symbols of Pantheism OR what's around your neck?

[peggyelizabeth]

I was doing some thinking about symbols of Pantheism today. It seems to me that the ideal symbol for a Pantheist would be something universal. Of course there are many universal symbols; circle, cross, spiral, triangle, square; but none of these speak to me with the awe I have for What Is.

So, with that in mind...
What's around your neck? Do you wear a symbol reflective of your Pantheism? What is it? Why that symbol and not something else?

[ravenscape]

I wear a spiral triskele.

I have my eye out for a double helix or a double spiral.

Spirals, labyrnths, helixes. It's fascinating to me that these images have had religious and spiritual significance dating back to the earliest civilizations. Long before the formation and topography of our galaxy was known, long before DNA was discovered and mapped, the spiral has been a spiritual touchstone. To me, the spiral is a unitive symbol that knits together the dualisms I struggle with -- spirituality and science. religion and reality. metaphysics and metaphysical naturalism.

[cheddarsox]

I wear two things around my neck that symbolize pantheism for me. The first is a silver pendant that fits over a stone sphere. I can change the spheres. The pendant is the earth, surrounded by interwoven strands. The continents are made of silver, with space around them where the stone sphere shows through. So, it's 3D. To me, it is the earth, interacting with the universe...hence the interwoven strands (they surround the earth in a circle)

The second is a meteorite, also reminds me of interconectedness. That the planet is indeed still being created, new material, energy, etc still streaming in, that everything is still very dynamic. That the universe as a whole, operates on a different time scale than I do as a mortal, yet the time scales are connected and affect one another.

I have several meteorite pendants, but there is one that virtually never leaves my body. I have visited the crater where it fell. It was a pilgrimage for me.

I have a friend who creates and sells religious and spiritual pendants carved from wood. If we come up with some kind of design...he'd make it happen, and beautifully.

I have a set of oak triquetra pendant and earrings he's done.

I'll see if I can get my daughter to photo my pendants...the one's I've described above, and post them here.

cheddar

[peggyelizabeth]

I wear a labyrinth pendant that is silver with glass on either side & has a little bead inside to "walk" with. Because they have been found all over the earth, I see labyrinths as a universal symbol of transformation- to walk one is to have greater understanding.

Lately, I've been thinking about stars. I have always been drawn to them, but not really felt like a pentagram is what I want to wear. Years ago, my mom and I purchased a septagram pendant. I was drawn to it and really didn't know why.

Since starting on my pagan journey, I've come to realize the importance to the number 7 in my life and to the whole world.
7 colors in the rainbow
7 days in a week
7 notes in musical scale
7 chakras
7 wonders of the world
7 stars in Pleiades
7 is the number of spiritual completion in Numerology
7's everywhere
I have 3 pages of why the septagram is a universal symbol- referring to many different cultures, time periods, etc.
It seems that all those years ago, that pendant choose me, even if I didn't know it until recently.

[Eleisawolf]

I really don't wear any one thing around my neck. I actually often like to have my neck open and clear... I'm a throat chakra person, so maybe that has something to do with it. :lol:

However, I do have one pair of earrings I wear continually, which are triquetra. I know they originally have meaning related directly to Gods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triquetra)(of various kinds... ), but to me the number three is very important, and the triquetra represents cycles; triple natures (body, mind, spirit); birth, life, and death; lunar phases; and so on. Yes, I know the triskele represents these, in some ways better, but I found the triquetra first, and I'm kindof attached to it.

I used to have a triquetra pendant, but lost it. This happened twice, actually. So I think the pendant needs to be something different. Perhaps I'll find a triskele to balance things out.

Actually, I've started to think my ideal symbol would be something like a mobius strip (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6bius_strip). Continual travel and motion, but within cycles. And surprises, if you take the time to play. That's life, to me. ;)

Peace

[equinox2]

I wear my wedding ring on a necklace. However, many of the ideas mentioned so far sound really cool, especially Cheddar's two necklaces. Two ways meteorites remind me of our deep connection to the cosmos are the impacts that have profoundly changed evolutionary history, and mutations. Many mutations are caused by cosmic radiation, so in that way, energy from the cosmos has directly caused much of what makes up our bodies today. Of all the mutations that led up to, say, limbs, or big brains , or oxygen metabolism, or hands, or sex, many are from cosmic rays (we can't know which ones, of course). Thus, thanking the universe for all that is good is appropriate in yet another way........


As for the symbol, many seem to be good, but the spiral keeps popping back in my mind. Like the symbols used in the WPM logo, it fits in so many ways. I also like adding the double spiral to it (like DNA or a balance revolving over time).

For numbers, all numbers under 10 are sacred to everyone. First, pick which religion to use, then go through the numbers. It's universal.

Blessed be-

[cheddarsox]

Actually, I've started to think my ideal symbol would be something like a mobius strip (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6bius_strip). Continual travel and motion, but within cycles. And surprises, if you take the time to play. That's life, to me. ;)

Peace

I really like the mobius idea! When I was teaching, I regularly introduced my students to them. What grand fun. A few years ago, I purchased a Klein bottle, which has only one surface!

At work, the belts that run the conveyors are mobius, they wear more evenly.

This is a very interesting, enlightening and GREAT discussion!

cheddar

[Windsmith]

What's around your neck? Do you wear a symbol reflective of your Pantheism? What is it? Why that symbol and not something else?PeggyElizabeth, this is fantastic! I've been thinking about this a lot lately, myself - in fact, I was even pondering starting a thread for it. Hah!

I wear a labyrinth pendant that is silver with glass on either side & has a little bead inside to "walk" with. Because they have been found all over the earth, I see labyrinths as a universal symbol of transformation- to walk one is to have greater understanding.

Lately, I've been thinking about stars. I have always been drawn to them, but not really felt like a pentagram is what I want to wear.A propos of nothing much, I have a 7-circuit labyrinth tattoo on my left arm and Ariadne's thread on my right. My wife and I walked a labyrinth on our first date and during our handfasting. So they have great personal significance for me, but I wouldn't consider them a good symbol for Pantheism - not quite complete enough for me, somehow. I would want something that expresses my reverence for what else is out there in the Universe.

I myself do wear a pentacle necklace, but that's probably because I was a Pagan first and then became a Pantheist. In our tradition, we often run pentacle energy through our bodies, so for me the 5 points represent the human head, arms, and legs, sort of like Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man.

Still, all that said, I don't feel that I own any symbol that represents my Pantheism. I like the idea of the spiral. I also like the idea of this Orrery Pendant (http://www.amun.com/eng/orrery1.html), if not the execution.
I really like the mobius idea! When I was teaching, I regularly introduced my students to them. What grand fun. A few years ago, I purchased a Klein bottle, which has only one surface!

At work, the belts that run the conveyors are mobius, they wear more evenly.My wife has crocheted several Mobius shawls. They are beautiful and warm and chock full o'spiritual significance. They're lovely. I also think you need a Klein bottle hat (http://www.kleinbottle.com/klein_bottle_hats.htm).

[cheddarsox]

I've never seen those Orrey pendants before. Very nice!

Klein bottle hats...too funny. Yes, perfect for me...with my zero volume head!

maybe a mirror pendant would be right...reflecting..What Is.

[peggyelizabeth]

maybe a mirror pendant would be right...reflecting..What Is.

whoa. that's pretty deep.

I'm liking the mobius idea too.

[Windsmith]

Have any of you seen the cover art for Ben Gruagach's new book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/0615143113/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all/002-6402766-2816806?ie=UTF8&s=books#gallery)? That, right there. That is what I want as a symbol for my Pantheistic Paganism.

[ravenscape]

Have any of you seen the cover art for Ben Gruagach's new book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/0615143113/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all/002-6402766-2816806?ie=UTF8&s=books#gallery)? That, right there. That is what I want as a symbol for my Pantheistic Paganism.
Oh yeah! Beauty!

[Skadi]

Wolfs head Thors hammer. :)

[Birdy]

I have two pantheist symbols in my sig. The nautilus shell is a traditional one, which I think is used by the Universal Pantheist Society.

A lot of these suggestions are really cool though.

[Eleisawolf]

I'm just curious, Skadi...

What do you see in the Wolf's head and Thor's hammer that makes them symbols of Pantheism specifically?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

:)

Peace

[cheddarsox]

Friends, I met this artist last weekend and invited him to post his link on mysticwicks. His work is lovely. He has spirals and glass that looks just like you are looking into a luminescent nebula!

It made me think of this discussion.

Here is the link to his thread here, he has a link to his site.

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?p=3118797&posted=1#post3118797

[peggyelizabeth]

whoa
cheddar, thanks for posting this. those are so cool.

[talamh]

I wear a silver medallion on a gold chain. One face of the medallion is the stag. The other is a crescent new moon and a star. To me it represents the mystery and unity of polarity - not opposites, but two differing aspects of the same whole.

The silver and gold are moon and sun. The stag is the God and the moon and star are the Goddess. It also represents the ancient, mystical rite of the ruler marrying the land - the sacred promise of respect for and reverence of life and living.

[faery songs]

I wear a pentacle, because it symbolizes how matter is interwoven with spirit.
I'm on the lookout for a septagram or nine-pointed star (nonagram?) I also rather like the sacred spiral pendant from raventreepewter.com.
http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/www.raventreepewter.com/images/bz0d5fcn.jpg

They also have a pretty nautilus-like design.
http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/www.raventreepewter.com/images/bb0iqwye.jpg

[Windsmith]

I wear a pentacle, because it symbolizes how matter is interwoven with spirit.
I'm on the lookout for a septagram or nine-pointed star (nonagram?) I also rather like the sacred spiral pendant from raventreepewter.com.

They also have a pretty nautilus-like design.
Ooooh. faery songs, those are gorgeous! Thank you for the link. I have fiendish plans to make a necklace out of a piece of ammonite, but if those plans fall through, that nautilus would be right up my alley.

[River]

I found a picture of my necklace online...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Poetichaos/px275_tree.jpg

I wear it on a green ribbon though. I love the look of pendants on ribbon.

[ravenscape]

I found a picture of my necklace online...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Poetichaos/px275_tree.jpg

I wear it on a green ribbon though. I love the look of pendants on ribbon.

That's BEAUTIFUL!

[Silverfangs]

I found a picture of my necklace online...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Poetichaos/px275_tree.jpg

I wear it on a green ribbon though. I love the look of pendants on ribbon.

Loved the necklace! It is really a beauty :)

For me, I just use a simple pentagram. Yet I am trying to find another symbol, not as substitution, but as a complement.

[Diotima]

Let's see.

At home, I like elements. Usually all together, because they represent the Universe. To traditional elements I have added Spirit and Life.

I don't wear a necklace, but when I became convinced of that I need to start to dress plainly, I stretched my right ear a little, and now wear jewelry in it. Usually something spirally. I have some earrings from here: www.littleseven.com (http://www.littleseven.com) .

Also my long, natural hair has symbolic value to me. There's just something Pagan in it. Yep.

[MoonLyte]

I only ever wear crystal necklaces.Sometimes Amethyst,sometimes Rose Quartz or Sodalite.
At the moment I am wearing Blue Quartz.

I also wear a hematite ring.

[Eleisawolf]

I found a picture of my necklace online...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Poetichaos/px275_tree.jpg

I wear it on a green ribbon though. I love the look of pendants on ribbon.

The Tree of Life is a symbol I treasure, and I thank you for reminding me of it. It contains much of the concept of microcosm/macrocosm. It also represents life in many ways: the family tree of all life; the simultaneous need for upward growth and rooting down...

What a lovely necklace...

Peace

[Kylie]

I don't wear it, but my favorite symbol is the circle. I see life as a circle, coming from the earth, and going back to it. I like to look at the similarities between babies and the elderly - I must be a strange girl.

I suppose if I could find a circle necklace or something that I loved, I would wear it.

[Kylie]

I found a picture of my necklace online...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Poetichaos/px275_tree.jpg

I wear it on a green ribbon though. I love the look of pendants on ribbon.

That's beautiful! And I think I would like even better on a green ribbon, too! Pretty pretty pretty.

[lizea]

When I was in NYC with my choir over the summer I was at a mall looking at jewelry at this cute little store. I saw the most gorgeous septagram ever... it was like an orange and blue glass circle with a silver septagram inside of it. I don't really know how to describe it. It was so amazing, and at the time I didn't know why, but I really wanted to buy it (and not just an, oh, pretty, but like I need that, it completes me...) but I was kind of running out of money (hard core... I had like 50$ left and still had two days left of the trip...) so my chaperone was holding my money for me... and she didn't see the urgency in buying it, so it stayed in lovely New York... And the weird thing is then I hadn't found my path yet... I had only barely started looking into Paganism in general (yes, I am a newbie...) but it stood out to me in ways I have never experienced... it was like it was screaming at me "BUY ME!"

But now I am in search of a pentagram or a septagram, but haven't yet found one when I had the money to buy it. And I still haven't found one that really called my name since...

But in response to the "what is around your neck" question, I just changed it. I used to wear a Chinese coin around my neck (because the little guy in China town said I was cursed and wouldn't let me leave the shop without it...) and it was just my necklace... but then last month I went to a fair and met this lady from a town near me that made those magnetic therapy necklaces and such. So I got one because they are supposed to help with headaches and the like. I haven't really noticed a difference, but whatever. She custom made it for me and it is really pretty...

[Windsmith]

But now I am in search of a pentagram or a septagram, but haven't yet found one when I had the money to buy it. And I still haven't found one that really called my name since...What is it about a septagram that feels Pantheistic to you? Come that that, what about the pentagram? I mean, I know what I think pentacles are Pantheistic, but I'm betting my reasons are not anyone else's, and I'd love to hear some other people's takes on it.

[lizea]

What is it about a septagram that feels Pantheistic to you? Come that that, what about the pentagram? I mean, I know what I think pentacles are Pantheistic, but I'm betting my reasons are not anyone else's, and I'd love to hear some other people's takes on it.
I have always felt pulled towards a septagram, ever since I was knee high to a grass hopper... except back then I didn't know what it was called. I am one of seven daughters, and am the fourth daughter of a third daughter (long story, weird family tradition. According to this legend I am destined for greatness and to change the world in great ways, blah blah blah... and between these daughters our family just kind falls into obscurity), and I finally found a real "home" (as in not just a place I live) after the seventh move. So those are some reasons a septagram just kind of defines me, not even discussing pantheism. But I feel like it defines what I believe in many ways. Seven directions (north, east, south, west, above, below, and within), seven elements (water, earth, air, fire, spirit, mind, soul), et cetera... I don't know, seven is a very prominent number in my life. I even have seven periods in a school day and seven dogs... I was so excited today when I figured out how to draw a septagram in chemistry... if only it hadn't gotten me in trouble because I wasn't acutally paying attention to the lecture...

And the pentagram, I don't know. I don't really feel any special attachment to that specifically. That would really be a fall back... I mean, it would be more of a way that I could show that I am pagan, not so much pantheist...

[peggyelizabeth]

I can totally understand your connection to the number 7.

I guess the real reason I brought this up in the first place was b/c I was looking for some type of confirmation in regards to my own choice of symbol. It's some how affirming to think that I'm not the only one with a necklace of one type or another, even if the same thing means something different to each wearer.

(back from late summer/early fall hiatus)

[lizea]

When I first was thinking about getting a necklace to show my pantheism, I instantly thought of a septogram, but then I was like... hmm, maybe that isn't even a symbol of pantheism... but yea. I used to be afraid that I had to go by what everyone else did and look for confirmation everywhere that what I was doing was right. But then I was like, nope, it is right to me, forget everyone else if they don't agree... but then I figured out that there are a load of ways to connect the two... weird.

[Windsmith]

Very cool, lizea. Thanks for the details.

And welcome back from hiatus, peggyelizabeth!

[peggyelizabeth]

thanks Windsmith-nice to be back, even if it's more intermittent b/c of my new job.

[Amber]

I don't have a pantheist pendant, but I'd love to buy this.
http://www.925silvercharms.co.uk/sterling-silver-charms---nautilus-shell-charm-466-p.asp
I might make one out of clay. To me, the nautilus shell is such a beautiful representation of my beliefs.

EDIT: I also just found another pendant that really draws me to it, the valknut.
http://www.thewhitewillow.com/gallery/odinimages/valknut.jpg
I know it's not a Pantheist symbol, but it really stood out to me and I keep thinking of more reasons why it could be a symbol of pantheism.

Does anyone else feel the same about this?

[Windsmith]

I don't have a pantheist pendant, but I'd love to buy this.
http://www.925silvercharms.co.uk/sterling-silver-charms---nautilus-shell-charm-466-p.asp
I might make one out of clay. To me, the nautilus shell is such a beautiful representation of my beliefs.Amber, that's gorgeous. I do love nautiluses (nautilii?) and nautilus pendants.

EDIT: I also just found another pendant that really draws me to it, the valknut.
I know it's not a Pantheist symbol, but it really stood out to me and I keep thinking of more reasons why it could be a symbol of pantheism.

Does anyone else feel the same about this?Ooh, that's pretty. Plus, "valknut" is fun to say! Heh. What about it speaks to you as a symbol of pantheism?

[Amber]

Well I think of the triangle as quite a universal symbol, and the way it's interwined in the valknut makes me think of the connectedness of the universe. It looks simple at first, but the closer you look the more complex it seems. :) It just really draws me to it, and now I'm desperate to have one.

[Saggitario]

I like the Spiral. Someone above mentioned that it's everywhere from DNA to the shape of our Galaxy.

The spiral also represents my views on time. Time is cyclical in many things (seasons, moon phases, birth/death/rebirth), but it is also linear, and the spiral contains both of these concepts.

[Xentor]

What is it about a septagram that feels Pantheistic to you? Come that that, what about the pentagram? I mean, I know what I think pentacles are Pantheistic, but I'm betting my reasons are not anyone else's, and I'd love to hear some other people's takes on it.

I wear a pentacle because my martial arts teacher taught me about human behaviour according to Chinese and Japanese traditions. To us, the pentacle reflects 5 elements of behaviour. Almost all behaviour can be explained as part of one of those 5 elements. The division in 5 separate elements helps us recognise an action, which in turn helps us decide on a reaction.

As such, the entirity of a human is encompassed in a single symbol.

How does this connect to pantheism? It doesn't. Pantheism is only one aspect of my faith.

[Windsmith]

I wear a pentacle because my martial arts teacher taught me about human behaviour according to Chinese and Japanese traditions. To us, the pentacle reflects 5 elements of behaviour. Almost all behaviour can be explained as part of one of those 5 elements. The division in 5 separate elements helps us recognise an action, which in turn helps us decide on a reaction.

As such, the entirity of a human is encompassed in a single symbol.Wow. That's quite cool, Xentor. Thanks for giving me something chewy to think about this fine, sunny day.

[peggyelizabeth]

I was this necklace yesterday and it really struck a chord for me. http://www.lindaclifford.com/SFBlessing.html
I don't have the $ to buy one, but I thought it might interest someone here as much as it did me.

[Windsmith]

I was this necklace yesterday and it really struck a chord for me. http://www.lindaclifford.com/SFBlessing.html
I don't have the $ to buy one, but I thought it might interest someone here as much as it did me.Oh, my, that is pretty!

[Windsmith]

After 5 months of planning, 3 months of crafting, and 1 month of phone tag, my necklace is complete.

It is so very, very, very, very, very much worth the wait.

[IndigoNightSky]

I wear a simple pentacle around my neck, just as I did back in my wicca days. I will always have a high respect for the elements, especially Akasha (the basis and essence of all things).

[Eleisawolf]

Windsmith, that pendant is lovely!! Well done!

Peace