Divination is using tools and/or symbols to collect information about people, places, things and past, present and future situations from the collective unconscious. Divination is so much more than fortune telling. I see it as a way to get answers to questions that you just don't know how to ask yet. In many situations you already know the answer, you just need a little help seeing it.
There are many different types of divination. Below I will name the most common types and a little bit of information about them. In the future I hope to get into more detail about the different methods including some suggestions and step by step instructions.
Tarot Cards
The Tarot are a deck of 78 cards. These cards separte into two categories, the major and minor arcana. The major arcana are numbered from 0 to 21. The major arcana represent the major influences in most peoples lives. I have read in some books that the major arcana are what the questioner has little or no control over in their lives.
The rest of the deck makes up the minor arcana. These are separated into four suites, much the same as a deck of playing cards. These suites are Wands, Swords, Pentacles and Cups.
Tarot spreads (which is the way you lay out the cards) can be as simple as one card and can get as complicated 10 or more cards. One of the best spreads for a beginner is the three card spread. The first card represents the past, second the present and third the future.
Most decks come with a book that can help you interpret the meanings of the cards. My best advice for you... throw the book away. Each card has a picture on it... a picture that tells a story. The best way to interpret card is the "read" the picture. This may be hard to do at first, but with practice it will become like second nature.
Scrying
Scrying is defined as looking into a luminous or reflective surface with the intention of seeing a vision of some sort. The most common technique is using a bowl of water with either candle wax or ink. Drip the wax or ink into the bowl of water and wait for an image to appear. I have also heard of using just a bowl of water by candle light. The darker your surroundings the better. Stare into the water until an image can be seen.
Once you have mastered the bowl of water techniques, you may try mirrors or gem stones for scrying. Basicly anything with a reflective surface can be used. I find that the best results, for any technique, always come when you have a specific question in mind that you are looking for an answer to.
Pendulum
A pendulum is usually a piece of string, cord or chain with something weighted on the end. I usually see stones and crystals on the end, but anything heavy will do. As with any new tool, made or bought, make sure that you cleanse and consecrate it before use. You don't want any negative energies effecting the pendulum.
The first thing you have to do before asking a question is determine which direction is yes. To do this you must suspend you pendulum and wait for it to stop moving (make sure you arm and hand are steady). Ask a question that you 100% know the answer to. The pendulum will start to move, either back and forth, around in a clockwise or counterclockwise circle or side to side. Whatever pattern of movement follows the question, this is the yes pattern. To make sure you can ask it another question that has a yes answer too. You can now begin to ask you pendulum questions that you don't necessarily know the answer to.
It's a good idea to carry the pendulum around with you for a few days before you begin using it. You can either carry it in your pocket, wear it as a necklace or sleep with it under your pillow. This will get the tool used to your body's energies.
Runes
Runes is one of the oldest forms of divination. They usually come in the form on symbols on stones. Some people use Runes in spellcasting, but most use them in much the same way as Tarot Cards. Each symbol has a meaning and a reverse meaning. Just like Tarot Cards, runes have spreads which aid in the divination process.
If you have ever purchased or thought about purchasing runes, you will know that they can be quite costly. If you don't have the extra money kicking around you can always make your own. I have a set in which I used glass beads (the ones the some people put on the bottom of their fish tanks) and painted the symbols on them. Creativity is one of the best parts of the Craft.
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