[Guide] Divinations Guide

[StrawberryDaifuku]

NOTE: This class/discussion is no longer taught/led by a teacher. However, please feel free to read through it and ask any questions that you may have or express any thoughts/opinions you have. Just please don't ask, "Can I join the class?" Because the answer is 'no'. Thank you.

[W]elcome
To Dai-Chan's Divination class!

[T]he history of divination dates back to pre-biblical times. Today there exist a vast spectrum of methods of performing, and ideas about, divination. In this class, we will explore many of the ideas and methods, and create a better understanding of them.

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Class Lessons: Document
Updates: Think
Regular Comments: Say
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~May your readings be blessed by the Gods! <3
(Oh, by the way, the runes on the image spelling "doug" are NOT intentional! XDDDD )

[D]ai's Updates
Jan. 20th '08:: I'm sorry to the two people waiting on another lesson, but the majority of the class hasn't done their homework, only one of which has confirmed that she will catch up later. Again, I apologize, and will give students another week until the next lesson will be posted. Sorry for the inconvenience.
May 11th, '08:: IMPORTANT! I will be away from the 14th to the 18th of this month. You may post, but keep in mind that I won't be able to respond until after I get back. That means no new lessons for about a week... TT-TT


Edit by mod:
Scrying
Old Divinations Class 1  

[StrawberryDaifuku]

[R]ules

exclaim Please, DO NOT disrespect others! That just goes without saying!
exclaim If you're in the class, please do your homework! XDD
exclaim If something goes against what you believe, no matter who says it, just regard it as their belief. Calmly remind yourself how diverse Wicca and Paganism is, and that you don't have to believe it if you don't want to.
exclaim If you have a personal problem with something I say/do, please PM me.
exclaim If something is said or done that is disrespectful, tell me and I will talk to them about it, or if you think it's significant enough, the mods. Basically, don't retaliate in the thread (or over PMs). That just causes trouble.
exclaim Please follow guild rules! XD
exclaim Remember to have lots of fun!
exclaim I may add more later on. It depends on how the class acts as a whole.

[R]eccomended supplies

arrow Your BoS or BoM, or a notebook. Used to record your readings and any other information you would like to have on hand.
arrow A tarot deck, and a set of runes. Used for homework readings. If you don't have either one, you can use THIS site to conduct an online reading of both for free. (For runes, ignore the "gold, ice, jade, spirit, stone" section of the drop down menus. It does not affect the result of the reading, and we won't be using them in this class. You're welcome to experiment if you like, but if not, select "chose for me.")
arrow More later on.

 

[StrawberryDaifuku]

[L]esson Index

A list of previous lessons and links to them, as well as the upcoming lesson, which is subject to change.

Lesson One-History of Divination [x]
Lesson Two-Overview of Tarot [x]
Lesson Three-Celtic Cross [x]
Lesson Four-Reversed Cards [x]
Lesson Five-Other Spreads [x]
Lesson Six-Decks and Conclusion to Tarot [x]
Lesson 7-Intro to Runes [x]

Links to some divination-type classes/guides that are already up. Since these subjects already have classes/guides, I will not be teaching them, but they are up for learning purposes. It is advised that you check them out.

Astrology
Numerology
Scrying

[S]tudents

Kareena80 1/4
Jamie of Spades 1/4
XxX-Red_Rose_Vampyre-XxX 0/4
Rebo Rocks Socks 0/4
ElikAruna 0/4
Yashaki 0/4
zabazor 1/4
Cosmic Crystal 1/4
Choir-Angel 3/4
Goddess Of The Earth 2/4
Onichigo 0/4
thesealwriter 0/4

**I won't mark Rune of the day on the homework count, there's just too many.

 

[StrawberryDaifuku]

[R]une of the Day

So I'm going to conduct this similar to the CotD, and have everyone tell us their own meaning for the rune, as well as how it can be applied to their life at the moment. Again, this is to help you remember the meaning to see how it links to real life.
So here's the rune:

Raido

New ventures, new beginnings. The best path in a group of paths, or a sense of change.

 

[StrawberryDaifuku]

[N]ifty Links/citations

Facade: Free tarot, rune, and other readings online!
Tarot Connection: A site where you can download a podcast dedicated to tarot, read about nifty new uses for tarot outside of divination, and even shop for tarot decks and other supplies!

 

[StrawberryDaifuku]

[L]esson One
History of Divination

Since ancient times, practitioners in divination were held with some of the highest esteem. Some of the earliest forms of divination were the recordings of omens in old Babylon around 2000 B.C.E. Unintentional/unprovoked omens (like a black cat or dog) were considered the most important. It was considered a major intilectual achievement, but was mocked by the Hebrew prophets. In Extispicy, the liver was cut from an animal and examined, which gave way to gazing at oil in water, then crystal ball gazing. Around the middle of 500 B.C.E., Extispicy was more or less replaced by astrology, while they tried to examine more celestial omens.

And considering I can't find anything that dates after 500 B.C.E., I'm going to guess that I officially suck, and that this lesson is over for now.

But check back, if I find anything, I'll add it. And if you find something, KUDOS TO YOU, please tell me? XD


So.
Lesson two will be up once I get some students.

 

[StrawberryDaifuku]

Wow, lots of people!

@ Kareena80: Yay, perhaps you can help other students with our first section.

@Jamie Of Spades, XxX-Red_Rose_Vampyre-XxX, and Rebo_Nicky: Consider yourself all added!

@ElikAruna: Haha, you're the first student here with a set of runes... XD You're added too.

I guess since we have five students, I'll start with the next lesson now.

~~~

[L]eson Two
Overview of Tarot

Tarot is a form of divination in which one reveals the unconscious of the human psyche. One must think abstract, in a symbolic manner, as opposed to a linear way. Tarot is not a tool used for "fortune telling" (Though it can be interpreted that way by some) but rather for inner knowledge and understanding of the going ons of your life.

A traditional tarot deck contains 78 cards. Twenty two are called the Major Arcana. The Major Arcana are numbered 0 (The Fool) through 21 (the world) [Keep in mind that there are some variations depending on the deck]. The remaining 56 cards are called Minor Arcana, which fall under four suits--Swords, Wands, Cups, and Pentacles(keep in mind that there are some variations depending on the deck). Each suit has fourteen cards, ten labled Ace-10, and four others: king, queen, night, and page-the court cards.
The Major Arcana tend to represent a more broad and general life patterns, while the Minor Arcana are more specific.

The first mention of tarot was during the 14th century, when they were used for games. The Major Arcana then had no numbers, and fell under no suit (a trait that was carried to today), and were used as cards that were "dominant"over any other suit. In the late 1700's, Court de Gebelen saw the cards, as the story goes, and apparently saw more than just a picture. He saw symbolism in the art, and gave new meaning to the cards. Soon, the ideas of using tarot as telling the meanings of the cards you had spread, and using tarot as divination majorly began.

Our subsequent lessons will start with basic spreads, and continue to more "complex" or less known ones, with bits on different decks mixed in.

So, "Homework" starts today. Actually, it's Card of the Day, but it's still technacally homework. Please remember to check that regularly!