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The Hand of Ifá is a significant step in aligning with destiny, but what role does it truly play? Does it reveal your life's purpose, or is it just the beginning of your spiritual journey? Ifá teaches that destiny is not just something you receive—it's something you must actively shape.

Every time I hear a Christian or other non-ATR adherent say that divination is demonic, I get frustrated. This is primarily because this sentiment is often directed toward non-Christian forms of divination. Even more, I am confused by their lack of knowledge of the Bible. 

Partly, I get it because I was once there myself. I was taught that engaging in divination practices such as astrology, tarot reading, palmistry, crystal ball gazing, and other forms of seeking supernatural knowledge or guidance outside of ‘the God of the Bible’ is evil and of the devil.

However, even then, I was perplexed by the notion that divination is considered evil. That’s because it is performed on several occasions throughout the Bible and even in the Apocrypha. This practice was also ordained by God, and the gift of divination was specifically given to the Levitical priesthood. 

Though there were instances where divination was condemned in the Bible. Particularly, this occurred when it was performed by individuals who didn’t follow the Hebrew God. However, various forms of divination were very much so alive and active among the Hebrews. Even in instances where it was condemned, seers, prophets, etc., were deemed to be accurate and skilled in their craft.

In other instances, the ‘God of the Bible’ clearly outlined when, where, who, and how divination should be performed. See below for specific examples:

The Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21): The Urim and Thummim were sacred objects kept in the breastplate of the high priest of Israel. They were used to seek divine guidance or answers to questions. Exactly how they functioned is not clear, but they were similar to divination practices performed in ATR.

The Casting of Lots: In several instances in the Old Testament, lots were cast as a means of seeking God's guidance or making decisions. For example, lots were cast to determine the allocation of land (Joshua 18:6-10) and to select leaders (1 Samuel 14:41-42, Acts 1:26). ATR priests and priestesses still cast lots in various forms.

Ephod and Divination by the Priesthood (1 Samuel 23:6-12, 1 Samuel 30:7-8): In the times of the Old Testament, the high priest or another priest sometimes used the ephod, a special garment, for seeking divine guidance. Through the ephod, they could inquire of the Lord and receive answers. This notion is very similar to masquerades used in ancestor veneration practices throughout the continent. 

Daniel Interprets Dreams (Daniel 2, 4): Daniel, a prophet in the Old Testament, interpreted dreams and visions. Dream interpretation is still very much an active part of African culture.

The Casting of Gideon's Fleece (Judges 6:36-40): Gideon, a judge of Israel, asked God for a sign to confirm His will regarding the upcoming battle against the Midianites. He requested that God make a wool fleece wet with dew while keeping the ground dry and then the reverse. God granted both requests and through this, Gideon gained confidence in God's guidance. 

The Magi and the Star of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12): The Magi from the East observed a star that they interpreted as a sign of the birth of a king in Judea. They traveled to Jerusalem to inquire about this event and seek the newborn king. Their methods involved interpreting celestial signs, which is basically astrology.

There are many more examples of divinatory practices throughout the Bible and the Apocrypha. These were ultimately forms of spiritual communication that had been employed for centuries by our ancestors. 

While there is such a thing as spiritual communication with evil forces, similar to Christian beliefs, ATR does not condone or endorse these methods. Such techniques are clearly deemed to be demonic and destructive according to African spiritual beliefs. It is definitely possible to consort with wicked forces for evil purposes. 

So, to answer the question, divination can be demonic. However, it should not automatically be deemed as such when performed outside of a Christian context. Our ancestors have been engaging in such practices for centuries. And these practices have brought them solace, comfort, and guidance in their time of need. 

Divination is not inherently evil when performed outside of mainstream religious belief systems. Nor is it inherently good when performed within such systems. Seeking Divine knowledge is an age-old practice that has been performed by many individuals since time immemorial. 

Africans Being Called Stupid Justified

Sound We can cure us of stupidity by taking appropriate practical steps in our religious practices. Western philosophers wrote about African Stupidity. For example, G. W. F. Hegel did. Another example is Professor James Watson, the 2007 noble prize winner for chemistry. He observed that a black person bears gene for idiocy. I had been a fighter against these expletives for a long time. (For…