#divinatory

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Another neat book I got from my work. There are a number of these beautiful, interesting works that I'd like to collect, and today I got the Codex Borgia. From Wikipedia:

This is intended for beginners, but it can be useful to have on hand for quick reference if you’re busy, tired, or just want to double-check! 

This is not a complete list of all elemental correlations, of course, but is a sort of simple guide to basic associations and meanings.

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IGNIS - FIRE 

New beginnings, high or forward-moving energy, fresh starts, ambition, goals, achievement. 

Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are Fire signs of the Western Zodiac.

Wands in Tarot, Clubs in Playing Card Reading.

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TERRA - EARTH 

Sense of security or belonging, the physical realm in general, Earth, finances and business, career and work, home and family. 

Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are Earth signs of the Western Zodiac. 

Pentacles in Tarot, Diamonds in Playing Card Reading. 

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AQUA - WATER 

Emotions, fertility, friendship and relationships, all matters of love and passion.

Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are Water signs of the Western Zodiac. 

Chalices or Cups in Tarot, Hearts in Playing Card Reading.

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AER - AIR 

Mental realm in general, intelligence/wisdom, social aspects and communication of all kinds.

Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are Air signs of the Western Zodiac.

Swords in Tarot, Spades in Playing Card Reading. 

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I hope this is helpful for someone, and best of luck to you beginners out there! 

Much love and light 

herbalist-witch on Tumblr

Day 13: Leslie and Camille, the Fortune teller and the Flute Player

There has recently been a growing discussion online of the role of divinatory practices like astrology and tarot in the practice of magic. The range of opinion is often a rainbow of misinformation, disinformation and ill gotten bias masking as authority.

Early on in my path I became distinctly aware that the way in which we project ourselves during the practice of magic, guarded and in control, is the opposite of the way in which one practices various forms of divination, which require the practitioner to be open and a conduit for outside influences.

In magic as we go about various techniques to banish unwanted spirits, and to contain them or ourselves for our protection, we are setting up barriers that we control. These barriers are mechanisms for dealing with powers potentially outside of our influence.

In divination one becomes open to the influence of other variables upon our actions, either directly or indirectly. From the movement of the planets and stars to the gestures of our hands or the seeming randomness of some cast lot we are guided in divination to an awareness of those things beyond our regular perceptions.

Astrology has long been a hot topic for debate, with as many currents of practice over the centuries as there are forms of ritual magic. Contemporary astrology in the mainstream draws heavily upon the influences codified in the mid to late 19th century. Some ideas being outdated, yet others that stretch back to antiquity bearing out even as the science unveils the secrets of these celestial bodies.

The idea that a successful magical operation must be performed at specific times/days, or even years, may only make sense to one who is able to discern the larger picture of actualization across a spectrum of reality. These ideas of particular times being ideal (or not) for particular tasks stretches back to the earliest of antiquities, to the very root of civilization. The megalithic structures that dot the earth may remain a mystery in many ways, but it is apparent that they are meant to track the location of celestial objects in the sky, and thus act as calendars for ritual practice.

Tarot is another divinatory practice, one that I myself rely heavily upon, that yields insight into our surroundings and the results of our magical operations. While tarot is very nearly as popular as astrology there are hundreds of divinatory practices that can similarly be used to ascertain information to help in the preparation and practice of magic.

For the practitioner of magic to act according to that current that carries their practice forward they must be able to see clearly, to illuminate the potentialities of their actions. Before a magical operation one must know all of the variables, those both seen and unseen, and be able to divine the results of our choices before they occur.

Performing magical operations without a divinatory method of deduction is like driving a car with no rear view mirrors or headlamps in the dark. We may move forward at an incredible speed, but we know not the potentialities of our actions, and thus may terminally err in our practice.

Divination in its many forms has existed among mankind from its very start. Like much of magic its functioning applications tend to stick around even as the cultural framework in which they exist changes. Divinatory practice is even more results oriented that practical magic. If it isn't giving us useful information then a methodology will be abandoned over time.