The Roman Oracle

I was invited to join the Nova Roma organization last December, which was kind of odd because I had applied a year before and had completely forgotten about the application. Let me explain: Nova Roma is an educational organization that is devoted to recreating the ancient Roman culture. There is no fee to join, but a level of understanding Roman names is required, hence the learning curve. 

After lengthy conversation back and forth, I chose the name of "Gaia Veturia Sacerdos", with an optional suffix of "Fortunalis". "Gaia" is well known in NeoPaganism as a mother earth Goddess; in ancient Rome, the name was commonly used by any woman in the process of ancient Roman weddings. Some marriages were sanctified when the woman uttered "ube tu gaius ego gaia" ( "wherever you are, I am there" ). Sometimes, Gaia became a first name; perhaps loosely translated as "Mrs." This unique blend of meanings for the name "Gaia" was very attractive, perhaps because I've been a single woman for a very long time, and getting just a little bit tired of it. 

"Veturia" was my choice for a middle name, as a tribute to an ancient priestess Goddess Fortuna. Veturia was a married woman, and a mother, who took a stand alongside other women for peace. Ancient Roman women were given the right to speak out in public, as a result of Veturia's work. A rather magickal aspect of this name is that is sounds a little like "Victoria" which evokes contemporary images of exotic, frothy outfits and amazing levels of feminine fitness, although I can't particularly say that I am part of that particular "secret society".

"Sacerdos" means, simply, "priestess". The word "sacred" comes from this word, and also the contemporary latin word for priestess, which is "sacerdota" or "sacerdotisa". The informal suffix of "Fortunalis" implies that the sacred duty is doing honor for the Goddess Fortuna. Since it's informal, and not part of the actual name, the ability to do priestess work on behalf of other deities may be represented by swapping out "Fortunalis" for a different deity ( if I actually wish to do so ). All's well, and the name is good, happy and lucky :)

Since choosing the name, I have been enjoying my new incarnation as G. Veturia Sacerdos ( "Veturia" for short ) and taking part in Roman Games and other enjoyable activities, as I get to know my way around the organization and meet new friends online. There is another temple to Fortuna, which is run by a different member of the Nova Roma organization. I was getting around to introducing myself, and she popped in and very nicely answered a question I had posted about ancient Roman divination. 

Which brings me to the subject of The Roman Oracle. 

It seems that Romans were very keen on interpreting omens, and every major public decision was preceded by divining whether the Gods and Goddesses approved. Some of the public rites were fairly complicated to learn. Other public rites were, well, a little primitive for contemporary culture. Some ancient practices are really best left back in ancient times. 

Private divination rituals, and oracles accessible to individual families or citizens of the Roman community, were much simpler. These simpler methods are more in "tune" with the style of divination I do as a Master Tarot Consultant, including Roman Oracles known as "sortes" or "lots". These oracles were based on drawing out short phrases from the work of ancient poets to answer the questions allegorically, if not literally. The most common poets were Virgil and Homer, with the texts of Homer being more ancient and known during the time of the actual "Veturia" from antiquity. In those days, Virgil's poetry was still several centuries in the future. 

To learn how to provide The Roman Oracle, the first step was to locate a copy of poetry by either Virgil or Homer. My closest book store is our community thrift shop, so I sent my intentions that direction and dropped by earlier today. Lo and behold, Homer was there ... and Virgil, nowhere to be seen. For less than a dollar, I now have two editions of poetry written by Homer, and translated into English language. Leafing through them, I was very glad that I had familiarized myself with lyric poetry in school. Reading these books, cover-to-cover seems entirely too daunting a task for me now, as a working adult. Fortunately, actually reading the books is not required :)

Having procured the required texts, the next step will be to practice "ad sortes Sortes Homericae" or the Homeric lots - divination using the works of Homer. 'The Iliad' was the usual text for sortes and, surprisingly, a paperback "Odyssey" with loose binding had been included at no extra charge. 

Although it may not be as traditional, perhaps the Odyssey is requesting preference over the "Iliad" for this exercise. The reason being, the pages may be removed to more easily simulate "lots", as compared to a bibliomancy implied by a completely intact "Iliad". Those of us well-practiced in honoring the messages of the Goddess pay attention to these small yet significant details. Both texts will be resting on the altar for several hours, and then likely fumigated with incense and blessed elementally before embarking on the Roman lots 

While I am learning this method, over the next few days or until I am comfortable using this method of divination, I will be providing complimentary "sortes" alongside my paid divinations :) Post your inquiry, and discover how The Roman Oracle answers ...