Magickal Symbols- Aum
Rebecca Haynes
The Om (Aum) symbol (ॐ) is one of the most sacred and ancient symbols in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It holds profound spiritual and philosophical significance and is often considered the primordial sound of the universe, encompassing the essence of ultimate reality, consciousness, and cosmic vibration.
The Om symbol has its origins in the Vedic tradition of ancient India. It first appeared in the Vedas-the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism-particularly in the Upanishads, which are philosophical and mystical interpretations of the Vedic hymns. Om is mentioned in the Mandukya Upanishad, where it is described as representing the entire universe and all of existence.
The symbol Om (pronounced Aum) is said to encompass all aspects of the universe. It is a sound that when chanted, resonates deep within the belly, activating the energy centers (chakras) of the body.
Each letter of the sound has its own meaning:
A (ah) represents the waking state of consciousness.
U (ooh) represents the dream state.
M (mmm) represents the deep sleep or unconscious state.
The silence following the chant of Om represents Turiya, the fourth state of consciousness—pure awareness or absolute reality.
When spoken aloud, aum unifies the body, mind and soul and brings all states of unconsciousness together.
Om's Visual Form
The symbol for aum is made up of a series of curves, a crescent at the top and a dot above.
- The three curves symbolize the three states of consciousness- waking
(bottom curve), dreaming (middle curve), and deep sleep/unconsciousness (top curve). - The dot at the top represents the fourth transcendental state (Turiya). It represents the moment when we are finally connected to the divine and are at peace.
- The crescent shape separating the dot from the curves represents the veil of illusion (Maya) that prevents one from realizing the highest state of being.
In spiritual terms, Om symbolizes the oneness of all creation—the union of the physical and the divine, the finite and the infinite. Chanting Om is believed to help connect individuals to their inner selves, heightening awareness and fostering spiritual development.
How to employ Om in your practice
As Ganesha is a God known for his ability to remove obstacles, Aum is a great symbol to work with when removal of obstacles is your main goal.If you wish to perform a road opening spell or you have obstacles that are blocking your progress, try employing Om as a symbol in your workings.
If you are looking for products with the symbol aum, check out what we have here.
If you have any information you would like to add, leave us a comment.
References:
Davies, A. (2022). Charms & Symbols (pp. 18-19). Octopus Publishing Group.