Divination Practices and History

Definition and Types of Divination

• Divination: the practice of seeking guidance or insight into the future through supernatural or mystical means
• Types of divination:
  • Augury: interpreting omens and signs from nature (e.g., bird flight patterns)
  • Astrology: studying the positions of celestial bodies to predict future events
  • Cartomancy: using cards to gain insight (e.g., tarot, oracle cards)
  • Cleromancy: using random events or chance occurrences to guide decisions
  • Necromancy: communicating with the dead to gain knowledge
  • Numerology: using numbers and their meanings to understand life events
  • Palmistry: reading the lines and markings on the hands to predict the future
  • Scrying: using reflective surfaces (e.g., water, mirrors, crystal balls) to see visions

History of Divination

• Divination practices date back to ancient civilizations, including:
  • Ancient Mesopotamia (e.g., reading entrails of animals)
  • Ancient Greece (e.g., using oracles and omens)
  • Ancient China (e.g., using the I Ching and astrology)
• Divination was often used for making important decisions, predicting the future, and understanding the will of the gods

Modern Divination

• Modern forms of divination include:
  • Using technology (e.g., apps, online fortune-telling)
  • Incorporating divination into spiritual practices (e.g., Wicca, witchcraft)
  • Using divination as a form of self-reflection and personal growth
• Divination remains a popular practice worldwide, with many people using various forms of divination for guidance and insight

Explore the world of divination, including its definition, various types, and history across ancient civilizations. Learn about modern forms of divination and its cultural significance.