Semiphoras: symbolic work is not superstition

Semiphoras may arouse suspicion in those who approach anything that falls outside the realm of the visible and the measurable with scepticism. The initial impression can understandably be misleading: symbols, rituals, and visual elements that, for many, evoke associations with esoteric mysticism or archaic magic.

But Semiphoras does not rest on superstition.

At its core lies no belief in an external force that would resolve matters on our behalf. Rather, it is a psychologically structured way of engaging with emotions, images, and meanings intrinsic to human experience—dimensions that cannot be resolved through rational analysis alone. The central premise of Semiphoras is the exploration of the deep structures of the human mind, the unconscious, and experiential understanding through the use of symbolism. At the same time, it acknowledges that reality is larger than the human being. We do not control or fully comprehend everything, yet we can still experience its effects.

Consciously between two worlds

Semiphoras operates in the space where rational thought meets the human, experiential, and symbolic way of making sense of life. It does not take sides between reason and symbolic reality, but recognises that human beings inhabit both simultaneously. Semiphoras does not attempt to dissolve this tension; it stands consciously between them.

Many people are already aware of this, yet hesitate for fear of appearing foolish or unprofessional. Semiphoras exists precisely for this fear. This is a path that runs through the middle of two worlds, and walking it requires courage and the capacity to remain in a state of not-knowing—so that one can stay open to new forms of understanding.

Superstition and symbolic work are not the same

It is essential to distinguish superstition from symbolic work. Superstition is fundamentally rooted in fear and in the desire to control what cannot be controlled. It relies on the idea that certain objects or actions, in and of themselves, produce a desired outcome. Symbolic work, by contrast, is primarily oriented towards an individual’s inner process. It concerns how a person relates to themselves and to their life, and how they act on that basis.

In symbolic work, objects and actions are consciously understood as mirrors and tools through which a person organises psychological material and supports inner change. A talisman, for example, does not act on behalf of the individual or absolve them of responsibility. Rather, it functions as an anchor that gathers intention, will, focus, and meaning into a single point, helping to orient action and experience towards what one seeks to strengthen.

Symbols are therefore not instruments for manipulating reality, but a language through which the deepest layers of the human psyche express themselves. They arise from an archetypal level where the individual and collective dimensions of the psyche come into contact. In Jungian psychology, symbols are not interpreted mechanically nor assigned a single, fixed meaning. They unfold in layers and speak experientially. To paraphrase Carl Jung, human beings do not invent symbols; they emerge from the deep strata of the psyche, where the individual and the collective, the psychological and the spiritual, intertwine in a way that has characterised the human species throughout history.

Working with symbols is a way of understanding one’s inner world that is neither rational nor irrational—it is transrational. It goes beyond reason without rejecting it. It is a means of surpassing the limits of rationality when those limits are reached, while still recognising the value of reason. Symbolic work explores a different level of reality: the symbolic structure of the human mind and of lived experience.

The human mind is not merely a logical mechanism

In Western thought, development is often equated with analytical ability, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. These are undoubtedly important skills. Without them, we cannot function in a shared reality. But they do not encompass the whole of being human. Logical thinking alone is insufficient for psychological integration or spiritual growth. Psychological development and inner growth require something more: the ability to enter the depths of experience without the need to understand everything immediately.

The human mind operates on multiple levels. This is essential. Some experience is linguistic and conceptual, but a significant portion is non-verbal and organised through bodily sensations and imagery. It is a human necessity that the mind is also allowed to play, imagine, listen, and open itself to that which cannot be directly grasped through words or chains of logical inference.

From a psychological perspective, symbolic work supports the mind’s capacity to process what words and rational analysis cannot reach. Many life situations—grief, transitions, inner conflicts—are difficult to articulate directly. When a person works with symbols, images, and ritualised actions, space is given for the unconscious to participate in the process. This can generate new insights, ease anxiety, and allow experience to organise itself in ways that could not have been anticipated.

The capacity to surrender to experiential, non-rational work is one of the signs of a mature adult mind. It does not imply naïvety or a rejection of reality, but trust in the fact that not everything must be resolved through control. In such moments, insights are not merely intellectual; they are lived experiences that permeate the whole being and may leave an imprint that cannot be forgotten.

Experiential work as a different form of intelligence

Experiential work represents a different kind of intelligence, as it integrates thought with the mind’s ability to connect emotions, bodily responses, and meanings into a coherent whole. Many adults—particularly those accustomed to a strongly rational worldview—find it difficult to surrender to processes in which logical reasoning is not the primary guide. Yet it is often precisely this surrender that enables profound inner transformation.

Psychologically, it is of great significance that a person allows themselves experiences that cannot be explained through logic alone. The human mind is not merely a rational machine, but a symbolically oriented whole that requires a multilayered language to understand itself. For many adults, this proves surprisingly difficult. A mind habituated to control and analysis easily feels unsafe in situations where meaning emerges slowly and indirectly. And yet it is often in precisely these situations that the deepest change takes place.

Play as a vital function of the adult mind

Play is often regarded as something belonging to childhood, but psychologically it is a vital function for adults as well. Carl Jung emphasised the importance of play and imagination in spiritual development. Play is a creative space in which the psyche can experiment, explore, and reshape its inner reality without performance pressure or the constraints of logic. An adult who has lost the capacity to play has lost contact with the creative dimension of their psyche.

Symbolic work is precisely this kind of play: serious, yet at the same time liberating. It is a mature ability to move between different levels of consciousness. An adult capable of this is by no means naïve. They are psychologically flexible and able to tolerate uncertainty.

What about transcendence?

Symbolic work can also open experiences that may be described as transcendent. In such moments, a person may experience a shift beyond the everyday, ego-centred perspective and feel a connection to something greater than themselves—meaning, connectedness, or deep presence. These experiences are not mystical in the superstitious sense of the word, but occur when the psyche finds integration and recognises itself as part of a larger whole.

For some, this larger whole is nature, the universe, or a cosmic order. For others, it is divinity. In all cases, the encounter involves a decentring of the self: the individual is no longer the centre of their own mental universe, but part of a broader, meaningful totality.

Many also experience a sense of the sacred—a moment in which inner experience acquires a rare clarity and purity, and one feels connected to something that transcends the ordinary sense of self. Psychologically, such experiences can strengthen a sense of purpose in life, increase hope, and support the integration of identity. They are important because everyday life often contains few such moments, and yet the mind requires them as part of its inner balance and overall wellbeing.

It is evident that reality is larger than the human being and that there are dimensions we do not yet understand. Semiphoras does not prescribe what anyone must believe about this. Its practice is structured so that both the non-believer and the believer can occupy the same space. One may see everything as a psychological process; another may also perceive a connection to a spiritual reality. What matters is that such experiences can support the development of the self, strengthen a sense of purpose, and enhance psychological balance.

Between two worlds – and therefore necessary

This is psychologically wise, because the human being is not only a thinking entity, but a feeling, experiencing, and meaning-making whole. Semiphoras is a step towards a more integrated humanity.