Greetings from Russell's Remnant:

Dr. Whitesell told each disciple to study symbols, to learn about abstract mind - for the soul cannot communicate through the physical plane, emotional body or concrete mind. The soul uses abstract mind and symbols. D.K. had a few things to say about symbols:

All is symbol and these symbols must be mastered. TCF 1231

This delicate art of symbol reading (spiritual reading according to Patanjali) ever precedes true revelation. GLA 8+

Scientific formulas have reduced the most intricate and abstruse discoveries to a few signs and symbols. DON 131

Learn the esoteric significance of the triangle and the square. They are capable of being arranged in several ways. Master them theoretically, visually, practically, intuitionally and factually. DN2 133

Symbols are the outer and visible forms of the inner spiritual realities. Symbols have to be studied in three ways: Exoterically - study its form, lines, and numerical significance; Conceptually - underlying idea (maybe in its name) abstract intent; Esoterically - effect of its force/energy on you, vibration aroused. This study leads to intuition which manifests as illumination, understanding, and love. GLA 6+

A hint anent symbols. When the converging lines on any symbol meet and where the many lines cross there is a point of force and of illumination, a focused center through which the illumined mind can pierce. DNA 279

The cross is strictly the symbol of Aryan unfoldment. Atlantis was a line. RAI 561

Study a total of four symbols a year. Approach its form, sense its quality, contact its vibration and note its emotional effect on you. This may vary from day to day. GLA 10

It is your duty (dharma) to develop intuition by the study of symbols. GLA 1

Your capacity to read a "meaning" into a symbol will be dependent upon the richness of the meaning you ascribe to the events of your daily life. There is no set interpretation of any symbol. There is a great need for students to arrive at meaning and to work with ideas. GLA 12

Symbolic books in the Master's archives are interpreted: By their color; By their position - above, on or beneath the line; By their connection with each other; and by their key - one page may be read four ways:

From above downwards - involution

From beneath upwards - evolution

Right to left - great cycles, etc.

Left to right - lesser cycles TCF 1140

Stars, triangles and squares are found in all horoscopes and constitute the life pattern. The squares relate material or form experience; the stars states of consciousness; and the triangles relate to spirit and synthesis. EA 306

Seven zodiacal symbols are dual: 2 horns of the Ram in Aries; 2 horns of the Bull in Taurus; Twins in Gemini; 2 claws of the Crab in Cancer; 2 scales of the Balance in Libra; 2 parallel lines of force in Aquarius; 2 Fishes in Pisces.

Two signs are simple figures, having no duality, embody isolated separation and one-pointed desire; the lions tail in Leo and the arrow in Sagittarius.

Two signs are triple: Virgo and Scorpio.

The most mysterious sign is Capricorn concealing the mystery of the Crocodiles or Makara. EA 56+

The symbol of Capricorn is undecipherable and intentionally so. It is sometimes called the "signature of God." It is more potent than the pentagon and leaves the initiate "unprotected." EA 155

All impression must be translated and interpreted in symbols and word forms. Here we are apt to go astray. TEL 106

Patterns are types of energies which are struggling to emerge into material expression and which eventually subordinate the more superficial energies to newer imposed rhythm. Consciousness is literally the reaction of active intelligence to the pattern. EP2 55+

It will now be apparent why so much stress is laid upon the study of symbols, and why students are urged to ponder and meditate upon the cosmic and systemic signs. The formulas of knowledge are based upon nine symbols: the cross and its varying forms; the lotus; the triangle; the cube; the sphere and the point; eight animal forms - goat, bull, elephant, man, dragon, bear, lion, dog; the line; certain signs of the Zodiac - hence the need for the study of astrology; the cup or the holy grail. IHS 165+

Secrets of the Kingdoms:

mineral the secret of the brilliance of the light

vegetable the secret of the sacred perfume

animal the secret of the following scent

human the secret of the double path or double breath

souls the secret of the golden rose of light

The symbolic forms in which the five secrets are hidden:

mineral secret a diamond, blue white in color

vegetable secret a cube of sandalwood in the heart of the lotus

animal secret a bunch of cypress over a funeral urn

human secret a twisted golden cord with seven knots

egoic secret a closed lotus bud with seven blue rays EP1 238+

Most of you have not passed beyond the stage of groping in the world of meaning for you have not taken the 3rd initiation. The world of symbols is of the personal life. The world of meaning is the world in which the soul lives. The world of significance is the world of the Spiritual Triad reached after the 3rd initiation. RAI 285+

If disciples are truly struggling and applying the teachings given, they will find as time elapses that reason and intuition awaken and symbolic and abstruse statements become clearer and clearer. EP2 48+

Additional Comments from D.K. on Symbols from The Beacon

A symbol makes its appeal through the eye and not the ear, and directly tends to develop the intuition. The Masters teach by symbols and in this method lies hid the secret of intuition development and the vivifying of the head centers. After the third initiation abstract symbols have to be consciously mastered. In their solution lies the power to guide in either government, religion or nature.

Symbols are to be interpreted:

a. By color. The same symbol in different colors signifies different things. The triangle in blue signifies one thing, yellow a second and so on. Here lies a secret.

b. By position. Each parchment or book is in seven great graded sections, seven great divisions, and according to the location of the symbol so the solution. Above the line, on a line, or under a line, conveys diverse meaning.

c. By their connection to each other. A cross with a triangle on the right teaches one thing, and vice versa another, and with all superimposed you have a third interpretation.

d. By their key. Some parchments and books are read from left to right - the worlds in a chain, the lesser cycles and the sub-races,

from right to left - the history of a chain, manvantara and root race,

from above downwards - this teaches involution,

and from beneath upwards - this teaches evolution.