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The Symbolic World

The Symbolic World

By: Jonathan Pageau
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 Jonathan Pageau looks at symbolism in all its forms, from its source in sacred stories and images to contemporary culture and ultimately how it shapes the world we encounter.Copyright Jonathan Pageau Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • 415 - Charlie Kirk's Assassination: We have gone beyond the pale

    415 - Charlie Kirk's Assassination: We have gone beyond the pale
    Oct 10 2025
    Huge changes are happening in the political landscape. In this video, I reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and how this moment has deeply affected me toward recognizing how broken our unity has become. Drawing on symbolic insights, I explore the danger of turning opposition into real enmity and the need to return to truth, forgiveness, and higher purpose.

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

    The recent interview with my brother, Matthieu, that I mention in the video: https://youtu.be/8-RWp1_lSEM?si=flnni77ae94jpuD-

    The Symbolic World Enters Paradise
    Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso.
    -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours
    -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025
    -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time
    -Cost: 190 USD
    -Get 15% off with the early bird sale through all of October with the code: EARLYPARADISO
    -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso

    During October you can also get 50% off the Inferno and Purgatorio courses with the code: DANTE50
    -Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-inferno-the-course
    -Purgatorio: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
    🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    25 mins
  • 414 - Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin (Universal History) - American Folk Magic and Christianity: From the Reformation to Mormonism

    414 - Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin (Universal History) - American Folk Magic and Christianity: From the Reformation to Mormonism
    Oct 3 2025
    Enchantment never truly disappeared from the modern world.
    In this episode of Universal History Deacon Seraphim Rohlin and I explore the world of magic and folk superstition in American Christianity.

    What is magic? Where’s the line between prayer and magic? Why did Protestant reformers ban holy water but keep belief in the devil? How did treasure-hunting rituals lead to the rise of Mormonism?

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/o9rMy6lde0c

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Coming up
    00:37 - Intro music
    01:01 - Introduction
    04:54 - What is magic?
    08:46 - The modern & Enlightenment ideas of superstition
    11:00 - Prayers and psalms
    13:30 - The Reformation's perspective
    24:27 - Medieval understanding of superstition
    26:53 - Example: the French "Dog-saint"
    28:11 - Reformation conclusions
    33:37 - You have an embarrassing illness
    37:21 - Christian magic hacks
    46:29 - Manifestation
    52:03 - Scapegoating
    54:31 - Categories of magic
    56:47 - Divination
    04:30 - Water witching
    07:30 - Saint Porphyrios
    08:51 - Finding water
    09:57 - Finding other things
    11:44 - Money digging
    13:33 - How money digging works
    17:34 - The symbolism of the New World
    20:54 - Joseph Smith and Mormonism
    24:18 - The human need for 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: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 29 mins
  • 413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life

    413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life
    Sep 25 2025
    In this conversation, I sit down with author and educator Heidi White to discuss her new book, The Divided Soul. We explore the story of the prodigal son, the tension between duty and desire, and how these themes echo through literature, culture, and our own lives. Heidi shares insights from the Bible, classical works, and pop culture, showing that many stories reflect this deep human struggle.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/1LjDeZpSviw

    Buy Heidi’s book: https://www.goldberrypress.com/products/the-divided-soul-duty-and-desire-in-literature-and-life
    Heidi’s Substack and podcast: https://closereads.substack.com/
    Instagram: @heidiwhitereads

    📖 Let's take our stories back. Check out our latest book in the Tales for Now and Ever series, Rapunzel and the Evil Witch: https://rapunzelbook.com/

    Fr. Stephen De Young's Jubilees and the Nephilim course is now finished and available for purchase: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/jubilees-and-the-nephilim

    Timestamps
    00:00 - Coming up
    01:40 - Intro music
    02:04 - Introduction
    02:48 - The prodigal son
    05:32 - Duty and desire
    07:17 - Paradise as unity
    13:02 - Why the duality?
    17:36 - Sins of the right hand and the left hand
    20:49 - Ordering desire
    27:30 - Examples
    33:28 - Repentance and sacrifice
    38:04 - Christ's version of this pattern
    44:24 - Heidi's vision

    💻 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/
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
All stars
Most relevant
genuinely essential listening. pageau and guests navigate the way back from the utter destruction of materialism. symbolism happens!

extraordinary

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