A fundamental aspect of witchcraft across all eras is the practice of divination, the art of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. For a witch, divination is a sacred tool for gaining insight, guidance, and a deeper understanding of the hidden forces that shape our lives.
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From reading the patterns of tarot cards to scrying into a crystal ball, there are countless methods of divination, each requiring intuition, skill, and a connection to the subtle energies of the universe. It is not about predicting a fixed, unchangeable future, but about exploring potential pathways and uncovering the wisdom needed to navigate them.
🃏 Tarot Reading
One of the most popular forms of divination today is tarot reading. A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Each card is rich with archetypal symbolism, representing different facets of the human experience.
In a reading, the witch shuffles the cards while focusing on a question and then lays them out in a specific pattern, or ‘spread.’ The meaning of each card, combined with its position in the spread and the intuition of the reader, provides a complex and nuanced answer to the querent’s question. The tarot is a tool for self-reflection, offering a mirror to the subconscious mind and revealing the underlying patterns at play in a situation.
🔮 Scrying and Crystal Gazing
Scrying is the practice of gazing into a reflective surface to receive visions or insights. The most iconic form of scrying is crystal gazing, using a crystal ball, but many other surfaces can be used.
Common scrying tools include:
- A Crystal Ball: The classic tool, used to enter a meditative state where visions can appear.
- A Black Mirror: A mirror painted black on one side, which provides a dark, reflective surface that is less distracting than a regular mirror.
- A Bowl of Water: The surface of the water, sometimes colored with black ink, can be used as a portal for visions.
Scrying requires the practitioner to relax their conscious mind and allow their psychic intuition, or ‘third eye,’ to open. The images that appear are often symbolic and require interpretation.
✋ Other Forms of Divination
The world of divination is vast, with methods developed by cultures all over the globe. Witches often practice a variety of techniques, depending on their personal skills and the needs of the situation.
Some other common forms of divination include:
- Runes: Casting or drawing small stones or pieces of wood inscribed with the ancient Germanic runic alphabet to gain insight.
- Astrology: Interpreting the positions of the planets and stars at the time of a person’s birth to understand their character and destiny.
- Palmistry: Reading the lines and features of a person’s hand to reveal information about their life and personality.
All of these methods serve the same fundamental purpose: to connect with the deeper currents of the universe and access a wisdom that lies beyond the reach of the rational mind.
—
Atkinson, Hazel. The Extraordinary History of Witches. 2025.
More Topics
- Curses: The History of the Evil Eye and Binding Magic
- Magical Plants: A Witch’s Garden of Herbs and Poisons
- Roman Magic: Curses, the Strix, and Everyday Protection
- Circe: The Greek Sorceress of Transformation and Myth
- Greek Magic: Hecate’s Power, Oracles, and Enchantresses
- Japanese Magic: Yōkai, Onmyōdō, and Supernatural Folklore
- Empress Chen Jiao: The Royal Scandal of Witchcraft in Han China
