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****The Art Of Divination****

Divination
From the earliest stages of civilization people have used various means of divination to communicate with the
supernatural when seeking help in their public and private lives. Divination is most often practiced as a means of foretelling the
future, and sometimes the past. It is one of the primary practices used by witches, wizards, medicine men, sorcerers, and shamans.
These various groups of
persons are often called diviners, who often belonged to special classes of priests and priestesses in past and present civilizations,
and are specially trained in the practice and interpretation of their divinatory skills. The methodology for practicing the divinatory
skills seems to divide into two categories: the first is the observation and interpretation on natural phenomena, and the second is
the observation and interpretation of man-made "voluntary" phenomena. Natural phenomena includes two major
subcategories of activity: astrology, and hepatoscopy. To a lesser degree the observation of the following occurrences also can be
listed under natural phenomena: unexpected storms, particular cloud formations, birth monstrosities in both man and animal,
howling or unnatural actions in dogs, and night-marish dreams.
Man-made or "voluntary" phenomena is defined as being deliberately produced for the sole purpose of soothsaying and includes
such acts as necromancy, pouring oil into a basin of water to observe the formation of bubbles and rings in the receptacle, shooting
arrows, casting lots, and numerous other acts.
The ancient Romans favored augury and haruspicy. The Egyptians, Druids, and Hebrews relied on scrying. The Druids also read
death throes and entrails of sacrificed animals.
The Greeks had their oracle which spoke for the gods. In the Middle Ages grain, sand or peas were tossed onto a field in order to
read the patterns after the substances fell. As far back as 1000 BC. the Chinese had "I CHING," an oracle which involved the
tossing and reading of long short yarrow sticks. Another ancient Chinese divinatory practice which is still used is "feng-shui," or
geomancy, which
involves the erecting of buildings, tombs, and other
physical structures by determining the currents of
invisible energy coursing through the earth. Presently people also are using this principle for the arrangement of furniture in their
homes.
Many divinatory methods are still used today, especially in paganism, witchcraft, voodoo and Santeria. Most Christians would
probably disagree but prayer might also be considered a divinatory act. Many practitioners today do not feel signs of divination are
absolute or fixed, but believe they still have free choices in their future. They believe divination helps them in making better
choices.
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Scrying
Scrying is the ancient act of divination for the purpose of clairvoyance. It is usually achieved by concentrating on or staring at an
object having a shiny surface until a vision appears. Magicians and witches have practiced scrying throughout the ages. The typical
stereotype of a person scrying is a Gypsy fortune teller looking into her crystal ball.
Scrying comes from the English word "descry" which means "to make out dimly" or "to reveal." There have been and are many
purposes for the activity; to see into the future, to find lost objects or persons, and track criminals, among others. In the Middle
Ages a wise woman or a wise man, perhaps also called a witch, with a natural gift of second sight was called upon for scrying
purposes.
Although the object used for scrying usually has a shiny surface, innumerable objects have been used for the
practice over the centuries. The Egyptians used ink, blood and other dark liquids. The Romans used shiny objects and stones.
Water has been used for gazing into. Mirrors are often used.
There is an example of the interior of a cauldron being painted black, then filled with water at night, a silver coin was dropped into
the water so to reflect moonlight. Such means have been employed to see visions and read mystical signs.
Many witches scry in a magic circle to prevent outside influences from distorting their visions. Also, this is why most scrying is
done at night in order to receive better psychic vibrations. As a general rule most diviners work at night in order to avoid the
excessive psychic vibrations that are generated in the day due to the confusion of everyday living. The methods of scrying differ
but after a period of concentration on the speculum visions, mental images, or impressions appear. Frequently the visions are
symbolic and the scryer must be trained and skillful in interpreting their meanings.
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Numerology
The system of numerology is a method of divination which is also employed in the use of magic. The practice is based upon
statement of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, "The world is built upon the power of numbers." Numerological practices and
beliefs have survived throughout the centuries down to the present day. An example of this concerns the numbers 11, 22, and 33,
that are claimed to be master numbers and must not be reduced to a single digit, which when corresponding to an individual's
name prognosticate that the individual is a highly developed person spiritually.
History:
Based upon Pythagoras' previous stated statement, "The world is built upon the power of numbers," numerology became systems
of both divination and magic because both systems are based upon the broader concept that the entire universe is composed of
mathematical patterns, and all things can be expressed in numbers which correspond to universal vibrations. Therefore, all things,
including names, words, birth dates and birthplaces, are able to be reduced to numbers in order to determine personalities,
destinies and fortunes of individuals.
Pythagoras is often called the father of numerology since he made known that the musical intervals recognized in his era could be
expressed in ratios between the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. Also, he displayed that the numbers 1 through 4 equaled the sum of 10. He
furthered demonstrated that the cycle of numbers, 1 through 4, could be started again when reaching 10 because all numbers
larger than 9 can be reduced by a single digit by adding the digits together. Pythagoras reasoned that the entire universe could be
expressed numerically, creating a mystical system expended by other early Greek philosophers.
Throughout the ancient history of numbers certain characteristics and values were assigned to the integers. One mechanism which
enabled the assignment of these characteristics was the way in which the ancient Greeks recorded the numbers in dots or
geometrical figures. Odd numbers which could not be separated were said to be masculine possessing the "generative parts," and
represented assertion, power, and creativity. Even numbers capable of being split into and therefore possessed femine "openings"
were considered feminine representing wholeness, stability or weakness.
In the Greek mysteries, the number 888 represented the "Higher Mind." The Greek variation of "Jesus," "Iesous," equals 888.
The number 666 represented the "Mortal Mind." In the New Testament, 666 is called the number of "the Beast."
In early Hebrew history the interpretation of numbers was considered highly important. Letters of the Hebrew alphabet was
based on numbers, and this relationship was related to the cosmic forces. In the Middle Ages, a numerical
mysticism evolved from the teachings of Merkabah, a sect of Judaism. In the 13th century the German Kabbalists
developed gematria, a mystic numerical interpretation of the Scriptures.
Both the Greeks and Hebrews held 10 to be the perfect number. Pythagoras considered that 10 comprehends all arithmetic and
harmonic proportions, and, like God, is tireless. All nations calculated with it because when they arrive at 10, they return to 1, the
number of creation. Pythagoreans believed the heavenly bodies were divided into 10 orders. According to the Kabbalah, there are
ten emanations of numbers out of Nothing. The emanations form the 10 sephiroth of the Tree of Life, which contains all knowledge
and shows the path back to God.
Gematria: In addition to the occult meanings of numbers , another principle is basic to numerology- -that of
gematria, or cryptograph. In Hebrew, consonants are used as number signs, but by providing them with vowels, one can often read
them as words and can read words as numbers. A combination of gematria and Pythagorean number symbolism formed the basis
for the number magic of the medieval Cabala This allows special reading of the Hebrew Bible to find secret or hidden meanings in
the text.
This system has also been applied to Greek and Latin and sometimes the New Testament of the Bible. For example, various
personified meanings have been given to 666, the number denoting the Beast in the Book of Revelations. Among these are Nero,
Caesar, Martin Luther, Pope Leo X, and Napoleon.
Present:
Currently the practice of numerology in the occult often involves attempts to discover secret meanings of
occurrences and to forecast the future. When used in these methods, numerology become a form of divination, or fortune telling.
Frequently it can be combined with other divinatory forms such as astrology, cartomancy, geomancy, and dream interpretation.
When used in divinatory forms, numerology, also, becomes magic. Such magic, as a theory, has Occidental roots but is usually
ascribed to Pythagoras. The theory or system theorizes "that all things are number and that numbers influence the essence of
things. Thus number is the mediator between the divine and the earthly. So, if one performs various operations with numbers,
theses operations also affect the things related to these numbers."
Taboos: On the simplest level this principle can be seen in number taboos. For example, in the American society most people
considered the number 13 unlucky. Therefore, things connected with 13 are too be avoided such as the 13th day of the month,
especially if it is a Friday, the 13th floor, 13 dinner guests, and so on. As a contrast in Belgium it is considered a good-luck charm for
women to wear the number 13. The negativity of the number 13 is predominantly thought to have been derived from the Biblical
narration of the Last Super where Judas was the thirteenth apostle. However, an earlier concept stresses its relationship to 12, a
good number identified with the Zodiac, which had strong positive associations in Babylonian and other early astral mythologies.
During the 19th century, when scientific discoveries concerning light, magnetism, and electricity were being made, the theory that
numbers corresponded to energy patterns of vibrations became popular.
Currently there are several interpretation of
characteristics for numbers 1 through nine; the following represents a consensus:
Chart of Characteristics
of Numbers
1
unity, creation, independence
2
duality, emergence
3
power, generative force
4
solidity, dullness
5
sensuality, pleasure
6
perfection, harmony, balance
7
mysticism, psychic, magic
8
material, success, justice
9
spiritual, mental achievement
The numbers 11, 22, and 33 are said to be master numbers which are not reduced to a single digit. People whose names correspond
to these numbers are said to be highly developed spiritually. The number 33 is that of avatar.
Analysis procedures:
Numerology Chart
1----2----3----4----5----6----7----8----9
A----B----C----D----E----F----G----H----I
J----K----L----M----N----O----P----Q----R
S----T----U----V----W----X----Y----Z-----

The practice is to total the numerical value of a name or word. For example, the name "John Smith".
JOHN = 1 + 6 + 8 + 5 = 20, SMITH = 1 + 4 + 9 + 2 + 8 = 24, 20 + 24 = 44, 44 = 4 + 4 = 8
Explanation:
Determine letter numerical values from chart:
J = 1, O = 6, H = 8, N = 5; S = 1, M = 4, I = 9, T = 2, H = 8
Sum the numerical values of names:
JOHN = 20 and SMITH = 24
Change the values to single digits:
20 = 2 + 0 = 2, 24 = 2 + 4 = 6
The sum of the single digits:
2 + 6 = 8
Interpretation:
The name of "John Smith" has a numerological value of 8. From the Chart of Characteristics of Numbers 8 has the characteristics
of material, success, justice.