The Televisionary Oracle
A Novel
$16.95 print edition
The Televisionary Oracle is a novel of magical realism.
In part, it’s a wonder tale about two highly idiosyncratic creative artists and their quests for crazy wisdom.
In part, it’s a prophetic spiral of visionary philosophy, erotic spirituality, and sacred activism.
Its two alternating narrators braid their fortunes together: a singing poet whose vocation as a cultural provocateur complicates his career as a rock musician . . . and a high priestess of an ancient feminine mystery school dedicated to rekindling the playfully insurrectionary presence of the Goddess as a force for cultural transformation.
As their destinies converge, they redeploy their private lives as raw material for a myth unlike any inherited from either the ancient world or the modern entertainment industry—a saga in which intimate love, artistic calling, soulful awakening, and political rabble-rousing are woven into a single fabled yet recognizably human adventure.
Why is it so important to the future of daffodils and sea urchins and the jet stream that childbirth be shown regularly in prime time? What is the best way for you to undo the black magic you've performed on yourself? What exactly do we mean when we predict that hedonistic midwives will one day rule the world? Why are we so sure that sooner or later each of us will be a well-rounded incredibly kind extremely wealthy genius with lots of leisure time and an orgiastic feminist conscience? As you bask here in the sanctuary of the Televisionary Oracle all will become puzzlingly clear.
Think globally, but act locally. Plan for the future, but act in the present. Dream of all the masterpieces you'd be thrilled to create, but work on just one at a time. Lust for every enticing soul you see, but only make love to the imperfect beauty you're actually with. Allow yourself to be flooded with every last feeling that bubbles up from your subconscious, but understand that only a very few of these feelings need to be forcefully expressed. Be passionately attuned to all the injustices and hypocrisies you see around you, but be selective when choosing which of those you will actually fight. Live forever, but die a little each day. Watch the Televisionary Oracle, but be the Televisionary Oracle.
Relax. Breathe sweetly and deeply. As you inhale, become aware that every one of your heart's beats originates in a gift of love directly from the Goddess Herself. As you exhale, allow every cell in your perfect animal body to purr with luminous gratitude for the enormity of the blessings you endlessly receive. Become aware that any residue of hatred still tainting your libido is draining out of you into the good earth. Continue to breathe sweetly and deeply. Now gently explode yourself into an even more serene shimmer of reverence. Feel the lustful compassion flowing from your mitochondria in spiral hallelujahs. Sense the flocks of blood-red angels floating across the grey-green pupils of your eyes, dropping bunches of fresh beets to celebrate your homecoming. You are now more at peace than you have ever been in your life. Your body feels the way it does after you've floated for an hour in warm seawater. The calcium in your bones and the iron in your blood are swarming with memories of how they were originally forged at the core of a red giant star that died billions of years ago. Now imagine that you're dreaming, but you're also wide awake. You're both and neither. It's not exactly like an out-of-body experience and it's not exactly like virtual reality, yet it feels like both. You're in the Drivetime, the wormhole that connects the Dreamtime and the Waketime. You have become one with the Televisionary Oracle. What if by merely imagining these possibilities. you have cast a brainy love spell on yourself, linking your conscious ego to the inaccessible part of your brain called your higher self or guardian angel or inner teacher?
“I";ve seen the future of American literature, and its name is Rob Brezsny.”
Tom Robbins
“The Televisionary Oracle is a book so weird it might drive you stark raving sane.”
Robert Anton Wilson
“Like a mutant love-child of Jack Kerouac and Anais Nin, Rob Brezsny writes with devilish humor, spiritual audacity, and erotic intensity. The Televisionary Oracle is a kick-ass gnostic tale. Prepare to be astonished”
Jay Kinney, author of Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions
“Millions of people already live their lives in accordance with Rob Brezsny's "Free Will Astrology" prophecies. But the time has come for a deeper dose of Brezsny's brain. Enter this temple if you dare!”
David Ulansey, author of The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries
“Brilliant! Absorbing! Wildly useful! Rob Brezsny gets my nomination for best prophet in a starring role. He's a script doctor for the soul.”
Marisa Tomei, Academy Award-winning actor