Is it worth your time?

The particular path that each of us travels in order to find our own metaphysical and spiritual answers has two limited resources: our time and attention. Furthermore, it may involve a monetary investment (e.g. buying a book).

For this reason, at The Metaphysical Compass, we take our reviews very seriously. Our objective is twofold: to offer a critical vision of the symbolic and metaphysical value of a certain work, and to summarize/analyze its main message, trying to help you determine if something is worth your time, your attention, and your money.

Since there are users who may have very little time in today’s crazy world, the articles contain a summary in the top left section, as well as tags that underline the main concepts, symbols, and worldviews highlighted in each specific work analyzed. Although they cannot compare to the analytical depth and discussion found in the main text, they do offer a quick overview of the underlying metaphysics and allow us to see the similarity between most modern popular culture productions.

The Metaphysical Compass Review Scale

Art criticism, by its very nature, cannot be an objective science. However, the main metaphysical doctrines, symbols, and specific worldviews relevant to the work being discussed can be objectively pointed out. Scores are just a baseline for our opinion on the symbolic and metaphysical value of a particular work, the latter being selected because of either their cultural impact and significance or due to their special clarity in conveying their message.  

5 Stars – A Metaphysical Cultural Landmark

A work receiving five stars indicates that the metaphysical message presented is at the forefront of the narrative, defining the entire work. This message is usually conveyed through abundant symbolism derived from classical esoteric or mystical sources. For this reason, these works are our highest recommendation for those who have even the slightest interest in these subjects. There is also a high probability that they are already recognized as cultural landmarks in their respective genres.

4.5 Stars – Extremely Symbolic and Metaphysical

We strongly recommend that you devote your time to these works, as they are particularly impressive for the metaphysical nature of their central message and the way they convey it. It is likely that they are already cult classics or well on their way to becoming so, even if their symbolic density or their link with traditional worldviews may be slightly less impressive than those of works awarded five stars.

4 Stars – Greatly Metaphysical

These works have a high probability of lingering in our memory. Even if some of their core ideas may be presented in a not-so-explicit way or need a higher degree of interpretation to get the most out of them, their virtues more than compensate for any possible shortcomings.

3.5 Stars – Good in Conveying a Metaphysical Message

Does this work contain an underlying metaphysical message? Of course it does. Is it the central aspect of the narrative? Not necessarily.

Other than that, perhaps the message is not as clear as it could be, or the symbolism used is particularly idiosyncratic and departs from the classic archetypes that we can commonly find in the human psyche. These works are very interesting spiritually and symbolically, but they may be as good at conveying their author’s particular vision as they are at being a clear re-presentation or reformulation of a traditional spiritual worldview. Nevertheless, they are still clearly recommended.

3 Stars – Okay in Conveying a Metaphysical Message

Are these works recommended? Yes, they are. Do we think that their metaphysical message could be conveyed in a clearer way? Yes, we do.

On the one hand, the density and clarity of the doctrines or symbols used may be less than expected. This may imply that conveying a metaphysical message is not the main aim of the narrative. It may also be that the general vision provided moves away from traditional interpretations, adding some idiosyncratic twist or personal re-interpretation that partially distances itself from the traditions on which it is based. The presence of a spiritual worldview, however, is noticeable and worth mentioning.

2.5 Stars – Pretentious

It is very possible that a metaphysical message is found here, but either it is not excessively important, being used as a mere excuse that acts as a background for the main story, or it is not as clearly defined as the work itself thinks it is, leaving as much to each person’s interpretation.

2 Stars – Style over Substance

While an underlying metaphysics is discernible, however faintly, and we can trace its origins to real worldviews, it is given so little weight in the narrative that it becomes a mere background for the rest of the events. Most of the time dedicated to these works may have no metaphysical or symbolic significance.

1.5 Stars – Not Metaphysically Focused

Any trace of spiritual doctrine is secondary, so we cannot recommend these works as carrying a high metaphysical or symbolic value, although some notions may be present in a limited way.

1 Stars – Superficial or Muddled Metaphysical Message

Either their metaphysical message is so superficial and formulaic that it is difficult to obtain any value from it, or it is represented in such an extremely confusing way that we can end up drawing erroneous and even opposite conclusions to those we would obtain if we went to the original sources of said doctrines. The time employed here may be better used elsewhere.

0.5 Stars – No Clear Metaphysical Message at all

In most cases there is no metaphysical message here, or it is so contradictory and arbitrary that one wishes it did not exist. Don’t waste your time here.

How do you determine scores? 

Reviewing involves a process in which reviewers immerse themselves in the world presented by the work under study in order to analyze it. This may include watching films, reading comics/novels or any available supplementary material, playing/watching playthroughs of different games in a specific franchise, as well as researching the influences acknowledged by their creators and the main doctrinal tenets of the worldviews they portray.

Reviews go through several edits and revisions to make sure the argument is sound, and pictures are selected as particularly good representatives of the most salient metaphysical points.

A review score is a direct translation of the criteria described on the scale above.

© 2024 – The Metaphysical Compass