Recent interest in non-Hermitian quantum mechanics stems from the discovery of exceptional points (EPs), which mark the transition between regions of preserved and broken parity-time (PT) symmetry, where Hamiltonian eigenfunctions become degenerate. In photonics, PT symmetry arises from non-Hermiticity, represented by gain and loss. In the first part of this talk I show that eigenmodes of active, pumped cavity polaritons with population inversion exhibit features resembling PT symmetry. In the second part of the talk, I consider in depth the possibility of realizing asymmetric mode switching and omni-polarizer action through the dynamic encirclement of Eps and offer a new perspective on the operating principle of these devices. The experimentally confirmed proposed concept of “encirclement emulators” may allow a better assessment of the limitations, practical potential, and applications of EP encirclements in non-Hermitian photonics.