Divination: The Tarot

The traditional tarot deck has 78 cards divided into 2 distinct parts, The major arcana and the minor arcana.

The major arcana follows the journey of the fool, and reflects our own journeys and the major events in our lives. It consists of 22 cards each with its own name and number, and each can have a different meaning depending on where it is found in the spread and whether it is face-up or down.

• (0)The Fool



• (1)The Magician



• (2)The High Priestess



• (3)The Empress



• (4)The Emperor



• (5)The Hierophant



• (6)The Lovers



• (7)The Chariot



• (8)Strength



• (9)The Hermit



• (10)Wheel of Fortune



• (11)Justice



• (12)The Hanged Man



• (13)Death



• (14)Temperance



• (15)The Devil



• (16)The Tower



• (17)The Star



• (18) The Moon



• (19)The Sun



• (20)Judgement



• (21)The World

The minor arcana consists of another 56 cards divided into for suits (wand/stave, cup/chalice, coin/pentacle and sword), each suit is then divided into 10 number cards (also called pip cards) and for court cards (king, queen, knight and page). The court cards from each suit make up the court arcana and usually depicts the lesser events of our everyday lives.

It is important to understand the meanings of each card (it is also important to develop your own understanding of what each card could mean in relation to your own life) and that there are many different spreads which can give you different styles of readings. Often you will find a certain card or cards that will show up in your spread no matter how well you may shuffle the deck, this may reflect an aspect of you life that needs to be attended to. We will be adding more information on what each of the cards mean as well as different types of spreads so keep an eye out.

Divination: Reading Tea leaves

Tea leaf reading (also called 'tassology', 'tasseomancy' or 'tasseography') is the art of reading the patterns or pictures that tea leaves make in cup (in some traditions coffee grounds or wine sediment are used). This form of divination is quite personal and the best results are gained from reading for yourself although it is possible to read for others if they are present (as with all divination methods the approval of the person you are 'divining' for is needed).

Method: To begin a tea leaf reading first clear your mind (as with most forms of divination it is best to begin with a clear almost meditative state of mind), if one thought or feeling keeps returning then make that subject of the reading, if not a general future reading is fine. Make a cup of tea with loose tea leaves without the use of a strainer (using the tea from tea bags is inadvisable as the are cut too small and float on the top of the water), the cup should be white or of a light colour to make it easier to see. You then may then pour away or drink the tea (or if you are performing the tea leaf reading for another person have them drink the tea) being careful not to ingest too much of the tea if some of it is still floating, when the tea is nearly all gone shake the cup or turn it 3 times and upturn the cup over it's saucer to drain off the remaining liquid, there should be a decent amount of tea leaves left in the cup. The reader then interprets the symbols found within.

Reading the Tea Leaves: starting from the handle of the cup (if the cup has no handle begin at the point farthest away from you) and working clockwise in a spiral until the base of the cup is reached. The cup can be divided into 3 parts the rim, the centre and the bottom. the rim is generally the area which was not covered by tea when the cup was poured, the bottom is the area still covered by tea when it had been poured away or drank, with the centre being the area between these two points. The symbols found within the cup can vary greatly from pictures of people, places or things to ones such as lines, letters and numbers. The interpretation of symbols can vary from person to person, which is why it is a good idea to do your own readings. Once you have examined the cup note down any symbols you noticed, where they were found and what they were next to or near (sometimes symbols can group together to make more defined interpretations.

Interpreting the symbols:The meaning of the symbols can also vary greatly depending on the reader, although if you are just starting out there are a few symbols which it is helpful to know. Some helpful symbols and there meanings are:

• Letters, can symbolise people in your life.
• Numbers, dates of important events.
• A Heart, usually means love.
• Mountain, hindrance of a journey.
• A Cross, usually symbolic of suffering or sacrifice.
• Bird, if flying means good luck.
• Dog, a loyal friend, if found in the bottom of the cup could mean a good friend in need of help.
• Egg, usually a good omen signifying creation or a fresh start.
• Hand, if open may mean friendship, if closed an argument may arise.
• Cat, deceit.

Cup and Saucers: Although any tea cup can be used, it helps to have a white or light coloured cup to discern between the cup and the tea leaves. There are sets designed specifically for use with tea leaf reading, sometimes marked with astrological signs or sections, these however are quite rare but if you look long and hard enough you are sure to find them. Good places to find them include second hand shops, antique and metaphysical stores, there are also a few sets available on our website http://whispersinthenight.net/.

Divination

Divination is common among wiccans although not an actual part of wicca. Wikipedia defines divination in 3 ways:
1.(uncountable) The act of divining; a foreseeing or foretelling of future events.
2.The pretended art of discovering secrets or the future by preternatural means.
3.(countable) An indication of what is future or secret; augury omen; conjectural presage; prediction

The first and third definitions are fairly accurate, the second definition, however, seems to have been written by a sceptic (I have kept the links in with the definitions for anyone looking for Wikipedia's definitions of those particular words). My personal definition varies from these in that I believe divination to be the art of communicating with the divine (hence the name divination) in order to obtain guidance, advice and/or information regarding your past, present and future

There are many different forms of divination and after much practise most people find one or two forms that they prefer and/or have better results with.

Some forms include:-

• Scrying, the art divination by reflective surface(often performed using a crystal ball or scrying mirror or bowl, but can also be performed using flame and/or smoke).
• Tarot cards.
• Palmistry, reading the lines and creases on ones palm.
• Oneiromancy, interpreting dreams.
• Runes, casting stones (or anything really) marked with runes.
• Dowsing, using pendulums or sticks etc.
• Astrology.
• Numerology.
• Tea leaf readings.

While some forms are harder to master (or even begin) than others it is important to ask yourself what you are looking to gain from your experience as some forms offer more insight (as well as requiring more Divine connection) into certain areas than others.

Ritual tools: God and Goddess statues or candle holders

What is it? Generally a statue/figurine or candle holder depicting the God, Goddess or deity of your choice.

What is it made from? Can be made from any material available.

What is it used for? The God and Goddess statues can be used to represent the God and Goddess during ritual, also the candle holders are generally used to hold the candles that are representative of the God and Goddess but may also bear their image. However the 2 are interchangeable and in my opinion not a necessary part of ritual as many other things may be substituted to represent the God and Goddess, and candles may be placed on any heatproof dish or surface.

Symbolism and associations: The symbolism and associations with these are many and varied depending on the God, Goddess or deity you chose to invite to your circle. In addition to this the actual symbolism of the actual God Goddess or deity may vary according to the way in which they are depicted, or simply the way in which you see them.

Where to find them: Can be found in all sorts of places, including but not limited to antique stores, swap meets, second hand stores, metaphysical stores, and online, so have a good look around but don't dismay if you cant find the particular God, Goddess or deity you are looking for as some people search for years before finding one that fits the image in their heads of how they should look.

Ritual tools: Crystal Sphere

What is it? A crystal sphere a spherical object, generally used during rituals.

What is it made from? Most crystal balls on the market now are made from either glass or leaded glass - and sometimes even plastic. However, some genuine quartz crystal spheres do exist, but with their authenticity comes a high price tag (Up into the thousands of dollars!).Genuine quartz crystal spheres are a lot colder to touch than its leaded glass, glass and plastic counterparts, which also helps identify them from the fakes.

What is it used for? Generally used to project an image set out inside the users mind, the sphere is critical to getting the information they want protrayed, across.

During a Wiccan ritual, the crystal can be placed on an altar to represent the Goddess. The user can attempt to receive messages from the God's or to store energy that has been used during the ritual. Futhermore, some Wiccans may also be able to 'scry' the sphere to call up images of their past lives or simply just images of the Goddess.

Symbolism and association: It's shape (The spherical layout) directly represents the Goddess. The icey cold temperature of the quartz represents the Goddess' domain, deep in the seas.


Where to find them: You may be able to locate one of these in an antique store, but more than likely not. Although genuine quartz crystal spheres are also available through some metaphysical and online stores, be sure to check that they come with a certificate of authenticity.

Ritual tools: Pentacle ( also called an altar tile or paten)

What is it? Usually a flat, round tile, inscribed or stamped with certain symbols pertaining to their use. During the 'burning times' pentacles were often made from disposable materials such as wax or clay, for easy dis-assembly should the authorities come knocking.

What is it made from? Usually made from gold, silver, wood, brass, clay or wax, but can be fashioned from plaster if these are not available.


What is it used for? Placed in the centre of the altar during ritual. You may place objects to be consecrated on it, or objects to be used in ritual and/or magical rites. It can also be used as a concentration point of magical rites or meditation. Some traditions may also use it to summon the Goddess.

Symbolism and association: While it can be inscribed with many varying symbols, the most common of which is the pentagram (a five pointed star surrounded by a circle), but are also sometimes seen with runes, God and Goddess figures or other symbols. The altar pentacle is usually associated with the feminine aspect, north and the element of earth.


Where to find them: Pentacles can be bought from almost any pagan or metaphysical stores or websites but depending on your intentions and beliefs you may want to create your own, and inscribe it personally, any round flat piece of material will do in his case, temporary pentacles may even be fashioned out of paper if necessary.

Ritual tools: Bell

What is it? A bell is a hollow, cup shaped device usually with a swinging 'clapper' inside, although some types may need to be struck from the outside.


What is it made from? Like modern day bells, it can be constructed from almost anything (most commonly metal, , but the material and size of the bell will determine the pitch and frequency of the vibrations given off by it.

What is it used for? The Bell has a plethora of uses. Briefly put, the bell can be rung to do the following:

• Invoke the Goddess during a ritual.


• Bring about a good energy.


• Mark the beginning and end of certain sections of ritual.


• Vibrations from the bell are said to have purifying capabilities (most commonly used to purify a space, person or emotion before ritual).


• If hung on a door or placed inside a cupboard - it is said to guard the home.

Symbolism and association: The bell is an heavily female oriented ritual tool and is associated with the element of air. The vibrations from a bell symbolise the goddess' ability to give birth to form through vibration.

Where to find them: Since any bell will suffice they can be bought from just about anywhere, including (but not limited to) music shops, second hand stores, metaphysical, online and pagan stores.