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Thursday 26 February 2009

The Oracle and the Oral Tradition...

Mistica Pictures, Images and Photos


I just want to draw your attention to something that the delightful and delicious, Saz, at Fat, frumpy and fifty... said, but only a few moments ago...

"Are you ok, you haven't posted in 12 minutes...so I'm a little worried!!"

Such a cheeky, and yet winsome wench, she is!

I am being driven to madness and distraction by drills and hammers, and the bleaching cold of wind whistling through areas of my body gusts of wind should never have access to. It would seem that the like of my home has never before been encountered by my Knights With Shining Windows...
knights in shining (white) armour Pictures, Images and Photos

I have had more Inspectors through the place over these past two days than The Pink Panther! Inspector Clouseau Pictures, Images and Photos

I have had to deal with the damage which putting in new windows has caused to the plaster and fabric of my tumble-down home... I have just been at the portal, on the steps of Crawford Mansions, waving a fond farewell greeting to a lovely silver-haired and silver-tongued, Plasterer, who proceeded to tell me all about his back troubles... I almost resorted to showing him my staples and my fledgling scar... I did... nearly -
Magickal potion Pictures, Images and Photos

Only prudity, and the thought that Goddess Wiki would be looking on, saddened again by my bringing her into disrepute in such a way, stopped me in my tracks...

Suffice it to say that I am posting half of my piece today, if that's okay, mes darlings, and the remainder tomoz - For fear that I will never get my teeth to de-chatter, and my nerves to de-shatter... And the fact that some of my blogging gets kind of lengthy - I know... I know...

Some kind person (that is, other than Saz) said yesterday that I was a bit like an oracle... By which, I think they meant that I have a capacity to ramble on about anything and everything, (avoiding politics or other sensitive subjects, of course, at least at the moment, you might have noticed?)...

I love the thought of oracles; the mythology; the possibility; the potential... Time for me to slip in through the ancient portal of Goddess Wiki, methinks... SShhhhh, I knock softly... and she says:

"An oracle is a person or agency considered to be a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinion; an infallible authority, usually spiritual in nature. It may also mean a revealed prediction or precognition of the future from deities, that is spoken through another object or life-form (e.g.: augury and auspice)". I just love those words: augury and auspice - I am always in the flow of saying, usually while at work, "Oh, that doesn't augur well...!", and,

"All right, we'll do that then, under the auspices of ......(something along the lines of) saving the public purse..." Okay, it's that boring! Meh!
purse tapestry, denim,quilt dog Pictures, Images and Photos

Doom Pictures, Images and Photos

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a naysayer, a purveyor, or a harbinger of doom, and yet I do like to have an opinion on everything!

doom kitty Pictures, Images and Photos

In fact, you might have noticed, from the variety of comments I leave on your very own blogs, and then I worry about what I've said afterwards... You see, I am prone to worriting, and swithering... I have a tendency to vex and to brood, to cark and to dwell, to fret and to mope about anything, about everything... I know most of us have a propensity to mull on things...

Hey, ho... " In the ancient world many sites gained a reputation for the dispensing of oracular wisdom: They too became known as "oracles," and the oracular utterances, called khrēsmoi in Greek, were often referred to under the same name — a name derived from the Latin verb ōrāre, to speak". And speak, we do and must, except here we call it 'blogging'!

CHINA Pictures, Images and Photos

"In China, oracles were common in many civilizations of antiquity. The use of oracle bones dates as far back as the Shang Dynasty, (1600–1046 BC). The I Ching, or "Book of Changes", is a collection of linear signs used as oracles that are from that period...

I Ching Pictures, Images and Photos

The I Ching has had a major influence on the philosophy, literature and statecraft of China from the time of the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC – AD 256).

i ching Pictures, Images and Photos

Egypt . . .  I mean Luxur hotel Pictures, Images and Photos

"In Egypt, the earliest known oracle was in the renowned temple of Per-Wadjet. The temple was dedicated to the worship of Wadjet and may have been the source for the oracular tradition that spread to Ancient Greece from Egypt. The later Greeks called both the goddess and the city Buto".

Consulting the Oracle  Pictures, Images and Photos

"The earliest tradition of oracular practice in Hellenic culture is from the archaic period shortly after arrival of the Hellenes in their current place of settlement c. 1300 BC. The oracle was associated with the cults of deities derived from the great goddess of nature and fertility, the pre-eminent ancient oracle—the Delphic Oracle—operated at the temple of Delphi". Now, that is the Oracle we might first think of, when there is mention of Oracles... in fact, that is where the English word comes from, and the apparently always-female priestess......

oracle Pictures, Images and Photos

"The Delphic Oracle exerted considerable influence throughout Hellenic culture. The Greeks consulted her prior to all major undertakings, such as wars and the founding of colonies.
The semi-Hellenic countries around the Grecian world also respected her and came to Delphi as supplicants. Croesus of Lydia consulted Delphi before attacking Persia, and according to Herodotus was told, "If you cross the river, you will destroy a great empire. " Believing the response favorable, Croesus attacked, but it was his own empire that ultimately was destroyed by the Persians. She allegedly also proclaimed Socrates to be the wisest man in Greece, to which Socrates said that, if so, this was because he alone was aware of his own ignorance. After this confrontation, Socrates dedicated his life to a search for knowledge that was one of the founding events of western philosophy.

greece Pictures, Images and Photos

"This Oracle's last recorded response was given in 393 AD, when the emperor Theodosius I ordered pagan temples to cease operation". So, it's he at whose feet I must lay blame for the all but loss of our ancient Pagan beliefs and leanings...?

The Oracle Pictures, Images and Photos

India Pictures, Images and Photos

"In ancient India, the oracle was known as Akashwani, literally meaning "voice from the sky" and was related to the message of God. Oracles played key roles in many of the major incidents of the epics Mahabharat and Ramayana. In South Indian language Kannada, "Oracle" is mentioned as "Ashareeravani". In Tamil it is mentioned as "Asareeree". In Telugu, it is called "Deva Vaakku" or "Daiva Vaakku". It literally means 'Words of God'.

oracle Pictures, Images and Photos

I am going to leave you champing at the bit for more at this point, mes chums in Blogland (I live in hope!) - 'Love you, and leave you...' as they say... I will witter more tomorrow, and hopefully make a little more sense, as I have something to say not only to round off on the subject of Oracles, but also to add some opinions about blogging guilt and 'Schadenbloggen', as I will name it... That is, the fear that everyone is better at blogging than l'il ol you... Or l'il ol' me... as it happens.

Such thoughts are is freezing us, and terrifying us, and there's no place for Schadenbloggen in Blogland... IMHO, of course, and you know that, around hereabouts, that counts for nowt!

Toodle-oo!

22 comments:

ArtistUnplugged said...

First.....is that a guinea pig with a pancake on its head??? That was strong of you to withhold from whipping out those staples and scar. I hope the portals of wind and cold come to a close really soon for you! Better than you? Honey, no one blogs better than you do! Great, not only must I worry that my artwork is below sealevel for posting, now my blogging abilities altogether will worry me..... Have a great day!

Saz said...

I've just ahd a funny 10 minutes...having carefully (cos l am at work on reception desk-and ssshhh Online shhh) and l'm readoing your post, laughing and trying depserately not to draw attention to myself- rare I know!! And then the phone rings...and l blurt out without thinking 'Good morning Tumble house'...guffaw guffaw!! how professional was that!! Its 3.35 pm and its Tullie House!! your post had me ina another world the world of Goddess Fhina of Wikiworld...
Am having had such a crap morning that I'm all a dither this afternoon! thanks for making me laugh GFOW!!

Saz said...

btw..remeber I cant see nay images on the work pc..so my understanding of your post is purely 'textual'!!

Carol said...

That was a very informative post and I love the picture of the Oracle with all the swirls...absolutely beautiful!!

C x

Aleks said...

I cant write now I am laighing to hard,and its about the foto of Dooom Kitt follows pancace dude,Im gone,hugz bwahahahahuhiha,A

Aleks said...

I swear I do not make that much writing mistakes,google gnomes are busy again.....

Anonymous said...

My gosh, you kill me! I am reading along about oracles and I Ching when there, lo and behold is a rabbit with a pancake on its head! I am still laughing. How do you do it?

Zuzana said...

I so know how it is to be remodeling; good luck.;))
I love anything from the ancient mythology and I believe in oracles. And I love IChing.;))

Jinksy said...

Cark and swither away all you like - I'd like to meet the oracle who used those words in their predictions, too.
You light up the day in a special way... Drat, the rhyming bug bit again...

Unknown said...

Hello Fhina,

For a moment there, I thought you'd changed your mind and decided to do the whole thing in one - but no!

Did I tell you I've been to Delphi? The Oracle was out! And did you read Willow's post on the word "auger" shortly before Obama's inauguration? Apparently, it comes from the twittering of birds! Are they getting in through the open windows?

Will tune in tomorrow for the next instalment.

Working Mum said...

Oooo, I love the word 'augur' - I use it a lot in school reports: "This augurs well for his A level exams"

When you've finished on the oracle, could you do a post about the Chinese Abacus? [I could do with something for 'China Week' next week in school :) ]

blognut said...

Have I told you yet today that I love you?

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Artist Unplugged: I am saying nothing, for fear I might incriminate meself!!! Never worry that you are not good enough - My lesson for tomorrow, dahlink! You are fabulous! Your artwork is unique, charming and eye-catching..... Have a lovely weekend, great bloggy friend! x

Fat, frumpy and fifty... : Glad I am making you stand out even more at work, Saz! I am glad my contextual worms made you laugh out loud at work, lovely! xox

Carol and Chris: Glad you enjoyed it! x

AlekSandra: Doom Kitty and the Pancake Kid were pretty funny - and nothing to do with me - There are some wonderful photographers out there! I have such problems with the Google and the Biscuit Elves too! xxx

The Things We Carried: M, I am barking mad, it is true! It helps! Whereas you are a wonderful writer, clever and wise, and I hope you have a peaceful weekend to look forward to - Hugs x

Protege: It is really wearing and tiring, having all these men around me, doing the remodelling, as you say, Z! I knew you were a mystical spirit... Only connect.

jinksy: Get those weird words into your sweet poesie, I dare's ya, sweet jinksie! x

Derrick: That is interesting about augur - I shall look up Willow's post! No birds are coming in yet, because of the hammering of men, but the biggest window looking out on the garden comes out tomorrow, so there's still a chance of a bird portent!

Working mum: I shall look into the Chinese Abacus, you have sparked my interest, now! That's the excellent teacher in you, i just know it!

blognut: You have my heart, Bloggus Nuttus, you are such a charmer, such a talent! x

Jeanne Estridge said...

Just noticed your Caro Lamb check boxes! Very cool!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

There is something romantic about the idea of oracles - but I'd never want to be one. They don't have the happiest of lives...

Chairman Bill said...

Aren't oracles those little round welsh boats made of bark?

La Belette Rouge said...

I almost did my graduate thesis on Delphic oracles and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Then I decided maybe I should do a thesis that had some ability to prove. I am still fascinated and I do believe their is a link.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Jeanne: Hi, I am glad you liked them - I blogged a little on Byron and Caro a while back, and I still need to finish that too sometime!

Kate Coveny Hood: True, and I am drawn to the romance in all things... I enjoyed Minority Report for the same reason - Oracles - I agree they would not have had the happiest of lives...

Chairman Bill: No, Sir, those little round Welsh river boats you are thinking of are Barnacles, as in Barnacle Bill!

La Belette Rouge: How interesting that would have been, Belle! You have such an esteemed life! I think there is a telling link, no doubt...

Carolina said...

Very interesting post! You are a woman of great knowledge!
Which one is the oracle: the rabbit or the pancake? The pancake looks as if it's going to say something very wise, doesn't it?
And your Knight With Shiny Windows looks very, uhm, well....left me speechless.
Big smile!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Carolina, don't mock the Guinea Pig Oracle, or else don't you know you may incur her wrath, and it'll all end with a pancake on your lovely face?!

And my Knights - They are true men of the Highway! Tee hee! x

Working Mum said...

Phew! Got to the end of oracles, then. Thanks for the reminder of Tenochtitlan - went there a few years ago, a strange, sombre place, almost spooky.

And I agree, room for all of us in Blogland!

sam said...

hello im just wondering where you got that picture of the oracle (4th picture from the bottom of
"The Oracle and the Oral Tradition" article. ive been looking for an artbook that has that same picture in it and i havent been able to find out what the name of it was and i was hoping you would help me

Something I wrote earlier...

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