The Chicagoland area had a freaking big thunderstorm go through last night (go to ChiTownDaily News for a great picture). Winds were whipping around and gusting up to 70-80 miles per hour, and the lightning was incredible. We had heard that a tornado had set down in Elmhurst (this morning officials say it was just high winds), but that part of the storm was heading for us. Tracy (my husband) and I packed up and went down to the basement to be safe. We weren’t the only ones. We hung out with other residents in the exercise room watching the news. The storm went over us moving around 50 mph, and out over Lake Michigan. We’re fine, and it looks like the South Loop made it through just fine.
Around Chicagoland tree limbs and powerlines are down, and there were several fires from the lightning strikes. Both airports shut down for awhile, and the Cubs game was finally called off after two rain delays. Over 200,000 lost power as of this morning.
When I opened up Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer to chant compline (last office of prayer at night), this is the prayer for Monday night:
In the infinity of night skies
in the free flashing of lightning
in whirling elemental winds
you are God.
In the impenetrable mists of dark clouds
in the wild gusts of lashing rain
in the ageless rocks of the sea
you are God and I bless you.
You are in all things
and contained by no thing.
You are the Life of all life
and beyond every name.
You are God and in the eternal mystery I praise you.
When I got to whirling elemental winds, Tracy, said, “You’re kidding right?”
I said, “NO! This is the prayer for Monday Night!”
And people think written prayers are never true-to-life or where you’re at now. I beg to differ.
The photo was posted by Doug Siefken.
Anonymous totally beat me to the punch. It’s this antiquated practice much like Stichomancy, but with a Holy book instead of random literature. It’s not really fortune telling, more of a random introspection exercise. It’s very much like having your Tarot read–it’s not about predicting the future, it’s about being in tune with yourself and what’s happening now. I find it to be a way to focus the INFJ intuitive introspection by filtering it through language.
Thank you anonymous.
Bibliomancy is fortune telling using a book. Some people use the bible as a way to mitigate the superstitious nature of it, but any book can be used.
Doug Siefken took some awesome pictures of the storm. His name in the post links to his flicker page.
We had some incredible lightning. My Hubby and I saw a bolt touch Lake Michigan. It was incredible.
That’s some bolt of lightning!
You have to tell me what Bibliomancy is!
I *love* it when that happens! That’s why I always do a Bibliomancy reading on my birthday. You never know what sorts of surprises books hold :).