Divination is an interpretation of signs, symbols or portents as a way of gaining hidden knowledge. It can either be defined as a practice to foresee the future, or as a way to obtain deep wisdom and spiritual insight. For many people who are involved in New Age, Neo-Pagan, indigenous or occult spiritual practices, divination typically falls into the latter category. For this deeper, more spiritual practice of divination it can be seen as a way to tap into Divine wisdom and personal intuition.
There are many different forms of divination and these forms fall under different categories. The following is a list of many of the more well known categories, what they mean and some common forms of divination that fall under those categories.
Numerology- Also known as numeromancy or arithomancy. This form of divination
is based on a concept by Pythagorus, an ancient Greek mathematician and mystic. His
concept is one that says the universe is constructed mathematically and can be expressed in numbers. Each number is said to have its own characteristics and corresponds to a letter in the alphabet. For example, by using the letters of a person’s name along with their birth date, one can decipher their strengths, abilities, personal challenges and emotional make up. Numerology is also used as a guide for deciding important dates such as a marriage or in choosing the name of a baby.
Cartomancy- This involves the use of cards in divination. Tarot is one of the most common forms of cartomancy but there are many other types of cards available for divination purposes. Some people will even use a common deck of playing cards for such a purpose.
Scrying- This method involves the use of objects or surfaces that are reflective or luminescent in order to see images or messages that can be divined. The surfaces or mediums that are most commonly used for scrying are water, mirrors, crystals or glass. Crystal ball gazing is one of the most well known forms of scrying.
Pyromancy- Technically pyromancy falls under the category of scrying but there are variations to this type of divination. The most common type of pyromancy is the observation of flames such from a candle, fire pit or fireplace, in order to gain insight from the shapes of the flames, or from any messages or images within the flames. Other variations of pyromancy can involve the divination of smoke from the flames or by burning plants or straw.
Geomancy- The interpretation of markings on the ground or, when a handful of dirt is tossed into the air, the patterns that are made when the dirt lands. The scattering of pebbles, sand or seeds can also be used in this form of divination.
Cleromancy- This involves the casting of bones, dice or other objects and interpreting the messages and meanings. Cleromancy can also involve the drawing of lots such as the Japanese Shinto tradition of Omikuji. This is where random fortunes are written on pieces of paper at Shinto shrines. Typically, one piece of paper is drawn from a box and the resulting fortune is read.
Psychomancy- Communicating with spirits in order to obtain messages or insights. A seance can fall under this category of divination.
Astrology- The study of distant heavenly bodies such as stars, planets and the moon in order to determine events. In astrology it is believed that the cosmos and the positioning of stars and planets, have a strong influence on human lives. There are different branches of astrology but one of the most common is natal astrology, which is the study of a person’s natal or birth chart in order to gain information about their life experiences and their personality.
