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Difference between revisions of "Divination"
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==Forms of divination== | ==Forms of divination== | ||
Many forms of divination have been used throughout history, with the oldest relying on signs from the natural world, such as earth, air, fire, and water. As civilization and technology progressed, new types of divination were discovered and implemented. Many of these persist in the present day. Some of the oldest forms of divination are: | Many forms of divination have been used throughout history, with the oldest relying on signs from the natural world, such as earth, air, fire, and water. As civilization and technology progressed, new types of divination were discovered and implemented. Many of these persist in the present day. Some of the oldest forms of divination are: | ||
* [[Aeromancy]] (air, wind, or clouds) | * [[Aeromancy]] ([[air (element)|air]], wind, or clouds) | ||
* [[Geomancy]] (earth or dirt) | * [[Geomancy]] ([[earth (element)|earth]] or dirt) | ||
* [[Hydromancy]] (water) | * [[Hydromancy]] ([[water (element)|water]]) | ||
* [[Pyromancy]] (fire) | * [[Pyromancy]] ([[fire (element)|fire]]) | ||
* [[Chiromancy]] (palmistry) | * [[Chiromancy]] (palmistry) | ||
* [[Spatulamancy]] (bones of the scapula) | * [[Spatulamancy]] (bones of the scapula) | ||
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The history of divination varies widely across cultures and time periods, with many regional variations and significant differences, to the point where it is easier to examine the origin or evolution of specific types of divination (i.e. [[Tarot]], [[Astrology]], [[Scrying]]) rather than the history of divination as a whole. | The history of divination varies widely across cultures and time periods, with many regional variations and significant differences, to the point where it is easier to examine the origin or evolution of specific types of divination (i.e. [[Tarot]], [[Astrology]], [[Scrying]]) rather than the history of divination as a whole. | ||
The oldest methods used by ''Homo sapiens'' to determine the future can likely never be conclusively known, as they would predate antiquity and the written word. However, by examining the oldest confirmed methods, it appears that [[geomancy]] (studying formations in soil), celestial events (such as | The oldest methods used by ''Homo sapiens'' to determine the future can likely never be conclusively known, as they would predate antiquity and the written word. However, by examining the oldest confirmed methods, it appears that [[geomancy]] (studying formations in soil), celestial events (such as a [[solar eclipse]], [[lunar eclipse]], or the appearance of a comet), and examining the entrails of sacrificial animals would be the earliest techniques. | ||
==Ancient Egypt== | ==Ancient Egypt== | ||
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==Pre-Columbian Americas== | ==Pre-Columbian Americas== | ||
Divination was a central component of ancient Mesoamerican religious life. Many Aztec gods, including central creator gods, were described as [[Clairvoyance|diviners]] and were closely associated with sorcery. Tezcatlipoca is the patron of sorcerers and practitioners of magic. His name means "smoking mirror," a reference to a device used for divinatory [[scrying]]. In the Mayan Popol Vuh, the creator gods Xmucane and Xpiacoc perform divinatory hand casting during the creation of people. The Aztec Codex Borbonicus shows the original human couple, Oxomoco and Cipactonal, engaged in divining with kernels of maize. This primordial pair is associated with the ritual calendar, and the Aztecs considered them to be the first diviners. | Divination was a central component of ancient Mesoamerican religious life. Many Aztec gods, including central creator gods, were described as [[Clairvoyance|diviners]] and were closely associated with sorcery. [[Tezcatlipoca]] is the patron of sorcerers and practitioners of [[ritual magic|magic]]. His name means "smoking mirror," a reference to a device used for divinatory [[scrying]]. In the Mayan Popol Vuh, the creator gods Xmucane and Xpiacoc perform divinatory hand casting during the creation of people. The Aztec Codex Borbonicus shows the original human couple, Oxomoco and Cipactonal, engaged in divining with kernels of maize. This primordial pair is associated with the ritual calendar, and the Aztecs considered them to be the first diviners. | ||
Every civilization that developed in pre-Columbian Mexico, from the Olmecs to the Aztecs, practiced divination in daily life, both public and private. [[Scrying]] through the use of reflective water surfaces, mirrors, or the casting of lots were among the most widespread forms of divinatory practice. Visions derived from hallucinogens were another important form of divination, and are still widely used among contemporary diviners of Mexico. Among the more common hallucinogenic plants used in divination are morning glory, jimson weed, and [[peyote]]. | Every civilization that developed in pre-Columbian Mexico, from the Olmecs to the Aztecs, practiced divination in daily life, both public and private. [[Scrying]] through the use of reflective water surfaces, mirrors, or the casting of lots were among the most widespread forms of divinatory practice. Visions derived from hallucinogens were another important form of divination, and are still widely used among contemporary diviners of Mexico. Among the more common hallucinogenic plants used in divination are morning glory, jimson weed, and [[peyote]]. | ||
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==Japan== | ==Japan== | ||
Although Japan retains a history of traditional and local methods of divination, such as onmyōdō, contemporary divination in Japan, called uranai, derives from outside sources. Contemporary methods of divination in Japan include both Western and Chinese [[astrology]], [[geomancy]] or feng shui, tarot cards, [[I Ching]] (Book of Changes) divination, and physiognomy (methods of reading the body to identify traits). | [[File:Diagram of I Ching.jpg|350px|thumb|I Ching hexagrams]] | ||
Although Japan retains a history of traditional and local methods of divination, such as onmyōdō, contemporary divination in Japan, called uranai, derives from outside sources. Contemporary methods of divination in Japan include both Western and Chinese [[astrology]], [[geomancy]] or feng shui, [[tarot cards]], [[I Ching]] (Book of Changes) divination, and physiognomy (methods of reading the body to identify traits). | |||
In Japan, divination methods include Futomani from the Shinto tradition. | In Japan, divination methods include Futomani from the Shinto tradition. | ||