Carolina Dean

 What is Divination?

Types of Divination

Divination is the process of gaining information about the past, present, or future using certain object and tools which may include but are not limited to Tarot Cards, Runes, Astrology, Playing Cards, and the use of Crystal Balls---these being the most popular modes of divination today. 

The practice of divination has existed throughout history and permeates every culture. It has been used to foretell the future, find hidden treasure, discover the guilty, and lead one to love. The responsibility for divination has often fell upon the Priest, Shaman, Oracle, Witch, or Psychic---however, with practice, anyone can learn to use divination.  

Human beings have developed a wide range of techniques to obtain information from supernatural sources. Of these many methods, they can fall into three main categories. They are:

Inductive Divination

Interpretive Divination 

Inspired Divination 

Inductive Divination relies on the individual to observe and interpret various signs and omens. The modes of use in inductive divination are caused by chance and therefore cannot be affected by human behavior, which is believed to increase the validity of the information given. Form of inductive divination include

Astrology

Palmistry

The Shape of Clouds

The Flights of Birds

The shape of an animals intestines

The movement of the wind,

The shape of wax poured into water

Interpretive Divination relies on the ability of the individual to read and understand a collection of pictures, symbols, or patterns that have a pre-determined meaning. The individual then interprets the meaning of the symbol in relation to the question asked. Forms of interpretative divination include:

The Tarot,

Playing Cards

I-Ching

The Runes

Inspired Divination often occurs spontaneously with no effort on the part of the individual and is often associated with higher powers such as Deities and Spirits who directly give information to the individual. However the mode in which that information comes to the individual can vary.  Forms of inspired divination include

Clairaudience

Clairvoyance

Clairsenience

Necromancy

 Link:

Psychic Gifts

EXERCISES

1. Write a five page essay on divination, include such information as

• What divination is?
• History of divination.
• How divination works.
• Forms of divination.

2. Research at least one person from any point in history, either living or dead, who is known for their divination skills. Write a one page essay about them and include their method of divination.

3. Research at least one account of divination from any media (books, television, movies, plays, etc…) and describe their method of divination. Explain if the portrayal of divination was realistic, if not; explain what they got wrong. For example, in the 1973 motion picture Live and Let Die, Jane Seymour portrays a tarot card reader. She has the power to read tarot cards with 100 percent accuracy. However, when she becomes emotionally upset, her ability to see the future becomes unclear, and when she loses her virginity, she loses all her powers of foresight.  

4. Choose three methods of divination which appeal to you. Write a detailed essay on each method of divination, explaining its origins, methods of use, and how it is performed.

5. Of the three methods of divination you chose in the previous exercise, choose one for further study. Obtain the materials needed to perform that method of divination and practice it for one year. You can record your progress in your journal, or maintain a separate journal for these studies.

6. Find your Natal Chart from exercise 2 in the About Me chapter and using the workshop in this chapter delineate your own Natal Chart. Use any outside references that you need in order to complete this exercise, and note these in your journal along with your completed delineation.