Archetypes
Some symbolic patterns appear again and again in cultures that never met. The Institute tracks these archetypes — and pays closest attention to where the same form carries opposite meaning.
How to read a source: documented a dated record, a named author, a standards texttraditional long held within a tradition; no primary recordfolk widely repeated, unsupported — printed here to be corrected
Tree axis, life, descent Mountain centre, ascent, encounter River time, flux, boundary Gate threshold, transition Sun source, authority, life Dragon power — and its reversal Serpent healing, deceit, eternity, creation Eye protection, and being watched Moon the first calendar, and the first excuse Cross the least distinctive mark there is Circle & Spiral closure against return Star three symbols wearing one name