divinitiation

Divinitiation is a term that refers to the act or process of seeking divine guidance or knowledge. It encompasses a broad range of practices and beliefs across various cultures and religions, all aimed at understanding the will of a deity, predicting future events, or receiving spiritual insight. These methods often involve interpreting signs, symbols, or messages believed to be communicated by the divine.

Common forms of divinitiation include augury, which involves observing the flight of birds, and haruspicy, which entails examining the entrails of animals. Other practices include cleromancy, the casting of lots or dice, and oneiromancy, the interpretation of dreams. Many cultures have also developed specific rituals, such as scrying, where reflections in water or other surfaces are observed for visions, or pyromancy, which involves divining meaning from flames.

The underlying principle of divinitiation is the belief that the divine realm has knowledge beyond human comprehension, and that through specific techniques, this knowledge can be accessed or revealed. The interpretation of these perceived divine communications is often performed by individuals considered to have special spiritual or intuitive abilities, such as priests, shamans, or oracles. While divinitiation has played a significant role in many historical societies for decision-making and understanding the unknown, its acceptance and practice vary widely in modern contexts.