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The Symbolic World

The Symbolic World

By: Jonathan Pageau
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 Jonathan Pageau looks at symbolism in all its forms, from its source in sacred stories and images to contemporary culture and ultimately how it shapes the world we encounter.Copyright Jonathan Pageau Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • 397 - Nicholas Reeves - What Is Music?

    397 - Nicholas Reeves - What Is Music?
    May 31 2025
    In this conversation, I sit down with composer and church musician Nicholas Reeves to explore one of the great mysteries: music. Why does music move us so deeply? How does it reflect symbolic patterns in reality? We discuss the ancient and modern roles of music—from sacred liturgies to EDM dance floors—and ask whether the liturgy might be the ultimate artwork. We also dive into the contrasts between order and chaos in sound, the compression of human experience, and the sacred role of communal participation in worship. This discussion really opened new paths for me—I hope it does the same for you.
    Nicholas’s work can be found at: https://www.nicholasreevesmusic.com
    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/26ORdueGcIo

    NEW COURSE: Scripture: The Key to Reality, presented by Seraphim Hamilton
    This course is designed to help students appreciate the unique role the Bible plays in helping us step into the world as it truly is: a symbolic revelation of the Infinite God. Scripture is symbolic because it is a revelation of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is the Archetype of the World. In a way, then, Scripture enfolds within itself the totality of the world, guiding its hearers to see an icon of Christ in each of God’s creatures: from trees to beasts to priests.
    🗓 Live classes are on Tuesday at 2 - 4 pm Eastern Time, starting June 10th through July 15th, 2025
    ⏰ Class Length: 5 sessions, 10 hours total
    💰 Register for Seraphim Hamilton's course before the end of May to get 15% off when you use the code EARLYSCRIP1 at checkout.
    💰 Cost: 120 USD (102 USD with the discount)
    👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/scripture-the-key-to-reality

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Coming up
    01:29 - Intro music
    01:55 - Introduction
    02:50 - Understanding ourselves through music
    10:22 - The human voice
    18:56 - Rhythm
    21:11 - Dance and what music is
    24:40 - Variety and sameness
    32:08 - Reinventing yourself
    35:21 - Church music
    43:57 - Continuity
    46:56 - Moments in liturgy
    49:30 - Music in America
    54:54 - The complete work of art
    59:14 - Making pop culture more participative

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
    🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 396 - Seraphim Hamilton - Scripture: The Key to Reality

    396 - Seraphim Hamilton - Scripture: The Key to Reality
    May 23 2025
    In this conversation, I talk with Seraphim Hamilton about how scripture does more than tell a story—it reveals a symbolic pattern that runs through all of creation. We dig into how the Bible presents the world as a kind of cosmic temple, and how that vision unfolds through the Tabernacle, the life of Christ, and the Church.

    Seraphim brings a deep knowledge of scripture and tradition to the table, and we touch on some of the key themes he'll be exploring in his upcoming course, Scripture: The Key to Reality. If you’ve been following my work on symbolism and biblical patterns, I think you’ll find this conversation both grounded and illuminating.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/PpGKURlGayA

    NEW COURSE: Scripture: The Key to Reality, presented by Seraphim Hamilton
    This course is designed to help students appreciate the unique role the Bible plays in helping us step into the world as it truly is: a symbolic revelation of the Infinite God. Scripture is symbolic because it is a revelation of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is the Archetype of the World. In a way, then, Scripture enfolds within itself the totality of the world, guiding its hearers to see an icon of Christ in each of God’s creatures: from trees to beasts to priests.
    🗓 Live classes are on Tuesday at 2 - 4 pm Eastern Time, starting June 10th through July 15th, 2025
    ⏰ Class Length: 5 sessions, 10 hours total
    💰 Register for Seraphim Hamilton's course before the end of May to get 15% off when you use the code EARLYSCRIP1 at checkout.
    💰 Cost: 120 USD (102 USD with the discount)
    👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/scripture-the-key-to-reality

    Seraphim Hamilton is an Orthodox Christian biblical commentator who explores the richness of Christ as He is unveiled in the Old and New Testaments. He has a Master of Arts in Early Christian Studies and a Master of Theology from Duke University. His thesis addressed the relationship between the theology of the Divine Name in Exodus and the writings of St. Dionysius the Areopagite. He is recently married with one daughter and produces regular reflections on Scripture on both Substack and YouTube.
    Writings: https://seraphimhamilton.substack.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kabane
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/c/kabane

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Coming up
    01:23 - Intro music
    01:49 - Introduction
    02:43 - Scripture is the key to reality
    09:17 - What's the difference between Christianity and Pantheism?
    13:14 - Why the need for the Tabernacle?
    16:56 - Dominion in the fall
    21:23 - Cain vs Noah
    25:27 - Universal History
    26:24 - No temple in the Heavenly Jerusalem
    29:57 - Converging on the same patterns
    31:38 - Critical analysis of the Bible
    37:27 - Second Temple literature
    42:32 - Fractal breathing
    47:36 - Transfigured clothing

    -----------------------------------

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
    🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    52 mins
  • 395 - Beauty First: Envisioning a Civilization Worth Restoring (ARC Roundtable)

    395 - Beauty First: Envisioning a Civilization Worth Restoring (ARC Roundtable)
    May 16 2025
    This is an informal roundtable discussion among friends and artists at the 2025 London ARC Conference that includes myself, Andrew Gould, Aidan Hart, Heather Pollington, Neil and Kate DeGraide from Dirt Poor Robins, Ben and Vesper Stamper, Martin Shaw, and John Heers. Amidst thousands of voices focused on policy and economics, we stepped aside to ask a deeper question: what does it mean to renew civilization through beauty?
    Together, we explore how architecture, music, and the arts shape our perception of the world—and how the recovery of beauty might be essential for healing both culture and soul. There are no scripts here, just a shared sense of wonder, frustration, and conviction. We speak of cities and forests, temples and toasts, tradition and imagination… and what it truly means to see rightly again.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/6oS5NYXut0c

    SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
    Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.
    🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central / 2-5 PM Eastern time: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
    ⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session
    💰 Cost: $175 (Patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for 10% off)
    Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass


    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
    🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    keywords:
    ARC Conference, art, architecture, civilization, beauty, human experience, Christian culture, symbolism, design, architecture, music, art, beauty, creativity, orthodoxy, healing, abstraction, civic engagement, human experience
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    1 hr and 7 mins
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excellent work into the meanings of sign and thing signified. very worthwhile in trying to see the world as it is

symbolism happens

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I was first introduced to Jonathan Pageau thru Jordan Peterson's Exodus series. Excellent presentation

Astonishing insights!

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Gives better insight on how to propperly interpret reality. Thank you for breaking down these difficult topics.

Profound

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