Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or unknown through different methods. Throughout history, various cultures and societies have developed different forms of divination to gain insight and guidance. One of the most well-known forms of divination is astrology, which involves examining the positions and movements of celestial bodies to make predictions about an individual's personality, relationships, and future events. Astrologers believe that the alignment of planets and stars at the time of a person's birth can determine their destiny and provide valuable information about their life path. Another popular form of divination is tarot reading, which uses a deck of cards with symbolic images to gain insight into a person's past, present, and future. Tarot readers interpret the cards based on their positions and combinations, providing guidance and predictions for various aspects of a person's life.
Tarot readers interpret the cards based on their positions and combinations, providing guidance and predictions for various aspects of a person's life. Palmistry, also known as chiromancy, is the practice of reading the lines, shapes, and patterns on a person's hands to gain insight into their character and future events. By examining the palm, fingers, and thumb, palm readers can provide information about a person's personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as predict significant life events and relationships.
Glossary of Divination Types & Techniques
Certainly, dozens and quite possibly hundreds of methods of prediction fit into the category of divination. Since earliest times, humans have sought after signs to predict their future and guide them along the correct path.
Below is an alphabetized list of some of the most common and the most popular divination types and techniques, each with a short definition. Italicized links are bookmarks. Bold Underlined links in the list lead to a longer article about that type of divination.
A
- Aeromancy: Divination through interpreting atmospheric conditions, divided into several subtypes.
- Austomancy (wind)
- Ceraunoscopy/Keraunomancy (Thunder & lightning)
- Chaomancy (Aerial visions)
- Meteromancy (Meteors, Shooting Stars)
- Arithmosophy: Divination through Michael Bertiaux�s technique of converting words to numbers.
- Gematria: Hebrew numerology, usually interpreting Hebrew bible passages assigning numeric values to letters of the Hebrew Alphabet.
- Numerology: Divination through using dates and words turned to numbers (i.e. C=3), often birthdates and names.
- Hepatoscopy/Hepatomancy: examining the liver of a sacrificial animal
- Genethlialogy/Natal Astrology: Divination of the influence of the stars on birth.
- Horoscopy: Divination by interpreting a horoscope
B
- Belomancy/Bolomancy: Divination by shooting, tossing, or balancing an arrow.
- Bibliomancy/Stichomancy: Divination by randomly chosen passages in books, most often religious books.
- Rhapsodomancy: Using a book of poetry
- Stoichemancy: Using a book by Virgil or Homer
C
- Capnomancy: Under Pyromancy
- Carromancy: Divination by observing melting wax
- Cartomancy: Divination by using a deck of cards
- Taromancy: Divination by using a deck of Tarot Cards
- Onychomancy: Divination through interpreting the fingernails.
- Palmistry/Palm Reading: Divination through reading and interpreting the lines and structure of the hand.
- Clairvoyance: Also called �second sight�, the ability to interpret or foretell the unseen
- Clairaudience: An auditory form of clairvoyance
- Precognition: Divination through the psychic ability to �see� the future.
- Psychometry: Divination through touching or handling an object
D
- Dactyliomancy/Dactlomancy: Under Radiesthesia > Pallomancy
- Daphnomancy: Under Pyromancy > Xylomancy
- Demonomancy: Divination by summoning demons to reveal the future.
- Dendromancy: Divination using either oak or mistletoe
- Divining/Dowsing: Under Radiesthesia
E
F
- Feng Shui: The Ancient Chinese art of placing objects, furnishings, and buildings to create an harmonious and healthy flow of chi (energy that flows around us and carries the life force).
- Fractomancy: Divination through interpreting the structure of fractal patterns.
- Futurology: Prediction of the future based on existing conditions.
G
- Gematria: Under Arithmancy
- Genethlialogy: Under Astrology
- Geomancy: Divination by interpreting the lines and figures traced in the earth, either by reading the lines and figures in cast pebbles, dirt, or sand or interpretation of those already existing in the earth�s natural formations.
- Geloscopy: Divination through interpretation of the sound or manner of laughter.
- Graphology: Divination through the interpretation of handwriting
- Gyromancy: Divination by walking or twirling around a circle marked with letters until dizzy and, using the letters at the point where the person falls or stumbles to spell out a prophecy
H
- Halomancy: See Alomancy
- Haruspicy: See Aruspicy
- Hepatoscopy/Hepatomancy: Under Aruspicy
- Hieromancy/Hieroscopy: Divination by interpreting burnt offerings or slaughtered animals.
- Hippomancy: Under Zoomancy
- Horoscopy: Under Astrology
- Hydromancy/Ydromancy: Divination by interpretation of water, including its color, ripples, ebb and flow.
- Hydatoscopy: Divination by interpreting rainwater.
- Lecanomancy: Divination through interpreting the sounds or the ripples made by stones dropped into water.
- Pegomancy: Divination through the interpretation of sacred waters such as springs, pools, wells, or fountains
I
- I Ching/Book of Changes/Chien Tung: An Ancient Chinese type of divination to reveal patterns of change through deep introspection and intuitive thought.
- Ichthyomancy: Divination by interpreting the behavior or the entrails of fish.
- Idolomancy: Divination by interpreting idols.
- Iridology: Under Oculomancy
J
K
- Keraunomancy: Under Aeromancy
L
- Lampadomancy: Under Pyromancy
- Lecanomancy: Under Hydromancy
- Libranomancy/Livanomancy: Under Pyromancy > Capnomancy
- Lithomancy: Divination using crystals or semi-precious stones, either interpreting the light from them or by casting them and interpreting their placement as they fall.
- Lychnomancy: Under Pyromancy
M
- Metagnomy: Divination achieved through a trancelike state
- Meteromancy: Under Aeromancy
- Metoposcopy: Divination through interpreting the lines and wrinkles in the forehead
- Moleosophy: Divination through the interpretation of moles on the body.
- Molybdomancy: Divination through interpreting the hissing sounds made by molten lead or tin dropped into water.
- Myomancy: Under Zoomancy
- Myrmomancy: Under Zoomancy > Entomancy
N
- Natal Astrology: Under Astrology
- Necromancy: Divination through communication with the dead.
- Numerology: Under Arithmancy
O
- Oculomancy: Divination by interpreting the eye
- Iridology: Divination through observing the iris of the eye.
P
- Pallomancy: Under Radiesthesia
- Palmistry/Palm Reading: Under Cheiromancy
- Pegomancy: Under Hydromancy
- Phyllorhodomancy: Divination through the sound made by slapping a rose petal against the hand.
- Physiognomy: Divining a person�s character through interpreting the features of his/her face.
- Schematomancy: Divination by observing and interpreting the face.
- Pedomancy: Divination through interpretation of a footprint
- Capnomancy: Divination by interpreting rising smoke
- Libranomancy/Livanomancy: Divination through interpreting the smoke made by burning incense.
- Botanomancy: Divination by interpreting burning or burned leaves or branches
- Daphnomancy: Divination by interpreting a burning laurel branch
- Tephramancy: Divination through interpretation of the ashes of burnt tree bark.
Q
R
- Rhapsodomancy: Under Bibliomancy
- Radiesthesia: Divination through using a pendulum or rod.
- Pallomancy: Divination using a pendulum
- Cleidomancy/Clidomancy: divining through using a key attached to a cord or string.
- Coscinomancy/Cosquinomancy: Divination using a sieve suspended from shears or tongs.
- Dactyliomancy/Dactlomancy: Divination using a suspended ring
S
- Schematomancy: Under Physiognomy
- Sciomancy: Divination by using a spirit guide, different from necromancy in that the guide is not summoned
- Scrying: The term for divination by seeking a vision while gazing into a transparent, translucent, or otherwize reflective object.
- Crystal ball gazing
- Crystal gazing
- Fires Scrying
- Ink Scrying
- Mirror Scrying
- Smoke Scrying
- Water Scrying
- Wine Scrying
- Scapulimancy/Scapulomancy/Spatulamancy: Divination by examining the cracks in the burned shoulder bones of an animal
- Scatamancy: Divination by interpreting excrement
- Spatilomancy: Divination by interpreting animal excrement
T
- Taromancy: See Cartomancy
- Tasseography/Tasseomancy: Divination through reading tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments
- Tephramancy: Under Pyromancy > Xylomancy
- Theomancy: Divination through oracle or direct contact with God.
- Theriomancy: Under Zoomancy
- Tiromancy/Typomancy/Tyromancy: Divination by interpreting the holes in cheese or other types of coagulation
- Transataumancy: Divination by accidentally seeing or hearing.
- Trochomancy: Divination by wheel ruts or tracks.
U
- Umbilicomancy: See Omphalomancy
- Uromancy/Urimancy: Divination by interpreting urine.
- Urticariaomancy: Divination by the location of an itch. (e.g. your palms itch, you�ll get money or your nose itches, someone is thinking about you)
V
W
- Water Witching: Under Radiesthesia > Divining
X
- Xenomancy: Divination by interpreting meetings with strangers.
- Xylomancy: Under Pyromancy
Y
Z
- Zoomancy: Divination though interpretation of the appearance and behavior of animals
- Ailuromancy: Divination through observing the behavior of cats.
- Entomancy: Divination by interpreting the behavior of insects
- Arachnomancy: Divination by observing the behavior of spiders
- Myrmomancy: Divination through the interpretation of the behavior of ants
- Skatharomancy: Divination by interpreting the tracks of a beetle.
You can use any crystals for this practice as long as you feel a strong affinity with them. Pace several stones in a bag and ask yes or no questions. If a light crystal comes out, it is an affirmative answer; if it comes out dark, it is negative.
Numerology is another form of divination that involves interpreting the mystical significance of numbers. Numerologists assign specific meanings to numbers and use calculations based on a person's date of birth or the letters in their name to gain insight into their life's purpose, personality traits, and future events. Some cultures also practice divination through the interpretation of dreams. Dream analysis involves examining the symbols, themes, and emotions present in a person's dreams to uncover hidden meanings and insights into their subconscious thoughts and desires. In addition to these forms, there are numerous other methods of divination found throughout history and various cultures. These include pendulum divination, where a weighted object is suspended over a surface to answer yes or no questions; tea leaf reading, which involves interpreting the patterns left by tea leaves in a cup; and scrying, which uses reflective surfaces such as mirrors or crystal balls to gain visions or insights. While the effectiveness of divination practices is often a matter of personal belief, these various forms have persisted for centuries, offering individuals guidance, reassurance, and a sense of control over the unknown. Whether seen as a spiritual practice, a source of comfort, or a tool for decision-making, divination continues to play a significant role in many cultures worldwide..
Reviews for "The Mystical World of Oracles: Exploring Different Types of Divination"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Different Forms of Divination'. The content was repetitive and lacked depth. The author touched on various divination methods but failed to provide any meaningful insights or practical applications. The writing style was also dry and uninspiring. I was hoping to learn more about divination but ended up feeling let down by this book."
2. Daniel - 1/5 stars - "This book was a complete waste of time. The author seemed to have a superficial understanding of divination and just scratched the surface of various techniques without going into any real detail. The book lacked substance and failed to provide any useful or practical information. I found myself constantly questioning the author's credibility and expertise in the subject matter. Overall, I would not recommend 'Different Forms of Divination' to anyone serious about learning divination."
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Different Forms of Divination', but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked organization and coherence, with each chapter feeling disjointed and disconnected from the previous one. The author seemed to jump from one divination method to another without providing any clear guidance or explanation. It left me feeling confused and frustrated. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide to divination."
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "I found 'Different Forms of Divination' to be quite underwhelming. The information presented in the book felt shallow and superficial, with no real depth or insights. It seemed more like a collection of random facts about divination rather than a coherent guide. The writing style was also dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to those seeking a meaningful exploration of divination."
The Language of the Stars: The Role of Astrology in Divination
- Pallomancy: Divination using a pendulum