FORTUNE Teller
written by Amity Fox
Being a Fortune teller modernly and successfully connecting to the catalyst and energy source of powerful divination within. Common methods used for fortune telling in Europe and the Americas include astromancy, horary astrology, pendulum reading, spirit board reading, tasseography (reading tea leaves in a cup), cartomancy (fortune telling with cards), tarot reading, crystallomancy (reading of a crystal sphere), and chiromancy (palmistry, reading of the palms). The last three have traditional associations in the popular mind with the Roma and Sinti people (often called "gypsies"). Another form of fortune telling, sometimes called "reading" or "spiritual consultation", does not rely on specific devices or methods, but rather the practitioner gives the client advice and predictions which are said to have come from spirits or in visions.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
4
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Chapter 4
Historically, fortune telling grows out of folkloristic reception of Renaissance magic, specifically associated with Romani people.
Renaissance magic resurgence occurred in hermeticism and Neo-Platonic varieties of ceremonial magic.
The seven artes magicae or artes prohibitae, arts prohibited by canon law, their sevenfold reflecting that of the artes liberates and artes mechanicae were:
nigromancy [black magic, demonology, from necromancy]
geomancy
hydromancy
aeromancy
pyromancy
chiromancy
scapulimancy
A form of divination, necromancy commonly makes use of ritual sacrifice, most often blood or corpses. Due to what is usually viewed as violation of the dead, or historically communication with demons, it is condemned by the Christian faith.
Demonic magic was usually performed in groups surrounding a spiritual leader in possession of necromantic books.
The art of geomancy was one of the more popular forms of magic that people practiced during the renaissance period. Geomancy was a form of divination where a person would cast sand, stone, or dirt on the ground and read the shapes. The Geomantic figures would then tell them "anything" based on geomancy charts that were used to read from the shape.
Hydromancy, a form of divination using water, is typically used with scrying. Water is used as a medium for scrying to allow the practitioner see illusionary pictures within it. Hydromancy originated from Babylonia and was popular during Byzantine times whereas in medieval Europe, it was associated with witchcraft.
Hydromancy can be used alongside necromancy, using children five to seven years old for their spiritual 'purity' to repeat their master's incantation over human blood or bones. The product was threefold, either gaining knowledge of the dead [or demons], manipulating the will of another person or people, or illusions, such as transforming a person into animals.
Aeromancy divination consisted in tossing sand, dirt, or seeds into the air and studying and interpreting the patterns of the dust cloud or the settling of the seeds.
This also includes divination coming from thunder, comets, falling stars, and the shape of clouds.
Pyromancy
Pyromancy is the art of divination which consisted of signs and patterns from flames. There are many variations of pyromancy depending on the material thrown into a fire and it is thought to be used for sacrifices to the gods and that the deity is present within the flames with priests interpreting the omens conveyed.
Chiromancy
Chiromancy is a form of divination based on reading palms and based on intuitions and symbolism with some symbols tying into astrology. A line from a person's hand that resembles a square is considered a bad omen whereas a triangle would be a good omen. This idea comes from the trine and square aspect in the astrological aspects.
Scapulimancy
Scapulimancy was a form of divination using an animal's scapula. The scapula would be broken and based on how it was broken, it could be used to read the future. It was generally broken by heating it with hot coals until it broke.
Traditional fortune tellers vary in methodology, generally using techniques long established in their cultures and thus meeting the cultural expectations of their clientele.
Practice of divination is widespread and has been known in virtually every historical period. The biblical prophets used various forms of divination in reading the future, as did pagan priests and shamans. ... Astrology was one of the first sophisticated forms of divination, dating back to ancient Mesopotamian times.
Some forms of prayer may also be classified as divinatory.
Renaissance magic resurgence occurred in hermeticism and Neo-Platonic varieties of ceremonial magic.
The seven artes magicae or artes prohibitae, arts prohibited by canon law, their sevenfold reflecting that of the artes liberates and artes mechanicae were:
nigromancy [black magic, demonology, from necromancy]
geomancy
hydromancy
aeromancy
pyromancy
chiromancy
scapulimancy
A form of divination, necromancy commonly makes use of ritual sacrifice, most often blood or corpses. Due to what is usually viewed as violation of the dead, or historically communication with demons, it is condemned by the Christian faith.
Demonic magic was usually performed in groups surrounding a spiritual leader in possession of necromantic books.
The art of geomancy was one of the more popular forms of magic that people practiced during the renaissance period. Geomancy was a form of divination where a person would cast sand, stone, or dirt on the ground and read the shapes. The Geomantic figures would then tell them "anything" based on geomancy charts that were used to read from the shape.
Hydromancy, a form of divination using water, is typically used with scrying. Water is used as a medium for scrying to allow the practitioner see illusionary pictures within it. Hydromancy originated from Babylonia and was popular during Byzantine times whereas in medieval Europe, it was associated with witchcraft.
Hydromancy can be used alongside necromancy, using children five to seven years old for their spiritual 'purity' to repeat their master's incantation over human blood or bones. The product was threefold, either gaining knowledge of the dead [or demons], manipulating the will of another person or people, or illusions, such as transforming a person into animals.
Aeromancy divination consisted in tossing sand, dirt, or seeds into the air and studying and interpreting the patterns of the dust cloud or the settling of the seeds.
This also includes divination coming from thunder, comets, falling stars, and the shape of clouds.
Pyromancy
Pyromancy is the art of divination which consisted of signs and patterns from flames. There are many variations of pyromancy depending on the material thrown into a fire and it is thought to be used for sacrifices to the gods and that the deity is present within the flames with priests interpreting the omens conveyed.
Chiromancy
Chiromancy is a form of divination based on reading palms and based on intuitions and symbolism with some symbols tying into astrology. A line from a person's hand that resembles a square is considered a bad omen whereas a triangle would be a good omen. This idea comes from the trine and square aspect in the astrological aspects.
Scapulimancy
Scapulimancy was a form of divination using an animal's scapula. The scapula would be broken and based on how it was broken, it could be used to read the future. It was generally broken by heating it with hot coals until it broke.
Traditional fortune tellers vary in methodology, generally using techniques long established in their cultures and thus meeting the cultural expectations of their clientele.
Practice of divination is widespread and has been known in virtually every historical period. The biblical prophets used various forms of divination in reading the future, as did pagan priests and shamans. ... Astrology was one of the first sophisticated forms of divination, dating back to ancient Mesopotamian times.
Some forms of prayer may also be classified as divinatory.
