In point of fact, it is an impossibility for anyone to "predict" the future with any real accuracy. Granted, if one has sufficient knowledge of a particular situation and the nature of the various participants, it is a simple matter to predict the eventual outcome. But, this is not true divination. The psychic process of divination is much more than "making an educated guess."

True divination, no matter what tool or technique is employed, is an attempt to understand how the "unseen forces" of Life affect our immediate decisions and actions. These mysterious unseen forces are not, however, as mysterious as they may sound. They are nothing more than the cumulative energies of the countless decisions and actions of the other people in our world, all interwoven together like the threads of an enormous, intricate cloth. And, if you cut or pluck a single thread, the whole of the fabric is affected in some way or another.

To many people, though, the practice of any form of divination, or communion with a Mystical Spirit-Self, seems to be a giant step backwards into the superstitions of the distant past. On the contrary, nothing could be further from the truth. Divination, meditation and all other practices of the so-called "New Age" are a cosmic leap forward. They are a conscious acknowledgment of a unified and holistic Universe, of equal rights for all living creatures (human or not), of our oneness with the environment and our responsibility for the planet itself.

But, the path forward is often found by going backward. With all of our science and technology, it is the simplified beliefs of our ancient ancestors which are found to have the most relevance and validity to the collective consciousness of humanity as it enters the twenty-first century.

The true potency of divination, however, is clearly seen when it is utilized as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious minds, through the vehicle of a specific Oracle. Do not forget, though, that divination is based upon the energy of behavior patterns and should, therefore, be consulted only for guidance. It is not fortune telling.

To establish an effective path of communication between your conscious and unconscious selves, it is essential that you become familiar with a single symbolic code. This becomes a common language between your Higher Self and your conscious personality. The general framework of such a coded language has already been written for you within the numerical process of the I-Ching (the Chinese "Book of Change"), the artistic symbols of the tarot cards, the movements of a pendulum, and other forms of divination. All you have to do to make immediate use of it is to relax, follow a few simple rules and interpret the symbolic message it gives you.

Because the unconscious mind forgets nothing and takes everything into account (past, present and future), it is capable of guiding the conscious personality unerringly into perfection and fulfillment. Divination is only one of many possible tools by which such insight may be obtained. Prayer, meditation, dreams, visualization and so forth are just some of the other means at your disposal. Remember, though, that for a thing to be important to you it must have a specific meaning to you.

The delicate connection between your conscious and unconscious minds must not, under any circumstances, be abused or taken lightly. Think of their relationship as that of two friends who may be driven apart or may even become enemies. When this happens, a person has only him or herself to blame.

Why is life so difficult? The harder we push the more it hurts. But, the more it hurts the harder we push. Could it, perchance, be our blind ignorance of the natural laws of Life which creates this vicious cycle of destruction? The balance of the Universe, as well as that of our own lives, must be maintained at any and all cost. When mistakes are made, cosmic laws are instantly brought into action to correct these errors. This is the basic principle of the cosmic law of Cause and Effect.

During meditation and prayer, when the conscious mind is relaxed and still, the symbols of the Spirit Self will often appear within the subconscious mind, where they are sorted out and interpreted in accordance with the conscious self's own personal code. Eventually, this message may float upward to the surface of the waking consciousness. The ancient oracles are merely tools to assist us in dredging up this wisdom and knowledge buried within us all.
 
 

Any type of Oracle should be approached as if it were a person, a wise old sage to whom you have come for guidance. It is, as we have already seen, your own Higher Self which speaks to you through its spiritual symbology. And, you would not approach a learned sage in a hurried, confused or flippant manner. So, too, you should maintain the proper attitude of respect and reverence when consulting the Oracle. Try to remain detached and/or objective as possible, since strong emotions will tend to distort your understanding of the sage's answer.

Wording your inquiry correctly and writing it down is an important part of the meditative process of divination. Avoid questions that require yes or no answers and either/or decisions. Instead, ask the Oracle about the effects of your chosen actions or the particular path to a specific goal. And, most importantly, keep your questions short and uncomplicated. As you learn to better focus your inquiries into short and concise sentences, the answers which you receive from your own unconscious mind, the inner and true You, will become clearer and more to the point.

If an answer should seem rather obtuse, however, a second or even a third question may be asked for clarification. Do not, therefore, over complicate a single question by asking for too much information at one time.

Once you have composed your question, write it down and date it. Contemplate the subject of your inquiry for a few seconds, then begin to formulate the particular divinatory symbols (hexagrams, card spreads, etc.) which will represent your personal reality at this moment in time.
 
 

Most oracles are eccentric, with a very distinct personality of their own. They will never speak to any two people in quite the same way. Their complex symbology is such that no two people will ever interpret any single symbol in exactly the same terms. In fact, no one person will ever read the same divination twice in exactly the same way. Their symbology seems to change with each new situation and fluxuation of energy.

Therefore, there can be no standard formula for the personal interpretation of the symbols of any Oracle. The only rigid rule one must adhere to is... "Do not read anything too literally!"

The symbology of the Oracle may be subtle and evasive at one time, or witty and blunt at another reading. It may harp upon a single subject to the point of nagging, or it may jump from topic to topic so quickly that it confuses you. It may embarrass you one moment and, then, frighten you half to death in the next. But, it will always be unpredictable, just like the nature of life itself.

Oracles do not make mistakes! But, one may easily misinterpret their messages. For this reason, do not hurry over the answer which you receive or leap to any hasty conclusions based upon your emotional response to such an answer. Explore all possibilities before you decide upon a single interpretation of any divination.

Because each Oracle is composed of your own inner and outer consciousness, you should consider carefully the many interpretations of each symbol before dismissing the answer as meaningless. It may be speaking to you of a conflict in family relationships, or it may be issuing a warning against the movement from one compass direction to another, or even of weather conditions which could affect your plans. So, do not be satisfied with only the obvious surface appearances of the answer, but search for hidden messages within the combinations of the symbols which comprise the answer. Also, look to your own hopes and fears for possible colorations of the "reading."

Time is psychological. It is a state of consciousness. It is your thought processes, your emotional state, and your state of personal awareness. Therefore, when there is hatred, fear or anger in your mind (consciously or not), the Oracle may tell you that it is not the proper time to act. Your negative attitude may bring about your own failure and loss. It is not the time which is improper, but your attitude toward the prevailing circumstances. Change your attitude and you may find the time is ripe for action.

Certain terms and imagery will be encountered frequently as we read through the symbol interpretations for many different Oracles. There is reference in almost every text to the "Superior Person." This is not another being to whom the Oracle is intimating, but our own Higher Self as we should be expressing it in the physical world. It is the infallible and virtuous side of our nature which is too often imprisoned by the negative side of our personality. So, reference to this Superior Being indicates the conditions of balance and harmony with the flow of universal energies to which we should all aspire.