praxis
Divination
The ritual practice of discerning hidden knowledge — future events, concealed causes, or the will of higher powers — through a structured technique applied to cards, lots, astrological configuration, entrails, oracle, or other sortilege, rather than through direct unmediated insight. Distinct from gnosis_direct_knowledge (unmediated inner apprehension of ultimate truth, not a technique applied to an external medium) and cosmic_sympathy (the underlying doctrine of hidden affinity that many divinatory techniques presuppose, rather than the practice of consulting it).
60 passages · 7 traditions
neoplatonism21
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter I
“In the first place, therefore, you ask me to explain to you distinctly, “ what that is which is effected in the foreknowledge of future events? ” Immediately, however, that which you endeavour to learn is impossible. For, according to the m…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XI-a
“Another species of divine divination which is much celebrated, most manifest and manifold, is that of oracles, about which you say as follows: “ There are some who drink water, as the priest of Clarius, in Colophon; but others are seated at…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XII
“It appears, therefore, that the divination of oracles accords with all the hypotheses which we have before adduced concerning prediction. For if a power of this kind was inseparable from the nature of places, and of the bodies which are the…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIII
“Let us, therefore, now direct our attention to another species of divination, which is not public, but of a private nature, concerning 147 which you say, “ that some become enthusiastic by standing on characters, as those that are filled fr…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIV
“Concerning another kind of divination, also, you say as follows: “ Others who are conscious what they are doing in other respects, are divinely inspired according to the phantastic part, some indeed receiving darkness for a cooperator, othe…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XV
“Let us, therefore, pass on to the mode of divination which is effected through human art, and which possesses much of conjecture and opinion. But concerning this you say as follows: “ Some also establish the art of the investigation of futu…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XVII-a
“In the next place you inquire “ concerning the mode of divination, what it is, and what the quality is by which it is distinguished ,” which we have already explained, both generally and particularly.
But you, in the first place, represent…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XVII-b
“For, as he sometimes makes some stupid man to speak wisely, through which it becomes manifest to every one, that this is not a certain human but a divine work; thus, also, he reveals through things which are deprived of knowledge, conceptio…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XXIII
“The animadversions which are after this adduced, at first, indeed, doubt about the mode of divination, but as they proceed, endeavour entirely to subvert it. We shall, therefore, discuss both these. And, in the first place, we shall begin t…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XXIV
“In what follows, while you endeavour to unfold divination, you entirely subvert it. For if a passion of the soul is admitted to be the cause of it, what wise man will attribute to an unstable and stupid thing orderly and stable foreknowledg…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XXVI
“There are many other contentious innovations also, which may be the subject of wonder. But some one may justly be astonished at the contrariety of opinions produced by admitting either that the truth of divination is with enchanters, the wh…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XXVII-a
“Moreover, neither is it sufficient to assert, “ that nature, art, and the sympathy of things in the universe, as if they were the parts of one animal, contain premanifestations of certain 188 things with reference to each other; nor that bo…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XXXI-a
“Again, therefore, still worse than this is the explanation of sacred operations, which assigns as the cause of divination, “ a certain genus of dæmons, which is naturally fraudulent, omniform, and various, and which assumes the appearance o…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XXXI-b
“Hence this genus of divination is undefiled and sacerdotal, and is truly divine.
This, also, does not, as you say it does, require me, or any other as an arbiter, in order that I may prefer it to a multitude of other things; but it is itse…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter III
“In the next place we shall explain how divination is effected through sacred animals, such, for instance, as hawks. We must never say, therefore, that the Gods accede through bodies that are thus procured, being employed. For they do not pr…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IV
“It is necessary, however, to think that the soul which uses divination of this kind, not only becomes an auditor of the prediction, but also contributes in no small degree from itself to the consummation of it, and of what pertains to its o…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIII-o
“In the next place, departing from intellect, and descending into reasoning and dianoia, it no longer apprehended real beings by simple intuitions, but syllogistically and transitively, proceeding from one thing to another, from propositions…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIII-bd
“The joint risings and settings.
145 .
i.
e.
Through a period of 300,000 years; and Procl.
in Tim.
lib.
iv.
p.
277, informs us that the Chaldeans had observations of the stars which embraced whole mundane periods.
What Proclus like…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 110
“Section 7 7. But, if the stars announce the future- as we hold of many other things also- what explanation of the cause have we to offer? What explains the purposeful arrangement thus implied? Obviously, unless the particular is included un…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 181 (part 1)
“Section 5 5.
But perhaps the explanation of every particular act or event is rather that they are determined by the spheric movement- the Phora- and by the changing position of the heavenly bodies as these stand at setting or rising or in…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 182
“Section 6 6. But in fact everything follows its own Kind; the birth is a horse because it comes from the Horse Kind, a man by springing from the Human Kind; offspring answers to species. Allow the kosmic circuit its part, a very powerful in…”
← Collapserenaissance_hermeticism14
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXI — How Provinces and Kingdoms Are Distributed to Planets | Chapter XXXI, Section 1
“CHAPTER XXXI. How Provinces and Kingdoms Are Distributed to Planets . Moreover , the whole orb of the earth is distributed by kingdoms and provinces to the Planets and Signs: For Macedonia, Thracia, Illyria, Arriana, Gordiana, India, many o…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXVIII — How We May Draw Not Only Celestial and Vital, but Also Certain Intellectual and Divine Gifts From Above | Chapter XXXVIII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XXXVIII.
How We May Draw Not Only Celestial and Vital, but Also Certain Intellectual and Divine Gifts From Above .
Magicians teach that celestial gifts may, through inferiors being conformable to superiors, be drawn down by opport…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LIII — Of Divinations, and the Kinds Thereof | Chapter LIII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER LIII.
Of Divinations, and the Kinds Thereof .
There are some other kinds of divinations, depending upon natural causes, which are known to every one in his art and experience to be in divers things, by which physicians, husbandmen…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LIII — Of Divinations, and the Kinds Thereof | Chapter LIII, Section 1b
“Confert is an augury when a man or bird in journeying or flying shall pass behind thee, coming from the left side of thee, and, bending toward thy right, pass out of thy sight, and is an evil sign concerning thy business.
Scassarvetus is w…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LIV — Of Divers Certain Animals, and Other Things, Which Have a Signification in Auguries | Chapter LIV, Section 1a
“CHAPTER LIV.
Of Divers Certain Animals, and Other Things, Which Have a Signification in Auguries .
All the Auspicia, or auspices, which first happen in the beginning of any enterprise are to be taken notice of.
As, if in the beginning of…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LIV — Of Divers Certain Animals, and Other Things, Which Have a Signification in Auguries | Chapter LIV, Section 1b
“An eagle flying over the Locresians, fighting against the Crotoniensians, gave them victory; an eagle setting herself unawares upon the target of Hiero, going forth to the first war, betokened that he should be king.
Two eagles sitting all…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LIV — Of Divers Certain Animals, and Other Things, Which Have a Signification in Auguries | Chapter LIV, Section 1c
“The hawk is also a foreteller of contention, as Naso sings: We hate the Hawk, because that arms amongst She always lives— Lelius, the embassador of Pompey, was slain in Spain, amongst the purveyors, which misfortune, a hawk flying over the…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LIV — Of Divers Certain Animals, and Other Things, Which Have a Signification in Auguries | Chapter LIV, Section 1d
“If the foal of an ass meet any one going to an augury, he signifies labor, patience and hinderances.
A wolf meeting any one is a good sign, the effect whereof was seen in Hiero of Sicilia, from whom a wolf, snatching away a book whilst he…”
Show all 14 →western_esoteric11
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 2. Analysis Of The Nature Of Psychic Attack-e
“CS nightmares usually heralded Mr.
CS attacks.
These occurrences showed a certain cyclic regularity, occurring about once a month.
In the case of a woman this would naturally be referred to the twenty-eight day cycle of her nature, but i…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 6. Hauntings-e
“Celts are notoriously susceptible to psychic influences, and are always the first to be affected by them.
It will be observed that the babies went down first under the attack, their resistance being low compared to that of an adult; and th…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 8. The Risks Incidental To Ceremonial Magic-c
“The uninitiated occultist goes ahead gaily, juggling with such Names of Power as he has picked up from the innumerable books on the subject now available for the general reader, thinking that if he does not invoke the demons he will not get…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 16. Diagnosis Of The Nature Of An Attack-a
“HAVING considered the purely physical factors in a psychic disturbance, we may now come to the consideration of its genuinely psychic factors.
We must always bear in mind, however, that because physical disease is found, it does not necess…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 16. Diagnosis Of The Nature Of An Attack-b
“A garment recently and habitually worn, a lock of hair, a piece of jewellery, all these can be made to serve provided they are properly preserved.
Crystalline substances, such as precious stones, hold magnetism better than anything else; m…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 16. Diagnosis Of The Nature Of An Attack-e
“At the post-mortem it was found that there was nothing whatever the matter with his heart.
Imagine the feelings of the doctor who had given this rash diagnosis.
A person already upset by a psychic attack will be in a state to jump at shad…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 1
“PREFACE. THE Tarot pack of cards, transmitted by the Gypsies from generation. to generation, is the primitive book of ancient initiation. This has been clearly demonstrated by Guillaume Postel, Court de Gébelin, Etteila, Eliphas Levi, and J…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 52 (part 3)
“It symbolizes a Bachelor.
QUEEN OF CUPS.
A fair woman, a friend .
The woman loved.
The Mistress.
KNIGHT OF CUPS.
A young fair man, a friend .
The young man loved.
The Lover.
KNAVE OF CUPS.
A fair child .
A messenger.
Birth .
AC…”
Show all 11 →theosophy6
The Secret Doctrine | Page 8 (part 9)
“Upon the walls of our most private apartments, where we think the eye of intrusion is altogether shut out, and our retirement can never be profaned, there exist the vestiges of all our acts, silhouettes of whatever we have done."** Drs.
Je…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 28 (part 9)
“For if the said Forces had nought to do with "Creation" so-called, why call them Elohim (Alhim) in plural; "divine workmen" and Energies ([[' Energeia ]]), incandescent celestial stones (lapides igniti coelorum), and especially, " supporter…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 47 (part 7)
“It is now amply proved that even horoscopes and judiciary astrology are not quite based on a fiction, and that stars and constellations, consequently, have an occult and mysterious influence on, and connection with, individuals.
And if wit…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 48 (part 1)
“The Secret Doctrine by H.
P.
Blavatsky -- Vol.
1 [[Vol.
1, Page]] 647 ASTROLOGY A SCIENCE.
[[This page continued from previous section] ] XVII.
"THE ZODIAC AND ITS ANTIQUITY." " A LL men are apt to have a high conceit of their own und…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 70 (part 1)
“The Secret Doctrine by H.
P.
Blavatsky -- Vol.
2 [[Vol.
2, Page]] 341 THE MATERIALISM OF THE BIBLE.
[[This page continued from previous section ]] C YCLOPEAN R UINS AND C OLOSSAL S TONES AS W ITNESSES TO G IANTS.
In his enormous works…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 77 (part 2)
“"Therefore," he adds, "the work must be an A POCRYPHA to be ranged with its contemporaries -- the fourth book of Esdras, that of Enoch, the Sibylline Oracles, and the Book of Hermes -- every one of these dating no further back than two or t…”
biblical5
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 24:2-24:19
“[24:2] And Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
[24:3] and I will make thee swear by Jehovah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that th…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 40:2-40:23
“[40:2] And Pharaoh was wroth against his two officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
[40:3] And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 41:1-41:21
“[41:1] And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
[41:2] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass.…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 41:22-41:44
“[41:22] And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up upon one stalk, full and good:
[41:23] and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
[41:24] and the thin ears swallowed up th…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 43:34-44:19
“[43:34] And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
[44:1] And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s s…”
platonism2
Plato: Phaedrus | Section 1m
“For prophecy is a madness, and the prophetess at Delphi and the priestesses at Dodona when out of their senses have conferred great benefits on Hellas, both in public and private life, but when in their senses few or none.
And I might also…”
Plato: Timaeus | Section 1aj
“And the converse happens when some gentle inspiration of the understanding pictures images of an opposite character, and allays the bile and bitterness by refusing to stir or touch the nature opposed to itself, but by making use of the natu…”
native_american1
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126f
“Ginseng, which is sold in large quantities to the local traders, as well as used in the native medical practice, is called âtalĭ-gûlĭ′ , “the mountain climber,” but is addressed by the priests as Yûñwĭ Usdi′, “Little Man,” or Yûñwi Usdi′ga…”