body=matter=male, mind=spirit=female

 

Tarot

Strong origins as universal knowledge laid down by Thoth for his disciples in magic.

Two packs in one:

Major Arcana-22 trump cards, each unique (each a letter of hebrew alphabet?)

Minor Arcana-Like modern playing cards, 4 suit court cards: King, Queen, Knight, Page/Princess, and suits are: pentacles/coins (disc/preservation?), cups (lotus/love?), wands (club/wisdom?), swords (conch/inner realization?).  Four parallel paths toward spiritual enlightenment (Kabbalah four worlds or cosmic cycles).

Two packs once separate, now combined.

0. Fool: Naive wisdom. Break rules of court etiquette. Wise enough to know that he knew nothing. Minimum posessions. Pilgrims staff.  Egged on by strange animal (cat/dog) inner motivation, starts to snap at our heals when we question reality.  Headed towards unknown/inner self.

1. Magician (Juggler): Magic=transformation.  Without inner magic, real self is doomed to physical/material.  pentacle(existance)(female) chalice(love)(female) wand(wisdom)(male) sword(inner realization)(male) - (also 4 elements that make up world and our bodies). no creation without male+female.

2. High Priestess: hidden/mystic/receptive feminine principle that awaits male energy. ruler of invisible world.

3. Empress: earth mother, another aspect of female power, not mysterious. conscious mind that unites matter and spirit.

4. Emperor: phallic symbols of male energy.

5. Hierophant (Priest)(Pope): male spiritual power, feminine in male, power from obedience not force.  blue robe under red robe = spiritual under physical power.  3-tiered crown=physical, intellectual, divine planes.

6. Lovers: Man split between two women, 1 good, 1 tempting.  Choose Priestess or Empress?

7. Chariot: Androgyne. (male breastplate, female shoulder plates), bound for stars.

8. Justice: (originally switched with card 11 Strength):

9. Hermit: Lonley spiritual quest

10. Wheel of Fortune: movement, return to same place wiser,

11. Strength: struggle with open-mouthed lion. higher strength than physical strength. lazy-8 infinity hat.

12. Hanged Man: debtor punishment. face not troubled. legs crossed in a 4 or completion. selfless love.

13. Death: sacrifice of ego. scythe=liberation. initiation death.

14. Temperance: losing ego.  cannot become hollow, must fill with something new.

15. Devil: not yet in heaven. trial. double check, did you really ditch ego?

16. Tower: If fail devil test, cast down to destruction.  Our crown is cast down.  1+6=7.

17. Star: No wings, we've reached her level.  two waters=conscious and unconscious.  rebirth.

18. Moon: feminine. psychic barrier to inner reconciliation.  crayfish/crab (female)=seeks to emasculate male. 

19. Sun: male. gemini/twins.  Union has taken place, the two are one.   Unease at being alone with humanity has left because of this oneness.  sun rise cycle.  not looking directly into sun.

20. Judgement: resurrection. can 1 soul save many, ala Christ?  once you're converted, must convert your fellows. 

21. World: wholeness.  laurel wreath of victory.  above macrocosm, below microcosm, left and right.  in empty space.  4 creates of ezekiel.  veil drapes across body, hiding genitals, the symbol of creativity = more mysteries to come.  21=7*3, but not infinity, or 0 (Fool).

 

chakra=wheel.  7 of them.

prana=energy, along with food and air, that keeps us alive

 

Adam/Eve=Gemini/Twins.

wand/rod/staff=drives out ignorance

female=circle around male shaft.

 

Kabbalah

Numbers 21:9=358 "Messiah" Christ, serpent draped on cross.

Sefirtoh=Tree of life.  Explains creation.  10 Sefeirah.  Starts at Keter(crown, all that is, was and will be), leads to Malkhut(kingdom, presence of god in matter.)  Journey of Wisdom, understanding, mercy, judgement, beauty, eternity, reverberation, foundation.  Govered by three divine princples of Will/balance, Mercy/expansion, Justice/constraint.    Each of 10 sefirah are linked by 22 pathways (# of letters in hebrew alphabet), 22+10=32 avenues of wisdom.  Nature of connection = letter of pathway and 2 sefirah endpoints.

Body=Tree of Life=Temple.

"God gazing upon own reflecion"=God created man to look upon him.  seen from behind, like moses saw god from behind.  (looking in loop, black hole, etc).  Adam Kadmon progenitor of Adam/Genesis.

Four worlds or cosmic cycles, each has it's own tree of life.  God/Manifestation, throne/Creation, chariot/Formation, world/Action. (Ezekiel)

 

Shamash=sun

Sin=moon

Ishtar=Venus

Adad=weather god

7=sun+moon+5 planets visible anciently.

moved against backdrop of narrow band of sky (belt, zodiac).  divided into 12 arcs/units/houses of 30 degrees each, each had 1 zodiac sign.

earths wobble=at beginning of year, sun now in Saggitarius, not Capricornus.

Summer=Leo=Lion=Fiery Heat

Virgo=Virgin=Harvesting seed for next years planting.

Libra=scales=equilibrium between summer and winter, day and night equal length.

12 zodiac sign = 4 groups of 3 each, 4 arcs of 90 degrees each.  assoc with element, quality, gender.

Fire=Aries, Leo, Sagittarius=thrusting, energetic. Extrovert.

Water=Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio=emotional, intuitive.  Introvert.

Air=Aquarius, Gemini, Libra=logic, intelligent.  Extrovert.

Earth=Capricon, Taurus, Virgo=practicality, dependability. Introvert.

 

* Aquarius=Water Carrier=Saturn/Uranus=air=sigil water of knowledge, serpents of wisdom (intution, rationality)=Jan 21-Feb 19

* Pisces=Fishes=Neptune/Jupiter=water=late winter rain=sigil fishesh, earth bisecting fininte mankind and infinte universe, Feb 20-Mar 20

* Aries=Ram=Mars=fire=sigil horns/human nose eyebrows, first burst of crop growth, FIRST, Mar 21-Apr 19. Arab Abumasar said creation occured when sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were allin conunction (same part of sky) in Aries.

* Taurus=Bull=Venus=Earth=sigil full moon and crescent=Apr 20-May 19

* Gemini=Twins=Mercury=air=sigil roman numeral 2 II pi duality, joining of intuitive and rational souls, unity of mind and spirit=May 22-June 23

* Cancer=Crab=Moon=water=world mother, summer solstice, gate of men, soul down from heaven to enter human body=sigil union of male an female, sperm and egg, June 23-July 23

* Leo=Lion=Sun=fire=sigil link between divine will and that of mankind, Jul 23-Aug 21

* Virgo=Virgin=Mercury=Earth=sigil Female Reproductive Parts or head and part-body of snake=Aug 22-Sep 22

* Libra=Scales=Venus=air=justice=sigil sun sinking on horizon as night comes to dominate yearly cycle (higher line mental powers, lower line material existance)

* Scorpio=Scropion/Eagle=Mars/Pluto=water=animals retreat (from scroprion) hiberation=sigil male reproductive organs, competes part-serpent of Virgo, Oct 23-Nov 21

* Sagittarius=Centaur/Archer=Jupiter=fire=sigil moral foundation on which civilization may be built and arrow of inspiration, Nov 22-Dec 21

* Capricorn=Goat-fish=Saturn=Earth=sigil dual nature of land and sea, gate of gods as sun starts to ascend once more=Dec 23-Jan 19

 

Cardinal=active, initiate events (creation)

Fixed=Passive, hold events on course (preservation)

Mutable=make way for change (destruction)

Planets=Stars=Sun=Moon

 

Egypt Nut=sky goddess=milky way is her star-covered belly. surrounded by signs of the zodiac.

 

Sun=true essence of being

Moon=imaginative and reflective mind. dark park of lunar disk, opposite of crescent, symbol of unconscious. sea.

 

Polatrities:

Aries-Libra, Taurus-Scorpio, Gemini-Sagitarius, Cancer-Capricorn, Leo-Aquarius, Virgo-Pisces, each existing in balance.

 

Vishnu as Macrocosm.  Krishan, most human of Vishnu's avatars, shown as symbol containing men, animals, and the heavens (head).  upper half/lower half body?  4 arms, 2 in each sphere?  half-way line on navel.  attributes=discus, conch, lotus flower, club.

occult=hidden.  (occular cavity).  occupation, occupied, occur.

Wester occultims=Hermetica, 1-3rd AD.  duality of matter and spirit, salvation achieved through knowledge rather than faith.  immortal spirit trapped in mortal body.  can achieve liberation, union with god, by understanding our own true nature.   brought gods to life from statues (physical body, stone) by assembling emblems of the gods around statues and intoning secret words revealed to them the deities concerned.

grimoires=middle age magical recipe books, Key of Solomon.  use symbols to invoke spirits, and achieve full spiritual evolution.

seven levels of initiation, hermetic order of golden dawn: 1. Neophyte, 2. Zelator, 3. Theoricus, 4. Practicus, 5. Philosophus, 6. Adeptus Minor, 7. Adeptus Major. 

John Dee=magical script/symbols for Pythagorean geometry and mathematical proportions.

Rosy Cross=rose is unfolding spiritual realities within. arms of cross have letters of tetragrammaton.

Eliphas Levi.  Law of Correspondence (man as little universe).  Tools:lamp, rod, dagger, sword.

de occulta philosphia, cronelius agrippa, man surrounded by four magical symobls=eye, staff, snake, shield.

alchmey.  base metal=unredeemed self.  turn every day dross self into pure spiritual state (gold).   could raise self to god without established religion.  wanted to transmute base material into philosophers stone, or elixir, or tincture.  elixer could turn base metal to gold, but was an aim in itself.  journey was important as the goal.  This journey to enlightenment was the Great Work.  came from ancient egypt.  greek. arab. indian. chinese.  robert of chester, arabic book of composition of alchemy.   all of reality/mankind created from non-physical materia prima (first matter) - univeresal magical element - takes form as elements of earth/fire/air/water.  these elements can be transformed into one-another.   could turn earth/fire/air/water back into materia prima, and then bring back into world as some other of earth/fire/air/water. 

sun=male.

moon=female.

red rose=red king.

white rose=white queen.

mercury=tranforming agent of the process which is released from the materia prima.

fire=external force in alchemy.  cool fire burning in wood pit.  slow heating, like chicken incubating eggs.

penis+testicles=holy trinity?

thunder/lightning=divine wrath

lion/eating snake=raw unrefined matter

great work=ascent of mountain (mons philosophorum).  pearl at summit, a symbol of rainbow colors.  nigredo is xformed at end of first stage of great work.

As alchemist:

1. Start Great Work

2. Mine "materia prima" for self, which takes form of stone (not philosophers stone). = Deep inner longing to find our true spiritual nature, or "active principle."

3. This stone (exact nature nowhere revealed) is pulverized and mixed with "first agent", "dry water" or "fire without flame", prepared by secret process from cream of tartar. = "passive principle", indwelling energy which we're unaware, but carries potential for spiritual growth.

4. Resulting amalgam of those two substances is moistened with spring dew

5. Placed in sealed vessel or "philosophers egg"

6. Heated at constant temperature over long period. = deep meditation

7. During incubation, two principles within materia prima, sulpher (red, male, solar, hot energy) and mercury (white, female, lunar, cold energy) are said to fight venemously, each slaying each other, producing black putrefaction, the nigredo, or "black of blacks." = active principle cannot destroy passive principle, individual feels utterly forsaken, but out of this dispair arises rainbow revelation that love and not force is required

8. First stage of great work is now done.

9. Second stage: Blackness becomes overlaid with rainbow colors (peackcock tail, pearl), which are in turn covered by a whiteness, the albedo.

10. Two principles of materia prima reappear in new form, "red king" (sulphur of the wise) emerges from womb of the "white queen" (mercury, White Rose).  King and Queen are united in fire of love, and from their union comes perfection, the philosophers stone, the catalyst capable of transmuting base metals into gold and the key to enlightenment.  = love not force is required, progeny is born of water and spirit.

lower sexual heat/energy, send upward to summit of creative.

androgyne=sulphur(burns), mercury(volatile).

crown=perfection.

standing on dragon=serpent with birds feet=dominion over forces of land, sea, air.  four heads of dragon=4 elements of fire, air, water, earth.

green lion eating sun/snake=primordial matter, devouring male principle, or liberating sulphur of the wise

king+queen=male/solar+female+lunar.  sexual congress in sea of the spirit.

philosophers stone=in athanor (below), mercury (above)

athanor=alchemists furnace (below)

mutus liber=silent book of alchemy

tien mu (china) = lightning, illuminate evil doers, be struck down by thunder god (lei kung)

thunderbird=universal spirit (native ams).

thunder=gods at sport

greek=semele asked zeus to come undisguised, came as lightning, she was consumed by fire.

thunder/lightning=gods direct presence.  fertility/vitality in arid regions accompanied by rain

thor=norse god of thunder.  hammer symbol protects houses from fire.

dorje=tibet/buddhist thunderbolt sceptre.  male energy.  2 globes=meeting of heaven and earth.

shaman mask = lightningbolts instead of animal horns, cross bridge between dividing worlds

animal skin clothing=enhance powers

sleep=soul leaves body, brings back memories as dreams

sleep=(tibet) rehearsal for death

flaming cauldron=(zoroastor) ahura mazda, bringer of light, in continual struggle with Ahriman (evil/night)

Nurse of the Gods=greek/meso=dawn and ending of time.  2 kids=1 black is death, 1 white is sleep

light=kingship, divinity

daytime=divine activity and creation

day=spirit (hindu)

night=matter (hindu)

day=life

night=death

dawn=ressurection and joy

day+night=2 sides of some process, march of time, decay, death

two rats = day+night = 1 white, one black

night=satan/powers of darkness

night=womb of mother nature, rest from toils of day

Greek Nyx=night, star-spangled veil and black robe, bringer of sleep, dreams, sexual pleasure.  negative aspect=feared as mother of doom (Moros), death (Thanatos), and sleep (Hypnos)

alchemy=quest for philosophers stone, will turn base metals into gold

astrology=each sign associated with birthstone, symbolizes attributes of each sign

gold/jewels hidden in cave, guarded by dragon/serpent=spiritual wisdom buried in inconscious

gem=diety/holy person

quartz=virgin mary

cut gemstone=revelation of soull after dross of body has been chipped away.  sparking facets=souls reflection of divine light.

gemstones=formed when lucifer fell from heaven, and angelic light shattered, inherent evil of material possesions.

gold/jewels=wiles of the enchanter.  saliva of snakes (venom and spiritual wisdom)

gold=solar. untarnished like sun.

silver=lunar.  imperfections like face of moon

lapis lazuli=diivne favour, success, talent.  unselfish love and compassion.  vision, power to cure diseases of eye.  Firmament, decorate ceilings of temples.

Agate=worldly success and happiness.  attracts sympathy.

black agate=courage, prosperity, vigour.

red agate=health, longevity, spirituality.

pearl=lunar (pale shimmering hue), feminine. origin in the sea withing shell of oyster=hidden knowledge and esoteric wisdom.   pateince.  pease.  tranquility.  tears of sorrow or joy.

gold=incorruptible.  sun.  divine illumination.  purity.  masculine.  immortality.  wisdom.  excrement of sun god.

silver=feminine. lunar.  virginity.  eloquence (silver tongue).

polished silver=soul cleansed of sin.  christian ambivalent 30 pcs silver betrayal.

jade=chinese most previous.  perfection, immortality, magic.  heaven=perforated jade disk.  apple-green best color=power of levitation.

ruby=royalty, power, passion.  mars.  cure for mental disorders.

emerald=fertility and rain.  alchemists=wisdom.  christian=faith.  juptier.

diamond=permanance, incorruptable.  hard.  sun/light.  christ.

sapphire=blue of heaven, heavenly virtues=truth, contemplation, chastity.  remedy for bites of venomous animals.

sun+rain=bring forth and sustain life.

sun=male (creative, active). all-seeing.   god bestowing gifts on his people.  man's higher self.  where sould ascends after death using sun ray paths (hindu).

moon=feminine, lunar month/menstrual cycle.  changing from phase to phase, capricious.  resurrection, immortality, cyclical nature of all things.  dark mysterious side of nature.  tides, weather, rainfall, seasons.

stars=lesser gods.  halo for sun or moon (they followed the king and queen)

buddhist sun shade=spokes as sun rays=shaft world axis. protection from harm.

winged sun disk=Ra, ruler of sun/skies.  Obelisk=petrified sun ray.

plough (big dipper) = energy that broke up the primal unity of existence into the diverse world of creation.

full moon=decay of all cyclical tings.  circle, wholeness, completion, achievement.

waxing moon=creativity, regeneration, female fertility, pregnancy.

new moon=ascent from underworld (3 days dark moon), Isis, great mother, Virgin Mary

isis=virgin mary

dawn=female.  greek Eos/Aurora (sister of sun god Helios, moon goddess Selene).  clear light of the void (ultimate reality) buddhism seen at moment of death, leads to nirvana.  hope/new beginning.

comet=negative.  wrath of sun gods. bringers of disaster, war, pestilence.  unsettle harmony of nature.

scallop shell=vulva shape.  feminine princicple.  sexual passion, marriage, fertility.  hidden wisdom pearls.

matter vs. spirit = only come together in mankind.  christianity=polarized (no body after death.)  eastern=interaction of body and spirit, bridged by a number of transitional states/planes of energy (Sefirah/Kabbalistic). 

chakra points=places where spiritual and physical interact in body.  accupuncture.

man=microcosm of god, universe

temple/church=microcosm of universe, god.  macro of human body.

corn doll=fertility talisman, women wishing for pregnancy.

artemis=(roman diana)=goddess of earth, nature, fertility, childbirth.  nature in all aspects, both kind and cruel.

cornucopia=horn of plenty=union of male and female=phallic+hollow.

male+female=sex,all acts of creation,fertillization of land, creation itself.

regeneration=hare, frog, turtle, locust.

egg=potential for new life.  testicles. primordial world.

maypole=spring fertility phallic.  awakening of nature.  world axis.

wedding cake=sex/freud.  pact of peace(breaking bread).

phallic giant=fertility, masculine creative power behind universe.

lingam=masculine creative engergy hindu shiva. 

yoni=vulva/ring at base of lingam - union of sexes

jewelry = negative, trying to improve gods handiwork.

locket with hair=persons life strength, loyal to dead person memory.

hair=grows after death.

judgement of paris=wedding of greek goddes thetis, eris(strife) presented golden apple to be awarded to fairest woman.  hera, athene, and aprohdite all wanted it.  zeus appointed paris, son of priam(king of troy) as judge.  paris chose aphrodite, who in return would give him any woman he chose.  he chose helen, wife of king of sparta.  started trojan war.  physical beauty can be destructive.

nakedness=innocence, freedom from worldly taint.

cloak=secrecy, magic.

fine robes=authority, privelege, foolishness, pride.

7 stages of human life, jaques, as you like it (shakespeare):

1. helplessness (infant, puking)

2. oppression (whining schoolboy)

3. foolishness (lover sighing like a furnace)

4. false pride (seeking bubble reputation)

5. complacency (justice in fair round belly)

6. ineffectualness (lean and slippered pantaloon)

7. decay and dissolution (second childishness, mere oblivion)

or, 3 stages of human life:

1. infancy/adolescense

2. maturity

3. old age

symbolized:

1. infant. krishan with milkmaids, jesus in temple, horus listening to voice of universe.

2. mature. saint george in christ.  greek theseus-killed minotaur to prevent sacrifice of young live.

3. old age. saturn=wisdom=ruled over universe in old golden age.  god the father=old man.

youth=innocence

aged=wisdom

human body symbol for in-dwelling soul

hand=right hand is rectitude, left hand deviousnesss.  thumbs up=virility.

1=male=penis(thumbs up, the bird hand signs).

2=female=vagina(peace hand sign)

foot/footprint=stability, freedom, draw energy from ground.  follow path to enlightenment.

heart=sincerity, love, compassion.  center of things.  pierced by arrow, surmounted by cross, crowned with thorns = saints.  heart with wings, or bared breast, is Christ.

skeleton=mortality.  vanity of human wishes.  renounce physical comforts.  alchemy=nigredo, stage of death before ressurrection.

father time=impermanence of human endeavor, cronos, greek god of agricultrte, sicke (crescent). hourglass.

tai chi (yin yang)=69=balance between two opposing forces.  each carries seed of other.  male/female, right/left, good/evil.

demon=daimon/daemon=god.  then nature spirit.  then imp of hell.  active force of evil, satan.

archangel=(arc angle)=Michael-sword-divine judgement,Raphael-pilgrim staff-protection,Uriel-book-wisdom,Gabriel-lily-mercy.

halo=nimbus=aura=sun=opposite of shadow.

shadow=opposite of halo=interrupts flow of light, material.

mask=artificial public face, go beyond role to relenquish ego (allow spirits/gods to enter)

shadow=spirits lack shadow.  repressed or imperfectly acknowledged part of oneself.

square/hexagon halo=wearer is still alive

round halo=dead saint

triangular/diamond halo=god

halo=emination of life force from head

mask=conceal/transform.  great illusion of existance. 

long white beard=dignity.

tetragrammaton=name of god revealed to moses, YHWH, "I am that I am"

kuan yin=china godly purity and wisdom.  female form of avalokiteshvara (thousand-armed bodhisattva of infinte compassion.)

durga=hindu, male and female energies held in balance. durga consort of shiva, divine mother of universe, destroyer of evil (Kali), insight, discrimination, devtion, bliss (ten-armed, majesty and strength) riding a lion (spiritual power).

quetzalcoatl=plumed serpent, aztec god of wind of west, gentleness, wisdom, lawmaking.  conquering the devouring earth-serpent and rendering world habitable.

saturn=roman god of seed, agricultrue, plenty (greek Cronos).  ruled paradise/golden age.  Saturnalia=Christmas.

Shiva=one of 3 main hindu dieties.  lord of cosmic dance.  destroys life so that it can be renewed.  4 hands, Flame that consumes, rattle whose sound calls forth creation, third held out in gesture of fearlessness, fourth points to dwarf of ignorance under his feet

priesthood=male (female=symbolic of secret hidden side of nature).

right-hand path=good

left-hand path=evil

wizard=wisdom of age, solitary/scholarly life

witch=evil.  hag on broomstick.  fat from eating human flesh and red-eyed from nocturnal activites (africa).

paradise=garden, new jerusalem

sky=solid dome or firmament

heavens=heaven (sky=heaven)

hell guarded by 3-headed dog Cerebrus

greek=hades=3 levels.  elysian plain=fortunate few.  asphodel plain=limbo.  tartarus=wicked/punishment.

Tsitigarbharaja=bodhisattva who descends into hell in order to teach and rescue those suffering.

Jacob's Ladder=unstable link, travel both ways.

Emma-o=japanese lord of underworld, holding staff of office.

flaming sword=turned every way.  symbol of sacrifice that must be made to re-enter garden of eden.  surrender of the ego that believes itself separate from god.

nirvana=abstract depiciton, undescriable buddhist final place.

charon and styx=death as journey.  flight of soul to court of osiris.

 

isis=air,kite, used wings to revivify osiris w/breath of life

sailing ship=air,gods of wind=aeolus(greek), saint nicholas(christian)

prana=air,(chinese chi),(japan ki),circulates through body.  turn physical energy into spiritual through yoga and acupuncture.

pegasus=air,winged horse sprang from blood of medusa.  mankinds desire to fly.  mankind can tame elements with help of gods.

phoenix=air,half eagle, half phaesent. sets self alight every 100 years, rise rejuvanated after 3 days.  ressurection, immortality, indestructable spirit.

agni=fire,hindu,riding ram (solar energy), seven tongues (mystic number of creation).

incense=fire,purity, ascent to heaven

smoke=fire,peace, path followed at death.  ignorance(obscured vision)

ship burial=fire=rising smoke

prometheus=greek=stole fire (wisdom that differs man from divinity).  courage needed to challenge decree of gods.

lantern=casted shadows had own existance, used to project symbols

firecracker=groups of 3=health, wealth, longevity

rivers=life source, communication routes, boundary between life and death, purification, passing of time

steam=water, tranformation of stataes/phases, fire+Water

streams=rivers, but closer to creative source, "stream of consciousness".  4 streams carried life force to 4 corners of world from tree of life.

wells=sacred gift from womb of mother earath.  paradise.  female.  heal or grant wishes.

boats/rafts=safe passage to other side.  no danger for pure in heart.  gods crossing water in strange ways safely.

ice and snow=sterility, cold, rigid.  melting ice = return of life.  snow=latent truth, hidden wisdom (soft/beautiful)

clouds/mist=mystery/sacred. clouds formed from yin+yang.  god in clouds.  peace.  heaven.

rain=life-giving blessing from heaven, revelation, descent of grace to earth.  deluge=wrath of god, purge earth of corruption, innocent may perish too.

poseidon(greek)=(roman)neptune, brother of zeus, cosmic power fertilizng the sea, trident=3=creation, violent, earthquakes.

volcano=ahriman, destructive force, greek hephaestos (smith) busy in workship

pagoda=/stupa, ascent to heaven, 7 stories, mount meru world axis at center of universe

valley=feminine symbol, fertility, cultivation, water.  darkness/unknown.

mountain=meeting place of heaven and earth.  cross.  masculine, eternity, ascent from animal to spiritual.  home of weather gods.

cave=feminine.  heart of world. unconscious.  enterance to underworld.  initiation.  esoteric wisdom.

rainbows=benign deity (beauty in presence of storm.)  divine communication between heaven and earth.  sun god.  Greek Iris messenger/wings.  god's forgiveness, convenant (noah, dry land.)  gold found where it meets earth.  leprechaun?  bridge between world and gods.  sky dragon/serpent.   combination of all 4 elements, highest attainable meditative goal.l

 

 

 

food=fertility, abundance, celebration, peace, difference resolution

corn=life energy, universal fellowship

broken bread=can't harm that person after breaking bread with them

drink

water=primordial fluid, life, purity

milk=sustaining compassion of earth, motherhood

wine=blood/sacrifice.

wine+water=christ dual nature (god+mankind)

wine=alters consciousness, ecstatic union with gods

honey=with milk, abundance of promised land.  preservative=immortaility.  aphrodisiac=fertility.

sheaves of corn=fertility of earth, inner fertility of enlightened mind

ear of corn=offspring of sun and earth, Eleusininan mysteries

mushrooms, toadstools=chinese happiness/rebirth.  phallic shape/fertility/sexual potentcy

pomegranate=persephone(greece) return of life in spring.  countless seeds.  fertility, unity/diversity of all creation.  boundless love of creator(christian).

dionysus=greek god of wine/happiness/agriculture.  union of heaven and earth, spirituality and sensuality.  killed/eaten by titans (who were later burnt by zeus.)  we must sift through ashes trying to put back together - find our true identity.

peach=china/marriage/immortality/longeevity.  peache from tree in gardens of paradise.

last supper=bread/wine=body/blood of christ. 

golden apple=dischord (from Paris to Aphrodite in divine beauty contest that caused trojan war.)  freyja (norse goddes of love and magic) gave apples of immortality from her garden to rejuvenate the gods.

elements=west 4 (fire, water, air, earth).  china + metal.  india/tibet + ether/spirit.  organizing principles in the universe.  alchemy=triangle geometry depiction.  fire=skyward=upward pointing.  components of human body.  balance needed in body, just as in outside world.

sylph=air,communicate with divine (letter A with bottom complete triangle)

salamander=fire, live in volcano (upward triangle, dot in middle top.)

ondine=water, graceful young woman, captivating/treacherous, downward triangle with dot in bottom center. (inverse of fire/salamander).

gnome=earth, underworld, appeased with offerings, downward triangle+A (invert of sylph/air.)

body=four elements+spiritual, male body, heaven+earth.

 

 

 

spider=celt/web of life. egypt/greece=fate. christian=snare of satan.  great mother in devouring aspect.

hare=love, fertility, menstrual cycle.  magical.  moon.

toad=repulsive. jewel in head=wisdom to see sacred in all things

bat=darkness/choas.  buddha=ignorant, distracted.  china=long life, happy

flies=demonic forces

beelzebub=satan=syrian destroying insects

garuda=half man, half eagle, hindu vehicle for vishnu.  buddhism=destroyer of evil doers.  enemy of snakes.

sphinx=human/female head, body of bull, feet of lion, wings of eagle - 4 elements.  acces to all wisdom, riddle of human existance

chimera=lion, goat, serpent = spring/summer/winter.  dangers of land and sea.  choas.  storms, shipwrecks, natural disasters esp. volcanos, satanic forces

harpy=greek, female wind spirit, wind, storm, whirlpools, sudden unexpected death.  cock+female

siren=daughters of poseidon/greek sea, beguiling/destructive female beauty, birds/w women head, beautiful voices called mariners to doom

centaur=wild, lawless, instinct, antithesis of knight (man control horse).  chiron=healing powers of nature, skill with bow=nature power/fertility

mermaid=elusive feminine beauty, vanity, fickleness.  enconcscious, anima.

garden=enclosed feminine princicple

chrysanthemum=contemplation, onset of autumn

earth/nature=maternal goddess=aranrhod/celt, nekhebet/egypt, nokomis/algonquin, gaia/greek

bird=fire, purity, spirit

serpent=earth/underworld

turtle=universe upper shell/body/lower shell

tree of life = virgin mary bears fruit of jesus christ

christmas tree=life during dead times

pine cone=masculine/flame in greek, purity/venus in rome

palm tree=sun, fame, victory, righteousness. palm leaves=afterlife

forest=darkness, chaos.  unconscious (sea).  mystery and tranformation.

tree=heaven+earth+water.  world axis.

sacred trees.  oak=celt/norse divinity/masculine.  oak=roman/jupiter/thunder.  fig=buddhist/enlightenment.  taoist=peach=immortality.

tree as man=fertility, male energy impregnate earth.  itself subject to decay+renewal.  green man,  pan, herne the hunter.

mandrake=human shaped, curative, fertility/conception

mistletoe=female to male/oak.  divine (not tree, not shrub, no roots, etc)

rose=red virgin mother, blood of christ on cross.  secrecy.  3 roses masonic symbol of light/love/life.

garland=flower+ring, good luck, holiness, fertility, initiation.  binding this world + next (funerals)

garlic=(lily) higher world, lightning (smell)

lotus=grows in mud at bottom of pond, grows above water to reveal beauty, soul rising from confusion to enlightenment.  garden=nature under control.  cultivate for human soul.  paradise.

herbs. rue=repentance=bitter.  rosemary=rememberance=scent.  thyme=purity=taste of food.

flower=paradise. feminine beauty.  opening flower=creation, sun.  youth. vitality.  fragile.  cycle of life=fertility/death/rebirth.  egypt=wheat grows from body of osiris.

 

elder=pan/greece. ivy=bacchus. bay=apollo. laurel=dionysus. tamarisk=osiris.  aspen=treats fevers (trembles in wind).  hazel=water divining, wands.

wood=fundamental matter.

tree of life=12 or 10 fruit (wisdom, love, truth, beauty, etc).  fruits=sun and immortality.

world tree=roots around earth, growing into heaven. reach for spirit.  yggdrasil, nordic odin hung and suffered for nine days and nights (christ on cross)

inverted tree=roots in heaven, branches on earth (upside down).  kabbalistic tree of life, 10 aspects of sefiroth (fruit?)

2 trees, 1 root=duality but oneness

woman tree=earth mother, feminine, invisible life force of earth.  inseminated by masculine wind/rain/sun.

tree of knowledge=good+evil.   also depicted as a vine.

serpent around tree=earth energy rising (serpent/tree of life). 

basilisk=evil, lust, disease, lethal gaze (medusa) = cock + dragon/serpent

satyr=(greek dionysus, ecstasy, wine music) - half men, half goat, amoral lazy pleasure-seeking, later devil

 

 

bird=asecent death/spiritual experience. messengers ood/bad.  tree symbolism.  hindu bird watching or eating - contemplative/active way of life.  assoc w/serpents=conflict, battle of open vs deep/hidden, air vs water, esoteric vs exoteric.

pelican=feed young w/own blood - christ, self sacrifice.  ressurection (antithesis of raven, dying to the world)

feathers=celts-bird-lightness-speed-travel.  native american=great spirit, sun flame

icarus=father daedalus.  lapse from grace driven too hard by ambition

raven=ill omen, prophecy, mortality, wise/sly=native am

Ba=egypt=flight of soul from grave, hawk with human head

leda and swan=greek. zeus took san form to seduce Leda, queen of sparta.  swan=love of ogds.  solitude, music, poetry, whiteness=sincerety.

peacock=imortality/christian. persian/two around the tree of life, psychic duality.  buddhist-hundred-eye-tail-compassion watchfulness

salmon=celtic/prophecy/inspiration-instinct to find spawning grounds

three fishes=christian trinity. divine forces only visible to those with good spiritual sight.

birth of venus=scallop=venus=born from foam produced when severed genitals of uranus were cast into sea, and was carried ashore by scallop shell.  bihalves hinged shells = female genitalia, feminine principle.  scallop=christian pilgramige and initiation (used to scoop baptismal waters)

fish=fecundity/life giving water, inspiration/creativity.

Ichthus=greek fish=Iesous Christos Theou Huios Soter (Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour)

fish=buddhism=freedeom from restraints, desire, attachment

hindu brahma and vishnu sometimes in fish form

fish=phallic, masculine

shell=feminine, birth, good fortune, resurrection

octopus=spiral, unfolding of creation, Cancer

Conch=buddhist-voice of buddha, hindu=vishnu awaken from ignorance

fishing net=man attempt to capture enlightenment

whale=power of cosmic waters.  jaws/belly of hell.  jonah=rebirth through spiritual conversion.

monkey=distracted mind, chatter endlessly.  tamed monkey=loyal, intelligent.

elephant=status, strength, foresight, victory over death (long life span), wisdom+dignity in old age

monkeys=spread gossip, gloat over misfortune of others

3 mystic monkeys=see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil - rise about our debased stated

white elephant=buddhism sacred, entered mothers womb in this form. patience, wisdom from long memory.   china=power, cosmic energy

hanuman=indian monkey god, hero of the ramayana (ally of Rama, incarnation of Vishnu) cunning/strength.  tames fire sent against him, tantric power to transform most fierce emotions into spiritual energy

ganesha=hindu elephant vehicle, god of sacred wisdom, invincibility, prudence.  patron of learning, wrote mahabharata.  4 arms to confirm gifts and protection upon human race.

goat=satan/magic(west).  greece-sacred to zeus (suckled by she-goat amalthea), fecundity/cunning=pan/artemis.  hindu=mountiain home=higher self.  norse=thor chariot=pulled by goats

sacrificial lamb=martyrdom, blood of lamb=obedience to gods will

good shepherd=care/protection for helpless

goat=horns+breasts=union of male and female powers

Ea (onnes)=babylonian god of waters, goat-fish, fecundity of sea+land. 

bull=male, strength, procreation.  mithraic=sacrificed yearly, blood masculine fertilizing feminine earth and return life to land.  crescent horns=lunar, feminine.  romans=venus

ox/buffalo=ego in taoism/buddhism, lao tzu often rides buffalo (tame ego)

europa and bull=greek zeus on bull carried off europa.  christian=white bull christ carrying sould to heaven

bear=male brave strength.  female=artemis/greek/hunt (or diana/roman)

stag=wisdom, branching antlers=tree of life, china=virility

sow(swine/pig)=fertility

egypt=white sow=isis

egypt=black pig=set

greek=zeus suckeld by a sow while hiding from father Chronos.  pigs sacrificed to ceres and demeter (fertility)

hindu=vajravarahi-feminine aspect of vishnu (boar)

buddhism=pig=ignorance/greed.  judaic=unclean.  christian=sensual/flesh.

boar=strength/courage.  celtcs=magic/propehcy (solitary life in forest).  head=health/preservation.

sow/litter=motherhood, rain-bearer

pig=gluttony

 

 

four = mankind (4 limbs), elements, cardinal points, seasons, ages of man.

seven = divinity 3 + man 4, macrocosm + microcosm, days, sins, heavens/initiation. apollo(greek), ishtar(babylon-fertility), 7 colors, 7 notes on musical scale

goldd=sun,majesty,divine expressed through matter, ra, sun god, corn, hindu-truth, greek-reason/immortality/golddenn fleece - jason found hanging on tree of life

red=life force animal world, blood/energy coursing through body,,, flushes face, 'seeing red' anger, war/mars, jupiter, masculine, activity, chinese-goodluck, christ pppassion

blue=intellect, peace, conflict, water, coolness, sky, infinity, emptiness, christian/virgin/queen of heaven, faith, compassion, baptism, venus/love

green=sensations, nature growth&decay, jealousy

black=west=death/sorrow/underworld, hindu-time, egypt=birth/ressurection

white=purity, virgin, de

violet=power/red + wisom/blue = authority, mystical, sorrow, ouring, nymph Echo pining for love of narcissus

Echo=nymph?

drum/dance=divine creation, death

lyre=orpheus,apollo. wisom and moderation

harp=daghda celtic god of plenty

horn=end of world, approach of enemy

knots/cords/rings=binding together, imprisonment, limitation, unity, initiation, tortorous path to enlightenment

ring = protection, eternity, absolute

thread of life=3 fates (clotho, lachesis, atropos) - spin/measure/cut thread of life, control destiny from cradle to grave

spiral=solar/lunar, masculine/feminine energies

plait=covenant between man and god

endless knot (celtic) = continuity, ongevity, eternity.  bridal dresses and jewelry

silken cord=death can come at any time, greek=single hair suspends a sword over head of damocles

castle/moat=stronghold of good/evil.  treasure/princess is guarded (enlightenment)

outer court / inner court / holy of holies = abdomen(regeneration) / thorax (organs of life an vitality), head (spiritual perception)

bridge=transition, life to death, secular to divine, danger on path of development

door=key required to enter.  opportunity, transition sleep/death.  christian 3 doors = faith/hope/charity

window=how conciousness looks out of our own eyes.  light of god. 

mouse=humility, hypocrisy(jewish), destruction(christian)-gnawing at tree of life

dragonfly=summer/chinese, instability/haphazard, swift(native american)

butterfly=transformation, immortality, beauty from death/corruption

wearing of animal skin = restoration of paradisal state (animals, without thought, pure secrets/nature/etc)

dragon=lungs of fire, wings of bird, scales of fish, living in dark caverns = 4 elements.  paradox of male/female, light/dark, creation/destruction.  coming together of matter and spirit.  guards spiritual treasure, or carries off virgin/purity to lair.  unconcsious.

dragonslayer=triumph of spirit over matter.

lance=masculine power, suns rays slanting into world

dragon/sea = creative mind.

four claws of mang(china) = 4 elements.  5th claw=ether

7-headed serpent=Lotan destroyed by Baal in Caananite myth, Leviathan, 7 deadly sins.  dragon/serpent+7=universe, creative force in most purposeful and complete form.

ouroboros=snake swallow own tail.  circle+serpent.  water-equivalent of phoenix. totality, rebirth, immortality.

medusa=greek, fear, men fear women swift mood change.

entwined snakes=good+evil.  caduceus (around pole) messenger of Hermes/Mercury = peace.  medicine=nature can cure herself.

heraldic horse= prancing/invicta is speed/power/nobility.  christian courage.  east fire/heavens.  black=death.

heraldic unicorn=lunar/feminine.  victory of male over female.  counterbalances extrovert lion.

heraldic eagle=falcon.  sky god.  rise above, acute vision.

heraldic griffin=guardian of path to salvation/tree of life.  vigilance and vengance.  eagle/air + lion/fire.

heraldic cockerel=pride/courage.  solar/sun/ressurection.

heraldic lion=valour,oryalty, protection, wisdom, energy

fox=longevity/japan, messenger of rice god inari.  change shape, assume human form in china.  cunning/deciet.  wisdom.

wolf=christian/cruelty.  maternal care(romulus/remus)

anubis=egypt, jackal, safe passge to osiris in underworld

werewolf=fear/violence of civilization (good at day, bad at night)

canis major=dog days, high summer.  dog star.

dog=loyalty, watchfulness, courage, skill hunt, masculine, sun, wind and fire.  celtic healing. 

wolves/foxes=ambivalent

cats=domestic, cruelty, liberty, evil/celtic.  west/satan/lust/darkness.  rainmakers.

tiger=ferocity, protection, king, vitality, energy

bastet=egypt cat, watchfulness, moon goddess, cold/calm surveyed men and beasts

jaguars eyes=mirror conduit to realm of spirits.  see the future.

dogs=solar. male.

cats=lunar. female.

baptismal fonnnt=rebirth  in life-sustaining fluid of earth-mmmothers womb.  8-sided/regennneration.

throne=empttty=too glorious to portray

key=initiationn, roman   god jannus, shepherds herd crook osiris, christ.

flail=judgement

oil lamp=consecration, dedication, wisdom

crown=circle/perfect/infinite, height=majesty.  gold=masculine/solar.  silvver=lunar/feminine.  virginn mary crown of stars

orb=tttemporal power, cross on globe,

yellow=faithlessness, betrayel, disease, quarantine.  china=sacred.  buddhaaa=humility.

hourglass=mortality, passsing of time, cyclical existance, heavens falling to earth

grail and round table = key to salvation in middle of universe

fleur de lys = triple lily - majesty of god,  his creation, royallty.  mind/body/soul come together only in mankind

dove and olive branch = eeend of flood, peace, holy spirit

mars / god of war = chariot/battle.  march=armies mobilized after winter...

sword handle = cross

battering ram = ram head

2 heads battle axe = divine and material power

apocalypse = 4.  war/sword, conqueror/bow/angel, famine/scales, death/trident/sick horse

sword=justice/authority

bow+arrow=sunlight, pangs of love

dagger=phallus masculinity

 

M = man + woman

9 = circle, square and triangle, most auspicious chinese celestial number, hindu 9^2 = 81 square mandala universe

Three Fishes = each rotated 120° = Christian symbol Christ in Gospel of Saint Philip = "Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. One will not receive truth in any other way ... The bridegroom must enter through the image into the truth." archetypes: anima = female archetype. sentimentality / moodiness / compassion / tenderness. princess in tower, or weaving magic spells. prostitute/fairy/witch. negative aspect = lures man to deny. Salome/John the Baptist. earth/elements/ocean=ships. mother nature, cow, she-wolf. evil mother = lilith/hebrew, she-bear. animus = hero in shining armour, becomes prince, overcomes evil. negative=woman as sex object, bores with her. trickster = rebelious, questioning, denying, no morals, no code, can prod out of complacency. Norse Loki. shadow = self-willed, self-seeking (evil in western world), antisocial/ashamed desires, satan, ahriman, faust, dr jekyll scarab beetle = lay eggs in dung to roll to nest = regeneration, renewal, endurance of human soul genetalia in east = sacred symbols fat belly. west=glutton, east=riches, india=elephant=wisdom, japan=energy/knowledge yellow. europe=coward, china=imperial, buddhist=humility, mayan=west dragon. west=primeval nature, satan, vanquish with self control. east=joy, dynamism, good health, fertility, ward off evil.. china=holding pearls/thunder=rain pearls=thunder(china) mask = invoke supernatural being, deny personal identity and get closer to paradise state (one heart, one mind) seven dots or parallel lines = sacred venus scultpures = large-breasted women (fertility) Ibis (egypt) = Thoth, god of wisdom. Falcon (egypt) = high in heaven, great eyesight, nothing can hide = Horus, lor of sky Frog (egypt) = fecundity = Heket, goddess of birth cow (egypt) = Hathor = mother goddess Crocodile/Lion/Hippo (egypt) = Ammit = gobbles up hearts laden with sin. elements = air/earth/water/fire noahs ark = salvation through the church totem pole = same as heraldry in europe - family/tribe/history aztec calendar = solar cycle 365 days, ritual cycle 260 days (13 periods of 20 days, each governed by different diety) Hindu. Brahma=creative power brings universe into being. Vishnu=sustain power preserve/protect (has 10 avatars). Shiva=forces of change. Dharma=moral order. Manu=humanities earliest ancestor warned by Vishnu (in fish form) of impending deluge, built ship with 2/every species and seeds of all plants. Krishna "dark as a cloud" = 8th avatar/incarnation of vishnu. pranks/sexytime. fell for Radha a milkmaid (gopi). five hindu pleasures = meat, alcohol, grain, fish, sex. china=noble themes, landscapes/natural world. land=man, water=blood, grass/trees=hair, clouds/mists=clothing, solitary wandering scholar=soul. bamboo=spirit of scholar, bent but not broken. jade=purity. chinese architecture=jagged roofs=launch demons back into space da vinci, last supper = christ as apollo/hercules (Hindu) Kali (terrifying aspect of Devi (great goddess)) - black/hag/skulls/blood. rides on Shiva (white-skinned man or hermaphrodite, third eye=inner wisdom, crescent moon on forehead). Brahma=creator god, four faces. "Brahma produced a beautiful woman from his own body and was smitten by her beauty. As she walked around him as a gesture of respect, Brahma's wish to stare at her beauty caused a succession 4 faces to appear." Eos = greek goddess of dawn. every morning left husband Tithonus, rose into sky on chariot drawn by 2 horses. morning dew = tears of grief for son Memnon who was killed by achilles. Ma-Ku (china) = goodness of all people. Oedipus (Greek) = killed father (Laius), married mother (Jocasta), blinded self from guilt when found out hero = ego. self-sacrifice=passing into maturity. Anubis (egypt) = jackal Osiris (egypt) = lord of underworld Heart (egypt) = seat of emotions Feather (egypt) = justice Isis = queen of heaven, Crescent Virgin Mary = Isis, Artemis, Diana Christmas/Easter = pre-christian pagan festivals (yule log, mistletoe, christmas tree) Greek Dionysus=Roman bacchus (artemis=diana, zeus=jupiter, hermes=mercury, aphrodite=venus) hermaphrodite = hermes + aphrodite? Herkales=Hercules Apollo=Apollo Saint Christopher carries Christ-child across river = Charon across river styx Saint Catherine of Alexandria (martyrdom, milk flowed from veins) = Isis/milk. meditation=silence distractions, get in touch with inner self = wheel, lotus Lily=virginal love (christian) whiteness=purity, straight stalk=godliness, downward-curve leaves=humility 4 Evangelists = man (homo), lion (leo), ox, eagle - (ezekiel). 4 guardians of earth, 4 supporters of heaven Eucharist/Sacrament = chalice/cup=spiritual womb. 3 nails usually involved. ritual = journey into collective unconscious. body=spirit. Marriage or male+female = loss of indepdence, male sacrifice of self for maturity (abduction/rape of bride for female). renewal of life. man/woman alone = cleaved, half a person. isis/osiris, orpheus/eurydice tristram/isolde (two trees grow to branches intertwine). struggle to be united. heaven/earth (Nut/Geb). adam/eve. child = lost innocence of undivided man. light/dark, joy/sorrow. cup=form+emptiness. life/death. islamic devotional prayer = salat, 5 times per day. rak'ahs=physical postures chemical wedding (alchemy) = unite male+female matter, sometimes hermaphrodite, king/queen. alchemy = universe in miniature, perfection to nature (metal to gold)

Cross = assyrian sky god Anu, chinese Earth, Toltec for Tlaloc & Quetzalcoatl.  cosmos.  vertical line = spiritual, masculine.  horizontal = earthly, feminine.  intersection=heaven and earth meet.  mankind=union, cross itself.

crescent=newborn, ship of light, crescent+star=sovereignty and divinity

rainbow = sacraments, doctrine, office, polity, prayer, powers to loosen and to bind.

concentric circles=cosmos

white=moon(china)

red=sun(china)

pink=success(china) sunrise

swastika=cross spinning at center.  clockwise=male, anticlockwise=female.  4 arms=4 levels of existance.

maze=inner journey through own mind to find center.   clock maze=time, journey back to womb/death/etc.

Theseus in maze kills Minotaur (traveler guided by divine instinct (golden thread) thorugh maze of life to overcome animilistic side)

maze=corn/maize?

celtic cross=cross+circle.  fertility (cross=male, circle=female.)  heaven+earth(christian)

inverted cross=humility, inverted tree of life (spirit has roots in heaven, reaches down to earth)

ankh = cross+circle.   (osiris+isis) = immortality/gods

Osiris=tau T cross

Isis = oval

rosy cross = generative power.  blood of christ, 7 stages of initiation, 7 rows of seven petal flower

upward triangle=male

downward triangle=female

point-to-point=sexual union.  star of david.  four elements + number 3 = 7.  6 points, 7th invisible, spiritual/inner eye

pentagram=endless like circle, perfection/wholeness.  4 elements+spirituality.  bind or banish evil.

stupa=sqaure base (earth)+circle(water)+triangle(fire)+semicircle(air)+flame(ether).  transform matter to spirituality thorugh stages.

celtic triple enclosure (9 men's morris board) - human consciousness.  outer/physical + physical/spiritual + inner/spiritual.

pyrmiad=world axis.

 

three=mind/body/spirit, birth/life/death, past/present/future.  3 magi = divinity/majesty/sacrifice

 

red+white=mortality

circle=male divinity (halos), infinity, perfection, eternal, God, constant change

red cock=lust (buddhist)

oval=female genitalia, female.  horizontal=all-seeing eye.  sun god.  Horus(egyptian). god the father (christian).

green snake=hatred (buddhist)

black pig=ignorance (buddhist)

square=solidity, perfeciton, static, earthly, dependability, honesty, shelter, safety, order, balance

triangle=sacred trinity.  up=ascent to heaven, fire, male.  downward=grace descending, water, passive feminine.

semicircle=incomplete/satan

 

!Basics

* Image = word/action names a concrete thing

* Symbol = image & additional layer of meaning

* Type = looks forward to anti-type (future fulfillment) (typical people, places, etc)

* Metaphor = I am the bread of life. * Simile = I am LIKE the bread of life. * Allegory = Extended metaphor - applications follow story * Parable = Extended simile - application separate from interpretation * Archetypes = Universal elements of human experience !Notes * Symbols do not reveal new doctrines !Animals * Ass = Noncovenant people * Bull = Royalty, kingship, protection, Jehovah * Calf/Cow = God * Camel/Hare = Immorality * Chameleon = Deceptive people, gluttony (also weasel, mouse, tortoise, ferret, lizard, snail, mole) * Clean Animals = Christ & his followers, \"chew the cud\" (pour over the word of God), \"cloven hoofed\" (surefooted) (also oxen, sheep, lambs, goats) * Cormorant = insatiable and unquenchable desires, enslaved by passions * Divided Hoof = steady faith in God, distinguish between right and wrong and choose the good * Divided Hoof Without Ruminating = profess faith in God, but no action follows * Dog = hypocrisy, pattern of feigned repentance and return to sin, devil\'s companion * Donkey = God of Evil, devil, harm, non-covenant. Also, peace. * Dove = Holy Ghost, peace, purity, purification, house of Israel, constancy * Dragon/Serpent = multifaceted evil, chaos, darkness, heresy, adversity, destruction * Eagle = sometimes positive (God/Christ). sometimes negative (prey upon weakness of others to get gain) (also ravens, owls, hawks, swans, pelicans, storks, bats) * Fish with fins/scales = faithful Israel, rebirth, baptism, invisible presence of Christ, self control * Fish without fins/scales = Israel, but Lack of self-control, Swim near bottom, not with school, risk greater temptation * Gnats = Weaker than locusts, can\'t jump out of world * Goat = Satan, damned, sinners, lust - also Christ burdened with our sins * Grasshopper = Church members who have overcome or risen above the world * Hare/Camel = Immorality, adultery, fornication * Hawk = Prey on weakness of others to get personal gain * Horse = Conquest * Hyena = Immorality * Lamb = Christ & his followers, gentleness, meekness, purity, surrender of personal will * Lamprey = Member who take exception to the norms of the church, gravitate towards alternate paths, seedy places, dark things. * Locusts = Members of church who have overcome the world * Owl = Gain from others losses - death, darkness, evil, ingratitude, desolation, mourning - impending evil and death * Ox = Members of Christ\'s church, obedience, sacrifice, strength of character, deity, Messiah * Pig/Swine = Only remember God in times of need, hypocrite, glutton, unbridled passions * Rabbit = Immorality, adultery, fornication, etc * Ram = Christ, resurrection, protection, sacrifice * Raven = Evil, mortification, corruption, sin, wandering, unrest, etc * Rumination = \"chew the cud\", meditating night and day on words of God * Ruminating but not parting the hoof = have words of God, but do not heed them * Serpent/Snake = Sometimes Messiah/resurrection, sometimes devil/evil/sin * Sheep = Christ and his followers, meekness, purity, surrendering personal will * Snail = Deceit, laziness, sin * Undivided Hoof = Struggle to distinguish good vs. evil * Weasel = Deceptive / misrepresent * Wolf = evil, devil, craftiness, bloodthirsty, dark side of personality !Body Parts * Arm = Power, strength, folded = submission, upraised = prayer and receiving power, arm of flesh = man power anti-god * Blood = life, humanity, mortality, sin, impurity, sacrifice, death * Bosom/Breast = favored status, nonsexual intimacy, security, protection, nurturing * Bowels = (Intestines) Compassion, feelings, emotios, loins (reproduction, fertility) (modern Heart) * Circumcision = Sign of covenant * Ear = Receptivity and obedience, what you hearken to obey - itching ears = only listen to what is agreeable, still small voice * Eye = Light, knowledge, insight, revelation, desires, longings, multiple eyes = omniscience/godliness * Foot = how we live, what path we follow, power over someone * Forehead = what we think about, love, or desire, thoughts/heart * Hair = Life, health (both spiritual and physical) - tearing out = devastation, excess = deranged, bald = loss of life, white/gray = mature, honor, resurrect * Hand = Actions, pursuits, clasped = solidarity and covenants, with another hand = transfer of power and authority, expression of forehead * Head = Governs the body, crowned = authority, royalty, ruling power - entirety of a person, severed head = decisive defeat * Heart = Seat of knowledge, receipt of revelation, omniscience, true inner man/spirit * Horn = Power, strength (both good and bad) * Knee = State of a person to another (bowed = submission) * Loins = Offspring, reproduction, omnipresence, preparedness (girded) * Neck = Outward symbol for state of our heart, bowed = humility, stiff/erect = pride * Nose = Anger & temperament * Shoulder = Labor, burdens, responsibilities * Skin = spiritual health * Throat = Power, priesthood, ability and right to command (voice) * Wing = Power to move and act !Colors (descriptive of origin, not shade) * Amber = sun, light * Black = Grief, sorrow, mourning, negative, sin, evil, death, judgment, destruction * Blue = Godliness, spirituality, heavenly nature of a thing * Brass = Judgment, telestial * Brown = Judgment, damnation, death (opposoite of Green) * Gold = Wealth, temporal power, worldliness, Celestial, divine nature * Green = Life and fertility * Pale Green = Impending death * Purple = Wealth, power, royalty, majesty * Red/Scarlet = Sin, blood, atonement, war, violence, death * Silver = Redemption, moral purity, terrestrial * White = Purity, righteousness, holiness, innocence, victory, light, revelation, happiness, Spirit * Rainbow = ROYGBV -> color progression / symbol progression of life? !Clothing (change = change of role, was rare and expensive) * Apron = Fertility, reproduction, priesthood, work * Bows = Marriage covenant between man/wife and God/church * Breastplate or righteousness = Controlling thoughts and desires * Breeches = glory of God, Christ, Celestial beings, flesh of Christ * Cap/Crown/Hat = Authority, victory, wisdom, power * Coat of Skins = Garments * Garments = Glory of God/Christ/Celestial, flesh of Christ * Girdle of Truth = Using truth to not be deceived by temptations/traps of immodesty and immorality * Helmet of Salvation = Controlling and limiting what enters our body, heart, mind, and being. Protect eyes, mind, ears, mouth from things forbidden by God. * Robes = Image of priesthood power * Sackcloth = Grief, humiliation, repentance, dismay * Sashes = Chastity, virginity, faithfulness * Shield of Faith = Protection from spiritual death by deflecting temptations and evil assaults * Shoes/Sandals/Slippers = Absence = Enslavement and poverty, entrance into a hallowed place when removed, sure footing in gospel, Freedom * Swaddling clothes = Parental care and compassion, impending death * Sword of the Spirit = Scriptures, covenants, teachings, and Holy Ghost can ensure safe return from spiritual battle * Veils = Chastity, virtue, modesty, submission, obedience, commitment, divine authority/power !Directions * East = Presence of God or his influence, to face God, to move toward God, attack from East = receipt of Wrath of God, sunrise, start of something new, Christ coming * North = Dark, hidden, gloomy, left-handed, non-covenant, apostasy * South = Covenant, Covenant making, right-hand, heaven refreshment, revelation * West = Sorrow, chaos, evil, darkness, kingdom of the devil, death !Numbers * 1/3 or 1/3 part = Bounds have been set, power is limited * 1 = Unity of Godhead, Church, or any group - God as the origin of all things * 2 = Opposition, separation, good vs evil, life force, creative power, male+female, multiple witnesses to sustain * 3 = Godhead, divine involvement/backing/influence, atonement (three hours darkness, three days in tomb, three crosses) * 3 1/2 = Half of seven, arrested midway in normal course * 4 = Fullness, totality, Earth, universality of divine acts * 5 = Divine grace, main in a fallen and mortal state * 6 = Deficit, imperfection, failure to attain completeness, negative * 7 = Fullness, completion, wholeness, spiritual perfection, totality, eternal life, human reproduction = 280 days = 7 x 40 = full mourning & full trial * 8 = Resurrection, new beginnings, rebirth, baptism, Christ * 9 = Judgment, finality, completion (3^3) * 10 = \"all of a part\", whole, complete unit existing within greater whole (10 commandments aren\'t all the commandments, tithing not the full sacrifice expected from us) * 11 = Sin, transgression, peril, conflict, disorder, imperfection, disintegration * 12 = Priesthood power and right to govern * 13 = Foreshadows apostasy, evil omen * 24 = Multiple of 12, fullness of priesthood and calling/election made sure * 40 = Period of trial, testing, probation, mourning, long time * 42 = 3 1/2, 1260 = arrested midway in normal course (42 months = 3 1/2 years) * 144 = Multiple of 12, fullness of priesthood and calling/election made sure * 666 = Trinity of imperfection, Satan, great and abominable church, anti-Christ - imperfect but acting like the divine * 888 = Christ, abundance * 1000 = Completion, magnify another number (i.e. 144 * 1000 = 144,000) * 1260 = 3 1/2, 42 = arrested midway in normal course * 144000 = Multiple of 12, fullness of priesthood and calling/election made sure !Other Symbols * Ark of Covenant = Presence/manifestation of God, or church of God - Wood/Gold = Christ as Mortal/Divine * Bride/Woman = Church of Jesus Christ or covenant Israel * Bridegroom = Messiah, Jesus Christ * Budding Rod = Resurrected Christ, priesthood authority, divine intervention * Cherubs = Guard against glory until we have convenants * Figs = Fertility, reproduction, covenant people - tree of knowledge of good & evil was a fig tree - sin and fall of man * Flaming Sword = Celestial words, commands, covenants that separate righteous from disobedient, stuff to learn in this life to reach presence of God * Baptismal Font = Death, burial, resurrection of Christ - we must drown our natural man and be reborn * Incense = Prayers that ascend to God * Kolob = Christ * Leaven = Infiltration, scattering, dispersion - growth of the Church - punishment for wickedness = sin/corruption * Manna = Breat of Life, Christ * Mountain = Temple, revelation, inspiration, separation from the world * Name = Possession of name held power over person with that name * Olive oil = Holy Ghost, revelation, inspiration, healing, Atonement * Peter, James, John = God, Christ, Holy Ghost (brothers, resurrection status) * Rain = Holy Ghost, revelation, blessing, cleansing * Salt = Covenant making & sacrifice, purity, preservation from corruption * Sea = Chaos/Death * Sun = Son of God, celestial, 2nd coming of Christ * Tree of Life = Savior. dry = wicked, green = righteous * Water = cleansing, revelation, Holy Spirit - and, chaos, death, grave !English Gemmatria * A = 1 * B = 2 * C = 3 * D = 4 * E = 5 * F = 6 * G = 7 * H = 8 * I = 9 * J = 10 * K = 20 * L = 30 * M = 40 * N = 50 * O = 60 * P = 70 * Q = 80 * R = 90 * S = 100 * T = 200 * U = 300 * V = 400 * W = 500 * X = 600 * Y = 700 * Z = 800