Overview of Divination Methods, Part 3

This week, we’ll continue to explore the various branches and methods of Divination that you’ll study in the next few years. Remember, you are not expected to know everything about each method this year – rather, these lessons will provide an overview so that you can decide which topics you’ll study more in depth over the next few years. You will be allowed to look back at these lessons during the exam.

Astrology

This method of divination involves observing the position of objects in the universe at a particular moment to interpret information about that moment. Most often, astrologers create and study birth charts, which represent the position of the planets in relation to the earth at the moment of the person’s birth. A birth chart contains twelve equal sections representing areas of life such as home, career, and relationships.

The planets and Zodiac signs are also placed on a birth chart. The position of each object within a house allows the reader to make observations about a person’s life. For example, if Neptune falls within the 2nd House (material wealth), this may mean that a person has unrealistic aspirations regarding their possessions or money.

To learn more about Astrology, you may read chapters 13 and 15 in the course textbook, Symbology for Seers, but this is not required at this time.

Cleromancy

Cleromancy is the fancy term for divination by casting. One popular type of Cleromancy, runic divination, typically uses stones inscribed with runic symbols from the Elder Futhark. Each of the 24 symbols in this runic alphabet represents a sound as well as a word; the words are interpreted for deeper meaning. For example, the first rune in the Elder Futhark, Fehu, literally means cattle. However, when appearing in a rune reading, Fehu may represent prosperity, wealth, goals, and/or self-esteem, depending on the context of the reading.

Typically, someone practicing runic divination would select a casting layout in order to answer a question. Each layout has a prescribed number, order, and position of runes, and each position typically has a particular focus. For example, some 3-rune layouts focus on past, present, and future. Each rune is interpreted in terms of its position in order to answer the question overall.

To learn more about runic divination, you may read chapter 6 in the course textbook, Symbology for Seers. This is not required at this time, though.

Another popular type of Cleromancy is Favomancy, or casting beans and interpreting the patterns in which they fall. Some methods of Favomancy involve casting beans into particular layouts, similar to runic divination. However, many practicers of Favomancy simply cast a handful of beans and interpret the symbols that appear in the way they land, almost as if reading tea leaves.

Arithmancy

One of the most scientific divination methods, Arithmancy involves assigning values to letters, often with the intention of learning about a person. After translating a name into the corresponding numbers, the digits are added together until only a single digit remains. Each digit then represents certain traits or features, which can provide insight regarding a person’s personality, desires and fears, and social qualities. Personality numbers determined from Arithmancy can be used to establish compatibility between people.

The same method can also be used to learn more about a particular date, especially birthdates. By adding together the digits until a single digit remains, one can obtain a destiny number to learn more about a person’s traits and tendencies.

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Homework

Please answer the following questions in complete sentences. Your responses must be in your own words.

1. What objects in the universe are studied in Astrology? 5 points

2. What is the name of the runic alphabet commonly used for rune readings? 5 points

3. If you were to practice Favomancy, how would you determine which beans you would cast? Would you select a certain number, choose beans with certain features, etc.? 5 points

4. Use the key below to translate your first name (or username) into numbers. Then, add the digits together until you’re left with a single number – what is it? 5 points

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R
S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z