MĀTR̥KĀ Oracle
About the Mātr̥kā Oracle.
The Mātr̥kā Oracle refers to a spiritual or divinatory system based on Sanskrit Syllabary. 'Mātra' in sanskrit means 'measure', or 'length' of the sound, in our case. However, in Hindu traditions, the letters are associated with the worship of the Mātr̥kās or Matrikas, who are a group of mother goddesses. These goddesses are often depicted as a group of seven (sometimes eight) divine mothers, each representing governing one of the seven groups of the Sanskrit Syllabary. The syllabary of Hindu scripts (such as Devanāgari, Śarada, Newari etc.) is also called Mātr̥kā.
Mātr̥kā is not an alphabet but a syllabary, where each character typically represents a syllable. It has 49 characters, divided into vowels and consonants. The sounds of Sanskrit, especially in mantras, are believed to have inherent power and to resonate with cosmic energies. The efficacy of a mantra in rituals, meditation, and spiritual practices is believed to stem from the inherent power of the sounds in the Mātr̥kā. According to some beliefs, the universe itself was created through the vibrations of these sounds. Thus, the letters are seen as the building blocks of the universe. In tantric traditions, practitioners meditate on these letters as a means of accessing higher states of consciousness and understanding the mysteries of the universe.
We also use Mātr̥kā as a powerful divination tool. The Mātr̥kā Oracle, like many divinatory systems, combines elements of spirituality, cultural tradition, and personal introspection, offering a unique way to engage with the divine feminine and seek insights from the universe.
In Hindu and Tantric philosophies, Sanskrit letters are viewed as more than just written characters; they are considered to be creative forces, each embodying a specific aspect of cosmic energy. This concept is deeply rooted in the belief that the universe was created through sound, specifically through the primal sound OM ॐ . Here, the associations between letters, levels of the universe, and aspects of consciousness are used as oracle, predicting the future. The iterpretation of the Sanskrit syllables is based here on the several texts of tantric traditions: (1) Parātriśikavivaraṇa by Abhinavagupta (PTrV) association of letters with the levels/buoildings blocks of the universe (tattva). (2) Manthanabhairava tantram (MBhT) provides association of letters with aspects of Shabdarashi Bhairava and with yoginīs. Bhairava is embodying the essence of "Śabda" or sound/word. Similaly, the femal yoginīs also represent letters of the Sanskrit syllabary. The sound is not merely a physical vibration but a manifestation of consciousness. Therefore, Shabdarashi Bhairava and yoginīs would represent the cosmic forces or the divine aspects that embodie the essence and power of divine sound or speech, which is fundamental to the creation and expression of the universe as well as to the individual consciousness. (3) One more association of letters is given with Mālinī. The main text here is Mālinī-vijaya Tantra as well as Kubjikāmata-tantra and MBhT. The term "Mālinī" can refer to a garland goddess or a divine feminine figure made of particular arrangement of the Sanskrit alphabet beginning with Na and ending with PhA.
