Symbolic Living » religion

The Book of Mormon Broadway Musical

Symbolic Living — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:52:01 +0000

The Broadway hit musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ was imagined by ‘South Park’ and ‘Team America’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone as well as Robert Lopez. The satire musical has two young Mormon Latter Day Saints missionaries visit a village in Uganda in an attempt to share their beliefs with the local warlords.

Winning nine Tony Awards, The Book of Mormon is undeniably a huge hit, with a video release last month (May, 2011).

The Book of Mormon takes the the two missionaries through trials and tribulations in their overzealous intent to teach the local Ugandan people about Mormonism in the hopes of converting them.

For an upbeat, fun, satirical look at the idea’s, beliefs and faith in God, The Book of Mormon is guaranteed to entertain.

Tony Awards 2011 performance.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Ancient Machines of the Gods

Symbolic Living — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:02:37 +0000

Temples that could roar with thunder. Statues that could speak. Chariots that levitated in the air. Sculptures that cried tears of blood.

These are some fascinating examples of ancient machines that were dedicated to adding life and spectacle to artistic representations in the temples, which were designed to entertain and symbolize the spiritual world.

This documentary explores inventions of the Greek and Roman period, as well as Egyptian antiquities.

The technology of these machines were used to enhance the experience and worship of the gods through creating magical, theatrical illusions. Heron of Alexandria played an important role as one of the great inventors of the time.

See how these elaborate ancient devices, used only in the temples (house of the gods) at the time, amazed worshipers, made them feel connected to the gods, and maintained a sense of awe.

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Ace of Pentacles Tarot Minor Arcana and The Four Aces.

Symbolic Living — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:26:34 +0000

Welcome back to Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Last week we discussed the Ace of Swords, and previous to that the Ace of Cups and the Ace of Wands.

Today we’ll be moving on to the Ace of Pentacles and we’ll also talk about the Four Aces together.

What are the two most noticeable things on Ace of Pentacles card that pops out to you? What imagery do you not notice as much and have to take a closer look.

The Ace of Pentacles

Pentacles, also known as disks and coins, are related to the element Earth.

The Astrological Signs associated with this card, are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, the three earth signs of the zodiac.

The Pentacles are the card of manifestation in the physical world. Not only does the pentacle represent the material world, but also the attachments materialism holds.

Money is represented in the suit of pentacles, having a potent relationship to our connection to materialism.

What concerns and life issues come up in terms of money and materialism?

Many believe money is the root of all evil, however, it should be noted money is a neutral force. We call it currency because it is an energy that flows. The direction it takes, positive or negative, has to do with the choices made by whoever accesses and holds it. What is your relationship to money like?

In the physical world we see this card as symbolizing accomplishment, from career to business, as well as family and all things materialistic. The accomplishment arises from the effort, intentions and work that went into manifesting the desired result. From the dream to reality.

The pentacles is stability and the senses of the material realm we exist within. What we experience in this world is based on and interpreted by our five senses.

What are some of the benefits of accomplishing objectives in the physical world?

As with all cards in the tarot there are the possibilities of duality. In this card, as is, we will see it’s most positive attributes to the physical world such as abundance, prosperity, health and wellness. Think of some positive examples in your own life. What have you experienced positive in the material world?

What are some of the pitfalls we encounter when too attached to the material world or materialism? Greed, selfish, ego, anxiety, hoarding, loss of spiritual connection due to too much attention to physical desires, fear of loss, stealing, disappointment. Think of some negative experiences you’ve had, or witnessed in the material world.

When you think of people you know who are one of the Astrological signs associated with the Ace of Pentacles, what are some keywords that may come up, both positive and negative? (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).

The Aces, Mystery of Life. The Foundation of Creation.

We’re very excited to share with you this weeks lesson of all the Aces brought together.

Seen together, the Aces show us the mystery of life in it’s most fundamental, universal consideration.

Now, the Ace of Pentacles is a very important card and something you may not have considered with the Aces is before your eyes. The Ace of Pentacles is the card of culmination of the three other Aces.

Remember, all of the Aces represent the Beginning. We can see this beginning in stages symbolized in the four aces.

Take a look at each one and see the most fundamental principle of truth in our reality.

First, observe how the Wands, Cups and Swords all have an element of activity. Note the similar energy floating around them, in the leaves – droplets – yods, notice what’s different with the Pentacles, the stability, the culmination brought to a state of manifestation. Also notice the direction of the Wands and Cups, then the Swords and Pentacles. What does that say to you?

The Ace of Wands, appears as a phallic symbol, alone. The inspiration to exist and act is present. The first stirrings of drive, the force of inspiration and energy comes forth. The active principle is here. It contains the seed of life.

Then we see the receptive force in the Ace of Cups. The womb of existence, ready to receive. The Ace of Wands is no longer alone in the world, it has been called to action. The Ace of Cups attracts and gives the Ace of Wands a true purpose to exist, a place to put forth it’s energy is called for. The feelings of the Cups are understood on a visceral, feeling level which are brought into reality that give the first stirrings of the Wands’ inspiration meaning. The waters of life’s purpose are here.

We then see the Ace of Swords, entering the Crown receptivity. Union is achieved. The active and receptive principles are joined together. The choice is decidedly made, The courtship has victoriously brought the union together mindfully with the feelings joined that drew on the inspiration to give and receive. It is symbolic of the most fundamental creative act of life.

Finally we see the result in the Ace of Pentacles. The physical world is born from desire. The union has conceived of the physical world, of life. The hand holds the conceived child. The 5 pointed star is a symbol that represents the human, the living being in form. Here we see the forces are brought together.

The fertile fields surround the egg, which is now fertilized. It will remain here until it is ready to exit the womb symbolized by the doorway in the fertile shrubbery. It will then enter the physical world in all it’s possibilities, represented by the mountains. The physical world has many mountains to climb through life. Also, if it were to be viewed from the opposite side of the shrubs, the mountainous region could be viewed as waves (waters of the womb), and the new life has been born and brought into the world of form, surrounding by the abundant flowers of life.

The aces are evident of the most spiritual, creative force of life. It shows us the fundamental creative act of sexual union as the Universal symbol of how the material form is manifested from the spiritual realm. Our reality is a most spiritually driven act born from the spirit world.

The Aces show us the active desire, the desire to receive, desire of union and finally the magical, creative forces manifesting into the physical world.

Now isn’t that a powerful and meaningful revelation, and that’s just the beginning!

Aces and Qabalah Correspondences to the Four Worlds

The Aces are also related to the Tetragrammaton, YHVH, hebrew letters for the name of God, and related to the Four Worlds.

Wands – Fire – Atziluth – Archetypal World

Cups – Water – Briah – Creative World

Swords – Air – Yetzirah – Formative World

Pentacles – Earth – Assiah – Material World

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners. We also hope you can find personal relations to the card symbolism and think about the imagery in new and expansive ways.

Some weeks we may talk about more than one card, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

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Ace of Swords Tarot Minor Arcana

Symbolic Living — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:40:21 +0000

Welcome to Tarot Notes by Symbolic Living.

Last week we discussed the Ace of Cups and previous to that the Ace of Wands.

Today we’ll be moving on to the Ace of Swords.

As with our other weeks, our intention is to get you to think for yourself about the cards symbolism.

Before getting started, take a look at the card and write down anything that comes to mind. What do the symbols mean to you off the top of your head?

The Ace of Swords

Swords are associated with air and the Astrological Signs of Gemini, Libra and Aqaurius.

This card shows a hand issued from a cloud, as the other Aces do. What does the cloud represent to you?

On this card we see the crown giving immediate reference to a higher power, the mind, nobility, Kingship and Kingdom, and the first Sephira on the Tree of Life, Kether.

From the crown, we see two branches hanging down. One is the olive branch representing peace. The olive branch also refers to the previous Ace, the ace of cups because the olive branch carried by the dove to symbolize peace and the end of the great flood (also referring to the previous card the Ace of cups).

The Palm branch (leaves) symbolize victory. These two branches on each side are on each side of the double edged sword. The double edge representing the possibility to go either way in extreme, or to find balance. It is symbolic of the middle pillar on the tree of life.

When you look at the color scheme what do you see? What does each color represent to you?

The same type of floating symbols are around the sword as were around the Ace of cups. These are called Yod (crown) and represents the beginning, root, and that which follows it is built upon. Yellow can be said to associate with the Solar Plexus chakra, the spiritual center of will power, which correlates nicely to the Ace of Swords.

Who’s crown do you suppose that may be and who’s hand? For what reason is a person likely to carry or use a sword?

Are those mountains or turbulent, moving waves?

Many weapons and tools used in history were for purposes of survival such as hunting food. However, the sword is specifically designed for combat between humans, and can either be seen for uses in destruction and in creating hero’s of nobility and stability.

The swords are concerned with the principles of life related to truth (crown), and can be seen as highly justice oriented.

As we can see the sword is double edged, just as our minds can be divided.

The sword represents the world we experience as having laws that govern it, the laws of nature, where we find the need to balance of free will and destiny.

The divisiveness of the sword is necessary to create the barriers for existence of our reality to stand upon, just as the checkerboard symbolizes the possibilities within the framework, the natural laws.

The power of the sword is in it’s ability to choose. It can choose to be direct, focused, accomplished, but also the potential within it’s inherent duality it can be divided, drawn into the ego if it does not see the wholeness and higher purpose of the division. The intellectual side must be balanced with the intuitive side to be whole.

This card shows us there is balance, stability yet it is not restricted. It has an entire spectrum to choose to move within that is abundant with possibilities. Here we see it has chosen with the mind, what it wanted to accomplish and is showing confidence in where it is. The hand can wield the sword as it so chooses, here it has chosen balance of all possibilities.

This card is concentrated, open-minded, fair, just, understanding, adaptable, intellectual. What else does this card mean to you?

How can you apply the symbolism of the sword in your own life? Can you think of circumstances where your mind was divided or where your ego caused you to draw your sword? Have you used the sword (mind) in a way that was destructive, or used your intellect in a way that brought you closer to a victory harmonious for others as well as yourself? Could you find peace and victory together? Have you found using your intellect alone without bringing forth the dove (cups) energy, has left you less than balanced?

The sword is decisively active, it builds on the potential that preceded it. It has chosen to act in the world.

We are really looking forward to next week, with an interesting discussion to share.

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners. We also hope you can find personal relations to the card symbolism and think about the imagery in new and expansive ways.

Some weeks we may talk about more than one card, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Tuesdays at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

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Ace of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana

Symbolic Living — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:39:37 +0000

Welcome to Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Last week we started Tarot Notes and got into discussing the Ace of Wands.

As discussed last week, our approach is getting you to think about the imagery and apply it in a broader sense as well as in a personal way. We hope you enjoy continuing with Tarot Tuesdays.

This week we’ll focus on the next ace, the Ace of Cups.

Before getting started, take a look at the card and write down anything that comes to mind.

The Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups relates to the Astrological signs of water; Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

The symbolism of the Ace of cups represents the Holy Grail.

This card clearly shows the traditional Christian symbolism of the dove carrying the host for reception by the Chalice (cup). The cup is symbolic of the womb of woman, with a W inscribed on it, or reversed M symbolizing the reception by Mary (mother) of the host (son) from the dove (holy spirit) .

The Ace of cups shows another hand issued from a cloud, a higher hand, the hand of God (father). The arms of the cross on the host bread are equal length, also denoting relationship to astrology and the earth (body). The lilies in the water also symbolize the spirituality of this cards imagery.

The union of the host (bread of life) and chalice (receptive vessel), symbolizes flesh and blood, united with spirit in life.

Here we are introduced to the symbolic relationship of the cup very clearly to water.

The cup is a vessel with it’s purpose fulfilled by receiving, to hold water. Water is never constant and always changes according to it’s vessel. The earth itself acts as a vessel for water, which contains and provides shape and direction for the water. This card appears to be overflowing, bestowing water with abundance.

Asking questions is a great way to get to know the card better. We’ll get you started.

Where does the water in the cup come from?

Why is the water overflowing here? Is it limitless? Where is the water going? Is it recycling?

Is the water holy? Is the water below and ocean, a pond? Is it baptismal? Is it possibly symbolic of water into wine, in continuing the Christian motif?

The five streams of water coming from the cup can be related to the five wounds of Christ. What can they represent on a personal level? Does it relate to the five senses of experience? How does spirit relate to this?

What does water represent to you? Emotions, moods, dreams, subconscious, purification, life, fertility, metamorphosis?

By looking at the card, what possibilities does it appear to offer? Do you find the card feels joyous, optimistic, happy, abundant, blessings, nourishing, promising? Does it feel like a beginning, a fresh start?

Do you see a connection between the body, mind and spirit here? What role do emotions play in balancing and uniting the body, mind and spirit?

As we continue to look at the cup, do you see drops of water, a mist, tears of joy, compassion?

Where do feelings come from?

When you think of mother, what do you think of in it’s highest, most spiritual purpose and form? Can the archetype of other goddesses be related, such as Venus or Aphrodite?

*In the Ace of Wands fire, the impulse is manifested as a force, whereas here, in the Ace of Cups we see the embodiment of feelings. The Ace of cups, gives purpose to the ace of Wands. It provides meaning and feeling that contains the inspiration.

There are also considerations of the Ace of Wands being representative of a phalic symbol, in that regard, the Ace of cups offers the receptive force for the initial impulse and spark of the active force.

Love is the source, which gives meaning to life, uniting body, mind and spirit in sacred holiness.

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners. We also hope you can find personal relations to the card symbolism and think about the imagery in new and expansive ways.

We’ll revisit this card at the beginning of next week in Tarot Notes. Take the week, think about this card as you are out enjoying the beginning of spring. Keep a journal of whatever comes to mind.

Some weeks we may talk about more than one card, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

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The Power of Myth Joseph Campbell

Symbolic Living — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:48:55 +0000

Joseph Campbell, a scholar of mythology, shares an immense love of myth and it’s meaningful symbolism reflected in all our lives.

This documentary is a pleasure to watch as Joseph Campbell explores a wide variety of ancient and modern mythologies from around the world in a discussion with Bill Moyers.

Campbell explores the many cultural layers and connections myth reveals about the universal, deeper truths of the human experience. What is life? What is the mystery of life?

Beginning with the hero’s journey, Joseph Campbell digs deeper into the symbolism of historical stories of myth and their roots as told through world religions.

These meaningful stories continue to be told through variations of core myths through art and film. Star Wars, for example, is discussed as an example of myth communicated in a language that resonates with modern times.

Campbell shares stories that reveal the many journey’s we all encounter in life while seeking to balance our higher and lower natures. Dragons, serpents, consciousness, what does it all represent?

What’s blocking you from your personal journey, living your own myth? What compels you? What is your way? What is consciousness? What is raising consciousness?

This documentary has many visual accompaniments to illustrate the Power of Myth.

Inspiring and empowering self-discovery.

We hope you enjoy the adventure into mythological significance in this really fantastic discussion. There are 6 parts, and nearly an hour each, so come back to enjoy them all and learn a lot.

“Follow your Bliss” ~ Joseph Campbell.

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Egyptian Temples – Mysteries and Symbolism.

Symbolic Living — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:47:21 +0000

John Anthony West explores, unexplained Egypt.

The Egyptian Temples symbolism are “still transmitting their message” to the world as “timeless teachers”… “the teachings are embedded in the temples.”

“The Neters (often somewhat misleadingly referred to as gods) symbolized the various natural laws and forces at work in the universe. In living man, and in consciousness. Some of the best known today, but not necessarily the most important, are Osiris, Isis and Set.”

“The Neters were principles of nature, and of human nature. Each was personified in anthropomorphic roles. The depictions of the Neters and their human interactions are a vital aspect of the language of the temples. Their postures, gestures and clothing were all part of the vocabulary, each was a meaningful detail in the complex symbolic language. Each temple was consecrated to a different Neter, so each temple is a chapter in the study of the overall Egyptian world view.”

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Let it Be

Symbolic Living — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:52:29 +0000

Music of The Beatles; a story about life’s desires, challenges, loves and losses.

Powerful.

Moving.

Beautiful.

Life.

A must see.

A reminder.

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Eat, Pray, Love

Symbolic Living — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:53:13 +0000

Eat, Pray, Love is a movie you must see. It’s a movie where you’ll leave the theater feeling light, alive and inspired. You’ll walk out feeling different. As a friend who also saw it said, “I feel changed.”

We don’t want to give away the storyline details, but will let you know what kind of experience and impression you’ll have watching it.

It’s more than a movie, it’s the experience of life. When you watch Eat, Pray, Love it feels a little slow at first, and you may be unsure if you’ll like it. There have been some less than pleasing reviews by some critics, and some people say the trailer looks boring. After watching it though, it’s difficult to understand why.

Honestly, after watching this movie you’ll see others, and yourself in a new light. Eat, Pray Love reflects back to you, the beauty of humanity, the beauty of yourself, and the beauty of those you love. It’s a movie that is awakening.

The main character Elizabeth Gilbert played by Julia Roberts you’ll love, but the other people she meets along her journey are also so interesting you’ll care about them as much as you do her.

We’re so used to going to the movies to see films that lack any depth of meaning. This film turns that all around and brings you back to seeing the magic of living. This movie also had a quality to it that wasn’t based on things such as synchronicity, and doesn’t feel at all like a “new age” movie whatsoever that can sometimes lend a flavor of flakiness to movies intended to be meaningful. It’s unpredictable, unlike so many movie scripts, because real life is unpredictable. This movie is about a life adventure that re-awakens purpose and meaningfulness. It’s about the complexities of living that blossoms into beautiful experiences and self-love and awareness.

There is much symbolism and meaning with Elizabeth’s experiences, but it’s not overdone, it’s authentic.

There are many small messages of wisdom brought up that happen through Elizabeth’s journey from New York to Italy, India and Bali. What an experience. Each person has something unique to offer her and she soaks it all up, and in return gives what she can as well. It reveals the value of human interaction and shared living.

This movie has what so many movies these days are lacking. It leaves you feeling self aware, and full of loving kindness. Eat, Pray, Love has the quality of magic that moves you. You’ll leave the theater feeling the way a movie should make you feel – moved, alive and inspired.

The director, Ryan Murphy, creator and director of Glee, did an amazing job keeping the story feeling real and inspiring, rather than cliche, corny or flaky. This movie is anything but corny. Seeing the “chick flick” previews before this movie started, is like night and day.

Highly recommended. One of the best movies that are truly meaningful you’ll have seen in a long time.

This movie truly captures an essence of what symbolic living is all about.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Madonna Birthday Leo

Symbolic Living — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:46:08 +0000

Madonna is all grown up. At 52 today, August 16, Madonna is still going strong in her career. Madonna celebrated her birthday Saturday night night at the Shoreditch House in London.

Focusing on film directing, and a string of fashion shoots from Dolce & Gabbana, Luis Vuitton, Versace and more, Madonna is continuing to enjoy her career and her relationship with young 23 year old Jesus Luz. She hasn’t been working on Music recently because her time is consumed with film.

Madonna continues to practice and study Kabbalah and is an active member of the Kabbalah Center. Her love of philosophy, spirituality and the meaning of life is evident throughout her music career.

She’s currently working on a new film W.E.

Madonna explained to Interview, “Yeah, [it's] the movie everyone thinks I’m making that’s supposed to be a musical about the duke and duchess of Windsor. I don’t know why that got in the newspapers. The duke and duchess of Windsor are in the movie, but it’s not going to be about them. It’s really about this other woman’s journey, and the duchess is kind of her spiritual guide… I use the Sotheby’s auction in 1998 of the duke and duchess of Windsor’s estate as a device to flash backward from.”

She added, “I’ve been writing it for the last two and a half years, to tell you the truth. It’s been kind of an obsession of mine. I started writing it when I finished filming [2008 directorial debut] Filth and Wisdom. It was actually an idea I had before that, but I made Filth and Wisdom because I realized that I didn’t really have a right to make a bigger film until I made a smaller film — and learned how to make a film.”

Happy Birthday Madonna.

Astrology Quicky:

Madonna was born a Leo on August 16, 1958 at 7:05am in Bay City, Michigan.

Sun in Leo in the 12th house

Moon in Virgo (Ascendant) in the 1st house

Mercury in Virgo in the 12th house

Venus in Leo in the 11th house

Mars in Taurus in the 9th house

Jupiter in Libra in the 2nd house

Saturn in Sagittarius (ret.) in the 4th house

Uranus in Leo in the 12th house

Neptune in Scorpio in the 3rd house

Pluto in Virgo in the 1st house

Madonna’s astrology chart shows clear signs of her personality. A lot of her planets are hanging around her 12th house and ascendant, with Sun in Leo and Moon in Virgo, there’s a lot of evidence for her need and desire to express herself artistically, sexually with a lot of focus on mysticism, and spirituality. Her Saturn in Sagittarius shows a lot of her connection in terms of origins of religion and her sense of responsibility to continue going deeper into her beliefs and search for deeper meaning. She has a natural desire to study philosophy and search for inner wisdom. Being born into Catholocism, it’s no surprise she’s felt a strong connection to religion from an early age (4th house). Pluto and Mercury in the 1st house, shows further emphasis on taking the symbolism of the Virgin and moving it beyond it’s limits. Venus in Leo, there’s no surprise there either with her iconic persona and glamorous beauty. Although excesses have done her well, there is a tipping point and she should keep her plastic surgery balanced. Jupiter in Libra in the 2nd house is a sure sign she loves to make money and is very good at it. With an average income of at least $50 million per year, she definitely knows how to build success. She has a prominent materialistic side and success is hers when she wants it.

Light is fearlessness.
Light is compassion.
Light is all giving and it’s, it’s immortality.
It’s a place where there’s no chaos, no pain and no suffering.

Light is the laws of the universe.
You can do things to connect to it, or you can disconnect.
That’s what I say I fear… disconnecting.

~ Madonna