Hi Liz,
There are many different ways to look at your questions. From my view Symbols are a simple reminder of/for energies, we "use" them to interact with a certain energy and inthe end we don´t need them anymore. So what Riza said is more than right...listen to your heart..

as for the self attunements have a look here....very easy to do..enjoy in playfullness....

The Mastering Self Attunements ebook is now free and further available in English and Spanish!
You can download it here:
http://olegabrielsen.com/masteringselfattunements/ (thank you to Karthika for the Link)
As for modality´s such as Matrix Energetics I cant say anything about it, because I dont know it....but as for all energy work, such as Reiki and other healing modality´s, its always good to reseive them from time to time in person, because in our fast life society we seem to forget to tap into the space of harmony, silence and stillness to reseive the healing touch through a person, instead of a quick short infusion through the internet (dont get me wrong its wonderful to have the reiki path...but there is nothing like a one or two day reiki seminar instead..

).
So listen to your heart.... and have pure fun in your discovery
blessings and greetings from the light
wolfgang