Wicca and Divination

If you spend any amount of time either online or watching TV, you’ve seen at least one commercial advertising psychic services.  And if you were around in the 90s, you no doubt remember a certain flamboyant lady telling you to “Call me now for your free readin’!”  In this article, we’ll discuss Wicca’s relationship with divination methods such as psychics, Tarot readers, and more.  We’ll also discuss some divination methods commonly used by Wiccans in their personal ritual practices.

What is Divination?

According to the great oracle known as Google, divination is defined as “the practice of seeing knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.”  So basically, divination is a fancy word that means “fortune telling”, right?  Well, sort of.

While it is certainly possible for psychics and other mediums to tell (or “divine”) the future, divination is more about tapping into the energy of the Universe to gain additional knowledge of a situation.  So while this usually involves “telling the future,” it’s more accurate to say that divination is a means by which you can see a situation from a perspective that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see with your physical mind’s eye.

Divination as Communication

There are many different modalities that one can use in the practice of divination.  We’ll discuss these modalities in a little further detail later on in this article.  However, right now I’d like you to consider the following:

In many religions, prayer to a deity (or deities) is a common practice.  It is a means by which the practitioner of the religion communes with their “higher power.”  In esoteric belief systems such as Wicca and other pagan systems, divination is essentially the same thing.  The difference is instead of simply “talking to the air” (i.e. praying), divination tools are used to communicate with the spiritual and astral realms.

That’s not to say that prayer is ineffective or inefficient.  It simply means that divination is a different means to a similar ends; communicating with Spirit.

Divination in Wiccan Practice

Do all Wiccans practice methods of divination?  If I become a Wiccan, does that mean I have to learn how to use a crystal ball?  The answer to both of those questions is a resounding “no.”  However, if it’s something that interests you, then by all means, research what divination is all about (which, if you’re reading this right now, you’ve already taken the first step in doing that) and see if it’s something you want to continue to do.

Most Wiccans who practice divination do so privately for their own personal guidance.  As I mentioned just a moment ago, divination methods can be thought of as a form of “prayer” by which the practitioner is able to commune with their higher beings (or “Spirit” or “spirit guides” or whatever term resonates with you the most).

So how does one use divination to communicate with Spirit?  There are many, many different methods, and I could easily launch a multi-part blog series to discuss each of them in detail (and maybe I will; if that’s something you’d like to see, head over to the contact page and let me know!); for now, however, let’s just look at a few of the most common divination methods.

Divination Methods

Scrying

Scrying is done by gazing into a crystal ball or another reflective, translucent items such as a bowl of water, a mirror, glass, etc.  Scrying involves going into a deep meditative state and gazing into the item.  During the scrying session, the individual typically sets an intent as to what they wish to have revealed to them.  While doing so, it is said that images often appear within the media being used (i.e. the crystal ball or bowl of water).

Scrying can be used to discover past lives, receive guidance on a current situation, or, in some cases, receive images of the future.  More often, however, different shapes and colorful hues will be seen.  Depending on the specific situation (and, more importantly, the scryers beliefs of and training in signs and symbols relating to divination), the different shapes and hues will mean different things.

Runecasting

Runes are another common medium used amongst Wiccans for purposes of divination.  Runes have been around since about the 2nd century CE and they have a very rich history with origins in both Germanic and Nordic cultures.  There are different variations to the runic alphabet, including the Elder Furthark, Younger Furthark, and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc.

Runes are generally stones but can sometimes be made out of other material such as wood.  Upon each stone is one letter of the runic alphabet (in the Elder Furthark, there are 24 letters).  Each letter has a different meaning in terms of divination.  Like the Tarot, runes are drawn and placed in different positions (or “spreads”) to perform the reading.

Tarot cards

Tarot cards are probably the most well-known of the divination tools, and they happen to be my personal favorite (and, in case you didn’t know, I offer online Tarot readings.  Check out the link to learn more!  Okay, shameless self-promotion time is over.)  Like runes, Tarot has a rich history, with traces back to at least the 1400s CE.

Tarot contains 78 cards, which are divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.  Each card has a specific meaning, and the cards are arranged in one of a number of different spreads depending on the type of reading being performed.

Divination Guidelines

If you’re interested in practicing divination, here is a quick list of guidelines to get you started:

  • Do your homework!  If you’re going to do some kind of divinatory process, then it’s extremely important that you study up so you know what you’re doing.  So research the specific divination method you wish to learn about, and make sure you find multiple resources to which you can refer.
  • Practice, practice, practice!  I can tell you firsthand that doing any kind of divination takes practice, dedication, and a strong bond with Spirit.
  • Keep it positive!  Don’t try to conjure up a demon or some low vibrational entity.  For one, you could open up doors that ought not be opened.  For another, there are plenty of high vibrational energies with which you can communicate.  If you’re interested in the “dark arts,” then you’re not going to find any guidance from this site on how to work with stuff like that.
  • Meditate often!  A big part of successfully divining is being in tune with the Universe and with the higher beings in the spiritual and astral realms.  The more you meditate, the more successful you’ll be when you begin to use divination methods.
  • Divine for yourself, not others.  That’s not to say that you shouuld NEVER practice divination for another person; but unless you REALLY want to become a professional diviner/psychic/Tarot reader/etc., you’re better off simply using divination as a means to communicate with your own spiritual guides and energies.  If you do think that being a professional diviner is something you’re meant to do, then I highly recommend seeking out the proper training to do so.

Final Thoughts

Divination is a diverse field that involves many different methods that have been used for centuries.  Contrary to what religions such as the Judeo-Christian/Catholic churches allege, divination is NOT an inherently evil practice (though as with anything, it could be used for less-than-honorable means).  It is an excellent way to get in touch with your higher consciousness and with the spiritual realm.

Until next time, Blessed Be!