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Nederlands
Objective
When I look at a symbol, it is as
if I look into a my mind with a mirror.
Dreams form the ideal atelier for the forging of symbols. They even
come to life like the puppets of Pierlala. Associations about symbols
reveal the fabric of my mind, the functional structure of my brains
(if I am prepared to be honest with myself).
Subjective
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Freemasonry quote, Ref. 2
A symbol is a visible object, representing something
invisible, retrievable by (free) associations. (Vrijmetselarij/nl,
Ref 2)
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| Silver-bank quote.
Ref. 1
© Boucle plume-de-paon, 1898,
Ph. Wolfers, Ref.1
Philippe Wolfers, his father, a brother and later on his son, were active
members of freemasonry, which at the end of the nineteenth century in Belgium
had a significant political influence, and included a variety of prominent
artists as a member. This commitment of Philippe Wolfers is visible in his
designs because of the choice of certain motifs.(Ref.
1) |
| Freemasonry quote,
Ref. 2
A Symbol
A
symbol is a visible object, representing something invisible, retrievable by
(free) associations. A fish, for example, was the symbol for Christ, and is
derived from the Greek word "Ichtus" (fish).
©
Fish, carolnet.com, Ref 3
The fish represents the element water. In
astrology it is the twelfth and last sign in the zodiac. The Greek word Ichtus
was used by the early Christians as an ideogram, and each of the Greek letters
represented an initial :Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, : Iesu Kristos Theou Uios.
Many
animals are used as a symbol: The lam, The lion, The eagle. The peacock
for example, stood for immortality, the phoenix for resurrection. In fact the
symbol can be seen as a coded message. Often it looks simple, but really is
quite complicated by the different feelings and associations it calls up. The
hidden reality behind the symbol can barely be transposed into words or
feelings, and remains reserved for the "insider".
© Temple. Free Exploration, Ref 2
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I (John) like the definition of 'a symbol' as being: "A
visible object, representing something invisible, and retrievable by means of
associations". Of course it may be an audible object too or so, and also visible things can be represented symbolically, but ... 'retrievable by
association, yes, that is very interesting.
In our section on 'psychoanalysis' we will examine (free,
alias un-free) associations in relation to dreams, intended to find the
significance of the dream (symbolism), to access the so called realms of unconsciousness.
This area seems hermetically closed, but in fact is accessible at the inside, is
modulated by interactions with the Other, and is processed by dreaming. Analysis
of dreams offers me conscious feedback to optimize my relation with 'myself' and
the Other as far as possible.
The symbol mostly shows more than can be said with words.
Displaying symbols, or, interchanging symbols, possibly improves communication.
Freemasonry mentions 'insiders', we on our side rather call it ignorant or
permanently searching people, prepared to attempt comprehension, in spite of all
difficulties and, if at all possible, acceptance.
Triangle with circle. Siver, gold, pear (Sybeg)
The above detail of a necklace
has first been visualized mentally in a dreamlike state, to be realized thereafter
in metal and pearls. Pearls of course aren't stones, but are categorized as
'precious stones', with organic origins, let's say.
To establish once more the link between stone and mind,
| Freemasonry quote,
Ref. 2
Rough stone as symbol (Syberg)
For the construction
of the symbolic temple we all are building, bricks are
needed. The unknowing human is symbolized by a rough
stone. It is his task to become a pure cubic stone, by
investigation, study and deed. (Ref.
2) |
People working in the symbolic temple sometimes wear a symbol
too, a staff of Aesculapius for example, designed and made by Lieve,
for her daughter. Turquoise on gold.
Aesculapius (Syberg)
Jewels with symbolic value, or e.g. art with symbolic
significance:
|
Rainier Boidin quote,
Ref. 6
© Symbol
Significance:
The "ur -symbol" has the significance of a primordial ox or a bull stepping
into the swamp, heading for a certain death. It is the outstanding symbol for
"the entrance of the underworld". It was used particularly in the Indo-European
area as a symbol for death. Origin: prehistoric symbol.
Origin: prehistoric symbol,
with the following work of art associated with the
symbol
© Rainier Boidin, Ur,
Ref. 6
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Art, symbolism, spirituality, psychoanalysis, ... , all
fascinated by the same mystery of our human condition. Look at this
| Dorothy Simpson quote,
Ref.6
© Dorothy Simpson, the
Moon, Ref. 6
Higher Meaning:
The Moon rules the realm of dreams, fantasy and
unconscious thought. ... Dorothy Simpson (Ref.
6) |
On the Lotus-tarot site (ref. 9),
where the painting is shown, we find something like this :
| Citaat Lotus-tarot,
Ref. 8 "Tarot card number: 18
Astrological sign: pisces.
Positive associations with this tarot card: imagination, unexpected
possibilities, illumination.
Negative associations with this tarot card: fear, confusion, highly charged
emotions, bewilderment, lies, deceit.
When The Moon appears you can be sure it will be a time of highly charged
emotions and confusion... " (Ref 7) |
One of us is a 'fish' (John), and we both have long
experience in psychoanalysis. So we are interested in the realm of dreams, fantasy
and unconscious thought, symbolized here by the moon. No wonder the two symbols,
fish and moon, appear in this about symbols.
Hourglass (Syberg)
A second and more elaborate attempt to write something about
symbols is presented in our series on psychoanalysis.
Diamond slices (Syberg)
In fact all we wrote on
psychoanalysis is based on dream-analysis.
The entire series of dreams shows a possible (and real) development-path to
consciousness.
| Dorothy Simpson quote,
Ref.6
"The Moon gives us an opportunity, through
our dreams and inner emotional work, to discern internal blocks to our growth.
If we are willing to face our fears, the "dark night of the soul" can
bring advancement and 'joy in the morning.' " (Ref.
6) |
So you see other people say it much more poetically than we
ever could imagine. Our educational roots are close to Freud's dream analysis :
the Royal Road to the Unconscious. Yet, in the course of our (long) experiential
evolution we tend to say goodbye to S. Freud and find a dynamic biological
interpretation more satisfying. Somebody who writes it an other time nicer than
we ever could imagine, is Ullman Montague
| Ullman Mantague quote,
Ref. 9
Let’s
take a look at what a different scenario might have produced. A
psychiatrist-philosopher, Gordon Globus, once drew an analogy between dreaming
and the immune system insofar as both are built-in biologically rooted survival
mechanisms. Our immune system is activated by intrusive matter foreign to
the natural functioning of the organism. Asleep and dreaming, we cope with
any intrusive feelings left over from our recent experience. How do we do
that in a way that might conceivably be connected with survival? The
answer is that while dreaming we are endowed with an innate and insistent
capacity to confront ourselves with the truth about feelings that were unable to
surface at the time they occurred in waking life. Recent feeling residues
and their connection with remote past experiences gain metaphorical expression
in the imagery of the dream. These images are our T-cells. They may
or may not be successful in mobilizing the resources needed to cope with
whatever has been stirred up. If the feelings are too strong, we awaken.
Whatever function dreaming serves asleep (and this is by no means clear as yet),
awake we are the accidental beneficiaries of the information embedded in the
imagery we have created. |
The biological viewpoint, or the spiritual, or Freud's
formulation, all indicate the prominent importance of dreams, and all we see in
our environment is indifference and even contempt for the domain of dreaming
(perhaps a lunatic? - Luna, the moon). We try with our dreams,
free associations and connected streams of ideas, to give a personal and live
example of dream work, to stimulate interest in the subject.
References:
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Ph. Wolfers, de Zilverbank : (http://www.zilverbank.nl/cachet/04_01_Philippe_Wolfers.htm)
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Definition of a Symbol : http://www.vrijmetselarij.nl/eemland/SYMBOLIEK.htm
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Fish, Carolnet : http://www.carolnet.com/FCC/ChristianChurchwhatwebelieve.htm
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Ur, Aurochs, Rainier Boidin : http://www.art2trace.com
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The moon. Dorothy Simpson : (http://www.dotkrause.com/art/tarot/tarot3/18moon3.htm)
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Tarot Reading : http://www.free-tarot-reading.net/meanings/major_arcanum/18.php
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Free Tarot Reading : http://www.free-tarot-reading.net
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Ullman Montague :
http://siivola.org/monte/papers_grouped/uncopyrighted/Dreams/
Dream_Appreciation_Newsletter_articles/
Dreams_-_The_Path_Not_(Yet)_Taken.htm
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