The Symbolic World

This is a talk I did a few years ago for the Jung Society of Montreal. In it I explore the creation story in Genesis not just as myth, but as a fractal map of how identity, being, and purpose function. In breaking down the symbolism I also make a case for why intelligence isn’t an accident, why rituals matter, and why participation of intelligent beings is foundational to reality. In the Q&A section we touch on group identity, exclusion, dreams, and the meaning of the Last Judgment among other topics. I hope this lecture gives you a sense of the tone and depth of our upcoming Symbolism Masterclass. If you want to learn more, register today. https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass 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) Join us for the ORTHODOX ARTS FESTIVAL, learn more here: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/ YouTube version: https://youtu.be/YArpxigY5xY?si=QrMqUuJixHQ3DnXy Original video published by Jordan Peterson: https://youtu.be/ZQ43i5nKuZk?si=XB-bgj9VMc0NxBdT Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction 02:01 - Intro  music 02:26 - Observing the observer 08:06 - Ritual and a return to ancient thinking 13:58 - Ritual in groups 21:34 - The argument 27:49 - The start of Genesis 36:39 - And God said 42:06 - Vegetation 44:30 - The sun, moon, and stars 45:49 - Creatures of the sea 49:32 - Animals 51:57 - The creation of man 56:28 - Genesis 2 59:43 - The center of the world 06:42 - Iconographic examples 12:39 - Questions from JBP 18:22 - Q: Elaborate on what you mean with "above" and "below" 20:15 - Q: Are people who try to tame wild animals violating the pattern you pointed out? 21:51 - Q: How sure are you of the heaven and earth distinction? 25:36 - Q: What's the meaning of when God says man is very good and everything else good? 30:03 - Comment about Jung 31:24 - Q: How did Darwin bring Plato back? 37:03 - Q: How would you work with exclusion / inclusion patterns in these times? 48:51 - Q: What's the intelligence of dreams? 51:45 - Q: If the teleological patterns of being constitute heaven, what is the abode of the human soul? 💻 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/

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2025

In this conversation, I sit down with Joe Allen to dig into the strange and unsettling territory where transhumanism and politics collide. We explore how politics is shaping the trajectory of technological development—and how, in turn, emerging tech like AI begins to shape us.  We talk about the deeper philosophical and spiritual undercurrents of transhumanism: the ego behind the machines, the myth of the disembodied mind, and the subtle seductions that come with promises of power and control. From AI warfare to Elon Musk, from Project Stargate to the eerie direction our culture is headed, we raise some uncomfortable but necessary questions. What happens when our tools stop serving us and begin to define us?  Get Joe Allen's book: Dark Aeon: Transhumanism and the War Against Humanity: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Aeon-Transhumanism-Against-Humanity-ebook/dp/B0C9FJQD4V 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 👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass ORTHODOX ARTS FESTIVAL - Learn more here: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/ 🔗 Links: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:44 - Intro music 02:03 - The conservative transhumanist 09:11 - Why more than human? 14:49 - Bringing myths alive 18:41 - Revolution and an image of sin 25:47 - International competition 34:07 - As soon as a power exists 44:39 - Project StarGate 50:29 - The power of AI Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025

In this conversation with Mary Harrington, we explore how identity has evolved from the ancient idea of the soul to the concept of self and today how we talk and think about identity. We dive into how technology and AI shape this shift and why bringing back the soul might help us tackle modern challenges. We argue that purpose and hierarchy clarify identity in today’s mess of competing selves. We explore how swapping deep reading for digital scrolling shifts consciousness, how memes steer thought, and the nature of AI and its affects on culture. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/TJnGDEAka7I Our conversation at ARC that prompted this: A philosophy of human identity in a digital age | Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Pageau, Mary Harrington:  https://youtu.be/oa-MK6l_hgE?si=86TQRbbDCrQdqb60 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 👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass ‼️EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Use code MASTERCLASS1 at checkout to get 15% off from March 31 until April 7 - only valid for once-off purchases (cannot be combined with any other discount)‼️ 🔗 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/

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

In this episode I break down the meaning and symbolism in the 2022 show Severance starring Adam Scott. Let me know in the comments on YouTube if you want more content like this. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/4RgQ0Q4pgHA ===== 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 EST: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 ⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session 💰 Cost: $175 👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass ‼️EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Use code MASTERCLASS1 at checkout to get 15% off from March 31 until April 7 - only valid for once-off purchases (cannot be combined with any other discount)‼️ ===== 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

This is my review of Disney's recent Snow White live-action remake.  YouTube version: https://youtu.be/gk2koS8Eomg =========== With all this attention on Snow White right now, we want to make sure that we're mostly celebrating this powerful story in our culture. So to do so, we're offering for the very last time a limited edition box set of our own Snow White story, Snow White and the Widow Queen. It's a leather bound book signed by me, in a beautifully designed and bejeweled box with a free sticker and bookmark included. This is the last time you will ever see this product, it's very special, so don't miss out while stocks last. We're also offering 10% off on select Snow White products if you use SNOW25 at checkout. Just go to https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=text+link&utm_campaign=SNOW25 As a classic fairy tale and timeless piece of our inheritance it's important to remember Snow White and keep celebrating it - that wonder and beauty and strangeness we find in those original tales that have been passed down to us, are exactly what our books at Symbolic World Press hope to reawaken - with of course some symbolism bread crumbs dropped in for those who want to discover the deeper meaning. So, don't miss out. 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2025

In this conversation I interview Peter Leithart, an American author, minister, and theologian, who serves as president of Theopolis Institute for Biblical, Liturgical, & Cultural Studies in Birmingham, Alabama. We discuss the origins, mission, and theological insights of Theopolis Institute and the influence of James B. Jordan, who wrote the influential book titled “Through New Eyes”. We further discuss the significance of biblical typology, and the transformative power of liturgy and sacraments in understanding scripture and shaping Christian life. We explore the interconnectedness of biblical narratives, the cultural shifts towards a deeper understanding of scripture, and the importance of sacramental life in recognizing Christ.  YouTuber version: https://youtu.be/Ug_ZGvfBcuE Follow Peter Leithart: https://x.com/PLeithart -Through New Eyes: Developing a Biblical View of the World, by James B. Jordan: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Through-New-Eyes-Developing-Biblical/dp/157910259X  -The End of Protestantism: Pursuing Unity in a Fragmented Church, by Peter J. Leithart: https://www.amazon.com/End-Protestantism-Pursuing-Fragmented-Church/dp/158743377X  -Revelation Explained: An Interpretation by James B. Jordan: Volume One: Dragon, by James B. Jordan (Author), Dean W. Arnold (Editor): https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Explained-Interpretation-Jordan-Dragon/dp/1733335633  Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:50 - Intro music 01:15 - Introduction 02:19 - Theopolis Institute 05:28 - Initial influences 07:23 - Themes in Scripture 17:47 - Reality/history rhymes 20:33 - The Bible as a way of seeing 23:36 - Sacraments 31:53 - Creation 34:23 - How is this being received? 37:35 - Critical Biblical scholarship and references 46:15 - Fundamentalism 49:39 - Typology is the key 51:53 - Bringing it to experience 54:20 - The Fathers 01:00:56 - Hopes for the future 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

I recently had the privilege to visit Ralston College where I had a wonderful discussion with Gregg Hurwitz about meaning, art, and the future of culture. We also gave advice to the young students at Ralston College about navigating the life of an artist. RALSTON COLLEGE: A revival and reinvention of the traditional university. A fellowship for anyone, anywhere who seeks the truth with courage. While the review of applications for the 2025-26 year of their fully-funded Master's in the Humanities program has already begun, a small number of spaces remain for extraordinary candidates. Apply now: https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-ma YouTube version: https://youtu.be/5Zyv3z4VT_Y ===================== NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling. - Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025 - Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures - Cost: $150 - 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout - Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio - You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing! - The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.  Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history  ===================== 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:41 - Intro music 01:06 - Introduction 06:40 - What they like about each other 13:03 - Dramatizing Genesis 17:01 - On writing and being an artist 22:41 - Ralston College students 25:37 - Advice to artists 28:09 - Why are you compelled to tell stories? 33:09 - Form and function 42:32 - Looking back on your 20s, what did you do well, and what did you learn from? 49:19 - What's been your experience being public figures? 59:03 - Do you ever wish you hadn't entered the public eye? 01:04:39 - How to keep the fire going without desperation? 01:09:30 - How to navigate the political? 01:19:22 - How to choose your priorities and commitments? 01:23:11 - How to go from an idea to a larger project? 01:26:36 - Should an artist cater to an audience? 01:34:43 - What does Ralston mean to you?

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2025

In this conversation with John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro we discuss their collaborative work on the 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' project, exploring the dynamics of their partnership, the impact of their ideas on contemporary discourse, and the challenges of making complex concepts accessible. They delve into the importance of narrative in understanding philosophical ideas, the role of dialogical reasoning in writing, and the surprising effects of their video series on academic engagement.  Buy their book: Awakening From the Meaning Crisis: Part One: Origins: https://www.amazon.co.za/Awakening-Meaning-Crisis-Part-Origins/dp/1645011003  John Vervaeke's course on The Symbolic World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-cognitive-science-of-ritual Daily Wire Plus: The Gospels seminar: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels ===================== NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling. - Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025 - Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures - Cost: $150 - 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout - Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio - You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing! - The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.  Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history  ===================== Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:39 - Intro music 01:03 - Introduction 01:42 - Working together 06:23 - Coming to terms with John's vocabulary 11:26 - Getting feedback 14:27 - Telling a story 18:36 - A dialogical process 22:25 - Change in academia 26:48 - John Vervaeke and Jordan Peterson at UofT 29:21 - Cross-disciplinary 36:01 - Cognitive science 40:14 - Making woo acceptable 45:06 - John and John teaching 52:33 - What was the Gospels seminar like for Jonathan 00:15 - John's experience 03:23 - The strangeness of Christianity 08:19 - Hope for the book's reception 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025

The world is changing rapidly, and the transformation we’re witnessing—especially within the Church—has been astonishing. Across America, Orthodox churches are growing at an unprecedented rate, and cultural shifts that once seemed impossible are now unfolding before our eyes.   For this week's video, we revisit my very first public event with Jordan Peterson, at The Resurrection of Logos event, which took place at the University of Toronto in March 2017. At the time, many of the ideas we now take for granted were just beginning to emerge. It was a moment when culture seemed to be collapsing under the weight of ideology, yet seeds of renewal were being planted.   Looking back, we can see both the opportunities and the dangers that have since taken shape. On one hand, faith is more openly discussed, and the roots of Christian civilization are being rediscovered. On the other, we face the risk of faith becoming overly weaponized. The balance between these forces is more crucial than ever.   This talk, which didn’t gain much attention at the time, now serves as a fascinating snapshot of what was happening in that critical moment. Watch it with fresh eyes and see how far we’ve come. Youtube version: https://youtu.be/hWVsvSatJsk  ===================== NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling. - Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025 - Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures - Cost: $150 - 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout - Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio - You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing! - The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.  Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history  ===================== 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

I had a wonderful discussion with James Orr. Dr Orr is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. He was also one of the panel members for the Daily Wire Plus Exodus and Gospels seminars, which we discuss in this video. We also talk about our difference approaches and perspectives on Scripture, the current cultural shift and Christianity becoming more mainstream, the risk of instrumentalizing Christianity, Paul Kingsnorth's talk "Against Christian Civilization", and more.  Watch the Gospel Seminar on Daily Wire Plus: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels  My discussion with Paul Kingsnorth, Western Civilization Is Already Dead: https://youtu.be/FrjdaVol2TA?si=D6A3mm3WXj5f2i4W Paul Kingsnorth’s First Things talk: "Against Christian Civilization" | 2024 Erasmus Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y3hMSZqatHI James Orr links: - https://www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-james-orr - https://x.com/jtworr ===================== NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling. - Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025 - Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures - Cost: $150 - 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout - Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio - You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing! - The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase. Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history ===================== Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:47 - Intro music 01:11 - Introduction 01:57 - James' reaction to The Gospels seminar 05:04 - JBP mediating the panel discussion 09:25 - Members of the panel 11:55 - Approaching Scripture from different perspectives 15:23 - James' scholarly approach vs Jonathan's analogical approach 20:37 - A time of flux 28:18 - Paul Kingsnorth's First Things address 32:44 - Instrumentalizing Christianity 38:52 - Self-sacrificial love 41:39 - Recognize weaponized compassion 43:11 - Fetishizing weakness? 48:22 - The end of the story 51:34 - Technology 54:45 - New people coming to church 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2025

This is a repost of the patron video for January 2025. Given the recent announcement about project Stargate I delved into modernity's quest for forbidden knowledge and how it relates to today's obsession with UFOs, AI, psychedelics, and even transgenderism. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/h79SINKwmjA =========== NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling. - Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025 - Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures - Cost: $150 - 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout - Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio - You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing! - The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.  Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history  =========== 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2025

For the past few decades we have heard from the new atheists just how horrible religion is, that religion is responsible for all these terrible things like the inquisition and witch burnings - but what if I told you that there are patterns or structures behind this kind of behaviour that are simply human, and are not unique to religious people, nor to your ideological or political opponents, but exist fundamentally in all identities. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/SQSDCcFKSrQ ================== The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-earth! Join Richard Rohlin for his new course on Tolkien and Universal History. As always patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for a 10% discount. Apply your unique discount code at checkout. Read more here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history  In his famous Letter #131 to Milton Waldman, J.R.R. Tolkien described his Legendarium as an attempt to create a vast cycle of stories. These stories would be dedicated to his home country and as such this concept has often been described by Tolkien scholars as a “Mythology for England.” This course will take this concept a step further by examining the Legendarium as an attempt at a work of Universal History, one which uses both ancient and modern storytelling genres to reconcile conflicting visions of English, European, and Western identity. We will then apply those methods to contemporary storytelling efforts, revealing how Tolkien opens the way to a return to cosmological and legendary Christian storytelling tradition. ================== 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

In this episode Richard Rohlin goes solo to give us an introduction about JRR Tolkien's vision for Universal History. Later this month he will be teaching a course on this topic. Register now for the Tolkien and Universal History course by Richard Rohlin on The Symbolic World website: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history Cost: $150 Discount: 10% off for all Symbolic World patrons at the Involved tier or higher. Apply your unique discount code at checkout. Live classes: February 24 - March 24, 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures. Lecture recordings will be made available with downloadable audio. =====Timestamps==== 01:07 - Introduction 03:36 - What makes Tolkien unique? 07:53 - Tolkien & universal history 12:28 - The Arthurian legends 22:13 - Redeeming the elves 26:45 - Redeeming the gods 27:40 - Medieval genres: Chronicles 29:35 - Poetry 31:17 - The Silmarillion 34:10 - Retelling culture-founding narratives 36:09 - The Lord of the Rings 38:44 - The novel 42:16 - Writing assignment 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

In this conversation, Jonathan Pageau and Annie Crawford delve into C.S. Lewis's work, particularly focusing on 'Till We Have Faces.' They explore the significance of this book in understanding Lewis's thought, its mythic elements, and the interplay between paganism and Christian themes. The discussion also touches on the evolution of Lewis's writing style, the role of myth and fairy tales, and the complex themes of mimetic desire and sacrifice present in the narrative. The symbolism of the veil is highlighted as a key element in understanding the duality of truth and deception in Lewis's work. ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE========== Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ Keywords C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces, myth, paganism, Christian themes, literary analysis, mimetic desire, symbolism, re-enchantment, allegory, C.S. Lewis, myth, duality, sacrifice, modernity, paganism, rationalism, consciousness, reintegration, renewal

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

Fr. Stephen De Young is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book, St. Paul the Pharisee. St. Paul is at the core of many modern misunderstandings about Christianity; Fr. Stephen presents how we can understand St. Paul’s writings within the context of who he was, when he lived, and who he was addressing in his epistles, ultimately bringing us closer to the vision Christ Himself gave us. -Buy Fr. Stephen’s book on the Ancient Faith Store - Saint Paul the Pharisee: Jewish Apostle to All Nations: https://store.ancientfaith.com/saint-paul-the-pharisee-jewish-apostle-to-all-nations/  -On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Paul-Pharisee-Apostle-Nations/dp/1955890706 ==========Book description========== The centuries after the Protestant Reformation brought about a radical reinterpretation of the epistles of St. Paul, disconnected from any historical reality. But Paul operated, during his entire life, as a faithful Pharisee within the Roman Jewish world. In Saint Paul the Pharisee: Jewish Apostle to All Nations, Fr. Stephen De Young surveys Paul’s life and writings, interpreting them within the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church. This survey is followed by De Young’s interpretive translation of St. Paul’s epistles, which deliberately avoids overly familiar terminology. By using words and ideas grounded in first-century Judaism, De Young hopes to unsettle commonly held notions and help the reader reassess St. Paul in his historical context. ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE========== Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford ==========Other links========== Lord of Spirits podcast: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/lordofspirits/ Fr. Stephen’s talk at the Symbolic World Summit 2024, Friedrich Nietzsche’s Guide to the Bodily Resurrection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OVbxZJ463Q Daily Wire The Gospels seminar: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau ==========Timestamps========== 00:00 - Coming up 01:13 - Intro music 01:38 - Introduction to St. Paul and Contextual Understanding 06:16 - Settling the "works vs faith" debate 13:06 - St. Paul and the Gospels: A Unified Message 15:37 - Scholasticism vs Mysticism 20:17 - The Transformation of Society through St. Paul's Vision 24:19 - Slavery and Christian Ethics in St. Paul's Writings 32:34 - The Kingdom of Heaven is already here 38:15 - Hierarchy bad 39:58 - The core of St. Paul's teachings: Faithfulness 41:34 - The Call to Individual Purpose 46:32 - The Nature of Christian Hierarchy 51:32 - St. Paul: Context and Misunderstandings 56:03 - Keeping Jewish practices 01:04:56 - The Sabbath 01:05:50 - Tradition preserves context 01:11:08 - Understanding St. Paul: A Personal Connection Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025

Paul Kingsnorth gave a provocative talk for First Things' Erasmus Lecture of 2024, titled "Against Christian Civilization". In this episode, we discuss the essence of his argument, delving into the fundamental tensions between Christianity and civilization. How does faith interact with culture? What is the Biblical narrative around cities and governance? Are we misusing Christianity as a tool for cultural preservation over pursuing true spiritual transformation? Is Western Civilization as we know it even salvable at this point? -Paul Kingsnorth’s First Things talk: "Against Christian Civilization" | 2024 Erasmus Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y3hMSZqatHI?si=bmT1rqPyEF-LvR0_  -Written article version of his talk: Against Christian Civilization, January 2025: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2025/01/against-christian-civilization  ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE========== Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford ==========TIMESTAMPS========== 00:00 - Coming up 01:31 - Intro music 01:56 - Introduction 03:02 - The essence of Paul's talk 07:13 - Civilization and Revelation 12:02 - A Christian's challenge 16:45 - The Biblical vision 31:13 - What about the rulers? 37:01 - Buildings 42:10 - Brands and idols 47:27 - The seed and the fruit 49:24 - Celebrating stories 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe   📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2025

In celebration of the Feast of Theophany I discuss the role of St. John the Baptist, or St. John the Forerunner, as he's known in the Orthodox tradition. Why does Christ need a forerunner? What is he actually doing, symbolically? And how does his appearance, behavior, and death participate in the pattern that's already being set up in the Old Testament? Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/dvUQXKdpJy0 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE========== Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. If you register before Thursday, 8 pm EST, you can get 15% off with the discount code: LEWIS2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford ==========TIMESTAMPS========== 00:00 - Introduction 00:32 - Intro music 00:57 - The role of St. John 04:05 - Prefigurations of St. John 04:21 - The flood of Noah 05:15 - The Tower of Babel 06:06 - The Exodus 07:55 - Elijah 09:37 - St. John in the wilderness 12:36 - The voice in the desert 13:51 - Wild 15:58 - Stability in Logos 17:55 - Elijah will return 21:49 - Taken up before the end 23:21 - Joseph in Egypt 26:16 - Conclusion 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2025

For this interview I have a great discussion with organist, pianist, conductor, arranger, and recording artist Matthew Wilkinson, who also happened to put together the Symbolic World intro music. We delve into the symbolism of music, particularly focusing on Bach's organ works. The discussion also touches on the evolution of musical styles from the Baroque period to the Classical, modern and postmodern eras, the historical context of music, from the music of the spheres to modern dissonance, and how these concepts reflect broader ideas about hierarchy and opposites. Support Matthew Wilkinson's wonderful work:  Check out his website and buy his CD: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/24DSGAdbVt7by0JHEqTwMh?si=ZJlpdMkcSg6SfMvz7YbkFg YouTube: https://youtube.com/@matthewwilkinson2276?si=m1gbZgTSpOALVdq5 Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Learn more here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/d-9FRODiDKM   Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:56 - Intro music 01:21 - Introduction 02:18 - The album on Bach 05:38 - Trinitarian symbolism 14:49 - Meaning in structure vs outside it 20:15 - The hero's journey 22:05 - Signatures 25:06 - Subject and countersubject 26:19 - The organ 29:25 - Going through the entrances 32:39 - Various subjects 35:03 - Baroque 36:37 - Counterpoint 37:21 - Duality in music 40:14 - Music of the spheres 43:54 - Hierarchy in beats 47:15 - Glenn Gould 49:19 - The dialectic 51:04 - Hierarchy in music 55:16 - Music in the modern era 01:07:45 - Postmodernism 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2025

This is a repost of a talk given at St-George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montreal, originally posted in 2018. The Nativity icon is not only the image of an event that happened two thousands years ago, but rather by its form and the hierarchy of its elements, shows us the inner working of how the Divine Logos creates the world and how His incarnation acts as the anchor, the fulcrum around which all manifestation holds together.   Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/i8xow567P74 Don’t forget to check out our Christmas Symbolism playlist of all the videos I made about Christmas over the years: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVX4HUUPrIY9MeGP5IILeRzu62Q1NPT4C Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Intro music 01:34 - Introducing the talk 03:50 - The fast 05:29 - Elements of the nativity icon 08:04 - St. Joseph tempted by the devil 10:44 - The bullseye 13:24 - The ass and ox 15:40 - Why born in a cave? 20:31 - God with us 25:44 - The real question 32:44 - Q&A: The river gods 35:20 - Q: The axe 35:50 - Q: Early icons 37:08 - Q: Children baptized 38:12 - Q: Snakes under the door 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

In this episode, I explore a dark narrative aspect of the Christmas story: the Massacre of the Innocents at the hand of King Herod, connecting it to various Old Testament variations on the pattern: Joseph and the Pharaoh, Jacob and Esau, and David and King Saul. Christ brings all of these stories together in a unique and mind-blowing way, not just in the Gospels, but also in what happens in history afterwards… Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/cGZn-hv7dis Check out my other videos on Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVX4HUUPrIY9MeGP5IILeRzu62Q1NPT4C 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  00:00 - Introduction 01:42 - Intro music 02:07 - The text 03:39 - What's going on? 03:59 - Pharaoh kills children in Egypt 05:48 - Joseph son of Israel 07:11 - Jacob and Esau 09:22 - King Saul and David 10:31 - The story of Jesus 12:11 - A prophecy: killed by His brothers 13:43 - The conversion of Rome 14:47 - Going back in time 16:38 - Why is this part of reality? 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 21 December 2024

This is a repost of the November 2024's patron video where I take a closer look into the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris. After a devastating fire in 2019, and 5 years of reconstruction, Notre Dame is now officially open. But did they get it right in how they rebuilt the church? 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 13 December 2024

I sat down with Fr. Josiah Trenham, archpriest at St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside, California, and founder and director of Patristic Nectar Publications. With over 30 years of experience as a priest in America, Fr. Josiah has a wealth of knowledge about the state of Orthodoxy in the West and the challenges converts face. We discuss various aspects of Orthodox and contemporary life: beauty, money, politics, sexuality, the youth, psychedelics, artificial intelligence, and more. Enjoy. Support Fr. Josiah’s work at Patristic Nectar Publications: https://patristicnectar.org/  @PatristicNectarFilms   Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/nSlZMeYD-PE ==============Timestamps============== 00:00 - Coming up 01:07 - Intro music 01:32 - Introduction 03:06 - The state of Orthodoxy in America 11:09 - What happened? 18:07 - Change and the conversion of young men 24:00 - Prioritizing beauty 35:31 - Balancing the budget 38:37 - Orthobros 42:41 - Bear yourself 50:16 - The ancient pagan world vs modern secular world 55:15 - Psychedelics 59:34 - The future is religious 01:01:15 - Artificial intelligence 01:07:38 - Intuition about what's coming 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 7 December 2024

A clip has been circulating from the upcoming Christianities movie, hosted by John Heers, of Tucker Carlson recounting a terrifying experience he had where he woke up with bleeding claw marks on his sides and is convinced it was a demonic attack. In this video I discuss such experiences. How is it possible that a spiritual entity can physically manifest? Support the Christianities movie and check out the sneak peak clip of Tucker Carlson recounting his experience of a demonic attack: https://www.christianitiesmovie.com/sneak-peak  YouTube version: https://youtu.be/YJAWgfCJv8E ======SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSES: 50% OFF BLACK FRIDAY SALE====== Did you miss out on a Symbolic World course this year? Here’s your chance! This Black Friday, enjoy 50% off six of our Symbolic World courses and 25% off my carving courses. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY2024 at checkout between 12:00 AM EST on Friday, Nov. 29 and 11:59 PM EST on Monday, Dec. 1. Courses on Sale: -Universal History: Beowulf with Richard Rohlin and Jonathan Pageau -Inferno: The Symbolic World Goes to Hell with Richard Rohlin and Jonathan Pageau -Purgatorio: The Symbolic World Ascends the Mountain with Richard Rohlin and Jonathan Pageau -Symbolic World Metaphysics with JP Marceau -C.S. Lewis and the Cosmic Trilogy with Annie Crawford -The Symbolic World Summit 2024 Video Package (includes all lectures and breakout sessions) Carving Courses (25% Off): Use the same code, BLACKFRIDAY2024, to get discounts on my Thinkific carving courses: -Carving an Icon of the Holy Virgin -Carving St. John the Baptist Please note: The discount applies to one-time purchases only. Ensure you're logged into the Symbolic World Circle platform before making your purchase. ==============CHRISTIAN WONDER TALES============== Join Dr. Martin Shaw for his first ever online course on Christian Wonder Tales! This is our most highly anticipated course yet, with more sign-ups than any other we’ve hosted on The Symbolic World. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to participate live, with Martin’s awe-inspiring storytelling and insights now part of the growing initiative for re-enchantment. Register today and fall in love with stories that will bring symbolism to life: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/christian-wonder-tales  Dates: Tuesdays, November 12 - December 10, 2024 (no class November 19)Time: 2 - 4 pm ESTWhere: The Symbolic World Circle Community Platform Cost: $190 (4-installment payment option & 10% Involved supporter discount available, apply code at checkout)Get immediate access to a recommended reading listAll lesson recordings will be made available to participants with downloadable audio ==============LINKS============== 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

Rod Dreher and I had a great discussion about his latest book, Living in Wonder. We discussed re-enchantment, UFOs, AI, attention, the internet, and more. Enjoy! Get Rod's book - Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Wonder-Finding-Mystery-Meaning/dp/0310369126 YouTube version: https://youtu.be/KvNM1AefXN0 ===========Book description=========== The West has become "disenchanted"--closed to the idea that the universe contains the supernatural, the metaphysical, or the non-material. Christianity is in crisis. People today are leaving the Church because faith has become dry and lifeless. But people aren't leaving faith for atheism. They are still searching for the divine, and it might just be right under their noses. In Living in Wonder, thought leader, cultural critic, and New York Times bestselling author Rod Dreher shows you how to encounter and embrace wonder in the world. In his trademark mixture of analysis, reporting, and personal story, Dreher brings together history, cultural anthropology, neuroscience, and the ancient Church to show you--no matter your religious affiliation--how to reconnect with the natural world and the Great Tradition of Christianity so you can relate to the world with more depth and connection. He shares stories of miracles, rumors of angels, and outbreaks of awe to offer hope, as well as a guide for discerning and defending the truth in a confusing and spiritually dark culture, full of contemporary spiritual deceptions and tempting counterfeit spiritualities. The world is not what we think it is. It is far more mysterious, exciting, connected, and adventurous. As you learn practical ways to regain a sense of wonder and awaken your sense of God's presence--through prayer, attention, and living by spiritual disciplines--your eyes will be opened, and you will find the very thing every one of us searches for: our ultimate meaning. ===========Other books mentioned=========== - Passport to Magonia: https://www.amazon.co.za/Passport-Magonia-Folklore-Flying-Saucers/dp/0987422480  - Free version: https://archive.org/details/passporttomagoni0000vall_m8g5 - American Cosmic, by D.W. Pasulka: https://www.amazon.com/American-Cosmic-UFOs-Religion-Technology/dp/019069288X  - The Mountain of Silence, by Kyriacos C Markide: https://www.amazon.co.za/Mountain-Silence-Search-Orthodox-Spirituality/dp/0385500920  ===========Christian Wonder Tales course=========== Sign up for Dr. Martin Shaw's first-ever live online course, Christian Wonder Tales. This 4-week, 8-hour course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community. Patrons at the Involved level or higher get 10% off, apply your discount code at checkout: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/christian-wonder-tales  ===========Timestamps=========== 00:00 - Coming up 01:13 - Intro music 01:38 - Enchantment is having a moment 06:54 - A strange enchantment 21:20 - A positive aspect of this 23:19 - Psychedelics and the Californian Buddhist 25:37 - Rod's journey to Christianity 30:23 - What's on the horizon? AI 33:01 - UFOs and the great religious deception 38:39 - UFO spiritual influences 40:37 - Pay attention 46:04 - Rod's book's reception 49:35 - Propositional vs being in person 52:24 - Embodiment 55:08 - Christian re-enchantment 💻 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.

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2024

This episode is part of our miniseries of Universal History episodes focused on Ireland. We talk about the voyage of St. Brendan the Navigator, one of the mythical founders of Ireland, along with a general exploration of what it takes to create culture and being a Christian in the world. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/nlzEUV5sV2o Previous UH episodes on Ireland: 1. Universal History: Ireland, the Remnant: https://youtu.be/PBNkmLxUYHk?si=QQPkLg6VVx57o2GC  2. Universal History: The Surprising Irish Origin of Purgatory - with Richard Rohlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBdXgwl1VYU  Read more about Irish saints. The book Richard recommends is in two volumes: The Lives of Irish Saints, edited by Charles Plummer. Links: - Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lives-Saints-Oxford-Reprints-Volumes/dp/0198213891 - Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/bethadanemnr01plumuoft/page/n7/mode/2up --- Sign up for Dr. Martin Shaw's first-ever live online course, Christian Wonder Tales, starting November 12th. This 4-week, 8-hour course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community. Patrons at the Involved level or higher get 10% off, apply your discount code at checkout: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/christian-wonder-tales  Mythographer, writer, and storyteller Dr Martin Shaw takes us deep into the heart of what he calls Christian Wonder Tales. Profoundly mythic, these teaching stories range from the early saints through to the grandeur of the Round Table and Arthurian tradition. Shaw emphasises these stories as remerging providentially on time for the perils of modern life. Filled with vocation, sacrifice, and courage, these are an inheritance many of us simply didn’t know we had. 🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  --- Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:46 - Intro music 01:12 - Start 03:04 - A corrective to the Universal History series 12:05 - The 12 apostles of Ireland 14:19 - St. Brendan 21:25 - Fun stories about St. Brendan 39:26 - Next episode of the Voyage of St. Brendan 46:13 - The foundation of a church 49:09 - How to keep the liturgical calendar 56:14 - The torment of Judas 01:04:30 - Did Brendan go to North America? --- 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2024

This talk by Fr. Stephen DeYoung is from the Symbolic World Summit that took place in Florida on the weekend of February 29th, 2024. All other talks and discussions from the event can be accessed through the Symbolic World website if you buy the video package. Other speakers included myself, Jordan Peterson, Dr. Martin Shaw, Richard Rohlin, Neil DeGraide, Fr. Dcn. Nicholas Kotar, Vesper Stamper, and Fr. Silouan Justiniano.  Buy the Symbolic World Summit Video Package: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/summit-2024Symbolic World Summit photo gallery: https://thelightboxphotography.pic-time.com/-symbolicworld/galleryTimestamps 00:00 - Coming up 00:57 - Intro music 01:23 - Introduction 03:22 - What happens when you die? 07:34 - The body 12:42 - How identity works 16:25 - Find our identity 17:41 - The bodily resurrection 19:00 - Relating to time 31:53 - The triumph of joy 35:00 - In Scripture 41:29 - One life 44:13 - What about the dead 48:48 - Fr. Stephen's answer 50:02 - Eternal death and hell 💻 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.

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2024

WARNING: The following episode discusses difficult subjects and may not be suitable for children. This is a repost of January 2020's patron-only video where I talked about a book called Malleus Maleficarum, translated as The Hammer of Witches, which appeared in the late 15th century. This controversial book has become the central point of our imagination about witches and exemplifies the uneasy transition between the medieval worldview and what would become the modern worldview. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/S75AfTuzLQg We decided to make this video public for Halloween. Please consider supporting us for exclusive patron videos like this. https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  --- Sign up for Dr. Martin Shaw's first-ever live online course, Christian Wonder Tales, starting November 12th. This 4-week, 8-hour course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community. Patrons at the Involved level or higher get 10% off, apply your discount code at checkout: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/christian-wonder-tales Mythographer, writer, and storyteller Dr Martin Shaw takes us deep into the heart of what he calls Christian Wonder Tales. Profoundly mythic, these teaching stories range from the early saints through to the grandeur of the Round Table and Arthurian tradition. Shaw emphasises these stories as remerging providentially on time for the perils of modern life. Filled with vocation, sacrifice, and courage, these are an inheritance many of us simply didn’t know we had. --- 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2024

In this video, I discuss the double symbolism of St. Peter as described in the Scriptures. This is related to my last video about Lucifer and the issue of how a representative or a vicar is always in a dual situation where they can become transparent to authority from above, or take authority for themselves... My previous video on this topic: The Real Meaning of Lucifer: https://youtu.be/qaoSLwmPARk?si=i2EVHFBPVpVbxTyG --- Sign up for Dr. Martin Shaw's first-ever live online course, Christian Wonder Tales, starting November 12th. This 4-week, 8-hour course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community. Patrons at the Involved level or higher get 10% off, apply your discount code at checkout: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/christian-wonder-tales  Mythographer, writer, and storyteller Dr Martin Shaw takes us deep into the heart of what he calls Christian Wonder Tales. Profoundly mythic, these teaching stories range from the early saints through to the grandeur of the Round Table and Arthurian tradition. Shaw emphasises these stories as remerging providentially on time for the perils of modern life. Filled with vocation, sacrifice, and courage, these are an inheritance many of us simply didn’t know we had. 🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  Become a Symbolic World patron and get access to exclusive content like a monthly patron Q&A and an extra symbolism video every month, as well as sales on our courses: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  BUY OUR BOOKS NOW ON OUR SYMBOLIC WORLD PRESS PRE-ORDER SALE: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com  Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 19 October 2024

"The soul is not fed entirely by logic, we are fed by images. Ideas are interesting, but when we want to be absolutely poleaxed by wonder it is a story that's going to do it." I had a wonderful discussion with the captivating storyteller and mythographer, Dr. Martin Shaw, about the value of - not only understanding - but also telling and entering into stories. We talk about the various traditions of storytelling covered in his upcoming course, how to approach these tales of our inheritance, the modern taming of Christianity, and how Bible stories are different from pagan and more peripheral myths. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/uPQdfx5a-R4 Sign up for Dr. Martin Shaw's first-ever live online course, Christian Wonder Tales, starting November 12th. This 4-week, 8-hour course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community. Patrons at the Involved level or higher get 10% off, apply your discount code at checkout: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/christian-wonder-tales Mythographer, writer, and storyteller Dr Martin Shaw takes us deep into the heart of what he calls Christian Wonder Tales. Profoundly mythic, these teaching stories range from the early saints through to the grandeur of the Round Table and Arthurian tradition. Shaw emphasises these stories as remerging providentially on time for the perils of modern life. Filled with vocation, sacrifice, and courage, these are an inheritance many of us simply didn’t know we had. --- Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:44 - Intro music 01:09 - Start 01:52 - A failure that makes honey 05:46 - Pre-Christian Ireland 08:05 - The Arthurian tradition 09:53 - A rule for life 12:29 - Follow an animal 16:09 - Return to these stories 20:20 - The soul is not only fed by logic 24:53 - Why has Christianity become so mundane? 33:39 - Stories that are too strange 36:00 - How were they preserved? 38:08 - Stories that Martin and Jonathan struggled with 44:54 - The Bible 48:57 - You can't draw Jesus with one line 53:07 - The Gospel seminar 56:06 - Let the stories do the work --- 💻 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.

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2024

In this video I discuss the meaning and symbolism of the title Lucifer, or the Morning Star, drawing on the Old and New Testament. How it is that this title both refers to Christ, as well as the Adversary? BOOKS Pre-order Jack and the Fallen Giants and GodsDog 2 at a discounted price. Limited stock of Snow White and the Widow Queen is also available for purchase: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com  SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSES: Don't miss out on our upcoming live courses hosted on the Symbolic World Circle community platform: - The Cognitive Science of Ritual with John Vervaeke, starting October 7: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-cognitive-science-of-ritual - Christian Wonder Tales with Martin Shaw, starting November 12: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/christian-wonder-tales 💻 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.

Transcribed - Published: 5 October 2024

John Vervaeke and I discuss the cognitive science of ritual: the many different aspects of ritual and its importance even in the pursuit of reason, among sacred and secular spaces, to mark time and identity, to establish transformation, and more! John is truly making headway in giving us the concepts and vocabulary to understand symbolic and ritual participation across different participatory levels. Enjoy! Join us for John Vervaeke's new live course: The Cognitive Science of Ritual. The 6 weeks of lectures start on Oct 7th. Involved patrons get 10% discount. Apply code at checkout. Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-cognitive-science-of-ritual Visit our brand new Symbolic World Store now to buy and pre-order our books, like Snow White and the Widow Queen (limited time offer), our new upcoming fairy tale book Jack and the Fallen Giants, GodsDog: Moster and Warrior, digital products, prints, and more: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com  🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:51 - Intro music 01:17 - Introduction to Cognitive Science 04:16 - Ritual and an advent of the sacred 06:18 - Meaningful ritual 08:23 - Why work against ritual? 14:07 - Replace religious with civic 15:47 - Hermeneutics of suspicion 18:24 - Progressive rituals 23:23 - Transformation 27:51 - Marking identity 36:17 - Ritual as space Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2024

This conversation is in part John Vervaeke's response to my previous video with Jordan Hall (The End of Strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnR2PYtLLnI) where we discussed Jordan's recent conversion to Christianity. John fires up some questions, and we discuss different aspects of sensemaking and religious structures to answer the question: Why Christianity? Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/Vp_08T0Ucik REGISTER TODAY FOR OUR NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE WITH JOHN VERVAEKE: The Cognitive Science of Ritual. Live classes start on October 7th, 2024, 2-4 pm EST on the Symbolic World Circle community. This is a 6-week, 12-hour online course. All lesson recordings will be made available afterward and all materials will be provided. The final lesson will be co-hosted by Jonathan Pageau in a Q&A format. All patrons at the Involved tier or higher get a 10% discount; see your unique code at the top of the course page and apply at checkout: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-cognitive-science-of-ritual Join Jonathan Pageau, Jordan Hall, John Heers, and others in Florida for an exclusive, intimate weekend filled with leisure and hospitality. This November event is a fundraiser for First Things Foundation. Learn more: https://first-things.org/aot  💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:42 - Intro music 02:07 - Introduction 05:07 - John's pov on Jonathan and Jordan's conversation 08:49 - Why Christian faith? 15:38 - Jordan's answer: the Ultimate Map 18:27 - The current dialogos 21:10 - Jonathan: The Christian Escatological map 25:52 - Jordan: Relationship to Jesus 32:20 - Grief and the qualities of love 37:40 - Jonathan: Particularity beyond duality 41:43 - Jordan: A deeper capacity to suffer 44:49 - John: Being is good / Not escape 46:54 - Jonathan: Theosis 49:25 - What if this is a crypto-egoism? 55:26 - Is this the grounding of your Christian faith? 01:01:29 - Zen: Does the infinite love you? 01:11:39 - Intimacy 01:22:18 - We can't be meta 01:27:47 - Universalism 01:29:01 - We each have our callings 01:30:21 - John and Christianity Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 19 September 2024

I had a wonderful time talking with Jordan Hall, who has recently converted to Christianity from a secular worldview. We talk about his conversation, societal engineering, artificial intelligence, and the fundamental distinction between vertical and horizontal qualities. We also talk about the problem of delusion, how to know what’s real, the meaning of faith and memory, using technology safely, and not getting lost in our daily life problems. Don't miss my and Richard Rohlin's new 5-week live course on Dante's Divine Comedy: Purgatorio. Classes started August 27th, but you can still join us. Involved patrons get 10% discount. Apply your unique code at checkout. https://thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio  Follow Jordan Hall: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanGreenhall/featured Medium: https://medium.com/deep-code X: https://x.com/jgreenhall 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2024

In this week's video I discuss what a miracle is, looking at different examples but especially at the miracles of Christ. A miracle is not just an extraordinary event, rather it's an event that reveals and restores matter to its true identity and meaning. Thank you for your continued support.  My course with Richard Rohlin on Dante's Purgatorio has kicked off and is currently taking place live on Tuesdays 2-5 pm EST. Consider joining us on this extraordinary journey through Dante's Divine Comedy. Patrons at the Involved tier or higher get 10% off -  apply your discount code at the checkout. Register now: https://thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio 🔗 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.

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

Dr. Nathan Jacobs is an academic, artist, and filmmaker. In this conversation, we discuss where reason, rationality, and discernment fit into the mystical experience and how the modern world has mistakenly divorced reason and mysticism. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/BlB1EkTaxpg Check out the Nathan Jacobs Podcast:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast/id1747994475 Nathan's website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Join me and Richard Rohlin for our new Universal History course on Dante’s Divine Comedy: Purgatorio. Patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for 10% discount. Apply your unique discount code at checkout. Class starts August 27th. Register today: https://thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio  🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:46 - Intro music 02:10 - Introduction 03:09 - What's happening? 13:12 - Intuitions and tangibility 17:30 - The synopsis 21:25 - A cognitive minority 24:58 - Joe Rogan and the pre-rational 27:30 - Transpersonal agency 31:02 - Everybody believes in ghosts 39:56 - The question of realism 45:52 - The Mind 50:42 - Overcoming skepticism 56:07 - The Son of Man 01:00:24 - Naming 01:03:57 - The focal point of man 01:17:49 - The Nathan Jacobs Podcast Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2024

In this episode of the Universal History podcast with Richard Rohlin, we discuss the surprising Irish origin of the medieval notion of purgatory, why it's understandable that purgatory is part of the medieval experience, its relevance to our lives today, and how Dante presents purgatory in a new, more optimistic way in his Divine Comedy. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/XBdXgwl1VYU Remember to like and share. And don't miss our upcoming course on Dante's Purgatorio, starting August 27th. Involved patrons get a 10% discount. Your unique code is at the top of the course page if you log in. Apply at checkout. https://thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio  Timestamps:  00:00 - Coming up 01:11 - Intro music 01:37 - Introduction 04:23 - Ireland in the medieval period 13:31 - History for the Irish 20:15 - A lyrical approach 23:51 - Magical realism 29:37 - Ireland's rigour 37:34 - The popular medieval belief of Purgatory 40:25 - The Irish Penitentials 43:03 - Purification after death 50:20 - Avoid purgatory 51:06 - Descriptions of purgatory 54:57 - The problem statement 01:07:03 - Dante's purgatory 01:09:04 - The best defense for purgatory 01:17:15 - Bringing it home 🔗 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.

Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2024

This is a complement to my previous video where I explained the symbolism of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony (linked below). This time I discuss the latest Olympic controversy in the women's boxing division where the gender of boxers was called into question. It's related to the same message of the opening ceremony; I argue that gender ambiguity is being weaponized against the public to challenge societal boundaries, gaslight, win a supposed moral upper hand, and thereby perpetuate the culture war. It's important to be able to see these patterns in public discourse and not to get carried away in our opposing camps. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/KR0Wf6ukgHY Symbolism Explained: The Olympics Opening Ceremony is Worse than You Thought: https://youtu.be/rckBhO23cIA?si=5Yew13kVoDsyhgI4 Don't miss my and Richard Rohlin's new upcoming course on Dante's Divine Comedy. Involved patrons get 10% discount. Apply your unique code at checkout: https://thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio  🔗 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.

Transcribed - Published: 8 August 2024

In this video, I discuss the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony and its drag Dionysian representation of The Last Supper, I discuss why specifically the images of Dionysus and the Last Supper were used, other elements of the opening, the purpose and meaning of such symbolic demonstrations, and finally, the question of intent. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/rckBhO23cIA Join me and Richard Rohlin for our new course on Dante's Divine Comedy covering Purgatorio. Involved patrons qualify for a 10% discount. Apply code at checkout. https://thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio  💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 31 July 2024

In this conversation, American philosopher and author Peter Boghossian picks my brain about my beliefs, religion, its purpose and truth claims, the origin of the universe, and the meaning of gods or higher beings. We also discuss doubt, the efficacy of prayer, and the effects of meaning. Enjoy! Peter's work: https://linktr.ee/peterboghossian 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2024

After publishing a recent video commenting on Alex O'Connor's conversation with Jordan Peterson regarding Genesis, I decided to make June 2024's patron-only video public. In this video, I delve deeper into another question that came up in the discussion about whether God actually wanted Adam and Eve to eat the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Bad in the Garden of Eden. To answer this question, I draw from St. Ephrem the Syrian’s wonderful book, Hymns on Paradise. For more videos like this one, please consider supporting us financially at https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  A Comment on Alex O’Connor’s Conversation with JBP - Do Adam and Eve Die After They Eat the Fruit?: https://youtu.be/cnsUT97VSeA Buy St. Ephrem the Syrian's Hymns on Paradise: https://www.amazon.com/St-Ephrem-Syrian-Hymns-Paradise/dp/0881410764 --- 🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 17 July 2024

This is the first of a series of Universal History episodes about Ireland! Richard Rohlin discusses a book called The Book of Invasions, which tells of the origin of Ireland. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/PBNkmLxUYHk 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2024

In this short meditation, I explore the meaning of the Fall in secular terms, and the mistake atheists make in understanding their own placement.  Course on Dante's Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses-pages/dantes-inferno Support us for exclusive content and benefits: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2024

Seraphim Hamilton is an Orthodox theologian who is committed to helping others understand the deep and profound ways that the inspired Scriptures bear witness- in Old and New Testaments- of Jesus Christ as the center and culmination of the human story. He received a Master of Arts in Theology and Classics from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Theology from Duke University. He posts regular Scriptural reflections five days a week at his substack and addresses a variety of subjects on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/kabane Substack: https://seraphimhamilton.substack.com/ In this discussion with Seraphim, we talk about the book as a symbol. We discuss the Book of Life in Revelation, Scripture itself, literacy in early Christendom, the use of the codex over the scroll, the sacraments and sacred objects, memory, supplementarity, and more. Enjoy! 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2024

In this video, I interview Stephen Meyer about evolution, intelligent design, Darwinianism, the advent of the biological information age, and how it changed the debate about the origins of life. We discuss the questions of what life and mind are, and how pattern and mind are part of and participate in creation. A former geophysicist and college professor, Stephen C. Meyer now directs Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture in Seattle. He has gained recent popularity about his perspective on evolution and appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Learn more about Steve's work and books: https://stephencmeyer.org/ YouTube version: https://youtu.be/aHCALnvOBq4 Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:15 - Intro music 01:39 - Introduction 02:31 - The appearance of intelligent design 05:43 - Fine-tuning and complexity 08:36 - The biological information age 11:58 - Creative constraints 14:36 - Mind and natural selection 17:29 - Functional sequences 23:55 - What is life? 30:20 - Pattern 36:23 - Methodological materialism 41:38 - Panpsychism 45:35 - What is mind? 49:47 - Simulation experiments 56:02 - Media interest 1:02:26 - New atheism 1:07:55 - Emergence 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe   📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 22 June 2024

This video is an in-depth discussion of the biblical and symbolic inspiration for Christian architecture. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/isAMeVKJhlg Support us at http://www.thesymbolicworld.com for more videos like this and please like and share if you find it of value. Related content: Alex O'Connor: The Problem With Secular Architecture - Jonathan Pageau: https://youtu.be/z2Mugv29ih0?si=b4UFdfmJ1hppX5xf Timestamps:  00:00 - Intro music 00:26 - Introduction and Scripture 02:50 - The keystone 04:48 - The capstone and the dome 07:26 - Circle and square 10:24 - Church architecture in Rome 13:14 - Fractals 16:27 - Western structures 17:39 - Finding the dome: Pendentives 23:17 - Ezekiel's vision 28:02 - Two cherubs 29:11 - The church 30:58 - Two aspects of Christ 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2024

The best way to purchase our books at the moment is through the GodsDog: Warrior Kickstarter pre-order store: https://godsdog-warrior.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/630859 This is a talk I did for the 2024 National Symposium for Classical Education that took place in March 2024, presented by Great Hearts Institute. Our old stories have been remembered, retold, and refined in different guises for thousands of years. For that very reason, what we consider Fairy Tales, although at first glance fanciful and absurd, contain patterns of attention, of harmony and disharmony, what Pythagoras called the Music of the Spheres. For being remembered and retold, they hold a key to what is important to us as humans. We will explore these patterns of consciousness, how stories frame and underlie our experiences with rhythm, how they shape us and our children by attention and care. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/nKJuKPB7WYg 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 8 June 2024

Do Adam and Eve die after eating the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Bad in the Garden of Eden? In this video, I comment on a question  @CosmicSkeptic  asked  @JordanBPeterson  in their recent conversation concerning the meaning of death and the Fall in Genesis. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/cnsUT97VSeA Jordan Peterson's conversation with Alex O'Connor: Navigating Belief, Skepticism, and the Afterlife | Alex O'Connor @CosmicSkeptic | EP 451: https://youtu.be/T0KgLWQn5Ts?si=fz68xgZdsj0aqUz9 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2024

In this video, I cover the symbolism behind skateboarding, surfing, the image of the horse and rider, the chariot, and Ezekiel’s vision. Original YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stqiG9vtZaQ 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2024

In this conversation with Paul Kingsnorth, we discuss his main takeaways from his Substack series on The Machine, technology, artificial intelligence and silicon valley, civilization, principalities, the act of creation and desiring to be God, yet also creating the space for our annihilation. We also touch on environmentalism, storytelling, and art, including Tolkien and The Matrix. Enjoy. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/BCIRA9wRkIA His Substack: https://paulkingsnorth.substack.com/ Join me and Richard Rohlin for the Symbolic World course on Dante's Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses-pages/dantes-inferno Previous conversations with Paul Kingsnorth: - Civilization and Control: https://youtu.be/QetAHfg7w8s?si=mVSI0fOTFiroIwTb  - Environmentalism, the Tower of Babbel, and the Disintegration of Culture: https://youtu.be/uqDWGdJJx1Y?si=At5HMZaDohzgAFvm Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:01 - Intro music 01:26 - Introduction 02:11 - What are your main insights? 07:19 - Can this serve God? 10:53 - Become dependent on tools 13:05 - The god of economy 14:44 - The short history of progress 16:05 - No conspiracy needed 19:35 - A desire to supplant us 22:12 - Theosis 24:27 - Making vs giving birth 27:02 - Creation myths 28:09 - The environmental narrative 35:54 - How has your perception on story changed? 39:33 - Changing Paul's writing 41:47 - Language and AI in Writing 45:32 - The Influence of art 53:19 - Tolkien and a simple ending 56:54 - New stories 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2024

This is a talk I gave for Ralston College on the Icon of the Last Judgement, exploring Orthodox Christian imagery to understand ontology, theology, and how identity, symbolism, and fractals work in the medieval worldview. Youtube version: https://youtu.be/APFPO4LXFIs Ralston College website: https://www.ralston.ac/  Ralston College: Rethinking the Last Judgment: Cosmic Symbolism & the Metaphor for Self-Discovery | @JonathanPageau: https://youtu.be/30nx25GjCYI?si=D0nB-5iLQkycrJlQ  --- 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau  🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe  📱 SOCIAL MEDIA   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2024