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Symbolism and Symbols

There are two types of symbolism that are important in magic. The first is that of symbols and sigils. These are representations drawn or pictured usually to represent your purpose. The figure of a man or woman on restroom doors, or the walk - don't walk street signs are symbols. $ is a symbol that we have come to understand as money. They represent an idea. Sigils such as those in Scott Cunningham's Wicca and Living Wicca books and even runes can be used this way as well. They work by allowing your subconscious to focus on the meaning who you concentrate on drawing or seeing the symbol.

The second type of symbolism is that represented by sympathetic magic. Suppose you are working a healing speel for someone across the country, as has been done on this list. The person is not there with you, how do you focus on them? You use items that represent that person to you. You use a candle in the color of the spell you are working. You may use another candle the color of the person's sun sign or a picture of them.

When you call the elements you often use this type of symbolism as well. A feather or incence represents air, etc. in some cases a bit of the element is used as the symbol. Suppose you light a candle for fire. Do you see fire as only that flame that is before you, or does that flame represent the energy of all the fire in the universe.

Choose symbols that mean something to you. Don't use something just because a book says it might work. The purpose of these symbols is to represent meaning to you, not the author of the book. If you choose to use symbols, runes, colors in your magick, study them, learn their meaning and be consistant. If you use a symbol for money, try to always use the same symbol.

Symbols and symbolism are very important and useful, but the symbols only have the meaning which you give them.