Carolina Dean
A Modern Witch's Book of Shadows
Symbols and their Meanings
What are Symbols?
The Pentagram
Spirals
Astrological Signs
Planetary Symbols
Symbolism of Colors
Symbolism of Numbers
The Trigram
What are Symbols?
According to Webster's Online dictionary, a symbol is a noun defined as
1. An arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance.
2. Something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible; "the eagle is a symbol of the
In the practice of magick, symbols are often symbolic of our desires. They are found on Tarot Cards, Astrological Charts, and Talismans to name a few. In addition they can be carved onto candles, written on paper, draw in dirt, or even in the air!
Symbols also appear in our dreams, and it has often been said that the Universe speaks to us in the language of symbols. It is the wise witch who takes every opportunity to learn to "converse" in this language.
The Pentagram
The Pentagram has a long history associating it with magick witchcraft, and even Satanism. However, it has become more commonly recognized as the Sacred Symbol of Wicca. 
Spirals
The single spiral is the oldest and most recorded of these motifs. It has symbolized the concept of growth, expansion, and cosmic energy, depending on the culture in which it is used. It is believed to represent the travel from the inner life to the outer soul or higher spirit forms; the concept of growth, expansion, and cosmic energy.
Another interpretation says that they represent the often difficult journey to obtain self-knowledge and the equally difficult return to self-acceptance. In magick, spirals are drawn in two ways, clockwise which draws things towards you; and counter clockwise to move things away from you.
Spirals can be drawn in the air over petitions, amulets, talismans, and other magickal tools, as well as drawn on candles and other objects to gather energy toward or away from your magickal goal. The drawing of a spiral can be accompanied by the chanting of a spell, or the visualization of a goal to further empower your intent.
Astrological Signs
| Sign | Glyph |
| Aries The Ram Element: Fire Planetary Ruler: Mars Part of Body: Head Correspondences: Self-Identity, Ego, Outward Appearances. |
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| Taurus The Bull Element: Earth Planetary Ruler: Venus Part of Body: Neck and Throat Correspondences: Money & Material Matters. | 
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| Gemini The Twins Element: Air Planetary Ruler: Mercury Part of Body: Lungs Correspondences: Communication, Siblings, and Short Journeys | 
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| Cancer The Crab Element: Water Planetary Ruler: Moon Part of Body: Stomach Correspondences: Home and Mother. | 
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| Leo The Lion Element: Fire Planetary Ruler: Sun Part of Body: The Heart Correspondences: Love, Children, and Creativity | 
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| Virgo The Virgin Element: Earth Planetary Ruler: Mercury Part of Body: Bowels Correspondences: Health and Work. | 
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| Libra The Scales Element: Air Planetary Ruler: Venus Part of Body: Kidneys Correspondences: Marriage, Agreements, and Partnerships | 
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| Scorpio The Scorpion Element: Water Planetary Ruler: Pluto Part of Body: The Genitals Correspondences: Sex and Death | 
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| Sagittarius The Archer Element: Fire Planetary Ruler: Jupiter Part of Body: Thighs Correspondences: Spiritual Growth, Dreams, and Long Journeys | 
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Capricorn The Goat Element: Earth Planetary Ruler: Saturn Part of Body: The Knees Correspondences: Career, Ambition, and Profession. | 
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Aquarius The Water-Bearer Element: Air Planetary Ruler: Uranus Part of Body: The Ankles Correspondences: Friends and Associations. | 
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Pisces The Fish Element: Water Planetary Ruler: Part of Body: The Feet Correspondences: Karma and Self-Undoing | 
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Planetary Symbols
| Glyph | Meaning |
 | The Sun- Ego, individuality, the power of self, and the conscious will. |
 | The Moon- Emotions, instincts, sensitivity, and the unconscious. |
 | Mercury- Communication, intelligence, perception, and intellectual energy. |
 | Venus- Love, affection, art, beauty, esthetics, and pleasure. |
 | Mars- Energy, force, sexual desire, lust, passion, and aggression. |
 | Jupiter- Good fortune, luck, expansion, abundance, and wisdom. |
 | Saturn- Discipline, responsibility, restriction, and limitation. |
 | Uranus- Change, originality, upheaval, and revolution. |
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 | Pluto- Regenerative forces, destruction, annihilation, and transformation. |
Symbolism of Colors
Color has a profound effect on human behavior, feelings, and emotional outlook. The impact that color has on the human psyche did not escape the attention of the ancient maters, who assigned specific correspondences to each color.
White- Protection, healing, cleansing, blessing, all purpose.
Yellow- Creativity, communication, compelling.
Pink- Romance, friendship, happiness.
Orange- Employment, activation, stimulation.
Red- Health, passion, lust, strength, love.
Purple- Power, success, independence, spirits.
Brown- Friendship, law, stability, order.
Blue- Truth, justice, mental health, wisdom, wishes.
Green- Abundance, physical health, luck, prosperity
Black- Banishing, binding, protection, cursing.
Number Symbolism
| Meanings of the Numbers | |
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1 | Planet: The Sun Gender: Male Correspondences: Ego, Self Identity, Will-Power, Wholeness, Initiation, Beginnings, The Universe. |
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2 | Planet: The Moon Gender: Female Correspondences: Emotions, Mysteries, Psychic-ism, duality, money and possessions, Bargains, Quarrels, Compromise. |
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3 | Planet: Mercury Gender: Male
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4 | Planet: Venus Gender: Female Correspondences: Affection, Stability, Structure, Foundation, Love, Family, Security. |
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5 | Planet: Mars Gender: Male Correspondences: Aggression, Challenges, Loss and Struggle, |
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6 | Planet: Jupiter Gender: Female Correspondences: Expansion, Love, Choices, Balance, Service, Health. |
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7 | Planet: Saturn Gender Male Correspondences: Discipline, Dreams, Marriage, |
| 8 | Planet: Uranus Gender: Female Correspondences: Freedom, Passion, Birth, Death, Regeneration. |
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9 | Planet: Pluto Gender: Male Correspondences: Perception, Philosophy, Education, Solitude, Meditation, Self-Analysis. |
Your Workbook of Shadows
EXERCISES
- Draw a pentagram in your journal. Meditate on the symbol and write down what thoughts, feelings, and emotions come to you during the meditation. Leave room for future entries.
- Find your Sun Sign and research the correspondences that are associated with that sign. Record your findings in your journal and leave room for future entries. For example, I am a Virgo. Virgo is associated with the Element of Earth, the Elder Tree, the Gem Sapphire, the Colors Green and Yellow, The Hermit Tarot Card, the intestines, and the Goddess Ceres to name a few. Leave room after each correspondence to add more information as you learn.
- Meditate on each of the colors as listed above and write down how each color makes you feel and what you associate with each color. For example, where as I feel that both green and blue relate to healing; I feel that green relates to physical healing, while blue relates to mental healing.
