This week for our second meditation, we were asked to invent our own “oracle deck.” I was kind of stumped, so, I turned to Google for guidance and inspiration. After a bit of searching a few nights of sleeping on it, I woke up one morning realizing I’ve known all along what my oracle deck should be made of: words of inspiration that were spoken directly to me for years. If you haven’t guessed from the preview of the deck’s art, I’ve chosen inspirational/motivational lyrics from (some of my favorite) Ani DiFranco songs. So here, I present to you my Ani DiFranco Oracle Deck.
I thought a lot about how this could be used in both tech and non-tech situations. If I had a physical set, I would likely use it to ask/answer single questions with a single card as both the querent and reader. However, if I were to have the time and resources (and interest from others), I’d like to design a multi-querent/reader setup where 3 to 5 users interact as both querents and readers. I feel this multi-user approach could create a new type (if it doesn’t exist already) of reading environment, connecting people who will share in a personal (electronic) ritual.
Here’s how I see it working… A smartphone app would allow users to sign in and join a group to do a reading. For example, users could decide to join a 5-card (therefore a 5-person) layout, like the one suggested by ask-angels.com, where the cards’ positions would speak to different themes as follows:
Card 1: Situation. This card represents the situation and general theme or energy surrounding your question or situation.
Card 2: Challenge. This card speaks to a present or upcoming challenge you may be facing.
Card 3: Guidance. This card gives insight into the guidance surrounding your situation, as well as revealing external help you may receive.
Card 4: Focus. This card reveals what you could focus on to reach your desired outcome. It may also represent a positive intention which will help you in moving forward.
Card 5: Outcome. This card reveals the potential outcome related to your question when you act upon the angelic guidance you receive.
When a person joins a room, s/he will be assigned the card position corresponding to the order s/he entered the group. If a user drops out of the group before it is completed, everyone moves up a position. Once a group is completed, everyone will be given a card from the deck and five minutes to complete his/her interpretation based on the card and position assigned. After everyone has submitted his/her interpretation, all users will have all the cards and interpretations revealed to them in order (at their own paces.) This setup would allow for multi-user readings where each participant is able to be both querent and reader.
Another variation of this would allow groups of friends (from either real life or social media) to form groups for readings. The groups would be ‘dealt’ cards at a certain time, which would be ready for them when they log in. The group’s participants will have an agreed time by which everyone will submit his/her interpretation. Just like in the last case, after everyone has submitted his/her interpretation, all users will have all the cards and interpretations revealed to them in order (at their own paces.) In either scenario, the layouts could be changed, possibly appearing as groups on a screen for people to join when they log in.
It was a real trip down memory lane to create this deck, as each of these quotes on these cards were/are very much a part of my music history! Below each card, meditation themes are suggested. If you’re unfamiliar with Ani (AH-nee) DiFranco’s music, you may find a different vibe once you listen to these songs. I hope you enjoy my cards a fraction as much as I’ve enjoyed her music!
32 FLAVORS
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: SELF-LOVE AND CONFIDENCE
ANGRY ANYMORE
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: LETTING GO / FORGIVENESS / UNDERSTANDING
AS IS
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: UNCONDITIONAL LOVE / ACCEPTANCE
ATOM
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: MEDITATION / MINDFULNESS
DECREE
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: THE FOOL’S AWAKENING / INACTION’S CONSEQUENCES
EDUCATED GUESS
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: BEING THERE FOR ANOTHER IN NEED
EGOS LIKE HAIRDOS
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: IMPACT OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCES
EVEREST
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: EMPHASIZING SIMILARITIES
EVOLVE
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: SELF-AWARENESS
FACE UP AND SING
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: COMMUNICATION / CONSEQUENCES OF PASSIVITY
FUEL
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: QUESTIONING DEFINITION OF SELF AND OTHERS
GOD’S COUNTRY
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
HOUR FOLLOWS HOUR
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: RESPONSIBILITY / COMPLEXITY
IMPERFECTLY
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: GIFTS OF EXPERIENCE / WISDOM / ACQUIRING SKILLS
MARROW
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: SITUATIONAL AWARENESS / INSECURITIES IN LOVE
MY IQ
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: RESOURCEFULNESS AND STRENGTH
NOT A PRETTY GIRL
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: INNER-STRENGTH AND SELF-RELIANCE
OUT OF RANGE
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: FLEXIBILITY AND COMPROMISE AS STRENGTHS
SUBDIVISION
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: SOCIETAL AWARENESS / NUMBNESS
WHAT IF NO ONE’S WATCHING
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: CURIOSITY / DOUBT
YOUR NEXT BOLD MOVE
MEDITATE ON THE THEME OF: REFOCUSING ON WHAT’S IMPORTANT / PRIORITIES
