Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Konya, nestled in the heart of Anatolia, there lived a man whose words would resonate through the ages. His name was Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, but he was simply known as Rumi. Rumi was not just a poet; he was a mystic, a philosopher, and a spiritual guide.

Rumi's story began like many others, with a sense of longing. He was born in 1207 in Balkh, a city that is now in Afghanistan. His family fled the Mongol invasion, seeking refuge in Konya, where Rumi would spend most of his life.

As a young man, Rumi was a scholar, a teacher, and a respected jurist. He lived a comfortable life, but something was missing. He yearned for a deeper connection with the divine, a spiritual union that transcended the rituals and dogma of his time.

One fateful day, while walking through the bustling marketplace of Konya, Rumi heard the mesmerizing sound of a dervish playing a flute. Entranced by the music, he followed the sound to a secluded garden. There, he met Shams-i Tabrīz, a wandering mystic with a radiant presence.

Shams and Rumi's meeting was like the collision of two celestial bodies. Their souls recognized each other, and an intense spiritual friendship was born. They spent months in deep conversation, meditating, and whirling in ecstatic dance, seeking to understand the mysteries of the universe.

Rumi's transformation was profound. He began to compose poetry that flowed from his heart, verses that celebrated love, unity, and the divine. His words were not confined to a particular religion or creed; they were universal, touching the hearts of people from all walks of life.

Rumi's teachings and poetry soon attracted disciples from near and far. His circle of followers, known as the Mevlevi Order or the Whirling Dervishes, grew in number. They embraced a life of devotion, simplicity, and love, seeking to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary through their spiritual practices.

The most iconic image of Rumi's teachings is the mesmerizing Sufi dance, the whirling, where dervishes spin in graceful circles, letting go of the ego and connecting with the divine. It symbolizes the journey of the soul towards enlightenment, mirroring Rumi's own spiritual odyssey.

Rumi's wisdom, love, and compassion continue to inspire and guide people to this day. His poetry, collected in the "Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi" and the "Mathnawi," is cherished worldwide. Rumi's garden of wisdom, once hidden in the heart of Konya, now spans the globe, touching the lives of those who seek meaning, love, and unity in a divided world.

And so, the story of Rumi reminds us that in the midst of life's journey, there is always room for transformation, for love, and for the discovery of the divine within ourselves. It is a story of a man who turned his longing into poetry and his love into a legacy that continues to inspire and uplift humanity, one verse at a time.

The Purpose of the Rumi Oracle Deck.

Rumi was born in Balkh, which was part of the Khwarezmian Empire, one of the regions conquered by Genghis Khan's forces. When the Mongol invasions reached this area in the early 13th century, Rumi's family, like many others, was forced to flee. They sought refuge in various places to escape the ravages of the Mongol conquest. 

Rumi's response to Genghis Khan's invasions was not one of direct political or military action but rather a personal and spiritual journey that would lead him to become one of the most influential poets and mystics in history. His teachings, grounded in love, compassion, and spiritual unity, continue to inspire and resonate with people from all walks of life around the world.

The Rumi Oracle deck was created to honor Rumi & historical events that have shaped the world. It serves as an inspiration for humans to be resilient in the face of passing adversity, even in times of upheaval, the doorway to spiritual transformation remains available to all.