divining

Divination, or divining, is the practice of seeking knowledge about the future or hidden matters through rites, symbols, or communications believed to come from supernatural sources. It is not a science, and its claims are not supported by empirical evidence. Across cultures, divination covers methods intended to reveal the will of deities, spirits, or powers, or to provide guidance for personal or communal decisions.

Common techniques include augury (interpreting signs such as birds or omens), casting lots, astrology, tarot and other card readings, runes, I Ching, dream interpretation, tasseography (tea leaves), and scrying with mirrors or crystal balls. Dowsing for water or minerals uses rods or pendulums and is sometimes classed as divining.

Divination has a long history in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as in East Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It has played religious, political, and social roles, guiding decisions, rituals, and interpretations of events.

Scholars study divination as a cultural phenomenon, while critics note the lack of verifiable evidence and point to cognitive biases and chance. In contemporary contexts, divination remains common in certain religious communities and among enthusiasts as a personal or spiritual practice, distinct from science.