A kind of oracle in here ~

January's sensory almanac.

January . 2025
A kind of oracle in here ~

You might not see it
not at first
and you might have to stop
looking, you know what
I mean. Let it look at you.
The oracle, the one eye,
the shadow twin, the
single line on the page
that speaks your name.

𓇬

January: time for visions.

There’s a kind of oracle on this page.

I opened it for you here.

Just read it and then close your eyes: see what sticks: what sticks?

𓇬

Here are a few possible instructions:

1) Read the page in the photo. Read through it once and then, again. As you read it a second time: write down on a fresh piece of paper any word, image, or line that seems to reverberate for you. String these together. This is an erasure—to arrive at the oracular message for you.

2) Or, have a friend read aloud to you this page. Do it by candlelight or by a window that lets in the sun in the morning. Listen. Listen for any word, image, or line that tugs at you—makes you curious—write them down and form them together and then have the friend read that back to you. This is a way to listen for your oracular message.

3) Or, read in its entirety this novel (from which the page was chosen) titled, We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. Mark any word, image, or line that rings a bell in you. At the end, collect your markings and bring them all together. This is your oracular message.

𓇬

Now that you have the message, take it with you. Maybe it gives you a recipe for routine, a map to follow over the course of the next year, or an archetype/symbol to return to and carry with you.

𓇬

I remember reading once, in some astrological book, that in ancient Rome, the hearth was such an important physical and spiritual location that the entire home was built from the hearth out. First the hearth (where food was cooked and water boiled and warmth emanated and talk gathered and offerings left) and then the rest of the home.

And so, in honor of the hearth/kitchen, and in honor of the Shirley Jackson passage chosen above, January’s almanac has a bit of a kitchen theme to it—the kitchen in this story, if you do end up reading this marvelous novel (which I will gladly discuss with you until the ends of time), is a most sacred site.

𓇬

One final thing before we enter the kitchen: the In essence compilation is officially being released in a few days! This means you will be able to listen to it in its entirety and the cassettes (of which, the last time I checked, there were only 3 remaining) will also begin to mail out then, too.

I’ll send another reminder about it next week, but I am truly so excited to share this epic experiment with you that surpassed my wildest dreams. To be honest, I had no expectations, it was really a matter of trusting each of the people who I invited to contribute. The compilation as a whole is absolutely stunning. But more on all of this soon, when the moon is full, next week ~

Now, onto the almanac… enjoy ~

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T A S T E

“Eat them often, and they will calm bitterness of heart and mind, your hearing and senses will open. Your mind will be joyous, your senses purified and harmful humors will diminish…”

– Hildegard Von Bingen, 1157

Hildegard’s Cookies of Joy (by way of Moon of Hyldemoer)