Symbols are the symbolic language of the soul. Carl Jung theorized that we are able to go beyond the artificial barriers imposed by language to speak directly to our unconscious. These symbols and images allow us to become time travelers as we connect to our past as well as connect to other nations and religions.

Jung recognized that the universal symbols common to many world religions are archetypal products of humankind’s natural religious function. Two of the most important universal symbolic images that he studied were the circle, or mandala--a symbol of unity and eternity--and the cosmic tree, which can be regarded both as a symbol of the self, or as a cosmic axis linking the underworld, earth and heavens.

Some other cosmic symbols are:

Seed: potential of life Dot: Supreme Being Sun: male principal Moon: female principal Square: earth Spiral: cosmic force Wheel: solar power Square: manifestation, foundation Rainbow: a bridge between earth and spirit, the celestial serpent, the highest state of spiritual attainment before enlightenment. Cross: cosmic axis, union of Earth and spirit, union of Opposites, spiritual union, sacrifice Star of David: the downward –pointed triangle-the solar masculine principle-life. The upward pointing triangle-the lunar, feminine principle. The Interlocking Triangles: as above, so below. Egg: source of life Water: unconscious, the feminine, the Great Mother, birth, purification Fire: transmutation, purification, power, passion, illumination, and inspiration Air: breath, thought, communication, and intellect Earth: The Great Mother, fertility, nourishment, physical body, foundation, solidity Cosmic Mountain: creation of the world Ying/Yang Circle: represents opposition and synergy to the Taoists AUM: the Hindu sacred syllable, the essence of all sounds The Ankh: the ancient Egyptian sign of life, which seems to prefigure the Christian cross

Sacred symbols contain cosmic beliefs and therefore can be used as powerful tools in our own spirit journey. By honoring them we gain access to enormous resources which we then can use in our personal and collective rituals and spiritual practices.

As Clare Gibson in Sacred Symbols (Saraband Inc.) so elegantly writes, "Because sacred thought involves the intangible and supernatural, it cannot help but be expressed symbolically. The primary function of a symbol is to express a concept by employing a means of visual shorthand A symbol has many advantages over the written or spoken word: it transcends the barriers of language; its message can be instantly registered and absorbed; and most importantly in terms of the sacred, it encourages a mystical or metaphysical reaction in achieving a closer communion with the sacred. Symbols are powerful and complex forms of communication despite their graphic simplicity."

"In any kind of inner work, whether it be in dreams, meditation, contemplation, guided imagery, or creative visualizations, symbols appear to us as signposts or keys and they function as containers, revealers, or concealers of meaning to enable us to penetrate deeper into the mystery of life." --Angeles Arien, The Tarot Handbook (Arcus Publishing Co).

Symbolism in the Tarot

According to Angeles Arien "the tarot is a symbolic map of consciousness.

Here are some of her interpretations of the Major Arcana or the twenty-two universal principles or laws:

The Fool: one who walks without fear The Magician: the communicator The High Priestess: the independent self-knower The Empress: the nurturer, comforter, beautifier The Emperor: the pioneer, builder, doer, visionary The Hierophant: The teacher, counselor, and consultant The Lovers: synthesizer of dualities, polarities and oppositions The Chariot: the generator, motivator, and traveler The Adjustment/Justice: the mediator, adjuster, and arbitrator The Hermit: the mediator, philosopher, sage, wise man The Wheel of Fortune: abundance prosperity, fortune Strength: passion, awareness, and aliveness The Hanged Man: the transformer Death/Rebirth: releaser, eliminator, and expander Art/Temperance: the creator, the alchemist The Devil: the joker, worker, and stabilizer The Tower: restoer, healer, and renovator The Star: self-confident,self-esteem The Moon: the chooser, the romantic The Sun: the originator,co-creator Judgment: the analyst, evaluator, and seer The Universe: the completion, the initiator

Animal Symbolism

Many cultures have traditionally used animals as symbolism. Native people often view animals as teachers, as each represents a beneficial quality that can help strengthen and educate a person. Once we understand each animal’s essence--the specific gifts and strengths the creature represents--we can then incorporate a particular animal into a ritual and ask its guidance.

For further information see Animal Medicine Cards (Jamie Sams and David Carsson, Bear and Company).

Bear: introspection, incubating ideas and bring them to fruition, cultivating power and support Beaver: architecture and building, teaches structure, problem solving, and the ability to work with others Butterfly: transformation, moving forward, trusting life to support you Cat: independence, playfulness, caution, and gracefulness Crow: intuition, justice Deer: gentleness, peace Dog: loyalty, guardian, and protector Dolphin: power of play, unconditional love, the ability to release stored emotions through breath Dove: peace, calm, and simplicity Eagle: ability to see above the mundane, clarity, vision, and connection to the divine Fox: confidence, cunning, and independence Frog: connection to water rituals, a cleansing of spirit, body and mind, easing change Horse: power, dependability Hummingbird: joy, celebration life, and the ability to feel emotionally "lighter" Lion: leadership, action, assists one in moving through fear Owl: wisdom, clairvoyance, and clarity of thought Peacock: wholeness, authority of self, and the expression of one’s own beauty Rabbit: creativity helps one face fear Raccoon: unmasking the truth helps one accept hidden aspects of the self, the ability to play many roles in life Snake: sexuality, psychic energy, death and rebirth, immortality Spider: integration, inner connection, and creativity Swan: ability to see one’s own beauty and goodness Tiger: confidence, spontaneity, and strength Turtle: connection with earth grounding helps one slow down and focus on the present Wolf: teaching, the ability to establish healthy boundaries, encourages friendship and sense of community

Our ancestors express themselves to us in the sacred symbols of our cultures and religions. For example, my grandfather, being Cherokee, comes to me when I light a cigar and call his name. He appears in the clothes and age when I most needed him in my childhood. I know he is near me when I smell cigar smoke for no obvious reason.

Coyote: people mistakenly dismiss coyote as a trickster, but he is much more than a trickster. Through humor, coyote brings together opposing cultures worldviews and people who think that they are enemies. By making them laugh at themselves and each other, they can see how silly their differences appear to the spirits and animals. Coyote embodies the fool. --Lewis Mehl Madrona, Coyote Medicine (Fireside). 

(Barbara Biziou and Lewis Mehl Madrona will be facilitating a weekend retreat in August on "The Wisdom of the Ancestors.")

Crystals as Symbols:

A crystal is an earth element--a mineral or gemstone. Both ancient cultures and modern science have utilized the mysterious qualities of crystals, which have the ability to receive and transmit energy.

Amber: balance Amethyst: spiritual awareness, transmutation, healing Aquamarine: purification, healing, calming Bloodstone: courage, physical energy Calcite: balance, peaceful meditation Carnelian: sex, self-esteem, creativity Copper: purification, inspiring love, making peace Fluorite: healing, releasing unwanted energies Gold: courage, self-awareness, self-confidence, wealth, and virtue Hematite: encouraging willpowr, concentration Herkimer Diamond: dream recall Jade: fertility, wisdom, and tranquility Lapis Lazuli: communication, healing Malachite: protection, money Moonstone: love, psychic awareness, feminine principle Nickel: youth, beauty, growth, and adaptation Obsidian: inner growth, psychic development Opal: passion, love, and emotional expression Pearl: purity, integrity, focus, wisdom Quartz: change, focus Red Jasper: compassion Rhodolite: love Rose Quartz: love, compassion Silver: fertility, nourishment, and growth Tiger’s Eye: empowerment, willpower, courage, and clarity Tin; flexibility Topaz: new beginnings Tourmaline: healing, balance Turquoise: balance, friendship, positive thinking

For further information see Love is in the Earth by A. Melody (Earth Love Publishing House).

Symbolic images can communicate an essence of their meaning even to people from different cultures and religious faiths. For example, walking the labyrinth has become a popular event although few realize that they are re-enacting a symbolic Christian pilgrimage or the route that Theseus took to kill the minotaur, half-bull, half-human beast, that King Minos is supposed to have kept at the heart of a labyrinth in ancient Crete. One can appreciate the beauty of the gardens of the Taj Mahal without being of the Islamic tradition which views these gardens as images of paradise containing cypress trees, symbolizing death, and fruit trees, symbolizing life.

In Japanese Zen Buddhism, gardens are made to symbolize the whole of creation, while many use this symbolism in rituals to celebrate Mother Earth.

Sacred Herbs and Flowers:

For thousands of year, we have used flowers and herbs to symbolize the power of earth. Here are a few:

Basil: clarity, prosperity Bay Leaf: protection Bamboo: good fortune Daffodil: new beginnings Iris: love Lotus: rebirth Parsley: protection Rose: love Tobacco: fertility Sage: purification Rosemary: loyalty, friendship Thyme: courage, health Ylang-Ylang: sexual energy

Food and Drink

Food, itself, can be used symbolically. Many cultures offer food on altars, believing that it will give sustenance to the deities as well as to their ancestors. Hindus and Buddhists share this belief, and Hindus often use fruit as an offering. On Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, an apple, symbolizing nature, is dipped in honey to bring sweetness into the coming year. Native Americans use corn or cornmeal to signify the abundance of a harvest. And when a family moves into a new home, friends often bring bread, sugar, and salt, signifying nourishment, sweetness and purification.

We can use food to represent where we live, where we came from, and its meaning to our loved ones and us. In America, everyone expects cake on his or her birthday, while children associate chocolate bunnies with Easter, turkey with Thanksgiving, candy canes with Christmas.

Bread: earth, harvest, and abundance Cake: celebration, sweetness Citrus Fruits: joy, vitality Corn: earth, harvest, and abundance Grains: earth, harvest, and abundance Hot spices: sexuality, creativity Mangoes: sensuality Pomegranate: rebirth, abundance Salt: purification Seeds and sprouts: new potential Wine: celebration, bounty, creation of new life (red wine: feminine power-white wine-masculine power)

Feel free to use any symbols that have meaning to you and your family.