QUOTE(plainsight @ Apr 13 2010, 10:51 AM)
I was looking for some sort of book of omens guide. I came across something called Falnama from an Islamic tradition. I like some of the art work; reminiscent of a Indian or Chinese connection.
Mm, there probably are a couple of books floating out there somewhere, but reading omens (presumably in nature?) is a combination of folklore/oldcountry wisdom (ancient peoples knew how to read the signs of nature to tell about weather, possible ecological fluctuations, etc.), and reciprocal interpretive symbolism (that is, you tell the universe how to speak to you, and the universe will speak your language.)
Thus on the one hand we learn to be observant towards nature to recognize the inherent patterns she expresses, the body language of the mother as it were, and in turn we contemplate and recognize the significance of that body language on a 'hyper-natural' level, i.e. spiritual, etc.
Learn about the significance of plants, animals, weather patterns, directions, numbers, and so on, and begin synthesizing that information into a flexible system of symbolism unique to your own paradigm - it will have something in common with other paradigms of course, but the specifics and details will be unique to your own point of view - by which you can judge what you observe in nature.
I learned to read some specific omens, purely by a long term practice of observing events in conjunction with the presence of certain organic images and natural phenomenon. Those phenomenon developed particular meaning for me, and now I take notice when I observe them and depending on the particular omen (I only recognize maybe fourteen or fifteen) I make preparations or otherwise keep aware. In my own opinion, the reading of omens is a personal dialogue between oneself and the universe, and although the first degree - natural lore - can be taught, the second degree - a method of, by my paradigm, reading resonances - cannot.
peace