What is an Oracle Reading?
Let’s start by explaining the term Oracle. My definition is a tool which assists in connecting the conscious and subconscious mind and intuition to provide insight, warnings, set expectations or give guidance, inspiration or potentials on either a broad area of interest, i.e., “what can I expect from my upcoming day” or on a specific question, i.e., “what would the outcome be if I took the job at XYZ company?”
The use of an Oracle is a time capture of the pervasive thoughts or feelings that are most prominent in the subject seeking an answer. Oracles are not limited to a single point of reference but have the possibility of tapping into multiple subjects, multiple timelines, and even alternative timelines. It is my belief that an Oracle is not dissimilar to a cell phone in that it is able to be used by the reader to share knowledge through it. An Oracle reading is freeze-framing the most likely outcome or experience given the current trajectory on a path of behavior, experiences and expression of emotions. In some Oracle readings, two or more potential outcomes can be captured with signs pointing to how one potentiality might overtake or rule out another highly likely outcome.
Oracles have been sought out for thousands of years as humans seek guidance in life. Let’s face it, life can get pretty darn confusing at times and it can be helpful to tap into this kind of tool to help make a decision, to open us up to possible ideas or actions that we haven’t previously even thought of or perceived, provide a new perception, or sometimes just to confirm what we already thought we knew about a situation but didn’t fully trust the truth of in the situation.
Are they always right? I have to say in my experience “yes” and “no.” The times in my life when an Oracle I consulted gave me information or an answer contrary to what I wanted or wanted to hear, I would shrug it off and go on about my day. Usually at a time shortly thereafter something would occur that would remind me of the information the Oracle provided and I’d go, “ooooohhhhhh.” Sometimes we are not ready to hear a message stated boldly. Sometimes the outcome changes as a result of a reading with unwanted answers that cause the subject seeking answers to alter behavior, feelings or patterns. Remember, once the Oracle is chosen it represents a specific dataset, i.e., a moment in time, a prominent thought or feeling, a pattern of behavior. For me, I used to use Oracles as a way to help me make difficult decisions and choices such as whether to marry a person, whether to take a job, whether to move across country, etc. I also use Oracles as a way to check where my thoughts and energy are in general or around a specific topic.
Always when using an Oracle think of or ask open ended questions. Yes/no questions can be answered with an Oracle but not as much information is available due to the close ended question. It helps to have a willingness to explore.
For a very long time, (20 years) the Aleister Crowley Tarot (part of which is pictured above) deck was the only Oracle I utilized. I found the images and symbolism so evocative that I could easily access my intuition to give myself or others a reading. I chose this deck, or maybe it chose me, when my friend Lonnie, who ran a spiritual center first did a reading for me with the cards. I instantly knew I wanted to use that as my Oracle.
My Grandmother had had a deck of Rider-Waite tarot cards which I was given prior to her death. I still have the deck but have not used it in years. I may start adding it to my readings occasionally as I now feel a pull of interest in them that at the age of 21 I did not.
Early on I discovered the I Ching and almost exclusively used that tool for “big” life questions.
I now have over 20 types of tarot decks in my spiritual tool bag and I have favorite sets I like to use for daily guidance with a one card reading to “take my current temperature.” One that I use are tiny 2 inch long angel cards that have a single word on them. I use this as a way to calibrate my emotional state for the day or for an upcoming experience.
Another Oracle I have used is a hand-painted set of Runes. To be honest it has been a long 30+ years since I have used this Oracle but some people are more drawn to Rune-stones than to any other tool.
For me, an Oracle is another tool like prayer or meditation in my spiritual toolkit.