Symbolism all around Us

I think it makes sense to first establish the "filter" through which I'm going to be processing information to make it easier to understand where I'm going with this blog. It has become apparent to me that there is more going on in our daily lives than is immediately evident at first glance. What I'm getting at is that there is symbolism all around us. Everywhere we look there are symbols present. Even the letters that you are reading right now(hopefully!) are symbols. So it's important not to underestimate the power that symbols have on our subconscious and conscious minds.

Definition thanks to Dictionary.com:

sym⋅bol
  /ˈsɪmbəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sim-buhl] Show IPA noun, verb, -boled, -bol⋅ing or (especially British) -bolled, -bol⋅ling.
Use symbol in a Sentence
See web results for symbol
See images of symbol
–noun
1. something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.
2. a letter, figure, or other character or mark or a combination of letters or the like used to designate something: the algebraic symbol x; the chemical symbol Au.
3. a word, phrase, image, or the like having a complex of associated meanings and perceived as having inherent value separable from that which is symbolized, as being part of that which is symbolized, and as performing its normal function of standing for or representing that which is symbolized: usually conceived as deriving its meaning chiefly from the structure in which it appears, and generally distinguished from a sign.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/symbol

Symbols are essentially a type of communication device. I will be exploring some of the "mysterious" symbols present in our culture and what they attempt to communicate to us on a conscious and unconscious level.

Another fun little concept that everyone should be aware of is Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). A quick jump over to Wikipedia gives us some insight into NLP:

Wikipedia says:
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a controversial approach to psychotherapy and organisational change based on "a model of interpersonal communication chiefly concerned with the relationship between successful patterns of behaviour and the subjective experiences (esp. patterns of thought) underlying them" and "a system of alternative therapy based on this which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional behaviour"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming

I would recommend reading up on NLP. What's important in the context of this blog regarding NLP is the concept of side stepping the conscious mind (gate keeper)and communicating directly with a person's subconscious mind. NLP theory suggests that the conscious mind is essentially a gate keeper for the subconscious mind that accepts all information as universally true.

Example, think about riding on an elevator with several other people. On the way up you are forming a mental list of things you must do that day. The elevator door opens and everyone on the elevator exits and you follow them. When you get off the elevator you realize that it is not your floor...oops!

What happened there?! Why did you get off at the wrong floor? Your conscious mind, the gate keeper, was occupied with the things that must be done that day and what order you were going to do them in. But your subconscious mind was aware of the other people on the elevator exiting and accepted this action as universally true and so your subconscious mind told your body to exit the elevator. Your conscious mind was in a "trance" leaving your subconscious mind susceptible to suggestion. The word suggestion is significant here because it seems that the subconscious mind has a tendency to reject commands and accept suggestions...this concept will come into play later.

Another buzz word that relates here is the word occult. I think there are a lot of misconceptions with this word so let's define it.

Dictionary.com:

oc⋅cult
  /əˈkʌlt, ˈɒkʌlt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt] Show IPA
Use occult in a Sentence
See web results for occult
See images of occult
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
2. beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.
3. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.
4. hidden from view.
5. (in early science)
a. not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.
b. of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.
c. dealing with such qualities; experimental: occult science.
6. Medicine/Medical. present in amounts too small to be visible: a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool.
–noun
7. the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole (usually prec. by the).
8. occult studies or sciences (usually prec. by the).
–verb (used with object)
9. to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide.
10. Astronomy. to hide (a celestial body) by occultation.
–verb (used without object)
11. to become hidden or shut off from view.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/occult

So, in a nutshell we are talking about hidden knowledge. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the saying, "knowledge is power." I would suggest, along these same lines, that occult knowledge is more powerful. The fact that said occult knowledge is hidden is where this knowledge derives its power. For instance, NLP would lose a lot of its impact if it were not occult.

So, what I'm going to explore with this blog is the possibilities of subconscious Neuro-linguistic programming through occult symbolism in the media, the government, Hollywood, religion and anywhere else that I find it. I will analyze the nature of this communication, what is being communicated, what responses the communicators are hoping to elicit, and the meanings behind the symbolism. I also reserve the right to explore any path that might be revealed to me as significant along the way.