what is peopls opineons of the cross being a pagan religeous symbol? does anyone recognise the cross in their practices as a reigeous or magickal symbol? all i eas and thoughts are welcome

i use the equal armed cross:)

LUMI

Why do people use symbols? If it is something you're using for your own work- maybe symbolising .... the quarters? or whatever, then cool. But people also use symbols to say things to others about themselves- the cross used as a Christian symbol is a good example. Interestingly, the initial symbol of early Christianity was the Ichthus (fish symbol), used as a secret way of letting other Christians know they too were Christian at a time when Christians were persecuted for their faith. http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/

There's the ankh and celtic cross. Equal armed crosses were the precursor to the swastika of zoroastrianism if I recall...... it's a symbol that has been turned to many, many belief systems.

BB

Mike

Have a link, bu tool ate to look it up. Need the old ghastly sleep!
I'll come back on this one.

If I remember correctly the Celtic cross originated as a fertility symbol of the Earth Mother (union of cross in circle).

Thanks for the link to the site, I didn't know just how many variations of cross there were, I thought that there were lots, but its been quite interesting reading around some of the designs.

Q

http://altreligion.about.com/library/gloss...efsswastika.htm

http://www.catalogs.com/info/spirituality/...us-symbols.html

Two more links that might be of interest.

BB

Mike

Cheers once again Cern.

Q

The Christian cross, altho they think it was for christs crusifixion, was actually adapted from the Ankh. As were many of Christs teachings adapted from egyptian beleifs. Actually, there is a thread now that thinks he was off an egyptian royal line etc and that this went as far back as moses who was actually akenathen. The pharoa who was first to think of a monotheistic path.
Forgive my spelling, but some of you may kno what I'm discussing??

Tree xx

The cross is fundamentally archetypical across the globe. I'm not sure there is a culture who doesn't use it? For Hindu's it's the crossing point where offerings are made during celebrations such as Diwali, for West Africans it's the crossing point between life and death where you meet the spirits, same in British folklore (hence hanging at the crossroads and hence, probably, crucifixion), there's the swastika, Brighd's cross, ankh. List goes on. It is old.

Christianity was very good at absorbing root symbolism, hence part of its mass appeal. Worked the other way because African diasporic-religions found it easy to transpose their own faith over the top of Christianity because of this - beating them at their own game

Something struck a cord with me recently when a friend was talking about the cross and the meeting of all directions/pathways and then went on to talk about flying ointments and the symbolism of witches 'flying into the North'. It evoked images of the standard Christian cross with it's one extra long arm rooted in the earth - the four directions and the flying path. Possibly another folk meaning.

I like the cross, I’ve used it a lot before spirit workings to open the gates. It's a strong focus point of energy (or can be) and a place to cross over.

Best wishes,

Marion.

I have an equal armed cross don't use it for anything magickal as such but I did feel drawn to it. I have heard/read somewhere that it may be linked to brighid but not sure.