Publisher: Createspace
Publication Date: April 20th 2012
ISBN: 1470169029
Book Synopsis: Do you believe in destiny?
When sensitive Maya moves with her brother Thomas from Los Angeles to Paris hoping for a better life, she has no idea that everything is about to dramatically change.
What starts as an initiation into the age-old Arakad magical tradition takes an unexpected turn when a wave of brutal murders shatters her world. Caught up in an ancient prophecy, she finds herself at the center of a ruthless battle between good and evil in which humanity’s future is at stake.
When all hope is lost and she becomes the final target of a sinister clan, will Maya learn to trust herself and her own power? Or will her own fears prevail?
Guest Post:
The Secret Language of
Symbols
Hi, this is Guillaume Wolf “Prof.
G,” author of the newly released supernatural thriller, The Last Arakad.
Before we start, I want to thank So Simply Sara for inviting me to guest blog;
it’s a pleasure to be here.
So today, let’s talk about the
secret language of symbols.
First I’d like to invite you to
imagine your day. Let’s say you drive to work. What do you see all around you
in the city? You turn on your computer; what’s all over the internet? Finally,
you’re back home in the evening. In the kitchen, you grab food and prepare a
plate, then you move to the couch to watch TV. What are you surrounded by? What
are these things that constantly try to influence you without saying a word?
Symbols.
In our consumer society, symbols
are called “logos” and they are part of the tools of advertising and branding.
For better or (possibly) for worse; we’re surrounded by millions of these
commercial symbols. These symbols all share the same agenda: “buy more of me,”
they say. But that’s not all, symbols are also capable, by association, of
creating emotional changes within ourselves.
Let’s
say you decide to sign up for a gym membership. You put on a new pair of Nike
shoes and the swoosh logo will immediately tell your subconscious mind to “Just
do it.” The Nike symbol is designed to inspire your inner athlete to rise up.
But
manipulating symbols is a tricky business as they can create different
reactions in different people. Think about the McDonald’s logo (called ‘the
Golden Arches’). For the fast-food lover, it evokes delicious tastes and good
times. For the strict dieter, it can possibly generates negative feelings
(despite the fact that the brand actually serves fresh salads).
Influential graphic novel author
Alan Moore (creator of The Watchmen) connects the use of symbols with
magic. He remarks: “Art, like magic, is the science of manipulating symbols,
words, or images to achieve changes in consciousness.” But he insists, “Artists
have accepted the prevailing belief that art, that writing are merely forms of
entertainment. They’re not seen as transformative forces that can change a
human being, that can change a society.”
As
an author, and a teacher of communication design (the art of branding and logo
design), I’ve given a lot of thought to this quote. I really believe artists
are responsible for the impact they leave on the world. I remember, for
example, being contacted a few years ago by a tobacco company who wanted me to
help them create a new brand of cigarettes targeting the youth. I passed. I
would never want to be a part of anything like this. But this is just one step.
Can symbols be beneficial? Can they, as Moore claims, “change a human being”?
I’ve
spent decades studying symbols trying the solve this riddle. This is a
fascinating domain because symbols operate on a level of communication that
bypasses the rational mind. They can, in the case of spiritual or religious
symbols, elevate the soul—or they can inspire the worst in the heart of
humanity—like the Nazi swastika (a misappropriated symbol originating from the
Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India).
Symbols
have their own life, their own mode of expression and language. They’re at the
heart of every civilization; and as humans, we love to be associated with them
because they help us make sense of the world. They infuse us with energy.
In my novel The Last Arakad,
the main protagonist, Maya, comes in contact with a mysterious symbol called
the Arakad, part of an ancient hermetic tradition. The Arakad
becomes a ‘silent teacher’ in the story, as it helps Maya stay centered despite
the numerous struggles she faces. The symbol helps her grow.
The
novel is a supernatural thriller (with a villain you’ll love to hate), but it’s
also a story about moving beyond your fear and claiming your own power. Now the
question is, how does the Arakad symbol connects with the reader’s
experience? Well . . . I invite you to read the story to find out for yourself
: )
In your own life, what are the
symbols/logos that inspire you? Please share your comments below.
Guillaume Wolf "Prof. G"
is the author of the supernatural thriller, The Last Arakad
(http://arakad.com),
and reDESIGN: reCREATE
(http://redesignrecreate.com), a book on reinvention and creativity.
About the Author: Born in Africa (Sénégal), raised in Paris, France, and currently living in Los Angeles, California, Guillaume Wolf “Prof G.” embodies the spirit of the 21st Century “global village.”Guillaume has spent decades exploring the transformative power of symbols, archetypes, and creativity (and their relationship with the everyday world); and this passion inspires his writing.Guillaume’s background includes among others: creative director; branding consultant; and teacher of communication design at the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.He is the author of reDESIGN: reCREATE, a book about reinvention and creativity. The Last Arakad is his first novel.Guillaume lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles, California.To learn more about Guillaume Wolf’s books and discover additional content, collectibles, and behind-the-scenes bonuses, visit www.Arakad.comMeet Guillaume on Facebook at www.facebook.com/profgpage.Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profgpage
