Pagan Blog Project – week 30 – O#2 – Oracular Spectacular
When it comes to oracles and
divinatory methods, people have dozens and dozens of options. Tarot cards probably come to mind most often,
but there are also runes, the ogham, and oracle cards. You can scry with crystals, water, or
fire. You can watch birds or read tea leaves.
Many years ago I was surprised to
find that some people came up with their own oracular or divinatory
methods. There is indeed power and
energy behind something like tarot or tasseomancy, but a self-made oracular
system can also tap into those same external and internal energies.
A few years ago I came up with
something I call “Oracular Spectacular.”
I started with a large jar decorated with magical symbols and
sigils. Next I printed off lyrics from
my favorite songs. Some of the songs
were ones that I had loved for years, and some of them were ones that meant a
lot to me at the time of the jar’s creation. I took my favorite lines from the song (or in
some cases, the whole song) and cut them out in words, phrases, or verses. All of these slips of paper went into the jar
(along with a generous splash of glitter for extra magic and ooomph!)
I have a little method and ritual I
usually do every time I use Oracular Spectacular. I shake the jar a pre-decided number of times
and I recite a little incantation. When
I first started using this oracular system, I was shocked at the immediate
results I received. But I shouldn’t have
been surprised at all. Picking songs and
lyrics that held a particular significance to me, as well as intention, trust
of the cosmos, and my own inner mental and emotional situations created an
incredibly powerful combination of power.
The Oracle draws from one’s own energy, as well as tapping into the
cosmos, and it’s incredibly effective and meaningful.
This system is very easy to
use. You can use it every night, or
every morning. You can use it before an
important event, or just when you have the need for some advice or guidance. There is no limit. It’s not a lengthy, time consuming
process. There is no set-up,
preparation, or clean-up. Whenever the
urge comes to you, you can consult the Oracle, and get your answer.
I would consult Oracular Spectacular
with specific questions a lot of the time.
I’d ask my question and draw the Oracle, and if I needed clarification,
I’d draw a second. If it was still
confusing or I was dissatisfied with the answer, I’d ask a different question
or put the Jar away for a different time.
Some systems let you keep on asking and asking and asking, but this one
definitely has its limit. If you ask too
much, the system gets muddled and confusing, and I feel as if the answers lose
their honesty.
Or, of course, you could just ask
generic questions. “What should I know
about today? What should I know about
this morning? How will I do on the
test? What should my focus be right now? What should I know about my relationship with
this person?” There really are no limits
on the questions you could ask when consulting an Oracle like this.
After I’ve consulted the oracle I
either paste the slip of paper in my book of shadows or my journal, or I put it
back in the jar. It really depends on my
intuition at the moment. Sometimes I
know deep down that the Oracle has spoken, and that particular slip of paper
needs to not return to the jar. But
sometimes I’ve gotten a strong sense that the Jar wasn’t done with that
particular message, and so back into the Oracle it goes.
I used to use this system a lot, but
recently I’ve been studying the runes and the Greek Alphabet Oracle, so my
attention has been diverted. It’s hard
for me personally to devote much time to too many divination systems and
methods. I tend to focus on two or three
(tops!) at a time.
When I have a new favorite song (or
remember an old one that has come back to me with new meaning) I add those
lyrics to the jar, too. Repeat songs and
lyrics are also okay. That way the jar
is always being refreshed and renewed, and it will never run out of lyrical and
oracular options (in theory.)
I’ve seen lots of self-made oracular
and divination systems over the years, and I’d encourage my readers to explore devising
their own systems as well. I still rely
heavily on my tarot cards, but there’s no reason why a witch can’t have many
tools in her box! Plus, exploring
divination systems can be a lot of fun, and making one of your own can be a
good exercise of imagination, as well as an expression of inner will and power.
And of course, if you come up with
or already have your own system, share it here!
I’d love to see what all of my cosmic brothers and sisters are coming up
with!
Until then, clear skies!
), and to get into the official Nordic spirit I've been watching the History Channel's The Vikings. It's about farmer/explorer Ragnar Lothbrok and his family and clan. It begins with the raid of Lindisfarne in 793, beginning what is known by some as the Age of the Vikings.
makes the perfect song for the opening credits.
