Patrons

Rapunzel and the Evil Witch

This month (May 2025), I’m excited to give you the very first look at our upcoming fairy tale book, Rapunzel. In this video, I walk through the story’s symbolism, how it mirrors Snow White, and how we’re building a shared mythic universe. I also share a behind-the-scenes look at Heather Pollington's stunning illustrations. I can’t wait for you to see it. Visit https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/rapunzel-and-the-evil-witch to get release updates before anyone else.

May 2025 Patron Q&A

This month's patron Q&A will be on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, at 11 am EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

The World War II Consensus is Breaking Down

Several years ago, I coined the phrase “watch the fool,” because in a world turned upside down, the fool can strangely point to what’s coming and in some ways play a role in restoring order —for good or for ill. For April 2025’s patron video, I reflect on how Kanye West has continued to play this role. He is not a prophet in the traditional sense, but a kind of tuning fork, embodying the contradictions and transformations unfolding in our culture before they happen. This becomes increasingly disturbing as the post–World War II consensus buckles beneath our feet…

April 2025 Patron Q&A

This month's patron Q&A will be on Monday, April 28th, 2025, at 11 am EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

"Saved Through Childbearing" - What It Means to Be Saved

For March 2025's patron video, I delve into the passage from 1st Timothy, where St. Paul states that "women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control". I explore the meaning behind this text, St. Paul's symbolic worldview, masculinity and femininity, the implications of childbearing, and the broader context of salvation. Thank you for your continued support. You’re welcome to join me for my Symbolism Masterclass live course starting later this month. If you register before April 8th you can get a 15% discount with code: MASTERCLASS1 If you’re seeing this on or after April 8th and you’re supporting at the Involved level or higher, you can still claim 10% off. Just log into the Symbolic World website and see your discount code at the top of the course page. Use our contact form if you run into trouble. Course page: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass Log in page: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/login Contact form: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/contact

March 2025 Patron Q&A

This month's patron Q&A will be on Friday, March 28th, 2025, at 11 am EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

ARC and the Duality of Our Present Moment

Feb 27, 2025

Is the Alliance of Responsible Citizenship (ARC) to be a noble light in this great cultural shift, or just another laboratory of experiment in the modern age? My February 2025 patron video is a reflection on my recent experience at the ARC conference. I discuss the evolution of our ideological landscape since 2016, as well as some of the dangers of weaponizing Christianity for political purposes.

February 2025 Patron Q&A

This month's patron Q&A will be on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025, at 11 am EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

Alien Intelligence: Stargate, UFOs, AI, Psychedelics

Given the recent announcement about project Stargate, for January 2025’s patron video I delved into modernity's quest for forbidden knowledge and how it relates to today's obsession with UFOs, AI, psychedelics, and even transgenderism.

January 2025 Patron Q&A

This month's patron Q&A will be on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, at 11 am EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

Symbolism Explained: Fractals

For December 2024's patron video I explain the theory of fractal symbolism, why it's important and powerful, and how we can sometimes go wrong when we apply this symbolism.

December 2024 Patron Q&A

December 2024's patron Q&A will occur on Monday, December 23rd, 2024, at 11 am EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

The Restoration of Notre Dame

For November 2024's patron video I take a closer look into the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris. After a devastating fire in 2019, and 5 years of reconstruction, Notre Dame is now officially open. But did they get it right in how they rebuilt the church?

November 2024 Patron Q&A

November 2024's patron Q&A will occur on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 2pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

My Perspective on Jordan Peterson's Discussion with Richard Dawkins

Nov 4, 2024

For October 2024's patron video I give some comments regarding Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins' recent discussion on Jordan's podcast. Thank you for your continued support. - Their original discussion: Dawkins vs Peterson: Memes & Archetypes | Alex O’Connor Moderates | EP 491: https://youtu.be/8wBtFNj_o5k?si=aknGX5kaR-8WVduB

October 2024 Patron Q&A

October 2024's patron Q&A will occur on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/

A Special Look Behind the Scenes at Symbolic World Press

For September 2024's patron video, I give you a special behind-the-scenes look at our upcoming Symbolic World Press book projects. I really believe that we are at a turning point in storytelling. My goal as an artist has always been to create beautiful things, so I'm excited to bring you these beautiful stories in collaboration with the wonderful artists on our team. Thank you for your continued support. If you would like to pre-order Jack and the Fallen Giants and GodsDog 2 (Warrior), you can get it on sale now: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com

September 2024 Q&A

September 2024's patron Q&A will take place on Friday, September 27th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

The Two Sacrifices That Establish Identity

For August 2024's patron-only video, I discuss the two aspects of the Atonement sacrifice that was made on the holiest day of the year in the Old Testament. This way of reconciling the people of Israel with God is a model that shows us how all identities are established - from human groups like nations and sports teams to something as simple as a cup. Thank you all for your continued support.

August 2024 Patron Q&A

August 2024's patron Q&A will take place on Thursday, August 29th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

Symbolism of the Wounded Ear

For July 2024's patron-only video, I do something I haven’t done before, which is to discuss something I haven't figured out yet. In this video, I speculate on the symbolism of the wounded ear, primarily drawing from instances of the pattern in Scripture. Thank you for your support.

July 2024 Patron Q&A

June 2024's Q&A will take place on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

Did God Want Adam and Eve to Eat the Fruit?

For June 2024’s patron-only video, I draw on St. Ephrem the Syrian’s Hymns on Paradise to explore the question of the Fall and whether God meant for Adam and Eve to eat the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Bad after all. As always, thank you for your support.

June 2024 Patron Q&A

June 2024's Q&A will take place on June 27th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

The Impossibility of Atheism

May 30, 2024

May 2024's patron video. Richard Dawkins wrote an article about how an organism becomes a model or microcosm of the world it's adapted to live in. He sent the article to Jordan Peterson, who has been using it as an argument to refute atheism. In this video, I explain the argument, which I've also used, and its implications.

May 2024 Patron Q&A

May 2024's Q&A will take place on May 28th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

Wearing a Veil Because of the Angels

For April 2024’s patron video, I discuss the controversial topic of veiling, drawing on 1 Corinthians 11 and explaining St. Paul’s strange statement, "Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels". Thank you for your support.

April 2024 Patron Q&A

April 2024's Q&A will take place on April 24th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

March 2024 Patron Q&A

March 2024's Q&A will take place on March 18th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Reach out via our website for technical assistance if needed: https://thesymbolicworld.com/contact

Why Bible Scholars Are Often Useless

Mar 13, 2024

For March 2024's patron video I present a short meditation on what many modern Bible scholars, especially the atheist kind, get wrong about Scripture. Thank you for your continued support!

The Symbolism of Body

The Patron video for February 2024 is about body and matter. This video will also help you understand why the term Mother of God is not actually controversial. I will publish two extra patron videos in the next 2 months to make up for lost time in December and January. Thank you all for your support.

February 2024 Patron-Only Q&A

February 2024's Q&A will take place on February 23rd, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/

January 2024 Patron-Only Q&A

The next patron Q&A will take place on Friday, January 26th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. Remember that patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/

December 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

The next patron Q&A will take place on January 4th, 2024, at 2 pm EST. See you there! Remember that patrons of $10+ per month can submit questions in advance through The Symbolic World website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/

The Dark Shadow of Santa Claus

Dec 6, 2023

For November 2023's patron video, I discuss the companions of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, like Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht, and Zwarte Piet. How can we understand this symbolism?

November 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

November 2023's Q&A is on Thursday, November 30th, at 2 pm EST. Patrons at $10+ please submit your advance question on The Symbolic World website and remember to vote on questions: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/

Where Two or Three Gather in My Name

October 2023's patron video is a follow-up to my recent video about ritualization as it emerges in the animal kingdom, as well as in normal human behavior. In this video, I emphasize the flip side of that, where you can see ritual as a pattern that descends "from heaven" to organize lower phenomena. Thank you for your continued support.

October 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

October's Q&A is on Friday, October 27th, at 2 pm EST. Patrons at $10+ please submit your advance question on The Symbolic World website here: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/

September 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Please note that this month’s Q&A will actually be next week on Monday, Oct 2nd, at 2 pm EST. If you're a $10+ patron please submit your advance question on our website: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/

A Secret Reading of Scripture

September 2023's patron video. We often say that the Mother of God is the secret of the Church. In this video, I discuss how the Fathers understand Scripture and the kinds of connections they make to help us understand the role of the Mother of God. This example relates specifically to the Feast of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God that we celebrated last week.

Hierarchy in Opposites

For August 2023's Patron-Only video, I talk about opposites, or duality, and how they relate to each other hierarchically, as center/margin, right-hand/left-hand, heaven/earth, and masculine/feminine. Thank you for your continued support.

August 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Patrons of $10+ can submit an ADVANCE QUESTION for August's Q&A on our website. Please also remember to vote on questions: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ If you're a $10+ patron but are unable to access the link above, please let us know at inquiries@symbolicworldpress.com The August 2023 Q&A will be on Thursday, 31 August 2023, at 2 PM EST. See you there!

July 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Join us for this month's patron-only Q&A on Monday, 24 July 2023, at 8pm EST. Patrons of $10+ can submit a question in advance through our website, linked below. Popular questions with the most 'likes' will be answered first, so remember to vote as well. Submit a question: https://the-symbolic-world.circle.so/c/q-a-questions-submissions/ Thank you all for your support. See you soon.

June 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Date: Today, Wednesday, 21 June 2023. Time: 2PM EST / 7PM UK. I will answer the most popular questions submitted by $10+ patrons, but I will also try to answer some questions in the chat. See you there!

May 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Patrons could submit questions in advance at $10/month or more through The Symbolic World website

April 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Patrons can submit questions in advance at $10/month or more through The Symbolic World website.

My Trip to Europe

For March 2023's patron-only video, I talk about my recent trip to Europe, including seeing beautiful art and architecture in France and spending time at Mt. Athos in the middle of Lent.

March 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Patrons can submit questions in advance at $10/month or more through The Symbolic World website, SubscribeStar or Patreon. Questions are selected by moderators due to time constraints.

February 2023 Patron-Only Q&A

Patrons can submit questions in advance at $10/month or more through The Symbolic World website, SubscribeStar or Patreon. Questions are selected by moderators due to time constraints.

Gargoyle Monuments

For January 2023's Patron-Only video, we look at the symbolism of some recent controversial public monuments, including the statue on the New York courthouse and the new Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Boston. What does this mean exactly and what does it say about our current moment?