Dragons, Eagles, Earth…and More

By: Carl Teichrib; ©2001

This month Carl Teichrib explains what meaning occultism has attached to another set of familiar symbols.

Symbols are oracular forms – mysterious patterns creating vortices in the substances of the invisible world. They are centers of a mighty force, figures pregnant with an awful power, which, when properly fashioned, loose fiery whirlwinds upon the earth. — Manly P. Hall, Lectures on Ancient Philosophy, p.356.

According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, “symbol” can be defined as “a mark or character taken as the conventional sign of some object, idea, function, or process.” The New Age movement and the occult–which, in many ways, are one and the same–have greatly employed the use of symbolism. I find it disturbing that while the historical and contemporary “marks” of occultism can be found throughout our modern culture, we no longer recognize their spiritual significance. However, just because the average person no longer knows the meaning of occult symbols, it in no way negates their significance. The fact remains that these symbols have never lost their meaning, and occultists today still recognize their power and influence– and use it.

Dragons:

The symbolism of the dragon is extremely diverse. In Western mythology, drag­ons were originally connected with water deities, and represented dark and evil forces. In the East, dragons were seen as guardians of royal treasures. According to the Chinese philoso­pher Chuang Tzu, dragons represented cosmic vibration and life itself. Whatever the cultural associations, dragons are universally viewed as symbols of awesome power, supernatural is origin, and the personification of “primeval forces.”

Eagle:

While America has long held the eagle to be a representation of freedom, the eagle has had a long history of occult recognition. In fact, it has been a bird with many occult connections. It was linked to psychism and was considered a deity within certain mystery teachings, being associated with the invisible sun, sky, and etheric powers. It is also astrologically linked to Scorpio in the zodiac. In Native American beliefs, the eagle is believed to hold mystical powers, and that energy flows through it. The eagle also acts an “etheric world guide,” giving persons guidance and information as they psychically pass into the world beyond. Another use of the eagle can be found within the higher echelons of western occult secret societies. The Knights of Malta and the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry use a double-headed eagle as the emblem for their orders. According to Manly P. Hall, the double-headed eagle represented,

the Master of the double Holy Empire of the superior and the inferior universes. The ancient emblem of equilibrium consisted of an androgynous body surmounted by two heads, one male and the other female, wearing a single imperial crown. That being alone is perfect in which all opposites are reconciled, and this state of perfection is appropriately typified by the two heads of equal dignity. Hence the double-headed eagle is reserved as the emblem of completion, for it signifies the Philosopher’s Stone, the ultimate soul condition, and that absolute and transcendent perfection which arises only from the fullest unfoldment of the latent potentialities within the individual.

Earth:

The Earth, as a symbol used in occult and New Age teachings, represents Gaia, the living planet infused with the power of the Mother Earth Goddess. Knowing that the New Age Movement is intrinsically linked with the deep ecology movement, it isn’t surprising to see how the Earth has become a symbol of this combined philosophy.

Egg:

Within occult circles, the egg historically has been used as a symbol of fertility. In many mystical traditions, the universe and all its major deities were supposedly born from a single cosmic egg. Hinduism believes that Hiranyagarbha–the world egg–when it hatched, bore the sun-god Brahma. Ra, the Egyptian solar deity, was born from an egg, as were Castor and Pollux, the twins of Greek mythology. Alchemists used an egg shaped glass container in their magical work, believing that this universal representation would birth them the Philosopher’s Stone–the elixir of life and knowledge, the “ultimate soul condition.”

Eye of Horus

(see All-seeing Eye” in the first article of this series).

Fasces:

Found on certain older American dimes, the fasces is not so much an occult symbol as it is a sign of political power–fascism. Originally used by the Romans, it repre­sented the magistrates right to enforce his will over matters of life and death. In 1919, Benito Mussolini adopted it as a symbol for his fascist political party.

In today’s world of spiritual deception, it is imperative to have one’s “discernment radar” turned on. Ephesians 6:12 clearly says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

 

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Carl Teichrib is a Canadian based researcher on the occult and globalization. During the years 2000 and 2001, he was Director of Research for Hope For The World, the ministry of Gary Kah, and continues to work closely with this organization. Carl’s material has been pub­lished in a variety of newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. You can contact Carl by emailing him at [email protected].

Read Part 4