Exploring the Cultural Significance of Divination Practices Around the World

Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge or guidance through supernatural or magical means. It is a method used by individuals to uncover hidden information about the future or gain insight into a specific situation. Divination has been practiced for centuries in various cultures and religions around the world. The concept of divination is rooted in the belief that there are forces or entities beyond the realm of human understanding that can provide answers and guidance. These forces may include gods, spirits, or supernatural beings. Divination techniques can vary widely depending on the culture and tradition they are derived from.

1. The state of being divine; Deity; Godhead; the nature or essence of God. Christians ascribe divinity to one Supreme Being only.

The act of divining; a foretelling future events, or discovering things secret or obscure, by the aid of superior beings, or by other than human means. He or she may be a shaman private curer employing psychic techniques; see shamanism , a priest, a peddler of sorcery medicines, or a holy person who speaks almost with the voice of prophecy.

Divination techniques can vary widely depending on the culture and tradition they are derived from. There are numerous methods of divination, each with its own unique approach and tools. Some common forms of divination include astrology, tarot reading, palmistry, tea leaf reading, and crystal gazing.

divination

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• Learn Religions - Methods of Divination
• Jewish Virtual Library - Divination
• MLibrary Digital Collections - The Encyclopedia of Diderot and d'Alembart - Divination
• Encyclopaedia Iranica - Divination
• McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia - Divination
• JewishEncyclopedia.com - Divination

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• Learn Religions - Methods of Divination
• Jewish Virtual Library - Divination
• MLibrary Digital Collections - The Encyclopedia of Diderot and d'Alembart - Divination
• Encyclopaedia Iranica - Divination
• McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia - Divination
• JewishEncyclopedia.com - Divination

Former Professor of Anthropology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's. Author of The Idea of Social Structure, An Afterpiece to Peasantry, and others.

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

divination, the practice of determining the hidden significance or cause of events, sometimes foretelling the future, by various natural, psychological, and other techniques. Found in all civilizations, both ancient and modern, it is encountered most frequently in contemporary mass society in the form of horoscopes, astrology, crystal gazing, tarot cards, and the Ouija board.

In the context of ancient Roman culture and belief, divination was concerned with discovering the will of the gods. Today, however, scholars no longer restrict the word to the root meaning. Divinatory practices and the beliefs undergirding them are greater in scope than discerning the will of the gods and the fatalistic view of the human condition that inspired so much of early Mediterranean religious thought. In some societies, in fact, divination is a practice to which many persons frequently resort, but never in terms of discovering the will of the gods. The idea of a godly providence controlling human affairs in such societies is unusual, although humbler spirits are often thought to intervene in troublesome ways. While divination is most commonly practiced in the modern Western world in the form of horoscopic astrology, other forms were and continue to be of equal importance for other cultures.

In astrology, for example, practitioners use the positions of celestial bodies to interpret personal characteristics and predict future events. Tarot reading involves the use of a deck of cards with symbolic images and patterns to gain insight into a specific question or situation. Palmistry, on the other hand, examines the lines and markings on a person's palm to reveal information about their character and destiny. Divination is often used to seek answers to questions about love, career, health, and other important aspects of life. It can provide reassurance, guidance, or warnings to individuals who are seeking clarity or direction. However, it is important to note that divination should not be seen as an exact science or a guaranteed way to predict the future. The interpretation of signs and symbols can be subjective and open to different interpretations. The practice of divination continues to be popular in modern times, with many people seeking the wisdom and guidance it offers. It is often seen as a way to connect with a higher power or to tap into the collective unconscious. Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, divination remains a fascinating and intriguing aspect of human history and culture..

Reviews for "The Science Behind Divination: Exploring the Psychology and Neuroscience of Future Prediction"

1. John - 2/5 - I found "What does divination mean" to be quite a disappointment. The author seemed to be more interested in showcasing their own knowledge and intelligence rather than providing a clear and concise explanation of the topic. The writing style was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time reading this book.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - This book was a complete waste of money. The author's explanation of divination was shallow and lacking in depth. There was no real analysis or exploration of different divination methods, and the book mostly focused on providing superficial definitions without any real insights. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the topic, but this book fell short in every way.

3. David - 2/5 - I was expecting "What does divination mean" to provide a comprehensive overview of divination practices, but instead, I got an overly simplistic and poorly researched book. The author seemed to rely more on personal opinions instead of offering any substantial evidence or examples. I was left feeling unsatisfied and unenlightened after reading this book.

4. Lisa - 2.5/5 - While "What does divination mean" offered a basic introduction to divination, it lacked the depth and sophistication I was hoping for. The author's explanations were somewhat disjointed and repetitive, leaving me feeling confused at times. Additionally, I would have appreciated more practical examples and tips on how to engage in divination. Overall, I found this book to be mediocre and would not recommend it to those looking for a comprehensive resource on the topic.

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