Divination is an art, or a practice, that has been around for hundreds of years. Through the use of various methods and tools, practitioners seek to gain insight into things like future events, relationships, day-to-day life, and even career related issues.

Traditionally, divination is defined as: (1) the art or practice of seeking to foresee/foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers, (2) unusual insight; intuitive perception (Merriam-Webster).

Intuition and synchronicity both have a significant role with respect to how a practitioner interprets the signs, or omens, provided to them. Both enable the practitioner to connect and communicate with the divine.

There are a number of different divination methods and techniques. Listed below are five of the most common methods which will be briefly discussed in this post.

• Oracle
• Tarot
• Palmistry
• Pendulum
• Runes

Both Oracle and Tarot are considered to be forms of Cartomancy. While there are similarities, it is important to know the differences. Tarot decks are traditionally comprised of a total of 78 cards, 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Major Arcana cards have a storyline structure. The Minor Arcana cards are split between four suits: Cups, Pentacles, Wands and Swords. Oracle decks, while they do not have such a structure, do tend to have a particular theme.

Palmistry is commonly defined as the art, or practice, of examining and interpreting the structure of an individual’s hand. This includes the study of the lines on someone’s palms and fingers, as well as other features.

There are other techniques with respect to Dowsing, but this post will discuss the use of the pendulum. A pendulum is non-magnetic, symmetrical and weighted. The pendulum receives information from the practitioner, transmits that information to the divine (or higher beings), and in turn, moves in accordance to questions asked.

With respect to the use of runes as a method of divination, rune stones traditionally come in a set of 24 alphabetic symbols (futharks). Runes can be made from various materials and are traditionally kept in a pouch or a box. Runes generally are cast facing the Sun or on an East-West facing axis on a rune cloth (a small white cloth). Once the rune stones are cast on the cloth, the ones that have landed right side up are then read. It is important to focus on the question for which you are looking to obtain an answer.

Studying the divinatory arts allows us to enhance and develop on our psychic and intuitive skills and abilities. The use of divination allows us to communicate with the divine, as well as providing us with advice and direction. Though there may be questions to which we may never know the answers, divination can still be useful when determining the path one should take.