Decoding Archetypal Information & Symbology

General archetypes and symbols have universal meaning based on collective understandings. Each individual however does of course see the world through their own particular personal lens, so archetypal/symbolic information while based on collective understandings are flavoured by an individual's perceptions of self, their experiences in life, and their genetic predispositions.

Special archetypes and symbols are creations made by groups of people that wish to communicate more specialised information. My divination pack is an example of where both general archetypal information and specialised information may be used. This guide is my personal lens and will update over time as needed in reference to the divination pack I use. I see all pictographic divination systems as Accelerated Learning Languages or ALL for short. When interpreting cards with multiple archetypal or symbolic representations the context is key. For example, an orange being thrown away is different from an orange sun being admired. Card placement is also key. The cards in series are read from left to right like a normal sentence in English. The filename of the card is its overarching role in the deck. The title used for the card during the session is additional context that may not be apparent from archetypal and symbolic representations alone. Like a native speaker of any language meaning is intuited from previous learning and experience. Guides like this are references to basic meanings and shouldn't be considered as the ultimate understanding of the cards.

Some divination cards have individual archetypal references to people in real life. Some reference a "persona". (an aspect of the authentic self). There can be many persona references to an individual's authentic self. A persona can be relational. EG: A work persona versus a personal persona. Both are aspects of the authentic self. The authentic self isn't an unchanging set of personality features, but a mode of expression that the individual believes best represents who they are in any given situation or circumstance. 

*SYMBOLOGY*

While not individually specified, jewellery (or anything) that is worn becomes a symbol of a person's individuality. It has personal significance, but it also has symbolic or archetypal relevance in the subconscious mind of the person seeing it. They influence how people interact with the individual sometimes on a conscious level, but also on a subconscious level. Our first impressions of people are often built around these conscious and subconscious cues. 

Videos or imagery expressed in monochrome:*General* (Depicting things that have happened a long time ago, or may no longer be current)
*Special* An archetypal mode of expression (The Hero, The Mentor, The Caregiver, The Shadow, The Trickster)
*Special* Indicating that a person or situation is being perceived in a reductionist or one-dimensional way.
*Special* Divination cards that are black and white (monochrome) hold both the negative expression of the archetype or symbol as well as the positive expression of the archetype or symbol. (For a symbol an analogy would be a whole coin. Having two sides, one can’t be separated from the other. For a personal archetype, an analogy could be to think in terms of Jungian psychology. Expressions of the integrated self - Persona, Reason, Ego or Shadow, Anima, Instinct )

Coffee Ingestion: *General* Depicting connection with others, sharing of information and being energised.
*Special* A warning of potential trouble due to emotional upheaval

Guitar: *General* While a potent symbol of musical mastery, the guitar is like a status symbol of musical accomplishment.
*Special* The guitar is symbolic of any achievement that one is proud of.

Motorcycle: *General* A potent symbol of freedom, independence, irreverence or confidence.  
*Special* A symbol of moving through life unencumbered by rigid adherence to time or place constraints.

Green depictions: *General* green is seen as a healing colour, that of nature, and of relaxation.
*Special* Freedom and independence of thought

Violet: *General* Violet is the highest energy colour in the light spectrum
*Special* A depiction of a person's individuality - who they are at their core self, their soul.

Green/Violet depictions: *Special* The combination of both green and violet general as well as special archetypal meaning. Depicting honourable accomplishment of
both violet and green aspects.

Brown: *General* An earthy colour, of grounding and the earth.
*Special* A recognition of the oneness present in self and other.

Orange: *General* The colour of balance, warmth, enlightenment *Special* Physical connection and hedonism.

Scissors: *General* The cutting of old ties or connections
*Special* Cutting hair, a symbolic representation of the emotional removal of aspects of oneself that are undesired. But also of the growth that happens after.

Golden chains: *General* A symbol of material wealth and status.
*Special* A symbol of emotional baggage that hasn't been healed. The dropping of a golden chain is symbolic of healing, and of seeing the truth of a situation or circumstance. Can also be a reference to karmic influences (picking up golden chains, taking on emotional burdens unnecessarily)

Worn Watches: *General* The valuing of time constraints in life, a healthy and ordered mind.
*Special*: A watch that looks like a handcuff or restraint indicates a subservience to time.
*Special*: An unworn watch is symbolic of wholeness in body and spirit.

Keepsakes: *General* Nostalgic references to the past
*Special* A persons memories that they keep as special reminders to a place and time in the past.

Satchel: *General* That of picking up a new skill, talent, or knowledge.
*Special* the revelation of a personal truth that one may find uncomfortable emotionally.

Pointing Up: *General* Can be used by entertainers to indicate that everyone is having a good time at their performance, or that they are singing high notes. May mean "turn up the volume on the backing, or other audio".
*Special* Indicating the presence of spirit guides or helpers.

Running: *General* to pick up something quickly, either a talent, learning, or to move quickly through a task.
*Special* A term of endearment, to support someone in thought or deed.

The sun: A depiction of warmth, healing, masculine strength or positive vibes.
The moon: A depiction of warmth, healing, feminine strength or positive vibes.

Lightning: *General* Power, strength, stormy vibes.
*Special* A depiction of the need to wake up to something one is unaware of, or hidden. 

Paris: *General* Elicits feelings of romance and fantasy.
*Special* A reference to Temple de l'Amitié in France. 

The number 3: *General* A religious reference to the holy trinity. 
*Special* A reference to a person's past, present and future. A refidex of possible information and potentiality as found in one's memories including future planning. Number of children. 
A reference to (status, wealth & power) or a reference to happiness and meaning in life (to know, to love & to understand).

A Waterfall: *General* Peaceful, harmony
*Special* Tears

Sailing Boat: (all sea vessels being aspects of self as seen in context of the type of vessel) *General* Charting a personal journey - The "Hero's Journey".
Sailing - verb *Special* A reference to consciousness, the layer of self one is experiencing.

Lighthouse: *General* To serve as a beacon, to illuminate something. 
*Special* The inner lighthouse, to trust your own inner light.

Mountain: *General* A symbol of the striving towards and accomplishing an achievement.
*Special* The striving to trust one's own inner light.