Classifying Divination
It seems everything
has been used for prognostication and communication. From
natural phenomenon to manipulated events, from planets to
pebbles, from gods to animals and plants, all have been used
at one time or another. Though many of these divination methods
have been lost in history, many still remain either in ancient
documents, in superstitions or in actual practice.
Divination Forms are often classified
by asking three simple questions --what, how and why.
Means
The 'what' is the element or subject matter that
is used in the process of the divination. In most cases these
items are categorized either as: Earth, Air, Fire, Water,
Man or Spirit.[1] However,
classifying a divination's element is not always clear and
then only in the diviner's perception.
For example: what is the element
in bibliomancy?
Is it -- "earth" because the Bible is constructed
from plants and animals; "man" because the bible
is written and read by man; or is it "spirit" because
the words are said to be God's.
Method
The 'how' is the manner in which the prophecy is
determined or formulated by the diviner's interaction with
the divination element. The diviner is not limited to just
one. He or she may use all of them during their prognostication
and communication.
- Intuitive:
In intuitive divination, it is the diviner that is both
the element and the process. The diviner will either react
to stimuli or received a sensory phenomenon without reason
or cause. Many refer to this (including myself) as the sixth
sense or intuition. Intuitive divination does not rely on
artificial trappings except perhaps as a meditative device
or for dramatics. Intuition is the underlying factor in
most forms of divination. Examples: scrying, trance, oracles,
clairvoyance, and necromancy to name a few.
- Interpretive:
In this process, information is perceived through natural
means and then manipulated (read) to form an explanation.
It works on the premise that no event is without cause.
In manipulated events, such as casting stones, it is still
consider natural because of its inherently random underlying
principle. Examples: Runes, tarot, I Ching, and so forth.
- Inductive:
This is the process by which conclusions are inferred from
facts and events. Within divination these facts and events,
although may be arbitrary, are still predetermined and not
controlled through mundane means. Astrology and aeromancy
are good examples.
Motive
The 'why' classification, in an honest practice,
seems to be the provision of useful information about the
unknown; however other reasons might be found. For instance,
the reason might be to support an ailing spirit, arbitration
between incompatible points of view, and therapeutic purposes.
Then there is the business category which many circus and
carnival soothsayers fall into. It serves as paid entertainment.
Personally, I put no great importance
to classifying divination other than that it is interesting
information. However, I could see where it could come in handy
for those who adhere to Elemental Magick.
Besides the way I see it, the diviner is the common
factor throughout all divination; for without him or
her there would be no divination. Humans are the method,
the means and the motive.
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