The Meaning of Symbols

Understanding the Language of Symbols

Symbolism is a cornerstone of psychic ability. But whether or not you are psychic, it’s not always easy for the universe to send clear messages, and we may not always get the meaning in a meditation or spiritual experience. Therefore, when we adopt a set of symbols we are providing the divine with a language that can convey a lot of information with a clarity that we may otherwise be lacking. When I see a butterfly in my meditations I know I am being given a message about transformation. And as I receive more symbols I will come away with a clear idea of what I am being told by the spirits that guide me. But if I hadn’t embraced a set of symbols, I might not have received that message.

Choose the Symbols that Resonate With You

There are many systems of symbols including Tarot, runes, shapes, colors, and animals. It doesn’t matter which set of symbols you choose to work with, as long as that system resonates with you and you remain consistent with its use. My set of symbols includes animals, plants, and even the weather, because I have an affinity with nature.

The Many Interpretations

It sounds simple, but if you’ve ever looked into learning divination with something like tarot or runes, you might have walked away confused, because there are many sources of information about them, and often they conflict. You can pick up two books about tarot and find that they have very different meanings for the same set of cards. So how do you decide which book to go with?

Well, symbols do their best work for us when we make it clear to the universe not only which symbols we are using, but the distinct meaning of those symbols. When I started learning tarot, I found a book that held interpretations that resonated with me. Before doing a reading, I would hold up the book and speak to the divine, saying something like, “I am going to interpret my cards according to the meanings in this book.” And the divine responded by giving me the cards that corresponded to the messages written neatly in the book – messages that I needed to receive. Since then I have developed more specific meanings for the cards in my deck. And by establishing a clear language for the universe to use, I now receive messages that are even more clear and meaningful.

The Universe Speaks to You in Your Chosen Language

One thing to remember in this process is that a symbol doesn’t need to mean the same thing for everyone. When a mouse comes into my dreams, I know it is a message about the little details rather than the big picture. However, someone else might interpret this little creature as a message about fear vs. courage. So who is right? It depends on who is seeing it. If you tell me a mouse came into your meditation, I’m not going to tell you what it means to me. Instead I ask, “What does this animal mean to you?” After all, the universe was speaking to you in your dream, using your language, not mine.

Symbols in Everyday Life

One of the best results of developing a system of symbols is that it allows you to get messages when you really need them, even if you are too upset or unbalanced to meditate or concentrate. Let me give you an example. My brother died unexpectedly a few years ago, and a few weeks later the family came together for a holiday. We all put on a brave face, especially for his kids. But when I got home I collapsed in my grief, sobbing at how unjust it seemed that he was no longer with us. And then, without thinking, I picked up a magazine on the table. It opened to a full page, thrilling photo of a bald eagle. My brother’s totem. He was the eagle in the family, soaring above strife, finding calm and seeing the big picture. So even in the storm of my distress, when I was anything but focused on my spiritual connections and communication, I was sent this amazing symbol to let me know that my brother was there with me, and that he always would be with us on our family adventures.

There is so much that our spirit guides, angels, and the divine want to share with us. You don’t have to be a gifted psychic to receive their messages. All you have to do is choose a language and then watch and listen. Be aware of your surroundings, and your symbols, and you will be rewarded with profound messages, even when you least expect it.