The Name is the Thing. The Symbol is the Thing Symbolized.

Let's try a little experiment. What is the first thing you think of when you see this?


Or this?


How about this?


And this?


And, finally, this?


Now, ask yourself this: why did you have those reactions? They're just pictures, after all. What made you react the way you did?

Relax, there's no right or wrong answer here. I can probably guess how you reacted to a few of them, but it really doesn't matter. What is important is that you reacted. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary tells us that a symbol is

A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.

All symbols have power. They are designed to associate a most likely abstract (and often quite complex) concept with an image of some sort. They make ideas into things, things that can be grasped easily and associated with powerful emotions. Things - when charged with emotion - take on a life of their own, becoming something greater than the simple cloth or ink or stone that transmit them.

They can also be manipulated to bring about results. Priests and politicians, the successful ones at least, understand this. Advertisers are masters of this. The proper symbols, properly applied, can change the course of rivers, move mountains, take men to the stars, or leave nations in ruins.

As practitioners of the magical arts[1], we need to be able to work with them as well. In order to do this successfully, there are a few steps to take.

First, be aware of the symbols in your world and what they do to you. No matter where you live or what you do, you come into frequent contact with symbols throught out your day. Start paying attention to them. Ask yourself what effect they have on you. What thoughts and feelings do they provoke? What actions do they encourage you to take? How do they provoke those feelings? Why do you respond that way?

Second, and this can (and probably will) run concurrently with the first, what do those symbols do to others? Do some people watching. If you're comfortable with doing so, ask questions. Do they react the same way you do?

Third, and this will be extremely difficult, do your best to consciously control your response to symbols. Make yourself acknowledge that your thought or action is driven by a reaction to a symbol, and then determine if you still want to take that action. You may still chose to do so - there's probably nothing wrong with that - but do it consciously. You want to be able to manipulate the symbol, not be manipulated by it.

Fourth, make and/or hijack symbols for your own purposes. At this point in the "exercise", you should have a pretty good handle on what symbols are and how they work. So roll your own. Design a sigil as a focus point for your next spell, and incorporate elements from existing symbols that create the thoughts and emotions you need. Don't be shy about using (or at least incorporating) existing symbols that meet your needs.

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[1]There really needs to be a less cumbersome inclusive phrase to use here. "Practitioners of the magical arts" is bulky, but we're not all witches. Or wizards. Or shamans. Or magi. Or energy workers. Or anything else. I'm open to suggestions, if anyone has any.