Spring Divination

​This past week was the first full moon of Spring, and here at SilverLeaf Hollow we had our first “round table” discussion evening. We talked about Divination – different methods, different tools, what they can really be used for. Early on in the conversation, a common misconception came up that divination is for “telling the future”. While some fortune tellers will use divination techniques that may appear to tell the future, divination is really more grounded in the present.
 
Using a tool like tarot cards or runes can help to recognize a pattern on actions that could lead to a general possible outcome, but because the future is not set in stone, we have the ability to change directions if we don’t like where the possible outcome is heading. What we are really learning from these types of readings is what is affecting us right now that can have significant impact on where our path is going.
 
Pendulums are used to tap into information our higher selves already know (and really all divination is doing that as well) to help us find a lost object or answer basic questions.
 
Scrying through various mediums can show us things outside our direct consciousness that can be affecting challenging aspects of our lives.
 
All of these methods are giving us insight into our present and possible future events based on choices we are making in the present.
 
So why do we, as Witches, use divination? At the heart of it all, we are on this path to raise our level of consciousness, to connect to that divine essence that we are all a part of but may feel disconnected from due to our limited human brains. The tools and techniques of divination act as a sort of conduit to that divine essence and allow us that connection with our higher divine self. And for folks that have difficulty with meditation, due to over-busy minds and such, working with a deck of cards or gazing into a candle flame can act as a focus and still that busyness (or at least keep it from being the focus) and open the mind be open to that connection.
 
More than a few modern Witches may dismiss these techniques as cliché, or just never have considered studying them, or even think they lack the discipline to fully learn a technique. And others will stick with a single technique, never branching out to try something new for fear of steeping out of their comfort zone. So in this time of new growth and budding life, I challenge you to put aside preconceptions, reach outside your comfortable bubble, and explore a divination technique or two. There are so many different types of divination, you can be sure to find one that strikes your fancy!
 
And feel free to discuss your observations and experiences in the comments below. Or if you have a suggestion for an upcoming post….

​High Priestess of SilverLeaf Hollow