Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Happy Holidays to You and Yours!
Wishing You Magic
and Mystery
This Holiday Season
Dear Friends,
I look forward to connecting with you again January 7th in the New Year.
Until then, may your world be filled with personal oracles.
With love,
Ann
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Spiritual Guidance and Support: Ours for the Taking
By Ann Bolinger-McQuade
The ancient wisdom of our ancestors offers clues that can help us recognize the spirit within the divine structure of our universe, which interacts with us unceasingly.
I would like to thank Lisa Tully for hosting me as a guest blogger, as part of the virtual book tour celebration for my book, EVERYDAY ORACLES – Decoding The Divine Messages That Are All Around Us. This post first appeared on her site http://www.spiritualquestadventures.com/.
The ancient wisdom of our ancestors offers clues that can help us recognize the spirit within the divine structure of our universe, which interacts with us unceasingly.
In China around 500 B.C., Confucius wrote:
My way is crossed by a single thread that connects everything.
Joseph Campbell interviewed an old Apache Storyteller who reminded us:
The plants, trees, clouds, rocks, fire, water are all alive.
They watch us and see our needs.
They see when we have nothing to protect us,
and it is then they reveal themselves and speak to us.
And this Ancient Hasidic saying delivers a similar message.
When you walk across the fields with your mind pure and holy, then from all the stones, and all growing things, and all animals the sparks of their soul come out and cling to you and they are purified and become a holy fire in you.
The ensouled world the ancient ones describe is animated, interactive and designed to respond to our needs. These concepts move from the abstract into our everyday lives each time this energy is illuminated by personal oracles.
What is a personal oracle?
Personal oracles are those mysterious messages that show up in every form imaginable in response to a need that is occurring in our life at the moment. Often mistaken for coincidences, these messages are actually perfectly orchestrated synchronicities that are tailor made to guide, support and even protect us all.
Formula for how personal oracles operate.
Need + delivery system + message = personal oracle
Lets start with an example of how personal oracles work through nature.
One day my neighbor Rhonda was taking her little dogs for their routine walk when a hummingbird flew directly in front of her face, stopped abruptly and hovered there. Rhonda stopped in her tracks. Shivers went up her spine. The message was clear. As she turned on her heels and headed for home the word DANGER began to sound repeatedly just outside of her left ear. She describes a voice. “It was as if someone was speaking directly to me.”
When she arrived home she noticed the light flashing on her answering machine. It was an urgent message from her neighbor across the street. “Stay inside. There is a pack of wild dogs in the area. They killed some our sheep and our dog that was laying on the porch beside the front door.”
OK. Lets consider the personal oracle formula and how it plays out in Rhonda’s story.
Need that engaged the universes support: Rhonda and her dogs were in danger.
The delivery system: A little hummingbird on a mission.
The message: Seek safety.
Need that engaged the universes support: Rhonda and her dogs were in danger.
The delivery system: A little hummingbird on a mission.
The message: Seek safety.
Synchronicities such as the one in the next story are easy to take for granted.
Mary’s personal oracle doesn’t involve danger, and the delivery system is something we all use everyday – a cell phone! But when we consider the events through the paradigm of personal oracles, we are reminded of what Confucius said about the single thread that connects everything.
Mary was struggling. The responsibility for writing the copy for the fund-raiser had fallen into her lap, and she was only a couple of hours away from the deadline for getting publicity to the paper. She had written dozens of these news releases, but this one just wasn’t coming together. It felt like something important was missing. Mary was thinking, If only I could talk to Dawn, she would polish it up in a second. But her friend was in California and she didn’t have her cell number. That’s when the phone rang.
It was Dawn. She was traveling on the train from Burbank back to San Diego and was following an impulse to check to see if her new cell phone would work on the train. When Mary quit squealing with glee, she explained what was going on and within five minutes they had wordsmithed the article into perfect form.
When we go about the business of living, we never know when a personal oracle is going to come to our rescue. We also never know what role we may be playing in someone else’s personal oracle!
Personal oracles resonate through every form imaginable – depending on what is available that will speak clearly to the individual in need. There are conduits like Rhonda’s hummingbird and synchronicities like Dawn’s phone call to Mary. Other times signs and symbols relay secret messages our way. When we tune in and learn to decode what has been tailored to our needs, we notice animals, clouds, rock formations, even license plates that mirror timely message back to us.
Our personal oracles are portals into the hidden dimensions of our universe. They gently beckon us to venture out of the confines of conventional reality and embrace the wisdom of our ancestors who lived in concert with the universe. They reveal the guidance and support that has always been there for the taking.
# # #
In her bestselling and award-winning book, Everyday Oracles: Decoding the Divine Messages That Are All Around Us, author Ann Bolinger-McQuade uses memorable stories and photos to introduce the formula for how personal oracles work, then teaches you how to recognize and decode yours. If you have personal oracle experiences to share, please submit them to Ann through this website www.personaloracles.com. I will respond personally. And while you’re here, check out the cloud photos in the interactive “What Do You See Section.” Have fun and exercise your psychic muscles. Who knows, you may discover a personal oracle hiding in plain sight, just waiting to deliver a special message to you.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Interview with the Magical Buffet
I would like to
thank Rebecca Elson for posting this interview on her blog, The
Magical Buffet.
Your new book is called “Everyday
Oracles: Decoding the Divine Messages that are All Around Us”. How do you define a personal oracle?
Personal
oracles are mysterious messages of guidance and
support. We all receive them. They may seem random in nature until we consider
them through the paradigm of personal oracles and realize, they are not random
at all. The universe is responding to our needs! These timely messages resonate
through every form imaginable, and as they do they illuminate the divine energy
that flows through and connects everything in the universe!
In your book you explain that
personal oracles fall into five major categories. Can you explain the
categories? Personal
oracle formula:
The five major categories are
·
Conduits
·
Mirrors
·
Synchronicities
·
Signs and Symbols
·
Invisible Moving Sidewalks
Conduits – Think of a conduit as a
pipeline or channel through which personal oracles are delivered into your
life. A favorite example comes from Rhonda who was taking her two little dogs Taz
and Toto for their daily walk. Suddenly a hummingbird flew right in front of
her face and stopped her in her tracks. Rhonda immediately sensed that she was
in danger. As she turned on her heels and headed for home the word “Danger”
sounded repeatedly just outside her left ear. When she got back to the house
she noticed a message on her answer phone. It was from her neighbor across the
street, urging her to stay inside. A pack of wild dogs had just killed some of
their sheep and their pet dog that was sleeping beside their front door. Thanks
to this little hummingbird on a mission Rhonda and her dogs were protected from
imminent danger.
Mirrors – Clouds can serve as great
mirrors to reflect what is occurring in our life at time. Sometimes when I’m
feeling out of sorts I notice cloud images that look like they are laughing. My
message – lighten up!
Synchronicities – According to Carl
Jung, synchronicities are coincidences with a purpose! Mary had the
responsibility of getting the copy for the fundraiser to the newspaper. The
deadline was only hours away and she was still struggling. She knew if she
could talk to Dawn, she would polish it up in no time. Unfortunately Dawn was
traveling and Mary didn’t have her new cell number. Suddenly the phone rang. It
was Dawn. Talk about perfect timing. At the moment Mary’s frustration peaked,
Dawn happened to call her. Dawn was riding the train from Burbank to San Diego
and was checking to see if her new phone worked. Mary explained what was going
on, and within five minutes Mary and Dawn had polished the article into perfect
form.
Signs and Symbols – Signs and symbols
are like billboards that announce messages designed for our eyes only. Some
messages are as clearly understood as stop and go traffic lights. Like Kerri
who was making her way through the physical and emotional damage left behind by
the fires in her neighborhood of Colorado Springs. A year later, as she hiked through
the burnt area she spotted a perfect heart at her feet. The heart looked as if
it had been carved into the ground. Kerri interpreted it as a sign, a signal
from the universe of love that remains even in the midst of devastation. The
message of Kerri’s heart was uncomplicated. Other times signs and symbols
operate more like secret codes and take a little deciphering.
Invisible Moving Sidewalks - Imagine
people movers in large airports. You step on at one end and it delivers you to
a predetermined destination. An invisible moving sidewalk is comprised of a
series of synchronistic events that are designed to carry you to a specific
destination. Noreen stepped onto an invisible moving sidewalk the day she and
her husband had a huge argument. She stormed out of the house, “Get a life” she
yelled as she slammed the door behind her. She drove around for a while to cool
off and ended up at the library. Inside, she spotted a bulletin board with a
flyer advertising a writing conference. She wished she was still writing but
felt since she wasn’t she wasn’t qualified to attend. The next day at work
Noreen heard a co-worker talking about the same conference. She expressed an
interest and her friend suggested they go together. The workshop was just what
Noreen needed. Before leaving the conference she signed up to attend the following
year. At the end of this invisible moving sidewalk Noreen’s passion for writing
had been rekindled – and it was Noreen who got a life!
The formula for personal oracles:
Need
+ delivery system + message + personal oracle
The
need or request functions like a summons to the universe; it’s a call to
action. In Rhonda’s case the call was urgent. Imagine the call going out across
the web of interconnections to any available and willing delivery system within
range. In Rhonda’s case the urgent call was received and accepted by a tiny
hummingbird. It became the delivery system. Many of us might have brushed away
a hummingbird or ignored the clairaudient message. Don’t worry, the delivery
system is always tailor made to resonate specifically with you and your
circumstances.
How can we find and recognize our own
personal oracles?
Pay attention to your gut feelings. Trust that small still
voice of your intuition when it draws your attention to personal oracles that
are trying to speak to you. When coincidences happen – stop – ask yourself –
what is the specific need this “coincidence” is responding to? I believe there
are no coincidences, only synchronicities!
Is a personal oracle message always
immediately obvious?
Many
personal oracle messages are immediately clear. Other messages are not. Some messages need to crystallize
over time. In my October 8, 2013 blog I share an account of 2 men who saw the same
vision but needed the assistance of a Native American Shaman to help them understand
what was occurring: the universe was waylaying them to keep them from danger.
Can our understanding of a personal
oracle message change over time?
Yes.
Often it is just a matter of allowing time for it to process, and letting a
deeper message emerge. Some messages are one piece of a larger puzzle. When we
have all of the pieces the message slides easily into place. When we work with
our personal oracles they will expand our awareness and teach us even more.
What steps do you recommend people
take to discover their personal oracles?
Here
are a few key steps.
· Begin by setting your
intention to recognize the messages that are coming your way.
· Open your heart - accept
the support and guidance that is yours for the taking.
· Trust the voice of your
intuition.
· Gather your own body of
evidence. Record personal oracles as they occur. Write them down, photograph,
draw, save feathers stones whatever is speaking to you. Then keep everything in
one place. I like the sticker note shoebox method. Write your experiences on whatever is handy and toss the
pieces of paper in a shoebox. When you read them later you will be amazed by
the number of personal oracles that have revealed themselves to you.
In your book you discuss “monkey mind
chatter”, which for me coming from a meditation background is what we call your
wandering mind. What is it in
relationship to discovering your personal oracles?
Monkey
mind chatter is a cousin to the wandering mind! Both try to pull us back into left
brain thinking. (Left brain analytical – right brain creative/being) Sometimes
when a gut feeling signals us - pay
attention - spirit is sending a message, the mind chimes in with chatter
like, “there you go again – that’s all in
your imagination – people will think you are crazy.” Whether meditating or
decoding a personal oracle, the trick is to step to the right of the left brain
and close the door! Then return to your personal oracle message, “Sorry we were interrupted. What do you have
for me?”
Do you have a favorite personal
oracle story you’d like to share?
Instead,
if I may, I would like to share a favorite quote that sheds more light on how
the universe operates to guide and support us. It comes from an old Apache
storyteller who reminds us, “The plants,
trees, clouds rocks, fire, water are all alive. They watch us and see our
needs. They see when we have nothing to protect us, and it then they reveal
themselves and speak to us.”
Do you have an upcoming projects my
readers can be on the lookout for?
I’m
so glad you asked. I’m very excited about Personal
Oracle Café’s. Inspired by Socrates Cafés, Personal Oracle Café’s are a
place where people meet to celebrate, validate and share personal oracle
experiences. Using the personal oracle formula as a jumping off point they
contemplate the structure and science of the energy that flows through and
connects everything in the universe. The first Personal Oracle Café met Oct. 4,
2013 in Taos, NM at Optymism book store. This Personal Oracle Café meets the
first and third Friday of each month. I welcome
your readers to contact me through my website if they would like to start a
Personal Oracle Café in their area.
I
also share readers’ personal oracle stories in my weekly blogs. Stories are
submitted through my website www.personaloracles.com
Another
project that is dear to my heart is Cloud-Speak
Personal Oracle Cards. They will be available in 2014. I use the oracle cards in workshops and
book signings and never cease to be amazed by the way they relate to what is
going on in everyone’s life.
EVERYDAY ORACLES Decoding
The Divine Messages That Are All Around Us is the foundation book for a series of
books that are in work, so you can expect more amazing books from me in the
future.
Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any
one question.
What shall we call you when you become supreme ruler of the world?# # #
In her bestselling and award-winning book, Everyday Oracles: Decoding the Divine
Messages That Are All Around Us, author Ann Bolinger-McQuade uses memorable
stories and photos to introduce the formula for how personal oracles work, then
teaches you how to recognize and decode yours. If you have personal
oracle experiences to share, please submit them to Ann through this website www.personaloracles.com She will respond personally. And while
you’re here, check out the cloud photos in the interactive “What Do You See
Section.” Have fun and exercise your psychic muscles. Who knows, you may
discover a personal oracle hiding in plain sight, just waiting to deliver a
special message to you.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
A Thumbs Up Personal Oracle
A special thank you to Linda Leon for first posting this blog on her website Book Marketing Professionals.
When your project gets stuck or you feel uneasy that your message is moving in the wrong direction, here’s a tip. Tune in to personal oracles to discover the validation and guidance you need.
This is how it works. The universe is designed to respond to our needs. Watch for synchronicities, signs, and symbols that are perfectly tailored to your particular situation.
One day the material I had been researching and developing began to deepen and change dramatically. I began to question: Am I moving in the right direction and staying true to the spirit of the work? As I started to second-guess myself, I felt a nudge to take a break, so I made myself a cup tea and walked outside. That’s when I spotted this amazing image in a cloud. There was no doubt about it. The universe was giving me a big thumbs up.
I set my tea down and ran inside to get my camera. After photographing the thumbs up cloud image and settling back at my desk, I felt confident that I was on the right path. It was a clear sign. The universe was supporting me all the way.Your personal oracle may not resonate through a cloud image, but it will speak directly to you and what is going on at the time. You might hear a song on the radio with lyrics that sing out your answer loud and clear. Or a cledon – specific words floating out from a nearby conversation – that seem to be speaking directly to you. Printed words can jumps off the page at you, like the Nike ad that encourages you to break out of the procrastination mode and “Just Do It!”
This synchronicity excerpted from my book is a writer’s dream come true.
Jackie was writing a scene for her novel when she hit a missing fact. She needed to know the name of a particular famous Brazilian soccer player. She thought it was Ronaldo, but for some reason she thought there was more than one Ronaldo. She opted to keep writing and Google later. After an hour, she headed to the kitchen to refill her coffee cup. The Wall Street Journal lay on the counter near the coffeemaker. Not quite ready to sit down again, she started paging through it. Her eye landed on the headline “Know Your Ronaldos.” She couldn’t believe it. The short article consisted of photographs and brief bios of three soccer players: Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese native who played soccer in England; Ronaldo, the Brazilian striker considered “the best Goal-scorer on the planet”; and Ronaldinho, the Brazilian midfielder. It was precisely the information she needed.
Some people might call this chance happening a coincidence, one of those remarkable sequences of events that seem to have no relation to each other. Yet when we look through the paradigm of personal oracles, we notice interconnected threads of energy in action. It results in serendipity. Author and mythologist Joseph Campbell defined serendipity as “a thousand unseen helping hands,” bringing to fruition what is meant to be but is totally unexpected.
Writing begins with inspiration. Unless that spark of inspiration is coupled with the sticktuitiveness that carries our work to the finish line, our best intentions lay dormant in a mass of incomplete files in our computer or scattered around the room. So don’t get stuck. Let the spirit of the universe lend a helping hand.
# # #
In her award-winning and bestselling book EVERYDAY ORACLES Decoding The Divine Messages That Are All Around Us, author Ann Bolinger-McQuade uses memorable stories and photos to introduce the formula for how personal oracles work, and then teaches you how to recognize and decode yours.
If you have experiences to share please submit them to Ann through this interactive website. Ann will respond personally to all submissions. And while you're here, check out the cloud photos in the "What Do You See Section." Have fun and exercise your psychic muscles. Who knows you may just discover a personal oracle that is hiding in plain sight, just waiting to deliver a special message to you.
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