On books and oracles

I had a 3 metre tall bookshelf in my last flat (see above) and this is where I noticed the phenomenon. It was effortless and helpful and I learned to rely on it as one of my sources of insight when needing more clarity or courage. Since and to my surprise, I've come across a word that describes "my phenomenon" so it turns out it is not my "invention" at all. Although it invented itself for me nonetheless. I'm talking about bibliomancy*.

The way it found me was with that tall bookshelf. I lived on my own at the time and it was peaceful enough at home to notice things I guess. What I noticed was that sometimes and for no reason I knew of I found myself looking at one particular book on that wall of books. I'd think to myself: "how funny, why this one, of all others?"

I'd go and pick it up and since they were mostly books I'd read, I'd open it not at the start but randomly, as you say "hi" to a friend. I'd read a phrase or a passage and would be amazed because it'd speak to a wondering or a worry I was just having, that day or week or afternoon, and it would shed light on the predicament. The "fit" would be so good that I welcomed it with gratitude and since there was nobody to see me and judge me for it, I used it freely and... successfully.

I never overdid it, never tried to "test" or "prove" it works with more and more questions. Books have been "friends" for me since childhood and I guess you don't need to test a friend - you take what they do and relate it to what's so for you and you go from there.

Why tell this story today? To celebrate and share a strategy for insight that's supported me and to introduce a new feature on my blog: CS Oracle. (At the moment, it's just under my smiley face in the blog).

I'm calling it "oracle" for fun but what I'm offering is just a format to select a passage of text at random. You can use it to try bibliomancy or to select one post to be inspired by - there's only so much time in a day after all.

If you enjoy the new feature, I'd love to hear from you.

Here's a link to my email page.

______________________________________

* About.com defines bibliomancy as:

"a form of divination wherein a phrase or words will speak to the querent when a random book from a library, bookstore, or book shelf is opened and glanced at. Alternatively, you can choose a sacred text rather than a random book..."

and quotes these steps:

"

• Allow spirit to guide you to the appropriate book (in my "oracle", we hope, it happens as you refresh the page :)
• With the book in your hands focus on your desire for guidance.
• Ask your question.
• Open the book to a random page.
• Scan the book with your eyes and an open heart.
• Allow the words on the page to speak to you on an intuitive level.
• For additional insight, close the book and reopen it for a second scan.

"