#divination methods

♰ 𓏼 channeling with èlise ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ⠀ㅤ ︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶

what is channeling? channeling is a divination method that can be used for communicating with the energy of your desired person (or their higher self), using divination tools and intuitive energy as a bridge between "realities". much like any other form of divination, channeling is an energy exchange that should not be taken lightly.

divination tools tarot, music (spotify, apple music, etc.), oracle cards, pinterest, dice, bibliomancy, osteomancy, using a pendulum, pretty much every tool you use for divination can be used for channeling someone from your desired reality. 

my personal beliefs based on my experience with channeling, I believe that much like how we evoke our spirit guides ― we are capable of evoking the energy from our desired realities, in similar fashion to communicating with our guides. one thing i resonated with most was something i've read from ﹫shaysplanet regarding how we all are connected through energy and since we exist in every reality, it's likely true that the same goes for people in our desired realities. from my experience, raising my vibrations in regards to my desired reality and self help me become more successful in channeling ― because of the fact im vibrationally aligned with myself there. the veil between “our” reality and “theirs” is VERY THIN, so much so — you’ve likely experienced a “crossover” in your day to day life. (which ill explain)

raising vibrations consuming the media of where you're shifting to, scrolling through your desired reality pinterest boards, listening to songs you associate with yourself, your partner, your life, or your family and friends, daydreaming of scenarios or writing about your experiences in your dr, or even doing things unrelated to your dr that make you happy.

NON-NEGOTIABLES protect yourself!!!!!! spiritual hygiene is the most important thing when it comes to divination, i will give you a few “basic” options of base protection. lighting a white candle, veiling, prayer, imagining a protection shield of white light around you, protections frequencies, bells, asking for protection from your spirt team or trusted deities, crystals or runes with the purpose of protecting. cleansing should be done before AND after a channeling session, cleansing methods also include cleansing frequencies, bells, incense, smoke from your candle, rosemary, palo santo (only of ethically sourced), a warm/hot shower where your envisioning any unwanted energy falling down the drain (focusing on cleaning the area around your head and neck) as well as the soles of your feet and your achilles heels. It is very important that you practice spiritual hygiene, it is important you understand WHAT you’re using, why you’re using it, and what it’s doing for you. so that you can properly use it to aid you. SELF CARE your personal health affects your spiritual health, you need to drink enough water and eat properly!!! channeling is draining, you’re using your intuitive abilities to essentially be a bridge of this reality and “theirs”, it is likely to affect your body in a negative way — but not in a way that’s unavoidable, you’re likely to experience dizziness, fatigue, exhaustion, hunger, headaches, etc. understand when you’re going too far, listen to your body, if it tells you that it can’t handle anymore IT CANT.

the “crossover” it sounds much more complicated than it actually is, but this is worded the best i could. you’ve likely experienced a moment like this, it comes in many forms. de javu of already experiencing something. “downloads” from your dr, which are also known as memories. they can come from the past, present, or future. often showing up when you’re writing scenarios that feel just a little too familiar for it to have been made up in your head. because of the fact shifting is just simply remembering, you’re likely to remember experiences or moments in your dr as if they were any other memory from your life here. they can be triggered by scenes in a show, songs, movies, and more. i refer to it as the crossover due to the fact you’re quite literally experiencing moments from your “alternate self”, i believe this happens when you stumble across “the channel” of your dr (similar to accidentally finding a channel on the radio that plays all your favorite songs!!) you’ve aligned vibrationally and essentially tapped into your alternate consciousness. another form of this is a sickly feeling of familiarity, for a life you know YOU haven’t consciously experienced or a life you don’t presently remember. you yearn for it, whether you notice it or not. much like saying how you wish you were home after spending too long away on vacation.

i would like to know direct the attention towards this post by shaysplanet, she has very good posts when it comes to channeling — and is one of the people who introduced me to the concept of channeling during early shifttok! she takes a more straightforward approach in her explanation, while being thorough and clear cut.

MY CHANNELING ROUTINE even when i do not intend to channel, I practice constant spiritual hygiene. before i decide to open up my space to other energy, i light the candles on my altar (for the deity i honor and worship) as well as a white candle that has a comforting scent. usually before this ive entered a meditative state while listening to music, but i don’t usually meditate in the “typical” way due to the fact i have a horrible time sitting still. stretching, yoga, scrolling through pinterest, writing, all count as states of meditation for me. because during these times my mind is silent, and my focus is on one thing. veiling is my second step, veiling protects my crown chakra from any energy that attempts to stick longer than its welcome. i cleanse my veil with smoke, then slip it onto my head. i put on my jewelry made my other devotees of the goddess i worship, as well as my crystal jewelry and protective pendants that are also “blessed” in a way by the deity for protection. i lay down the blanket i specifically use when doing tarot, and put my playlist on shuffle. my preferred methods are shufflemancies on spotify and pinterest, while using tarot to understand what might not be conveyed through images or song. after a few minutes (usually around 15-30 even if im not actively asking questions but rather interpreting what it means) I will speak out loud that i release all energy that doesn’t belong to me, allowing only what i came in with to stay in my space. specifying that any energy is returned back to the person I “borrowed” it from, before putting my deck away. afterwards i cleaned my hands, my jewelry, my veil, and wash my hands. after washing them, i’ll run my fingers through my hair (paying special attention to the roots and my scalp.) using the smoke from my palo santo to cleanse the back of my neck, and then slowly working my way over each chakra point thoroughly. focusing on my root, third eye, and throat. for extra measures i keep my white candle lit, as well as the candles on my altar until im ready to blow them out or lay down (since i mostly channel at night), as well as spending a few moments walking around my room with my bell and ensuring i get the four corners of my room (top to bottom) so nothing lingers there either. then i allow myself to enjoy a nice treat and extra water, relaxing for the rest of my time awake.

i truly hope this helps!! and i want to remind you that anything regarding divination can be different for everyone. if this does not align with you or your believes, you are not forced to accept it! this is simply for those who don’t understand what channeling is or what precautions to take. if you have any questions my asks and dms are open, but i implore you to do your own research as i’ve done mine and unfortunately cannot share everything i’ve learned over the past few years. by sharing the basics i hope that those who are curious will feel motivated to learn more about the topic before attempting!! this isn’t meant to be taken as if it were the bible to channeling, but rather my experience and what i’ve learned through my journey of divination and shifting.

Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet from the 4th-5th century CE. It has 20 letters called feda, most of them named for trees or plants. Medieval Irish manuscripts describe druids and heroes using ogham-inscribed sticks for divination and magical purposes.

You can practice ogham divination with items you already own. Wooden sticks, painted stones, even slips of paper work fine. No expensive tools required. The accessibility of the system makes it practical for beginners while offering depth for experienced practitioners.

This guide gives will cover how to do divination with ogham. If you want more historical background on ogham as a writing system and its archaeological evidence, start with this introduction to ogham first.

The Robert Graves Problem

Many people first encounter ogham through Robert Graves' book The White Goddess and his "Celtic tree calendar." Graves published this system in 1948. He invented it.

Ogham is not a calendar. It has no connection to astrology or seasonal time-keeping that we know of. Graves created his tree calendar by selecting associations he liked and arranging them into a system that fit his poetic theories. The historical record doesn't support his claims.

The alphabet does connect to trees and plants through the letter names (Beith means birch, Dair means oak, Sail means willow). But medieval Irish sources assign many other associations to each letter beyond just trees. Reducing ogham to a "tree alphabet" or forcing it into a calendar framework ignores the actual complexity of the system.

This guide uses bríatharogam from medieval manuscripts rather than modern inventions. When you read "withered foot with fine hair" or "greyest of skin" for Beith, you're working with kennings that medieval Irish scholars recorded, not 20th-century speculation.

Why Bríatharogam Matter for Ogham Divination

Medieval Irish manuscripts preserve three sets of kennings for each ogham letter, along with a color, animal and other associations. These poetic phrases work like riddles, each offering a different angle on the letter's meaning. The three sets come from different sources and traditions, attributed to the scholar Morainn mac Moín, the poetic name Maic ind Óc (the Young Son), and the hero Con Culainn.

Take Fearn (alder) as an example. Morainn's bríatharogam calls it "vanguard of warriors." Maic ind Óc calls it "milk container." Con Culainn calls it "protection of the heart." These three phrases give you layers to work with when Fearn appears in a reading. You might interpret it as needing to fight for something, as nourishment and sustenance, or as vulnerability requiring protection. The medieval sources understood that symbols carry multiple meanings.

This layered approach to interpretation has historical roots. Irish literary tradition valued ambiguity and multiple meanings in language. The bríatharogam reflect that sophistication.

How to Read Ogham Divination

Single Draw: Draw one fid for a yes/no question or daily guidance. Read its meaning and apply it directly to your situation. Simple, fast, effective.

Three Paths Spread: Draw three feda and lay them in a row. The first shows where you've been, the second shows where you are, the third shows where you're heading if you continue on your current path. Good for decision-making and understanding trajectory.

Casting Method: Hold all your feda, focus on your question, and scatter them on a cloth. Read only the ones that land face-up. Feda that land close together relate to each other. Those near the center of the cloth matter most to your current situation. Ignore any that fall off the cloth entirely.

You don't need special training to read ogham. Start with the meanings in the guide. Your intuition develops through practice as you work with the symbols and see how they show up in your life.

Making Your Own Ogham Divination Set

Find twenty wooden sticks roughly the same size and carve or paint the ogham letters on them. Collect twenty smooth stones and mark them with permanent marker or paint. Cut twenty pieces of paper or cardstock and draw the symbols.

You don't need to purchase manufactured sets. Making your own becomes part of learning the system. As you create each fid, you spend time with its name, its shape, its associations. That time matters.

The guide includes visual reference for all 20 letters so you know exactly what to draw or carve.

About the Ogham Reference Guide

The guide is available as a PDF download on Ko-fi. It's structured as both a quick reference and a learning tool. Each fid gets its own page with pronunciation, all three bríatharogam, traditional associations, and modern divinatory meanings.

The information comes from medieval manuscript sources rather than modern invented systems. Historical accuracy matters when you're working with a tradition that has actual documentation. You get the real thing, not someone's 1940s fantasy about what Celts "must have" believed.

The guide works for beginners who need foundational knowledge and for experienced practitioners who want a reliable reference with historical backing.

Start Where You Are

You already have what you need to practice ogham divination. Paper and pen. Sticks from your yard. Stones from a walk. The tools are simple because the practice itself is accessible.

Get the Ogham Reference Guide to learn the feda and their meanings. If you want more historical context about ogham as a writing system and its archaeological evidence, read this introduction to the ogham alphabet.

Lately I been trying to improve my Rune/Charm/Bone casting by using some kind of cloth with quadrants but the ones I saw online were just… not my thing, they are usually too simple and is like they always need a little something. So, since I’m a “make your own shit but make it cheap” kind of witch, I made a template that’s a bit more complex. And of course, I share with everyone, in case someone find it useful.

Disclaimer: Complex. I will explain EVERYTHING, so this will not be a small post. Yet I will not explain super basic things like “what represent the moon”. That’s your job!

So, here is the idea:

Is made in a A4 very thick rough paper, which allow the runes and charms (I use both at the same time) to slide to their designated parties and don’t bounce back like can happen with cloths. This template is made in a way that you can interpret the different questions in different ways without need an entire new design.

Sections:

The Pentacle is affected by 3 circles. The inner one is the inner self, the desires, the very much core of the person/problem (I will say “topic” from now on), the main issue, the very most important thing. The one that pass between the tips of the pentacle are the closely related things that affect directly the topic. The outside circle is the context, these external things that maybe affect indirectly. Out of it, whatever that barely affect the topic, the societal and cultural aspect sort to speak, the rumors.

The page is divided by 4 pointed vertically and horizontally lines in the middle, making the Left and Right, the Up and Down sides. The Left is affected by the Moon and all what implies, specially as the “not evident stuffs affecting the topic”, as the Right is affected by the Sun and its characteristics as the “at plain sight issues”. That’s why the two suns and moons on the corners.

The Up and Down sides are to represent what’s “closer” to the person who made the question or cast the Runes (It depend on what you prefer). The down part is usually closer to me because I’m seeing that page as how this looks. It also can be used to yes/no questions, being the “special item” tossed and answering depending if is up or down the line, or if is closer to you.

The four sides of the paper represent the 4 Elements and their corresponding Cardinal Point, separated by these sword-like lines between the moon/sun and the pentacle. My Elements are related to geological cardinal points by my particular location, so let’s say that North is Fire in my case, so, they look like this (yours should and can look different by the layout of your elements/cardinal points):

So anything that falls into each one of these quadrants, will be affected by the correspondent element. So a Rune on Water, will be more linked to emotions; and an economic charm on Earth will be a great sign of good cash! The center can be affected by these or it can represent the spirit aspect, as you prefer. Each quadrant will be touching 2 other quadrants. So in my case, Fire can be touching Earth and Water, so anything that stand right in the line between them, is a conjunction of both.

Now, as you can see, each element is also separated on 3. Past, Present and Future to each Element. A charm or item that represent a Block, for example, in Past Water, can hint about emotional issues that still affect the topic now, like traumas. And an item that represent luck on Future Air, can represent an exam with a good grade.

These conjunctions can be interpreted as 4 “time mix”. In this case, you have 4 Past/Future (Which Element will affect which other should change accordingly the position of your elements). This “time mix” are exactly the line that separate each element, and can indicate effects or direct consequences. For example, in a self-cast I made, a stone (that represent blocks) and a shell (water symbol of hidden things and slow progress) fall together like a pair on the Past Water – Future Fire. This is easy to read: The consequences of your mental health and past emotions will affect directly your future passion and actions (Plot twist, I have chronic depression and my future plans are non-existing).

Disclaimer: This last text and image was fixed because I made a mistake yesterday, was 1:40 am, brain can't brain XD

For the rest, you can add or take whatever you need. Like, you can choose if the elements also affect inside the circles of the pentacle itself, or not.

If you want, you can also use the template as a tarot spread, using the Past/Present/Future Elements, the Up/Down, the Right/Left and the Pentacle like answers of a question.

Decorate it as much as you want! Mine is ultra simple or my ADHD head will get distracted with the drawings. I can suggest you make it on a perfectly squared paper/cloth, but if you make it in a A4 paper like me, if you use a ruler and pick the exact center, then the 4 quadrants will be quite the same (they look different because they are elongated in different ways, but the content is pretty much the same).

It's always a bit confusing because discerning what is you and what is your deity is a big struggle.

My process was this:

I stop thinking for a second, concentrating on my surroundings.

I (if I get it) get a concept in my head randomly. Like, the general idea of what the deity is trying to communicate with me.

While concentrating on that idea, I try to translate that vague concept into words.

This is what I follow and what usually works for me. While writing the idea I do so, sometimes, in a way that's not the way I talk. For example, I noticed Lucifer is much more baroque when talking, and has a very poetic way of expressing his thoughts. On the other hand, Beelzebub tends to be more direct and talks in short sentences, he wants to get his point across quickly.

I encourage you to try it as another way of divination!! I used it before but I didn't know the name was "free writing", I first thought it was called "automatic writing", I just corrected it from a comment I got on the post. This, along with tarot and pendulum are my current favourites.

I’ve been looking into trying new forms as I mostly read tarot and do automatic writing but wanted to get a feel for what others are resonating with and their favorites and least favorites

Also if your fav is tarot, what deck is your fav since I’m always looking for more

Thanks witches! 🖤🪦🕸️🕷️🔮

Automatic writing- entering a meditative state and channelling information from the spirits while writing/typing messages.

Scrying- gazing into what is usually a reflective surface to divine.

Tarot- using cards to interpret a story.

Oracle- cards used to help in spiritual enlightenment, offering the possibility of self-growth.

Osteomancy- divination using animal bones.

Tasseography- the reading of tea leaves.