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The Celtic Art
Source Book
By Courtney Davis
Published by Blandford Press
(1988)
 The highly successful Celtic Art Source Book was first published in 1988 and has been re-printed 14 times. The pictures re-interpret and re-state Britain's ancient intuitively familiar indigenous art form. "A fascinating book at all levels, but the pictures themselves, intricate and brightly colored, are what count and I cannot praise them too highly". Interzone
The art of understanding symbols and symbolism is once again gripping the imagination of mankind. The Greek word symbol means that which is thrown or brought together and is the opposite of diabolical which means thrown apart or separated. A symbol represents an image which links us to the higher levels of subjective intuitive experience as well as to our conscious immediate awareness. It is a midway point between what is 'out there' and what is deeply embedded within. The art of symbology was understood and practiced for many thousands of years until about 300 years ago, when the French mathematician and philosopher René Descartes separated spirituality from materialism, and it fell into disuse. However, since the last century we have gradually begun to revive this forgotten language of symbolism. With the advent of the world-wide Consciousness Movement in recent times, renewed interest has been shown by many people, some of whom have become aware of the impact a symbol can have on our psyche to improve our well-being. Through symbolism we can see the soul of man awakening to the realization of his true purpose, leading him to a higher level of conscious awareness. The novice is often unaware that we are surrounded everywhere by symbols, the most obvious one being the sun. This is an ancient universal symbol of light. On the physical level it is the bringer of life to this planet, the force that creates, stimulates, renews and heals. On a spiritual level it represents the solar logos - the word of God, the representative of the godhead for our solar system. In view of this it may not have been such a pagan or unchristian act for the Pharaoh Akhenaton (among others) to have worshipped the sun, for he would have recognized the solar logos behind it which would have connected him to the god quality within himself As a result the sun became that mystical symbol which united him with his higher mystical qualities and possibilities. In this way the symbol can aid us in our mystical experience, help develop a deep intuitive awareness of all we survey and, as such, act as transformer. Another great symbol is water. The Babylonians called the sea the home of wisdom. it symbolizes a great mysterious immensity from which everything comes and into which everything returns. It also represents the wisdom and intuitive feminine aspects of our being. Merlin can also be seen and is often understood as the man from the sea - that is, our essential link with the cosmic sea, our higher ideals. Merlin as a symbol has lost his image of an outside being, a bearded wizard, and is beginning to speak to us within ourselves as our intuitive self. With this intuitive Merlin, aspect awakened in us, we can tune in to the cosmos and become aware of our cosmic origins on a level which will help free us from material bondage (if we are not already free) and accept eternal values. It is said that, Merlin was imprisoned in a tree and is now awakening to liberation. This represents our higher intuitive awareness trying to find release from gross materialism. In symbolism everything has some meaning and a purpose. We should therefore be cognizant of what forces we are tuning in to when contemplating a particular symbol or when we have it as a base for meditation. Whereas the symbol is most often linked to ancient archetypal patterns or images this does not preclude us from going on our own mystical journeyings as reflected from our level of awareness. In other words there is no definitive hard and fast rule which each image must represent. For instance, in essence the Grail enfolds two main symbols - that of the Cup or Chalice, and that of the Quest. But whichever way we look at it, the Grail is perceived as a source of illumination. The Grail or Cup has also been interpreted as the Third Eye, representing our inwardly perceived sense of eternity. The loss of the Grail was therefore tantamount to the loss of our inner source of fulfillment and joy; hence the 'unending' search. In the past this search was always external and many an expedition was mounted to find a richly bejeweled cup of great value. In the present day it is seen as an inner search, an inner journey we must all take, and while beset by danger and doubt, fear and loss of faith, we eventually recognize the Grail within our own being to show the way to self-realisation and self-awareness. Although we may think we are trying to find joy and fulfillment, what we are truly searching for may be a further awareness beyond human comprehension. And the study of symbolism may lead us to make discoveries the glory of which we may only dimly perceive in our most inspired moments as yet. When we experience the symbol as the gateway to higher thinking and living, we become aware that we have transcended the personality and touched deeply on our soul quality. We then recognize that it is through the self or soul that we make an inner contact with the godhead, on a level beyond reason or intellect. Furthermore we accept that we are part whole and that the whole is part of us. By this touch of the soul we harmonized, vivified and recharged with energy. We are imbued with the certainty of the saint and the faith of the Apostle and are so renewed and ready to go back to the area of our personal lives and meet any of its emergencies and challenges with courage and joy. The symbol has no power of its own; it is only what it represents that exerts an influence. We should not be forever bound to it, for once we have begun to become self-actualised individuals the need for symbolism will disappear. However, if we remove symbols before we have risen in consciousness, we may cut ourselves off from that source which enables us to achieve cosmic awareness. In business, symbols are often manufactured in design studios with little or no knowledge of the science behind them. And when the designer is oblivious of the symbol's magnetic attraction, he or she may produce an image which is contrary to the firm's interests. A powerful symbol is one that attracts beneficent energies for the growth and stimulation of the company and the people working in it. This may also count for an entire nation or a confederation of nations who are linked to a particular State symbol. I hope that this book will set you on your own personal Quest and help you discover the meanings of symbols and symbolism in your own way. They are part of our rich cultural heritage to take us forward on an upward and ever more ardent direction into eternity.
Johan H. Quanjer, Battersea, London, 1988
128 pages 78 b/w & 50 color plates
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