SH+2014-15+P6+Omens

Ashley Riopel Cassie Colby Gabby Gagliano Emily Gerdts Mr. Shingler Period 6 21 October 2014

Aim (Gabby): An omen is an event regarded as a portent of good or evil. The others purpose in the article is to show that sometimes that omens are signs to show how to live life and which path would be the best path to go. Omens can be good or evil, it truly depends on how someone looks upon or acts upon it. The author talks about how omens or signs can come in many ways, but mostly in forms of nature. The authors purpose is stated explicitly on how omens and signs show which path to take in life. There are 2 constant green words that are used and that is decisions and nature. The author achieves their purpose by giving examples on how there are certain signs and omens of how to take the right path in life. “ You might wonder if the omens you receive are an answer to a question or a coincidence” (Ingerman). Sometimes omens are used in life to answer questions that cannot be answered by just anyone. That’s where the nature part comes in. There can be ways of nature as in wind, animals, plants, and or omens that just appear that a human being cannot answer questions to. “ The Etruscans, who developed reading omens and auspices into a form of science, knew different means of divination. In their beliefs the signs they read were sent to them by a mythical boy called Tages, who in their mythology was to have been ploughed up from the earth” (Omens and Superstitions). From this article it shows the same ideas, but in the Roman era. It shows that how there are different ways for an individual to approach these omens.

Audience (Cassie): Omens can be used to show which path to take in life. Audiences include people that are seeking guidance and a new outlook on their future. Omens typically relate to the general concept of “good” or “bad.” In the Ancient World, bad luck was a large influence on people and even became a deciding factor on their life choices. People would use omens to figure out about how the harvest would go because they were worried about how their omens would affect their harvest and luck. An article states, “In the ancient world, omens, especially bad omens, were not to be taken lightly” (“Omens in the Ancient World”). People took omens very seriously because omens were correlated with luck. People would use omens in their religions and their beliefs. They would try to avoid “bad” omens because that would mean “bad” luck. Omens were viewed on a large spectrum of cultures, especially religion.



Cultural (Ashley): Omens determine the difference between good and bad. They can also relate to nature and the separation between good and evil. In the article, “Lunar Eclipse Bad Omen in Many Cultures” it states, “ In Chinese mythology it is believed that the lunar eclipse occurs because of a dragon, a masculine solar energy that consumes the moon, In order to ward off the dragon the Chinese traditionally made loud noises, by smashing pots and banging mirrors” (Warburton 1). The author of this article has a vast amount of prior knowledge on different omens. This relates to those who are in this Chinese culture. The author explains the different actions that the Chinese take when this bad omen occurs. This persuasion affects the modern context because of the way that fear it. It contains magical science and that can relate to different scientists today trying to find a way to prevent the bad omens. This affects modern society because of the way people live and think. People can think about the questions they have about themselves, and in the future walk upon them. Omens can be good or evil, and this can affect the way society lives today.

Historical (Emily):

The concept of “Omens” was derived from the Ancient World, where having “bad omens” was considered almost as tragic of a fate as death. While Omens can be good or bad, they were mostly viewed as a generally bad thing in relation to supernatural forces and unexplainable events. This idea was mostly put in place by the Romans who were extremely religious as well as superstitious. Overtime, Roman women also became a public target for these omens. The text states, “Other bad omens Roman laws tried to prevent from the outset. And so there was laws to ban women in many places from holding a spindle in public. For should anyone lay eyes on such a woman, it could mean exceptionally bad luck. In fact it could mean the failure of the harvest” (“Omens and Superstitions” 19). Also, historical and political events which occurred throughout Roman society played a key role in the development of the formation of “omens.” For example, the accusations made from the basis of omens, including not only women, became an influence for many political decisions such as new “laws” and outlooks on society (“Omens and Meanings” 5). These historical and political events also relate to influences now, such as the link between the author and audience.

Works Cited "Omens in the Ancient World." Ancient Origins. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014. Reading Tea Leaves "Omens and Meanings." Omens and Meanings. 2006-2007. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

Reading Tea Leaves "Omens and Meanings." Omens and Meanings.

2006-2007. Web. 21 Oct. 2014. "Omens and Superstitions." Omens and Superstitions. The Illustrated History of The Roman Empire, 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.

"Omens and Superstitions." Omens and Superstitions. The Illustrated History of The Roman

Empire, 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2014. Ingerman, Sandra. "Sandra Ingerman.com." Sandra Ingerman. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014. Roman Omens "Roman Omens Showed the Will of the Gods." N.p.. n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014. Warburtons, Matthew. "Lunar Eclipse Bad Omen in Many Cultures."Guardian Liberty Voice. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.