Oracles offer many different possible answers to humans’ never ending quest to understand the unknown. Oracles are clues that aid in tapping into one’s own divine wisdom.
Oracles have been present in different cultures at various points of time in history. Oracles foretell the future, but they are also laden with spiritual wisdom.
What Exactly is an Oracle?
An oracle refers to a person who can divine the future. The Merriam-Webster dictionary also defines an oracle to mean a shrine where a deity reveals answers through a person. In addition, the words, spoken by the person in trance, can also be referred to as an oracle. So, an oracle can refer to a person, place or a spoken word.
Ancient Oracles at Temple of Apollo in Delphi
The most famous oracle of ancient times is the Oracle of Delphi at the temple of Apollo in Greece. One Greek legend says that the Oracle of Delphi was discovered by shepherds and that the mere presence of a person near a cave at Delphi could make him sing, dance and foretell the future.
Biblical, Buddhist and Ancient Egyptian Oracles
Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with examples of oracles.The coming of the Messiah is written about by several authors like Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah. There are several examples of visitations by angels, the most notable being angel Gabriel coming to Mary to let her know that she would give birth to Jesus Christ.
The Bodhi tree – where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment – is Buddha's oracle.
Nostradamus laid out his oracles in great detail and his predictions spanned several centuries and continents.
Ancient Egyptians used oracles for almost every decision. Some men and women were initiated into the secret sciences and were known as scarabs.
The Oracle Deck
Oracle decks are decks of cards that depict oracle figures. One famous deck is the goddess oracle deck, which features feminine goddesses from various traditions. Some female archetypes in the goddess oracle deck are Isis, the Egyptian goddess of all life, Maya the Indian goddess of illusion, Hestia the Greek goddess of hearth and home.
Oracle decks are convenient ways to ask divine guidance and use the meaning of the card to tap into one’s own intuition to find answers.
Most of the time, oracles don’t offer specific answers. The purpose of an oracle to encourage the seeker to go within and find his own answers. The interpretation of an oracle (or a prophecy) may be different things for different people. This is specifically for the querent to make an effort to think and act for himself.
Related Reading
Readers may also be interested in other articles such as How to get a Free Online Tarot Reading? along with How to Use Pendulums for Dowsing and Divination? and How do Psychic Healers work?
Sources
Oracles, Susanna Brin
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Oracles, Gary R. McClain, Carolyn Flynn
Subha Ekambaram - I'm fascinated by the self healing processes of the human body and the alternative methods that accelerate it. I like to be present where ...
Join the Conversation