Divination refers to the practice of seeking knowledge about the future or the unknown through supernatural means. It has been a widespread belief since ancient times and has been practiced in various forms across different cultures around the world. There are numerous types of divination, each with its own unique techniques and tools. Here are a few examples: 1. Astrology: Astrology is the study of the movements and positions of celestial bodies, which are believed to influence human behavior and personality traits. By analyzing the birth chart or horoscope of a person, astrologers can make predictions about their future and provide insights into their character.
By analyzing the birth chart or horoscope of a person, astrologers can make predictions about their future and provide insights into their character. 2. Tarot Reading: Tarot cards are a popular tool for divination.
5 Ancient Methods of Divination
A passion for the knowledge of destiny has led us to the practice of divination. Perhaps paradoxically, the practice is as old as philosophy itself, and it returns humankind, absorbed in our spiritual task, to reflect on the present. It’s the present as a midpoint between past and future. And that’s, in fact, the essential point of divination: if we succeed in decoding an omen, then at times we’ll understand the intermediate state corresponding to our present.
The divinatory arts have found countless channels for the manifestation of intuition as detailed observation, from ancient oracles enunciated in temples, to the reading of objects, including books, calendars, planks, and timelines drawn or encrypted in glyphs. Or the dregs of coffee in a cup.
But the desire to articulate portents – both universal and personal – goes beyond an originally ancient trade. As the writer Giovanni Papini once suggested, fate doesn’t reign without the secret complicity of instinct (and thus, of will). From this point of view, we should start to understand and admire the divinatory practices, beyond the magic, for their analytical ability and, hopefully, for their extreme precision.
Tea Reading
It’s pretty common to hear of the divination of the future through the coffee dregs left in the cup. Reading leftover tea leaves (tasseography) is a similar practice nearly equally complex but readers often find forms even more different and more numerous. The figure of a fish may be a sign of good luck, while a mountain may augur a series of future obstacles.
Sand Divination
Geomancy or reading the shapes in sand or stones is one of the most beautiful of art forms. Used frequently in the ancient Muslim East, it was said to read vestiges found within layers of the sand. Those who believe in geomancy are convinced of a “vital energy,” an aura of the earth when sand is thrown at random, either in the desert or onto a board specially designed for divination. For this reading, it’s important to know the codes of geometric figures. These are sometimes compared with the hexagrams within the text of the I Ching.
Tarot
While it’s not clear who made the first game, Tarot cards have been the popular divination method par excellence. About 7,000 different decks have been created, all under the same eschatological code, and which even the reader may not fully understand. Beyond its divinatory intent, cartomancy – especially with Tarot cards – is a technique to make current and possible connections visible. The occultist, Eliphas Lévi, once noted: Tarot is a “book that summarizes all science and in which all infinite combinations can solve all problems.”
Scrying – Reflection Divination
Probably the oldest of all methods of divination, scrying was practiced by many ancient cultures, even to the point of reading the reflections in the water. In ancient Egypt, scrying was practiced with the aid of ink. In ancient Mesopotamia, bowls were filled with oil. Ancient Greeks found meaning in the reflections in mirrors and on metals, while Aztec tlatoani read the reflections in obsidian. The practice of scrying led eventually to the readings of crystal and the powers associated therein, resulting eventually in the characteristic crystal ball as a means to see and analyze the future.
Divination with Grains of Corn
Prehispanic civilizations in the Americas possessed advanced knowledge of divination. Here the practice was combined with the sciences of astronomy and meteorology, and especially put toward the counting of time on calendars and to augur the life of crops. Prediction with grains of corn was a rather personal method of divination, similar to the method with sand: grains are thrown onto a surface, preferably a white canvas (although they might be thrown into water). These are then translated depending on the positions they fall into or whether they float or sink. Grains of corn may also be of different colors. Amongst all the Indian cultures the number of kernels cast will be between four and 100. As with many methods of divination, the wonder lies in the possibility of decoding the revolutions of our own energy.
Clairvoyance means “clear seeing,” and those with this gift are said to have a sixth sense and can see energy. Often considered extrasensory perception, or ESP, clairvoyance allows a person to see things outside of the typical physical perceptive range. Clairvoyance may come in the form of seeing auras, frequent daydreaming, and, surprisingly, a fantastic sense of direction.
A tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each with its own symbol and meaning. During a tarot reading, the reader shuffles the cards and lays them out in a specific pattern. They then interpret the cards' symbolism and provide guidance or predictions based on the patterns that emerge. 3. Palmistry: Palmistry, also known as chiromancy, involves the study of the lines, shapes, and markings on a person's hand to make predictions about their future. Different lines on the palm are believed to represent various aspects of life, such as love, career, and health. Palm readers use these lines, along with other features like finger shape and skin texture, to provide insights into a person's character and destiny. 4. Runes: Runes are ancient alphabetic symbols that were used by Norse Germanic tribes for divination and magic purposes. The symbols are usually inscribed on small stones or pieces of wood. During a rune reading, the diviner would randomly draw a set of runes from a bag or pouch and interpret their meanings based on their position and the patterns they form. 5. Numerology: Numerology is a divination method that assigns meanings to numbers and calculates their influence on an individual's life. It is believed that each number has a specific vibration or energy that can reveal insights about a person's personality, career, relationships, and more. Numerologists use the person's birth date and full name to make calculations and interpretations. 6. I Ching: The I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text. It is based on the concept of yin and yang, as well as the trigrams and hexagrams that represent different natural phenomena. Diviners consult the I Ching by throwing coins or yarrow sticks and interpreting the resulting hexagram to gain insights or guidance for a particular question or situation. These are just a few examples of the many types of divination practiced throughout history. While the accuracy and legitimacy of divination methods may vary, they continue to fascinate and intrigue people seeking answers about their future or seeking guidance in various aspects of life..
Reviews for "Cartomancy: Unlocking the Future with Playing Cards"
1. John - 1 star: I was highly disappointed with "Different Types of Divination." The book seemed poorly researched and lacked any real depth or substance. It felt like the author simply skimmed over the surface of each type of divination without providing any practical advice or useful information. The writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to explore the world of divination.
2. Sarah - 2 stars: I had high hopes for "Different Types of Divination," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book seemed disorganized and lacked a clear structure, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, the author's explanations of the different types of divination felt superficial and incomplete. I was hoping for more in-depth discussions and practical guidance, but instead, I found myself left with more questions than answers. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
3. Emma - 2 stars: "Different Types of Divination" failed to impress me. While the book briefly touched on various divination methods, it lacked the necessary depth and detail to truly understand and practice any of them. The author did not provide step-by-step instructions or offer any practical examples, making it challenging for beginners like me to grasp the concepts. Moreover, the writing style was dull and uninspiring, further diminishing my interest in the subject. I was left craving more information and a better understanding, and unfortunately, this book fell short of delivering that.
4. David - 1 star: "Different Types of Divination" was a complete waste of my time. The book seemed hastily thrown together, with little thought given to organization or structure. The author's explanations were confusing and often contradictory, leaving me more confused than before I started reading. Additionally, the lack of real-life examples or practical applications made it challenging to connect with the material. Overall, I found this book to be of no value, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a comprehensive and informative guide to divination.