22: Symbols.
"In a symbol lies concealment or revelation."—Carlyle.
1. Symbols are intended for:—
a. The little evolved.  They teach great truths in simple form.
b. The bulk of humanity.  They preserve truth intact and embody cosmic facts.
c. The pupils of the Masters.  They develop intuition.
2. Symbolic books in the Master's archives used for instruction.  These books are interpreted:—
a. By their colour.
b. By their position, i.e. above, on and beneath a line.
c. By their connection with each other.
d. By their key.  One page may be read four ways:—
1. From above downwards...involution.
2. From beneath upwards...evolution.
3. Right to left...greater cycles, etc.
4. Left to right...lesser cycles.
3. The three keys:—
1. Cosmic interpretation.  The symbols standing for cosmic facts.  i.e., Darkness.  Light.  The cross.  The triangle.
2. Systemic interpretation.  Dealing with evolution of system and all therein.
3. Human interpretation.  Dealing with man himself.  The cross of humanity.  Seven-branched candlestick.
4. Four kinds of symbols:—
1. Symbols of extraneous objects physical...plane things.
2. Symbols of emotional nature...astral plane things; pictures.
3. Numerical symbolism...Lower mental.  Man used himself to count by.
4. Geometrical symbolism...abstract symbolism, higher mental.