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