I want to talk about symbolism; specifically, the meaning of certain symbolic images and how you might want to carry them with you as you exit 2023 and enter into 2024. Shall we? 

I have always decorated myself with symbolism at the turn of every year, beginning around the eve of 2001. A long time now! Symbolism is how I connect to my reality, and also, how I connect with the realities of those around me. Symbolism has also proven to be immeasurably helpful for me in my expression, creation, and design of my life and also during my crafting of reality for those whom I love. I believe that symbols, and I, are inseparable and that is just the way that I was created and designed to be. 

I'd like to bring to mind a few symbols that you might want to consider for your annual eve this time around. 

First is the rainbow. Now, before you feel that wave of disappointment wash over you, please calm down first. I do support the human and civil rights of gay people; nevertheless, I have never once used the rainbow to represent my sentiments and concerns. Not once. Not even once. The rainbow, as I have always understood it to be, is impregnated with endless myth, legend, and secrecy, spanning millennia! It long existed before the lgbtq movement, that's for sure. Unfortunately, its meaning has become slandered and that is a grave mishandling of a truly sacred object. Allow me to explain. 

When we study antedeluvian text, including those of sacred nature, we will find the rainbow upheld to the standards of deity and central to an endless collection of chronicles! There is no reason for me to list any of this down here, given that we live in the day and age of A.I.; everyone knows that if I were to provide you with such a list, it would really just be a copy-paste from ChatGPT. Right? You can go and ask CG for that list, yourself. But I'm here to take you further-in (as always)!

A unifying theme spanning cultures, eras, and creeds, can be summed up as: hopefulness, new beginnings, survival of life, triumph over death, immortality, a divine safe haven, joy, happiness, and purity.

The rainbow makes her glowy entrance shortly following eras or events of great struggle, death, purification, and calamity. She can only be seen by those who are still alive (naturally). Those who fell during events of great struggle are not there anymore to behold the rainbow, who ushers survivors into a new era of hope and renewal. Thus, the rainbow is a symbol of survival against all odds and the ensuing hope of the times that follow! 

I can hear you oohing-and-aahing. That's right, I told you to wait for it, didn't I? (Smirks in rainbow) 

Of course, we all know the story of Noah, and how the rainbow made her entrance after the epic Great Deluge. But many remain unaware of the fact that the Great Deluge/ the great flood of prehistory, is actually recorded not just throughout Christian-Jewish sacred text; but also throughout Mesopotamian, South American, Indian, Chinese, etc etc etc, chronicles and scrolls. Aha! Now you know!

I would like to bring to light, The Epic of Gilgamesh, where the hero of this epic, Utnapishtim, received warning from the God Ea, of the upcoming great flood. In the same fashion as Noah, Utnapishtim also built an Ark where he was able to hide his family and many animals from the flood which swept the world; effectively saving all of their lives  (and securing the continuity of humanity and wildlife in the process). And just like Noah; Utnapishtim landed on top of a mountain where he made sacrifice to God, and all that. But Noah's God and Utnapishtim's God vary in their sentiments: while Jehovah intentionally wanted to see the continuance of humanity; Enlil did not. Enlil was initially enraged upon the discovery that Utnapishtim saved himself, his loved ones, and the animals! But then he was appeased by the sacrifices made on top of the mountain and his heart eventually softened and then opened up to recognize that Utnapishtim actually did perform a great and worthy feat! 

As a reward, Enlil promised that Utnapishtim and his family would no longer live mortal lives, furthermore, they would be moved into the place where immortals live, called, "Mouth of the Rivers". Thus, we see this promise made at the end of the Great Deluge in very similar fashion to the promise given by Jehovah to Noah, which also took place at the end of the Flood and on the top of a mountain. 

Now, I find it acceptable, and even logical, to say that both stories are probably one in the same while the names of characters and Gods simply evolved as centuries passed, depending upon which scribe was writing it down: the culture, language, and religion of said scribes would be of key importance as this same story passed all the way down throughout history. It is therefore acceptable and logical to say that the symbol of the rainbow as a promise to Noah at the end of the apocalypse may be understood as being the very same symbol of immortality and safe residence in the land of immortals as promised to Utnapishtim. It's basically the same promise: "This will never be your fate ever again from now on."

Take a few moments to reflect because I understand how awe-inspiring this really is. 

The rainbow also represents the unification of light, water, air, and the human consciousness. When light and water unite in the air under the precisely perfect mathematical circumstances that are required in order for it to take form; something beautiful happens! But in the absence of the human eye and the human consciousness that are able to observe it; how can it be called, "beautiful"? Our eyes need to behold her, in order for her to become what we call, "beautiful"! Therefore, the rainbow represents the perfect conditions established between light, water, air, and mind! In other words: the perfect mathematical and natural conditions for magic and miracle to unfold. You may understand it to be the perfect and precise formula, or series of conditions, that leading to the outcome of safety, happiness and new beginnings. This must be the reason why we can never resist breaking out into a heartfelt smile whenever we are lucky enough to have a rainbow catch our eye! We always feel lucky to see one! And even moreso when there are two!

At this point, I'm pretty sure you understand why this object comes first on my list for New Year talismans. I told you to wait for it! 

Did you know that there is such a thing as a moonbow? 🌙🌈 You read that right! At night, under the light of the Moon, when light and water meet in the air at those perfect conditions rainbows require; MOONBOWS are formed! You just don't see it that often because they are (understandably) softer, fainter, and less easily detected. But moonbows are real and they are here to remind us that even in the middle of the apocalypse: the promise of your survival and safety is already being formed. Now, I don't know about you, but I do think that this is a miraculous form of unbeatable symbolism right here!

If you can pull yourself away from that breathtaking realisation you've just learned, I'd like you to next take a look at the deer (or stag). I think we've all seen the new Netflix release of Ethan Hawk and Julia Roberts' project, Leave the World Behind, by now; and I think we can all agree on how the imagery and symbolism of the stags and deer continuing throughout the movie, was, quite startling! Am I correct? Well, stags and deer in general are the spirit totem animals of intuition, sensitivity, perception, foresight, sensibility, and the state of being always in-tune and constantly alert. They are the spirit totem animals that remind us to always follow that little voice inside. 

You might not normally think of the stag or the deer as a symbol of protection; nevertheless, it is your ability and willingness to see, perceive, contemplate, sense, and understand, that will ultimately save your own life and the lives of others whom you love. So, think about that. Because I would say that we are going through an era requiring of us exactly all of that! As we all saw, Rosie, the only character who was clearly connected to the stags, was also the only one who continuously perceived and saw what was happening before anybody else did. And she was willing to repeatedly follow her own "little voice inside". And don't we want to ultimately be Rosie at the end of the day? I mean, she even got to watch her favourite F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode! 

The last symbol I'd like you to consider is the swan. Going into 2023, I wore my favourite swan pendant, and let me tell you, I was guided and groomed by the grace and elegance of the swan's spirit all throughout this year (I'm very grateful).

I think it is pretty easy to decipher the symbolism of the swan: grace, elegance, gentleness, beauty, serenity, and ease of being. But you might not be aware of the fact that swans have been known to break people's arms! It's not obvious but swans are skilled killers when it comes to protecting their own nests and their own lives. Their wings are incredibly, surprisingly strong and steel-like and they will not hesitate to use them as weapons on anyone or anything that attacks their nests.

The swan might strike the perfect balance of power and grace for you and may be the symbol you need to carry you throug, into the coming new year. 

Which one is your favourite? And are there any special symbols that you'd like to share with me? Let me know in an email or leave a comment below. I hope this has been helpful and it's so good to reconnect with you all again here after such a momentuously eventful year! Merry Christmas to us all and may God bless us, everyone.