Where Does It Come From?

Symbolism is defined, at least for the purpose of this column, as the theory that one thing can stand for another. Words can convey or be symbolic of ideas. Pictures can tell an entire story. Archetypes show that one word or symbol can describe an entire part of our conscious and unconscious behaviors. Universal Symbolism as a topic is an attempt to look at symbols that are present in all of our lives through spirit, psychology, or even the media. The big question is just how those symbols that are present in our lives on a spiritual/psychological level got there in the first place. We normally discuss these kinds of symbols when we speak of dreams, astrology, or other metaphysical or psychological subjects.

One theory is that there is a Universal Mind. Jung and some others have believed that we are all tapped into a "mainframe" of sorts, in which all knowledge "stored." Through this Universal Mind, we share in otherwise hidden information. We can be completely unaware that we share this database of knowledge with others even as we are using it. Much of the understanding we gain from the Universal Mind is said to come in the form of symbols. A person who is very good at contacting the Universal Mind and using it to an advantage is generally adept at not only understanding the needs of others almost intrinsically but also quite good at methods of interpreting these symbols in vocations using astrology, tarot, runes, alchemy, or other symbolic languages.

Another theory may be that, while we can share knowledge at a spiritual level, there is a Higher Self in each person that is not bound by language. With an evolutionary level that is not restricted by language, the Higher Self would then give us information in both waking and dream states in the form of symbols. Rather than a Universal Mind set apart from us, the Higher Self (or soul) is a part of each and every individual, and each person is interconnected with the next. While we have physical and mental boundaries within our physical bodies that make us individuals and set us apart from others, the soul or Higher Self knows none of these restrictions and can share information and exchange ideas with others quite simply. This is also used as one of the arguments for the ability some people seem to have that enables them to psychically communicate with one another.

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