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By Robert Zucker
In the human mind, basic and complex information is reduced to symbolic representations.
A symbol is any image or object that
represents something else. A mental symbol is a "force-form," that links
the conscious wth the unconscious mind.
A symbol that is understood by the public is called exoteric (exo- means outside). When there is a deeper, or hidden meaning, to a symbol, it is esoteric (eso- meaning within). Many ancient symbols are esoteric, but today, we can only understand them exoterically.
That is where confusions begins.
 A symbol can have so many related meanings that it's true meaning becomes lost or mangled.
For example, take a look at the Tree of Life (right).
To the Jewish Qabalist, it has one meaning- a spiritual connection with G-d.
To the Christian Cabalist its meanings
are tinged with the spirit of the trinity. To the uninitiated, this is
just a drawing made of ten circles and intersecting 22 lines.
Connecting with a symbol
A symbol can be used as a projection device.
When a symbol, or image, is repeatedly imagined for an extended period of time, its becomes dramatically effective.
Imagine being rich everyday and you will
be motivated to earn riches. Imagine doom and gloom and the world
crumbles around you. Focus that mental energy on a specific image and
its effects can be realized.
It is not actually the symbol that brings
about the desired effect. It is your personal, subconscious connection
with that symbol that causes the effect. A symbol has no meaning until
it is reflected upon. Symbols cannot stimulate the brain until they are
understood, according to leading psychologists.
A symbol is an attempt to represent an archetype, or Universal Meaning, of some idea or concept.
To create the first alphabet, everyone
had to agree on the meaning of each of the symbols. Otherwise, the
letters had no universal meaning.
Developing esoteric universal symbols
A universal symbol is a basic concept that everyone agrees on its meaning, both exoteric and esoteric.
Throughout history, universal symbols
have evolved with each culture, language and religion. Different
civilizations have created, adopted or changed universal symbols to
their own needs. The original letters of the English alphabet started
out as symbols that appear awkward to us today, but well understood
thousands of years ago.
An ancient system of symbols is the
Judaic Qabalah (also spelled as Kabbalah). According to the Qabalah, all
of the forces of the universe are expressed through specific symbols
which also are displayed as images, or representations in the mind. The
structure of the Qabalah's organization is found in the Tree of Life
design. These are the symbols of the universe.
Tarot is another system of symbolic
representation of universal contants. Each card has a connection with
each symbol of the Tree of Life.
The ancient systems of Qabalah and Tarot
disguised the meanings of their symbols in allegory. This is the root
of any esoteric system. Allegory hides the deeper meaning of a symbol.
When a group of people develop a hidden meaning to a symbol, it becomes esoteric.
Qabalists developed a whole system of symbols that represent every aspect of ourselves and the world around us.
Because the hidden meanings had to be
hidden from the masses, they had to be disguised so that only the
initiated could understand the true meaning. This is why the Book of Creation and other magical texts are so confusing. Only those few knew what the symbols meant.
Unfortunately, no one has faithfully
passed down the orginal meanings of the magical symbols of Qabalah.
Instead, we have dozens of interpretations and no one really know knows
for sure anymore.
So, how do you know what is correct?
Study several sources. Compare thir similarities and differences. Then, form your own meanings to the symbols.
Remember, it's not actually the symbol
that brings about the desired effects- but the subconscious mind's
connection with that image.
© 2010 Robert Zucker. Entertainment Magazine EMOL.org All rights reserved.
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