Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth

In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.

  • Home
    Home This is where you can find all the blog posts throughout the site.
  • Tags
    Tags Displays a list of tags that have been used in the blog.
  • Bloggers
    Bloggers Search for your favorite blogger from this site.
  • Login
    Login Login form

Taking Omens

The word inauguration originally referred not to the ceremonial transfer of power but to the act of divination that preceded it.

It makes sense that the state, before embarking on a major endeavor such as a war or a change of government, should consult the will of the gods on the matter. The augurs (diviners) take the auguries (omens) to see what the future will bring.

I haven't heard yet what omens the US College of Augurs got today. (Their headquarters is down on the Mall someplace, I think; I'm pretty sure I walked past it a few years ago.) No doubt tomorrow it will be all over the web.

(State augur. Now there's a job I wouldn't mind having. I hear the benefits are great.)

In the meantime, it seems like a good time for us all to be checking the omens.

I always say: All other things being equal, consult divination.

 

Above: Lituus (diviner's tool), Roman, 2nd century BCE (bronze)

 

Last modified on
Poet, scholar and storyteller Steven Posch was raised in the hardwood forests of western Pennsylvania by white-tailed deer. (That's the story, anyway.) He emigrated to Paganistan in 1979 and by sheer dint of personality has become one of Lake Country's foremost men-in-black. He is current keeper of the Minnesota Ooser.

Comments

Additional information