Omens

Omens

Omens are an alphabet you develop to talk to the world's soul. -- Paulo Coelho

Most Pagans believe in maintaining a personal relationship to Deity, whether it is with a specific patron deity or a universal one.   One of the methods by which communications might occur between them is through the use of omens. 

Omens are messages that are delivered by Deity in the form of symbols.  Symbolism is the practice of representing things by using easily recognized objects.  An allegory is the use of symbolism to convey complex abstract or spiritual idea or to put a “face” on an idea.  Thus a heart might represent love or a feather might represent truth, purity or the element of Air.  The use of allegories allows us to absorb complex ideas that we might not grasp easily otherwise.  It allows us to have an emotional connection to information that we might find too complex to identify intellectually.  Divination often uses allegory.  As a student of Tarot, for example, I was taught to seek the message contained in the various astrological, elemental, Kabalistic, and mythological symbols on the card. 

The use of allegories is a very personal thing and the same symbol may have two different meanings to two different people. Symbols such as the swastika, will elicit completely different emotions in a Jewish person than it will in a Buddhist or a Hindu for whom this symbol has long represented life, sun, power, strength and good luck.  In another example, white is the color of funerals in the East while it is the color of weddings in the West.  Red is the preferred color worn by brides in the East.

One of my favorite books is called The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  One of the major themes in this book is how the main character learns how to properly recognize and interpret omens in order to help him attain his Personal Legend or soul’s desire.   In the story, Coelho writes that omens should never be ignored, that they are messages from the heart and that they are proof that life is not predestined.  He brings forward the idea that omens are the voice of the Soul of the World speaking directly to you.

How do you go about recognizing an omen?  Omens have often been linked to common superstitions that have been handed down through the ages.  To find a horseshoe brings you good luck.   To break a mirror will bring you seven years bad luck.  A bat in the house is a sign of death.  Comets also have been considered to be both good and bad omens. The best-known example is probably Halley's Comet, which was a "bad omen" for King Harold II of England but a "good omen" for William the Conqueror. 

Are these omens from Deity?  During an interview for Beliefnet, Coelho stated that he believes “Omens are the individual language in which God talks to you. My omens are not your omens. They are a very individual language that guides you towards your own destiny. They are not logical. They talk to your heart directly.”  Sharmai Amber in Steps to Enlightenment wrote that “The meanings [of omens] can change instantaneously, based on other shifting factors that we may not be aware of.   Omens turn into superstitions when a permanent interpretation is assigned to them.”  I think the most important point that must be kept in mind is that omens are considered a personal communication between you and Deity, therefore how that communications takes place will probably be personal in nature.  

Might you misinterpret an omen?  Of course!  I am sure that all of us can remember many episodes where we misunderstood someone.   What did you do to help reduce these miscommunications?  Stay focused.  Listen carefully.   Try to see their point of view.   Slow down.   Use the right words or language.   Would you expect the communications from Deity to be any different?

If you believe that you have a fixed destiny, then an omen can help you prepare.  If you believe in self destiny, then an omen might indicate a crossroad in your path where a decision needs to be made.   In either case, an omen indicates that every person has an individual connection with the universe.