,as Osliestates.Crystalsarephysicallyfragileanddelicate,likingsimplicityandcleanliness,theyneedtimetomeditate, reflect,nurtureandbalancethemselves.Althoughquietanddelicate,theyarequickthinkersandlearners,however theylivebyintuitionandspirituality.Crystalscanbecomedisillusionedandnatureprovidesahealingspaceforthem. As Crystals aura color is clear, they take on the color (and through processes, actions, emotions, and more) of whoever they are with; thus when they are in their power, Crystals get along well with others. Oslie states,Inpower,Crystalsarethegentleandserenehealersontheplanet.Whentheyallowthemselvestodothis work,theyhaveasenseofinnerpeaceandharmony.EveniftheCrystalisnotworkinginthehealingarts,his peaceful energy can heal those around him. However, when they are out of their power, Crystals forget their purpose.Loosingtheirselfconfidence,theybecomeconfused,disoriented,anddepressed,constantlylookingfor approvalandreassurancefromothers;yetastheyareeasilyhurt,theyoftenwithdraw. ItishelpfulforCrystalstolearntogowithinandregularlycommunicatewithGod/Goddess,orwhatever theyconsidertheirSource.Theyneedtolearntoletgooftheenergiestheyhavepickedupfromotherpeople, andkeeptheirauraclean.Thiswillallowthemtodothehealingworkthatistheirlifepurpose. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 106
Indigo,thelastoftheemotionalLifeColors,aretheNewAgeIndigochildren.Osliestates,IndigoChildren areveryspiritualwithaninnerawarenessoftherealtruthaboutlife.Mankindseemstobeonlynowuncovering evidenceregardingthetruenatureofrealityandinformationknownbytheancientmystics.Indigosalreadypossess that knowledge. Indigos are supposed to predominate in the New Age of peace and harmony, beginning after 2000,whenthefirstIndigochildrenwillbecomingofage.Indigochildrenareinherentlyspiritual,usingtheirinner knowing to gain knowledge about humanitys divinity, the illusion of physical reality, and the power of consciousness.Theyhaveintegratedtheirmaleandfemaleaspectsofthemselvesandoftenappearandrogynous. Oslieexplains,Inpower,Indigosareaware,bright,creativeandindependentindividuals.Theylivelife from higher principles. These advanced souls feel that all life should be honored and treated with integrity, compassion and love. They enjoy exploring the threedimensional, physical world, and constantly seek verificationfortheirinnerknowing.Theyarehonestandtruthful,anddonotbuyintopersonaldramas,knowing thereisabiggerpicture.Theywillnotcompromisetheirintegrityandethics,onlyfollowinganotherwhenthey feeltheyareinalignmentwiththeirbeliefs,butneverduetosocialpressure,guilt,orthreat.However,theycan alsohavetroubledealingwiththephysicalbody,oftenhavingfoodsensitivitiesandheightenedsenses. PeopleoftencannotrelatetoIndigos,seeingthemaseccentric;andfragile.Indigochildrencanbecome frightened,disoriented,isolated,andmisunderstoodwhentheyareoutoftheirpower.Theybecomeconfusedby thedissonancebetweentheirinnerknowingandthestateoftheworld,andcanlosetouchwiththeirintuition.To stayinpower,Indigosneedtotrusttheirinnertruthandremembertheycametotheplanetwiththeknowledge tolivelifeinjoy,fulfillment,andharmony.Oslieexplains,Theyneedtostaycommittedtoandstandfirmwith theirbeliefsthatloveandtruthwillultimatelyshowlifeforwhatitreallyisabeautifulandcreativeexpression ofAllThatIs.Bybeingalivingexampleoftheseprinciples,Indigoswilleventuallyshowpeoplehowtocreatea peacefulandharmoniousworld.IndigoswillhelptherestofusliveinaNewAge,wherehigherconsciousness andprinciplescreateaworldofharmony,love,andpeace. RedOverlaysareaddedtotheauraduringthelifetimeforprotectionandarenotassociatedwiththeRed LifeColor.Theredhasbeenaddedtosomeonesauraduetoalifethreateningsituationatbirthorayoungageor theywerephysically,emotionally,ormentallyabandoned,rejected,orabused.Oslieexplains,Theseindividuals werenotbornwiththisredintheirauras,butaddeditsometimeafterbirth.Thecolorredvibratesataslower rate,thereforeitisdenserandstronger,makingitasuitableprotectivebarrier.Oftenthisbarriertakestheform ofintenseangerandragethatprotectsthemfromothersbutwilleventuallyshutthemofffromlifeandbecomea prison to them. They often are easily triggered, as they see life as a battleground and are on the lookout for possible (real or imagined) harms. The red overlay can be removed from the aura by visualizing the red disappearing,byrelivingthepastandthenrewritingorreinterpretingthecircumstancessothatthesurvivor becomesempoweredorprotected(perhapsbyafutureselfprotectingthechild),andthroughtherapytoachieve understanding,forgiveness,andreleaseoftheexperience. Anothercolortestcanbetakenatwww.colorquiz.com.
ColorsConclusion
Thesetestscantellyouwhoyouarenot!Testslikethesecannottellyouwhoyouare,buttheycantell you what personality you might be wearing in this lifetime. No one can escape the fact that we each have a personality.Everyonegetsoneuponentranceintothephysicalplane.Noonegetsinwithoutone! Colorscanbeusedasatool.Ifyouarefeelingblueonadrearyday,brightcolorsmightcheeryouupa little.Ifyouaregoingtobeinadebate,perhapsredwouldbeagoodcolortowear,foritishardtoarguewith someonewearingred.Redisapowercolor.Ifyouwouldliketofeelcalmandserene,perhapslightbluewould beuseful,orlavender.Ifyouwouldliketoenhanceyourspiritualpursuits,perhapsindigoorpurplewillassist.If youwouldliketoexperiencehealing,greenisaverygoodinfluence.Ifyouwouldliketobeinvisible,perhaps black,gray,orearthtoneswouldbebest.Thesearejustafewexamplesonhowyoucanusecolorsasatoolfor yourendeavors.Theycanbeusedtochangeyourmood,theatmosphereofaroom,orinfluenceyouandothers in various ways. Most people have no idea how powerful the influence of colors can be, and conscious use of colorsgivesonequitetheadvantageinnavigatingoneslife. Enjoyyouradventuresinusingcolorsconsciouslytoenhanceyourexperiencesinlife.Youarenowprivy tosomeinformationthatmostpeoplehavenevergiventhoughtto! Anothercolortestcanbetakenatwww.colorquiz.com. SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 107
Symbols&ColorsExercises
Exercise1:CreateYourOwnMandala Mandala: The mandala (Sanskrit for circle) is used as a meditation tool in both Hinduism and Buddhism.Usuallycircular,amandalacanalsoappearinotherformssuchasthelotus.BarbaraWalker,inher book, The Womans Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), states that as an Oriental sacred diagram or meditationsymbolContemplationofthemandalawassupposedtoleadtomysticalinsight.Man,MythAnd Magic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown(1995),editedbyRichardCavendish, furtherexplains,Themandalaorcircleisoneofthemostwidespreadofallsymbols,foundinreligiousartinall partsoftheworld.IntheEastitsoconsecratedspacemayberegardedaschargedwiththepresenceofdeities who have been housed within it. Often using repeating designs and colors, mandalas may also be split into sectionswitheachsectionrepresentingadifferentaspect,likeamedicinewheel. Mandalascanbeusedasaspiritualtoolbyanyone.Theycanbedanced,drawn,sculpted,orvisualized, andneednotbeconfinedtostrictrulesofpatternsbutrathershouldbeacreativeselfexpression.Mandalascan actasamirrorintotheunconsciousandsubconscious,byallowingforavarietyofselfexpressionstobedrawnin symbolicformintothemandala. MichaelBrown,Ed.S.(MarriageandFamilyTherapist,ClinicalHypnotherapy)states,Photographsand mirrorsgiveusreflectionsofwhatordinarilyremainsoutsideourawarenessorfieldofview.Theyhelpusstay connected to loved ones, and to ourselves. Mandala art operates in a similar manner, but instead of giving us reflectionsoftheexternalworld,mandalascanhelpusseewhatisgoingonwithinus,inourheartandsoul.They can help us remain connected to our selves in fundamental ways and can help us understand the meaning of importantlifeexperienceswhenwelearnhowtocreateandinterpretthem. Theveryfactthatmandalasaredrawnroundcanleadustoanexperienceofwholenesswhenwetake thetimetomakethemandthenwonderwhattheymean.Inthestrictuseofthemandala,thereisacentralpoint orfocuswithinthesymbolfromwhichradiatesasymmetricaldesign.Thissuggeststhereisacenterwithineach oneofustowhicheverythingisrelated,bywhicheverythingisordered,andwhichisitselfasourceofenergy and power. Virtually every spiritual and religious system known to man asserts the reality of such an inner center.TheRomansworshippeditasthegeniuswithin.TheGreekscalledittheinnerdaemon.Christianreligions speakaboutthesoulandtheChristwithin.InpsychologywespeakoftheHigherSelf.
Exercise2:MakeYourOwnSymbol
Think of the sign of Athene or Princes sign. These personal symbols invoke at a glance the essence of thesepeople.Makeupasimplelinedrawnsymbolthatrepresentsyou.Writeanessaydiscussingthesymbolism andhowitdescribesyou. Another version of this exercise: Create a symbolic picture of yourself using a variety of symbols that speaktovariousaspectsofyou.Anyartmediumonpapercanbeusedincludingcollage,paint,poetry,pen,etc., becreative.Includeawrittenexplanationofthesymbolsandhowtheyspeaktoyou.
Exercise3:PaintYourColors
Ifyouweretopaintaselfportraitwithoutanythingbutusingswirlsofcolors,whatwouldthosecolors be?Yourfavoritecolorsareahintastowhatyourpersonalcolorswouldbe.Thesearethecolorsthatshouldbein yourpersonalsymbol.
Exercise4:WearDifferentColors
Inthisexercise,foreachdayoftheweek,weardifferentcolorsoftherainbowandseehowtheymake youfeel.Seeiftheyaffecthowyourdaygoes.Forinstance,wearredonSunday,orangeonMonday,yellowon Tuesday, green on Wednesday, and so on. You could also wear particular colors in various situations and see how they affect you. Colors have more power over our consciousness than they are given credit for! See what theseeffectsare,firsthand.
AudioMeditations
Meditation1:FindingYourPersonalSymbol(15:00) Meditation2:ExploringColors(30:00) SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 108
Bibliography Andrews,Ted1992 HowToHealWithColor,.LlewellynPublications;St.Paul,Minnesota Arsma,Aaron2004 Pan,TheoiProject:AGuideToGreekGods.MonstersandSpirits;www.theoi.com/Kronos/Pan.html. Bradner,John1997 SymbolsOfChurch,SeasonsAndDays.MorehousePublishing;Harrisburg,PA Brown,Michael(Edit.)2005 MandalaSymbolism,CounselingAndHumanResourcesConsulting,www.michaelbrown.org Cabot,Laurie1997 TheWitchInEveryWoman:ReawakeningTheMagicalNatureOfTheFeminineToHeal,Protect,Create,AndEmpower. BantamDoubledayDellPublishingGroup,Inc.;NewYork,NY Cavendish,Richard(Edit.)1995 Man,Myth&Magic:TheIllustratedEncyclopediaOfMythology,ReligionAndTheUnknown.MarshallCavendishCorporation;NY,NY Chaimberlin,Rick IsTheStarOfDavidKosher?PetahTikvahMagazineVol.16,No.4www.yashanet.com/library/kosher.htm. Clark,Linda1975 TheAncientArtOfColorTherapy.PocketBooks;NewYork,NY Cooper,J.C.1992 SymbolicAndMythologicalAnimals.HarperCollinsPublishers;London,England Daniels,David,&Palmer,Helen2004 WhatIsTheEnneagram?www.theauthenticenneagram.com Eliade,Mircea(Edit.)1987 TheEncyclopediaOfReligion,Volume14,MacMillanPublishingCompany,NewYork Gardner,Laurence1997 Lecture:TheHiddenHistoryOfJesusAndTheHolyGrail.NexusMagazine,Volume5,Number2, (FebruaryMarch1998),www.nexusmagazine.com. Huda2003 TheEverythingUnderstandingIslamBook.AdamsMediaCorporation;Boston,MA Jung,Carl1964 ManAndHisSymbols.Doubleday&Co.;NewYork,NY Khan,HazratInayat1995 TheGathas,Vol.13:SacredReadings.OscarPublications;NewDelhi,India Luscher,Max;TranslatedByIanScott1969 ColorTest:TheRemarkableTestThatRevealsYourPersonalityThroughColor,PocketBooks,NY,NY Oslie,Pamala(1991) LifeColors.NewWorldLibrary;SanRafael,California RabbiSimmons,Shraga2002 JewishLiteracy,KeyConcepts,StarOfDavid.JewishLiteracyHomepage,www.aish.com/literacy/concepts/Star_of_David.asp Ragan,Michael2000 TheSacredCauldron.TempleofDannan,OldReligionofIreland,http://www.danann.org/library/symb/sword.html. Ragan,Michael2000 TheSacredSword.TempleofDannan,OldReligionofIreland,http://www.danann.org/library/symb/sword.html Samaha,JohnM.,S.M.2002 TheRose:AMarianSymbol.Loreto:TheShrineoftheHolyHouse,www.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/samaha9.html. Shepherd,RowenaandRupert2002 1000Symbols:WhatShapesMeanInArtAndMyth.ThamesAndHudsonLTD,London,England Starbird,Margaret1999 MaryMagdalene:TheBeloved.www.magdalene.org Walker,Barbara1983 TheWomansEncyclopediaOfMythsAndSecrets.HarperCollinsPublishers,NewYork,NY Wikipedia,TheFreeEncyclopedia2005 WorldTree.www.en.wikipedia.org InternetResources www.crystalcure.com www.thiaoouba.com/see_aura_color.htm www.imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov www.myth.com www.globalpsychics.com www.afgen.com/gamble7.html www.thiaoouba.com www.colorwheelpro.com/colormeaning.html www.northerncandles.theshoppe.com/candle_color_meanings.html www.factmonster.com www.colorwheelpro.com/colormeaning.html www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk www.gardensner.com www.crystalinks.com/alchemy.html
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SpiritualSymbols&ColorsExamQuestions
Name___________________________________________________Phone#___________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________________
(Pleasesupplyname,phone#,andaddressasidentifyingfactorsforgivingcreditproperly)
1.Theboarissacredto: A.Aphrodite,Demeter,andAtalanta B.theNorseGodoftheHunt,Boar 2.TheAshantiGodAnansiis: A.anUnderworldGuardian B.aSpider
C.thepeopleofBoraBora D.AllA,BandC
C.aHornedGod D.AllA,BandC
3.Asabasicandwidelyusedshapeinsymbolism,themeaningofthecirclerepresents: A.Aportaltotheunderworld C.TheGreekamphitheater B.Wholeness,oneness,andcompletionD.Acandle 4.Howdidconventsstart? A. As extensions of the pagan College of C. As a western version of the Egyptian Priestesses HouseofMaids B. As a way for Jesus female followers to D.AllA,BandC participateinChristianity 5.TheSwastikawascreatedandinventedbytheNaziparty. T F 6.Theearthasamothergoddessiscalledwhichofthefollowing: A.Gaea C.Tara B.KhonMa D.AllA,BandC 7.TheLotussymbolizesgoddessessuchasPadma,Cunti,Lakshmi,andShakti. T F 8.Ares/Mars,Mithra,Jesus,andQuetzalcoatlareall: A.Sungods C.Saviorgods B.Prophets D.AllA,BandC 9.Whatisthesymbolismofthehexagram? A. The fire and water of the alchemists C. Gods protection and guidance of the PhilosophersStone Jewishpeople B.TheGreatYantra,unionofmaleandfemale D.AllA,BandC 10.TheSlaughteroftheInnocentsisanarchetypalpartofthelifeofasacredkingormessiah. T F 11.TheKalanemiwaswhichofthefollowing: A.asacredtreeofVishnu C.anearlyzodiac B.sacredsexualrightsoftheGoddessKalan D.AllA,BandC 12.Mandalasarealwayscircular. T F 13.InthemenstrualCalendarsystem,humangestationlastsaperfect10months. T F SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 111
14.Nirvanaiswhichofthefollowing: A.anotherworldlyparadise C.aCabalisticprayer B.thefinalescapefromkarma,beyondallsenses D.AllA,BandC 15.Twinssymbolize: A.duality C.yinandyang B.goodandevil D.AllA,BandC 16.Describethesignificanceofwater(includingallexamples). A.Purityandtransformation C.PassagewaytotheUnderworld B.Fertilityandlife D.AllA,BandC 17.TheyoniisthesymbolicimageoftheGoddess/sourceofalllife. T F (ThefollowingquestionscomefromtheColorsSection) 18.Arainbowproducesthesamespectrumoflightasaprismbecausethesearetheonlycolorsthehumaneye actuallyperceives. T F 19.Color,GamaRays,andUltravioletlightsareallinwhichspectrum? A.Electromagnetic C.Warm B.SoundFrequency D.NeitherA,BorC 20.Initsdensestform,lightisperceivedaswhichofthefollowing: A.Sound B.Warmcolors C.Matter D.NeitherA,BorC 21.Colorshaveimpactonouremotionsandpsychesbutnotourphysicalbodies. T F 22.Colorshaveanunconsciouseffectonthe: A.radioinaroom C.nervoussystem B.abilitytomakegoodfinancialdecisions D.NeitherA,BorC 23.Redis: A.anegativecolorofanger C.acolorofpeace B. passions, strength, conquest, vigor, action, D.NeitherA,BorC vitality,andpower 24.Redcanbeusedtoburnoutcancer. T F 25.OrangeisthecoloroftheHeartChakra. T F 26.Orangestimulates: A.thedigestivesystem C.plantgrowth B.hairgrowth D.NeitherA,BorC 27.Beingthebrightest,yellowisthefirstcolorofthespectrumthatourvisioncandetect.T F 28.Greenpromoteshumankindsphysicalmaturationwithspiritualmaturation. T F 29.Thegemstonethatbestrepresentsgreenis A.Tourmaline C.Chrysoprase B.Jade D.AllA,BandC SpiritualSymbolsAndColors2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 112
30.Withinahumanphysicalbody,blue: A.Promoteshydration B.Iscoolingandrelaxing 31.Indigo: A.Theuniversalcolorofcivilservants B.Helpstransformtheshadowself 32.Violetisthecoolestcolorinthespectrum. T 33.Beingreflective,whiteistheabsenceofcolor. 34.Culturally,Blackisassociatedwith: A.Death B.Life (Meditationreportsonnextpage)
C.Createsheat D.AllA,BandC
C.Surroundsangelichelpers D.AllA,BandC F T F
C.Mourning D.AllA,BandC
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AudioMeditationsReports Meditation1,FindingYourPersonalSymbol: Meditation2,ExploringColors:
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Symbols and Colors

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sevenplanetaryspheres,eachguardedbyaheavenlymidwife(anaspectofHathor).Thesespheresalsorepresentedthe sevengatesofheaven.Transversely,theyalsobelievedthereweresevenbowlsextendingintotheinterioroftheearththat representedthejourneytotheabysses,calledtheSevenRecessesorGates.

yes some times

1.Theboarissacredto: A.Aphrodite,Demeter,andAtalanta B.theNorseGodoftheHunt,Boar 2.TheAshantiGodAnansiis: A.anUnderworldGuardian B.aSpider

AudioMeditationsReports Meditation1,FindingYourPersonalSymbol: Meditation2,ExploringColors:

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