Heavenly Handfuls

Heavenly Handfuls

Mudras & Hand Symbolism: Hand Symbolism & Beliefs Part 3

[Note: This document contains images which can be seen as originally published on our website]

As a support for our statement above, we can mention the Tarot cards as an example. These esoteric cards nowadays degraded to a method of divination, was actually a training manual to promote one's spiritual and divine expression in the world of matter. The pictorial diagrams the major and minor arcana has secrets the casual operator of the maps are not aware of. When properly understood the Tarot cards take us step by step towards our goal of human perfection through the alchemical process.

After hiding the initiates of the Mystery Schools were rapidly appropriate the popular religions to embody their secret doctrines and practices. Not only are satanic elements quick to jump on the bandwagon of mental institutions, angelic forces are adept at letting the Dark Ones think they have the upper hand while in the meantime the reorganization of the army and the infiltration of stealth-like in their religious camp upsurped forces of Light. Like Dante, angelic consciousness books their spiritual wisdom with the help of Christian iconography wrote, or the multi-genius painters like Leonardo Da Vinci, who represented major occult rules in his work of art using Christian themes. Composers also cleverly inserted formulas and mystical teachings in their symphonies, concertos, operas and sonatas. As an example, track, "The Magic Flute" by Mozart comes to mind. However, what is important here is that occult exuberant characters portrayed in the graphic arts, and we would do well to focus on that.

Above we mentioned Da Vinci, the doctrine conveyed in his art works. There were many others, such as Albrecht Durer, Fra. Angelico and Raphael. The signs that these artists and many others around the world for countless generations are represented in their paintings and drawings were related to the secrets of initiation and the process of spiritual development, where human genius IQ, creativity, morality, and holiness were raised to a sublime degree. The ancient Greeks, Chinese, Hindus and many other cultures and civilizations all had their initiates who were highly developed mentally, morally and spiritually – these men and women were far beyond their time and lay people viewed them as demi-gods and glorifies them.

The artists and craftsmen of the secret Mystery Schools made use of almost all material available for transporting the metaphysical doctrines of the Ancient Wisdom, such as papyri, stone, bronze, terracotta, clay, mosaics, ivory, enamel, stained glass, gemstones, crystal, cloth, wood, canvas, tiles, leather, etc.

The most striking feature of the art works of the initiates of the Mystery Schools were the hand signs and this was known as the sign of Old Age transferred by age, culture to culture. JSM Ward made a thorough study of the secret sign language and in his book, "the sign language of the Mysteries," he identifies a Some of these hand signs and gestures to mainly be found in Christian art, although by no means limited to Christianity. Ward in his book offers many examples of each sign. He explains that these hand poses are found throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, India, Oceania, the Americas, ancient Crete, Polynesia, Babylonia, etc. In short, throughout the world. Under the hand signs that he discusses are:

Sign of Preservation

Sign of faith

Sign of Distress / Surrender

Sign of death

Sign of Praise

Sign of the Heart

Sign of Prayer

Sign of Benediction or Blessing

Sign of Secrecy

Sign of Exultation

Sign of respect

Sign of Sacrifice

Sign of Heaven and Earth

Sign of Despair / Regret

There are many variations of this sign. Basically it is made by placing one hand over the heart and raising the other in a corner near the elbow with the hand pointing upwards. In some forms, it is the index finger which points skyward. In most depictions of this sign is left instead of right is raised. There are many instances of this pose in Egyptian art. The Egyptologist, EA Wallis Budge, interprets the hieroglyph with this sign as Hen, or "praise." The god Anubis is often depicted with this hand position, and murals in the palaces and tombs of the pharaohs often illustrate followers of Ra with this important gesture. This character is also found in the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. In Christian art, Jesus is often depicted on the basis of many occult hand signs, among these is the sign of Detention. Damuzi the sun god of the Babylonians during the descent into the underworld again this sign state, as shown on certain items. In his aforementioned book, JSM Ward tells of a Roman sarcophagus in the Bardo Museum, Tunis, with the emergence of Jonah from the whale to him by the mouth for three days and making the sign of Detention – in fact, indicating that his life was saved. Among the mystical Islamic sects, the Whirling Dervishes appropriate the use this important hand pose in their ceremonial rites and practices. In archaic times, was the sign of Preservation by those petitioning the deity for the preservation of self or someone else, and with the strong conviction that the request was granted. In contrast to this, was also employed by those of high spiritual attainment ensure others of their salvation. In Christianity it is often associated with the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Sign of faith

This board looks like with the sign of Detention except that the hand pointing upward is not perpendicular to a corner and not pointing to the sky. It points outwards away from the body. Like the previous sign, many examples such are found spread all over the world.

Sign of Distress / Surrender

When two hands are raised above the head with the elbows bent – this is known as the sign of distress. This is one of those universal hand signs, and it seems almost human nature to throw hands in the air when in despair or when faced with overwhelming pressure as a sign of psychological turmoil and the "give-in" to a particular situation, or if you feel helpless. Therefore it is not surprising when we use such a sign can be found throughout the world as depicted in art, and experiential in daily life. This sign is a call for Aid and universal, like many of the other characters in this section. Its use can be traced as early as 3000 BC Quetzalcoatl, one of the gods of the Maya, is sometimes depicted with this hand shapes.

Sign of death

This hand sign is associated with the throat chakra, or psychic center. It involves placing the using the edge or left or right by the throat. The thumb points directly at the throat itself. It's actually a moving gesture is performed by moving through the cut in the throat to cut. This sign suggests that something must be stopped or slain, or the dead. The ancient Romans and Egyptians were well acquainted with this character and in some Christian paintings of the crucifixion, the disciple John the Beloved is shown with this sign of cutting the throat while standing before the crucified Jesus. Arabs and Sudanese use This character uttering swear their innocence, that God should cut their throats, they tell a lie. Several American Indian tribes used this as a sign form of address meaning that they are "true or real death."

This sign is similar to the sign of distress, except that the hands raised above his head, but extended forward in front of the body inclined upward with the hands facing out and elbows bent. This is also a greeting sign and the first start of the salaam gesture of the Arabs.

Sign of the Heart

This sign is achieved by placing the hand over the heart. A survival This gesture in modern times is the bending of a gentleman to a lady with his hand to his heart as a greeting of respect, or if it was customary in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, a man to remove his hat and placed in the heart region when greeting the opposite sex. This is a gray character. It is found in ancient Egypt, Rome, and even in Crete the Minoan period. It is also evident in the mosaic art of many ancient churches and cathedrals. The meaning of this sign is a bit unclear. It has been suggested that the mean belief or faith. However, the placement of the hand on the heart is a suspect and say that the finer feelings of a person concerned is transferred to the object of his attention or affection.

Sign of Prayer

This is probably the best known of the ecclesiastical characters that is used by the lay person. It consists of placing palms of the hands with the fingertips pointing in an upward direction. Another sign of Prayer is the folding of the hands together intertwining the fingers.

In Christianity, this character is mainly used by the priests. It is used by priests to devote to bless people and objects. To to accept this sign, the third and fourth fingers are folded on the palms with the forefinger and middle finger held upright. The thumb can also build or it can be folded on the ring finger. The significance of the right thumb and first two fingers in the act of blessing is the grace, virtue and power of the Holy Trinity are transported. Occult, subtle energies resulting from the stronger hands are at the endpoints of these figures than they are on the ring finger and pinky.

Sign of Secrecy

This is a sign that survived to contemporary times, and can be seen in everyday life. It probably originated in Egypt during the heyday of the mystery schools. This board was associated with Horus, or Harpocrates – one of the forms of Horus. This sign is performed by placing a finger on his lips as if to seal it. Its meaning is that of secrecy and silence. In the mystery schools Initiates were pledged to a vow of secrecy, never revealing the secrets of the Temple, unless authorized. Even today, the following command to find occult schools: "know, dare, do, and be silent."

If one or both of the hands can be seen on the solar plexus in religious art, means destruction. We can understand the meaning of this sign when viewed from a metaphysical perspective. The solar plexus chakra is a storehouse of powerful energies that can be used for good or ill. When this center is awakened early in the life of a disciple, it can cause problems that the student has not yet equipped to handle. Physical, physiological and psychological – not to mention karmic problems – can occur when a student foolishly encourages center. The solar plexus chakra an emotional focus and by polarized on this level can have difficulty breaking away from the lower instinctive and selfish nature. The student can be destroyed by this center postponed and evolutionary progress, so the hand gesture to the solar plexus came to be associated with destruction. There are countless examples of the Mark of Destruction in Art. In India, Shiva, the destroyer is often depicted with this gesture. Many Greek and Christian art-forms also characters with this sign.

Sign of Exultation

This pose hand is a sign of joy and satisfaction, it is done by extending the hands above the head with the fingertips of your hands. Although not as numerous as some of the other signs, there are a few examples of this in Christian art. In China, the Hung Society uses this character to represent metal element.

Sign of respect

Reverence in the sign language of the Mysteries, is indicated by the shading of the eyes by hand, or left or right. In some variations of this sign complete eye covered. This sign originated in cultures where it was rude to go directly to the manager, for example, a soldier would sign as a greeting to a superior officer. Another possible origin of this sign is the experiences had by the blessed people in angelic visitations. The presence of these spiritual beings compels the viewer to protect their eyes against the angelic look. This hand gesture is not unique to one race it is to be found all across the globe – Ceylon, Australia, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Sign of Horror

One of the most dramatic signs, the gesture of horror is created by extending the right hand, palm outward, while the head clockwise as if refusing to see anything offensive or frightening. The left hand is this gesture point outwards in a downward direction as if trying to expel something. Examples of this character in the art can be seen in the Vatican and in the British Museum.

This sign consists of the movement of arms on the chest with the fingertips of the right hand on left shoulder and the fingertips of the left hand on the right shoulder. This gesture is sometimes depicted with the right hand over left, but the reverse is considered a more appropriate representation, according to tradition. This is another one of those signs that have their origin in the mystery schools of Egypt. The god Osiris and the images that Egyptian pharaohs are often depicted in this pose by craftsmen. For some particular reason the Egyptians buried their dead in this way, hands the mummy crossed on their chest. Even the sarcophagus and mummy of the deceased cases with a pictorial likeness of those with the same sign. In the Renaissance, artists frequently depicted Mother Mary with a similar hand-deliver. Like many hand gestures described herein, the Sign of Resignation generates a certain occult power of which we will discuss later In an upcoming article as we apply and take the character in our mudra practices. The occult function of a sign is as important as its esoteric meaning, perhaps more.

Sign of Heaven and Earth

This sign is done by extending a hand above the head pointing skywards, and the other extended downward to to earth. According to Ward, the significance of this character in Christianity is that man had descended to earth and later ascended to heaven. Or alternatively, ascended to the Heaven and later descended to earth. There are many examples of this symbol in Christian art related to the raising of Lazarus, the descent of Jesus into hell to rescue the people, and Jesus' resurrection. There are many variations of this sign. Sometimes the hand with her open palm is pointing up her fingers together, occasionally we find examples where the index finger pointing up, while the rest of the folded fingers on the palm. The British Museum has a collection of Babylonian objects where the sign of Heaven and Earth can be seen. In Greece are examples of this sign in connection with the Eleusinan mysteries.

Sign of Despair / Regret

Regret, despair and distress indicated by resting the head on the right hand and left arm, which lies horizontally across the solar plexus, supports the right elbow with his hand. Occasionally, this position is reversed. There does not seem to be a strict rule. In paintings with crucifixion themes, the Virgin Mary is often depicted with this hand position. There are examples of this sign of Persian and Greek origins preserved in museums around the world.

Having explained the various hand signs found in the art is appropriate if we were to emphasize the characters listed above, or merely symbolic gestures without occult meaning. It is not generally known that these indications of certain virtues as they modify, purify, generating step, and empowering one's aura or energy structure your environment in some subtle way. These boards are mudras with occult values. Mantras, incantations, liturgies and often accompanied by the signs. Most adherents of religion are not aware that their magical rites and ceremonies are actually invisible processes which in turn influences call. For example, making the sign of Conservation by the spiritually evolved occult practitioner, calls for spiritual and angelic forces that the person who protects the character is sent to. The sign assures applicants and recipients that they will be protected and preserved from negative psychic attack.

It's instinctive for people with specific physical and mental attitude when interacting with divine powers. We unconsciously feel with the hand signs and gestures to be effective in supporting establish a contact with higher intelligences, and requesting their intercession.

Hand-draw, or mudras are of great benefit to our wellbeing. Future Articles, therefore, we apply this mystical science in a practical way that can be practiced by the average person.

About the Author

Leonard Lee aka Luxamore
Metaphysical teacher, counseler, healer and merchant of occult/magickal items of Indonesia.
Magickal Items from Indonesia: talismans, mustika pearls, kerises, etc.
Magickal Bezoar Mustika Pearls from Indonesia.

5'-10 "life like baby dolls?

Where can I 5'-10 "life like baby dolls? I've seen what Ashton Drake called "Heavenly handfuls' but it's a little too pricey for what the object actually is … Also please dont say ebay. That is the obvious answer and I am already aware that an option. However, I am looking for a real website that specializes in these matters, or that there is a wide variety of these items http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-913462.jsp?Ashton. Here the type of collectible that I am looking for: Drake, heavenly handfuls + + / _prod / Endeca = true & _ & = ad abbr # Thanks! Good point! lol. Thanks!

The question should be 5 "to 10" (inch) dolls.

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