The Ladies’ Oracle – A Book for My “Girlfriends”

Bibliotherapy – The Ladies’ Oracle – Guide on Matters of Love and Life

THE LADIES ORACLE

A Fascinating Book 

By  

VIKRAM KARVE

BIBLIOTHERAPY

Reading can be fun. 

Reading can also be therapeutic. 

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

Yes – you can benefit from bibliotherapy – use books to solve issues that you may be facing at a particular time  

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.

Here is a picture of the title page of my copy the book: 

THE LADIES’ ORACLE By Cornelius Agrippa

THE LADIES’ ORACLE By Cornelius Agrippa  

Let me tell you about this intriguing book The Ladies’ Oracle and you will see how this book can cheer you up and lifts your spirits too – an ideal book for BIBLIOTHERAPY .

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 Valentine’s Day – more than 28 years ago – on the pavement bookstalls opposite the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) near Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) at Fort in Mumbai (then called Bombay).

I don’t remember what prompted me to buy The Ladies Oracle. 

Maybe – I wanted to present the book to my darling wife 

Or maybe – because there was no such book as “The Gentleman’s Oracle” – at the pavement bookstall.

But that is not important now.

So – let’s talk more about this amusing little book.

HOW TO USE THE LADIES ORACLE FOR BIBLIOTHERAPY

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) – I close my eyes – and I put my finger on the “Table of Signs”

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

Now – I consult the table starting from page 10 – I 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) on which the answer is written.

I open page 74 – and I look the “sign” traced by my finger (a single square) – and alongside the “sign” I find my answer: 

You will always have joy, health and prosperity...!!!

Fantastic...!!! 

I am 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: 

You will have a great many lovers – but those that have so many lovers – they 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...?

I ask the oracle: 

Shall I be happy in love...? 

And the oracle says: 

You will find more pain than pleasure...!

Oh, Dear…!!!

I better steer clear of falling in love...!!!

So I ask the oracle: 

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!

I ask the oracle: 

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 (the “girlfriend I am thinking about at that moment)

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…!!! 

Bibliotherapy 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...!!!

It 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 with her. 

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 will 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…?

I am sure you can easily get a copy of THE LADIES ORACLE online or at your bookstore.

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 

By the way – while surfing the net – I discovered that The Ladies Oracle is available as a free download for your smartphone at the link -> http://the-ladies-oracle.soft112.com/ 

There is also THE LADIES ORACLE Google Play App for your Android Smartphone at the link -> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideafarms.android.ladiesoracle&hl=en

(Please do due diligence before you download – and – download and use the oracle at your own risk – and – just for fun)

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

Do tell us whether you found the oracle useful in matters of love and life.

Long live Bibliotherapy 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

This Article was Written By Me more than 25 years ago in the early 1990s and first posted on my creative writing blog in the year 2004 at url: http://creative.sulekha.com/bibliotherapy_173419_blog and reposted a number pf times in my blogs including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/11/bibliotherapy-aka-book-therapy.html  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/bibliotherapy_173419_blog  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/the-ladies-oracle_290719_blog  andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/02/oracle-for-valentines-day.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/04/bibliotherapy-ladies-oracle-by.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/05/bibliotherapy-made-simple.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/bibliotherapy-ladies-oracle-guide-on.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/a-book-for-my-girlfriends-ladies-oracle.html  etc

Art of Living – Implementable Philosophy

After retirement – I have become a non-entity. 

At times – events happen – that make me feel low.

But – there is nothing I can do – except be a mute spectator. 

On such occasions – I remember the words of Epictetus: 

“...Some things are within our control – and some things are not in our control

Once you learn to distinguish between the two – then inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.

Events don’t hurt us – only our attitude towards them does.

Don’t demand or expect that events happen as you would wish them to. 

Accept events as they actually happen. 

That way peace is possible...”

So whenever I feel demoralised – in order to raise my morale – I pull out a book from my bookcase – read it – and – I contemplate. 

The book is called: 

“Epictetus – The Art of Living: The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness...” 

Let me tell you about the book...

THE ART OF LIVING

A Philosophical Approach

EPICTETUS IN A NUTSHELL

The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness: Epictetus

Book Review

By

VIKRAM KARVE

I have got a wonderful book in my bookcase.

The title and details of the book are as follows: 

The Art of Living: The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, a new interpretation by Sharon Lebell, published by HarperCollins in 1994, ISBN 0-06-251346-X

This compact book encapsulates in a nutshell the salient teachings of Epictetus, the great Stoic philosopher. 

Whenever I buy a book I write my name, the date and place of purchase on the first page. I bought this book from one of my favorite bookstores – Gangaram’s Bangalore – on 18 August 1999.

Those were the glorious days, in the 1990s, when I used to visit Bangalore very often. 

I ensured I stayed somewhere near MG Road, and spend the evenings strolling in the delightful area around MG Road and Brigade Road. 

A delightful meal of the scrumptious Kerala delicacies like Stew, Appams, Parotta and the Ghee Rice at Imperial on Residency Road, baked delights at Nilgiri, Rosogullas at KC Das and Book Browsing at Gangarams Book Bureau were an absolute must. 

It’s been 18 long years now – I cherish those memories and hope I get a chance to visit Bangalore soon and enjoy strolling, eating and browsing in my favourite places.

Now let’s have a look at a few gems from this witty and wise book which delves on two basic questions pertaining to the Art of Living :

How do I live a happy, meaningful, fulfilling life...?

How can I be a good person...? 

Epictetus advises: 

“Approach life as a banquet...” 

Think of your life as if were a banquet where you would behave graciously. 

When dishes are passed to you, extend your hand and help yourself to a moderate portion. 

If a dish should pass you by, enjoy what is already on your plate. 

Or if a dish hasn’t been passed to you yet, patiently wait your turn.

There is no need to yearn, envy, and grab. 

You will get your rightful portion when it is your time.

Happiness and Freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: 

Some things are within our control – and some things are not in our control

And once you learn to distinguish between the two (what is in your control and what is not in your control) then inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.

Events don’t hurt us – only our Attitude towards them does.

Don’t demand or expect that events happen as you would wish them to. 

Accept events as they actually happen. 

That way peace is possible.

Create your own Merit.

Never depend on the admiration of others. 

Personal merit cannot be derived from an external source. 

Remember – there is no such thing as vicarious merit.

These are a few gems from the book – every page radiates simple implementable wisdom.

Whereas society regards professional achievement, wealth, power, and fame as desirable and admirable – Epictetus views these as incidental and irrelevant to true happiness.

What matters most is what sort of life you are actually living – a life of virtue – a life celebrating and caretaking the present moment. 

Authentic happiness is always independent of external conditions – your happiness can be found within.

This captivating book has had a profound effect on me and my way of thinking and living and this motivated me to delve into the life and works of Epictetus in more detail. 

And – it was heartening to see the congruence and harmony of the teachings of Epictetus with Eastern philosophical wisdom and precepts.

I am glad I bought this splendid book. 

It cost me only 95 Rupees. 

Go down to your neighborhood bookstore and browse through it. 

I am sure you will love to have a copy in your bookcase. 

I assure you that you will enrich your inner self every time your read this delightful book.

Dear Reader – do get a copy of this book and tell me if you like this breathtakingly simple philosophy of life – which is so easy to implement in daily life. 

Yes – it is simple “implementable wisdom”.

Dear Reader: I wish you authentic happiness and good health. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

This book review was written by me Vikram Karve 18 years ago in the year 1999 and was posted online by me a number of times in my blogs at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/epictetus-the-art-of-living-the-classic-manual-on-virtue-happiness-and-effectiveness_320310_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/06/epictetus-art-of-living.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/11/how-to-be-happy-epictetus-way.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/06/art-of-living-philosophical-approach.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/01/thursday-morning-motivation-art-of.html etc