DIVINE DIVINATION
Webster's Dictionary defines Divination as: "The art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or an alleged supernatural agency. An inspired guess or presentiment. Something that has been divined."

The word "divination" is used to describe a wide variety of practices, and it means "consulting the gods." I use divination tools, but instead of using them for fortune telling, I use them as a learning tool; for self discovery and personal growth. One should NEVER become dependent on one's tools, but use them for what they were intended to be. A teacher.


CRYSTAL SCRYING
Crystal scrying is one of the most ancient methods of divination. Scrying originated from people using reflective surfaces to gain knowledge about the future. Most of the great seers throughout history used the powers of crystal vision. This sight can be developed by almost anyone, but takes a great deal of practice.

Using crystals and gemstones to divine one's past, present, and future played roles in the decisions of many powerful leaders throughout history. Queen Elizabeth I consulted Dr. Dee, a famous seventeenth century scryer, on matters of state. Diviners of the Yucatan used quartz, and Apache medicine men used crystals for inducing visions. The Druids used beryl for scrying. Scottish Highlanders called these objects "stones of power." In mythology, King Arthur sought the advice and prophecies of Merlin through his crystal ball.

Cleanse a crystal ball with natural waters, and charge it in the glow of a full moon. Crystal scrying should be done in near or total darkness, and works best at night. Avoid looking at the reflections on the surface of the crystal. Use the light of a candle, but make sure it does not reflect in the ball's surface. Focus your gaze on the center, looking through the crystal. See it as a mirror to the astral world. You may see clouds or mist. With patience, eventually the mist will spread out to reveal images, visions or symbols.


RUNE STONES
Rune Stones have been used for thousands of years. Based on an ancient alphabet, Runes have both a letter identity and a spiritual representation. There are 25 stones in the set used as an oracle, each with a different glyph, unique name, sound and meaning. Runes were worn by ancient warriors as amulets in battle and by women to protect home and children.

There are many different Rune casts. The one rune draw gives an overview of the entire situation. The three rune draw show present past and future in regard to one's query. And the complex seven stone cast gives details of past influences, present situations and future outcomes. The more complex the question, the more complex the rune cast needs to be to achieve the clearest answer.

There are many books on the subject, and a reference list is a must while learning to interpret the symbols and symbology associated with each.


FIRE SCRYING
The oldest known form of divination. Primal in nature, fire scrying has been used since the beginning of human existance. As long as there has been fire, people have seen visions within it. Ancient Shamans saw visions of a good hunt in flames, and used the ashes to paint on the cave walls to bring them about.

Look deep into the fire. The agitation of the flame may reveal things in itself. The direction the flame moves, or colors it changes to. Sometimes specific shapes are seen. Often images and impressions formulate only in your mind while gazing.

Sit comfortably, preferably in darkness, near a fire or candle flame. Stare into the flame, but don't focus in on the flames themselves, see beyond them. See what takes shape. Open and shut your eyes. Try to make out the patterns the fire imprints behind your eyes, what shape it is most like. Shapes change as your vision focuses.


PALMISTRY
Palmistry is the practice divining from the lines, marks, and patterns on the hands, particularly the palms. Hands have been painted on cave walls dating as far back as The Stone Age. Archaeologists have discovered hands made of stone, wood and ivory by ancient civilizations. Evidence of hand reading has been found in the bible, vedic scripts, and early Semitic writings. Palmistry was practiced in many ancient cultures including India, China and Egypt. The first book appeared in the 15th century. Advances in genetics, psychology and forensics have brought palmistry into our modern times.

The Life Line represents life span, health and vitality. The Head Line represents our level of intelligence, creative or logical tendencies, and emotional conditions. The Heart Line represents the emotional and physical conditions of the heart. The Fate Line represents success and can often reveal the point in your life when you become financially independent. The Sun Line represents wealth, happiness, and personal achievement. Only 20% of the population have Sun lines. The shape of your inner palm and the size of your fingers reveal certain personality characteristics and potential careers. There are four major hand types: Water (long fingers- rectangular palm), Air (long fingers-square palm), Earth (short fingers-square palm), and Fire (short fingers- rectangular palm). The hand you use is called the major, or outer hand. This indicates any future events, as well as what you are like on the outside. The other hand is the minor, or inner hand. This shows your potential, as well as what you are like on the inside. Right-handed people tend to be more logical because that part of the anatomy is connected to the logical, left side of the brain. Left-handed people tend to be more creative because that part of the anatomy is connected to the intuitive, right side of the brain. People with soft hands are refined and sensitive. Hard-skinned people are tough and prefer plenty of activity. Hands that are pliable and bendy indicate an easy going and flexible nature. Stiff hands shows determination and a stubborn nature.

There are many books on the subject, and a reference list is a must while learning to interpret the symbols and symbology associated with each.


MIRROR SCRYING
Mirror scrying is an evolved form of water scrying. When it became possible to build mirrors, it was like water that was fixed in one place and portable.

Most seers prefer to use a black mirror, and some say it should be backed in silver. The use of black mirrors can be traced back for centuries. John Dee used a black mirror made of obsidian.

Cleanse a scrying mirror with natural waters, and charge it in the glow of a full moon. Mirror scrying should be done in near darkness, and works best at twilight. When mirror scrying you do not want to focus on your reflexion. It works best to place the mirror on a surface and gaze an angle. Focus your eyes on the center, looking through the mirror. See it as a window to the astral world. You may see clouds or mist. With patience, eventually the mist will spread out to reveal images, visions or symbols.


TEA LEAF READING
Tea leaf reading is an ancient practice of interpreting patterns made by tea leaves in the cup. In addition to the reading of tea leaves, the tradition of tasseography includes the reading of coffee grounds and wine sediments.

The tradition of tea leaf reading arose independently in Asia, the Middle East and Ancient Greece. Modern tasseography has also been associated with the Scotch, Irish and cultures throughout Eastern Europe. In modern times, it is still widely practiced in Europe, but has never caught on to that extent in the United States.

Brew a pot of tea and add leaves directly to cup without a strainer (large leaf tea works best). While drinking the tea, reflect on your question. When done with tea, swirl the tea cup three times clockwise. Turn the cup upside down into it's saucer. Now look for symbols and shapes. As with all forms of divination, practice will enhance your ability to interpret what you see.


TAROT CARDS
It is believed in the first half of the fifteenth century in northern Italy, someone created the first set of tarot cards. Used to play a new type of card game, similar to bridge, but with 21 special cards serving as permanent trumps, played regardless of what suit was led, and outranking all ordinary cards. This Game of Triumphs, as it was named, became widely popular among the upper classes. It spread through northern Italy and eastern France. In time, tarot spread south to Sicily, and north to Austria, Germany, and the low countries. Centuries later, devotees of the occult arts in France and England encountered the tarot and saw mystical and magickal meaning in the symbolism of the cards.

A traditional tarot reading involves a seeker, someone who is looking for answers to personal questions; and a reader, someone who knows how to interpret the cards. But you can read tarot cards for yourself. Cards are shuffled and the deck is cut. Cards chosen are laid out in a pattern called a spread. Each position within the spread has a meaning, as each card has a meaning as well. These two meanings are combined for an interpretation.

There are many books and decks on tarot, and a lot of studying is a must while learning to interpret the symbols and symbology associated with each card, and some may differ from deck to deck.