The Divination Equation: Message + Medium

There may be as many reasons for divination as there are people who flip coins to

make a decision, who check their horoscope, or who decide the vibe of their day is determined by the first song that plays on shuffle. To one degree or another, we agree that there is more wisdom to be accessed in this world than we can sense alone, and we are drawn to the opportunity to communicate with the sources of that wisdom.

In my experience, divination is – at its heart – a translation tool. Depending on the question or need, we may rely more (or less) on the divination method to modulate the message such that we can perceive and understand it.

• Wondering what kind of day it’s going to be? Look at the sky, watch the radar, check thermostat readings.

• Wondering how you can be in harmony with your world? Check your horoscope or draw a reading from your tarot deck, ogham set, or verse from your holy book by random.

• Trying to tap into some inspiration? Gaze into a candle’s flame, a bowl of water, or tell yourself stories about clouds changing shape.

High fives, that’s all divination.

In addition, my religious tradition uses seers in ritual, to see how our offerings or work have been received by the powers we are honoring. And in my personal practice, I frequently ask deities or ancestors to lend me their guidance.

In all of these circumstances, it doesn’t matter a whole lot HOW we receive the wisdom or where we think it specifically came from. If my brain constructs a framework in which, somehow, my readings are a reflection of my unconscious mind, then its value is not lessened. To the degree that my construct offers me peace, purpose, and perspective, I’m in.

Some key questions to get the most out of your divination practice could be:

Have I chosen the right tools for this circumstance? Flipping a coin is a great way to get binary answers but won’t deliver much depth if your need is non-specific. Keep your own strengths and weaknesses in mind, too. If you prefer words more than images, then use a tool that lets you read and write while you process the message.

Am I clear about my question? Set your intent about the question and think about how it might limit or expand the answers. There’s a joke I’ve seen across denominations that goes something like this:

A student asks their teacher, “Can I smoke while I’m praying?”

The teacher smiles and answers, “Ask a different question. Ask instead if you can pray while you smoke.”

How will I let this reading change my day? Perhaps you’re looking for validation that your planned actions are aligned with your will. Or maybe you need a theme or thought for the day, to serve as a touchpoint to help you be more thoughtful about your default response to challenges or opportunities. Putting your reading into action keeps wisdom flowing through your mind over time. The opposite is also true: not letting the insight change anything about your thoughts and behavior will probably limit its effectiveness and your access to it over time, like a muscle that never gets used.

How does this reading relate to other readings on a similar topic over time? Keeping a record of your results will start building a pattern of familiarity and personal meaning in your consciousness as well as comfort with your interpretation of different tools and signals. For example, I get Honeysuckle in my ogham readings so often that I never have to look it up. And tell me it’s not funny to ask what you need to be prepared for today and the omen is Gooseberry.

Whatever your reason for divination, I hope you have a variety of tools to support you, and lots of encouragement to keep going!

~ Divination is a little like the game Othello: a minute to learn...a lifetime to master. In support of your own familiarity and mastery, we’ll be posting

some download-able journal pages you can use (for free!), whatever your div

ination tool may be.