fortunetelling
Fortunetelling is the practice of purportedly predicting future events or revealing hidden personal characteristics through various methods. Practitioners, sometimes called fortune-tellers, diviners, or psychics, claim access to hidden knowledge about individuals, relationships, or life paths. Methods include tarot card reading, astrology, palmistry (hand analysis), numerology, I Ching, runes, tea-leaf reading, crystal ball gazing, pendulum divination, and clairvoyant or trance-based communication. Some traditions emphasize ritual context, while others present readings as entertainment or guidance rather than prophecy.
Historical notes: Throughout many cultures, divination has appeared in religious and secular settings. In Europe, tarot
Reception and evaluation: The field is not supported by empirical evidence; predictions are typically general, ambiguous,
Legal and ethical considerations: Regulations vary; some jurisdictions require licensing, consumer protection disclosures, or prohibit certain