DIVINATION

“The abuse of divination has been responsible, more than any other cause, for the discredit into which the whole subject of magick had fallen”.

As an occultist, Alexis recommends learning at least two methods of divination. All methods will require time, effort, and patience to both learn and master.

Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. Divination comes from the Latin word divinatio which means the power of foreseeing. However, it is not an easy thing to characterise and has many definitions. 

Aleister Crowley reduced it to the use of two questions: “Of what are things composed?” and, “How shall we combine them to our greater advantage?

The farrar conceived of divination as being “clairvoyance using tools” where it “is the art and science of being aware of facts, objects or situations by psychic means when they are not available to ordinary awareness. 

Golden Dawn Magicians, the Ciceros, is “the art of uncovering the divine meaning behind chance events”.

Starhawk – “all divinatory techniques work essentially to focus awareness and engage in the heightened intuition and perception that are possible in trance. Today these techniques are not only used for “fortune telling” but as methods of “spiritual and psychological counselling”.

If we were to draw these together we can understand that divination allows us to take an overview of a situation or a thing, to a degree that is not normally possible and, using this knowledge as a basis, it allows the diviner to see a future progression. This information is then offered to the seeker as analysis and advice.

How divination works 

There are several common notions about how divination functions. In this section some of the better-known viewpoints are considered.

It can be seen that there are four possible foundations for how divination functions:

• An overview of the past and present may be used to predict the future.
• The future is already written and viewing it is possible.
• Knowledge of the future may be accomplished by viewing one or more of a limitless number of possibilities.
• Past data about combinations of objects may be used to extrapolate a likely course of events.

What about the second approach allows for free will; for proponents of this viewpoint the future is fixed and because of this would have to be completely knowable to those that I can access it.

Precognition

There is another way that divination may be able to work and that is based on actually seen the future. That this may be possible, is indicated by scientific research into precognition, which can be defined as seeing that an event is going to happen.

Around the world there are a number of research is looking into the nature of consciousness. Dean Reading for example, of the Banbury Institute, Los Altos California, has been monitoring the brain waves of subjects. They shown a series around the pictures, the majority of which are present or neutral scenes which are occasionally interspersed with horrific or erotic photos. What the results are consistently show is that an individuals brain waves and sweat patterns change just before the horrific or erotic photos are shown. Sam had a brain know something unusual is about to happen before it takes place.

This is not one of the many experiments that led to the conclusion that at some level all of us have precognition. It is important to note that these manifestations of precondition are below the threshold of consciousness. That is, the individual is not consciously aware that there have been changes in the psychology.

Despite this, the research does not rule out the possibility that it may be possible for individuals to consciously experience future events and recognises, in fact, that there are numerous anecdotal reports in all cultures into all times that precognition occurs.

However, there are two ways of regarding the future; 

• to see that it has a fixed existence 
• To see there are an infinite range of possible futures that may or may not take place. 

Einstenian physics 

There are a number of scientists believe that the future already exists and that there is only one possible set of outcomes. Something to base their associations of Einsteinian physics. One of the conclusion is that Einstein’s calculate have led to, is that all of our futures already exist, as you are pasts. Our consciousness mainly floats along the line that is already drawn, experiencing events that I’ve already happened as it for the first time. Everything it’s cut and trite and free will is an illusion, created by the limitations of my mind and the way it processes information.

The view is based on logic of the space-time continuum. Just as an object is this away from us, so does our future, and we merely step into it, despite all our ideas to the contrary that we have control over what we do. If this is true, if one actually has a right skill to access information, then it would be possible to accurately tell someone the past and the future.

Quantum theory 

Another scientific view the future is probabilistic, found it on the idea that there are a range of future outcomes. This is based on the so-called “Copenhagen interpretation’ of quantum theory. 

According to the hypothesis, and an absurd quantum system remains in an uncertain seat or many different possibilities. Observation causes ‘collapse’ into a definite condition, which is chosen at random from among the possibilities provided. This has led some to conclude that there are an infinite variety of possible future outcomes depending on our choices. 

In this view of the future, three will exist and we choose which possible outcome to create. Perhaps then, one may genuine precognition of a possible future event, which may or may not take place, depending on choices made.

Either of these views allow for the possibility of pigmentation and for divination; with regard to the first view, the future is fix a knowable; with the second of the range possible futures can be viewed. It may be then that diviners who claim they are seen the future really are able to use that utilise their methods to just that. However, they are not compatible, one or the other must be wrong; even the future is fixed or either is very probabilistic.

Divination methods 

There are many different methods of divination that you may choose to use in your magical practice. Some people opt to try many different types, but you may find that you’re more gifted in one method than others. Take a look at some of the different types of divination methods, and see which works best for you and your abilities. And remember, just like with any other skill set, practice makes perfect!

Tarot Cards and Readings

To people unfamiliar with divination, it may seem that someone who reads Tarot cards is “predicting the future.” However, most Tarot card readers will tell you that the cards simply offer a guideline, and the reader is simply interpreting the probable outcome based upon the forces presently at work. Think of Tarot as a tool for self-awareness and reflection, rather than “fortune telling.”

The Celtic Ogham

Named for Ogma or Ogmos, the Celtic god of eloquence and literacy, the Ogham alphabet has become known as a tool of divination for many Pagans and Wiccans who follow a Celtic based path. Learn how to make and use your own set for divination.

The Norse Runes

Long ago, according to the epic sagas of the Norse people, Odin created the Runes as a gift to mankind. These symbols, sacred and holy, were originally carved into stone. Over the centuries, they evolved into a collection of sixteen letters, each with a metaphorical and divinatory meaning. Learn how to make your own set of Runes, and how to read what they say.

Reading Tea Leaves

There are numerous methods of divination that people have used since time began. One of the most iconic is the notion of reading tea leaves, also called tasseography or tasseomancy. This divination method isn’t quite as ancient as some of the other popular and well-known systems, and appears to have begun around the 17th century. 

Pendulum Divination

A pendulum is one of the simplest and easiest forms of divination. It’s a simple matter of Yes/No questions being asked and answered. Although you can purchase pendulums commercially, ranging from about $15 – $60, it’s not hard to make one of your own. Typically, most people use a crystal or stone, but you can use any object that’s got a bit of weight to it. There are several different ways you can use a pendulum for divination — you’d be surprised what you can learn with “yes” and “no” answers. The trick is to learn to ask the right questions. 

Osteomancy – Reading the Bones

The use of bones for divination, sometimes called osteomancy, has been performed by cultures the world over for thousands of years. While there are a number of different methods, the purpose is typically the same: to foretell the future utilizing the messages displayed in the bones.

Lithomancy: Divination with Stones

Lithomancy is the practice of performing divination by reading stones. In some cultures, the casting of stones was believed to be fairly common, a bit like checking one’s daily horoscope in the morning paper. However, because our ancient ancestors didn’t leave us a lot of information about how to read the stones, many of the specific aspects of the practice have been lost forever. Here’s one of the methods you can use for stone divination.

Full Moon Water Scrying

Are you one of those people who feels more sensitive and alert during the time of the full moon? Channel that energy into something useful, and try this simple yet effective water scrying divination rite.

Numerology

Many Pagan spiritual traditions incorporate the practice of numerology. The basic principles of numerology hold that numbers have a great deal of spiritual and magical significance. Some numbers are more potent and powerful than others, and combinations of numbers can be developed for magical use. In addition to magical correspondences, numbers also tie into planetary significance.

Automatic Writing

One of the most popular ways to get messages from the spirit world is the use of automatic writing. This is, quite simply, a method in which the writer holds a pen or pencil, and allows messages to flow through them without any conscious thought or effort. Some people believe that the messages are channeled from the spirit world. Many mediums have claimed to generate message from famous deceased persons—historical figures, authors, and even composers. As with any form of psychic divination, the more you practice automatic writing, the more you’ll come to understand the messages you’re receiving from the other side.

Develop Your Psychic Abilities

Spend any time at all in the Pagan or Wiccan communities, and you’re bound to meet individuals who have some fairly pronounced psychic abilities. However, many people believe that everyone has some degree of latent psychic abilities. In some people, these abilities tend to manifest in a more obvious manner. In others, it just sits under the surface, waiting to be tapped into. Here are some tips on developing your own psychic gifts and divinatory abilities.

What is Intuition?

Intuition is the ability to just *know* things without being told. Many intuitives make excellent Tarot card readers, because this skill gives them an advantage when reading cards for a client. This is sometimes referred to as clairsentience. Of all the psychic abilities, intuition may well be the most common.