There are many types of divination and divination tools. For my list of types of divination, you can visit these pages and you can also check out this very detailed site. Many forms of divination have fallen out of practice, but those that remain fall into four basic groups.
One of the most used forms of divination is scrying. Simply put, scrying means the ability to see and focus upon an object. Anything with a reflective surface can be used for scrying - crystal balls, mirrors, bowls of water, ink, fingernails, etc. Scrying began with pools of water however. Over time, it became possible to build mirrors which were almost like water in their clarity. The early mirrors were made of polished copper, brass, marcasite, tin foil or mercury behind glass, polished silver and obsidian. Mirrors, by their evolution from pools of water are linked to the moon. For this reason, many feel mirrors should be backed with silver. Also for this reason, a round or oval mirror is preferable to a square mirror. Mirror scrying is an evolved form of water or crystal scrying. All types of mirrors may be used for scrying and the size is not important. Most scrying mirrors these days are small, blackened mirrors. John Dee is said to have used a black mirror of obsidian.
There are several systems of divination that grew out of drawing lots. These include runes, cards, and I-ching to name a few. The casting of lots usually does not give clear answers to questions unless you are dealing with yes/no questions. Rather lots reveal the general direction your life is heading and directs you to act accordingly. There are various spreads for ascertaining the future using these systems and entire books have been devoted to the subject.
Other forms of divination rely on being guided by some source, usually from the outside. Those who use ouija, pendulums, dowsing, or practice other forms of mediumship use this type of divination. The practitioner petitions some outside force to answer questions or give guidance. Dowsing and pendulum use is a little different from these other forms in that the practitioner is actively seeking out some physical place. This may be to find water, metals, or lost items, etc. These tools have also sometimes been used to find places where a murder has occurred or where a body has been hidden. Dream reading might also fit into this category if they come from an outside source. They jury is still out on that one. One final type of divination relies on signs and omens. These omens may be apparent at birth through astrology, by certain signs found on the body, or in the world surrounding the observer. The reading of omens requires coincidence to make various connections with what the future may have in store. Superstitions may be seen as a direct descendant of this once well respected form of divination. Beware walking under a ladder (you might get a bucket on your head or at least some paint on you). In some ways, this form of divination is very similar to scrying. You are attempting to see something. You can look up to the clouds and try to find shapes there, or into a cup to read the tealeaves. Someone who has this skill may be able to read palms, marks on your skin, or the general shape of your face and head. The ancients practiced augury by watching the animals around them, most often birds and snakes, and reading signs from their habits. They would also occasionally sacrifice animals like sheep and cows to the gods and read signs found on their organs, usually the liver.
Oval picture frame with glass (not plastic) insert or a clear crystal plate
Black paint of your choiceA scrying mirror can be constructed for less than five dollars. Disassemble the frame, and clean one side of the glass with glass cleaner. Paint this side with thick black paint. You should apply more than one coat (till light will not pass through), and oil based enamel works best. Matte black or gloss black will work, though gloss will be shinier. At this point you can also paint designs or symbols around the edge of the frame if you are artistically inclined. If not there are a variety of frames with designs already on them.
Assemble the frame with the painted side of the glass to the inside. The thicker the plate of glass, the “deeper” the mirror will appear. The frame should stand at a shallow angle to the vertical. Some frames have a leg on the back can be trimmed at the bottom to adjust the angle. You can also use one of the display stands available for collector plates. Varying the size of the stand will increase or decrease the angle of the frame.
If you cannot find a picture frame to your liking, you may construct a scrying mirror from a clear crystal plate. Paint the back of the plate, as you would have for the picture frame glass. You might also wish to covering the painted portion with felt or some other heavy material to protect the paint from being scratched or scuffed off.
When using the black mirror for scrying, you do not want to see your reflection. As you stare at the mirror, it may seem at first that it is all gray; then colors will come and go. With time and practice, you may notice images like still photographs or moving film. Spirits may sometimes look at the scryer, talk to the scryer or even touch the scryer. The visions may even exist outside the mirror and surround the scryer on all sides. It depends upon your natural talent. Not everyone is a scryer.