Signs and Wonders

[Twinkle]

I'd like to start off this thread by clarifying that this is for discussion purposes only. I have no hidden agenda or reason to create angst or animosity among those in the community.

Hopefully then, this question will garner some response.

For me personally, I have a tendency to downplay any sort of wondrous epiphany from the Gods, although I can say quite honestly that I have received some amazing personal gnosis.

Gnosis and signs though are not necessarily exclusive (at least not for me).

For example, the other day I was in my car, contemplating a matter that caused me extreme emotional distress. I switched the channel on my radio, and the first words I heard were "Ask Zeus."

Apparently there was an insurance company that went by the name Zeus advertising on the radio.

Personally, I think that was pretty blatant.

But really, was it? Or is it just delusion and wishful thinking?

[Toki Wartooth]

I think that's very possible. I don't know how likely it is, or any other sort of probability thing, but I don't see why not. I figure the Gods (and other beings) have various ways of communicating with us, and that may include things like snippets on the radio, or overhearing a conversation, or seeing a literal sign, like a billboard.

I've read that in the case of some ancient Roman rituals, the priests wore veil-like cloths and had music playing so that they wouldn't see or hear ill omens. According to Adkins and Adkins, it was quite possible to get communication and omens by simply walking down the street and seeing/overhearing things.

[MeriBast]

everything happens for a reason. sure the commercial was for a car insurance company but while you were contemplating something unsure of what to do and then you hear "ask zeus," to me thats self explanitory.

i am one of those people that believe in signs and omens. and while things around me are mostly mundane the gods do have a fun way of speaking to us. they use what is around us its up to us to see or hear it.

[AingealOreiad]

I tend to be pretty wary of reading everything as a sign, but sometimes suspending disbelief is important. I would have taken that experience as a sign, but would I have directly attributed it to Zeus? Probably not--but I tend to think of the Cosmos as pretty inter-related.

[Cunae]

I believe your eyes can be opened by faith so you that start seeing God/gods things. Things you wouldn't otherwise notice or assign a particular meaning. I see little, and sometimes big, God things all the time . A leaf landing on my book. Bluejays taking turns at the birdfeeder. A foal taking the first steps of life. A friend of mine calls them "postcards from God." Reminders about who's watching out for me.

[androgino]

Twinkle

Xaire!

Personally I do not think it was delusion nor wishful thinking. In Greek Divination by William Reginald Halliday, there is written about a method of divination where a person would ask a question to an image of Hermes, cover their ears, walk out of the area, uncover their ears, and finally they would take the first words they hear to be an oracle from the god. Also consider that in the Iliad and in the 4th Homeric Hymn there are places where divination by birds, such a random thing to us, was used. As we know, the Theoi are much much more powerful than we are, they know things we do not, and they can see that which we may not be able to see. If I were in your situation and heard "Ask Zeus" right after turning on the radio, I would definitely take that as something from Him.

Mystic Christian

I really like your friend's terminology there! "Postcards from God" sounds like one of the best things ever come up with to label such things. =)

[Toki Wartooth]

In Greek Divination by William Reginald Halliday, there is written about a method of divination where a person would ask a question to an image of Hermes, cover their ears, walk out of the area, uncover their ears, and finally they would take the first words they hear to be an oracle from the god. Also consider that in the Iliad and in the 4th Homeric Hymn there are places where divination by birds, such a random thing to us, was used. As we know, the Theoi are much much more powerful than we are, they know things we do not, and they can see that which we may not be able to see. If I were in your situation and heard "Ask Zeus" right after turning on the radio, I would definitely take that as something from Him.

You know, I actually didn't automatically think it was from Zeus - just a voice directing one to Zeus. Could've been another deity. It's up to the person who receives it and his/her relationship with these deities, I'd say. (In this case, it's dependent upon Twinkle.)

Re: Hermes divination - that's pretty neat. I hadn't heard of that one before.

Yes, divination via flying creatures and the sky seemed fairly common, both in Greek and Roman literature (and history). Another thing the Romans did was augury with the carcasses of animals. That's not as practical as it was, unless one has his own livestock or has plenty of meat with other pieces to do this.

Lots of ways to do divination and try to receive/read "signs" and "omens" and all. I personally think these things can get us messages from the High Ones, and I believe They send quite a few things to us of Their own accord. I often think we either "hyper"-look for them - or we don't see them at all. It's difficult to find a kind of balance sometimes.

[androgino]

You know, I actually didn't automatically think it was from Zeus - just a voice directing one to Zeus. Could've been another deity. It's up to the person who receives it and his/her relationship with these deities, I'd say. (In this case, it's dependent upon Twinkle.)

I agree that it does not actually have to be from Zeus. There are, of course, messengers such as Hermes and Iris. And don't worry, I am not expressing that others cannot do this type of thing. [Sources: personal opinion and the Iliad]

Indeed, it is up to the person (in this case, Twinkle). What makes you think I feel she cannot make the decision? It's her experience and she has her own reasoning, worldview, etc. When I explained what I would do in her situation, I was merely stating what I would do and was not trying to make a decision for anyone else.

[Toki Wartooth]

I agree that it does not actually have to be from Zeus. There are, of course, messengers such as Hermes and Iris. And don't worry, I am not expressing that others cannot do this type of thing. [Sources: personal opinion and the Iliad]

Indeed, it is up to the person (in this case, Twinkle). What makes you think I feel she cannot make the decision? It's her experience and she has her own reasoning, worldview, etc. When I explained what I would do in her situation, I was merely stating what I would do and was not trying to make a decision for anyone else.

I didn't think that. I just noted that a couple of users automatically went with "from Zeus." That's all.

[androgino]

I didn't think that. I just noted that a couple of users automatically went with "from Zeus." That's all.

Thank you for clarifying that for me.

And I'm really sorry for getting all defensive there; I've been unhappy lately. =(

[Toki Wartooth]

Thank you for clarifying that for me.

And I'm really sorry for getting all defensive there; I've been unhappy lately. =(

No worries.

[*oonagh*]

this is such an interesting question...for anyone on any path. thank you for posing it. that being said, i'm not sure how i would answer...