A Guide to Divination from Mamacreepy.com

Divination, the art of predicting the future, has been in used in many forms since the beginning of time. Records of various forms of divination can be found in all cultures.The word "divination" is based on a Latin word that means "the faculty of foreseeing.” The word comes from the Latin word for "divine power," or "of the gods." This indicates that the true meaning of the word "divination" is "to make divine."

This guide is meant to explain and give a small overview of the most popular forms of foreseeing the future. There are many books and websites that can give much more detail on a given type of divination. Our friends at PaganSpace.net also have many knowledgeable people on their discussion boards, and  the archived topic threads are a wonderful source of information!

The most common types of divination include:
Astrology – Astrology is divination using celestial bodies: the sun, moon, planets, and stars. True astrology is nothing like the funny quotes in daily newspapers, and even less like the instant charts on websites. True astrology is a complicated science, and requires intense training. A trained astrologer researches and makes predictions based on a person's birth date, time and planetary influences. For a true and accurate divination using Astrology, consult a professional Astrologer, like our friend Donna Stellhorn.

Cartomancy – Cartomancy is the practice of fortune telling using cards such as a Tarot deck, or regular playing cards, an old Romany form of divination.  Tarot is used to portend the future, give guidance on interactions with loved ones, and give ways in which to deal with dilemmas. The Tarot has a multi-dimensional quality, where one can deal with the apparent mundane, material concerns, as well as the less apparent spiritual aspects of someone's life - and all that exists in between.

Clairaudience and clairvoyance – This is the hearing and seeing of information not readily available to others. These are the fields of the 'true psychic', and often involve touching a person, or an object that belongs to them. Parapsychologists generally regard these as 'ESP', or extrasensory perception.

Dowsing – Dowsing is a method of divination involving a pendulum, forked stick or dowsing rods — also known as a divining rods — which have been historically used to locate water or treasure. These tools can also use the subconscious to point out useful information, answer questions, or lead the user to find something.

I Ching - one of the oldest forms of divination still in existence. The I Ching is not the work of an individual but the collective wisdom of generations spanning 3000 years. It is founded on the examination of nature and humanity, and stands for the schematic, rhythmic and purposeful cosmos. The I Ching affirms that by revealing to the conscious mind what is concealed in the subconscious mind, it is possible to predict the probable future and to choose a direction accordingly.

Numerology – Numerology is the numerical interpretation of numbers, dates, and the number value of letters. Originally each letter of the Greek and Hebrew alphabets also stood for a number and therefore each word represented a number when its letters were added together. In this way a person's name could be reduced to a number and they would bear the characteristics associated with it. Each of the planets also has its individual
number and consequently the person who also bears that number is influenced by them. A person's date of birth can also be used in the same way, and when coupled with their 'name' number can foretell of things to come for a particular year in their life. Here is a great tool for finding out your Tantric Numerology based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan.

Ouija - A Ouija board (also known as a spirit board or talking board), is a flat board marked with letters, numbers, and other symbols.  It uses a planchette (small heart-shaped piece of wood) or movable indicator to indicate the spirit's message by spelling it out on the board. The fingers of the séance participants are placed on the planchette, which then moves about the board to spell out words or become physically manifest.

Palmistry – Palmistry is the broad field of divination and interpretation of the lines and structure of the hand. Sometimes called 'palm-reading' this is one of the ancient methods of divination that has survived and is as popular today as it ever was. Palmistry however differs from other methods of divination in that it is completely personal as no two hands, like no two fingerprints, are identical. Chirosophy interprets the lines on the hand and chirognomy analyzes the shape of the hands and fingers.

Runes - a system of divination and magic from the Norse culture.  The Runes are symbols rooted in the natural world and as such can be touched and related to by anyone who is willing to ally themselves with them. They are carved on stones and gemstones, and use a system of casting and interpretation to tell the future. Rune symbols can also be carved on objects such as jewelry and candles for magical purposes.

Sciomancy – Sciomancy is divination using a spirit guide, a method generally employed by chanellers. Chanellers use information from spirit guides, angelic beings, and those who have passed away to gather information about people and situations, or to pass along messages.

Scrying and crystallomancy - Forms of divination through gazing using a tool such as a mirror, bowl of water, cauldron, or a crystal ball. What you see can shed light on the present and guide future action. The word 'scry' comes from the Anglo-Saxon 'descry', which means to see. Crystallomancy differs from other forms of scrying such as tea leaves, because the images are not formed by the medium itself, but from within your psyche.

Tasseography – Tasseography is the reading of tea leaves that remain in a tea cup once the beverage has been drunk. This is another ancient practice that has stood the test of time.

Reprinted from mamacreepy.com