Other Forms of Divination

 

There are probably as many different systems of divination as there are readers in the world. 
The list includes: Cartomancy (cards), Astrology, Augury (reading signs especially connected with birds),
tea leaves and coffee grounds (interpreting symbology of the patterns), scrying (in water, fire,
clouds and a host of other mediums), etc…

 

On this page you will find some other divination styles you may like to try on your own. 
Remember the magick comes from within the person, the rest are tools.


 



Augury

Augury is an ancient form of divination usually associated with birds.  I
use augury as a form of geomancy; reading of portents and omens
(earth/nature signs).   It was especially used and developed by seers in
Italy and Scotland.  I don’t personally recommend the killing of little,
furry critters in order to examine their organs and bowels.  I prefer more
of a look but don’t touch approach to augury.

Walk into a field, woods, etc... (best done outside your home and yards)

You can turn around a few times (or dance) with eyes closed, or pick a
direction to use as inspiration and for question (ie, North - money,
material possessions, home, career, education; East - new beginnings,
inspiration, ideas, methods, moves, new relationships; South - changes,
inter-communications, challenges, answers to long term problems, business
terminations, anger/aggression; West - love, relationships, ending
relationships, travel, depression).

When you open your eyes (like a camera snap shutter), notice first thing you
see and DON'T look around.  Write them down as you go.  Interpretation takes
awhile as you have to ask yourself what does this mean to me based on your
life, experiences, current events, situations, etc...  Many people like to
write a poem or chant of their experience.  I do recommend dating and
keeping.  You move to the right, clockwise.  If you move counter clock wise,
what is shown would denote more of things from the past or present to rid
yourself of in life (in other words, let go and move forward).  I like to
pick up 'signs' during augury and keep them as reminders to myself.

Open your eyes see and close your eyes-
In front of you...this lies before you to experience

With eyes closed turn to your right - open and close again
This is a strength you possess

Turn behind you (repeat process)
This is a past experience and is relevant to the question and/or the other
directional sights

Turn again to the right again, repeat process
This is a weakness or challenge for you to handle or incorporate into your
life

Return to starting direction...tilt head up and look up
This is above you and coming into your life and/or follows you through life

Tilt your head down and look at the ground.
This is beneath you…over and done and/or overcome or accomplished.  If you
feel whatever is shown is NOT over in your life, then this is becoming your
foundation for yourself of your own shaping and doing.

There is no 'good' or 'bad'.  Changes and such are completely at the whim
and will of the self.  For interpretations, the sign/item needs to be
closely examined.  Consider color (lack of color), alive or dead, animal,
vegetable, mineral, textures, type of material, shapes, positioning, etc.

For an example, here was my first attempt at augury.  I deliberately walked
into an open field that at a quick glance appeared to have nothing around (I
’m a skeptic by nature).   I closed my eyes.  When I looked in front of me,
I saw 2 pine trees with saplings growing in front of them.  I closed to my
eyes and turned to my right.  I saw a fence with 2 wires acting as rails.
One was broken and hanging down to the ground.  I closed my eyes and turned
again.  I saw a road that wound around a small hill and out of sight.  I
closed my eyes and turned again.  I saw a small, white building and a closed
door.  It all looked very secure and impenetrable.  I turned again and
looked up.  I saw a small, dot of a cloud, surround by the expanse of a
blue, southwestern sky.   I looked down and was amazed to find a bit of
black leather with white stitching.  I picked up the leather.  It was hard
and would not bend.  To this day it sits on my personal altar.

My interpretation (though not in prose) was:
In front of me, what lies ahead?
The 2 pine trees represent my husband and children.  The other saplings I
believe represent the people who have come and joined what would become
Hekate’s Torch (there was no temple/coven at the time).  Another meaning of
the trees, planting, growth and lasting.

To my right, a Strength…
The fence can be my own barriers of protection; which I can tear down or
mend as I need.

Behind me, the past…
A road that ran out of sight meaning so many options, choices; wide open and
ready.

To my left, weaknesses or challenges…
A building secured.  It was the door that truly stayed with me.  Once the
door is closed, it is time to move one and not try to reopen it.  White also
symbolizes death to me.  I lost my beloved mother the following year.  I
could not pass through the doorway (or gateway) as she did.

Above me, coming into or follows my life (like a self characterization)…
A cloud dot island surrounded by a vast sea of sky.  I am a small part of a
much larger whole, a piece of the fabric of the infinite -- connected.  It
made me feel important and a member of a plan.

Below me, baggage and such for me.  The hard piece of black leather with
broken stitching.  Many aspects of my life have been hard and unbending.
Black absorbs around itself.  I can truly say my life is an adventure.  I
must not be like this piece of leather…hard, brittle and broken.  Rather, I
will absorb and remain subtle and pliable (reads like a hand lotion
advertisement doesn't it?).

Mushy as it may read, that is how I took the experience.  I came away
terribly impressed.  I recommend the use of this form of divination to
others especially for self-examination.  And, perhaps, to be reminded we are
not alone in the universe.

Good fortune and clear sight to you!
 
 


 
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