What is Divination?

Divination is the practice of using objects such as tarot cards, playing cards, rune stones, pendulums, etc. to gather information about past, present, and future events. Divination can be used to gain insight into a specific question or situation. During divination, a person uses an object that can relay messages from the divine to help guide them, and through meditation, the person can receive insight from the divine about specific events. Divination tools help a person connect to and receive divine guidance to help them seek wisdom. Unlike fortune-telling, divination has a more systematic or ritual context used to gain insight on specific events, whereas fortune-telling is more of an everyday practice for personal purposes. Likewise, divination is similar to a person asking a friend for advice on a topic because the person is seeking insight from a source outside themselves for help. During divination, a person seeks advice from the divine and the divine acts like a friend giving advice.

Furthermore, divination allows a person to connect their intuition with the divine to help receive guidance about their life's path. A person may have a specific concern about their life that they are having trouble using their intuition to make decisions, and connecting with the divine can help bring clarity. The study of divination traces back to Ancient Rome, where Romans used divination to understand the will of their gods. Modern divination methods are used to help interpret a person's life path, seek insight into events/situations, and help strengthen the intuition by connecting with the divine. Similarly, the Romans used divination to foresee sources of trouble in the hopes of preventing it much like how people can use divination today.

Divination allows a person to understand what might happen and better understand current events. However, events are not set in stone because a person can take action to change their circumstances. For example,  a person may receive a message about an unfortunate event, and since they are forewarned about it they can take steps to prevent it from happening. The nature of the universe is dynamic and events can change with people taking action. The benefit of divination is that it allows people to gain insight into an event so they are better prepared for what may happen and knowing that they can help create better outcomes.

Different objects can be used to help a person connect with the divine and receive guidance. Common divination methods include tarot cards, playing cards, rune stones, palmistry (divination using the lines of the hand), and scrying. The different methods of divination will be covered in upcoming lessons as well as discussing other interesting divination techniques.

Assignment

What are some objects that can be used in divination?

Explain how divination can provide guidance into one's life.

How is divination different from fortune-telling?

Can events be changed if the person learns about it ahead of time?

*Likely subject to edits from instructors