Seeing The Future Part III: No Really, How Does It Work?

But how does the actual future-telling part work? Besides the fact that the diviner has studied the method and knows how to interpret the patterns, how do the objects go from being random to divinely inspired? The cards were thrown in a way that appears random, but (to the believer) is really a calculated response to a specific question. How did they get that way? How did the tea leaves come to form a special, insightful pattern, rather than just a wet glob at the bottom of my cup? Where does the power come from?

As with everything of a spiritual/religious nature, it's a matter of belief, so different people will give you different answers. My explanation is my personal opinion and belief, however, I will state that the majority of modern practitioners will more or less agree with the following description.

The cards, stones, leaves, etc. are simply objects with little to no power of their own. The diviner is a skilled spiritualist who is practiced in connecting with the supernatural. They may be psychic, intuitive, or an empath. They may have been born with their abilities, possibly with a family lineage of psychics, or they may have developed their abilities over time with years of practice. They may receive information visually or audibly, or they may feel it empathically. They may receive information from a familiar spirit, or from the querent's familiar spirits, ancestors, or other entities. They may not receive information from a specific source at all, simply tuning into the energy of the universe.

However, the majority of the power in the reading comes from the querent themselves. It's the personal energy of the person seeking the information that the diviner, and the divination tools, are picking up on. For example, when I read the Tarot for someone, I always have them handle the cards, shuffling them as they ruminate on their question or problem. In this way the cards are infused with that person's energy, so that when I throw the cards they fall in a pattern that's meaningful to that person's situation. In this way I am merely an intermediary, helping the querent connect with the supernatural and interpreting the information in a symbolic language (the cards) that I have studied for years. Using my own intuitive abilities, I'm able to judge the efficacy of the reading.

Many diviners do not have the querent handle the cards or other objects. Usually these practitioners use more psychic connections than I use, putting their own energy into the cards to read the answer. Basically the diviner picks up on the energy of the querent, then puts their own energy into the cards to get the information. Either way, the energy and power is coming from the person who is seeking the answers.

You're still reading?! Read the Conclusion.