Introduction
Welcome back.
In this post I’ll be exploring symbols and their use within the world of Palingenesis. But what is a symbol?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a symbol as: something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance, especially : a visible sign of something invisible. Familiar examples of such symbols are the cross, Star of David, and the star and crescent.
And as I wrote here, symbols also play a huge part in Jungian Psychology, most notably with his archetypes and the interpretation of dreams.
But symbols also have a different significance in a magick.
They act as foci, allowing practitioners to go into meditative states. They also act as repositories for energies used in spell work, and in the case of sigils, they are used to invoke the gods and summon entities such as angels or demons.
Within the world of Palingenesis symbols are used both ways and the primary symbol is the phoenix. Throughput the book and series I use it to symbolize the inner strength of the characters and their growth. Travis’s arc in Palingenesis mirrors that of the phoenix, in that the old him must die so the new one can be born. It becomes a symbol of hope and strength to him as he struggles to fight his destiny as evil’s chosen one.
Moreover, when he learns his body is host to an alien entity, Travis discovers said alien’s name is unpronounceable to the human tongue and is symbolized as two infinity symbols crossed to for an x (pictured below).
The literal translation of this name is, “the strength that endures; the power to overcome all obstacles,” and Travis interprets this through the symbol of the phoenix, taking it as his new name. But other symbols are used in the series which I’ll now cover.
Runes
Before the adoption of the Latin alphabet, the runic alphabet was the primary writing system of the Norse and other Germanic peoples. Unlike the English alphabet, the runic alphabet didn’t just represent letters; they were also symbols representing ideas, thoughts, and concepts of power and the cosmos. Each rune had a name associated with its philosophical and magical significance. Featured below are examples of runes and their meaning.
Figure 1By derivative work: Rursus (talk)Anglosaxonrunes-editable.svg: *derivative work: Rursus (talk)Anglosaxonrunes.JPG: riginal uploader was Jack Daniel at en.wikipedia – Anglosaxonrunes-editable.svgAnglosaxonrunes.JPG, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedi
Within the universe of Palingenesis runes are used similarly in demonic magick to enchant objects, within geometric figures to summon creatures, as part of wards to protect the user from various spells and hexes, and in blood magick as the symbols carved into the caster’s skin to activate the spell. For more information about runes click here.
Next, I’ll discuss is alchemical symbols.
Alchemical Symbols
Alchemical symbols are the symbols used in alchemy; they refer to different substances and the processes for distilling and combining them. Pictured below is a collection of such symbols.
For more information on alchemy and how it relates to my series, click here.
Along with runes and other symbols, which I’ll cover in course, alchemical symbols are used in demonic magick for crafting enchanted weapons, in wards, summoning rituals, and the brewing of potions.
Zodiac Symbols
Moving on, astrology has a long history, which I won’t get into here. But the signs associated with the western zodiac signs are based on the position of the sun relative to the constellations they are named for. Within the series these symbols are used for divination and the position of the stars at a demon’s birth are said to predict their abilities, weaknesses, and future.
Adinkra Symbols
Next up, adinkra symbols are traditional pictographs representing various West African sayings and concepts. They were originally used to decorate pottery, stools, and fabrics, and have since seen a resurgence by pan Africanists. Below are pictured a few examples.
They are used within the series as foci for mental magicks, especially the creation of sim-com, warriors created from thought alone to fight on their creator’s behalf.
Kanji
The last set of symbols I’ll explore are kanji. These pictographs originated in China and then were barrowed by the Japanese when they invaded. Japanese use 1945 kanji characters, each with its own context-sensitive pronunciation and meaning. Belo are some examples.
Over the centuries kanji evolved, becoming less complex, and some lost their Chinese pronunciation (onyomi) altogether. With so many symbols it can be hard to remember each, so kanji are grouped by radicals, symbol parts each contain. For example, the kanji for oil and sake both contain the water radical, while the kanji for cat and elephant contain the animal radical.
Kanji are used in the series for soul magick and warding places against certain types of demons and supernatural creatures.
Conclusion
Symbols are powerful things, and throughout the series Travis uses them in his magick and in his meditation to push him to higher levels of power.
Do you have a symbol, maybe a spirit animal, that you use? Let me know in the comments.
Next week’s post will dive into the myths, legends, religions, and civilizations that have influenced this story. But below you’ll find an exclusive excerpt from Palingenesis. Enjoy.
“Think, Boss,” Body said. “Forget everything that’s happened. Who are you when no one’s looking?”
“I don’t know. Why does this matter?”
Pain shot through Travis, and his arms disappeared.
“Time’s almost up,” they shouted. “Who are you? Say it now, or all is lost!”
“I am the sum of all those who’ve come before me. All their sacrifices, all their hopes, led to my being born. And I won’t let their sacrifices be in vain.”
Oblivion chuckled. “What are you prattling on about? “You can’t win. Surrender.”
Travis rose on shaky legs, his toes having disappeared. “I will fight you with everything I am. All my hate. All my doubt. All my pain. Everything!
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