Divination Around the World

What is Divination?

Divination in general is the attempt to acquire insight and knowledge on the meaning of events usually through various natural or psychological practices, or through practices involving the supernatural and divine sources. Through divination practices, people hope to understand the past or present, or in some cases foretell the future.

History

Divination was present in many different ancient cultures and took on many different forms in those cultures. Although divination had likely been around long before there was recorded evidence, some evidence was found in early Mesopotamian civilization, from which some practices moved on to Greece (Park 2001). Similar beliefs were then transmitted “through Hellenistic, Egyptian, and Islamic science to Europe” (Park 2001). In cultures influenced by ancient Greeks and Romans, various practices became very significant, and to some cultures, divination was considered “superior to all the sciences” (Halliday 1973).

Early practices such as observing and drawing conclusions from crack patterns in tortoise shells took place as early as the 2d cent. B.C. in China (Halliday 1973). Some other practices included studies of flight patterns of birds, the study of water and related patterns, studies of sacrificial animals (called haruspication), as well as the inspection of animals’ shoulder blades (called scapulimancy) (Halliday 1973).

Divination: Science or Religion?

There are mixed views surrounding divination in both religion and in science. In the past, divination was considered a science in many cultures and was able to be studied. Some texts used in early practices involved documentation of unusual events, tracked some natural phenomena (things like unexpected storms, cloud formations, and more), and they kept plenty of data. “It is not unreasonable to assume that modern scientific inquiry began with this kind of divination” (New World Encyclopedia 2019). However, divination is sometimes dismissed as superstition by members of the scientific community (New World Encyclopedia 2019). Science as a whole has changed significantly over time, so new breakthroughs and discoveries could have something to do with this. In relation to religion, there are some practices that are outlined in religious texts like the Bible and “some forms of prayer might also be considered a divinatory act” (New World Encyclopedia 2019). In conclusion, there is evidence for both, so whether divination can be classified as religion or science can depend greatly on its cultural view and society’s beliefs.

Divination in Different Cultures

In Tibetan culture, divination in the form of astrology is very common in everyday life, as is consulting oracles to communicate with a deity. This communication with a deity occurs when “mediums go into trance, becoming possessed by a deity, who then speaks through the medium giving advice and prophecy” (Roney-Dougal 2018: 4). This practice is one of the oldest Tibetan traditions in divination.

Some specific practices in Chinese divination include “spirit-writing” also known as fuji or fulaun. In this practice, “‘possessed’ images, objects, and individuals conveyed messages about the present and future” (Smith 1993). This was one of the early forms and quite a long enduring one. Divination in many forms has persisted in China for thousands of years, and besides spirit writing, some other forms included geomancy, dream divination, numerology, and other charms and spells. Today, divination practices like fortune tellers are quite popular.

An example of a tortoise shell used in early Chinese divination

A bundle of yarrow stalks used in divination

Much of Japan’s practices were detailed in books or manuals, and techniques were continually added so the contents grew. The books “offered skills covering almost every possible aspect of human life, from illness to travel, birth to promotion”, and more (Hayek 2012: 259). The art illustrated at the time also depicts diviners practicing using books and it is clear that “their activities were linked to books” (Hayek 2012: 263). Over time, the books seemed to start out relatively simple, then get more complex before simplifying again to “a more formulaic routine” (Hayek 2012: 265). One simplified method started out as yarrow stalk divination, and is now “simplified sticks” which is a less complex and quicker form that is still around today.

Divination Today

Although the purpose of divination has stayed relatively the same, the practices have changed significantly over time. Some of today’s best known practices include: astrology, card readings such as tarot, and crystallomancy or crystal gazing (Funk and Wagnalls 2018: 1). Palm readings and numerology are also common modern day practices.

A reading using tarot cards

Learn More

Ted talk: Applying Ancient Divination to Modern Intuition-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RNq6RI8DvI

Coffee and divination podcast - https://www.coffeeanddivination.com/

https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/entry/divination

How Tarot Card Readings Work - https://www.learnreligions.com/tarot-cards-how-tarot-readings-work-95948

Methods of Divination - https://www.learnreligions.com/methods-of-divination-2561764

Who actually writes horoscopes? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/756911af-2b4d-4826-80c4-e600d4491521

https://bulletin.hds.harvard.edu/the-silent-voices-of-african-divination/

Works Cited:

Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. (2018). “Divination.” p. 1; EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=funk&AN=di065700&site=ehost-live.

Halliday W. R. (1973). Greek Divination. W. B. and L. R. Gibson, The Complete Illustrated Book of Divination and Prophecy. search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=134511898&site=ehost-live.

Hayek, M. (2012). “Divinatory Practices and Knowledge in Early Modern Japan: Redefining Onmyōdō from the Inside.” Cahiers D'Extrême-Asie. pp. 255–274. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/44167495.

Park, G. K. and Gilbert R. A.. (2001). “Divination”. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. https://www.britannica.com/topic/divination/Intuitive-divination

Roney-Dougal, S.M. (2018). “Tibetan Psychic Traditions.” The Tibet Journal, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 3–15. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26634902.

Smith, R.J. (1993). “An Overview of Divination in China from the Song through the Qing: Some Issues and Approaches.” Rice University. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312089869_An_Overview_of_Divination_in_China_from_the_Song_through_the_Qing_Some_Issues_and_Approaches

Various Editors. (2019). “Divination”. New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Divination

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