Types of Divination

Divination is a way of seeking advice or guidance through a mix of symbols, tools, and intuition. It helps us reflect, notice hidden patterns, and explore what may be influencing us which allows us to be guided in our lives. Rather than predicting a fixed future, it offers insight based on the present moment. Whenever I give a reading I always give the preface that whatever future is mentioned by the cards are what you will experience if you stay the same as your are now, and changing your own path with your own actions have the ability to put on the path to a different future outcome.

I went a bit overboard with it, but below you’ll see many types of divination. Hopefully you find one that speaks to you!

• Cartomancy: Using tarot, oracle, or Lenormand cards to explore questions and situations through their imagery, symbolism, and the meaning of each card.

• Rune Casting: Using sets of symbols such as the Elder Futhark or Ogham to seek guidance. Runes can be drawn or cast, with their symbols interpreted in relation to the question.

• Scrying: Gazing into reflective or dark surfaces, such as crystal balls, mirrors, or water, to notice images, shapes, or impressions that may offer insight.

• Pendulum: Using a suspended weight to answer simple questions, usually with yes, no, or unclear responses. The direction or movement of the pendulum is then interpreted.

• Pyromancy: Using fire as a focus for divination by watching flames, sparks, smoke, or embers. Changes and patterns in the fire are observed and interpreted for possible meaning.

• Tasseomancy: Reading the patterns left behind by loose tea leaves after drinking tea. The shapes and symbols in the cup are interpreted for possible messages or insight.

• Palmistry: Studying the lines, shapes, and features of the hands to explore personality, tendencies, and patterns that may appear throughout someone’s life.

• Bibliomancy: Opening a book at random and using the passage you land on as a source of guidance or reflection.

• Astrology: Studying the positions of planets, stars, and other celestial bodies to interpret personality, life themes, and possible influences.

• Numerology: Finding meaning in numbers, often by working with birth dates, names, or repeating numbers to explore personality and life patterns.

• Osteomancy: Casting and interpreting bones, shells, stones, or other small objects to receive insight through the patterns in which they land.

• Pendulum Dowsing: Using a pendulum to explore questions or locate something through its directional movements and responses.

• Oomancy: Interpreting patterns, shapes, or symbols found in eggs, traditionally by observing the egg after it has been cracked or prepared for the practice.

• Hydromancy: Using water for divination by observing its movement, ripples, reflections, or other patterns.

• Aeromancy: Looking to the sky, clouds, wind, and atmospheric conditions for signs, patterns, or omens.

• Augury: Seeking signs or messages through natural events, particularly the behaviour or movements of birds and other animals.

• Dream Interpretation: Exploring dreams for symbolism, recurring themes, feelings, and possible messages or personal insight.

• Cleromancy: Casting lots, stones, dice, or other marked objects and interpreting how they fall to answer questions or seek guidance.