Why are we interested in symbols?
Symbols are everywhere around us; they surround us and influence us. It is up to us whether we pay attention to them and understand their language – from new symbols we know to historical ones we need to look up. If we don't give ancient symbols a primitive meaning, they will reveal their depth to us. Many symbols mark a kind of transition; the most important archetypal symbol is the door or gate. As you can see for yourself, doors are part of our everyday lives.
Let's explore symbols
Every day we walk through DOORS, cross thresholds, and often stumble on the stairs. And there we have the language of stairs, as if they were stopping us to remind us of a change we have forgotten. Where are you closed and where open? Sometimes, because of society's rules, we forget hidden messages, even though they are right under our noses. When you turn your alert attention to what is around you, you will see your life in a completely different light. You will begin to perceive outside influences that can be clues showing you your true direction in life. Drivers may know it: it is no coincidence when you keep hitting red lights. The light itself is telling you to slow down. Or have you forgotten something? Are you on the right road? Such questions are great to ask yourself, rather than constantly looking to other people's experience and being disappointed that you aren't doing as well as they are. Paying attention to what is around you is the path to enlightenment. Let's show this with the symbols of the Sun and the Moon, so common in alchemy. The Sun and the Moon have been with us since birth and speak to us all our lives.
The MOON helps us uncover what we hide; it shows itself only when we are meant to see it. It tries to keep us from storing up our traumas, so that we are not in chains and can see the things we hide from ourselves. It lights our way when we are in the dark.
The SUN, on the other hand, blinds us when we are absorbed only in ourselves, or are not looking properly. Our usual reaction is to put on sunglasses – that is a solution too. :-) You surely know how important animal spirit guides are for us. MAGPIES chattering cheerfully around us, for example, are a call to enjoy a joyful occasion in company one last time. Or your spiritual
teacher, the RAVEN, gazes at you and would like to ask: “Do you know who you are and what you are doing? Are you happy with it?”
Just when you think the symbolic day is coming to an end, a child draws you a picture teeming with HEARTS. So stop and take in the beauty and power of love drawn on paper. Then a teenager shouts that they've had a bad day. They are wearing a black T-shirt – you know, of course, that black urges transformation and the destruction of something that doesn't work. So why get upset? You will find that a day can be so rich in symbols that you look forward to snuggling into your LION-patterned duvet in the evening, and a wild night begins in which you hunt for the most beautiful dreams by moonlight. If symbolism appeals to you so much that you would like to explore it more deeply, take a look at our symbolism section and enjoy wonderful adventures and messages.
You will find more about symbols in our alchemical symbolism section.