Divination and hidden sciences are topics that have fascinated human beings for centuries. Whether out of a desire to predict the future or gain insight into the unknown, people have turned to various methods of divination throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern societies, divination has taken many forms. One prominent form of divination that has been practiced for centuries is astrology. Astrology is the belief that the positions of celestial bodies can provide insights into an individual's personality traits and future events. Using a person's date, time, and place of birth, astrologers create a birth chart that details their astrological makeup.
They also divided artificial divination into two types: one empirical, taken from natural causes, such as astronomers’ predictions of eclipses, etc. or doctors’ judgments on the ending of diseases, or political conjectures on sudden changes in states, such as happened to Jugurtha on leaving Rome, where he successfully paid money to avoid punishment for an atrocious crime, saying: O venalem urbem, & mox perituram, si emptorem inveneris ! [“the city was for sale, and would come to an untimely end if a purchaser could be found.”] The other type is chimerical and extravagant, consisting in capricious practices, based on false judgments and accredited by superstition.
We have our own experience of revolutions and of the effects of the resulting centuries of ignorance on the ideas and opinions of men, as much in the area of arts and sciences as in religion. The innate was based on the belief that the soul was self-contained and directed the different organs of the body without direct contact, having essentially confused ideas of the future, just as one is convinced, so to say, by dreams, ecstasies or those that come from some soon-to-be-fatal illnesses or other imminent perils.
Using a person's date, time, and place of birth, astrologers create a birth chart that details their astrological makeup. Through the interpretation of planetary transits and aspects, astrologers make predictions about different aspects of a person's life, such as relationships, career, and health. Another popular method of divination is tarot card reading.
The Great Science in African Divination Systems is not Science Fiction
I have a new short film, Kifaro, an African science fiction about a man who sends a killer robot after his wife and her secret lover. Watch on YouTube (Support me by subscribing to my channel, sharing my films, becoming my patron, or making a donation). In this article I want to explore the theme of the film, that is science in African divination systems, as it is one that has influenced much of my recent works.
A few years ago, I told a university lecturer that I was looking into our traditional knowledge systems, and she said, ‘You believe in witchcraft?’ To her, any knowledge that did not fit a European definition of science was ‘witchcraft’. She suggested I was anti-technology, anti-science, backward, primitive, all that, in even thinking about challenging what we learn in school. My simple reply was; ‘What, exactly, is science?’
Ancient civilisations like Egypt amaze us. How did they build the pyramids? The racist theory attributes it to aliens. They said a similar thing when they encountered Great Zimbabwe and advanced medical science in Bunyoro, that it was the work or influence of lighter-skinned people from up north. They refused to acknowledge there was an actual science in African knowledge systems. Look at this extract from Twilight Tales of Black Baganda (as if there were other kinds of Baganda). They write about our science as a footnote for they were more concerned with trying to prove our inferiority;
“…knowledge of surgery possessed by the Banyoro…. Vaccination for small-pox was known long before European influence reached them, as people were inoculated with the lymph taken from the arm of an affected person. Possessing no surgical implements, they operated clumsily but often successfully (Really? You operate clumsily the patient ends up dead!), with their ordinary septic belt knives. In cases of comminuted fractures…. the custom has been to cut out the shattered pieces of bone and insert a piece freshly taken from an ox or goat….
“It seems humiliating to find that some of our boasted modern methods of surgery were known and practised by these half-savage tribes in the back ages.”
If only they had looked beyond their racist views…..
In our communities, as in others in the ancient world, mathematics and science was inseparable from religion. I’ll give an example from Kenya, where scientists from the leading universities compared predictions from the metearological department with that of rainmakers from the Ngayi community and, over two seasons, found that both were fairly accurate. The Ngayi rainmakers watch migrations of ants and of bees, they listen to the sounds certain birds and frogs make, they examine the leaves of certain plants, among other activities, and they use all this information to know how much rain will fall, and when, and if there’s going to be a drought, and how long. Are they not scientists, though they attribute their knowledge to spirits?
This topic, ‘what is science’, needs a much longer article, and maybe someone more scholarly to write it. I’m but an artist, and my role is to provoke thought, to create African science fiction works to inspire scientists to look into knowledge systems that will enhance human development without causing poverty and oppression, that will give us a better quality of life without causing ecological disasters and climate change.
Tarot is a deck of cards containing different symbolic images, each representing various aspects of life. The reader shuffles the deck and lays out cards in a particular spread, with each position having a specific meaning. The reader then interprets the cards based on their positions, symbolism, and the question or topic at hand. Tarot card reading is often used as a tool for guidance and self-reflection and can provide insight into one's current situation and possible outcomes. Palmistry, or the reading of palms, is another ancient form of divination that has been practiced in various cultures. The lines, shapes, and markings on a person's palms are believed to indicate different aspects of their lives, such as personality traits, health, and destiny. Palmists analyze the shape and lines on the palm to make predictions and offer guidance. In addition to these popular forms of divination, there are numerous others, such as numerology, pendulum dowsing, tea leaf reading, and crystal gazing. These hidden sciences rely on different tools, symbols, and methods to gain insight into the unknown. However, it is important to note that divination and hidden sciences are often seen as pseudosciences and have been subject to skepticism and criticism. Skeptics argue that these practices lack scientific evidence and rely on subjective interpretations. Nevertheless, for many, divination serves as a means of finding guidance, seeking answers, and gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Overall, divination and hidden sciences have a long history and continue to captivate individuals seeking answers to life's mysteries. Whether one believes in their accuracy or not, these practices offer a unique perspective into the human desire to explore the unknown and find meaning in the seemingly random events of life..
Reviews for "Divination in Literature and Pop Culture: From Harry Potter to Sherlock Holmes"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Divination and hidden sciences" to be quite disappointing. The book promised to provide insights into various occult practices, but it felt more like a superficial overview rather than a deep dive into the subject. The information provided was lacking in detail and often felt repetitive. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. Overall, I was hoping for a more comprehensive and engaging exploration of divination and hidden sciences but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
2. Thomas - 1 star - "Divination and hidden sciences" was a complete waste of my time. The book lacked any substantial information and seemed more focused on promoting the author's personal beliefs rather than providing objective insights. It was filled with pseudoscientific claims and unsubstantiated claims that left me feeling frustrated and deceived. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking genuine knowledge on the subject as it fails to deliver any meaningful content.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I purchased "Divination and hidden sciences" hoping to learn more about the history and practices of divination. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed with the lack of depth in the book. The information provided was basic and barely scratched the surface of the topic. It felt like a watered-down introduction rather than a comprehensive exploration. Additionally, the formatting and organization of the content were confusing, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of divination and hidden sciences.