The Symbolic World

Jonathan Pageau
  • 4.8 (847)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 11H AGO

    438 - Universal History: The American Religion: Making Way for Mormonism

    Magical beginnings, secular endings. In this episode of Universal History, Deacon Seraphim Rohlin and I start a discussion about early Mormonism (or rather, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) within the broader context of American religious history. We look at the enchanted religious world of early America — folk magic, treasure seeking, restorationism, the Melchizedek priesthood — and how these patterns shaped movements like Mormonism. We also reflect on the recurring American impulse to “restore” a lost spiritual authority, and the impulse to, on the other hand, make all things respectably secular. This is episode 4 of our Universal History series on the American religion. Watch it here on YouTube: Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVX4HUUPrIY_U0msyBRVpwCI_srzn3tjL Episode 1: https://youtu.be/htXHJ1WRSAg Episode 2: https://youtu.be/o9rMy6lde0c Episode 3: https://youtu.be/0_RKBPaQAyk Episode 4: https://youtu.be/ZopvdgYe-UA === Join us for the Symbolic World Summit 2026! Speakers include Fr. Josiah Trenham, Mary Harrington, Dn. Seraphim Rohlin, myself, and others. Date: May 14-16 Place: Broadview Heights, OH Buy your tickets now and get $50 off with the early bird sale through March 12th. Don't miss out! Hope to see you there: https://symbolicworldsummit.com/ === NEW COURSE: The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology By Joshua Sturgill What is heaven? Where is it? For ancient people, the answer was obvious: simply look up at the night sky. For them, to see the stars and planets was to see the face of the divine. Christianity, too, understood the visible sky as the realm of unfallen creation. What does this belief mean, and why was it lost? 🗓 Live classes are on Sundays at 5-6:30pm Eastern Time, starting February 1st through March 8th, 2026. 💰 Price: $150 USD (Involved patrons qualify for a 10% discount) ⏰ Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-art-of-imitating-heaven === Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:01 - Intro music 01:27 - The problem with talking about Mormonism 06:10 - Context for why to talk about this 13:26 - The Bible and magic 20:46 - The distinction in magic 25:55 - Enchanted practices 35:14 - Baptism for the dead 36:20 - Melchizedek priesthood 38:54 - Defining feature of American religion 41:28 - The charismatic narrative 42:43 - Hebrews 44:46 - Esoteric Enoch 45:52 - Secret garments 46:45 - The Whitmer family 51:24 - Joseph Smith 58:56 - Proscribed but practiced 01:02:52 - Many religious experiences 01:04:54 - The attitude to magic and miracles 01:09:24 - Magical beginning, secular end 01:16:40 - Long-lasting 🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau   🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast: -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5 -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488  Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    1h 23m

  2. 4D AGO

    437 - Making Space for the Resurrection of Art (Makers and Mystics)

    In this conversation, I sit down with Stephen Roach on the Makers and Mystics podcast to explore why our stories feel exhausted — and what that reveals about our cultural moment. We talk about the end of the post–World War II narrative, the collapse of the hero (and even the anti-hero), and how storytelling has drifted. We also discuss fairy tales, monsters, AI, and the future of art. Let me know what you think in the comments and come join us at the Breath and the Clay conference, a creative arts gathering in Winston Salem, NC March 20-22, 2026: http://www.thebreathandtheclay.com/ YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/Xbr6XQlspGQ ------------------------ Another opportunity to come together and meet is the Symbolic World Summit 2026! Speakers include Fr. Josiah Trenham, Mary Harrington, Dn. Seraphim Rohlin, myself, and others. Date: May 14-16 Place: Broadview Heights, OH Buy your tickets now and get $50 off with the early bird sale. Don't miss out: https://symbolicworldsummit.com/ Hope to see you there. 🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast: -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5 -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488  🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau   Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:21 - Intro music 01:47 - Introduction 03:08 - Narrative exhaustion 04:38 - End of the WW2 narrative 08:40 - Fairy tales 11:09 - Jonathan's retelling 13:17 - Art and ideology 17:41 - Complexity in religious art 21:32 - Trust in the audience 24:33 - Participation in art 28:27 - Distorted retellings 32:30 - Resistance of tyranny 35:28 - Identity and form 37:16 - Limitation and contemporary art 41:34 - AI art 44:11 - Human connection 45:30 - Making space Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    50 min

  3. FEB 19

    436 - Reflections on the Void: negativity and difference in the Bible and contemporary thinking

    In this episode I try to circle around something that is very difficult to speak about directly — the void. From the opening verses of Genesis, where the earth is described as “empty and void,” we are confronted with a mystery that runs through Scripture, philosophy, and our own experience. What is the “not that” which underlies being? Why has the modern world become so fascinated with negativity, difference, and alterity? And how do we understand the necessary — yet possibly dangerous — role of emptiness in the structure of reality? YouTube version: https://youtu.be/10DS7IxOVro 🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast: -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5 -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488  ============= NEW COURSE: The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology By Joshua Sturgill What is heaven? Where is it? For ancient people, the answer was obvious: simply look up at the night sky. For them, to see the stars and planets was to see the face of the divine. Christianity, too, understood the visible sky as the realm of unfallen creation. What does this belief mean, and why was it lost? 🗓 Live classes are on Sundays at 5-6:30pm Eastern Time, starting February 1st through March 8th, 2026. 💰 Price: $150 USD (Involved patrons qualify for a 10% discount) ⏰ Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-art-of-imitating-heaven =============== Mentioned: -Symbolism Explained: The Fundamental WWII Duality That Still Haunts Us Today: https://youtu.be/vLpEDlgEleg?si=w45xD3-uGdx2WOo4 -The World War II Consensus is Breaking Down: https://youtu.be/MfXxQW77cQA?si=7TnLlu7uq--Fej3D -GodsDog: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog -My recent video on the Parable of the Wedding Feast: https://youtu.be/YRMlQiNkSpE?si=JF3fy7RdFR8FtxO2 Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:03 - Intro music 01:28 - Introduction 05:22 - The role of the void 06:36 - The separation of heaven and earth 09:13 - Not that 11:18 - Let the earth produce 14:32 - Asking questions 16:07 - The ancient perspective 20:38 - Earth being earth 22:15 - The tree of good and bad 29:44 - What is sin? 32:37 - Examples of sin 33:53 - Judging difference 35:01 - Postmodern thinking 36:07 - Sadism and masochism 40:11 - The Mother of God 43:51 - Since WW2 48:08 - Outro 🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau   Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    52 min

  4. FEB 12

    435 - The Song of Creation (Charleston talk)

    In this talk at St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, I walk through the seven days of creation as presented in Genesis, exploring creation as a divine song: a rhythm of heaven and earth, light and darkness, above and below.  YouTube version: https://youtu.be/p2kb9ggwrp0 ============= NEW COURSE: The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology By Joshua Sturgill What is heaven? Where is it? For ancient people, the answer was obvious: simply look up at the night sky. For them, to see the stars and planets was to see the face of the divine. Christianity, too, understood the visible sky as the realm of unfallen creation. What does this belief mean, and why was it lost? 🗓 Live classes are on Sundays at 5-6:30pm Eastern Time, starting February 1st through March 8th, 2026. 💰 Price: $150 USD (Involved patrons qualify for a 10% discount) ⏰ Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-art-of-imitating-heaven =============== Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:57 - Intro music 01:22 - Introduction 05:18 - Day 1 15:20 - Day 2 21:53 - Day 3 33:34 - Day 4 38:31 - Day 5 45:51 - Day 6 🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive montly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau   Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/  My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    1h 5m

  5. FEB 12

    434 - Immigration and Tolerance: Christians Are Not Called to Be “Nice”

    Many are called. Not all are chosen. There is a widespread idea that Christianity is about being “nice,” endlessly tolerant, and endlessly open. But that idea does not survive a careful reading of the Gospel. In this video, I look at the parable of the Wedding Feast and explain why Christ’s invitation to everyone does not mean the acceptance of everything. Using this parable, I explore how compassion can become weaponized, how inclusion without a standard of conformity leads to chaos, and why both churches and nations must have limits if they are to remain what they are. This is not a political argument, but a symbolic and theological one—about how bodies, communities, and kingdoms actually function. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/YRMlQiNkSpE ============= NEW COURSE: The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology By Joshua Sturgill What is heaven? Where is it? For ancient people, the answer was obvious: simply look up at the night sky. For them, to see the stars and planets was to see the face of the divine. Christianity, too, understood the visible sky as the realm of unfallen creation. What does this belief mean, and why was it lost? 🗓 Live classes are on Sundays at 5-6:30pm Eastern Time, starting February 1st through March 8th, 2026. 💰 Price: $150 USD (Involved patrons qualify for a 10% discount) ⏰ Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-art-of-imitating-heaven =============== 💻 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/

    21 min

  6. JAN 30

    433 - Symbolism Happens! The Mandela Effect Is Not a Glitch in the Matrix

    I explore the Mandela Effect from a symbolic perspective. The Mandela Effect is a psychological phenomenon where a large group of people collectively share the same false memory of an event, detail, or pop culture fact. It has stirred up conspiracy theories about parallel timelines and simulation theory. In this video I suggest the possibility that it's a strength, rather than a weakness, of human cognition - a sign of how consciousness forms coherence, how legends accumulate, and how symbols shape the way we see and remember the world. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/B-x5Ze04YEI ============= NEW COURSE: The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology By Joshua Sturgill What is heaven? Where is it? For ancient people, the answer was obvious: simply look up at the night sky. For them, to see the stars and planets was to see the face of the divine. Christianity, too, understood the visible sky as the realm of unfallen creation. What does this belief mean, and why was it lost? 🗓 Live classes are on Sundays at 5-6:30pm Eastern Time, starting February 1st through March 8th, 2026. 💰 Price: $150 USD ⏰🐥 DON'T MISS OUT! UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST YOU CAN GET THE EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OF 15% OFF! Discount automatically applied at checkout. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-art-of-imitating-heaven =============== 💻 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/

    23 min

  7. JAN 25

    432 - Yelena Popovic - Moses the Black

    I speak with filmmaker Yelena Popovic, who viewers may recognize as the director of the stunning film of the life of St. Nektarios of Aegina, Man of God (2021). In this interview we discuss her upcoming film, Moses the Black, releasing January 30th of this year. We talk about film making, her inspiration for the film, the people involved, the life story of St. Moses the Black, and repentance in general in the Orthodox faith. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/rzDVfbhaaGU Film synopsis: Released from prison, a feared Chicago gang leader returns home to avenge the murder of his closest friend. As rival gangs and a corrupt cop close in, he must confront a past that refuses to let go. Release date: 30 January 2026 (USA) Director: Yelena Popovic Producers: Yelena Popovic, Alexandros Potter, Jelena Popović, Brett Hays Executive producers: Omar Epps, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa et al. Production companies: G-Unit Films and Television Inc., Simeon Entertainment, LLC, BrooklynWorks Films Running time: 1h 50m Theatres Showtimes Ticket Link: https://hubs.la/Q03Znnjy0 Stay up to date about the film: Trailer: https://youtu.be/iZzpiu8L21Y?si=ZxXRxWuiL_yosuEY  Website: https://simeonfaith.com/films/moses-the-black-2024  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosestheblackmovie  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosestheblackmovie/  IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32542065/  Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:14 - Intro music 01:39 - Start 02:32 - Introducing St. Moses the Black 08:50 - St. Moses' death 13:32 - The movie vs the hagiography 31:29 - A harsh redemption 35:13 - Sorry is not enough 37:36 - See the whole story 42:32 - Stories of St. Moses 44:24 - Fr. Turbo 49:45 - How can we watch this? 51:43 - Other projects ==================== NEW COURSE: The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology By Joshua Sturgill What is heaven? Where is it? For ancient people, the answer was obvious: simply look up at the night sky. For them, to see the stars and planets was to see the face of the divine. Christianity, too, understood the visible sky as the realm of unfallen creation. What does this belief mean, and why was it lost? 🗓 Live classes are on Sundays at 5-6:30pm Eastern Time, starting February 1st through March 8th, 2026. 💰 Price: $150 USD ⏰🐥 DON'T MISS OUT! UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST YOU CAN GET THE EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OF 15% OFF! Discount automatically applied at checkout. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-art-of-imitating-heaven ==================== 💻 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/

    55 min

  8. JAN 20

    431 - Joshua Sturgill & Dcn Seraphim Rohlin - The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology

    "Ancient people knew the sky the way that we know the highways around our cities." Today's podcast is a bit different. Deacon Seraphim Rohlin is here to introduce you to our new Symbolic World Course presenter, Joshua Sturgill. Together they discuss ancient cosmology, symbolism, and the meaning, power, and dangers of observing the night sky. They discuss pagan views on this, Biblical astronomy, the reservations of the church fathers, and modernity's determinism on the one hand, and confusion on the other hand. I hope you enjoy this conversation and will join us for Joshua's course. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/fQY6AyE1n1c NEW COURSE: The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology By Joshua Sturgill What is heaven? Where is it? For ancient people, the answer was obvious: simply look up at the night sky. For them, to see the stars and planets was to see the face of the divine. Christianity, too, understood the visible sky as the realm of unfallen creation. What does this belief mean, and why was it lost? 🗓 Live classes are on Sundays at 5-6:30pm Eastern Time, starting February 1st through March 8th, 2026. 💰 Price: $150 USD ⏰🐥 DON'T MISS OUT! UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST YOU CAN GET THE EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OF 15% OFF! Discount automatically applied at checkout. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-art-of-imitating-heaven Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:00 - Intro music 01:24 - Introduction 04:15 - Recover cosmology 08:32 - Symbolism and cosmology 12:43 - The Greeks: Pythagoras and Plato 14:39 - Other traditions 16:07 - Criticisms against astronomy 21:28 - How astrology worked 25:24 - A concrete example 26:57 - What does spring mean? 30:47 - Christmas 33:43 - The Orthodox position 37:22 - Governed by natural laws 45:55 - For the ancients 59:30 - Architectural astronomy 01:01:43 - Technology and teaching 01:05:41 - Course info 💻 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/

    1h 9m
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
847 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Pageau
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    436
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Jonathan Pageau
  • Show Website
    The Symbolic World

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