To divine is to seek out hidden information. When seeking guidance, there’s a plethora of options beyond self-help books. Divination is the act of using spiritual objects to peek into the unknown. It plays a pivotal role in witchcraft, allowing us to connect with guides, ourselves, and our future.
What is Divination?
Divination is an invitation to get to know yourself and explore your situation. Your intentions are key to divination. Ask specific questions if you are wanting targeted answers. Pulling a card from a tarot deck will provide you with guidance, if that’s what you’re asking for. This expands our life view and allows us to think outside the box.
In this post we’ll explore divination methods and how they relate to your practice. I’ll provide actionable tips for you to use moving forward.
Tarot
History & Origins of Tarot
Tarot originated in Italy around the 1440s when the Visconti family commissioned the first known deck from Bonifacio Bembo. Filippo Sforza later expanded on this, creating the Visconti-Sforza deck. Originally designed for parlor games, tarot only gained its occult associations in the 19th century.
How it Works
Tarot works by asking a question and pulling a set number of cards. Readings often follow specific layouts, called spreads. One simple spread is the “Past, Present, and Future” layout, where you pull three cards in a row and interpret them based on their positions and meanings.
Why Use It?
Tarot is helpful when asking open-ended questions. Wondering why something happened or where your life is heading? Tarot can offer clarity and insight!
Best For:
Tarot is best when seeking answers that are open to interpretation. Nothing here is black and white. Intuition, imagery, and common associations all play a role. If you’re looking for yes/no answers or specific dates, consider other methods like astrology or pendulum divination.
Tips:
Practitioners each have their own rituals when reading tarot. If you’re reading for someone else, you might ask them to shuffle the deck. Some readers use reversals, where the card appears upside down and has alternative meanings. You can also charge and cleanse your tarot cards the same way we covered in the Crystal Magic blog post.
Pendulums
History & Origins of Pendulums
Pendulums have long fascinated scientists and mystics alike. In the 17th century, Galileo Galilei studied their motion, leading to advancements in timekeeping and physics. In the 19th century, they demonstrated Earth’s rotation through Foucault’s Pendulum. Yet, long before these scientific discoveries, pendulums were tools of divination. During the Middle Ages, practitioners used them alongside dowsing rods to locate water, hidden objects, and even spiritual energies. Many believe pendulums tap into unseen forces, acting as a bridge between the physical world and the subconscious, or even the divine.
How it Works
A pendulum is a balanced object suspended from a string, responding to unseen influences. Scientifically, the ideomotor effect explains its movements as subtle, subconscious muscle responses, allowing us to access hidden knowledge. But beyond psychology, many believe pendulums serve as a conduit to higher wisdom. By assigning meanings to different movements, such as left-to-right for yes and front-to-back for no, you create a personal system for receiving answers. Some practitioners cleanse and charge their pendulums, ensuring their energy remains clear for divination.
Why Use It?
Unlike tarot, pendulums offer direct answers with little room for interpretation. They excel at answering yes-or-no questions but can also be programmed for multiple-choice responses. Some use pendulums to confirm gut feelings, check energetic blockages, or communicate with spiritual guides. Whether for practical decision-making or deepening a spiritual connection, pendulum divination provides clear, immediate responses.
Best For:
If you need straightforward answers, a pendulum is an ideal tool. It requires no elaborate setup, making it perfect for quick clarity. If you’re drawn to methods that engage intuition without complex symbolism, the pendulum provides a direct link between your subconscious mind and the energies around you. For those who prefer detailed, interpretive readings, tarot or other divination methods may be a better fit.
Tips:
Clear your energy before divining with a pendulum. This can look like meditation, smoke cleansing, or taking a hot shower to wash away negativity. I would avoid energy drinks and stimulants, as this can make your hands extra shaky.
Astrology
History & Origins of Astrology
Astrology has been practiced across cultures for thousands of years, with origins tracing back to Mesopotamia around the 3rd millennium BC. From there, it influenced systems in Ancient Greece, India, and China, each developing its own approach to interpreting celestial movements. While astrology has taken many forms throughout history, the Western system we recognize today evolved during the Hellenistic period.
How it Works
Astrology works by observing the positions of celestial objects, including planets, stars, the sun, and the moon. It’s believed that we can predict personality types, events, and more.
Why Use It?
Astrology is best used when looking for long-term insights, or when seeking a full-picture of your personality and life path. Astrology provides insight into relationships, personality traits, life patterns, and timing. It can reveal strengths, weaknesses, and predispositions.
Best For:
Astrology is best for long-term planning and self-discovery. One might utilize astrology before planning a major life event. Unlike tarot and pendulums, which provide quick answers and short-term solutions, astrology looks at the much bigger picture.
Tips:
Use a computer program or app to generate your birth chart and spend some time analyzing it. There is so much more information than what can be found using your sun sign. Memorize your sun, moon, and rising signs.
Choosing the Right Divination Method
Consider your personal intuition when approaching divination. Which method is calling to you? Maybe you always use tarot, and you know it works for you. Using tarot repeatedly will hone your skill, but branching out to astrology or pendulums will expand your understanding.
Take into consideration your goals when choosing a divination method. Questions that seek deep insight will be beneficial to approach with tarot. If you’re seeking timing, use astrology. A simple yes-or-no will be benefited by a pendulum.
Thank You for Reading!
Divination is a wonderful way to explore your psyche and spirituality. Which method resonates most with you? Feel free to share below, and join the community of Facebook and Instagram!
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