Music Industry Exposed Part 1 – Misuse and Abuse of Esoteric Symbols

It’s hard to miss the increasing use of esoteric symbolism by popular artists in the music industry. Upside down crosses, pentagrams, all-seeing eye symbols… what does it all mean? What is the source of this symbolism and why is it so prevalent? This article explores the affect these symbols have on our lives and the global understanding of spirituality.

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‘Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.’ Confucius

What would you do if you saw this symbol?

What would you do if you saw this symbol?

Symbols are a universal language, and such a part of our lives that once we are exposed to them we process them on a subconscious level, our actions guided by them without us having to think about it. We automatically stop at red lights and know which button turns on the TV because of the common symbols used to represent them. But the power of symbols goes far beyond their day-to-day to use.

Esoteric symbols are those with a hidden meaning, likely to be understood only by a small number of people, and have been used throughout time in the great spiritual traditions to guide truth seekers. Depending on how they’re used they can represent and attract either forces of darkness or forces of light.

Increasingly esoteric symbols are making their way into popular culture, especially in high profile places like the music industry. What is the source of these symbols? Why are so many artists using them? Are they just something “cool” that major players came up with to represent their personal brands? Or are they part of a sinister plan? Are esoteric symbols being used for good or evil?

A Brief Introduction to Esoteric Symbolism

Many who study the use of esoteric symbolism in popular culture approach their analysis from a religious perspective, and as such consider all esoteric symbols to be part of a Satanic, anti-Christian agenda. While it’s understandable that symbols may be perceived in this way because they are often used in sinister contexts associated with darkness, it appears that entrenching the idea that all esoteric symbols are “evil” is part of the agenda behind their misuse.

What is often overlooked is that many esoteric symbols have a positive spiritual meaning in their original use and that the majority of what we witness in the public view is an inversion of symbols of light, turned into symbols of darkness.

“In symbolism, an inverted figure always signifies a perverted power (…) Black magic is not a fundamental art; it is the misuse of an art. Therefore it has no symbols of its own. It merely takes the emblematic figures of white magic, and by inverting and reversing them signifies that it is left-handed.” – Manly P. Hall, Secret Teachings of All Ages

Understanding that symbols can represent either forces of light or forces of darkness can broaden our understanding of the agenda behind their use in popular culture, and the agenda towards spirituality as a whole.

To get a better understanding of the way symbols are being misused and abused in the music industry let’s take a quick look at the meanings – both positive and negative – of a number of the most common esoteric symbols on display.

The All-Seeing Eye

Symbol of the all-seeing eye Source

Symbol of the all-seeing eye Source

In recent years the symbol of the all-seeing eye has become prolific in music videos, photo shoots and live performances, represented either by artists covering one eye, or making a triangle shape with their hands, frequently also covering one eye with it. Often these symbols are built inconspicuously into sets or shown on screen so quickly as to have a subliminal affect on the viewer.

Many cultures throughout time have used the symbol of the eye, either on it’s own or within a pyramid as a symbol of protection, representing a benevolent and all-seeing spiritual force watching over us.

Over the last century however, as negative forces have increasingly infiltrated the world and spiritual schools, the meaning and use of this symbol has been hijacked and distorted, coming to represent sinister conspiracies, secret societies with dark undertones and elitist surveillance and control.

Marilyn Manson on an all-seeing eye shaped throne? Source

Marilyn Manson looking down from an all-seeing eye shaped throne? Source

Does the increasing use of the all-seeing eye in the music industry reflect an increasing control that the elite members of society – often involved in secret meetings like the Bilderberg group and occult gatherings at Bohemian Grove and colloquially referred to as the “Illuminati” – have over performers?

Jay-Z who popularised the all-seeing eye symbol Source

Jay-Z who popularised the all-seeing eye symbol in the music industry Source

This theory is corroborated in the actions, videos and lyrics of many popular artists. Take for instance rapper Jay-Z who has popularised the use of this symbol.

Jay-Z started a record label named Roc-A-Fella, which can be interpreted as a loosely-veiled reference to the Rockefeller family, who are considered to be among the most powerful people in the world (some also believe this family is one of the alleged “13 Illuminati Bloodlines”).

Jay-Z’s signature hand sign is the symbol of the triangle placed over one eye. Following suit, his wife Beyonce and close associates Kanye West and Rihanna have also frequently used this symbol, leading to a culture of other celebrities using it too. While many may think this represents a diamond, which Jay-Z raps about, it may also represent the all-seeing eye as used by the Illuminati, which he also raps about:

“Illuminati want my mind, soul and my body”
“Secret society, tryna keep they eye on me”
Jay-Z, D’Evils

Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna making the all-seeing eye sign Source

Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna making the all-seeing eye sign Source

Just in case you had any doubts about who they might be promoting, check out the following still from one of Rihanna’s video clips.

Subliminal text reads "Princess of the Illuminati" Source

Subliminal text reads “Princess of the Illuminati” Source

Of course, rap stars who frequently use symbolism associated with the Illuminati just as frequently deny it.

Conspiracy theorist screaming Illuminati
They can’t believe this much skill is in the human body
Jay-Z, Heaven

I said I was amazing/ Not that I’m a Mason
Jay-Z / Rick Ross, Free Mason

However Jay-Z has also created a clothing line called Roc-A-Wear, which features many esoteric symbols and references to dark forces as well as freemasonry – an institution many believe is linked to the “Illuminati” (historically the Bavarian Illuminati secret society was known to have infiltrated Freemason lodges in Europe).

Symbols on clothing from Jay-Z's Rocawear brand Source

Symbols on clothing from Jay-Z’s Rocawear brand Source

Rocawear clothing with the number of the beast concealed on it. Source

Rocawear clothing with the number of the beast concealed on it. Source

Confused? Maybe that’s the idea.

Interestingly this isn’t the first time this symbol has been used as can be seen in this photo of Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, who most likely wasn’t rapping when this picture was taken.

Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, making the sign of the all-seeing eye Source

Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, making the sign of the all-seeing eye Source

Assuming that on one level this symbol signifies the control the ruling elite have over the masses, we can easily see how incorporating these symbols into popular culture could serve to signify and exalt the elite’s power, with people essentially saluting their servitude.

Here’s just a tiny sample of the use of the all-seeing eye in the music industry:

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA) - a rap outfit who use many dark symbols in their videos and photo shoots Source

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA) – a rap outfit who use many dark symbols in their videos and photo shoots Source

Madonna Source

Madonna Source

Paris Hilton Source

Paris Hilton Source

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Celebrities in the music and film industries making the symbol of the all-seeing eye Source

The Symbol of the Cross

The symbol of the cross is almost universal in the Western world and for most people represents Christianity and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The inverted cross typically represents either St Peter – who was said to have been crucified upside down out of reverence for Jesus – or more typically, and particularly in popular culture, dark forces and a rebellion against the Christ.

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An Egyptian Ankh (Source)

Looking further into the past however, the symbol of the cross is much older and wide-ranging, with spiritual uses predating Christianity. We can see examples of the cross in the Egyptian Ankh, the Swastika in Eastern traditions – a kind of dynamic cross – and in Druidic and Pagan traditions: all cultures where it was esteemed as a symbol with deep spiritual meaning. Interestingly Hitler was very interested in the occult and took the Hindu symbol of the swastika – representing the positive power of the creative force – and inverted it for his own negative use, an excellent example of how the meaning of a symbol can be distorted for people throughout the entire world.

Sadly inverted crosses are becoming commonplace in popular culture, often also associated with darkness in other ways. Where once they may have been used for shock value and rebellion, they are now becoming a new norm in fashion accessories as society moves further and further away from an understanding of spiritual values.

Have a look below at some of the examples of inverted crosses in video clips and clothing worn by popular artists.

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Upside down cross concealed on costume in live performance of Die Young by Ke$ha Source

Still from Die Young video clip Source

Still from Die Young video clip Source

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An upside down cross that controls minds? Source

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Beyonce and Amber Rose, ex-partner of Kanye West Source

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Tyler the Creator from the rap group Odd Future, whose artwork contains many dark esoteric symbols Source

The Pentagram / Pentacle

The upright pentagram drawn by Eliphas Levi Source

The upright pentagram drawn by Eliphas Levi Source

Due to frequent appearances in the heavy metal scene (both upright and inverted) and its association with witchcraft, the pentagram has got a really bad rap, and is widely thought to be a symbol that is satanic or “of the devil”.

Looking to the past however, the pentagram has a long heritage as a powerful positive symbol. The pentagram contains the golden ratio / fibonacci sequence – a universal principle that creates beauty and harmony in nature. Used by Pythagoras in his teachings, the pentagram came to be used as a secret symbol identifying Pythagoreans to each other when their school was driven underground.

16th century philosopher Paracelsus said of the pentagram:

I would gladly knowe, where and in what place in all the Books of the Nigromancers may befound any other, wherein there is made the like against malignant Spirits, Devils, and Inchantments of the Magitians, by all the deceits and devices of the Sorcerers.

Truly those which we have spoken of, are the true Pentacles to be had and used against allunclean Spirits, which they do all fear, even they which wander in the Elements.

In Christianity the pentagram was seen as the star of Bethlehem that led the three magi to the birthplace of Jesus. It was also seen to represent the five wounds of Christ and was used as a symbol of protection. In Arthurian legend the knight Gawain displayed the pentagram on his shield as a symbol of the five knightly virtues (generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry and piety).

When used correctly with single point upwards (like a person standing with their legs and arms spread into the shape of a star) the pentagram represents the ascension of a spiritual seeker towards enlightenment. It works as a powerful symbol of protection that repels the forces of darkness.

It wasn’t until the witch hunts of the Inquisition that the pentagram publicly began being viewed as a symbol of darkness – many people were burnt at the stake for displaying them.

It was understood by philosophers and magicians of the time that the connection between symbols and the world of actions could be manipulated for evil purposes. Magician Giordano Bruno, warned of such misuse of the powerful pentacle by Black magicians.

Slipknot singer wearing a clown mask with upside down pentagram carved into it - a recipe for nightmares?

Slipknot singer wearing a clown mask with upside down pentagram carved into it – a recipe for nightmares?

Later in the 1800’s esotericist Eliphas Levi was the first to popularise the understanding of the upside down pentagram as a symbol of evil.

“A reversed pentagram, with two points projecting upwards, is a symbol of evil and attracts sinister forces because it overturns the proper order of things and demonstrates the triumph of matter over spirit. It is the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns, a sign execrated by initiates.”
Eliphas Levi

When inverted with two points up and one point down the pentagram represents a person descending into darkness and towards the abyss, the hells that are represented in the different religions and in Dante’s Inferno. When inverted the pentagram attracts the forces of darkness.

The pentagram is used extensively in black magic, but when so used its form always differs in one of three ways: The star may be broken at one point by not permitting the converging lines to touch; it may be inverted by having one point down and two up; or it may be distorted by having the points of varying lengths. When used in black magic, the pentagram is called the “sign of the cloven hoof,” or the footprint of the Devil. The star with two points upward is also called the “Goat of Mendes,” because the inverted star is the same shape as a goat’s head.”

– Manly P. Hall, Secret Teachings of All Ages

There are many references to upside down pentagrams in the music industry, some concealed, others out in the open.

antichrist

Inverted cross and inverted pentagram – doubly evil Source

Ke$ha wearing an inverted cross, supported by dancers wearing upside down pentagrams. The iHeart Radio Ultimate Pool Party was full of negative esoteric symbols Source

Ke$ha wearing an inverted cross, supported by dancers wearing upside down pentagrams. The iHeart Radio Ultimate Pool Party was full of negative esoteric symbols Source

There are other examples where the upside down pentagram and forces of darkness are referred to without directly being shown. For instance there are many female performers who appear to have drawn inspiration for their costumes from the character Maria from the black and white film Metropolis. Maria is an innocent woman who has an “evil” double created after she is kidnapped and her likeness is given to a robot, with the intent that the robot Maria will control the masses, driving them to commit animalistic acts through lust. The robot is brought to life under an upside down pentagram.

The robot made to control the masses through lust, birthed under an inverted pentagram Source

The robot made to control the masses through lust, birthed under an inverted pentagram Source

Female pop stars portraying the character of "Evil Maria" from Metropolis Source

Just some of the female pop stars portraying the character of “Evil Maria” from Metropolis Source

“Let us keep the figure of the Five-pointed Star always upright, with the topmost triangle pointing to heaven, for it is the seat of wisdom, and if the figure is reversed, perversion and evil will be the result.”
Eliphas Levi

Baphomet

The commonly known depiction of the sVintage_Baphomet_Illustration_by_HauntingVisionsStockymbol of Baphomet – the androgynous goat with an upright pentagram on its forehead – was from the book Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie by esotericist Eliphas Levi.

Levi said of this symbol:

The goat on the frontispiece carries the sign of the pentagram on the forehead, with one point at the top, a symbol of light, his two hands forming the sign of occultism, the one pointing up to the white moon of Chesed, the other pointing down to the black one of Geburah. This sign expresses the perfect harmony of mercy with justice. His one arm is female, the other male like the ones of the androgyne of Khunrath, the attributes of which we had to unite with those of our goat because he is one and the same symbol. The flame of intelligence shining between his horns is the magic light of the universal balance, the image of the soul elevated above matter, as the flame, whilst being tied to matter, shines above it. The beast’s head expresses the horror of the sinner, whose materially acting, solely responsible part has to bear the punishment exclusively; because the soul is insensitive according to its nature and can only suffer when it materializes. The rod standing instead of genitals symbolizes eternal life, the body covered with scales the water, the semi-circle above it the atmosphere, the feathers following above the volatile. Humanity is represented by the two breasts and the androgyne arms of this sphinx of the occult sciences.

While the symbol of Baphomet as drawn by Levi bears an upright pentagram and contains elements that seem to point towards a spiritual transcendence beyond the material world, it has often been seen throughout the ages as a negative symbol, again featuring in the persecution of the spiritual practitioners in the persecution of the Inquisition.

The negative view of this symbol has been reinforced in modern times largely by the Church of Satan who have adopted the “sigil of Baphomet” – a goat’s head contained within an upside down pentagram – as their official symbol.

“Baphomet represents the Powers of Darkness combined with the generative fertility of the goat. In its “pure” form the pentagram is shown encompassing the figure of a man in the five points of the star – three points up, two pointing down – symbolizing man’s spiritual nature. In Satanism the pentagram is also used, but since Satanism represents the carnal instincts of man, or the opposite of spiritual nature, the pentagram is inverted to perfectly accommodate the head of the goat – its horns, representing duality, thrust upwards in defiance; the other three points inverted, or the trinity denied.”
Anton Lavey, The Satanic Bible

It can also be seen to represent Aleister Crowley (the self proclaimed “wickedest man alive”) who was born in the same year that Eliphas Levi died, and therefore thought he was Levi’s reincarnation. Despite studying Levi’s teachings, Crowley appears to have deliberately inverted some of Levi’s concepts. For example, Crowley adopted the use of the inverted pentagram. Crowley also took the nickname Baphomet in the secret order of the O.T.O which he popularised. Many celebrities are, or have been, participants in this order. We will look further into the relationship between Aleister Crowley and popular artists in a future part of this series, as many artists appear to be strongly influenced by his teachings.

It seems that Crowley initially tried to awaken spiritually in light, but then turned to the dark side, and began to promote things like child sacrifice and using one’s will to obtain spiritual power.

Album cover from HEWDAT Source

Album cover from HEWDAT – notice the inverted crosses and pentagram on forehead
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Lady Gaga, associating Baphomet with the all-seeing eye symbol Source

Lady Gaga's many Baphomet referencing costumes Source

Lady Gaga’s many Baphomet referencing costumes Source

Beyonce sporting a Baphomet-style ring Source

Beyonce sporting a Baphomet-style ring Source

Kanye West sporting an upside down pentagram and Baphomet head on his pants Source

Kanye West sporting an upside down pentagram and Baphomet head on his pants Source

Other Symbols of Darkness

There are many other ways that esoteric symbols from the dark side are used in the music industry; from celebrities making their hands into the shape of devil horns, to the frequent usage of the “Okay” sign, often covering one eye and having 3 hidden sixes concealed in it.

The symbol of three sixes is a reference to the number of the beast in the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is an esoteric text that was left in the bible when most other esoteric teachings were removed (even direct teachings of Jesus that were labelled “blasphemous”) because of a passage it contains stating that “If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city”.

The beast is said to come from the abyss at the end of days, to be worshipped by all. The punishment from the powers of darkness for not worshipping the beast is death, but not worshipping the beast leads to salvation. The number of the beast adds to 18, a significant number in esoteric numerology as it represents attacks from the forces of darkness.

There are also many direct references to demons and possession which will be covered in much more detail in future articles.

Rihanna on the set of a Kanye West video Source

Rihanna on the set of a Kanye West video Source

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Busta Rhymes showing why he’s recession proof? Source

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Lil Wayne, who regularly uses dark esoteric symbology Source

James Franco Source

Actor and musician James Franco Source

Eminem Source

Eminem Source

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Rapper T-Pain Source

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Lady Gaga Source

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Lil Wayne again Source

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Die Antwoord (Afrikaans for “The Answer”) Source

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A screengrab from the Die Antwoord facebook page Source

Is The Use of Symbolism Deliberate?

By now you’re probably getting the idea that this symbolism is quite common. Maybe you’re wondering how these symbols got so thoroughly entrenched in our culture, or why they are so often cleverly concealed? Is the idea that these symbols bypass our conscious mind to go straight into our subconscious – the main driving force behind many of our actions?

Is it possible that the use of these symbols in popular culture is all just a big creative coincidence?

Maybe the artists, producers and directors behind their videos are using the symbols as a way to create shock value that makes their videos go viral? Maybe these artists are just using the symbols because everyone else does and they’ve become “cool”?

While those elements probably play a part in the widespread usage of symbolism we see today, in at least some cases there appears to be a deeper understanding of the symbols being used and the affect they might have on fans and viewers.

The Illuminati symbolism we see in popular culture is becoming so prevalent that it is BECOMING popular culture. While some might claim that “it’s a trend” or that “Ke$ha is making fun of it”, they don’t see the important reversal that is happening here: Trends used to come from the streets to then be picked up and reflected by mass media; Nowadays, trends are CREATED by mass media and forced on the world through repetition and omnipresence. Source

Lady Gaga, who is possibly the most prolific user of esoteric symbolism in her videos, made the following comments on her 2009 VMA performance, which many believe represented a ritual blood sacrifice:

Journalist: “Do you think it will be one of those defining moments people will remember at the VMAs?”

Lady Gaga: “I know it will. I sort of have this philosophy about things: there’s never a reason to do something unless it’s going to be memorable, unless it’s going to change things, unless it’s going to inspire a movement. […] I think after watching the performance and maybe studying it after you watch it on YouTube, you’ll see the references and the symbols come through.”

So what movement was Lady Gaga trying to inspire on her “Monster Ball” tour when she made quite a deliberate sign of the beast right in front of the all-seeing eye symbol worn by her backing dancer, just after after asking the audience “Who is a monster?” to cheers from her fans (who are known as “little monsters”, and Gaga the “Mother monster”).

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Lady Gaga making the sign of the beast, in front of the all-seeing eye on her backing dancers shirt Source

If you want to see the live version of the screenshot the hand signal is at 1:44. I would recommend NOT watching the rest of the clip which is pretty vulgar.

Then there are videos like Ke$ha’s Die Young, which contains a confusing mix of dark and white esoteric symbolism (more on that in a minute) and glorifies mindless violence, partying and, as the title states, dying young. Even the live performance of this song is packed with negative symbolism, with Ke$ha wearing an upside down crucifix outfit and her backup dancers having cleverly concealed upside down pentagrams and all-seeing eyes on their pants.

When confronted about this song and the message it is presenting to young fans Ke$ha tweeted:

Forced by who? What was their motive for creating a video loaded with symbolism that serves to turn people against spirituality, and that carries such a fatal and destructive message?

There are many instances in photo shoots and videos where the use of symbolism appears very deliberate. Do the artists know what they’re doing? Have the symbols been forced on them by directors or photographers?

There appears to be some power in the world that wants our culture infiltrated by negative symbolism and it is using every means it can to achieve it’s goal.

It’s So Obvious it Can’t Possibly Be Real…

You might have heard the phrase “hidden in plain sight” before. It refers to things that are so obvious they are overlooked. In this sense it could refer to negative symbolism so thoroughly infiltrating popular culture that anyone who questions its origins are considered crazy conspiracy theorists.

Jim Carrey's "all-mocking tongue" Source

Jim Carrey’s “all-mocking tongue” Source

Many commentators speculate that the “Illuminati” are behind the masses of symbols that are being used. This in turn has led a number of celebrities and powerful institutions to mock those who think there is more to the use of esoteric symbolism than meets the eye. Take for instance this appearance by Jim Carrey on the Jimmy Kimmel show, or this strange commercial featuring Bono from U2 and other celebrities proclaiming they’re in the Illuminati. Weird Al Yankovic has made his own take on the issue, and Katy Perry – who’s 2014 Grammy performance was steeped in negative symbolism – has also joked about wanting to be invited to the Illuminati “if it exists”.

MTV have also chimed in, publishing two articles with “concrete” reasons (which don’t make much sense if you research this sort of thing) that prove and disprove the idea that the Illuminati are behind much of the symbolism of the Video Music Awards (VMAs).

MTV VMA performances are widely analysed for their frequent use of dark symbolism which often feature things like Jack Black leading the audience in a prayer to the “Dark Lord Satan” for the continued success of those in the music industry, re-enacted masonic rituals (many believe the freemasons are linked to the Illuminati) and, as recently as last year, a performance by Katy Perry depicting the burning at the stake of a member of the Knights Templar, an ancient esoteric order of light that was persecuted. Are these articles a way of drawing attention away from what’s really happening?

All of this mockery serves to prevent people questioning what’s really going on with the music industry’s use of esoteric symbology, as who would want to be called crazy? People who are interested in understanding esoteric symbolism and the effect it has on the masses are then relegated to a land where everyone who questions things is wearing a tin foil hat. This ridicule allows the use of negative symbolism to continue spreading unquestioned and unhindered.

What’s the Motive Behind Symbols in the Music Industry?

Sadly we live in a society that has almost entirely been turned against positive esoteric spirituality through an ongoing smear campaign by governments, the anti-cult movement and mass media establishments. This is not a new occurrence. Spiritual seekers throughout the ages have been oppressed by society’s institutions and there is already a high degree of suspicion towards any form of spirituality that is not in the mainstream (think established religion and commercialised, socially acceptable spirituality).

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Devil hands and halo in Jay-Z’s clip for “Onto the next one” Source

This suspicion (and sometimes outright hatred) is fuelled through the negative use of symbolism in popular culture as this promotes the idea that spirituality is either satanic (for believers of established religions) or something dangerous and elitist that is used to control the masses.

Here we begin to see a dual agenda, where symbols of darkness are promoted as “cool” to the unsuspecting general public so they come into common usage throughout the world as fans emulate their idols. Symbols as we’ve seen are powerful, and the common usage of inverted esoteric symbols attracts the forces of darkness into the lives of those who unwittingly use them. At the same time the search for truth is confused and it becomes harder to distinguish light from darkness as negative symbols are mixed with positive ones, subconsciously creating an association for people that all symbols and esoteric spirituality as a whole are evil and to be avoided (or just something to be mocked with irreverence).

There are many examples of this, often used in a subliminal fashion.

In Jay-Zs “Onto the next one” he makes gestures of the devil hand sign with what appears to be a halo around his head.

In this still from Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance we see the word “monster” above a cross.

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A crucifix under the word “monster” Source

In this photo shoot, Rihanna was portrayed as Medusa – a mythical monster – while showing the tattoo she has of the Egyptian Goddess Isis, who represents the divine feminine principle which has been represented in many cultures as a destroyer of the darkness that binds an individual.

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Rihanna photo shoot confusing a mythical female monster with the divine feminine aspect represented by the symbol of Isis Source

In Ke$ha’s Die Young video she arrives at a church in a black hearse with the word “EVIL” on the side. Dressed in black and red (the colours of the hierarchy of darkness), Ke$ha is carried into a church housing an upright pentagram, where she proceeds to participate in a strange orgiastic type dance ritual with her backup dancers before trashing the church. The whole video is full of pyramids, all-seeing eye symbols and upside down crosses.

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Ke$ha arrives in a vehicle of “evil”? Source

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Dancing in a church with upright pentagram before trashing it later in the video Source

For people not interested in spirituality this creates an association between death, evil and the image the upright pentagram. For anyone who understands what an upright pentagram represents we are mocked with an image of evil destroying a temple of positive spirituality.

Incidentally, Ke$ha is often seen wearing inverted pentagrams, and the only upright pentagram that seems to be associated with her is the one in the church that gets trashed in the Die Young clip.

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Upside down pentagram earring Source

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Upside down pentagram necklace Source

A New “Religion” of Materialism?

Apart from creating confusion and negativity towards esoteric spirituality there may be a greater agenda at play.

It appears the music industry is working towards creating its own form of “religion”: a way of life based on the worship of popular artists, mindless materialism and socially destructive behaviours.

Artists mocking religion and placing themselves in positions of worship is not a new phenomenon.

As far back as 1966, John Lennon boasted that the Beatles were more popular than Christ and that Christianity would pass away.

More recently Marilyn Manson stated that he would be remembered as “the person who brought an end to Christianity”.

When you begin to look it is amazing to see just how many artists mock religion, particularly Christianity, raising themselves to the status of gods:

Jay-Z produced an album titled Jayhovah – a play on what many consider to be the name of God.

Jay-Z’s wife Beyonce stirred controversy when she posed for a picture in front of a painting of the last supper, her image covering that of Jesus. Beyonce has also posed as the Virgin Mary in a replication of Michaelangelo’s La Pieta, a scene where Mary holds Jesus’ body just after it has been brought down from the cross.

Kanye West – who’s nickname is Yeezy – produced an album called ‘Yeezus’ on which there was a song called ‘I am a god’.

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Kanye West posing as “Yeezus” Christ Source

The Passion of Who? Source

The Passion of Who? Source

Responding to criticism about this he simply said “I made that song because I am a god. I don’t think there’s much more explanation”. The artwork created for Yeezus contains much negative esoteric symbolism.

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Upside down crucifix on “Yeezus” album artwork; this was not the final cover design  Source

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Mixing positive and negative symbolism on another version of “Yeezus” artwork; also not the final cover design Source

Lily Allen produced a song called Sheezus that incorporates direct references to Christianity and ends with her as “Sheezus” with a pair of devil horns.

I am born again, now run along and tell
All your friends to come and join us
I am your leader
“Let me be Sheezus”
Lily Allen, Sheezus

Lily Allen as “Sheezus” Source

Rapper Lil B, who’s popular song “Look Like Jesus” contains the lyrics ‘I’m God, I look like Jesus’ and states that women are interested in him sexually because he looks like Jesus. The song is full of profanity and many crude references to Jesus and caused controversy by being filmed in a church.

He has also adopted an alter ego known as “The Based God” and said of the nickname: “Music wise I do feel like I’m a prophet status and at the God status…”

Lil B's alter ego "Based God" crucified Source

Lil B’s alter ego “Based God” crucified Source

Lil B has a fanatical following, with male fans practically worshipping him and “offering” him their wives, mothers or girlfriends. Even people who live in the hip hop scene were taken aback by the treatment of him:

“Lil’ B’s concert still amazed me because of the connection between the performer and the audience. It was like a semi-religious gathering of ethnically diverse superfans, who, at one point, spontaneously chanted rapidly, and in unison: “Thankyoubasedgod. Thankyoubasedgod. Thankyoubasedgod.…“
– Hip Hop Show Host Miss Info of ‘Miss Info TV‘

Here are some other examples of stars depicting the passion of Christ or associating themselves with Jesus in some way.

Source

Rapper Lil Wayne crucified Source

Source

Madonna crucified Source

Source

Madonna with crown of thorns Source

Source

P Diddy dressed in white and walking on water Source

Source

Lana Del Ray with crown of thorns symbolism Source

Still from Beyonce's "Run the world" videoclip Source

Still from Beyonce’s “Run the world” videoclip Source

Marilyn Manson Source

Marilyn Manson crucified Source

Now while it might seem like I’m getting all religious on you at this point I personally feel that the agenda here goes beyond mockery of Christianity and religion and affects spirituality as a whole, and its place in society.

By depicting themselves as spiritual figures in association with material and sometimes demonic values it appears that popular artists are slowly creating a new “religion”: one where celebrities are worshipped and their fans live lives of mindless materialism, promiscuity and socially destructive behaviour, while the trashing of eternal spiritual principles is celebrated.

Whether or not artists are acting through their own means or as puppets of more elite forces, it seems that popular music – which plays such an important role in identity creation in the lives of so many people – is being used to create a culture that is completely divorced from spiritual values.

What’s your opinion?

It’s amazing just how many examples of inverted symbols there are out there. The images in this post are just a small selection of what could have been included.

So now that you’ve seen some of the evidence, what do you think? Is it all just a big coincidence? Are there dark forces and a dark agenda behind the symbols we are seeing?

I’ll leave you with a commentary on the state of society in regards to hidden truths in the words of rapper Lupe Fiasco, who seems to take a keen interest in the truth movement (expletives removed):

Wake up, don’t join the army
Kill your own peoples, but fear Illuminatis
And they ain’t even real, or are they?
But you ain’t even know, because you partay
Too much, if you start to doubt
They already in yo mind, and comin’ out yo mouth

Stay tuned for the next article in this series where we’ll delve deeper into the dark side of the music industry, uncovering how popular artists celebrate the macabre and embrace very real forces of darkness.

If you’d like to be the first to know when new articles are released, subscribe below!

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Last updated 22/01/2015

About David Arkyn

David has a deep interest in spiritual development, but has discovered there are many forces in the world working to keep people asleep. His recent interest has been researching the psychological tactics and techniques used to limit people's spiritual potential, writing about his discoveries here at The Conscious Reporter.

50 comments

  1. Anonymous musician

    *sigh*
    Pop artists using the symbols in order to create some sort of pressurizing effect… silly. It was done before. Having big time immunity to it.
    It’s not like I have millions of listeners – the most successful YouTube video with my music barely cracked half million views – but I experimented with this once too, being a chaos magician… it was interesting to sigilize and see the effect. My track containing the sigil ended up in some trolling video with hundreds of comments in 4chan-style trashing me and my sounds, hehe. Because of binaural rhythm I used in the track. That was unexpected, but I got result. Sigils, sigils, sigils… I don’t think it was the idea of those “pop stars” to use this stuff. You know – Ronan Harris of VNV Nation. My favorite band. They’re not that known, but they utilize a torch symbol in their logo and the music is pretty much esoteric, but very comforting and uplifting. VNV should be much more known instead… but yeah. Just a torch in the dark forest, here I have to agree.

  2. So what should we do now?

    • Hi Camilla,

      Good question.

      Sometimes when reading and seeing all these things and yet at the same time seeing that it still goes on everyday, but that the general public doesn’t seem to know or even care about it, all that can be a bit discouraging. But that low feeling of things seeming insurmountable just stifles and doesn’t actually help. So first off I found it useful to be strong and stand firm in the face of these things.

      About what can actually be done. I think educating people and sharing this information is amazingly powerful! When you know about the workings of these things they lose their grip on you and you know how to counter or avoid them. The same goes for any other person that is open to this information. If a substantial amount of people know you will see it takes away the effectiveness of such dark influences.

      A small example is how at first the ‘all-seeing-eye’ gesture perhaps seemed just a coincidence etc. but because people kept demonstrating the deliberate repetitiveness of it it became obvious to many that it’s a real thing. Light has been shed on it and it’s very obvious to many. Then afterwards you see a set of Star Wars posters appear where every character features a one eye sign…..
      Basically when the information and explanation and evidence is so blatantly obvious, then many people can more easily accept its truth and the forces trying to put this onto people lose their power to a degree.

      Also supporting efforts made to uncover these things is good so that more people can know about it, as well as to keep investigating yourself.

      Of course if you have young children then it’s best to prevent all this dark stuff from reaching them. But because this stuff is everywhere and unavoidable in the media, once they become teens it’s good to inform them, arming them with knowledge when entering that difficult teen period where they are most likely to engage in all this pop music stuff.

      Actually the main thing to do in my opinion is to pursue goodness in yourself, investigate the spiritual side of life, the white esoteric spirituality to help the forces of good and light in the world. This enables you to know what is best to do. But that’s another topic and this comment is already quite long 🙂

      Wishing you all the best Camilla!

    • I have a better answer. Stop looking at it. Shut off your TV, no radio or CDs in your car, put down the dumb phone and clear your head. Stop consuming trash and you will know what real food is eventually.

  3. l love to be a member

  4. Not all of the research was correct. Dont read one article and assume its correct. Although I agree with what you’re saying, get your facts straight before publishing. After reading about Jay Z and Kanye i decided to look further into these matters and in doing so I realized some of the content published was incorrect.

    • If possible could you share what info is incorrect? I’m sure everyone reading and the author would be interested to see.

    • Hi Josh,

      The research for this article was thorough. Could you please elaborate as to which information you feel was incorrect?

      Thanks,
      David

      • I’d personally love to see you explore the light side you were talking briefly about. It’s out there too. Empire of the Sun-walking on a dream depicts the hidden eye imagery, only he covers his left eye. But listen to the lyrics. NOT sure all celebrities abide by this/know but the left eye exposed is honoring horus in a way, but is REALLY covering up the truth (or what right eye signifies/Sun God). If symbols are used and there is negative present it will be obvious (cursing, provocative, negative influence, etc.) If the POSITIVE is present there will be an absence of these things! In videos they actually try to portray the truth. Even if symbols (covering eye, pyramid) are present if you notice a lack of negative, or the obvious portrayal of a power struggle between the two, these are directly from the light or positive trying to wake you up!!! A few more videos to get you started…avicii-wake me up. Lilly wood prayer in c, ellie holding-burn, Vance joy riptide, awolnation-sail, (also check out unofficial video for some), naughty boy-lalala, Sia elastic heart, of monsters and men-little talks, imagine dragons have a ton (believer and thunder videos are most obvious) as do Portugal the man. Spread the word!

    • It isn’t wrong, Ill probably be using this as a source for a documentary that I am making.

    • I think it this article is spot on. I’d guess some of these “artists ” are doing this to sell records. Unfortunately you cannot participate in these dark things without them negatively affecting you. A super bowl ad costs 1 million per minute because in 1 minute they can affect you’re buying habits..how is this crap affecting the mindless mtv viewer. It’s brilliant to make fun of sacred things while co-opting them. Ironically a Sign of the times…

    • Hi Josh, thanks for the FUD, tell your buddies in Hollywood Utah Maryland and Virginia I said hello.

  5. Very thorough, clear and well-researched article David!

    It is shocking how that rapper had his fans worshipping him like a deity, sounds like they had lost their common sense completely. Also it shocks me the mockery of artists portraying themselves as Jesus, the sheer craziness and arrogance to call themselves gods. It is also a bit hard to look at these images, maybe because of the depth of their evil influence on the subconscious level that I feel the need to stop reaching me.

    As I’ve been researching these things at times, watching documentaries or seeing a lot of dark symbols etc. I have to say it makes me feel physically ill after a time of seeing it. It feels like it poisons me inside somehow (then I have to do a mantra quickly or put on some uplifting music etc. 😀 ) Not to even mention hearing that music on the radio for example, it has a hypnotic quality and it’s difficult to stop it from influencing you if you can’t get away from hearing it, like a poison you can’t stop.

    As another example, I went to my home country for Christmas this year, and it’s a tradition to put big five pointed paper stars in your windows with a light inside. I guess because it’s easier to insert the light and the cord that way, the stars were hanging upside down more often than not. Without it being the intention at all, I felt they were radiating evil energy.

    Thank you for the article David, it’s so important to be aware of these things to be able to resist it.

    • Laura, in some ways music artists are look at like gods or a deity. There are people out there who literally worship them. If in fact the Illuminati are behind these people they are doing a damn good job and getting followers, though it’s indirect it’s still followers none-the-less.

      • Hey Kalyn I agree.
        If you consider that it’s actually these dark forces behind those pop artists. Then by idolizing them, their lyrics, the low vibrations of their music, the concepts in their music videos, the inverted symbols etc. people are actually fans and followers of something much darker…
        And with all the money and show used to broadcast the image of these superstars, no wonder many teens and people are susceptible to idolising them. I mean who didn’t have a favourite star or band as a pre-teen or teen, where the interest grew beyond just liking the music, who hasn’t been a fan of someone in some way? It’s quite disturbing though that most of the current ‘line-up’ of music artists are these pawns promoting very evil things.

  6. That’s pretty disturbing stuff. If people haven’t realized that this is a war on consciousness and spirituality then please take another look at the evidence presented here and ask why are these musicians/actors/entertainers insistently passing themselves off as a god figure? Why are they blatantly mocking and undermining revered spiritual belief systems, figures and symbols? Why do they continue to promote destructive and reckless behaviour and relationships, targeting the most impressionable and vulnerable – children and youth? How did they become so famous? The problem with the misuse/abuse of esoteric symbols in the music industry particularly is that it tends to reach a much broader audience and leaves a more lasting impression compared to any other form of entertainment. It’s obvious that this goes way beyond fame and fortune.

  7. A very good write up. Thanks for the research and sharing.

  8. By making all these dark symbols ”trendy” they manage to categorize people that are religious or spiritual as boring and any attempt to go against this ”trend” is considered as conspiracy that does not deserve anyone’s attention.

    That can definitely put young people off from anything trully spiritual.

  9. Thanks David your article reveals an unbelievable amount of proof of so many demonic activities which are occurring before our very eyes.
    I hope that articles like yours will help people wake up to this reality.

  10. Surely it’s time some of US wrote meaningful and uplifting lyrics to entertain and educate instead of all the
    examples you’ve provided. We are a free race, despite whatever “they” claim and we need to exercise our talent in more positive ways.
    Because the media, definitely including the music industry and Hollywood, are pushing so hard for their NWO agendas, we need to collectively move forward and demonstrate our need to oppose those agendas and to share all the good that we are and can be, whatever anyone thinks.
    Sheeple need herding in the positive direction as our world IS going to get better, and soon.
    We are ALL W U N.

    • Hi Royston,

      You’re definitely right that there clearly is a need for more meaningful and uplifting music and lyrics, especially when after reading this article, it becomes extremely clear that there is something quite sinister happening in “Pop” music in front of our eyes but also behind the scenes.

      I’m definitely looking toward part 2..

      All the best everyone waking up 🙂

  11. Christopher Blackwell

    Shock value is old hat in Rock. Remember most of the buyers are teenagers and want to upset adults. Lamebrain fans following the superstars are old hat as eel. The whole concept of fan do is that you own dull life is are exciting y being a follower. I have music that I like, movies that I like, and novels that I like, but I have never been mindless enough to become a fan of anybody. I have no desire to be a leader and I a just not dumb enough to be a follower.

  12. Hard to believe the shameless slavery these people have sold themselves into. Hard to believe their boldness in mocking God.

  13. The globalists are trying to set up a one world government and religion that will incorporate symbols to manipulate people from all faiths into surrendering their minds, bodies, souls, and all material possessions to the one world government. We can see Pope Francis trying manipulate all religions into joining a one world religion at this very moment. This one world government will likely have two branches of government; one branch for political control and the other branch for religious control. The one world religion will use the Eye of Horus to represent the Christ impersonator who will pretend to be Christ/Isa/Horus reincarnated, someone like David de Rothschild for example:
    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jYn7BKyRSpU/S-VowWuYlvI/AAAAAAAAAJM/6g1QZHDybTQ/s320/DAVID_~1.PNG

    Rothchild will likely use the Eye of Horus to manipulate people into worshipping him and the spirit of darkness that will control the one world religion and government. I suspect that people will be encouraged to surrender themselves and all their material possessions to the one world government and religion. The symbol of their enslavement will likely be the Eye of Horus. The one world government may eventually incorporate a skin microchip in the form of a Eye of Horus tattoo. Slaves will yield their tattoo of the Eye of Horus as identification, payment, passport, etc. Slaves will literally be yielding their minds, bodies, souls, and material possession to the beast:
    http://www.tldm.org/news4/markofthebeast.htm

    Enslavement to the one world government and religion will require that individuals literally prostitute themselves to the beast. The nwo will not call it prostitution though. It will likely call it self marketing, self promotion, self incorporation or something to that effect. We can already see the celebrities yielding their minds, bodies, souls, and material possessions to the nwo. This is becoming a mass movement that will encourage people to sacrifice themselves to the nwo; one for all (nwo), all for one (nwo).

    And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
    The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
    And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
    Revelation 14:9-11

  14. I don’t believe that the symbolism has any inherent power. People today seem extra materialistic and egotistical and perhaps some of these symbols might inspire people to be even more narcissistic. I suppose since the Media industry (news and entertainment) is a Corporate entity heavily aligned with State Power one could make the point that the symbols are used to unify young people into being complacent consumers like cattle. The Media Industry is very organized but it is our wild minds that breath energy into it. As always we have to ask ourselves, what is my motivation in life? Compassionate goals or Selfish goals? Corporate Power seems to be trying very hard to capture our minds so they must see the value in subduing our compassionate energy. Compassionate minds cannot be controlled.

    • I agree, J.

      @David: I think you overinterpreted. While I agree that symbolism may have a strong effect on people in that it has the potential to bypass their own critical thinking, it’s still up to everyone to what degree they “follow” an artist. Before analyzing symbolism, I’d much rather analyze the use of language – or its decay, rather. For example, how many people are aware that the very word “fan” is an abbreviation of the word “fanatic”? If you see things from this perspective, then the battle seems lost before it started. Conscious use of language, semantics – anyone?

      Anyway – I still appreciate your meticulous collecting of references and the meanings that those symbols traditionally stand for. I don’t put much stock in symbols altogether. So I consider myself “immune” towards their subliminal programming…. 😉

  15. Great article. Crazy how far things have gone, and so in the open.

    I feel like most of the artists involved don’t know the full extent of what they’re involved in, but some surely must. In any case there are definitely people behind the scenes dictating this. There’s no way it can all just be a coincidence.

  16. Great article!
    It was like reading a well informed wikipedia page, exposing the fashion music industry in the same time. I’m looking forward the 2nd part of it.

    It’s really so obvious what a great propaganda is happening. It’s like they want people talk about conspiracy theories and to provoke these kind of reactions to people. Probably in order these symbols and theories become mainstream and feed the fashion industry. What is in fashion looks like it has a lot of power on people and it’s scary to see the results of it.

    I was wondering why you didn’t mention the metal rock industry (e.x black and death metal) in your article. It is where I first saw all this darkness to unfold and there it is so obvious too.

    • Hey Fotis,

      There’s a lot of pretty dark stuff that goes on in the metal music scene. The lead singer of Deicide has an inverted cross permanently carved into his forehead for instance. Musicians have been known to promote murder, burning churches (things which they have sometimes done themselves) and other nasty stuff.

      I wanted to focus more on pop and rap music where you might not expect to see that kind of symbolism. I included Marilyn Manson, because he is one of the only heavy metal musicians signed by a major label and there are links between him and some of the other groups / artists I wrote about like Lady Gaga and Die Antwoord.

      I might do another article about the metal music scene in the future.

    • I think what is disturbing is that this dark symbology is appearing in mainstream pop. You kind of expect to see it in the heavy metal scene, where it is done more for shock value (for example T-shirts like “nuke the cross”). They are not hiding the fact that they being dark and offensive, and the whole subculture geared to that.

      But mainstream pop is something that young kids listen to, that gets played on all radio stations because the music is “radio friendly” and it is part of the dominant culture. The symbols are more subliminal and hidden, unlike in heavy metal where it is in your face. It’s as if they want to influence people without them realising it using the most pervasive medium.

  17. Thanks very much for your research and findings David, it’s been really eye-opening. I’ve read a heap of articles on the Illuminati and the music industry, and found that you raised some really interesting points I hadn’t come across before, like musicians frequently elevating themselves to the status of Gods.

    I also appreciate how you pull together these symbols and their meanings which are relevant to anyone interested in spirituality, rather than just certain religions, as symbols don’t belong to any one religion or group but are a universal language used by them.

  18. waow – thanks for this article… It explains and depicts things very well.

    The more and more information on this subject can be found, the more and more (hopefully) people will start to see how they are being manipulated and enslaved and maybe will do something about it..

  19. Wow thanks Dave for the info, it really does seem that there is a real influence within the music industry to have people sub consciously, or even consciously, excepting and following the Illuminati.
    One thing that did stand out was how they do make it humorous and joke about people bringing up these topics to make people feel like there silly to even bring anything up of this nature.
    With the information you have presented and some of the lyrics in there songs it is plain fully obvious that there is a influence of some sorts within the music industry

    SCARY!!!

  20. That image by Anton LaVey says it all…

    This is probably the best article I’ve seen on exposing this subject! Gosh, it’s hard to stomach so much darkness in one go, but even more difficult to stomach is the fact that it has gone so far that it is now embraced by so many people around the world as a result. It’s like these inverted esoteric symbols have made darkness more palatable for the masses.

    This perhaps belongs more in the inverted symbols in the fashion industry article, but seeing you highlight the prominence of the 3×6 hand gesture and the strong connection between the music and fashion industries, I was reminded of seeing this brooche promoted on one of the most popular fashion blogs out there:

    • The index and thumb touching with three fingers pointing up (as in your picture) is also a Buddhist mudra which signifies the Buddha’s teachings of compassion and ultimate realty. I think mudras and symbols can affirm the positive or negative in our mind depending on our everyday minute by minute practices of body, speech and mind.