The Language of the Soul: Symbol, Myth & Metaphor

Join Helena B. Scott for a livestream talk exploring the profound role of symbols, myth and metaphor in Gnostic thought, where words alone were never enough to convey spiritual truth.

Drawing on the work of Gilles Quispel (Gnosticism and the New Testament; Essays in Gnosis and Gnostic Movements) and other leading scholars, this talk uncovers how Gnostics used symbolic structures not as decoration, but as vessels for esoteric knowledge – layers of meaning designed to transform the inner life rather than merely inform the intellect.

We'll explore why these teachings were encoded and concealed (Turner, Quispel, King): to protect understanding from misinterpretation, persecution and superficial reading, ensuring that only those prepared could access the deeper wisdom. Symbols functioned as maps of consciousness (Jonas, DeConick), and myth as ontology – guiding readers through existential landscapes, spiritual hierarchies, and the cosmic drama of Sophia, the Archons and the Demiurge.

The session will also consider paradox, ambiguity and anti-literal logic (Pagels, DeConick, King): why Gnostic texts deliberately destabilise conventional reading, awakening the interpretive and visionary faculties.

What to expect

Expect close engagement with scholarly sources, room for questions, and an exploration that moves between textual analysis and the deeper, experiential dimension of the material.

This online talk includes:

• An introduction to symbolic structures as vessels for esoteric knowledge, not decoration
• Scholarly grounding in the work of Quispel, Turner, King, Jonas, DeConick and Pagels
• Exploration of why Gnostic teachings were deliberately encoded and concealed
• A look at symbols as maps of consciousness and myth as ontology
• The cosmic drama of Sophia, the Archons and the Demiurge
• Discussion of paradox, ambiguity and anti-literal logic in Gnostic texts
• Insight into how these texts were designed to awaken interpretive and visionary faculties

Who is this talk for?

• Anyone interested in Gnosticism, esoteric traditions, or the history of religious thought
• Readers of Quispel, Jonas, Pagels, King or DeConick wanting deeper context
• Those curious about how myth and symbol function as tools for inner transformation
• Students of comparative religion, philosophy, or the psychology of consciousness
• Anyone drawn to the more mystical or hidden dimensions of early Christian and Gnostic texts

Uncover the hidden language of the Gnostics and the wisdom encoded within it. Book your place now.

Meet your tutor, Helena B. Scott

Helena B. Scott is a writer, historian, linguist and Jungian analyst whose work spans history, symbolism and philosophy, with a particular focus on Gnosticism, mythopoetics and archetypal/depth psychology. She holds a Master of Arts in Public History & Cultural Heritage from the University of Limerick and has spent over two decades researching the Western Esoteric Tradition, working across historical revisionism, sacred symbolism and psychical research.

Helena brings together rigorous historical scholarship with a deep, practised understanding of myth, symbol and the mystery traditions. Her ability to move fluently between academic research and the lived, experiential dimension of esoteric thought makes her uniquely placed to guide this exploration of symbol and myth in Gnostic tradition.

Live online with replay

This talk will be recorded. You will find the recording link in your College Account within two working days from the event - an email will alert you when it is ready. This recording will be available for replay for three months following the event. Please see our terms for more information.

Previous participants say:

"This was very enjoyable and informative. Helena is very knowledgeable in this historical area."

"Helena is a knowledgable and captivating speaker, and the talk was everything I was expecting from it and then some!"

"Excellent... opened my eyes - and mind - to the scope of Templar beliefs."

"Helena is an excellent presenter. Her knowledge and passion for the material is evident, and we all caught the excitement she shared."