When I moved to Charlotte in 1995, I went back to graduate
school to get a degree in counseling. While in school, I attended a workshop
hosted by a non-profit called Charlotte Friends of Jung. Dianne Skafte was the
presenter the night I went and her topic was on oracles and moments of
synchronicity. I can still remember the impression her talk left on me. In her
book, Listening to the Oracle: The
Ancient Art of Finding Guidance in the Signs and Symbols All Around Us, on
page 3 she writes:
Dictionary descriptions provide a
starting point for identifying our subject, but they leave out the most
important element from a psychological viewpoint--the experience of receiving
an oracle. Since we can only begin to know oracles through our contact with
them, let us frame a definition that speaks to this relationship.
To
receive an oracle is to receive guidance, knowledge, or illumination from a
mysterious source beyond the personal self.
Nature is the most powerful and frequent source of oracles,
in my experience, but I have had them present to me in a myriad of ways: a phrase from a song while I’m waiting in
line to order a cup of coffee, a specific time on a clock that shows up often
when I need a nudge of encouragement, or a random object or symbol that catches
my attention and speaks to me, if you will.
Some oracles repeat themselves again and again, in part
because of the commonality of the medium. Take the rustling of leaves, for
example. The first time I went for a hike alone at South Mountain after my life
partner and I broke up, I was anxious and sad because it was something that she
and I enjoyed doing together. It was in the fall and that day was sunny, chilly
and windy. As I climbed the first part of the hill, it seemed as if this fern
on the side of the trail ahead of me was beckoning, like a hand gesture, to just
keep moving forward. My sadness, after arguing with my logic, melted into a
sweet gratitude and I started to cry. Once I let the possibility that something, some guide, energy, wood
nymph, or the Holy Spirit was reaching out to encourage me, I started noticing
how many ferns there were around me, spurring me on. Well, then I suspended my
disbelief and I went for it. I started to welcome the possibility that all of
the moving leaves on all the trees were waving at me. I was hiking, in a
forest, surrounded by a lot of trees and leaves on that blustery morning. I no
longer felt alone. In fact, for the rest of my hike, I got lost in the beauty
of my surroundings and I was able to be truly joyful, euphoric even. For that
day, I was more than okay despite my loss. So now, when leaves or ferns rustle in
the wind, I don’t question that the Universe is waving a quick hello to me and I
feel grateful for the reminder.
I have tried at times to make an oracle happen and that
never goes well. Nothing bad happens. I’ve just learned that I can’t force it. I
used to worry that I wouldn’t be able to know if something was an oracle or not
and that was unnecessary. I assure you that I am not special or super
intuitive, although I have learned to develop a sixth sense (that I believe we
all have) through practice and use. I get better at things that I do often and
receiving oracles is no different.
I joke and say that I am a recovering Southern Baptist (no
put down meant if you still are one). I mention that here because I was
indoctrinated to view spirituality and the world through a black or white filter.
It is kind of cool that this very narrow focus and limitation is useful to me now
in the receiving of an oracle because the literal translates into a symbol
quickly for me.
I also make it a point to ask for an oracle on a daily
basis. Sometimes I forget to and the Universe is generous with one anyway.
Other days I am either not in tune or an oracle just doesn’t manifest. I’ve had
more than one in a day as well. Some oracles are memorable, overwhelming and
powerful and others are like a little bubble of air on the side of a glass that
quietly pops up with a little burst of happiness for a brief moment. I’ve
settled into a relaxed faith that I’ll be given one the more I ask and am open.
I give you, my reader, permission to use any oracle that I
write about in this blog as encouragement. I hope you sense the greeting of the
Universe as the wind waves through the leaves or a fern! But more importantly,
my hope is that you will be open to discovering the unique way an oracle will come
to you. I don’t have any authority in regards to oracles, just a profound
curiosity and gratitude for my experience with this phenomenon so far.
NN
