Divination with a human heart attached is a practice that is believed to be centuries old and holds a deep significance in certain spiritual and occult traditions. It is a form of divination where a freshly obtained human heart is used as a tool to connect with the spiritual realm and gain insights and guidance. This practice is often regarded as highly powerful and insightful, but it is also considered controversial and ethically questionable. The belief behind divination with a human heart attached is that the heart is not just a physical organ but also a vessel of emotions, intuition, and spiritual energy. It is believed that the heart holds a unique connection to the divine and can tap into the collective consciousness of the universe. By using a human heart in divination, practitioners seek to access these energies and gain deeper insights into the past, present, and future.
Raised in the Mormon tradition, I consider myself a contemplative catholic these days, but my faith in the Roman Church is anything but certain or confident. Sometimes I feel as alienated from my Catholic parish as I might at a Richard Dawkins talk. But the good earth is big enough for my faith and my doubt. And I am glad about that. And Stoddard’s poetry lends me hope that I am not alone in this.
Reclaiming the image of god the mother, who is also being born by us, invokes the mystic wisdom of Meister Eckhart, who believed that each of us was called to give birth to God through our own spiritual fecundity. Both figures in the persona s life also share a heartbreaking form of denial, after the persona helplessly collapsed at his feet in the act of seeking.
By using a human heart in divination, practitioners seek to access these energies and gain deeper insights into the past, present, and future. Obtaining a human heart for divination purposes is a highly taboo and illegal practice in most societies. It involves the unethical act of procuring a human heart, which often leads to grave consequences for those involved.
REVIEW: DIVINATION WITH A HUMAN HEART ATTACHED – EMILY STODDARD (GAME OVER BOOKS)
With flair rooted in a provision of cultural context and historical footing, Emily Stoddard shines in her debut collection of poetry. Going through the introductory portions of this book, one will easily see why Divination with a Human Heart Attached ( Game Over Books ) has attracted a commendable number of literary prizes. With such feats trailing this manuscript, in the nearest future, the author of this book will certainly come to be associated with the best.
Writing on themes of myth, surrealism, magic, and memory, the author proves they are at home with their chosen subject matter, easily helping us make sense of things that are difficult to understand and explain, such as love, loss, and the passage of time.
This body of work is stunning in the way it reimagines historical events, by adapting storylines from antiquity, and bending it to suit a grander purpose. It does this effortlessly by employing humor and incisive wit, dismissive of the temptation to play safe, thereby uncovering the Achilles heel of the divine, and left with the sole decision to tickle, or to stab it. The portrayal of “god”, who is a non-human entity, given human attributes is interesting and powerful, allowing access to an existence behind the blur.
“in those days, god
spoke in fish and flower
ran to us with heavy baskets
so we could not miss him
so we could not confuse him
with lesser forms
The poet’s ability to reimagine traditional myths, in a fresh and original way, is remarkable. The skillful use of elements such as language, imagery, and form, contribute to the overall impact of the collection. Emily writes with a grace that charms the curious mind to the otherworldly. With lyricism and emotion, they make the unfamiliar familiar, sharing their lens with readers through which they can study closely, the human condition.
Armed with surrealism, Stoddard breaks free from the constraints of reality in order to tap into the realm of the irrational and dreamlike. Another notable highlight is memory playing a big role in this book, as it helps us better understand ourselves and our past, for it provides a sense of continuity and connection, and can shape our personal and cultural narratives in unimaginable ways.
In the opening poem, “More & More”, we meet a persona who is in touch with their environment, and are not shy to mention its denizens, namely; the peacock, the sandhill crane, the hummingbird, the wolf and the bear at whose existence they “do not turn away”, given to “violent /reverence.” Emily Stoddard employs line breaks, giving a significant impact on the rhythm, sound, and meaning of the poem, as well as the others that follow. Dividing the poems into discrete units, line breaks often indicate a pause, or hesitation in the poet’s thought or speech, and can be used to create a sense of rhythm, or musicality in poetry.
In, “I was running to him”, we find imageries implying the relationship between “god” and “my father”, by a childlike dependence on their care and support. Both figures in the persona’s life also share a heartbreaking form of denial, after the persona helplessly “collapsed at his feet” in the act of seeking.
In “Inheritance Rosarium”, we find “a girl” with a will behind her own survival:
“As a girl, my mother overheard her grandmother praying
Every night after the little girl composed
counterweight prayers of live, live, live. “
For obvious reasons, I am tempted to consider this poem the centerpiece for its evocative tone, vivid recollections, distinct structure, stark imagery with resonance, among several other features that leave a lasting impression on the mind. Other poems, like “Swoon Hypothesis”, “Where did I leave my god”, “Here, amen is not amen”, and “Gallows Humor— or, The Trouble with Kingdoms” will call for my head if I fail to mention them as favourites.
This book, which charts the depths of feeling and humanity in a way that is both lovely and profound, is a well-deserved triumph. A portal into a world where everything sings to any ear that will listen, this book offers an uncompromising look at the human experience. It is therefore safe to join Emily in expressing gratitude in her very own words, “Thank you to the ancestors who helped me listen”. Undoubtedly, it is in this body of work she joins the choir of “Women in Praise of the Sacred”.
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Writing on themes of myth, surrealism, magic, and memory, the author proves they are at home with their chosen subject matter, easily helping us make sense of things that are difficult to understand and explain, such as love, loss, and the passage of time.
Due to the illegal nature of this practice, it is largely shrouded in secrecy and conducted within hidden circles of practitioners. The process of divination with a human heart attached varies depending on the tradition and the specific ritual being performed. The heart is often treated as a sacred object and is carefully preserved and prepared for the divination ritual. It may be dried, preserved with herbs, or reanimated through certain magical rituals. During a divination session, the practitioner typically focuses on the heart as a source of spiritual energy and intuitive insights. They may hold or touch the heart, meditate on it, or use it as a focal point for divination tools such as tarot cards, runes, or scrying mirrors. Through this connection, the practitioner seeks to receive messages, symbols, or visions that provide guidance and understanding. Divination with a human heart attached is not widely embraced or accepted in mainstream spiritual or religious circles. The use of such a powerful and controversial tool raises ethical concerns and moral dilemmas. Many argue that it violates the sanctity of human life and demonstrates a lack of respect for the deceased. In conclusion, divination with a human heart attached is a highly secretive and controversial practice within certain spiritual and occult traditions. It involves using a human heart as a tool to connect with the divine and gain insights into the spiritual realm. While it is believed to be highly powerful and insightful, the ethical and moral implications of this practice raise serious concerns. As such, it is important for individuals to approach such practices with caution, respect, and a deep understanding of the potential consequences..
Reviews for "Sacred Connections: Exploring the Spiritual Divination with Human Hearts"
1. John - 1 star - I found "Divination with a human heart attached" to be extremely disturbing and macabre. The concept of using a human heart for divination was beyond my comprehension, and it gave me nightmares for days. The book should come with a warning label for those who are sensitive to graphic and gruesome descriptions. I couldn't stomach more than a few pages before I had to put it down. Definitely not my cup of tea.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "Divination with a human heart attached" promised an intriguing and unique storyline, but I was unfortunately disappointed. While the concept was certainly original, I found the execution lacking depth and coherence. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the plot seemed to jump around without clear direction. The book had potential, but it fell short of delivering a captivating and well-crafted narrative.
3. David - 2 stars - I'm usually a fan of dark and twisted narratives, but "Divination with a human heart attached" left me feeling unsettled in a way that I didn't enjoy. The graphic details and disturbing imagery overshadowed any potential for an engaging story. It seemed like shock value was prioritized over meaningful storytelling, and I couldn't connect with the characters or their motivations. Overall, it left me feeling unsatisfied and disturbed rather than entertained.
4. Emily - 3 stars - "Divination with a human heart attached" had an interesting concept that initially piqued my curiosity. However, as I delved deeper into the story, I found it to be unnecessarily grotesque and excessively violent. While I appreciate dark themes, this book crossed a line for me. The plot had potential, but unfortunately, the excessive focus on shock value overshadowed any semblance of meaningful storytelling. It may appeal to fans of extreme horror, but it definitely wasn't my cup of tea.