Divination

Divination
Madame Xanadu (DC Comics) uses divination to predict the future
Power/Ability to:	Foretell the future through occult and supernatural means

Divination is the ability to intepret or foretell the future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means. Divination is used to interpret events, omens or natural forces as a way to predict the future. It may sometimes be confused with precognition.

Also Called

• Soothsaying
• Fortune Telling
• Augury
• Omen Reading

Capability

Divination is a systematic method of reading the future or provide help to a problem at hand. Unlike precognition which is the ability to view the future, divination requires rituals and methodical processes. Divination can be achieved by communicating with the supernatural (i.e. gods, demons, spirits, nymphs) or just by reading certain patterns. Many kinds of divinations are seen all over the globe, the most common one includes, Bibliomancy, Oneiromancy and I Ching.

Limitations

• The user may require supernatural aid to correctly predict the future.
• No one can confirm if the prediction is true or false.
• The user may need a systematic method to foretell the future otherwise, the diviner's powers are useless (i.e. bibliomancy requires a book while I Ching requires many things)

Methods of Divination

Here are some example of divination.

Abacomancy

A form of divination in which the user predicts the future through the patterns in dust, dirt, silt and sand. This form was used by Rafiki from Lion King.

Aeromancy

A form of divination in which the user interprets and reads the future through atmospheric conditions (i.e. cloud formations, wind currents, comets, thunder and lightning). It was said to be one of the seven "forbidden arts" along with geomancy, hydromancy, pyromancy, palmistry, necromancy and scapulimancy (the divination of the bones)

Astrology

A form of divination in which the user interprets the future through the movement of celestial bodies in certain houses which is believed to affect the future.

Bibliomancy

Bibliomancy is the use of books in divination or for advice. The method of employing sacred books (especially specific words and verses) for 'magical medicine', for removing negative entities, or for divination is widespread in many religions of the world.

Catoptromancy

Catoptromancy is the use of mirrors in divination to predict. It is used in Ancient Greece in the Temple of Ceres.

Cartomancy

Cartomancy is the use of cards in a game to predict the future. Madame Xanadu uses this to interpret the future.

Scrying

Scrying is the mystical ability to read the future or obtain spiritual visions through translucent or luminescent objects. One of their sub-methods include crystallomancy/crystal gazing.

Applications

• Precognition

Known Users

Comics

• Madame Xanadu (DC Comics)
• Doctor Fate (DC Comics)
• Klarion Bleak (DC Comics)
• Doctor Strange (Marvel Comics)
• Wink (Marvel Comics)

Novels

• Cassandra Trelawney (Harry Potter)
• Sybill Trelawney (Harry Potter)

Mythology

• Sibyls (Classical Mythology)
• Oracles (Classical Mythology)