"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." – Professor Dumbledore in J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets"

A Crossroad is any point where two or more Paths Intersect. This intersection symbolizes the focal point of Decision and Creation. It represents a "meeting place", or a period of contemplation, where thoughts and Ideas must marinate before becoming either a decision or a creation. It also represents a midpoint where the gods bring people, ideas, and events together in order to satisfy destiny.

Symbolically, a Crossroad is represented by either the Symbol X, or the Symbol Y.

When represented by the Symbol X, the Crossroad portrays creation or decision in the material realm. This is due to the fact that the X has four distinct "legs", and four is the number which represents matter. The Midpoint of this Symbol, the point at which its two lines intersect, represents the union of duality. Therefore, the Symbol X represents the union of duality in the material realm; or material creation.

An example of this concept can be found in the familiar surroundings of the corner tavern, park, or general store where people congregate and where fellowship is shared and enjoyed; after which everyone returns from whence they originally came. It is at Crossroads such as these that the seeds of new friendships, and new ideas, take root, grow, and blossom.

A prime example of such a Crossroad is the ancient city of Alexandria which was a central meeting place for people of all cultures. It was at Alexandria that people from all different walks of life met, shared, and deposited their knowledge and beliefs. It was the ideal Midpoint for the  blending of differences

When represented by the Symbol Y, the Crossroad signifies creation or decision in the mental or spiritual realm. This is due to the fact that the Symbol Y has three distinct "legs", and three is the number which signifies creation in the unseen world; the world of Mind and Spirit. The Midpoint of this Symbol, the point at which its three lines intersect, is the focal point of all abstract creation and decision.

The Y Crossroad is the lonely fork-in-the-road where we gaze at two separate roads which fade into the horizon and must decide which road we will travel. It is the point at which the lone traveler, or the lone wolf, must make an important choice. For although we can see to the horizon, we cannot see that which is beyond. The adventures we experience beyond the horizon of the road we ultimately choose to travel will change our life forever, and we will not return as the same person who initially ventured forth.

The Y Crossroad is the Crossroad which appears in mythology and legend and is a metaphor for the lone, personal, enigmatic, and life-changing decisions which constantly confront us as we journey through our current incarnation.

As no great decision should ever be made lightly, the Y Crossroad also represents a time and place of pause, contemplation, and marination of thought which we all must suffer through, and accept, prior to moving onward.

As we travel from one Crossroad to another we begin to understand that every decision we make brings forth a creation into our life. We also begin to understand that every Creation which manifests itself in our life is but the result of some decision we made at some previous Crossroad in our past.

Joe Panek

http://www.aseekersthoughts.com/2010/10/crossroads-symbol-and-metaphor.html