Reading The Future: Using Divination Tools
The future is a mystery. No one knows what it has in store for us. The ups and downs, successes and failures, passions and heartbreaks are all unknown. People have long searched for answers and insight into what the future may hold. Luckily there are tools that can help us to gain some clarity about the things that are yet to come.
Reading Tarot Cards For Divination
Dating back to the Renaissance, Tarot Cards have a history steeped in mystery. These beautifully designed cards were created for the noble families of Italy and were used to play card games. The first sets of Tarot cards were hand-painted and the images on the cards depicted heroes, gods and depictions of astrological, philosophical and social ideals of the time.
Tarot cards began to be used for divination sometime between the 17th and 18th centuries. The cards consist of the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The 22 Major Arcana cards are tools to a path of spiritual awakening and enlightenment and can be used without the Minor Arcana cards in a tarot card reading. These cards are filled with wisdom from various religious and cultural traditions and signify the stages we go through as we walk the journey towards deeper understanding. These cards are numbered 0-21. The card numbered 0 is the fool card and is often left out of the deck during a reading, much like the joker card in a standard deck.
The Minor Arcana is made up of 56 cards, broken down into four suits. The four suits of cards; cups, swords, wands (staves) and coins (pentacles) were created to represent the four main areas in life. The cups symbolize emotion and love. The swords symbolize change and power. The wands are associated with passion and creativity. And the coins represent wealth and material possessions. Each suit contains 14 cards. Cards are numbered 1 (ace) to 10 and there are four additional ‘court’ cards.
During a tarot card reading, the practitioner will explain what various cards mean. It is their role to help you uncover the deeper symbolism behind the cards. It is important to go into a tarot card reading with a calm and open mind. Focus on yourself and the questions that you are looking for answers to. With the right amount of introspection and direction, you will be able to gain insight into events in your life and guidance to help you navigate your future.
Using The Crystal Ball For Scrying
Crystal ball gazing is a form of scrying that has been in existence for thousands of years. Scrying refers to looking into a reflective surface like a mirror, glass, crystal or water to gain mystical insight. ‘Seers’ or ‘readers’ use the ball as a tool to predict events in the future, clarify events of the present and help people to work through confusing situations.
Crystal balls come in various sizes and styles. Smaller, palm balls, are held in ones hand. Larger balls sit on a wooden or metal stand. A crystal ball should be perfectly spherical and can be made of glass or carved from a variety of natural crystalline stones. It is important to charge your crystal ball by placing it in the full moons light for a few nights. Do not expose your ball to direct sunlight.
It is suggested that a crystal ball reading be done in a quiet room, lit by candle-light. Dim lighting relaxes the eyes, making the visions clearer and easier to decipher. Soft music and incense can also enhance your reading. Many practitioners advise cleansing or saging the room that you will be conducting your session in prior to beginning.
The visions that are seen while gazing into the crystal ball are believed to occur due to a trance-like state that the reader puts him or herself into. It is important to completely clear the mind and reach a meditative state in whatever way works best for you. Attuning yourself to your psychic intuition takes practice and patience. The visions that you see may seem confusing at first. This is your subconscious minds way of sharing important messages about your future. Over time, the images will make sense to you and your path will become clear.
The Sway of the Pendulum
Another powerful tool of intuition is the pendulum. This weighted crystal swings back and forth, guiding our course and giving answers to our questions. Quartz is an excellent stone to be used in divination work. It amplifies the thoughts of the mind and helps to stimulate clearer thinking. Attach the stone to a chain, ribbon or string. Only use your pendulum crystal for divination purpose. The energy that is infused into your crystal is unique to you and should be handled with care and respect. Do not let other people handle your pendulum stone.
A pendulum works by accessing the subconscious parts of our minds. When the string is held, the stone will swing in a specific pattern for ‘yes’ answers and a different and specific pattern for ‘no’ answers. The pendulum only works to answer precise yes and no questions. Vague or faulty worded questions will confuse the subconscious mind, and subsequently, the pendulum may respond incorrectly.
It is important to be centered and focused when using the pendulum for guidance. If you are tired or distracted, put your pendulum aside and consult it when you are more grounded. It is a good idea to meditate prior to working with your pendulum. The subconscious mind works in tandem with our guardian spirits to provide information and intuition. These parts of our awareness shine brightest when we are centered and calm. Use your pendulum to deepen your perception and insight.