Methods of Divination

Most psychics use a specific tool to aid in divination in order to bridge the gap between the material and the ethereal planes. While playing around with a Magic 8-ball was fun as a kid — if I recall, although my vision is growing hazy, I’d better try again — most professional mediums rely on one of the following methods:
1. Astrology: This system of prognostication makes calculations based on the exact positions of the sun, moon and planets. Astrology rests on the belief that the movements of the planets influence moments in time. The moment of our birth is integral to one’s astrological chart since it is recorded on the “celestial clock”. The planets continue to move, interacting with the fixed-in-time energies of our unique birth chart. Astrology is a remarkable tool of self awareness that goes far beyond reading your daily horoscope in the newspaper. Sometimes the seemingly chaotic randomness of life can feel like too much to bear and astrology can serve as a great source of comfort attesting to the fact that things happen for a reason. It can put a spotlight on inner paradoxes and underscore your natural abilities. There are three parts to any natal chart: planet, sign and house. After learning about this triad, it’s time to look at aspects, this is the relationship between the active forces in your birth chart. Astrology provides cosmic signposts as to why you’re drawn to, repelled by or indifferent to those you meet. Astrology can be one of many tools utilized to gain a richer understanding of all your relationships. Comparing two birth charts (synastry) is said to be able to make a couple aware of areas where their inner predispositions could cause friction in order to mitigate potential problems before they spin out of control, while also helping a couple to better understand one another.
2. Tarot Cards or Cartomancy: This is the tool utilized by Cindi Sansone-Braff in her psychic readings. It draws upon the evocative imagery of one of the many varieties of tarot decks. The card spreads illuminate the situation in question, thus providing insight and a jumping off point for the medium’s insights to “break on through to the other side.” Tarot reading is based upon the belief that the cards can be used to shed light on past and current events while gaining foresight into future probabilities. Modern tarot reading began in 1781, when Antoine Court de Gébelin, a Swiss clergyman and freemason published Le Monde Primitif. De Gébelin asserted that symbolism of the Tarot de Marseille represented the mysteries of Egyptian deities Isis and Thoth. Gébelin further claimed that the name tarot came from the Egyptian words tar meaning “royal” and ro meaning “road” and that tarot, therefore, represented a “royal road” to wisdom. The idea of the cards as a mystical key was further promulgated by Eliphas Lévi and passed to the English-speaking world by The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
3. Crystal Ball: It is said that some psychics can envisage in the glass clear pictorials that provide accurate depictions of the future. A crystal ball is a powerful, sacred tool and should be used by only one person and placed on an alter or other spot of veneration when not in use, and covered with a black velvet shroud, so the light doesn’t reach it when not in use. It should be given a name and carried in a special bag or box when transported from one location to another. This high-maintenance divinatory tool should be used in a darkened room. The reader is to sit quietly with the crystal in front of them. Provide a dim light source so that the crystal can be unobtrusively back-lit. A candle works well for this. The color of the candle should reflect your intention such as purple for getting in touch with your higher self, white to symbolize God/Goddess, or orange for manifestation. Be sure to say aloud that you wish to only attract positive energies when working with the orange candle. Now activate your third eye, a dab of Lemuria oil, on your third eye, the spot between your eyes and slightly up, can be beneficial for this purpose. Become completely relaxed, and release any tension or negativity. Now open your eyes and focus on a spot on the ball that you feel “called” to. Then fix your gaze and look past the spot. The crystal ball will help the reader get in touch with the Astral or spirit plane. Be patient. It can take years to master this technique.
4. Runes: Druidic runes combine the archetypal symbolism of astrology with the chance energy absorption of tarot. They are a good indication of one’s inner psyche and overview of one’s position in the cosmos. The runes are an ancient Germanic alphabet used for writing, divination and magick. They were used throughout Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the British Isles and Iceland from about 100 BCE to 1600 CE. Druidic. Runes are an oracle most effectively used for seeking advice. They work best if you clarify your current circumstances and then pose a specific question. Rune readings can often be enigmatic. They hint at answers, but the rune caster has to interpret the rest. The word “rune” means mystery, secret or whisper. Each rune stone has arcane meanings and properties associated with it. Each translates into a word or phrase symbolic of concepts integral to the early people who developed them. They represent the powerful forces of nature and mind. Each rune has a story attached to it and a relationship to a Norse god. It is necessary for any aspiring adept of rune casting to have a working knowledge of the mythology, history and culture of ancient Europe and Scandinavia.
5. Feng Shui: This interior design technique creates a harmonic resonance in one’s working or living environment. It can aid in obtaining mastery over one’s love life and career. This ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It has a complex body of knowledge that imparts how to balance the energies of a space to ensure the health, prosperity and good fortune of those inhabiting it. Feng means wind and Shui means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health. Feng Shui is based on the Taoist vision and comprehension of nature, most notably on the concept that the land is alive and brimming with chi, or energy. The theories of yin and yang, in addition to the five feng shui elements are some of the rudimentary aspects of a feng shui analysis.
6. Palmistry or Chiromancy: A palm reader can predict your future by observing your love line, life line, etc. On return visits subtle shifts can be seen in changes in the lines of your hand, signifying the reactions your free will has manifested. Today, this practice can be found all over the world, but it originated in Indian (Hindu) astrology, as well as in Roma (Gypsy) fortune-telling. Palmistry consists of the practice of evaluating a person’s character or destiny by “reading” the various lines on a person’s hand as well as observing “mounds” or bumps. In some traditions readers also inspect the fingers, fingernails, fingerprints, skin patterns and flexibility of the hand. The basic framework for “classical” palmistry, today’s most widely practiced tradition, is rooted in Greek mythology. Each area of the palm and fingers is related to a god or goddess. For example the ring finger is associated with the Greek god Apollo and characteristics of that finger relate to the subject’s association to art, music, beauty, fame, money and balance.
7. I Ching: This 5,000-year old Chinese oracle which was used by emperors for millennia, transforms the randomness of the I Ching toss into an ordered vision of the future. The I Ching is a collection of practical wisdom pertaining to every possible scenario. It is the oldest Chinese classical text. I Ching means “Classic of Changes” or “Book of Changes”. There are 64 different main kinds of situations in the I-Ching. Each one is indicated by a hexagram, a symbol made up by six lines, each of which can remain broken or unbroken. Traditionally the I Ching is consulted by throwing 50 yarrow stalks, but typically a set of three coins is used. The coins are thrown six times, while a question is held in mind. You can also let the I Ching comment on your current state with no specific question in mind. The I Ching will only give advice regarding your present situation it will not predict the future.
8. Tea Leaves: A psychic specializing in the art of tealeaf reading is aware that the patterns left in the swirl have been impacted by your energy, not unlike the moon controlling the tides. Both nuanced and fleeting, an adept reader of tea leaves can see one or two luminous archetypal visions in every session. Reading tea leaves or coffee grinds has traditionally been practiced in many countries by the women in a family at gatherings of family and friends. This sort of divination has long been used wherever there is a liquid that leaves behind some sort of sediment. In ancient times people would read the wine lees at the bottom of the glass. To begin a reading, first sit down, relax and enjoy your cup of tea. Remember, the tea must be made the old-fashioned way using a teapot (no teabags allowed). You’ll need a teacup with a wide mouth and a plain uncolored surface on the inside. Do not strain the tea as you pour it in! If you prefer to use coffee, add a pinch of dry coffee grounds to it so that there will be sufficient residue to read. Prior to starting the reading there may be early signs to look out for. Bubbles on the surface mean money is coming to you. If any tea leaves are floating around then go brush your hair, vacuum and put on some clothes (unless your friends are nudists) because visitors are to arrive soon. Although you may not have to get out of your Snuggie just yet. The number of tea leaves shows how many days away they are from arriving. If two teaspoons are accidentally placed on a saucer then you can expect news of twins soon!
9. Ouija Board: Intense energetic configurations from the astral plane can guide the glass toward a “yes” or “no” or to letters that spell out detailed answers to specific questions. A Ouija board also known as a spirit board, talking board or witch board is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0-9 and the words “Yes”, “No”, “Hello” and “Goodbye”. It uses a planchette (a small heart-shaped piece of wood) to channel the spirit’s message by spelling it on the board during a séance. Mainstream religions and even some occultists have associated use of the Ouija board with demonic possession and some have urged extreme caution in using the boards which are registered trademarks of Hasbro Inc., which markets and distributes it as part of its line of board games.
10. Face Reading or Physiognomy: Face reading is an ancient psychological system of realizing a person’s character from his or her facial features. A person’s face is a physical and emotion map of who you are, where you’ve been and where you are headed. Abraham Lincoln chose his cabinet using this system, and the Greek philosopher Aristotle used face reading to hand pick the generals for Alexander the Great, who went on to achieve world domination.
Or you could always use my chosen method of decision-making — flip a coin.

Blog post written by Shana Braff