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SPIRIT
LODGE
LIBRARY
Symbology
Page
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(Main
Links of the site are right at the bottom of the page)
The 27 pages in this Symbol section are below
Symbology Interpretations
By CinnamonMoon
Symbology Interpretations There is
more information in my book (A Medicine Woman Speaks)
as well and there are endless sources on bookstore shelves providing
greater insights. My own interpretation reference section consists
of 19 books, 3 volumes of hard copy notes, and a dozen floppy
diskettes as well as decades of personal experience and exploration
that have my head filled with bits and pieces and I'm still
learning. It's an ongoing study that takes you deeper all the
time. Practice and active exploration will serve you best.
Symbols and Meanings © Cinnamon
Moon
Symbols come from a wide range of
universal images that touch something deep within us. They also
come from our own interpretive experiences and therefore mean
something unique to each of us. That is the meaning that holds
the greatest importance when we work with them. It carries the
greatest weight because we are the ones to benefit from their
use and in that we take our cues. If you apply a symbol to a
tool or perhaps a sacred space, if it comes to you in a vision
or possibly a dream, if you are shown symbols in your journeys,
only you can define their significance to your personal path.
The universal interpretations are basic guidelines, but they
are not carved in stone.
An example of this might be the
Sun. For one individual it will mean a lighting of the way before
them, for another it is a blinding light that forbids them to
see what is waiting up ahead. Which interpretation is right?
Both. They are right for the individual that sees them this
way. Whether we are creating them ourselves or Spirit is sending
them to us through other means, symbols contain a lot of information
that takes us many places. We can go back into the past to summon
memories that they hold, step into the future to see the omens
they portend, or walk in the present recognizing them as the
signposts along the way. Symbols mark our tools speaking of
the powers they contain. They mark the sacred grounds we honor
to speak of the rites and rituals that these areas are dedicated
to. They come to us from Otherworlds, passing through the dimensions
as we journey and mark the paths we follow. There isn't an area
of our life that is exempt if we have the eyes to see and the
knowledge to understand.
While our Totem and Power Animals
also symbolize aspects of our own natures and personalities,
they will not be included in this section as they are too numerous
and deserve their own classifications. What you will find listed
will be those that can be applied to the Dream Lodge, shamanic
journey, vision quest, tool applications, and all other aspects
of sacred pathwork. Please remember they are not limited to
the universal interpretations or context in which they are being
presented. If you have something inside you saying it also means
this or that, by all means incorporate your impressions with
what you have here. As time passes you will continue to find
significances that are relevant to them and your understanding
will grow. You will see that at different times and in various
places their meanings shift appropriately; with a little practice
it will become apparent that certain interpretations do not
apply and should be discarded. Learn to trust your instincts
completely. They are there for a reason.
Universal Interpretations of Symbols:
Antler: Symbol of personal defense.
Arrow: The flight of the
arrow, its direction to a target and from which it comes will
tell of its focus and perspective. A straight arrow has focus.
Crooked arrows represent deception or difficulty. Broken they
are the symbol of an ending. Crossed is union. Grouped they
are many things joined. Fire-tipped symbolizes the passion of
the issue. One that pierces is the dedication to "hit the
target" or goal. Arrowhead
is a symbol of the beginning of a plan of action.
Bells: They clear the air
signaling the consciousness of change. Bells are used in ceremony
to maintain rhythm or shift focus.
Birds: Generally represent
shamanic flight, rebirth or healing. Each bird having its own
message. For more information a course is available covering
animals as totems, guides, and teachers.
Black: Symbol of mystery,
negative energy, chaos, creation, or death depending on how
it is used.
Blue: Represents the separation
of the dimensions and the worlds traversed by the shaman; spirituality
or one's pathwalk.
Bones: Represent the shaman
as a "hollow bone" or channel for Spirit. They are
symbols of death and rebirth. Some use bones of different animals
for purposes of scrying (usually chicken bones).
Cave/Cavern: Symbol Mother
Earth's womb. Internal knowledge. Sacred space. A cavern is
an extension of these realities.
Circle: See Medicine Wheel.
Claws/Talons: Represent the
power and nature of the creature. Again an animal interpretation
needs to be addressed and falls under the course on totems,
guides, and teachers.
Corn Meal: Used to define
sacred space by Native Americans. It warns others not to enter
and will seal a door from an intrusive knock by a line drawn
with it signifying a spiritual session taking place on the other
side. Holds negative energy or entities at bay.
Cross: Center of balance
between the four quadrants of the elemental forces: Air, Fire,
Water, Earth. Represents the four roads of the shaman leading
to the center and Spirit.
Dots: Symbols of veils between
the dimensions. May represent the element or entities of Air.
May represent the presence of spiritual entities that reside
at a location or can be approached from it.
Drum: The rhythm of the drum
is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. It is between the beats that
Spirit resides. It is the symbolic shamanic steed that carries
the Medicine Man or Woman into their shamanic journey to explore
other dimensions.
Eye: Represents the trance
state, the spiritual eye often called the Third Eye, or spirits
watching over a locale.
Feathers: Sacred symbols of
the essence of the creature from which they come and the attributes
are applied to the use of the feather respectively.
Flying Buck: Symbol of shamanic
flight.
Ghost: In shamanic terms it
is a spirit helper or representation of spiritual protection.
It may address a guide or teacher as well as a spiritual healer
from another dimension. The face of a ghost may address the
relationship of rebirth in some form depending upon its use.
Gold: Reflects the good, purity,
positive aspects of the way it is used. Symbolic of the Sun.
Green: Represents growth and
good health or healing.
Grey: Symbol of the Void of
Spirit. The physical and spiritual center where positive and
negative energies are balanced or held at bay.
Grids: Represent veils between
the dimensions. If found at a sacred site they are a sign of
that place being a portal to another realm. Other symbols present
would speak of what that realm holds.
Hand: Service to others.
Medicine Wheel: Symbol of
the universe in all its dimensions. The outer circle is the
presence of Spirit that surrounds everything. The quarters are
the four elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The lines
between them define the roads of the quarters. Each of the 36
stones represent an aspect of the powers, seasons, moons, clans,
and teachings they possess. It is the symbol of infinity that
penetrates all dimensions.
Mirrors: Reflect the presence
of those who may be outside a ceremony and still a part of it.
They reflect the inner self, a scrying tool, or the shedding
of Spirit's light into the darkness.
Orange: Symbol of courage,
facing challenges, the energy of the mind.
Purple: Represents the enlightenment
and attainment of wisdom received from Spirit.
Rainbow: Represents promise,
the coming together of All Our Relations and races to share
wisdom and knowledge in harmony.
Red: Symbol of passion, anger,
or danger dependent upon how it is used. Symbol of blood and
if it is red earth it is seen as sacred to Mother Earth. Can
also represent sacrifice.
Ropes/Threads/Strings/Ladders:
Represent the pathways upon which the shaman travels to Otherworlds.
They are attached to a pole or tree representing the shamanic
tree or true center of all worlds and then to the shaman. This
allows the shaman's spirit to travel back and forth.
Sacred Pipe: Symbol of Mother
Earth, Father Sky, the seven sacred directions, and its adornments
speak of the powers it holds. Sacred Pipes represent proper
prayer, truth and harmony achieved through entering oneness
with Spirit. Its shape and style will signify its use.
Shield: The shield has many
symbolic uses. They can depict the powers or gifts of an individual;
the activity within a sacred place; expressing the Medicine
of an individual. There are many uses for a shield but it will
always tell a tale.
Silver: Represents the spiritual
aspects of a given situation or use.
Skull: Symbol of life, the
eyes and ears of the spiritual essence from which it is derived.
Painted they speak of energies they contain as well as the intention
for their use.
Smoke: Symbol of making the
unseen seen. Carries the prayers spoken into it to Spirit as
it rises. It comes from the elemental Fire and thus maintains
its qualities of purification. It also contains the attributes
of the wood used to create the fire that produces it.
Spiral: Can represent the
cycles and flow of energy or nature. May symbolize interrelationships
or two paths that parallel one and other through opposites.
Staff: Symbol of the power
held by the one who fashioned it or carries it. These are usually
marked significantly.
Stones: With all the crystals
and stones there are too many meanings to list here. These range
from healing, warding, sending, and receptive qualities depending
upon the stone itself.
Tree: Represents the shamanic
tree, the path of the three worlds: Above, Below, and Middle
through the branches, roots, and trunk.
Tunnel: Symbol of transformation
or self-discovery. A new route of discovery, a passage to Otherworlds.
Vine: Represents a situation
that continues to grow and may reach a great distance before
it is complete.
Web: The symbolic Web of Life
linking all to Spirit. The webs we weave as we create the lives
we lead.
White: Symbol of purity, Spirit,
that which is good.
Yellow: Symbol of courage,
strength, peace, contentment, or challenge depending on how
it is used.
Please see the Totem
section for further insights.
As well, the following articles:
Tarot
Series
Dream
Lodge
Seven
Sacred Directions
Working
With Totems and Guides
Language of Color
Chakras
As you can see, symbolic interpretation
varies and weaves itself throughout the spiritual arenas lending
altered patterns depending on the situation or usage. Think
of a Rune, that has a message to deliver; that same Rune shifting
depending on if it is being applied to healing techniques, enlightenment
lessons, a shield for battle, a family crest, or a warning of
an upcoming challenge. Is it upright or reversed in its position?
This is going to determine if it is presenting its positive
or negative nature or reflecting the current situation in this
way.
As you study interpretation and divination
the various fields of divination come into play and the arena
there is extensive. I can only encourage you to continue to
explore them. If you want me to do articles on the different
divinatory methods and their interpretive symbols, I'll be more
than happy to do that. Let me know.
Greywolftribe:
I hope you
don’t mind if I print this page for my note book reference
that I keep. Question... Most of the time when messages are
coming through when I am giving someone a reading the pictures
or words I feel are true to themselves. But there have been
a couple times when they have been symbolic. Example: I saw
Kansas, so I asked the person that I was reading if the women
I was seeing in my message was from Kansas, she said no, but
her name is Dorothy. (I am a big Wizard of Oz fan) I feel uneasy
that I might be misinterpreting the info coming through. I do
not give readings professionally, I only read for those who
are guided to me when they are having difficulties in their
life. I don’t ever want to give anyone the wrong info.
Is there a way to confirm the message somehow? I have lately
realized when these troubled souls come my way I must be very
careful with exactly what and how I say things because I am
speaking to their spirits. I feel like my spirit is accountable
somehow. This probably isn’t making much since but these
are some of the things that weigh heavy for me. I hope you can
shine some light my way.
Silver Eagle Dreamer:
Quote: "Is
there a way to confirm the message somehow? I have lately realized
when these troubled souls come my way I must be very careful
with exactly what and how I say things because I am speaking
to their spirits. I feel like my spirit is accountable somehow."
Makes perfect sense to me and is a quite normal response for
readers that really care about what they're doing. I would hasten
to add though, that I feel there's only one thing a reader is
accountable for and that's being available for Spirit to pass
the message. You aren't responsible for how it's received, what
someone does with the information or whether they even believe
you.
Moving with integrity
doesn't require you to take on that which you can't control.
There are times you know a message will hurt.. but you can't
know the persons path at the time or what their soul needs to
evolve. That's up to them and Spirit. Conversely, that doesn't
mean you need to hammer ‘em with it either. I do my level
best to pass things on 'as is' and I will say that, if, as a
human I feel a caution regarding the presentation of a particular
message I receive, then I ask for a more positive slant on it
to present them with. I do feel we are allowed to listen to
those more human voices within us that gauge that kind of thing..
as well as listening to Spirit.
All that having
been said - practice will help you tune to yourself... that's
where you learn whether what you're receiving is Spirit or your
fears. If you practice with people who will offer feedback -
that helps a great deal in the tuning process. Once you've got
your 'center' for doing readings - the validation doesn't matter..
but while you're learning, it's a tool for tuning. (and you
could practice here anytime you want btw ) Please remember..
though troubled people are coming to you - you aren't responsible
for their dysfunction or saving them from it. You are accountable
for passing on what they need to grow direct from Spirit. My
two cents... take what you need and leave the rest behind.
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Libraries
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INDEX
Page 3
(Main Section, Medicine Wheel, Native Languages &
Nations, Symbology)
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INDEX
Page 5
(Sacred Feminine & Masculine, Stones & Minerals)
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©
Copyright: Cinnamon Moon & River WildFire Moon (Founders.)
2000-date
All rights reserved.
Site
constructed by Dragonfly
Dezignz 1998-date
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