Divination

Divination and science

Divination does not follow the scientific method and is considered entirely distinct from science. Divination assumes the influence of some supernatural force or faith which is not bound by known empirical laws. Thus, as an operational definition, divination would be all methods of prognostication that cannot be reduced to models of predictable causal processes, and hence is completely distinct from science.

Further, as divination is not falsifiable, the validity of divination cannot be determined using scientific principles.

Theories

Beyond mere explanations for anecdotal evidence, some theories have been proposed of how some forms of divination might result in meaningful messages. One theory is that the divination process allows messages from the subconscious mind to emerge into the conscious world. For example, using the I Ching oracle, a person with a very good knowledge of the 64 chapters of the I Ching might subconsciously direct the division of the yarrow stalks to obtain a relevant oracle. After an I Ching hexagram has been found, some interpretation is needed to obtain an answer to the question posed, and again, this allows the subconscious to influence the outcome. This theory presupposes that the subconscious mind has a relevant message to deliver, which in any particular case may or may not be true.

Categories of divination

Julian Jaynes categorized divination according to the following types:

• Omens and omen texts. "The most primitive, clumsy, but enduring method...is the simple recording of sequences of unusual or important events." (1976:236) Chinese history offers scrupulously documented occurrences of strange births, the tracking of natural phenomena, and other data. Chinese governmental planning relied on this method of forecasting for long-range strategy. It is not unreasonable to assume that modern scientific inquiry began with this kind of divination; Joseph Needham's work considered this very idea.

• Sortilege (cleromancy). This consists of the casting of lots whether with sticks, stones, bones, beans, or some other item. Modern playing cards and board games developed from this type of divination.

• Augury. Divination that ranks a set of given possibilities. It can be qualitative (such as shapes, proximities, etc.) Dowsing (a form of rhabdomancy) developed from this type of divination. The Romans in classical times used Etruscan methods of augury such as hepatoscopy (actually a form of extispicy). Haruspices examined the livers of sacrificed animals.

• Spontaneous. An unconstrained form of divination, free from any particular medium, and actually a generalization of all types of divination. The answer comes from whatever object the diviner happens to see or hear. Some Christians and members of other religions use a form of bibliomancy: they ask a question, riffle the pages of their holy book, and take as their answer the first passage their eyes light upon. Other forms of spontaneous divination include reading auras and New Age methods of Feng Shui such as "intuitive" and Fuzion.

By far one of the most popular methods of divination is astrology, typically categorized as Vedic astrology (Jyotish), Western astrology, and Chinese astrology, though besides these main three branches many other cultures also have or have had their own forms of Astrology in the past.

Common methods of divination

For a more complete list, see Methods of divination

Astrology (by celestial bodies)

Ailuromancy (by the behaviour of felines; see Felidomancy)

Bibliomancy (by book, frequently but not always a religious text)

Cartomancy (by cards, e.g., playing cards, tarot cards, and non-tarot oracle cards; see also Taromancy)

Cheiromancy (by palms; see Palmistry)

Crystallomancy/Scrying (by crystals or other reflecting objects)

Extispicy (from the exta of sacrificed animals)

Geomancy (by earth), includes Feng Shui divination

Graphology (by handwriting)

I Ching divination (ancient Chinese divination using I Ching): (However, as performed by some diviners with heavy reliance on an accompanying I Ching manual, this is, in effect, also a form of Bibliomancy/Stichomancy)

Numerology (by numbers)

Oneiromancy (by dreams)

Onomancy (by names)

Ouija board divination

Padomancy (by the soles of one's feet)

Palmistry (by palm inspection)

Phrenology (by the shape of one's head)

Pyromancy, or pyroscopy (by fire)

Runecasting (by Runes)

Scatomancy (by droppings, usually animal)

Taromancy (by specially designed cards: Tarot; see also Cartomancy)

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