Austin RCG

good points

It’s time for one of my favourite things, Omen Days! I would love for you to join me.

Omen Days is an ancient divinatory practice from Old Europe. These twelve days were considered a special and magickal time and in some cultures were referred to as “days out of time”. Twelfth Night was considered the end of Yuletide. Later, these days were changed to the Twelve Days of Christmas.

For some, the practice begins 26 December. Others begin the practice on 25 December. For most of us, beginning 26 December is more practical as there is less hectic activity.
Traditionally, one would go out in Nature on each of the twelve days and seek an omen, perhaps after meditation. Nowadays, many of us choose to use Oracle or Tarot cards for practical reasons. Each Omen Day corresponds to a month in the coming year.
The practice: On each day of the Omen Days, you seek an omen in Nature or choose an Oracle or Tarot card. Each day represents a month in the coming year.

Day One, 26 December corresponds to January
Day Two, 27 December corresponds to February
Day Three, 28 December corresponds to March
Day Four, 29 December corresponds to April
Day Five, 30 December corresponds to May
Day Six, 31 December corresponds to June
Day Seven, 1 January corresponds to July
Day Eight, 2 January corresponds to August
Day Nine, 3 January corresponds to September
Day Ten, 4 January corresponds to October
Day Eleven, 5 January corresponds to November
Day Twelve, 6 January corresponds to December

“These special days have a long history which stems from a time before they were adopted by the Christian world. In Brittany and Wales, the Twelve Days of Christmas which mark the intercalary days of the year are called the ‘Omen Days,’ and have a special purpose. ‘Intercalary days’ are really the days left over from reckoning up the solar year and in calendars throughout the world and at different times, they are special because they are considered to be ‘the days out of time.’ It is usually in this magical interval that Gods are born or conceived in many different mythologies, including the Irish divinity Oengus Og, who is conceived, grown and born at Brúg na Boinne (Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, Ireland) all in one day by the skilful workings of the Dagda.” --Caitlin Matthews, The Art of the Omen Days, Light From the Midwinter's Heart, The Witches Almanac

These Omen Days, this space of time, can be considered a liminal time, an in-between time, a betwixt and between time. It is a time when many of us slow down and pause before the busyness of the next year begins.