Signs and Symbols in Everyday Life

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At the start of the book Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert describes how her marriage was in crisis and she was trying to decide whether to leave or stay.  She was uncertain what to do and pleaded with God to “ …Please tell me what to do.  Please tell me what to do.  Please tell me what to do …”   The universe responded, but not in a dramatic, earth-shattering way.  Very often in our own lives when we are trying to make a decision regarding  a crisis situation, or something more ordinary, we wish a booming voice would just tell us what to do.  It seems like it would be a lot easier, and we would be free of the responsibility or consequences of our choices.

However this is not the way it works.  We always have choices in life, and that is part of the beauty of being human.  The universe is always communicating with us through signs, symbols, and our own inner wisdom.   We just need to be aware of and pay attention to the signs, symbols, and our own inner voice.  If we can interpret their meaning we will be guided in our daily choices.

 In the book Eat, Pray, Love Gilbert continues the story about how spirit communicated with her plea for an answer about her marriage crisis.  She says:  “Then I heard a voice.  Please don’t be alarmed – it was not an Old Testament Hollywood Charlton Heston voice, nor was it a voice telling me I must build a baseball field in my backyard.  It was merely my own voice speaking from within my own self. … The voice said: Go back to bed, Liz”.  She continued “I would not have trusted a great booming voice that said either: You Must Divorce Your Husband! Or You Must Not Divorce Your Husband!  Because that’s not true wisdom.  True wisdom gives the only possible answer at any moment, and that night, going back to bed was the only possible answer.”

How to Interpret Signs and Symbols

“In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens.  God has prepared a path for everyone to follow.  You just have to read the omens that he left for you”.  ~  Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

There are signs and symbols around us all the time and the universal energy is trying to guide us.  The meaning of some signs and symbols are pretty clear, like a stop sign for example.  Others (and sometimes even a stop sign!) have a much deeper meaning, depending on the context in which they appear.  Symbols that appear in our dreams, meditations, or visions have special messages that only we can interpret. 

We cannot decipher signs and symbols with our rational minds.  Our other intelligence systems including our emotions, intuition, heart, and soul speak the universal language and can guide us in figuring out the meanings in our specific circumstances.    You don’t have to go to a church or a temple to see sacred signs.  Just open your eyes, notice your environment, pay attention, and you will begin to realize this truth. 

6 Ordinary Signs and Symbols that can Guide Your Life:

1.  Mother Nature

“When we pay attention to and acknowledge a nature totem, we are honoring the essence that lies behind it.  We are opening up and attuning to that essence.  We can then use it to understand our own life circumstances more clearly.  We can share in its power or “medicine”. ~  Ted Andrews, Animal Speak  

Throughout the ages people all over the world have looked to nature as a guiding force.  People not only figured out signs for the changing seasons, weather, and growing crops, but also looked to nature for omens.  Just because we are so technologically advanced nowadays, it does not mean we are disconnected from nature and still cannot read the signs from mother earth.  If you have a pet, their behavior is often a good indication about a certain situation or person.  Everyday animals and even insects are considered powerful totems in certain cultures.  Investigate your heritage and see what you discover.

A few weeks ago I was sitting on my patio enjoying a cup of tea in the morning.  I noticed a dragonfly darting around the patio.  I was surprised because I have never seen a dragonfly in the back yard before.  I’ve seen plenty of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other insects, but never a dragonfly.  A few minutes later another one appeared, and then flew over the wall and disappeared.  This continued for approximately a half hour.  Dragonflies are symbols of the power of light and using creativity in your life, and signify transformation and a colorful new reality.

2.  On the Road

Very often when we are driving we are in a different state of consciousness.  How many times have you arrived at your work or some other destination, and not even realized how you got there?  Many people report getting great ideas and “aha” insights while driving.  Even the signs along the road such as “stop”, “slow down” and “caution” could be subtle messages in certain situations.

Recently while I was driving around running some errands, I was vaguely thinking about what I should focus my energies on during the summer.  I looked at the license plate of the car in front of me and it said “Make Art”.  I was in shock for a minute or two, because this is just what I needed to hear.  This was a loud and clear message from the universe.  Then a few days later (after the incident with the dragonfly on my patio) I was stopped at a traffic light early on a Sunday morning.  There was not much traffic on the road and a big U-Haul truck drove across the intersection.  There was a huge image of a dragonfly on the side of the truck.  To me this was just a reinforcement of the earlier message of “Make Art” and the dragonflies on my patio. 

3.  Casual Conversations

Pay attention to fragments of conversations you may hear or casual remarks from strangers or friends.  Sometimes when you are trying to figure something out you may happen to hear a conversation that is about a situation almost identical to your own.  It is almost like a reminder that you are not in this big world all alone with your problems.  Often casual remarks from strangers or friends can have subtle messages.

I had never considered becoming a teacher and it was not a goal I envisioned for myself.  However for a couple of months many times complete strangers such as sales clerks, and people behind or in front of me in lines would ask me if I was a teacher. They would say such things as “you look like a teacher”.  I was perplexed.   At first I just brushed these comments off but as I got closer to graduating, I began to think that it might not be a bad idea to apply for a substitute teaching certificate.  The rest as they as is history  …

4.  Synchronicity

“Mysterious coincidences cause the reconsideration of the inherent mystery that surrounds our individual lives on this planet.”  James Redfield, The Celestine Prophecy

Synchronicity is when two or more unrelated events happen together in a meaningful manner.  I’m sure everyone has had the experience of thinking of a friend or loved one who may not have been in contact for a long time, and when the phone rings you know it is them on the other line. 

Julia Cameron, author of the Artist’s Way states “Take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open.  Seeing, after all, is believing.  And if you see the results of your experiments, you will not need to believe me”.

5.  Home

Very often the condition of your living environment or problems with home systems is symptomatic of what is going on in your inner life.  If you house is a mess and is full of clutter, chances are your life could do with a bit of an overhaul also.  Have you ever cleared out some clutter and immediately felt better.  The outside reality is a reflection of the inner life.

Problems with home systems also can be indicators of what is happening internally.  Have you ever noticed that when you seem stuck with unresolved emotions or not able to find a solution to a problem, issues with clogged sinks, drains and plumbing arises?  Burnt out bulbs could signify that you are burnt out or it is time for change and renewal.  Reflect on how your home mirrors your own life.

6.  Dreams

Everyone has dreams and often these can contain great signs and symbols.  Generally very vivid, colorful dreams and ones that you can distinctly remember are powerful and may contain important messages.  There are thousands of dream interpretation books out there, but I think it is necessary to learn to interpret your own dreams.  Everyone has different meanings for certain things depending on their upbringing and life experience.  You should develop your own dream vocabulary.  It is helpful to journal and write down your dreams upon waking so you can remember them and then reflect upon them later to see if you find any new insights.

Signs and Symbols in Your Life

Be present and notice what the universe is trying to tell you.  Sometimes we spend a lot of energy trying to figure stuff out when there are messages right under our nose if we would only pay attention.  Instead of wishing for a mysterious booming voice to tell us what to do, be aware of the ordinary signs and symbols in your world.  Reflect on their meaning and significance and what they are trying to communicate.

Do you take time to be present and notice the universal signs?

Have you ever experienced some form of synchronicity in your life?

Resources:

Books:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Animal Speak – The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small by Ted Andrews

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