Hijink’s (Jinxie’s) Divination Guide

Some terms -
divine
di•vine
/dəˈvīn/
adjective
> of, from, or like God or a god
(see also: “grace” or “inspire” in terms of religion/spirituality)

divination
div•i•na•tion
/divəˈnāSH(ə)n/
noun
> the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means
> future
> unknown
> supernatural means

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divination

diviner
div•i•ner
/də-ˈvī-nər/
noun
> a person who divines - one who foretells events
(see also: oracle, prophet, fortune-teller, etc.)

querent
que•rent
/ˈkwirənt/
noun
> a person who seeks - a searcher for answers
(see also: query, inquiry, seeker, etc.)

-mancy
man•cy
/mæn-sē/
suffix
> a specific form of divination
(see also -mance, -mancer, and -mantic)

Different Ways to Divine (oh, so many ways to divine) -
Omens
> if it’s a sign, it’s from the divine
An omen brings about change. Omens can be good or bad - but tend to be foreboding. An omen is something that should be listened to, adhered to, or strictly observed - a warning of sorts.

Sortilege/Cleromancy
> the casting of lots - if it can be picked at random, it can be divined
Utilized if you have many of a particular item - cards, coins, bones, etc. Objects can be tossed, picking one or a few at random, or scrambled - the reader usually pays attention to imagery/symbolism, position/direction, or how the items fall in conjunction with one another.

Theriomancy/Augury
> nature and all of it’s inhabitants are sacred - so pay attention
An Augur is someone who divines from, and pays attention to, birds. They observe bird behavior, might use live birds to peck/pick out letters or numbers, study their feces, watch them land on words, listen to them tweet, etc. Theriomancy is all about using aspects of animals or nature spirits to foretell events.

Spontaneous/Random
> How synchronous…
You ever have something just happen to you seemingly "out of the blue” and it changed your life/future forever? Ever been searching for an answer and it just suddenly comes to you from an outside source? Have you walked into a crowded party and listened to the babble to hear something of significance to you? Here, a diviner tries to find meaning in the seemingly meaningless.

“SIMPLE” METHODS:

Via Food
aleuromancy (flour or fortune cookie)
alomancy/adromancy/halomancy (salt)
alphitomancy (barley)
favomancy (beans)
cottabomancy/cottobomancy (wine in a bowl)
crithomancy (barley cakes)
cromnyomnacy (onion sprouts)
eleomancy (olive oil)
fructomancy (fruit)
oenomancy (wine)
oomancy/ovomancy (eggs)
tyromancy (cheese)

Via Nature
anthomancy (flowers)
astrology/astromancy (celestial bodies)
cometomancy (comet tails)
dendromancy (by trees - oaks, yews, or mistletoe)
floromancy (flower’s “feelings")
horoscopy (stars)
lunamancy/selenomancy (moon)
meterormancy (meteors)
ostenta/portenta (the natural occurrence or phenomena)
phyllomancy/sycomancy (leaves/fig leaves)
phyllorhodomancy (rose petals)
phytognomy (plant appearance)
roadomancy (constellations. See Astrology)
solaromancy (sun)
umbromancy (shade)
uranomancy (the sky)

Via Objects/Items/Tools
acultomancy/acutomancy (needles)
agalmatomancy (statues)
aichmomancy (sharp objects)
archeomancy/archaeomancy (sacred relics)
ariolation (alters)
astragyromancy (dice/numbers)
axiomancy/axinomancy (axes)
belomancy/bolomancy (arrows)
bibliomancy (books)
cartomancy (cards)
chalcomancy (striking gongs or copper bowls)
chartomancy (things on paper)
stichnomancy (books or lines)
cleidomancy/clidomancy (keys)
domino (dominoes)
cosquinomancy/coscinomancy (hanging sieves or shears)
cubomancy (cubes)
cyathomancy/kypomancy (cups/goblets)
cybermancy (computer oracles)
cyclomancy (wheels)
dictiomancy (dictionary)
hakata (bones or dice)
idolomancy (idols)
macharomancy (swords or knives)
macromancy (large objects)
margaritomancy (bouncing pearls)
megapolisomancy (large cities)
micromancy (small objects)
numismatomancy (coins)
papyromancy (folding paper or money)
pegomancy (fountain)
pecthimancy/petchimancy (brushed cloth or wool)
radiesthesia/rhabdomancy (rods, sticks, wands, and cylindrical tools)
scarpomancy (old shoes)
sphondulomancy (spindles)
stolisomancy (fashion)
technomancy (technology)
trochomancy (wheel ruts)
videomancy (flims)
zygomancy (weights)

Via Random
alveromancy (sounds)
arithmancy (assigning a numerical value to a word or phrase)
aspidomancy (sitting in a drawn circle)
astragalomancy/astragalamancy (numbers and letters)
auramancy (auras)
chresmomancy (lunatic ravings)
chronomancy (time/apt occasion)
clamancy (random shouts/cries in crowds, at night, etc.)
cledonomancy (chance events or overheard words)
cleromancy (casting or tossing)
colormancy (color)
cryptomancy (omens)
deuteromancy (double take or second glance)
empirimancy (experiment/experience)
fractomancy (fractals)
galvanism (by observing electricity passing through muscles)
gastromancy (guttural sounds)
geloscopy (laughter)
gematria (Hebrew alphabet)
genethlialogy (birth date/birthday)
grammomancy (writing an individual letter)
graptomancy (handwriting)
gyromancy (dizziness)
ichnomancy (footprints)
iconomancy (icons)
isopsephy (numbers and letters)
letnomancy (secrets)
literomancy (a letter in a written language)
logarithmancy (logarithms)
logomancy (words)
lots (chance)
mathemancy (math)
moromancy (foolishness)
nomancy (name)
notarikon (initials)
numerology (numbers)
onomancy (letters in a name)
photomancy (fields of light)
psephomancy (lots or ballots - sometimes pebbles. See: pessomancy)
pseudomancy (false means)
ptarmoscopy (interpreting sneezes)
retromancy (looking over one’s shoulder)
rhapsodomancy (poems)
shufflemancy (use of electronic medium that will play media randomly)
symbolomancy (things found on the road)
temurah (anagrams)
transataumancy (things accidentally seen or heard)
xenomancy (strangers)

Via Somatomancy (human body/form)
ambulomancy (walking)
amniomancy (placenta)
anthropomancy (human sacrifice)
anthroposcopy/schematomancy (physical appearance)
armomancy/omoplatoscopy/scapulimancy (shoulder blades)
biorhythmic (physical, mental, and emotional states)
brizomancy/hypnomancy/meconomancy/narcomancy (sleep)
bumpology (bumps on the skin)
cartopedy/pedomancy (foot)
cephalomancy (head)
crainognomy (skull/head)
“the crawling baby” (baby’s crawl)
dactyliomancy (ring fingers, rings, or finger movements)
dririmancy (dripping blood)
drimimancy (bodily fluids)
hematomancy (blood)
idromancy (sweat)
iridoglogy (eye color)
labiomancy (lips)
maculomancy (spots on skin)
mazomancy (nursing)
meilomancy (moles)
metopomancy (lines on the forehead)
moleosophy (blemishes)
natimancy (buttocks)
oculomancy (eyes)
odontomancy (teeth)
omphalomancy (navel)
oneiromancy (dreams)
onimancy (fingernails/toenails)
ophthalmomancy (eyes)
organoscopy (organs)
ossomancy/ostoemancy (bones)
ouranomancy/uranomancy (urine)
phobomancy (fear)
phrenology (brain/bumps on the skull)
physiognomy (faces)
pilimancy (collecting human hair)
pneumancy (blowing air)
scatomancy (excrement)
spasmatomancy (convulsions/seizures)
sternomancy (ridges on the breastbone)
umbilicomancy (umbilical cords)
uromancy (urine)
urticariaomancy (itches/hives)

THE ELEMENTS
Stareomancy (elements)

Via Aeromancy (air)
aeromancy (air)
anemomancy (wind)
astrapomancy (lightning)
austromancy (wind)
brontomancy (thunder)
ceraunoscopy/meteoromancy (thunder and lightning)
chaomancy (aerial vision)
electromancy (lightning and electricity)
eromancy (water vessels exposed to air)
nephomancy (clouds)

Via Geomancy (earth)
abacomancy (dust)
amathomancy (sand)
lithomancy (gems or stones)
oromancy (mountains)
oryctomancy (minerals)
pessomancy (pebbles)
topomancy (geography/land formations)

Via Hydromancy (water)
bletonmancy (water current)
ceromancy (dripping melted wax into water)
cryomancy (ice)
cyclicomancy (swirling water in a cup)
divining rod/dowsing (finding water)
hydatomancy (rain water)
lecanomancy (basin of water)
plumbomancy (observing shapes of molten lead when poured into water)
water witching (finding water)

Via Pyromancy (fire)
anthracomancy (burning coals)
botanomancy (burning sage or figs)
capnomancy (smoke)
libanomancy (smoke or ash from incense)
carromancy (melting wax)
causimancy/causimomancy (burning)
daphnomancy (burning laurel wreaths)
empyromancy (burning)
knissomancy (incense)
lampadomancy (flame or lantern)
libanomancy (burning frankincense)
lychnomancy (candles)
molybdomancy (molten metal)
sideromancy (burning straw with iron)
spodomancy (soot/wood ashes)
stigonomancy (burning writing into bark)
tephramancy/tephromancy (ashes)
turifumy (shapes seen in smoke)
xylomancy (shape, texture, appearance of burning wood)

Via Spirits/Divine
Demonomancy (demons)
Enochian (angels)
enthusiasm (speech by those possessed by a divine spirit)
hagiomancy (saints)
metagnomy (magic)
necromancy (corpses or speaking to the deceased)
necyomancy (summoning damned souls)
nigromancy (black magic)
psychomancy (soul/mind. See necromancy)
sciomancy/shadowmancy (shadows/spirits) [Shadow people?]
theomancy (foretelling events/prophecy)
thumomancy (one’s own soul)

Via Theriomancy (animals/animal behavior)
ailuromancy/felidomancy (cats)
alectormancy/alectromancy (rooster/rooster sacrifice)
apantomancy (chance encounters with animals)
arachnomancy (spiders)
aruspicina/haruspicy/hieromancy (entrails)
augury/avimancy/ornithomancy (birds)
auspicy (bird flight)
batraquomancy/batrachomancy (frogs)
canomancy (dogs)
cephaleonomancy/cephalonomancy (boiling a donkey head)
choriomancy (pig bladder)
conchomancy (shells)
dracomancy (dragon)
entomomnacy/entomancy (insects)
extispicy (remains of sacrificed animals)
hepatomancy (liver)
hippomancy (horses… Yes - horses, not hippopotamus/hippopotami)
hyomancy (wild hogs)
ichthyomancy (fish)
myomancy (rats or mice)
myrmomancy (ants)
nggàm (spider and crab behavior)
ololygmancy (howling of dogs)
ophidiomancy (snakes)
plastromancy (cracks formed by heat on turtle’s plastron)
spatilomancy (animal excrement)
skatharomancy (beetle tracks)
slinneanachds/slinnanacht (animal shoulder blades)
stercomancy (seeds in bird feces)
zoomancy (animals)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_divination
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/fortune_telling.html
http://www.paranormal-encyclopedia.com/d/divination/types.html

COMPLEX METHODS:

Astrology -
Materials needed: Birth location, time, and date of the person (to calculate what celestial bodies were above at the time of birth) and working knowledge of celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars, constellations, and planets) and the symbology/meaning behind them.
Now, there are many forms of astrology (hence, it’s a complex system) like the Western Zodiac, Chinese Zodiac, Jyotish (Vedic astrology), and dōbutsu uranai (Japanese animal horoscope). The term horoscope is synonymous with astrology but specifically pertains to “look at” (more personal) while astrology is more “the study of” (broader). Though both can be used somewhat interchangeably, it’s more proper to say “I study astrology and can read your horoscope” rather than the other way around.
Astrology has been/can be incorporated in many forms in the occult like alchemy, the Tarot, the Kabbalah, etc. because it can be so complex and meaningful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_astrology#The_zodiac
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_constellations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pillars_of_Destiny
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dbutsu_uranai
http://world.doubutsu-uranai.com/
(find out your Japanese animal horoscope)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natal_chart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constellation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_sign

Cheiromancy (aka Palmistry or palm-reading) -
Materials needed: A person’s hand or palm and a working knowledge of the meanings behind a person’s hand’s/finger's: lines, shapes, markings, etc.
In cheiromancy, the diviner will take the querent’s hand and study all that they can - the length of fingers, unique markings, lines in the palm, etc. in order to determine a querent’s personality or future. The reason that palmistry falls into the “complex systems” is because elements of astrology can also be incorporated into palmistry as well (see Astrology) - as there are fingers and lines that correlate to planets and celestial bodies.

A simple “google” search of palm reading and/or palm reading images/pdfs will bring about a plethora of information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmistry
http://www.wikihow.com/Read-Palms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheiro
(his book “Palmistry for All” is good one)
> The skeptical Mark Twain wrote in Cheiro’s visitor’s book that he had “… exposed my character to me with humiliating accuracy.”

Chien Tung/Kau Cim -
Materials needed: A small, cylindrical, bamboo container and flat bamboo sticks. On each stick, a single Chinese number is depicted (1-78/100). Each number is assigned a meaning in a Kau Cim fortune book.
In Kau Cim, the bamboo container is shaken and tipped until a singular stick becomes loose and falls out. If multiple fall out, the divinations are placed back in and the shaking/tipping process is repeated until only one falls out. Another method is pulling one out at random. A mixture of sortilege and bibliomancy, makes this method is “complex” because it can also incorporated the use of an human oracle to interpret the meaning or another divination known as Jiaobei.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kau_cim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF78YrHiV7s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaobei

Feng Shui -
Materials needed: Anything that can be organized, have it’s orientation changed, or anything that can be added/taken away/altered that brings about peace or harmony. The idea that everything is interconnected.
“Wind water” (as it’s known in English) or Feng Shui, is all about orienting objects/a space to create harmony - usually with a local environment (nearby bodies of water, stars, or the cardinal directions).
In this divinatory method, a diviner reads “an area” to see if it harmonious or chaotic and then divulges insight as to how the area can be altered to minimize chaos and bring about positive spirits/outcomes. This is a complex method because it can incorporate a multitude of objects and can also have elements of occult/spirituality too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui

IChing/Yìjīng -
Materials needed: Depends on the specific method
plastromancy (turtle shell) (see Theriomancy) - a turtle’s plastron/shell will be needed
yarrow stalks - 50 yarrow stalks or Achillea millefolium sticks and IChing "Book of Changes"
3 coins and IChing “Book of Changes"
2 coins and IChing “Book of Changes"
4 coins and IChing “Book of Changes"
6 coins and IChing “Book of Changes"
8 coins and IChing “Book of Changes"
dice and IChing “Book of Changes"
marbles or beads and IChing “Book of Changes"
rice grains and IChing “Book of Changes"
calendric cycles and astrology and IChing “Book of Changes"
the Wen Wang Gua method (does not include IChing “Book of Changes”) - incorporates 12 Earthly branches, 5 Elements, and Chinese calendar
(it may also be wise to utilize a writing utensil and having scratch paper to write down hexagrams or numbering/math)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Ching
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Ching_divination
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagram_(I_Ching)
http://www.luckymojo.com/iching/ichingpermutations.html
(an interesting article on how many combinations you can get out of IChing)

IChing is an ancient form of divination that stems from using the book of the same name IChing or the “Book of Changes”. A diviner uses a random number generator to figure out which hexagram (64) to utilize in the book - this form of divination is a combination of sortilege, bibliomancy, and can combine other forms of divination such as astrology, theriomancy, stareomancy, etc.

Ifá -
Materials needed: The literary text “Odu Ifá” (16 major books combined with 16 alternative outcomes - for a total combination of 256 outcomes), 16 palm nuts (Ikin), a divination tray, and a tapping instrument
In this method, the babalawo (Priest of Ifá or “father of secrets”) i.e. the diviner begins to summons spirits by tapping on the divining tray which houses the palm nuts. The palm nuts are read as they are picked up by the diviner and placed from one hand to the other - this process is repeated until one of the Odu (possible combinations) is divined for the querent.
Very similar to IChing, Ifá is a combination of random number determination and bibliomancy. It typically is a stand-alone divination method, but can be incorporated into others - potentially making it very intricate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If%C3%A1

Kabbalah -
The Kabbalah is ancient, Jewish wisdom/mysticism that attempts to explain how the universe and life works. It means “to receive” or to pass on tradition. It’s scope is so grand and broad - it covers topics about: divinity, parts of the soul, meditation, morality, spiritual worlds, evil, man’s role in the universe, etc.

It’s in this diviner’s opinion that it is too broad a subject to go into great detail in this quick-reference. Just know that there are many ways to incorporate the Kabbalah into many divinatory practices and visa versa. Also, you may see it spelled in various and seemingly odd ways - “kabbalah” is just one variation of the spelling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah

Mahjong/Májiàng -
Materials needed: Mahjong game set (144 tiles)
A tile game from China, Mahjong has been compared to a domino game but is said to be played moreso like playing cards, such as the card game “rummy”. Fabled to originate from Confucius, the Chinese philosopher/teacher/politician and based off the principles of benevolence, sincerity, and piety.
Divining from Mahjong tiles can vary from simple to complex - depending on the method used to divine from them. One such method is sortilege, or picking a tile(s) at random and then divining. Tile meanings range from directions (winds), colors (dragons), seasons, flowers, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong

Norse Runes -
Materials needed: Runes inscribed into clay, coins, stones, tiles, resin, wood, etc. typically held in a bag. These runes are usually divined from using sortilege - being picked at random or tossed at random and then read. Each rune has a specific meaning behind them.
Sets of runes, or an alphabet of sorts, come from various centuries; but the most popular to divine from are the Elder Futhark runes and the Younger Futhark runes, respectively.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runic_magic
(Some good sources/authors in these)

If you would like to read more on Norse runes - this thread:
http://archive.4plebs.org/x/thread/13370057
has a lot of good sources and information.

Ogham -
Materials needed: Irish inscriptions (Ogham alphabet) on four yew sticks (or wands), a piece of cloth marked with a “Finn’s Window” combined with stick sortilege, and/or the use of a bríatharogam (a two word kenning or “compound”) from Ogham
Not much is known about the divinatory methods of Ogham - just theory and conjecture. One such method is that random Ogham letters were inscribed onto a large stone or four yew sticks, they were then tossed, then divined from. Another method was tossing sticks onto a cloth with what is know as a “Finn’s Window” drawn upon the cloth - the “Finn’s Window” was used to find Ogham letters and divine. Lastly, the use of bríatharogams could be used to divine meanings either by combining them with the prior two methods or by another devised method.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%ADatharogam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auraicept_na_n-%C3%89ces
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/thecelticogham/ss/MakeOghamStaves.htm
(a site on how to make your own or use Ogham sticks)

Ouija -
Materials needed: A flat board (usually wood) with written/inscribed letters of the alphabet, numbers, words (such as “yes”, “no”, “goodbye”, etc.) into the board and a planchette.
An Ouija board (otherwise known as “spirit boards” or “talking boards”) is a device used to communicate with spirits or supernatural entities and used in a divinatory fashion or used in seances. The diviner(s) holds the planchette and then asks spirits for answers/guidance wherein it is presumed that the spirits will spell out answers (cryptic or otherwise) with the device.
It gets a mention in the complex systems because it’s a combination of astragalomancy (divining from random numbers and letters) and necromancy (divining from spirits or the dead) - not to mention it can be combined with other forms of divination.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_writing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediumship

Pallomancy (pendulums) -
Materials needed: A suspended weight (or mass) that can swing freely (can be anything really: a rock on a string, metal pointer on a chain, a coin on a necklace, etc.)
Pallomancy is divination by pendulums. Used in a variety of ways, pallomancy can answer simple yes/no questions, be used on maps, point in directions, or divine other such information unknown to the diviner/querent. Pallomancy can be used in conjunction with Ouija boards (see above) or the Tarot (also below) and various other divination methods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendulum

Poe -
Materials needed: Two, crescent-shaped (like a shell or clam) pieces of wooden blocks.
These “moon blocks” or “bamboo cups” are typically used to answer yes/no questions from the divine.  These blocks are tossed and then read. If they land:
1 flat, 1 round = yes
2 round (flat side down) = no
2 flat (round side down) = a “no” answer, means the gods/spirits are laughing because the querent already knows the answer - they just haven’t realized it yet.
1 or 2 land upright (neither flat nor round side) = the gods/spirits do not understand or the question is nullified.
In the absence of divining sticks - answers are said to come truly when the same divination is portrayed 3 times in a row.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe_divination
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaobei
(see also Chien Tung/Kau Cim)

Scry (to descry) -
Materials needed: Depends on the method (but it goes without saying that you’ll need some form of eyesight)

catoptromancy (mirrors)
> a mirror
gastromancy (crystal ball)
> a crystal ball
hydromancy (water)
> a body of water (can be a bowl of water, pond, lake, etc. but preferable still water)

To descry means to "catch sight of" or to "catch a glimpse". Scrying is the act of seeing visions that come via supernatural means - seeing the unseen (not to be confused with remote viewing or being psychic - although, it’s quite possible that there is some overlap between these methods). Scrying is moreso concerned with determining what the demonic, scary face in the mirror meant rather than what is was.
Whether the visions come from your higher conscious, spirits, gods, or from an altered state of consciousness - it’ll be undeniable when you have a vision vs. your ordinary day-dreaming/imagination.
When a diviner wants to scry - there are a couple of ways to go about it. One, is the “mental way”. This is typically done without a reflective surface; but rather, in the diviner’s astral space (think of it as a mental “safe zone” brought about by meditation) - where they can view things “with their eyelids shut” or “with their mind’s eye”. Second, is the “reflective surface” way. In this way, the diviner peers at a reflective surface for an extended period of time - after awhile, vision will begin to shift, blur, blank out, etc. Some diviners describe it as entering a fog. After a while “in the fog/cloud/smoke/etc.” then the diviner will begin to have visions. The diviner is conscious and aware of these visions; but essentially has no control over what is being displayed.
Scrying can be brought about with altered states as well (through the use of drugs, meditation, fasting, entering a trance, etc.) and is considered a complex method in this diviner’s mind because it can be done with many mediums, in varying ways, and with different states of mind.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trance

It may also be of interest (of those who are into scrying) to also look into:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_deprivation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_viewing

Also, some reads that I always recommend to beginners (because I get asked about it all the time)
> Benjamin Rowe’s “A Short Course on Scrying”
> Frater Achad’s “Crystal Gazing”

Sikidy (pronounced S’kid) -
Materials needed: (Read below, first method requires 16 stones/seeds. The second method requires a stick and sand/dirt/loose earth).
Sikidy is a form of geomancy (divination by earth) and comes from Madagascar and has ties to Arabic backgrounds. In this form of divination, the diviner is referred to as the Mpisikidy or Ombiasy.

First method of Sikidy is using 16 stones or seeds. Seeds are traditionally used. These seeds are randomly arranged into singles or pairs and then put into their respective groupings (columns and rows).

The second method is similarly done with drawing random, wavy lines in the sand. The lines are, again, arranged into singles and pairs and then put into their respective groupings.

Each grouping has a specific meanings and can be broken into different divinations and can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Initially, the body (head, chest, hips, and foot/feet), then into mothers/daughters, then into royalty/slaves/dragons/omens, etc. A complex system for sure.

http://www.serenapowers.com/sikidy.html
http://bioinfo.uib.es/~joemiro/teach/labmat/Old/labmatold/sikiry.pdf
(this article is great for those who are into math and the various outcomes of sikidy)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/82150984/Divination-amoung-the-Malagasy-Geomancy-Sikidy#scribd
(a more in-depth read about the process)

Tarot/Oracle cards/and cartomancy -
Materials needed: A deck/set of Tarot cards, playing cards, or Oracle cards.
Cartomancy is divination by cards - usually by sortilege. Cartomancy stems out of chartomancy (divination by paper/ or images/writing on paper).

The Tarot -
The Tarot has such occult, deep symbolism on the cards; but don’t let this complex method scare you away. There are 78 cards in total in a deck. They are typically broken into two groups: Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana (22 cards) typically hold the Trump cards while the Minor Arcana (56 cards) is separated into 4 different suits. Each card has a specific meaning right-side-up and a weaker or lesser meaning when the card is reversed or up-side-down.

There are many different decks out there with varying imagery and symbolism. There are some that switch card number/placement around - but most decks follow the description above. There are also varying spreads that a diviner can utilize.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._E._Waite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rider-Waite_tarot_deck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoth_tarot_deck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot_of_Marseilles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Arcana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_Arcana

http://www.learntarot.com/
http://www.learntarot.com/cards.htm
(learn the Tarot for yourself)
http://www.tarotpedia.com/
(down for the moment - but should be reactivated later in the year. Tons upon tons of info here. Save this for a later read)
http://www.psychic-revelation.com/reference/q_t/tarot/tarot_spreads/
(different types of spreads - great for divining ideas)

*** Tarot FAQ (frequently asked questions)
> I’ve heard you have to be given a deck instead of buying one, is this true? Will I get “bad luck” if I get my own?
No. By all means, if you are interested in the Tarot - go out and find a deck you like.

> I’ve heard you can only use them once a month, is this true?
No. Use them and divine with them as much as you’d like/as much as possible.

> There are so many types of decks, which are best for beginners?
I always recommend Rider/Waite for beginners - it has simple imagery and is very beginner friendly. I also recommend Crowley’s Thoth set if you really want to delve into the occult. The Marseille deck is very medieval looking and simple. Having said this, go with a deck that you like or are drawn to - each come with a learning booklet, so you can really learn from any.

> There are so many cards! How do you memorize/learn them all?
It takes practice. It won’t come overnight. It takes time to learn the imagery and it can fun to do your own mnemonic devices for remembering card meanings.

Oracle cards -
Oracle cards are simply put: awesome. Oracle cards are typically diviner made/self-made. The fun thing about Oracle cards is that there are essentially no rules going into making them. You can have any number of cards, have as much or as little imagery per card, come up with a multitude of meanings for each card, they can be any size/shape, etc. The only limitation when it comes to Oracle cards is your imagination.

Now, just because there are “no rules” doesn’t mean you should go “willy-nilly” with them. They should still be treated as a diving tool and should bring about some wisdom/answers from them. Make sure that each card has a significant meaning and can be used to divine for your querent(s).

You can make Oracle cards or buy them online - the ones you can purchase from others who have made them will either come with assigned meanings or simply have no meanings and it will be up to you to create your own behind them.

Cartomancy -
Divination by any sort of cards (usually playing cards) falls under this category. Typically when a diviner uses playing cards - they use them as if they were the Tarot cards (see above). Since most decks only consist of 56 cards - diviners typically only use the Minor Arcana to describe situations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_card

Cartomancy is an obvious complex system of divination because there are so many decks/sets, so many different spreads to use, different symbolism/meanings, and an all around fun/intricate way to divine. Not to mention it’s ties to Astrology and can also incorporate the Kabbalah, used in conjunction with pallomancy, can be sortilege, cleromancy, etc. etc.

Tasseomancy (tea, coffee, and wine readings) -
Materials needed: A drink of tea, coffee, wine, or any other such beverage that can leave behind sediments after being consumed.

 The diviner will typically offer the querent a drink. The querent and the diviner may talk about or discuss the question at hand. Once the beverage is consumed, the diviner will then take the cup/container from the querent and read the sediments that have been left behind on the bottom. What the diviner looks for is: familiar shapes/imagery, symbolism, or any sign that can be pulled from the sediments.

Special cups can also be implored such as: zodiac cups, playing card cups, or cups decorated with a multitude of symbols and imagery.

A fun, simple, and/or yummy way to put the querent at ease - tasseomancy can still be a complex and intricate way to divine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasseography
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18241/18241-h/18241-h.htm
(some helpful symbolism - note, not all these symbols will mean the same thing to everyone/every diviner; but it’s a good spring board to get one started)

I wish anyone who reads this the very best. "Many thanks” - Hijinks (Jinxie)