Divination is generally defined as the practice of seeking knowledge about the future through supernatural means, as in a prophecy or prediction obtained through divine or occult inspiration. It may also be defined as the art of discovering secrets through paranormal means. Used in various ways throughout history, a diviner might receive his interpretations as to how someone should proceed in a matter by reading signs, events or omens, or through contact with a supernatural agency. Divination might be represented as a systematic method of organizing random or disjointed bits of information so that it provides insight into a problem that has been presented. If a distinction can be made between divination and fortune telling, divination might be viewed as having a more formal or ritualistic element, and often with a more social character, perhaps in a religious or spiritual context, whereas fortune telling is more of an everyday practice conducted for personal or financial purposes. Historically and contemporarily, methods of divination will vary according to culture or religion, often with practitioners of one type of divination viewing those of another as being evil. In biblical times, for example, diviners were considered evil by the Israelites in the Old Testament, and by Christians in the New Testament, while prophets were God's messengers. Psychologist Julian Jaynes divided divination into four categories: omens and omen texts; sortilege, in the form of casting lots, playing cards or board games; augury, which could take several forms, including dowsing; and spontaneous divination, in which the answer comes from whatever object the diviner happens to see or hear. In some cases, this may involve turning to a random page in a book, such as the Bible, or the New Age methods of feng shui. Although not mentioned by Jaynes, palmistry (palm reading) might be another. Today, divination is dismissed by the scientific community and other skeptics as superstition.
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Built and maintained by Will Bontrager Software, the site features software for numerology readings, calculators, and tools, including commercial and free software, and custom software can be created to meet the requirements of a client. Based on the field of numerology, widgets for web sites are available, offering daily readings, an ancestral traits calculator, edge of life calculation, balance number calculations, luck numbers calculator, and so on.
http://affinitynumerology.com/
ASD is a non-profit corporation put together to disseminate knowledge of dowsing, including water witching, discovery of lost articles or persons, and related parapsychological phenomena, to promote the development of the necessary skills, and to recognize achievements in the field. Features included in the site are a history of dowsing, a schedule of conventions and conferences, and a dowser specialty list. Membership levels and benefits are highlighted.
http://www.dowsers.org/
B.O.T.A. is a non-profit religious organization, and a Mystery School in the Western Tradition, based on the teachings of the Holy Quabalah and Sacred Tarot, which includes regional study groups around the world. Its membership policies and privileges are defined, and visitors to the site can download publications and recordings here that further explain these religious philosophies, some of which require the payment of a fee. Books, CDs, posters and other items may also be purchased.
http://www.bota.org/
Maintained by Lisa Boswell, a psychic reading teacher who was born into a Romany Gypsy family of fortune tellers, and specializes in teaching predictive divination, easy mediumship, and fortune-telling. Courses include tarot spreads, divination, using psychic abilities in business, developing psychic skills, tarot techniques, and learning Lenormand, a method of divination that is known for detail. Free guides, definitions, and a description of techniques are put forth.
https://divinationandfortunetelling.com/
Tea leaves have been used to predict the future since as early as the 17th century. Known as Tasseomancy, the art depends on psychic intuition. An introduction to divination by tea leaves is put forth, along with a description of the practice and method of reading the cup. General theories are discussed, and hints for diviners are given, along with examples of instances of prophecy by tea leaves. A dictionary of symbols, combinations of symbols, and their meanings are included.
http://www.divinationbytealeaves.com/
The DF was founded in 2007 to build upon the work of Paul O'Brien, author of several books, articles and web sites on the I Ching, tarot, and other topics relating to divination. The mission of the organization is to explore, develop and promote a synchronistic philosophy and various techniques to assist individuals, businesses and organizations to make effective strategic decisions, and to develop better timing. His books are highlighted, and made available for purchase.
http://www.divination.com/
Founded in 1985, the company and site is owned and edited by Bill Cox, who has authored several book and articles, and also edited the Pyramid Guide, a bimonthly newsletter, for nine years. An introduction to the author is presented, with articles and answers to any questions about dowsing and pyramids, and an online shopping area featuring his original Cameron Aurameter and Pyramid Kits, as well as pendulums, and books, DVDs, videos and other publications on dowsing and pyramids.
http://www.dowsing.com/
Online since 1993, the site is focused on tarot, runes, the I Ching, biorhythms, numerology, stichomancy, bibliomancy, and other forms of spiritual divination. Terms are defined and, in some cases, celebrity examples are given. Codes are presented to allow webmaster to include selected resources on their sites, and an online shopping area offers tarot decks, oracles, and books on runes, the I Ching, numerology, biorhythm, and Magick.
http://www.facade.com/
One of the oldest documents in the world, the Classic of Change can be traced as far back as three thousand years in written form, and the Chines claim that it was passed down orally for two thousand years before that. This is a web-based version of the I Ching, which does not require the printed book or Chinese coins. Instructions and tips on using the resource are offered, and registered users may save a record of past readings, and access a private area of the site.
http://www.ichingonline.net/
Introductions to the I Ching by Richard Wilhelm and C.J. Jung have been edited in HTML format by Dr. Dan Baruth, who also incorporated the text of the original I Ching into an interactive computer program, which is available for purchase here. The electronic edition of the I Ching is available here in English and Gerrman, with a preface by Dan Baruth. The web edition may be browsed, page by page, or readers may jump to specific chapters from a chapter menu.
http://www.iging.com/
Vicky Sweetlove is registered with the British Society of Dowsers, and offers a range of dowsing consultation services for homeowners, farms, and businesses, and has worked on archaeological sites, art projects, and for surveying houses. She is also willing to travel throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and the world. Her services include water divining and remote dowsing and consultations, as well as offering dowsing courses and courses through books.
http://internationaldowser.com/
Major Paul Smith, author and remote viewing instructor, offers a DVD training set on learning technical dowsing, which features experts from the secret dowsing and remote viewing programs of the United States military, designed to provide specific lesson plans and blind practice targets using modern training methodologies for home-based training. Video clips and testimonials are offered, along with an introduction to Paul Smith, as well as downloadable target templates and other resources.
http://www.learndowsing.com/
Available through the site as a free download, the site describes and promotes a self-paced series of nineteen lessons on using the tarot, beginning with the basics, then moving gradually to more detailed aspects of the tarot. Geared to beginners, the course includes content that experienced tarot users may nevertheless find useful. Joan Bunning created the course in 1989, and the web site in 1995. A printed book on the subject may also be purchased.
http://www.learntarot.com/
In 1848, Kate and Margaret Fox, two sisters from Hydesville, New York, contacted the spirit of a dead peddler, and became celebrities. A variety of ways in which to communicate with the spirit world were invented. Table tipping was one of those; then came some less noisy ones, leading up to the ouija board, or witch board. Ouija boards and it predecessors are the focus of this museum, including theories, stories, photographs, interactive boards, and a shopping area.
http://www.museumoftalkingboards.com/
Numerology: Decoding the Patterns of the Universe
Numerologists believe that everyone is born with a set of numbers unique to them, and which may be used to unlock the door to the depths of their personality and reveal many things. A variety of articles on the subject are put forth, including a free numerology reading, a decoding of specific birth days, and options for premium readings and reports. Additional information and resources are available to registered members.
http://www.numerology.com/
Joey Korn has practiced dowsing for more than twenty years, and also conducts spiritual space clearing, on-site and remote, although primarily remote. Textual articles and video by Joey Korn describe his work and dowsing in general, along with workshops and teaching events. His books are introduced and, along with books by Walter Russell and other authors, a variety of books on dowsing are available for purchase, along with pendulums and dowsing kits and DVDs.
http://www.dowsers.com/
Based in Portland, Oregon, the site is part of Daily Insight Group, which publishes web sites for horoscopes, astrology, numerology, tarot and gaming. Founded by Paul O'Brien, the site continues, under new management, to offer online tarot, astrology reports, numerology readings, and Feng shui reports by experts in their fields. Informational articles and video on these subjects are also available, as is a directory of psychics who may be consulted for a fee.
http://www.tarot.com/
Ouija boards, also known as switchboards, talking boards, spirit boards, channeling boards, and oracle boards, are the topic of this site. Some believe them to be a harmless board game, many consider them to be nonsense, while others fear that they can open a doorway to the spirit world, which demons may enter through. The site explains how to use a ouija board and discusses the dangers, their history, how to make one, where they can be purchased, and other topics, including scary ouija stories.
http://www.witchboard.info/
