Mandala Narrative: Sculpting The Toltec Oracle

“The Toltec Oracle is a powerful and insightful revelation of the core of the Toltec tradition, one of the world’s richest sources of ancient wisdom. Victor Sanchez once again gifts us with a highly rewarding and practical way to apply this shamanic knowledge to our daily lives.” - Secrets of Shamanism

The Toltec Oracle: A Sacred Mirror for the Soul

The Toltec Oracle reveals the hidden wisdom of the ancient Toltecs, a people who mastered the art of living in harmony with the spirit of life. Victor Sanchez invites us to explore this shamanic tradition through a powerful oracle that reflects our true potential and guides us to transform ourselves.

The oracle consists of 33 cards, each with a symbol and a message from the original Toltec codices. The 20 Tonalpohualli cards represent the archetypal forces that shape our lives, while the 13 Ruler cards depict the sacred principles and deities that inspire our souls. The cards are arranged in a four-quadrant layout that corresponds to our body, mind, emotions, and spirit.

Using the rich sources of Toltec literature, poems, paintings, and philosophy, The Toltec Oracle explains the meaning and metaphysics of each card and how it relates to our personal situation. The oracle also offers over 200 exercises and practices to apply the wisdom of the readings and to cultivate our inner power and beauty.

The Toltec Oracle is more than a divination tool. It is a sacred mirror that reflects our soul's journey and helps us to discover our true essence and purpose. It is a gift of Toltec wisdom for our times.

The Tonalpohualli Cards: The Archetypal Forces of Life

The Tonalpohualli Cards are 20 cards that represent the archetypal forces of life, derived from the day-signs in the Toltec calendar. Each card has a name, a number from 1 to 13, and a glyph that depicts an animal, a plant, or an object. The name and the glyph of each card have a specific meaning and symbolism that reflect the qualities and characteristics of the force they represent. The number of each card indicates the intensity and influence of the force in the reader's life. The Tonalpohualli Cards show the reader their natural talents and abilities, as well as their challenges and lessons.

The Tonalpohualli Cards are:

1. Sipaktli - Dragon or Primordial Sea. Crocodile. Represents creation and emergence.
2. Ehakatl - Wind/Spirit or Breath. Represents movement and change.
3. Kali - House or Community. Represents stability and security.
4. Kuetspalin - Lizard or Regeneration. Represents renewal and adaptation.
5. Koatl - Serpent or Wisdom. Represents knowledge and learning.
6. Mikistli - Death or Transformation. Represents change and renewal.
7. Masatl - Deer or Grace. Represents beauty and harmony.
8. Tochtli - Rabbit or Abundance. Represents fertility and prosperity.
9. Atl - Water or Flow. Represents emotion and intuition.
10. Itskuintli - Dog or Companion. Represents loyalty and friendship.
11. Osomatl - Monkey or Artistry. Represents creativity and expression.
12. Malinali - Herb: Herb or Flexibility. Represents movement and change.
13. Akatl - Reed or Leadership. Represents authority and responsibility.
14. Oselotl - Jaguar or Warrior. Represents courage and action.
15. Kuautli - Eagle or Vision. Represents perception and transcendence.
16. Koskakuautli - Vulture or Purification. Represents cleansing and healing.
17. Ollin - Movement or Change. Represents dynamic energy and transformation.
18. Tekpatl - Flint or Resolution. Represents conflict and resolution.
19. Kiawitl - Rain or Blessing. Represents abundance and gratitude.
20. Shochitl - Flower or Beauty. Represents joy and celebration.

The Toltec Ruler cards: The Spiritual Forces and Energies of Life

The Ruler cards are 13 cards that represent the spiritual forces and energies of life, derived from the ruler gods of the Maya and Aztec cultures. Each card has a name and a glyph that depicts a deity or a sacred principle. The name and the glyph of each card have a specific meaning and symbolism that reflect the essence and power of the force they represent. The Ruler cards show the reader their connection with the divine and their alignment with the sacred principles and values of the Toltec tradition.

The Ruler cards are:

1. Senteotl - The One: the supreme force of unity, the source of all existence. Senteotl symbolizes the one God, the one spirit, the one life. Senteotl also symbolizes the one self, the one soul, the one essence.
2. Tonatiu - Father Sun: the force of illumination, the source of light and life. Tonatiu symbolizes the sun, the center of the universe, the giver of energy and warmth.
3. Ometeotl - Trinitarian Duality: the force of duality, the source of diversity and balance. Ometeotl symbolizes the two-in-one God, the male-female principle, the spirit-matter polarity. Ometeotl also symbolizes the three-in-one God, the father-mother-son trinity, the past-present-future continuum.
4. Koyoishauki - Moon: the force of mystery, the source of intuition and dreams. Koyoishauki symbolizes the moon, the ruler of the night, the reflector of light. Koyoishauki also symbolizes the mother, the nurturer, the healer.
5. Ketsalkoatl - Feathered Serpent: the force of transformation, the source of change and renewal. Ketsalkoatl symbolizes the feathered serpent, the harmony of opposites, the evolution of life. Ketsalkoatl also symbolizes Quetzalcoatl, the god of civilization, time, stars, and destiny.
6. Kaotikue - Mother Earth: the force of manifestation, the source of materiality and abundance. Kaotikue symbolizes the mother earth, the provider and sustainer of life, the giver of gifts and blessings. Kaotikue also symbolizes the harvest, the result and reward of our efforts and actions, the expression of our gratitude and generosity.
7. Tlawiskalpantekulti - Lord of the Light: the force of direction, the source of purpose and vision. Tlawiskalpantekulti symbolizes the lord of the light, the guide and teacher of humanity, the revealer of wisdom and knowledge. Tlawiskalpantekulti also symbolizes the dawn, the beginning and renewal of life, the awakening of consciousness and awareness.
8. Weweteotl - Grandfather Fire: the force of action, the source of passion and creativity. Weweteotl symbolizes the grandfather fire, the ancestor and protector of humanity, the giver of warmth and energy. Weweteotl also symbolizes the flame, the spark and expression of life, the catalyst of transformation and renewal.
9. Sholotl - Underworld: the force of shadow, the source of fear and challenge. Sholotl symbolizes the underworld, the dark and hidden realm, the place of trials and tests.
10. Miktlantekulti - Death: the force of transition, the source of change and renewal. Miktlantekulti symbolizes the death, the end and beginning of life, the transformation and regeneration of life. Miktlantekulti also symbolizes the skull, the reminder of our mortality, the symbol of our wisdom and knowledge.
11. Tlalok - Source of Life: the force of nourishment, the source of fertility and abundance. Tlalok symbolizes the source of life, the rain and water that sustain all living beings, the giver of gifts and blessings. Tlalok also symbolizes the storm, the power and unpredictability of nature, the challenge and opportunity of life.
12. Witsilopochtli - Left-Handed Hummingbird: the force of will, the source of determination and courage. Witsilopochtli symbolizes the left-handed hummingbird, the warrior and defender of the sun, the fighter for survival and freedom. Witsilopochtli also symbolizes the heart, the center and essence of our being, the source of our strength and vitality.
13. Teskatlipoka - Smoked Mirror: the force of reflection, the source of clarity and honesty. Teskatlipoka symbolizes the smoked mirror, the tool and challenge of self-knowledge, the revealer of truth and reality. Teskatlipoka also symbolizes the night, the realm of mystery and magic, the access to the nagual and the unknown.

Prompt Sculpting The Toltec Oracle: 

Introduction

Language is a powerful tool for communication, creativity, and expression. But language is also complex, ambiguous, and diverse, which makes it hard for humans and machines to understand and interact with each other. This is especially true for wisdom.

The 'communication gap' is the difference between the average speaking rate of 80 to 135 words per minute and the slow typing rate of nonverbal people who use computers to communicate. This gap is caused by the limitations of the current methods and systems that help nonverbal people communicate using computers. These methods and systems often require them to select words or letters from a predefined set of options, which can be slow, tedious, and frustrating.

But there is hope. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), especially in natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs), offer new possibilities and opportunities for improving and enhancing the communication between nonverbal people and computers. AI can help close the 'communication gap' by allowing them to quickly retrieve sentences they have typed before, generate new sentences based on their context and preferences, and interact with other people or machines using natural language.

One of the key factors that determines how well AI-based communication systems work is prompt engineering. Prompt engineering is the practice of designing and refining specific text prompts that guide LLMs in generating desired outputs. Prompt engineering involves crafting clear and specific instructions and giving the model enough time to process information. By doing prompt engineering, you can use LLMs to achieve different goals.

Prompt engineering is not only a technical skill, but also a creative and artistic one. It requires a deep understanding of the data, task, user, and model, as well as a sense of curiosity, playfulness, and experimentation. Prompt engineering can be used to create various types of outputs, such as poems, riddles, stories, summaries, questions, answers, etc., depending on the purpose and context of the communication.

In this guide, we will introduce you to the principles and techniques of prompt engineering, and show you how to use them to hack the AI-human communication gap using The Toltec Oracle as an example. The Toltec Oracle is a 33-card oracle deck based on codices containing the original Toltec wisdom tradition. It is an interactive oracle and divination tool that functions as a sacred mirror for self-exploration and soul transformation. It contains over 200 exercises for applying the message from the readings. It compiles the most important philosophical concepts and teachings of the Toltec from original sources of Toltec literature, poems, paintings, and philosophical texts. The artwork on cards is from original 16th-century Toltec codices.

We will also share some examples and best practices of prompt engineering for different scenarios and applications using The Toltec Oracle. Our goal is to help you create effective and engaging prompts that can improve your communication with LLMs and other people or machines.

This guide is inspired by various sources and influences, such as SatoriD's blog, The Toltec Oracle , The Cosmic Serpent Letters , etc. We hope this guide will spark your interest and imagination in prompt engineering, and help you discover new ways of using language as a tool for creating new realities and possibilities that are not bound by logic or convention.

Components of The Toltec Oracle

The Toltec Oracle consists of three main components: the cards, the board or layout, and the codex or book.

The cards are divided into two decks: the Tonalpohualli cards and the Ruler cards. The Tonalpohualli cards are 20 cards that represent archetypal situations of life based on the ancient Mesoamerican calendar system. Each card has a name (such as Jaguar or Death), a number (from 1 to 13), a symbol (such as a jaguar head or a skull), a color (such as red or black), and a meaning (such as strength or transformation). The Ruler cards are 13 cards that depict the main deities and sacred principles of the Toltec tradition. Each card has a name (such as Quetzalcoatl or Tezcatlipoca), an image (such as a feathered serpent or a smoking mirror), a color (such as blue or yellow), and a meaning (such as creation or duality).

The board or layout is a square grid with four quadrants that correspond to the four aspects of human existence: body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The board or layout is used to arrange the cards in different patterns or spreads that reflect different questions or themes for consultation. The most common spread is the Minimal Consultation Variation with Two Cards, which involves drawing one Tonalpohualli card and one Ruler card and placing them in the center of the board or layout. The position of the cards determines their meaning and influence on the question or theme. For example, if the Tonalpohualli card is on the left and the Ruler card is on the right, it means that the situation is governed by the principle of the Ruler card and influenced by the energy of the Tonalpohualli card. Another common spread is The Mirror of Life Spread, which involves drawing four Tonalpohualli cards and four Ruler cards and placing them in each quadrant of the board or layout. This spread gives a comprehensive overview of the question or theme from different perspectives.

The codex or book is a guide that explains the meaning and symbolism of each card, as well as how to use them for consultation. The codex or book also contains over 200 exercises and practices that help apply the message from the readings to one's life situation. The exercises and practices are based on the Toltec philosophy and metaphysics, as well as original sources of Toltec literature, poems, paintings, and philosophical texts. The codex or book also provides some historical and cultural context for the Toltec tradition and its relevance for our times.

Consulting The Toltec Oracle and LLMs

Consulting The Toltec Oracle and LLMs is a process that involves preparing oneself and the oracle, formulating a question or theme, drawing and arranging cards, interpreting cards, applying the message, and closing the consultation.

Preparing oneself and the oracle involves choosing a quiet and comfortable place, creating a sacred space with candles, incense, crystals, flowers, etc., cleansing oneself and the oracle with water, smoke, or sound, invoking one's guides or protectors, setting one's intention and mood, etc. It also involves respecting and honoring the oracle as a sacred object and a living being.

Formulating a question or theme involves deciding what one wants to consult about, whether it is a personal issue, a relationship, a health problem, a career choice, a spiritual quest, etc. It also involves phrasing the question or theme in a clear and specific way that reflects one's curiosity and openness. For example, instead of asking "Will I find love?", one can ask "What can I do to attract love into my life?".

Drawing and arranging cards involves shuffling both decks of cards separately while focusing on one's question or theme. Then one can draw one or more cards from each deck according to the chosen spread or method. One can also use one's intuition or guidance to select cards. Then one can place the cards on the board or layout according to their position in the spread or method.

Interpreting cards involves looking at each card individually and collectively, paying attention to their name, number, symbol, image, color, meaning, position, etc. One can also use the codex or book to get more information about each card and its relation to Toltec symbolism and metaphysics. One can also use LLMs to generate additional meanings or insights for each card by using prompt engineering techniques. For example, one can use prompts such as "What does this card mean in this context?", "What is an example of this card in real life?", "What is a poem that expresses this card?", etc.

Applying the message involves reflecting on how the message from the readings relates to one's question or theme and life situation. One can also use the exercises and practices from the codex or book to apply the message in a practical way. One can also use LLMs to generate suggestions or actions for applying the message by using prompt engineering techniques. For example, one can use prompts such as "What can I do to follow this message?", "What is a challenge that I might face with this message?", "What is a positive outcome that I might achieve with this message?", etc.

Closing the consultation involves thanking oneself and the oracle for their participation and guidance. It also involves clearing oneself and the oracle from any residual energy by using water, smoke, sound, etc. It also involves storing the oracle in a safe and respectful place until next time.

Key Elements in The Toltec View of The World

The Toltec view of the world is based on some key elements that reflect their understanding of reality and their relationship with it. Some of these key elements are:

• The tonal and the nagual: The tonal is the visible and manifest aspect of reality, the world of forms and appearances, the world of everyday life. The nagual is the invisible and hidden aspect of reality, the world of essence and potentiality, the world of mystery and magic. The tonal and the nagual are complementary and interdependent, and together they form the totality of existence. The Toltecs seek to balance and integrate both aspects of reality in their lives, and to access the nagual through various practices, such as dreaming, meditation, ritual, and plant medicine.
• The four agreements: The four agreements are a set of principles that guide the Toltecs in their personal and social interactions. They are based on the idea that our perception of reality is shaped by our beliefs and assumptions, which often limit and distort our true nature and potential. The four agreements are: 1) Be impeccable with your word: Speak with integrity and honesty, and use your word for good and not for evil. 2) Don't take anything personally: Don't let others' opinions and actions affect your self-worth and happiness, and don't make assumptions about their motives and intentions. 3) Don't make assumptions: Don't jump to conclusions or project your expectations and fears onto others or situations, and communicate clearly and respectfully to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. 4) Always do your best: Do your best in every moment and situation, according to your abilities and circumstances, and don't judge yourself or others by unrealistic standards.
• The three masteries: The three masteries are a framework for personal growth and spiritual development that the Toltecs follow in their quest for freedom and happiness. They are: 1) The mastery of awareness: The mastery of awareness is the ability to observe oneself and one's reality with clarity and objectivity, without being attached or identified with one's thoughts, emotions, or beliefs. It is also the ability to be present and mindful in every moment, without being distracted or influenced by external factors. 2) The mastery of transformation: The mastery of transformation is the ability to change oneself and one's reality according to one's true will and vision, without being limited or conditioned by one's past or present circumstances. It is also the ability to use one's energy and power for good and not for evil, without being corrupted or manipulated by others. 3) The mastery of intent: The mastery of intent is the ability to align oneself with the universal force that creates and sustains all things, without being separated or alienated from it. It is also the ability to manifest one's dreams and desires into reality, without being attached or dependent on them.

These are some of the key elements in the Toltec view of the world, which reflect their understanding of reality and their relationship with it. The Toltec view of the world is a holistic and dynamic view that recognizes the diversity and complexity of existence, as well as the unity and harmony of all things. The Toltec view of the world is also a practical and pragmatic view that offers tools and techniques for personal growth and spiritual development, as well as for social harmony and ecological balance.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have introduced you to the principles and techniques of prompt engineering, and showed you how to use them to hack the AI-human communication gap using The Toltec Oracle as an example. We have also shared some examples and best practices of prompt engineering for different scenarios and applications using The Toltec Oracle. Our goal was to help you create effective and engaging prompts that can improve your communication with LLMs and other people or machines.

We hope this guide has sparked your interest and imagination in prompt engineering, and helped you discover new ways of using language as a tool for creating new realities and possibilities that are not bound by logic or convention.

We invite you to experiment with prompt engineering using The Toltec Oracle or any other oracle or system that resonates with you. We also encourage you to share your prompts and outputs with us and other prompt engineers on our blog , podcast , oracle , letters , etc.

Thank you for reading this guide and joining us on this journey of prompt engineering. We look forward to hearing from you soon! -SatoriD🌺

Resource list for The Toltec Wisdom:

Fifteen Poets of the Aztec World By Miguel León-Portilla

This book is a collection and translation of Nahuatl poetry from the pre-Columbian and colonial periods of Mexico. It features the biographies and works of fifteen poets, fourteen men and one woman, who lived between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The poems are based on indigenous sources, such as codices and oral traditions, and reflect the culture, worldview, and symbolism of the Nahuatl-speaking peoples. The poems cover themes such as love, war, nature, religion, philosophy, and art. The book also includes an introduction and commentary by the author, who is a renowned scholar of Mesoamerican history and literature.

Toltecs of the New Millennium by Victor Sanchez

This book is a personal account of the author's experiences and teachings with the Toltec spiritual warriors of Mexico. The author, who is a Mexican anthropologist and writer, describes how he met and learned from these indigenous people who practice an ancient tradition of living in harmony with nature and spirit. The book reveals the secrets and techniques of the Toltec way of life, such as how to perceive reality beyond the senses, how to communicate with animals and plants, how to heal oneself and others, how to use dreams and visions as guides, and how to develop one's inner power and wisdom. The book also offers practical exercises and rituals for applying the Toltec principles in one's daily life.

The Gospel of the Toltecs: The Life and Teachings of Quetzalcoatl By Frank Díaz

This book is a reconstruction and interpretation of the life and teachings of Quetzalcoatl, the legendary feathered serpent god who was also a historical figure in Mesoamerica. The book draws on various sources, such as oral traditions, codices, chronicles, myths, legends, and prophecies, to present a comprehensive and coherent narrative of Quetzalcoatl's biography and doctrine. The book portrays Quetzalcoatl as a prophet, a king, a priest, a magician, a healer, a teacher, a reformer, a martyr, and a savior. The book also explores Quetzalcoatl's influence on various cultures and religions in Mesoamerica and beyond.

The Darts of Dawn: The Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli Venus Complex in the Iconography of Mesoamerica and the American Southwest by Michael Mathiowetz et al.

This book is a scholarly study of the iconography and symbolism of Venus in Mesoamerica and the American Southwest. It focuses on the figure of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli (the Lord of the House of Dawn), who was associated with Venus as both the morning star and the evening star in ancient Mexico. The book examines how Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was represented in various media, such as sculpture, painting, ceramics, textiles, architecture, and astronomy. The book also traces how Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli's attributes and functions were shared by other deities and beings in Mesoamerica and the Southwest, such as Quetzalcoatl, Xolotl, Kukulkan, Mixcoatl, and Kokopelli. The book argues that Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was a key symbol of cosmology, warfare, sacrifice, and regeneration in these regions.

The Toltec Oracle author: Victor Sanchez

This book is a guide to using The Toltec Oracle, a set of 33 cards that are based on the Toltec culture and spirituality. The cards are divided into two groups: 13 Ruler Cards and 20 Tonalpohualli Cards. The Ruler Cards represent the main gods and goddesses of the Toltec pantheon, such as Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, Tlaloc, and Chalchiuhtlicue. The Tonalpohualli Cards represent the 20 signs of the ancient Mesoamerican calendar, such as Crocodile, Wind, House, and Rabbit. The book explains the meaning and symbolism of each card, as well as how to use them for divination and guidance. The book also provides different spreads and methods for reading the cards, such as The Minimal Consultation Variation with Two Cards, The Mirror of Life Spread, and The Toltecayotl Spread. The book also includes a codex and a book of songs that contain more information and exercises about the Toltec wisdom and practice.