A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings

I am often asked to interpret dreams.  This particular email came from an individual who was convinced her dream of sinking into thick mud was a bad omen.  What follows is my second response of assurance that no, the symbolic meaning of mud in dream interpretation was not a bad omen.

Dear Muddy Waters: 

Again, I’ll encourage you to do some soul searching on your dreams and really invest the time to determine their meaning and how they fit into the life you are living right now.

I can only give you generalities of common dream meanings.  Ultimately YOU are the interpreter of your own dreams.

That said, no, dreaming of mud is not a bad omen.  Common dream symbols such as mud are the psyche’s way of giving us a tool for identifying areas in our lives that may need enhancement.  

Consider the following symbolic messages of “muddy” dreams:

• We are stuck in a rut & may need to consider changing our habits
• We need to become more grounded
• We need to get “back to the basics”
• We need to change our diet (more earth foods, veggies/fruits/grains)
• We may be in a situation that is a burden for us & need to change direction
• We need to focus on health and healing

I suppose if you perceive yourself or areas of your life situation to be out of balance, your dream might be an ominous message from your deeper self to call attention to these areas. 

I would encourage you to trust in yourself and recognize the sleeping (deeper) self’s ability to work with your waking self to come to a positive outcome upon whatever area may require improvement.

I trust this information helps you on your path.

The following is a response to a question from an gentleman who wanted advice on reading numbers.  He consistently encountered the number 1052 and wanted the symbolic meaning of the number as well as tips on reading numbers and numerology.

Dear Number Newcomer: 

Reduced, the number 1052 is an Eight which is a numerical symbolic representation of business, success, and wealth.

This is largely due to the fact that Eight represents:

• Continuation
• Repetition
• Cycles

Such elements are seen in arenas where success is obtained simply because of dogged determination and repitition by the practitioner. Also, matters of business and wealth largely depend on cycles to fulfill their manifestation. It’s like the snowball analogy: As it continues to roll, in gets bigger and bigger with each revolution.

Long sequence number interpretation of the 1052 deals with being satisfied with the way things are - being content even when the road is rocky, and having a sense of stability even in times when your relationships and circumstances may seem shakey.  1052 is about living out loud, coming into your own groove, and being aware of the fullness of your own personality and potential.

The fact that this number repeats itself to you is a message that you tend to be a stable person, even though sometimes you put yourself in unstable situations.  In fact, unstable (sometimes chaotic) people and events seem to just “find” you without you prompting - this is because you have a natural balancing effect on people & circumstances.  This happens when people and things need to be equalized…they habitually seek out others who can balance the equation.

I would encourage you to do some research on numerology and play with all the numbers in your special sequence.   Don’t feel limited to this number sequence.  Rather, play with the numerological meaning of your name, as well as the deeper number meaning of your birth date. 

Almost any system that has a specific set or number of symbols can be used as a telling device for more insight on your number sequence.

For example, you could utilize the Tarot to find meaning to your numbers.  For example, the number Eight as noted earlier in this message corresponds with the Strength card in the Tarot.   You may also want to investigate all of the eights within each Tarot suits of the deck.

Animals totems may serve as an oracle for you too.  Animals with the energy of Eight include:

• Spider
• Octopus
• Hummingbird

Even the Ogham can assist you in gaining a deeper meaning.  The sacred trees of Druids are in numeric sequence so you can look up meaning associated with each tree.  For example:

• 1 = Birch
• 5 = Ash
• 2 = Rowan

Learn the meanings of each number in your long sequence inidividually and then begin to put them together.  It is like putting a number puzzle together - put them in different sequences and play with the meanings together - you will be amazed at the knowledge of numbers hold for you.

I got a fascinating request for information on the symbolism of snake and skull in Mexican mythology/culture to which I respond:

At its simplest, the symbolism of snake and skull in Mexican mythology is a timeless message of impermanence.

More specifically, the symbolic meaning of skull and rattlesnake imagery deals with the human saga of conquering death only to discover the only option is to surrender to life. 

In Mexico, the skull is a representation of impermanence, transition, and freedom.  It signifies the liberation of worldly burdens.  The annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations of Mexico in which the skull is a prominent feature, is an extension of this liberation theme.  This is a time when veil separating the dead from the living is at its thinnest.  A time in which life and death meet, and loved ones are reunited.   

Here the skull represents the faint shadows our physical remnant leaves behind upon our death.  Beyond those gaping dark sockets is the life beyond what our eyes have seen. 

Mexican tradition honors the cycle of life and death - their symbols such as the skull are testimonies to their profound insight into such complex concepts.

The symbolism of the snake or rattlesnake is another extension of the unique Mexican perspective on life, death and the transition between the two.

Mexican mythology indicates the snake is a symbol of veneration, worship and honor.  Often a symbol of great power, resurrection and rebirth, the snake continues to be a powerful emblem of renewal and transition. 

Further, the snake is recognized as a symbol of humanity as a whole.  Interestingly, the Mexican perspective provides hope for mankind to aspire to great heights as it correlates the shedding of the serpent’s skin to man’s ability to change his own circumstances and overcome adversity.

To summarize the symbolic meaning of the snake and skull in the Mexican mythological realms indicate:

• Duality between man’s identification with conflict between life and death
• The impermanence (illusion) associated with this conflict
• Man’s ability to recognize this message of impermanence
• Man’s ability to utilize the power available to him to over come this conflict
• Ultimate ascension & surpassing of conflict & illusion altogether.

I also have an entry on the skull as a good luck symbol here.  You may also be interested in the snake totem symbolism, or snake symbolism in dreams.

Symbolic meaning of number thirteen is surrounded with controversy.  Is it lucky?  Unlucky?  Only you can decide for yourself this post and my other more detailed page on thirteen may help you with your decision.

For those of you who want fast, quick references, the following attributes have been associated with the number thirteen:

• Completion
• Magic
• Intuition
• Psyche
• Warning
• Power
• Creativity
• Betrayal

This snapshot of meanings comes from a variety of different sources.

Its primary claim to foreboding fame is the number thirteen’s association with the Last Supper in Christian history.  There were thirteen people present at this gathering, the Christ and his twelve disciples. 

In France the number thirteen referred to as le point de Judas, to mark Judas’s betrayal of Christ.  This term also suggests an omen as Judas was the first to leave the table at the Last Supper, and also the first to die.  Also in France it is still the practice to hire a quartorzieme, or a fourteenth guest to a dinner party if only thirteen were in the original total.  This is said to assure a problem-free event.

The letter “m” is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and was said to bring bad luck because it is the beginning and end of the word mem which means death.

Interestingly, the number thirteen is assigned to the Death card in the Tarot deck.  Here the number takes on a meaning of transition, surrender, and recycling.  More information on this can be found on the number thirteen death card page.

On a more positive note, the number thirteen is sacred and honored in ritualistic practices in many Native American tribes. 

The Aztecs also hold the number thirteen sacred and divided their week into thirteen days.  Each day is ruled by a god.  The thirteenth day is ruled by Tezcatlipoca, who represents: Mystery, Psyche, Illusion and Magic.

Similarly, within ancient European cultures as well as earth-based religions it is well known there are thirteen moons in a year.  Here the thirteen is aligned with all the associations of the moon:  Emotion, Cycles, Intuition, Mystery, Devotion, and Influence.

It is also seen as a sign of good fortune in ancient Greece where it is associated with the Zeus because he is the thirteenth and most powerful of Greek gods.

For more information, visit my full-detail page on the Symbolic Meaning of Number Thirteen.

An interesting request from one of my readers…she wanted a symbol for divine, or divinity symbols to which I respond: 

Dear Symbol Seeker,

The Divine is a broad subject, but below are a few symbols that represent Divine, or Divinity.

In Alchemy - the human body is considered a symbol of the divine

In Native American symbology (specifically plains tribes) a large, equilateral triangle pointing downard represents trust in divine guidance. It is a symbol of our ability to join with the divine and have a divine perspective.  Further in this genre, an equilateral triangle pointing heavenwards represents the divine point, the highest point of knowledge (cosmic awareness or higher spirit if you will).

In most cultures, a crown is a symbol of not only royalty and nobility - but also divinity.  For example deities and Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt wore double crowns to signify their divine stature as well as mark their endowment of divine power.  In some religions, including Christianity, the crown represents divine glory and crowns were placed on the heads of newly deceased as a sign of their union with God upon their passing.  In Eastern religions the crown worn is a sign of spiritual evolution - one step closer to divinity.

In the animal kingdom we find more symbols of the divine…

In Christian traditions, the dove is a symbol of divinity as it is the representation of the Christ.

Further, the starfish is considered a representation of the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography and as such is a symbol of the keeper of divine wisdom.

The dolphin is considered a divine messenger of the sea by some Native American cultures.

In the Orient as well as Celt, Norse and Greco-Roman mythologies the horse is thought of as a divine messenger too - a carrier of high divine insight for the Gods & Goddesses it serves.

In various cultural & mythological realms (Christian, Greco-Roman, Native American, Byzantine) the eagle is considered a divine creature of the air and held firm as a symbol of the divine.

In other areas of nature such as the plant world, we find more symbols of divinity.

The peach has long been symbolic of divinity as well as longevity, good fortune and paradise to the Chinese and Japanese.

The pine cone is a symbol of immortality and the divine in earth-based religions (i.e. paganism) as it is an evergreen.

Another earth-based symbol of the divine long honored by the ancient Celts and Norse is the acorn.  Druids swallowed the acorns whole in order to touch the divine mind.   They were sacred to the god Thor, and in Norse mythology the Tree of Life was an oak (from which the acorn springs forth).

The number ten is symbolic of spiritual achievement and return to unity.  Consequently, many systems of thought treat this numeral as a symbol of the divine. Specifically, the sephirotic Tree of Life of the Kabbalah is made of ten sephira - as such it represents unity, spiritual attainment, and divine accomplishment.

The Tarot holds infinite symbols for divinity.  The Hierophant is a symbol of uniformed or contained divinity where the human may pour out the prescribed nature of divine to the public.  Also in the Tarot, the Moon is a symbol for the divine.

As you can see, symbols of the divine are numerous.  Even in our day-to-day lives we can find symbols that vibrate with the divine.  Even candles -long thought of as carriers of divine light in places of worship and occasion of ritual.

In considering symbols for the divine, I would encourage you to find elements in your life that focus upon your own unique perspective of what is divine for you.  Meditate upon divinity itself, and your own special symbols will come to you from your effort.

I get requests for quick & easy symbols.    After countless attempts to explain the intricacies of symbolism, I finally save my breath and throw a bone or two.  So,  for those of you who would rather not invest much thought to the depth of symbolism, here are two basic symbols for friendship:

Shown left are the Arrows of Friendship.  In Native American cultures (primarily plains tribes), the owner of an arrow would always leave a mark on the shaft, indicating its maker (i.e., the makers mark). 

Hence, two arrows together in such a fashion is symbolic of bringing together two people or two tribes for the common goal of both parties as well as friendship.  

These interlinked hearts shown left are another symbol for friendship.  The hearts side by side symbolize togetherness.  The symbol is for good fortune, and is a good omen for a lasting relationship.

These are nice if you are looking for a fast fix (or worse, a no-brainer tattoo).  If you are willing to dig a little deeper, my post on the Celtic symbols for friendship  as well as my comment on the Celtic dolphin as a symbol for friendship may be interesting for you.   The cardinal bird is also a friendly symbol, and here I have the Chinese symbol writing for friends.

Keep in mind, adopting symbols to represent your own life situations is a very personal endeavor & deserves personal participation!  Research, contemplation and meditation are strongly recommended before dedicating a symbol to represent the aspects of you or your life.

The symbolic meaning of labyrinth is also associated with the various symbolic meanings of the spiral in that we can trace our footsteps (both metaphorical and literal) back to and from the Source (center or core).

Labyrinths have been used for ages.  Native Americans used the labyrinth as a symbol that represents birth, rebirth and/or transition from one world to the next.  Specifically, as a Hopi symbol,  labyrinths are depicted with a cross near the center which represents the four cardinal directions and their attributes.  The spirals encircling this compass are symbolic of the waves or cycles of creation all of life experiences.

 On a philosophical level, the symbolic meaning of labyrinth is as complex as the symbol itself.  With many twists and turns, the labyrinth does not share its secrets easily. 

On the surface the symbolic meaning of the labyrinth deals with:

• passage of time
• spiritual growth
• enlightenment
• connection to source
• rebirth
• resurrection
• emergence
• evolution
• progress
• spiritual path
• initiation

The labyrinth can be a powerful tool for inner enhancement and development.  It is designed specifically for this purpose.  When walking the labyrinth, we find our perspective constantly changing.  Our vision and physical bodies are never facing the same direction for long.  This is a technique to coax our inner knowing out from within.  

Further, the spiraling inward motion is a physical replication of our spiritual tendency to seek within the highest truths in order to find eternal freedom.  When we are moving outward from the source, it is an action that we have made the divine connection and now we are expressing our completeness outwardly - essentially sharing our highest good with all around us.

It is important to note that walking the labyrinth (mentally or physically) is not intended to be overly challenging.  There are no dead-ends with the labyrinth, only meandering waves of smooth lines designed to gently nudge us back to our destination.  This is where labyrinths are often confused with mazes.  Big difference.  Mazes are designed to challenge intellect and strategic skills.  Whereas the labyrinth is an exercise in soul development.

Animals associated with the labyrinth are:

• Octopus
• Spider
• Snail
• Ram
• Snake

Interested in walking a labyrinth?  Check out this thoughtfully written “how to” guide to walking a labyrinth on EHow.com.

Native American symbolic full moon names (below listed) were established by eastern and northern tribes such as the Algonquin & the Iroquois Confederacy.  These remarkable people assigned attributes to each of the full moons according to the seasonal characteristics.   The symbolic Native American full moon names are as follows:

• Wolf Moon:  The full moon in January.  Said to be called the Wolf Moon because the wolves are out in the bright light this time of year - anxious and hot on the the trail for a feast to slake their hunger in the lean winter month. 
• Snow Moon:  The full moon of February.  At this time the northeastern regions can give up their most heaviest of snow falls.  This full moon is also called the hunger or hungry moon because the grips of winter can make it another lean month for the belly of both man and beast.
• Magpie Moon:  Or Crow Moon.  The symbolic full moon name for March.  Considered the last full moon of winter; the crow caws its farewell to the season.  Also known as the Worm Moon because they start to surface at this time, also signaling retreat of winter and the marching in of springtime.
• Egg Moon: The full moon of April.  Also known as the pink moon.  Both names indicate the sprouting of seed and the explosion of bright beauty found in the phlox (pink) and other flowers rising for the spring debut.
• Flower Moon: Full moon name of May.  Quite simply, May brings bright brushes to paint the earth canvas with infinite flowers.  In the full moon light of this month, the flowers are said to grow at night, and even dance in honor of the moon.
• Strawberry Moon: The symbolic full moon name for June.  This is also an easy one to understand.  June is the picking time for strawberries, when their at their ripest and fullest.  Picking by moonlight is said to honor the crops, and insure bigger bounty next picking season.
• Thunder Moon: Full moon of July.  For these tribes, it was observed that this month is notorious for big booms of thunder and storms.  Thus, the symbolic full moon name of “thunder moon.”  Also referred to as Buck moon because deer begin forming their antlers at this time of year.
• Red Moon: The full moon name for August.  Those lazy days of summer when the moon is watched in its fullness and widens herself to the admiring sun.  This is the month when summer kisses the moon most tender and we most often see a blush-colored or reddish hued moon.  To the tribes of the Great Lakes it is a Sturgeon moon because this is when they are caught most.
• Harvest Moon:Full moon of September.  The famous “harvest moon” represents the most adventageous time-frame in which we can pick (harvest) crops from the garden.  The Native Americans knew this - they knew they would have almost a half hour more time to harvest their bounty beneath the helpful luminosity of the moon.
• Hunters Moon:  The full moon of October.  This is another symbolic moon name that’s obvious.  This time represents the onset of prime hunting season.  Heavy foliage is drifting away as quick as the season, and deer are a bit buggy this time of year.  That means their easy to see clearly and easily downed for the First People’s purposes.
• Beaver Moon:  The full moon name for November.  As we’ve seen in the prior months, each symbolic name references a point within the epitome of the month.  Beavers are coming into their fullness in November.  So much so that the Natives knew to set traps early in the month because the beaver would be in her glory. 
• Cold Moon:  The symbolic full moon name for December.  Also known as the ”Long Night Moon.”   Coming full circle, we find ourselves again in the frigid realm of winter.  This is the month when some of the coldest and the longest nights live.  Hence the symbolic names for this full moon of December.

I recently had an email from a woman, whom after a great many years, discovered the octopus was her totem or guide.  She asked for the symbolism of the octopus, and I respond:

Dear Cuttley: 

Identifying the symbolism of the octopus can be daunting  & not for reasons you’d think.  

Namely because the octopus participates in the universe on many different levels.  As such, it’s symbolism is vast and related discussions could potentially last forever.

As if the massive depth of the symbolism wasn’t overwhelming enough - try to getting past the visual effect the octopus has on us. 

We look at the octopus and it draws us in wholly.  Mesmerizing & chilling, it’s motions are hypnotizing.  So I’ll start there, the symbolism of the octopus born from it’s sheer physical presence.  The more ethereal symbolism’s deserve an entire book for room to expound, but I have written more about this amazing creature here.

 Of its many aspects, here are just a few symbolic meanings of the octopus:

• Complexity
• Diversity
• Variability
• Intelligence
• Insight
• Vision
• Mystery
• Illusion

With eight arms, the octopus shares some symbolic meanings with the spider as well as the meanings of number eight. 

Observed these eight arms circle out in motion - calling to mind the concept of spiral - this forms a symbolic bond between the octopus and the meanings of the spiral or whirlpool.

Being a creature of the sea, the octopus also shares commonalities with and symbolic meaning of fish.

Adornments like octopus medallions were worn by sailors to ward off evil.  Seamen understood the eerie magic of the octopus.  It’s black ink-jet expulsions and other-worldly appearance struck awe (and terror) in the observer.  Hence, it makes an incredibly powerful totem, carrying great status - a symbol of protection and good luck.

Minoan art depicts the octopus (particularly on bowls or vases) unfurling.  This is thought to be symbolic of the creating and the expanding of the universe.

Other associations of the octopus include:

• Moon
• Zodiac sign of Cancer
• Rain
• Thunder
• Spiral
• Eight

As a side-note, the octopus is also associated with the Priestess and Moon card in the Tarot deck.

Take the time to research more about the octopus - it will be worth the investment of your time.  Meditate upon the octopus - focus your awareness on this amazing creature.  You will find it an empowering agent for your growth.  Consider yourself blessed.

More information on the animal symbolism of the octopus can be found on this page.

As it is closely related, the symbolic meaning of puma is also similar to the symbolic meaning of mountain lion, & cougar.  

These noble cats are symbols of courage and power. This falls in line with the puma/mountain lion being associated with the sun, and solar vibrancy in some cultures (South American, & Central American).   Learn more about solar animals here.

Other attributes and symbolic meaning of puma, (and it’s cousins the mountain lion, panther & cougar):

• Strength
• Nobility
• Patience
• Silence
• Decision
• Action
• Guardianship
• Leadership
• Self-assurance

Puma (or mountain lion or cougar) is symbolic of observation.  In the wild, this creature will stare at an object, unmoving, for what seems like an eternity.  Further, she does this with stillness, patience.  To those of us who heed the puma as a guide, we would take great care to observer our own lives with the kind of intese focus the puma does.

People who have identified the puma, mountain lion, and/or cougar as their animal totem are people who typically come into this world with a spiritual knowing.  Those who attract this animal totem have a deeper understanding of spiritual things.  They are very psychic, intuitive,  and  are likely to be artistically inclined.

Furthermore, the puma is a very protective energy.    If you have this creature as your animal totem, you are blessed to have such a fierce and aggressive guardian with you.   When called upon you will be amazed at the resourcefulness and assistance the puma can offer.

In closing, it is important to recognize the puma and it’s relatives are cats of sudden, vigorous action.  This being the case, those who share the puma as their totem should be mindful of their tendancy to lash out too quickly, or act out in haste.  Call upon the patience and observation of the puma before taking action in order to avoid quick and unsavory consequences.

Also see my entry on Bobcat Animal Totem meanings, and Tips on How to Identify Animal Totems