EXAMPLE
In order to test the Temple of Cythnos oracle, I decided to try the Spring questions. Late in the Autumn of life and approaching the gate of Winter, I figure I’ve got enough distance and perspective on the my ‘Spring’ to judge if the oracle was accurate about that time in my life. I haven’t memorized which answer goes with which number, there’s too many of them, so I’d be flying blind in this.
To the first question, ‘her greatest accomplishment’, I drew 3, which refers to elegance of speech. I recalled that in seventh grade, I had to give a speech in English class and I did such a good job of it, the teacher later said she thought the class was going to stand up and cheer. So yeah, sort-of.
The second question, ‘what will most please others’ I drew 7, which refers to ‘a dissembling affability and a tongue dipped in flattery.’ Well, maybe a little; I get it from my mother. But is the ability to get along with others so bad? Humph.
The third question, ‘to what passion is she inclined, I drew 4, which says I have an ‘over-bearing temperament and a blind presumption which indicates the passion of anger.’ Well, situationally, yes. I quicker to anger then.
I skipped the fourth question, because the 10-to-14-year-old me wasn’t interested in love at the time. I should’ve substituted one of the boys’ questions here.
The fifth question, about friendship luck, I drew 6, which referred to my ‘amiable qualifications and engaging manners’ and said I could have as many friends as I wished. I recall being friendly and amiable with many, but good, close friends with none.
The sixth question, ‘will she attain her fondest wish’, I drew 4, which stated flat-out that I ‘wished for a superiority over those who wished the same over her.’ I had a burning ambition to better myself in my teens, to end up in a better place than my parents, and to leave my contemporaries my dust. I had to plead guilty.
For the seventh question, ‘what is to be her situation in life’ I felt equally-drawn to two numbers: 4 and 7. Four referred to my situation in life ‘evoking more pity than envy’, and seven referred to my ‘enjoying the comforts of life in an agreeable retirement.’ Both are appropriate and accurate. I’ve never married nor had children, which many would look upon as a pitiable state. And I am enjoying the comforts of life in an agreeable retirement. Ideally, you should go with only one number per question, but if you feel drawn to two or even three numbers on a particular question, then it’s possible your most-accurate answer is a combination of answers.
My final assessment is, the Spring oracle cards did a good job of identifying 10-to-14-year-old me, shortcomings and all, whether I liked that earlier Euphonia or not. A good thing that early me has mellowed-out somewhat.