The Esoteric Symbolism of the Cross

By Julian Websdale

Guest Writer for Wake Up World

The cross is an archetype found in all cultures, mostly in a magical context, where it has power as the route to enlightenment, and as a symbol of the inner solar power.

The cross is unique in its all-inclusive symbolism, which covers cyclic or vortex patterns, the Sun god, the Earth goddess, the life-giver, the great tree and the earth energies. The symbol of the Aztec creator god, Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, was a cross. The Aztec weather goddess also carried a cross, and at Cozumel it was an object of worship. Native Americans marked their boundaries with a magic cross.

In many cultures a cross was placed upon an initiate’s chest as a symbol of rebirth. In around 100 BC, crosses were set up above the graves of the elect by the ancient Scandinavians, who also used them as boundary markers. The staffs of the Norse priests were crosses combined with the caduceus. In many doctrines the four branches of the cross stand for the four elements of antiquity: air, earth, fire and water. The permanence and alchemical significance of this is obvious to the enlightened.

The four elements also have corresponding cardinal directions, seasons of the year, times of the day, suits of the Tarot cards, and Archangels who personify them. These personifications can be aspects of an individual’s inner-self, or personalities of people within a well-functioning group. Therefore the cross can be seen as a symbol which unites both the outer and inner worlds. Consequently it reminds us that we are not separated from the universe, and that we are indeed connected.

When seasonal rites are performed on the solstices and equinoxes, a circle is arranged on the ground with its quarters aligned to the cardinal directions of the earth, and each participant is stationed at their corresponding quarter. The circle contains a fire at its centre which is symbolic of the inner solar power. By performing such rituals one is connecting one’s inner and outer worlds (microcosm and macrocosm), by using the correct time and position for the rituals, whilst invoking corresponding aspects of one’s inner self.

Of course everything is energy, and by connecting resonating energies in the microcosm and macrocosm one can manifest one’s reality more effectively. This can be likened to adjusting the sails of a boat in accordance with the wind direction to achieve maximum thrust.

The personalities associated with the cardinal directions are described briefly as follows:

East/Spring/Dawn/Air/Sword/Archangel Raphael:

Continue Reading