| [Note: This paper contains images which may be | | | | suggested that it signify faith or fidelity. However, |
| seen as originally published at our website]As a | | | | with the placement of the hand at the heart we |
| support for our statement above, we might | | | | may make a conjecture and say that it concerns |
| mention the Tarot cards as an example. These | | | | the finer sentiments of a person conveyed to the |
| esoteric cards nowadays degraded to a method | | | | object of his attention or affection.Sign of |
| of divination, was actually a training manual for the | | | | PrayerThis is probably the best known of |
| promotion of one's spiritual and divine expression | | | | ecclesiastical signs which is also used by the lay |
| in the world of matter. The pictorial diagrams of | | | | person. It consists of placing the palms of the |
| the Major and Minor Arcana holds secrets that | | | | hands together with the fingertips pointing in an |
| the casual operator of the cards are unaware of. | | | | upward direction. Another Sign of Prayer is the |
| When properly understood the Tarot cards take | | | | folding of the hands together intertwining the |
| us step by step to our goal of human perfection | | | | fingers.Sign of Benediction or BlessingIn |
| through the alchemical process.Having gone | | | | Christianity, this sign is utilized mainly by the |
| underground the Initiates of the Mystery Schools | | | | priesthood. It is used by priests to bless people |
| were quick to appropriate the popular religions to | | | | and consecrate objects. To assume this sign, the |
| embody their secret doctrines and practices. Not | | | | third and fourth fingers are folded onto the palms |
| only are satanic elements quick to jump on the | | | | with the index and middle fingers held upright. The |
| bandwagon of spiritual establishments, angelic | | | | thumb may also be erect or it may be folded |
| forces are adept in letting the Dark Ones think | | | | upon the ring finger. The significance of the erect |
| that they have the upper-hand while in the | | | | thumb and first two fingers in the act of blessing |
| meantime reorganizing their army and infiltrating | | | | is that the grace, virtue, and power of the Holy |
| stealth-like into their religious camp upsurped from | | | | Trinity are being conveyed. Occultly, the subtle |
| the Light forces. Like Dante, angelic consciousness | | | | energies flowing from the hands are stronger at |
| wrote books of their spiritual wisdom using | | | | the terminal points of these digits than they are |
| Christian imagery; or painters like the multi-genius | | | | at the ring and little fingers.Sign of SecrecyThis is |
| Leonardo Da Vinci, who represented important | | | | a sign that has survived to contemporary times |
| occult precepts in his artwork using Christian | | | | and can continually be seen in everyday life. It |
| themes. Music composers too, cleverly inserted | | | | probably originated in Egypt during the heydays of |
| mystical formulas and teachings into their | | | | the Mystery Schools. This sign was associated |
| symphonies, concertos, operas and sonatas. As | | | | with Horus, or Harpocrates--one of the forms of |
| an example, the musical piece, "The Magic Flute" | | | | Horus. This sign is executed by putting a finger to |
| of Mozart comes to mind. However, what is | | | | the lips as though to seal it. Its significance is that |
| relevant here is that occult signs are portrayed | | | | of secrecy and silence. In the Mystery Schools |
| profusely, graphically in art, and we would do well | | | | the Initiates were pledged to a vow of secrecy, |
| to focus on that.Above we mentioned Da Vinci | | | | never revealing the secrets of the Temple unless |
| who conveyed teachings in his art productions. | | | | authorized to do so. Even nowadays, the following |
| There were many others, like Albrecht Durer, Fra. | | | | injunction may be found in occult schools: "know, |
| Angelico, and Raphael. The signs that these artists | | | | dare, do, and be silent."Sign of DestructionWhen |
| and many others around the world for countless | | | | one or both of the hands are seen on the solar |
| generations represented in their paintings and | | | | plexus in religious art, it signifies destruction. We |
| drawings were related to the secrets of initiation | | | | can understand the significance of this sign when |
| and the process of spiritual development where | | | | viewed from a metaphysical point of view. The |
| human genius, I.Q., creativity, morality, and | | | | solar plexus chakra is a storehouse of potent |
| holiness were raised to a sublime degree. The | | | | energies that may be used for good or ill. When |
| ancient Greeks, Chinese, Hindus and many other | | | | this center is awakened prematurely in a disciple's |
| cultures and civilizations all had their initiates who | | | | life, it may cause problems that the disciple is not |
| were highly developed mentally, morally, and | | | | equipped as yet to handle. Physical, physiological, |
| spiritually--these men and women were well | | | | and psychological--not to mention karmic |
| beyond their time and the lay people viewed | | | | difficulties--might arise when a disciple foolishly |
| them as demi-gods and apotheosized them.The | | | | stimulates this center. The solar plexus chakra is |
| artists and artisans of the secret Mystery schools | | | | an emotional focus and by being polarized at this |
| made used of almost every material available for | | | | level one may have trouble extricating oneself |
| conveying the metaphysical doctrines of the | | | | from the lower instinctive and egoistic nature. The |
| Ancient Wisdom, such as papyri, stone, bronze, | | | | disciple may be destroyed by this center and |
| terracotta, clay, mosaics, ivory, enamels, stained | | | | evolutionary progress postponed, thus the hand |
| glass, gems, crystals, cloth, wood, canvas, tiles, | | | | gesture on the solar plexus came to be |
| leather, etc.The most prominent feature of the | | | | associated with destruction. There are numerous |
| art productions of the Initiates of the Mystery | | | | examples of the Sign of Destruction in Art. In |
| Schools were the hand signs and this was known | | | | India, Shiva, the Destroyer is often depicted with |
| as the Ancient Sign Language which was | | | | this gesture. Many Greek and Christian art-forms |
| transmitted from Age to Age, culture to culture. | | | | also bear personages with this sign.Sign of |
| J.S.M. Ward made a thorough study of this secret | | | | ExultationThis hand pose is a sign of joy and |
| sign language and in his book, "The Sign Language | | | | satisfaction; it is done by extending the hands |
| of the Mysteries," he identifies several of these | | | | above the head with the fingertips of the hands |
| hand signs and gestures to be found mostly in | | | | touching. Though not as numerous as some of |
| Christian art although by no means limited to | | | | the other signs, there are several examples of |
| Christendom. In his book Ward offers many | | | | these in Christian art. In China, the Hung Society |
| instances of each sign. He explains that these | | | | uses this sign to represent the metal element.Sign |
| hand poses are to be found all over Europe, | | | | of ReverenceReverence in the sign language of |
| Africa, Asia, India, Oceania, the Americas, ancient | | | | the Mysteries, is indicated by the shading of one's |
| Crete, Polynesia, Babylonia, etc., in short, all over | | | | eyes with the hand, whether left or right. In some |
| the world. Among the hand signs that he | | | | variations of this sign the eyes are fully covered. |
| discusses are:Sign of PreservationSign of FaithSign | | | | This sign originated in cultures where it was |
| of Distress/SurrenderSign of DeathSign of | | | | impolite to look directly at one's superior; for |
| PraiseSign of the HeartSign of PrayerSign of | | | | instance, a soldier would make this sign when |
| Benediction or BlessingSign of SecrecySign of | | | | saluting a superior officer. Another possible origin |
| DestructionSign of ExultationSign of | | | | of this sign is the experiences had by blessed |
| ReverenceSign of HorrorSign or ResignationSign | | | | individuals during angelic visitations. The presence |
| of SacrificeSign of Heaven and EarthSign of | | | | of these spiritual beings compels the beholder to |
| Despair/RegretSign of PreservationThere are | | | | shield their eyes from the angelic radiance. This |
| many variations of this sign. Basically, it is posed | | | | hand gesture is not unique to any race for it is to |
| by placing one hand over the heart and raising the | | | | be found distributed all over the world--in Ceylon, |
| other at an angle at the elbow with the hand | | | | Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe.Sign of |
| pointing upwards. In some forms, it is the index | | | | HorrorOne of the dramatic signs, the gesture of |
| finger that points skyward. In most depictions of | | | | horror is made by extending the right hand, palm |
| this sign it is the left hand rather than the right | | | | outwards, while the head is turned to the right as |
| that is raised. There are numerous instances of | | | | though refusing to see something objectionable or |
| this pose in Egyptian art. The Egyptologist, E.A. | | | | frightening. The left hand is this gesture point |
| Wallis Budge, interprets the hieroglyph with this | | | | outwards and in a downward direction as if trying |
| sign as Hen, or "praise." The god Anubis is often | | | | to expel something. Examples of this sign in art |
| represented with this hand posture, and murals in | | | | may be seen in the Vatican and in the British |
| the palaces and tombs of the pharaohs often | | | | Museum.Sign or ResignationThis sign consists in |
| illustrate votaries of Ra with this significant | | | | crossing the arms upon the chest with the |
| gesture. This sign is also found in the Minoan and | | | | fingertips of the right hand on the left shoulder |
| Mycenaen civilizations. In Christian art, Jesus is | | | | and the fingertips of the left hand on the right |
| often portrayed assuming many occult hand signs, | | | | shoulders. This gesture is sometimes portrayed |
| among these is the Sign of Preservation. The sun | | | | with the right hand over the left, but the reverse |
| god Damuzi of the Babylonians while descending | | | | is regarded as a more proper representation |
| into the underworld likewise bears this sign, as | | | | according to tradition. This is another one of those |
| depicted on certain objects. In his book mentioned | | | | signs that may have originated in the Mystery |
| previously, J.S.M. Ward tells of a Roman | | | | Schools of Egypt. The god Osiris and the statues |
| sarcophagus in the Bardo Museum, Tunis, showing | | | | representing Egyptian pharaohs are often depicted |
| the emergence of Jonah from the whale that | | | | in this pose by artisans. For some specific reason |
| swallowed him for three days, and making the | | | | the Egyptians also buried their dead in this |
| Sign of Preservation--in effect, indicating that his | | | | manner, with the hands of the mummy crossed |
| life was saved. Among the mystical Islamic sects, | | | | upon their breast. Even the sarcophagi or mummy |
| the Whirling Dervishes appropriate the use of this | | | | cases of the deceased bear a pictorial |
| important hand pose in their ceremonial rites and | | | | resemblance of them with the same sign. In the |
| practices. In archaic times, the Sign of | | | | Renaissance, artists often depicted Mother Mary |
| Preservation was adopted by those petitioning the | | | | with such a hand pose. Like the many hand |
| deity for the preservation of oneself or someone | | | | gestures described herein, the Sign of Resignation |
| else, and with the strong conviction that the | | | | generates a certain occult power of which we |
| request was granted. In contradistinction to this, it | | | | shall discuss later in an upcoming article when we |
| was also employed by those of high spiritual | | | | apply and incorporate the sign in our mudra |
| attainment assuring others of their salvation. In | | | | practices. The occult function of a sign is just as |
| Christianity it is often associated with the Second | | | | important as its esoteric meaning, perhaps even |
| Person of the Holy Trinity.Sign of FaithThis sign | | | | more so.Sign of Heaven and EarthThis sign is |
| resembles the Sign of Preservation with the | | | | executed by extending one hand above the head |
| exception that the hand pointing upwards is not | | | | pointing skywards, and the other extended |
| squared at an angle and not pointing to the sky. It | | | | downwards pointing to the earth. According to |
| points outwards away from the body. Like the | | | | Ward, the significance of this sign in Christianity is |
| above sign, many examples of these are to be | | | | that someone had descended to Earth and later |
| found distributed all over the world.Sign of | | | | re-ascended to Heaven. Or alternatively, ascended |
| Distress/SurrenderWhen the two hands are lifted | | | | to Heaven and later descended to Earth. There |
| upwards above the head with the elbows | | | | are numerous examples of this sign in Christian |
| bent--this is known as the Sign of Distress. This is | | | | art related to the raising of Lazarus, the descent |
| one of those universal hand signs, and it seems | | | | of Jesus into Hell to save the inhabitants, and |
| almost human nature to fling the hands into the | | | | Jesus' resurrection. There are many variations of |
| air when in despair or when faced with | | | | this sign. Sometimes the hand with its open palm |
| overwhelming pressure as a sign of psychological | | | | pointing upwards has its fingers together; |
| turmoil and the "giving-in" to a certain situation, or | | | | occasionally we find examples where the index |
| when feeling helpless. Therefore, it is not surprising | | | | finger points upwards while the rest of the fingers |
| when we find the use of this sign all around the | | | | folded onto the palm. The British Museum has a |
| globe as depicted in artistic works, and | | | | collection of Babylonian objects where the Sign of |
| experientially in everyday life. This sign is an | | | | Heaven and Earth may be seen. In Greece, |
| appeal for aid and is universal like many of the | | | | examples of this sign are associated with the |
| other signs mentioned in this section. Its use can | | | | Eleusinan Mysteries.Sign of Despair/RegretRegret, |
| be traced as early as 3,000 B.C. Quetzalcoatl, one | | | | despair, and sorrow is indicated by resting the |
| of the gods of the Mayans, is sometimes | | | | head upon the right hand and the left arm, which |
| depicted with this hand pose.Sign of DeathThis | | | | is horizontally across the solar plexus, supports |
| hand sign is related to the throat chakra, or | | | | the right elbow with its hand. Occasionally, this |
| psychic center. It consists of placing the hand's | | | | position is reversed. There does not seem to be |
| edge-whether left or right hand-at the throat. The | | | | any strict rule to this. In paintings with crucifixion |
| thumb points directly at the throat itself. It is | | | | themes, the Virgin Mary is often depicted with |
| actually a moving gesture and is effected by | | | | this hand position. There are examples of this sign |
| moving the hand's edge across the throat as if to | | | | of Persian and Greek origins preserved in |
| cut it. This sign suggests that something is to be | | | | museums all over the world.Having explained the |
| terminated or killed, or that it is already dead. The | | | | various hand signs to be found in art it would be |
| ancient Romans and Egyptians were well familiar | | | | appropriate if we were to emphasize that the |
| with this sign and in some Christian paintings of | | | | signs described above are not merely symbolic or |
| the crucifixion, the disciple John the Beloved is | | | | gestures without any occult significance. It is not |
| portrayed with this sign of cutting the throat while | | | | too commonly known that these signs generate |
| standing before the crucified Jesus. Arabs and | | | | certain virtues as they modify, purify, intensify, |
| Sudanese make use of this sign to swear their | | | | and empower one's auric energy-structure or |
| innocence uttering that God should cut their | | | | one's surroundings in some subtle manner. These |
| throats should they be telling a falsehood. Several | | | | signs are mudras with occult values. Mantras, |
| American Indian tribes employ this sign as a | | | | incantations, and liturgies often accompany the |
| salutation meaning that they are "faithful or true | | | | signs. Most votaries of religion are unaware that |
| unto death."Sign of PraiseThis sign is similar to the | | | | their ceremonies are actually magickal rites and |
| Sign of Distress except that the hands are not | | | | processes that call forth unseen influences. For |
| lifted above the head but extended forward in | | | | instance, making the Sign of Preservation by the |
| front of the body, inclining upwards with the | | | | spiritually evolved occult practitioner, evokes |
| hands facing outwards and the elbows bent. This | | | | spiritual and angelic forces that protects the |
| is also a greeting sign and the initial start of the | | | | person or persons to whom the sign is being |
| salaam gesture of the Arabs.Sign of the HeartThis | | | | directed to. The sign assures the petitioners and |
| sign is accomplished by placing the hand over the | | | | recipients that they will be protected and |
| heart. A survival of this gesture in modern times | | | | preserved from negative psychic attack.It is |
| is the bowing of a gentlemen to a lady with his | | | | instinctive for people to assume specific mental |
| hand to his heart as a salutation of respect, or as | | | | and physical attitudes when interacting with divine |
| it was customary in the 17th and 18th century in | | | | forces. We unconsciously feel hand signs and |
| Europe, for a man to remove his hat and to place | | | | gestures to be efficacious in aiding the |
| it at the heart region when greeting the opposite | | | | establishment of a contact with higher intelligences |
| sex. This is a hoary sign. It is to be found in | | | | and requesting their intercession.Hand-signs, or |
| ancient Egypt, Rome, and even in Crete in the | | | | mudras are of great benefit to our well-being. In |
| Minoan period. It is also to be seen in the mosaic | | | | future articles, therefore, we will apply this |
| art of the many old churches and cathedrals. The | | | | mystical science in a practical way that may be |
| meaning of this sign is a little obscure. It has been | | | | practiced by the average person. |