Chapter 2
Psychic Symbols and Psychic Representations
We acquire sensory impressions through our five senses every day. From people to situations to emotions, we pick up on visual and audio signals that help us interpret our surroundings. These we often refer to as social cues. We are able to detect the subtle indicators that we can then react or interact with. We learn to recognize these through our exposure to them. Psychic messages work in much the same way. We can psychically pick up symbolic information, which prompts us to translate the data and before you know it, you’re interpreting psychic messages.
Psychic Symbols
To get an accurate picture of what I share with my clients, I rely on all my gifts, without censoring the information. That being said, it’s up to me to interpret what the data means. One of the most common ways to receive information, whether it be from your guides, deceased loved ones, angels, or even your higher self, is through symbolism. Using psychic symbols, which should not generally be confused with ancient symbols or hieroglyphics, is an easy way to communicate a message.
Symbols can come through to you via any of your psychic abilities. It’s a language we can all understand, regardless of how we normally receive information in our daily life. It is much simpler to convey an idea, a thought, or even a concept by showing us a picture of something. It can be a visual picture or an audio clip. It can be a feeling or just a knowing. No matter which gift you perceive the symbols with, they offer you a fuller picture versus just a word or two.
A symbol can be one simple line drawing, like a paisley design, or it can be more complex, like a street complete with lights and sounds and movement like the Las Vegas Strip. There is no limit to what type of symbol you can receive. The only limitations are ones you put on yourself. Utilizing your imagination—that part of your mind that can develop images, thoughts, and feelings—can help you understand what each psychic representation can mean. Often, we try to block out our imaginations to allow only pure intuitive messages to come through, but by doing that we also block out a way to interpret and clarify the information we are given. This cuts down on our proficiency to translate our psychic symbols. Rather, learning to decipher by using our own tools, like our imagination, helps us provide a better reading or unravel what we receive for ourselves.
Exercise
Gathering Cues through Imagery
It’s time to use your imagination to understand exactly how much information you can gain from just one symbol. You don’t need any special tools for this, but if you’d like to write down the information you garner from the following symbols you can!
As always, take a deep breath and relax. Put down anything you may have in your hands and allow each finger to relax as well. Close your eyes and continue breathing in and out, allowing positive energy in and negativity out. Keep doing this for at least one minute or until you feel comfortable.
Now, imagine, in your mind’s eye, a hotel lobby. It does not have to be one you’ve been to; it can be any hotel lobby. First notice the basic size of the space. Is it large, small, or medium sized? Does it open to hallways or other areas? Is it closed off? Now, visualize the overall color. What color stands out in the room? Is it everywhere? On the walls? The floors? The furniture and counters? Do you see any signs or logos? This does not have to be a sign stating the hotel’s name, but any signs or words that you may see? Take a moment to catch up to yourself and answer all the questions above.
Now, what color is secondary? Is it a similar shade to the primary color you first imagined? Or totally different? Where do you see this color? How does the color make you feel? Happy or sad? How about the overall feeling in the room? Is it comfortable or friendly? Is it stark or unfriendly? Does it feel inviting and warm or does it make you want to run out the door? Do you hear any sounds? If so, what are they? Do you hear people talking or yelling or laughing? Do you hear music playing? Do you hear someone tapping on a computer keyboard? Or children crying?
Next, pay attention to your sense of smell. Imagine what the lobby smells like. Is it a fresh scent? Does it smell musty? Does it have a bad odor? Do you smell something familiar? Can you smell something cooking? Do you smell a certain perfume or cologne? Notice whatever you can about the way it smells.
When you are all done and have gathered whatever information you can about this particular hotel lobby, take a moment to determine if this is somewhere you’ve been before or something you made up in your imagination. Either way is totally fine. Just recognize it for what it was. If you want, record all the information you gathered from this exercise in your notebook. Review it. Did you imagine a lot or a little? Were you able to visualize using all your senses, or was one more dominant than another? Was there anything that surprised you? Or made you feel uncomfortable about going into your imagination? If so, note what it was and examine why it may have made you feel that way.
We’re not done! You are beyond beginning so you need to go deeper. Think about the colors you saw. Who or what do they remind you of? What about any of the furniture or the artwork or signs you may have seen? Do they make you think of someone or something? How about the sounds you heard or the scents you smelled? Were any feelings provoked in this imaginary hotel? Did it jog your memory of somebody? Or maybe a time in your life or a significant event? Think of all the cues this imagery gave you and pay special attention to which sense seemed to bring more relevance.
Using your imagination allows you to be open to interpreting messages with greater clarity. The more you practice this exercise, the easier you may find it to understand any symbolic impressions you receive. Being able to visualize using all your psychic senses will illuminate the messages in a way that allows you to figure out exactly what the message is.
When Symbols Are Literal,
Metaphorical, or Both
So often we search for meaning in every thought, idea, or vision and we think it is a psychic symbol or a sign to be translated. Sometimes the images we receive are symbolic. Other times, they are simply true representations of a message we are being given. And, still other times, they can be both. For example, if I am doing a reading for someone and they ask me a question like, “Who do you see me with in my next relationship?” I can ask for some direction from my guides on the other side to send me a message to help answer them. If I then see, psychically, an image of a garbage can, it’s up to me, and my client, to decipher what this means. One translation may be that the person will literally be a garbage man. Going deeper into the symbolic realm could indicate she will be with someone who will not be good for her, or who might treat her like garbage, or the person she is currently with is someone who needs to be thrown out. And, it could indicate all the above. It’s about the ability to interpret the information by giving what you get, without judging or censoring it.
If you receive messages you can’t readily decode, you can ask for more information. Requesting clarity on what you perceive often helps to refine the symbolic data you’ve been given. Using the garbage can example, you or your client may be left wondering what the message was supposed to tell you. Should your client be on the lookout for garbage men to date? Or should she interpret the message that she needs to discard the person she’s with? Asking for additional symbols can help with that. If you are shown a garbage truck, in addition to the garbage can, and possibly even a road, chances are your guides are trying to share the client’s next relationship will be with a garbage man. Soliciting additional information should become second nature, as this is a simple way to provide you with deeper, beyond beginner, extrasensory guidance.
My sister Tammy called me out of the blue yesterday, just to chat. We started talking and she said she was having a rough day and needed me to tune in to her for an impromptu “in-the-moment” reading, which is something we often do for each other.
“Okay. Well, this is kind of funny. I’m seeing a sidewalk. Are you walking on a sidewalk, like near a parking lot or something?” I asked her.
“Hahaha, yes I am!” she replied. “I just left school.”
My sister is a psychotherapist and an adjunct professor at a college. She had just finished teaching a class and was headed to her office.
“Hmmm. I think there’s more to this sidewalk, though. I think there’s a message here,” I continued.
“Go for it!” she answered, always ready for a reading.
“I feel like where the sidewalk and parking lot meet is symbolic of what’s happening in your life,” I tell her.
“Well, what does that mean?” Tammy asked. “Is that like some kind of metaphor or something?” she laughed.
“Funny, but no. It’s more about releasing what no longer serves you. Cleaning out the gunk that gets trapped along the edges of your life. There are issues or things happening that you don’t want to deal with, so it gets pushed to the corners and avoided. It’s time to look at these parts of your daily life and address them. Clear them out, systematically. You can’t keep ignoring what needs to be dealt with because it’s building up and causing you stress. Get rid of what you don’t need anymore and let go of anything that’s been dragging you down,” I shared, almost rapid fire to her.
“Wow! I get it,” she said. “As a matter of fact, I was just discussing this with one of my therapist friends yesterday! I was saying I have too much stuff that’s holding me back, preventing me from moving forward.”
“Great! I’m so glad it makes sense to you. It was pretty clear,” I told her, and we went on to discuss what she could do away with immediately to alleviate some pressure.
When I initially saw the sidewalk and Tammy validated that she was actually walking in the parking lot, I could have stopped there. It would have been perfectly acceptable to keep it literal. After all, it was definitely a psychic hit. But, taking it a step further and reading it symbolically allowed me to provide her with a reading that gave her suggestions to move forward and make some significant changes. Interpreting the sidewalk as a symbol offered her options she could work with, rather than just providing Tammy with the aha moment of evidence that I saw her on the actual sidewalk.
When we receive information it often comes through in bits and pieces. You may have experienced images showing up like photographs. Usually we don’t have a dead person having a conversation with us as you would when you talk to your best friend. That type of communication is very rare. As a rule, we get messages in snippets that we have to put together. It is from these fragments that we’re able to assemble messages.
Sometimes we don’t just get information symbolically; instead you may receive a literal image and a translation is not necessary. Usually, there will be a backstory that this image may represent. When I did a reading for Marie, I kept seeing the Brooklyn Bridge. As a rule, bridges typically represent connecting to something or someone. They are very symbolic of connecting to the other side or to a deceased relative. But, with Marie, my helpers were trying to get me to reference Brooklyn, where Marie grew up. By showing me the Brooklyn Bridge, they helped me provide Marie with that aha moment where she knew we were truly connecting. So, in this instance the bridge was more than just symbolic, it was literal.
Amy came in one day for a reading and was hoping to not only connect with her potential, but also her deceased loved ones. As with any reading, I try to do what I can for my clients and hope the person they want to connect with comes through. Having said that, I don’t always know how they will appear, and more important, what they need to share with me to prove to my client that it’s really them. But, Amy knew. She had come prepared.
During the reading I kept seeing an image of a turtle. It didn’t stop. A lot of other information was coming through as well, so I pushed the turtle away. Toward the end of the session Amy asked me if I was getting anything from her mother. Immediately I saw the little turtle again. I didn’t know why, but at this point I knew I had to mention it.
“Why do I keep seeing a turtle?” I asked Amy. “I know you’re asking about your mother, but I’m not really getting anything. I just keep seeing a turtle.”
“Wow. That’s perfect. That’s exactly what I needed,” Amy replied, looking misty eyed.
“Really? Are you serious?” I returned. I wasn’t sure what was happening.
Amy reached into her pocket and pulled out a little pewter turtle.
“This represents my mom. She loved turtles and she gave me this before she passed. I told her if she was going to come through today, she needed to talk about the turtle to let me know it was really her.”
Spirit works in mysterious ways. After thinking she wasn’t with us during the reading, Amy’s mother had indeed come through with evidence that proved she was present. This time the turtle was real, it was tangible, and I could hold it in my hand. As solidly physical as it was, it also symbolized Amy’s mom. Just because you perceive something as symbolic, don’t discount that it may be concrete, and vice versa. Always explore your messages in both ways to determine what they are communicating to you.
When I do readings I always present both options to my clients. Going deeper helps take the session to beyond a beginning-level session. I tell them what symbol I receive literally and ask them if it holds meaning for them. Then, I also share what it may mean symbolically, as I did with my sister and the sidewalk. Often, there is a duality in the messages and they are given to us so we may interpret them for our clients both ways to give them a broader reading. Sometimes it is just one or the other, but presenting them with both allows them to be part of the interpretive process. It also offers them the opportunity to ponder everything about the symbol, even if they don’t understand the entire message until later. As always, be open.
Symbols Journal
Regardless of what level you are on, creating your own symbols journal is an important way to remember and recognize what psychic symbols may mean for you. When you receive something symbolically, it is up to you to translate it and everyone translates symbols a little differently. Because you are the one receiving the symbol, you need to be the one who can interpret it. By creating or updating your symbols journal, you provide yourself with a reference you can use.
At this point in your development, you may have already begun a symbols journal. Whether you’ve kept it in your mind or you’ve written it down, you’ve created it. Going beyond a beginner’s level means translating symbolic information that’s even more complicated. On top of recording a single object in your journal, it’s time to record actions, situations, or events. If you receive a symbolic message of someone running, determine what that means for you. It could be as simple as you need to go running or your client is a runner. Or it may suggest needing to speed up or run away from a situation. Paying attention to what else is happening around the runner gives you a fuller picture and can indicate a symbolic situation. This is your symbols journal. It is what you determine, psychically, your symbols mean. This can come from a combination of what you already know about the object or situation added to what you intuit about it. You don’t have to be right—you merely have to use your gifts. This is the information you want to record in your symbols journal.
Exercise
Get a blank journal or open a new file in your computer. Look around. Write down everything you see, leaving enough space to record the meaning after each word. If you are in the living room, for example, you might record couch, rug, television, piano, bookcase, book, picture, vase, and so on. Write down what’s around you.
Then, go back to the first thing you wrote down. Using your intuition, tune in to the object and record what you think it may represent. For instance, couch may mean relaxation, rest, respite, living room, family, comfort, or putting something on hold. For your journal, it’s what it represents to you. Continue translating all your objects.
Now, take it a step further. Imagine someone playing the piano, or painting the picture, or reading the book, or even a scenario of a party happening in the space. Create different events and situations in your imagination and write them down. Then, translate them using your psychic abilities to focus in.
When you are done with your immediate surroundings, think about other situations you can translate and write them down. Perhaps these are communications you’ve already received in the past, or perhaps they are new ones. Whatever you can think of, you can interpret. The sky’s the limit. Continue until you are tired and then review what you’ve added to your symbols journal. Does it make sense? Do any of the interpretations surprise you? Was it comfortable doing this exercise or did you find it difficult? Remember, you can always go back and update your translations as your psychic abilities expand.
This journal is for you. It can be shared or held tight to the chest; it’s your choice. Symbols are one of the most common means of psychic communication and are therefore an important form to study. It is a fundamental part of developing your abilities and a key feature in taking your gifts beyond a beginning level.
Signs
The beginning of every psychic journey contains some telltale signs—literally. We start noticing signs all around us and ask for signs to help us with questions and guidance. Even those who claim they don’t believe in psychic abilities believe in signs. Signs are similar to symbols but are tangible and physical like Amy’s little turtle. As you progress beyond a beginner level on your intuitive journey, you will come to expect to receive signs daily. There are many different types of signs that will show up to help; you need only pay attention.
Symbols and signs are not mutually exclusive. You may find you receive both types as forms of psychic communication—symbols are generally the intangibles while signs are the tangibles. Going beyond a beginning level, past simple messages, will open you up to translating complex signs and symbols. Being open to your psychic gifts in this way can increase your abilities and when you use complex messages it swells your senses exponentially.
When you are a beginner, just starting to work with your intuition, the presence of signs can be quite surprising, if you recognize them at all. As you move to a level beyond beginning, you won’t be quite as shocked by them, but you may be astonished by how multi-layered the signs become. For example, you may ask for reassurance that your deceased mom, Norma, is with you from the other side as you’re driving in your car. As you come to a stop, you notice the license plate in front of you has the name Norma on it. That alone is enough to convince you, but wait, there’s more. You pull into a parking garage and there is a sign that says, “Be Sure to Look Above” and as you do you see the ceiling has been painted with angels. Finally, you walk into the store and the spotlight item on sale immediately after you enter is angel food cake. These are more complex signs, a continuing message that’s answering your request.
Signs, as with any tool, should be used to help you in a variety of ways and for diverse reasons. There are different types of signs: here to help, guidance, and decision signs are just a few.
Here to Help Signs
These are signs from your loved ones, guides, angels, and the universe, to let you know they are here to help you. The signs they send to let you know they are around can be simple, like feathers or butterflies, or more particular, like seeing the same exact purse your mother had that you used to root around in when you were a child. Take these signs as shout outs to you from the other side. They are letting you know they are around to help you with something or that they see what’s happening in your life.
Guidance Signs
We all need some guidance on occasion. We receive signs to help us decide which way to go or determine whether our intuition is on the right track. When looking for a new career, we may ask for a sign to show us what we should pursue. Maybe we’ll be drawn to look at a billboard that has a new career path. Or, we may be online and get bombarded with ads for job headhunters, which can be interpreted as a sign to look to someone else for help in changing careers. These are signs that the universe is sending us to help guide us in the direction we need to go.
Decision Signs
Trying to make a decision can be one of hardest tasks. Getting a sign to assist us in making that decision can ease the burden. When a decision just needs a “yes or no” or “stop or go” answer, it can come to you in a simple way. For example, someone e-mailed me after reading my book The Book of Psychic Symbols. They were trying to decide on whether to move or not. In other words, should they stay or go? She told me she was thinking about this and asked for a sign. She was driving down the road and had to slam on her brakes because there was a stop sign lying in the middle of the road. That was a pretty clear sign about what to do—she was staying put.
The more advanced you become with your psychic abilities, the more signs you’ll recognize. They will also become more multifaceted, bringing clarity with each additional tangible message. The universe always sends us signs to help us on our path or to acknowledge or guide us; you will notice them frequently as your gifts grow.
Receiving the Message
Whether a symbol or a sign, this form of psychic message is sent in your direction to assist you. As your psychic abilities grow, so too does your comprehension of both tangible and intangible messages. Your increasing awareness of symbolic communication will naturally enhance your intuitive senses. Recognizing more extensive signs will enhance your metaphysical knowledge. Allowing both avenues of communication furthers your abilities to beyond a beginner level. As your perception develops, the energy you tap into will strengthen as well.