How to be an Oracle.

[Dumunzi]

An Oracle as I would define it is someone who is full on prophetic. Able to either predict or receive visions of what is to come from their deity.

Is there actually any way to be said thing? I mean really?? o_O

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I would say that yes it is. I think the main problem would lie in "In what time frame or expression of time will the events occur?"

I've received many visions and such that have come to pass for me. Those that I can claim for sure have always came to pass for me in a three day time frame when dealing with diaster. Other visions have not been so clean cut and timely in arrival. Some have required months or even years to come to pass, yet friends I have recorded a number of them so there was a record.

There in would be the problem I think. If it's in a day or two of reception then everyone can say "Yes" it occured just as claimed. If it takes longer then the prophecy becomes lost to the ravages of time and memory.

The other element is did the prophecy pertain to the same area as the person residing in received it? I used to see things that in no way could I call a prophecy, yet I would discover through accident that what I saw did occur but in a place that I had no conneciton to and only by accident did I learn of its occurance.

What has been a problem for me in the past was fully understanding what I was seeing and having the ability to explain or reveal it to others. It's sort of like dreams in that the way it is sent is reflective of your own internal recognization system.

But that facet I think moves it from the ability to receive a prophecy to having the ability to convey it to others. Yet historically, that has always fallen upon another that is not the receiver of the prophecy but one who reads the "Prophecy".

Now I can't speak for other's but I also had to seperate myself from people and close myself off to a great degree to do so. Some events were easy to receive if I stayed to myself and meditated and journeyed late at night and alone. Some, usually the more long term required me to be alone and off in the woods for several hours or days before I could receive those.

Another thing I noticed was that when I received the long term ones I also changed my diet and sleep habits. My diet was usualy water and fruits and nuts only. Usually ongoing for several days to cleans my system I often though. Sleep was more like a series of cat naps and various levels of being awake.

Not sure if that answers your question but that is how I felt compelled to respond.

[Secret_Twilight]

They say déjà vu is caused by one eye seeing the events before the other eye. That there is a 10 to 20 millisecond gap in the reception of one eye as opposed to the other, at times. This creates the sensation that " Hey, I have done this before! Whoa spooky, I 'knew' this was going to happen." There are times where I can go, " This is absolute fact." And others where I remember the dream in detail I had encompassing the event now at hand, even as the dream moved on to something more obscure. In that instant I believe that I had at one point captured an event that I had foreseen, a lot of them only of media core importance, nothing profound, in those instances.

For example, when I was a young child, the ages of 3-5 I dreamt massively, every night, of my young adulthood to be. I didn't realize this until a few years ago. Also, when I was young I had LOADS of nightmares, those helped me forget the actual dreams, to say the least. The feeling you get in the moment of realization is a sensation of 'opening', a warm fluid feeling as though you are in gentle waters coursing through time, that everything will be ok in the end.

The profound predictions I have had were for the death of my parents. No warm fuzzy ok feelings with those. One night, and for many nights to come, when I was 9 as I would lay down to sleep, I cried at the sudden thought of losing my mother, the emptiness, the extreme loss. It felt real. 2 years later she was killed. And the same for my father when I was 18, 3 years later he died of cancer.

I think through a sort of extensive training, and listening to the small things in life, one becomes more attuned to a greater wisdom-over time, whether or not this will hone their oracular abilities is beyond my judgment. I say at least to a small degree we all see things coming, whether or not we chalk it up to a hunch, pay attention to it intensely, or dismiss it all together. All I can share with you are experiences, no specific facts, unfortunately, due to the fact that I don't consider myself an oracle. For a lot of people it seems, no matter how hard a person studies they can never obtain the abilities they religiously strive for, and while yet for others at a given age the enhanced ability is flipped on like a light switch.

[Windsmith]

In the Reclaiming tradition, to be an oracle is not just to be prophetic, but to hear the voices of the Mysterious Ones, the greenbloods and redbloods, our own Deep or Highest Self - any being who has some message to pass on to listening Witches. Sometimes these are prophetic, but a lot of the time they are simply...present. They present a facet of the present condition of the world from a perspective that humans cannot ordinarily see.

We practice an exercise called the Oracular Tripod. One person is the Oracle, one is the Scribe, and a third is the Witness. The Oracle enters dropped and open attention and opens hirself to whatever messages are waiting to be received. The Scribe writes or draws the message, usually on a very large sheet of paper. The Witness is silent, watching and observing, holding sacred space. When a set amount of time passes, or the messages stop coming, the Oracle returns to ordinary consciousness. Then the roles rotate so everyone gets a turn at every position. When everyone is done, all of the notes and images recorded by the Scribes are put together and synthesized into a central message which is shared with the rest of the community. This can lead to a plan of action or it can simply be presented as something for the community to ponder and act on later.

So, in our tradition, the answer to your question:
Is there actually any way to be said thing?is an emphatic, "Yes." And the way is to sit with attention and intention and to be open to the message.

[Dumunzi]

But would you describe it as something psychic happening? Or do you believe what you described above to just be opening oneself to the Gods? Having complete faith?

[cydira]

The role of an oracle is generally defined by the social context of the oracle. In ancient Greece, the oracle was a priestess with certain training to assist them in their duties (I'm assuming on the training part.). In other societies of old, oracles were members of the priesthood or they practiced it as a trade.

Moving forward in time, we have oracles who are primarily doing so as something of a trade. They're acting as truth sayers and personal consultants to the wealthy. They're also acting as sources of entertainment for the other classes. Occasionally, you do have individuals who operate within the context of their faith, but it comes under a significant scrutiny within their faith.

When you come to the modern age, we find that the oracle is decried as a charlatan. There's an effort to reclaim the role as something within the context of the sacred but it has also built up a strong secular basis as well. I don't think it takes away from the sacred context but it is my opinion that neither is better then the other.

I hope this helps some but I have a feeling I've only served to confuse the matter with my opinions here. :P

[Kaliel]

I'm kinda on the no side of the fence here. I've always termed an Oracle as a sort of infallible being and for me I don't think anyone is infallible, even the Gods / Goddesses, so even if an Oracle was channeling a God/Goddess, they would probably be more likely to be right, with less chance of failure, but not completely infallible, and so no I don't think anyone could call themselves a true Oracle.

[Deerwoman]

I believe you either are or are not able to divine, to be an oracle. Some people are proficient at specific augeries, whether it be tarot, runes, ogham, playing cards, visions, voices, dreams, or observing natural phenomena. I personally see the future in dreams only, but also have skill in card reading. I also tend to keep my dreams and sights of the future to myself, unless they tell of good tidings for me or my loved ones. Others I have known have had visions. I believe it's a natural skill, and difficult to learn if there is no natural ability. What are tarot cards but pieces of paper, if the reader has no skill?

[Meadhbh]

The problem with visions and other methods of divination is the future is fluid. So just because you see something happening that doesn't mean that something else won't happen a day from now that will change the events all around. So can get a over view of the situation or how things are mostly likely going to turn out, but you can never been certain thats how it will in fact end. Even the gods aren't omnipresent or omnipotient, just because thats how they believe thats what going to happen doesn't mean thats the case. So even if some one is getting a fully divine vision it doesn't mean their going to be totally right all of the time.

[Nicholas]

You could do what the ancients did and get high, either by way of drugs or gases. However I wouldn't recommend it.

[Windsmith]

But would you describe it as something psychic happening? Or do you believe what you described above to just be opening oneself to the Gods? Having complete faith?It varies depending on the individual serving as the Oracle, and also on what, exactly, you mean by "something psychic." I think most people view themselves as being conduits for messages of the Mysterious Ones. But if you view the Mysterious Ones as being free from our own temporal restraints, then they have a view of the future that they want to share with us, and we, serving however temporarily as Oracles, are the ones who receive it.

[Twinkle]

Umm....what you guys are describing is a *seer*, not an *oracle*. There is a difference, and I can see where there is some confusion, the two terms are not interchangeable.

Here:

A dictionary definition of an Oracle is:
1. The seat of worship of an ancient divinity where prophecies were given out in answer to inquiries.
2. A prophecy thus given.
3. A Divinity whose prophecy is given
4. Hence, a person of unquestioned wisdom, or knowledge, or something regarded as infallible

A dictionary definition of a Seer is:
1. One who sees
2. One who foretells events; a prophet
3. One believed to have second sight

The distinction is thus that an Oracle is connected with the transmission of Divine knowledge and wisdom deriving directly from a Divine Source and site while a seer is a psychic who foretells future events without any reference from which Divine Source (if any) such information or ability derives. The abilities of the Seer are thus independent and connected more with the Mantic Art or the ability to read auguries of any sort. The Oracle on the other hand is an intermediary between the world of the Gods and mortals. The ability of the Oracle is hence connected to a particular sacred site and specific Gods or Goddesses who speak directly to querents through the Oracle.

The major distinction is thus that an Oracle's ability to foretell the future and prophecy is a direct consequence of their communion with the God or Goddess connected to that particular oracular site while a seer's ability to foretell future events does not necessarily derive from a Divine source or a particular site but arises more from the Mantic Art.


Here is a link:

http://hellenismos.us/f/YaBB.pl?num=1232662057/2#2

[BearDancing]

IMO....the dictionary may make a distinction...but if one is a TRUE Seer there is only one ultimate place of source....Universe...so both are of Divinity...

[David19]

Umm....what you guys are describing is a *seer*, not an *oracle*. There is a difference, and I can see where there is some confusion, the two terms are not interchangeable.

Here:

A dictionary definition of an Oracle is:
1. The seat of worship of an ancient divinity where prophecies were given out in answer to inquiries.
2. A prophecy thus given.
3. A Divinity whose prophecy is given
4. Hence, a person of unquestioned wisdom, or knowledge, or something regarded as infallible

A dictionary definition of a Seer is:
1. One who sees
2. One who foretells events; a prophet
3. One believed to have second sight

The distinction is thus that an Oracle is connected with the transmission of Divine knowledge and wisdom deriving directly from a Divine Source and site while a seer is a psychic who foretells future events without any reference from which Divine Source (if any) such information or ability derives. The abilities of the Seer are thus independent and connected more with the Mantic Art or the ability to read auguries of any sort. The Oracle on the other hand is an intermediary between the world of the Gods and mortals. The ability of the Oracle is hence connected to a particular sacred site and specific Gods or Goddesses who speak directly to querents through the Oracle.

The major distinction is thus that an Oracle's ability to foretell the future and prophecy is a direct consequence of their communion with the God or Goddess connected to that particular oracular site while a seer's ability to foretell future events does not necessarily derive from a Divine source or a particular site but arises more from the Mantic Art.


Here is a link:

http://hellenismos.us/f/YaBB.pl?num=1232662057/2#2

Thanks for the info, and, this may be a dumb question, but, what are the Mantic Arts?.

[Meisopomenos]

I may get bashed for this...

I don't think you can "be" an Oracle... You can be called and you can be destined, but this is a gift... Many may have it, few develop it and use it accordingly. God/Spirit knows who can handle this gift and who can't. You may be called and have to wait several years before knowing how to tune into it and bring it forth, or you could be a child and it just starts affecting your life because you foresee things/events. It all depends on when God thinks you're ready to use this gift. You may even have it and not know it yet. I would be terrified of trying to take a gift I couldn't handle.

Not all of us are called to Seer-ship. I don't believe I am, but I'm not going to force myself to a gift that I don't have.

[Philosophia]

I may get bashed for this...

I don't think you can "be" an Oracle... You can be called and you can be destined, but this is a gift... Many may have it, few develop it and use it accordingly. God/Spirit knows who can handle this gift and who can't. You may be called and have to wait several years before knowing how to tune into it and bring it forth, or you could be a child and it just starts affecting your life because you foresee things/events. It all depends on when God thinks you're ready to use this gift. You may even have it and not know it yet. I would be terrified of trying to take a gift I couldn't handle.

Not all of us are called to Seer-ship. I don't believe I am, but I'm not going to force myself to a gift that I don't have.


I have to agree. Some people have the ability, some don't.

[Meisopomenos]

Thanks, Philosophia.

My concern for many people getting involved in the Occult, Paganism, Wicca, Spiritualism, etc. is that they aren't satisfied with the gifts that they already have or want more. It really doesn't work that way and until one is content with his/her gifts, more can't and won't come.

(Not saying that that is what the OP is doing, but just stating my concern.)

[cydira]

IMO....the dictionary may make a distinction...but if one is a TRUE Seer there is only one ultimate place of source....Universe...so both are of Divinity...

Pardon my temerity, but what pray tell distinguishes a true seer from a false one?

And how can you authenticate the true seer's source of their gift or prognostications?

My experience has shown me that charlatan psychics, as a general rule, use leading questions and the techniques of 'cold reading (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_reading)'. It combines quite well to make the casual observer believe that these individuals truly do have psychic abilities.

Now, some of them may have psychic gifts but it's most likely not to the extent that they portray it to be. I don't see where in the process of determining if a psychic, seer, or would be oracle is genuine is going to include determining the source of their abilities.

For my part, in looking at my familial history, it's apparent that there is some form of genetic inclination towards being psychic. Does this mean that I am not a true seer? Does this some how make my efforts less then those of the person who insists that their psychic ability is directly dependent upon a gift from the divine. For that matter, does this make mediumship completely invalid, as the pronouncements are generally those of a spirit that is using the medium as a mouthpiece.

Furthermore, I would propose that genuine mediumship is a fairly rare thing and the incidences of a medium serving as a mouthpiece for some deity is exceptionally rare.

[cydira]

I may get bashed for this...

I don't think you can "be" an Oracle... You can be called and you can be destined, but this is a gift... Many may have it, few develop it and use it accordingly. God/Spirit knows who can handle this gift and who can't. You may be called and have to wait several years before knowing how to tune into it and bring it forth, or you could be a child and it just starts affecting your life because you foresee things/events. It all depends on when God thinks you're ready to use this gift. You may even have it and not know it yet. I would be terrified of trying to take a gift I couldn't handle.

Not all of us are called to Seer-ship. I don't believe I am, but I'm not going to force myself to a gift that I don't have.


Generally, I agree with the thrust of this post with respect to individuals with an inborn ability to act as seers. I believe, however, that this can be an acquired skill just as one can acquire great skill as a runner. You need not be born with a natural talent to be an exceptional runner. I don't believe that the psychic gifts or the ability to act as a seer is any different.

I also do not believe that an oracle or a seer are going to have making pronouncements regarding future events as their natural ability as a general rule. I believe that there is a greater range of things that can fall under this heading and that things such as the ability to determine the truth of a complex situation via one's psychic gifts is a far more typical application of these skills. Or providing spiritual guidance.

In the years of my providing readings to people both for profit and for free, I have to say that the majority of those readings focused upon relationships, more specifically the thoughts and the feelings of the person that the querant was interested in.

I am increasingly of the opinion that my perspective on the role of an oracle or a seer is dramatically different from the perspective held by the majority here, though.

[Windsmith]

I'm not sure which "you guys" you're referring to, but I'll say that we in Reclaiming are surprisingly (even to me) prickly about the meanings of words. If we were doing "seer work" instead of "oracle work," we would've called it the "Seers Tripod," not the "Oracular Tripod." Most of us do believe that our messages come from the Divine. We just have varying understandings of what "the Divine" is.

I see your link is to a Hellinismos site; perhaps the distinction you cite - of an oracle's ability being tied to a particular sacred site - is valid in that context, but for those of us in other traditions, it is less so. Now, if you feel that the word "oracle" is meaningless or inappropriate in the context of other traditions, or that people can only be oraclesif their definition of "the Divine" involves individuated, anthropomorphic gods and goddesses, that's a different discussion, but for us, messages from the Divine can come at any time and place, so long as we're paying attention and ready to receive it. That's the point of the Oracular Tripod: making a space for that attention.


Umm....what you guys are describing is a *seer*, not an *oracle*. There is a difference, and I can see where there is some confusion, the two terms are not interchangeable.

Here:

A dictionary definition of an Oracle is:
1. The seat of worship of an ancient divinity where prophecies were given out in answer to inquiries.
2. A prophecy thus given.
3. A Divinity whose prophecy is given
4. Hence, a person of unquestioned wisdom, or knowledge, or something regarded as infallible

A dictionary definition of a Seer is:
1. One who sees
2. One who foretells events; a prophet
3. One believed to have second sight

The distinction is thus that an Oracle is connected with the transmission of Divine knowledge and wisdom deriving directly from a Divine Source and site while a seer is a psychic who foretells future events without any reference from which Divine Source (if any) such information or ability derives. The abilities of the Seer are thus independent and connected more with the Mantic Art or the ability to read auguries of any sort. The Oracle on the other hand is an intermediary between the world of the Gods and mortals. The ability of the Oracle is hence connected to a particular sacred site and specific Gods or Goddesses who speak directly to querents through the Oracle.

The major distinction is thus that an Oracle's ability to foretell the future and prophecy is a direct consequence of their communion with the God or Goddess connected to that particular oracular site while a seer's ability to foretell future events does not necessarily derive from a Divine source or a particular site but arises more from the Mantic Art.


Here is a link:

http://hellenismos.us/f/YaBB.pl?num=1232662057/2#2

[Morgaine_cla]

The distinction is thus that an Oracle is connected with the transmission of Divine knowledge and wisdom deriving directly from a Divine Source and site while a seer is a psychic who foretells future events without any reference from which Divine Source (if any) such information or ability derives. The abilities of the Seer are thus independent and connected more with the Mantic Art or the ability to read auguries of any sort.

Greetings,

This may indeed be how the dictionary defines these terms, and for the most part I would agree... however, there is plenty of folklore and literature to attest that prophesy was also uttered by Seers and Bards, as well as by Oracles, and that the spirit companions or helpers of each might be anything from "wights" to deities -- depending upon the Tradition of the Seer or Bard or Oracle... Not all Traditions considered their prophet/esses infalliable; however, most held them in great respect and a priest/ess whose prophesies often came true was seldom questioned. Those whose prophesies proved false were sometimes shunned or banished from their communities. This was especially true of indigenous peoples, whose survival might depend upon these people. There are anthropological studies on the way different cultures treated these issues which are quite informative and many are available for free online through University websites.

Enjoy!