Initiatic tale

The symbol of the knight, his shield and his sword

February 11th 2024

Many legends can be interpreted as initiatic tales, and the objects mentioned in them symbolize the realities of the spiritual life. A knight, for instance, represents an initiate, and his shield or breastplate is a symbol for his aura. His sword is the light projected by means of his thought. The aura, which can be likened to a rampart that surrounds and protects us, represents the feminine principle; whereas thoughts that flash outwards into space represent the masculine principle. So, these two symbols – the sword and the shield – which date back to ancient times, represent the two principles: the passive principle, the aura, and the active principle, thought, which flies like an arrow – for an arrow, like a sword, represents the masculine principle.
In astrology, Sagittarius shooting his arrows is the symbol of the initiate who projects his thoughts to defend the city of light against the onslaught of darkness.*
* Related reading:

Man's Subtle Bodies and Centres - The Aura, the Solar Plexus, the Chakras...

Beyond the five senses, adapted to the physical plane, there are other components that constitute us and which allow us to come into contact with the subtle, invisible planes, thus participating in the expansion of our consciousness.