BOOKS and BIBLIOTHERAPY

BOOKS and BIBLIOTHERAPY

By  

VIKRAM KARVE

Reading can be fun. 

Reading can also be therapeutic. 

Bibliotherapy may be defined as the use of books to help people solve problems.  

Many of us use bibliotherapy without realizing it. 

Reading is ameliorative in nature and an enjoyable read always cheers you up and puts you in a good mood.

 

Whenever I am in a blue mood, I browse through my bookshelves and pick up a good book.  

For me, reading is the greatest of all joys.

The moment I start reading a book I enter a different world, and this change of environment has a positive effect on my mood and emotion, and lo and behold, my spirits are uplifted. 

Those who do not have the habit of reading remain imprisoned in their moods and immediate surroundings.

 

I have just picked up a delightful little book called “The Ladies Oracle” by Cornelius Agrippa from my bookcase. 

Let me tell you about it and you will see how the book cheers me up and lifts your spirits too.

 

Whenever I buy a book, I write down the date and place of purchase on its first page. 

I have duly recorded that I bought The Ladies Oracle on 14 February 1989 on the pavement bookstalls opposite the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) near Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) at Fort in Mumbai.

I don’t remember what prompted me to buy The Ladies Oracle. Maybe to present it to my darling wife, or maybe because there was no such book as “The Gentleman’s Oracle” available at the pavement bookstall.

But that’s not important now, so let’s talk more about this amusing litte book – The Ladies Oracle by Cornelius Agrippa.

 

Let’s get down to using this delightful oracle.

First choose a question from the ninety five listed in the book from pages (v) to (viii) numbered 5 to 100

(I wonder where the first five questions are?)

 

I select question number 35: – Shall I always enjoy good health...?

 

Now as per the the instructions, I turn to page (i), close my eyes and put my finger on the table of signs.

I open my eyes and see that I have placed my finger on the sign representing a single square.

 

Now I consult the table starting from page ten, follow the line marked by the number of the question (35^th  line) till I arrive at the column which has the chosen sign over it, and this figure gives me the number of the page (74).

I open page 74 and look the sign traced by my finger ( a single square) and alongside it I find my answer: – You will always have joy, health and prosperity...!

 

Fantastic...! I’m feeling good already. Bibliotherapy seems to be working.

 

Now the next question, number 15: –   How many lovers shall I have...?

 

I follow the same earlier procedure as stipulated in the instructions and the Oracle gives me the answer: – A great many, but those that have so many generally choose the worst...!

 

Hey, I have to be careful in love…!

 

The next question, number 91: – What opinion has the world of me...?

 

The Oracle answers: – You are thought to have had more than one adventure...!

 

Wow...! Have I really sown my wild oats that much...?

 

Shall I be happy in love...? I ask and the oracle says: – You will find more pain than pleasure...!

 

Oh, Dear…! I better steer clear of falling in love...!

So I ask: Will my reputation be always good...?

The oracle answers: It will always be as you make it...!

  

I must take care to build up a good reputation!

 

Shall I go many long voyages...?

The oracle answers:

You will do well not to voyage farther than round your own room...!

 

Great...!

That puts an end to all my travel plans...!

All I am going to do my entire life is go round and round in my room...!

What a gloomy answer...!

And I thought browsing books was supposed to lift my spirits...!

 

Okay, just one last question, and the answer better be something good to cheer me up or else no more ‘bibliotherapy’ for me!

 

I select question number 74: – What is the person that I am thinking about doing at this moment...? 

and the Oracle answers: – She regrets not being with you...!

 

Really…? My, my...! It seems to good to be true…! So I call her up.

She says in her sweet loving voice:

“What a coincidence. I was just thinking of you and the good times we had together – I wish you were here with me…”

Wow…! Bibliotheraphy really works.

I feel thrilled, jubilant, ecstatic, on cloud nine, in seventh heaven and right on top of the world as I rush off to surprise my beloved sweetheart.

And just imagine, I thought that she never even thought about me...! 

Looks like it is the end of what I thought was my one way unrequited love and the beginning of a new exciting romantic relationship. 

Yes, things are looking up…!!!

 

Long live The Ladies Oracle...!

 

Oh, Yes...The Ladies Oracle is a delightful little book you can consult from time to time on matters of love and life.

Believe me, you’ll enjoy reading and using this marvellous book.

It may be called The “Ladies” Oracle, but I feel that even men can consult it with satisfying results. 

 

Dear Reader, why don’t you try it out…?

It is delightfully entertaining reading, guaranteed to lift your spirits. 

I always carry this oracle in my pocket to enliven my moments of waiting – waiting at airports, railway stations, while travelling. 

Take it with you everywhere and you will never be bored. It is a small book, pocket-size, easy to carry everywhere.

 

Get a copy of this interesting book – The Ladies Oracle. 

Then just ask the questions you always wanted to ask, and enjoy the answers…!

Long live Bibliotherapy.  

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

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