ADVENTURES OF THE PSYCHIC EXPLORER:

JOURNEYS THRU ANOTHERS MIND

Introduction

This manuscript owes its beginnings to a dear friend of mine, author, bass player
trainee psychic and all around good guy.
Bruce Thomas.
Who during many conversations was insistent that I should write down a few of my
adventures, anecdotes etc. This has been asked by dozens of people. Until with more
than a gentle pushing on Bruce’s part you see before you the result of that labour.

So don’t thank me for these stories, thank the people that have lived through these
experiences and thank the people who have insisted that they be written down if not
for prosperity, then at least to bring the truth to others.

My thanks go out to everyone that has made this possible, especially my wife and
family, putting up with me and my unfortunate job that sometimes takes more time
than my family should have to give.

Even if you have no belief in the here after I hope that they will at least bring a smile
to you, and a little sunshine on an otherwise over clouded day.

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On The Fair

Most people on the street think that a psychic fair is just a couple of people meeting in
a room, above a pub. Giving bogus readings (of the nature: I see a tall dark stranger or
you’re going on a trip) just to earn some beer money. Commonly called cold readings
a common magicians secret. That I wont be going into, If you want to learn about this,
consult your local magic circle or read about mentalism.

Well, unfortunately. Most are. The strange and bizarre has always attracted people,
whether a genuine seeker of the light and knowledge, or simply the curious. It as also
attracted the bogus, people who would steal from their own mother, and whether in
this business or selling second hand cars, would still be deemed a con artist!

The sceptics' view of Tarot and psychic reading is damaging for readers in the
long run, particularly those who don't depend on cold reading, and who
genuinely do want to make a difference to the lives of the people who come to
them. In recent years, the shift of Tarot has moved from divination and fortune
telling to a more therapeutic form, which could possibly even be classed as a
psychological art form. More and more readers take the form of counsellors,
like me, and our job is only made harder by people who deliberately try and
cash in, on the unknown. The cold readers.

The most difficult subjects for genuine readers and cold readers are the
uncooperative subjects - who demand perfection from the reader with no input
from their selves. This is of course a very effective way of catching out the
cold readers, but it also traps the counsellors, who rely on the subject to open
up to them in much the same way a psychoanalyst or therapist does. Getting
blood from a stone!

Perhaps some day the distinction between cold reading and genuine reading
will blur, and both will be seen to be beneficial? We can only hope that all
readers, cold and otherwise will begin to hold the most honourable intentions,
and have complete honesty in their dealings with those who come to them.

Perhaps someday too, the genuine readers will stop being labelled as kooks,
and the cold readers will stop being labelled as cons. And perhaps someday,
none of the readers around will justify either label!

Ahh! Utopia!!

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However the psychic world itself is a billion pound a year business, and covers all
walks of life. From reading your stars forecast in today’s paper, to multi million
pound companies asking advice from a graphologist to employ someone. Or for a
psychic to look at a map and say drill here.

Today the market is expanding even further with the advent of Holistic medicine and
alternative therapy fairs. These too encourage both the cold readers and psychics etc
to latch on and swell the increasing ranks. Unfortunately the number of fakes and
charlatans far outweighs the number of genuine people doing this to help people,
rather than to just make a fast buck.

I have seen a supposed clairvoyant sell healing. They charge £45 for a person to sit in
front of them for about 10-15 minutes. Whilst the supposed healer simply walks
around them holding out there hands towards them, as if forcing some unseen energy
into the recipient, therefore curing them or making them better. £180.00 per hour! A
very good basic wage, wouldn’t you say? For letting someone sit and rest awhile!
The same person has even claimed to be able to cure ME.MS.Cancer.Lukeamia etc!
An extravagant claim to be sure, but one where people looking for a cure, can grasp at
straws, no matter how slim that success might be. They are hoping for just the mere
possibility of that same slim success.

Some say they are channelling spirit energy, some say that it is through divine
inspiration (the laying on of hands) Reiki masters say that by using the vibrational
qualities of stones and minerals, they re-attune the Chakra points, therefore removing
the stains and debris we collect in the journey of life (a spiritual dry cleaners!)

Think back to being a child, you would fall over, be hurt, and so along would come
mum. A hug and a kiss, and the pain was gone! As if by magic!! Sometimes when you
listen to a piece of music, it will make you feel better, or bring about that change of
emotions. Look at the band playing rousing music as the army goes into battle. Or the
lone piper playing a lament. Each evocational in their own way. So too the evocation
brought forward by channelling.
Maybe a better term would be sentimental healing.

The latest craze I have come across is:

Nuero Linguistic Programming: or NLP for short. This basically means that the
practitioner of NLP re structures the way that neuro- logical messages are transferred
to the rest of your body, or simply how they are retrieved and accessed by your brain.
When I first heard of this the only thing I could think of was BRAIN WASHING!
These people charge in excess of £100 per session, so effectively this is a rich mans
rip off!

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One practitioner of NLP will only treat his patients, whilst they are in their
underwear! I have heard many ladies complain that they have had to lie in a room in
just bra and knickers, whilst this person hypnotises them. After 30-45 minutes they
have come round feeling ‘rather strange’ some have been physically sick, not one of
them has been able to remember more than a fragment of what has happened to them.
I personally believe this is just a pervert getting his kicks.

Being a clairvoyant and medium, reading Tarot and runes, may be a simple sounding
job, but sometimes it has its different moments.
Working on the Psychic fairs as a regular, I meet some rather strange and wonderful
people.

Sometimes the readers are just as weird as the querents.

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Readers:

We have a lady who has an uncanny knack of saying the wrong thing at the wrong
time, I once overheard a conversation of the nature.” Oh, my dear, you have two
wonderful children, very good-looking and very bright, intellectual. I don’t know
where they get it from!”

A gay young gentleman man had just split up from his partner and was feeling rather
sorry for himself and perhaps a little sore. He held onto her crystal and a few
moments later the lady picked up on this state of affairs, saying” I see you are feeling
down, and unloved. I feel that you want nuturing!” everyone fell about laughing. She
had of course meant nurturing.

One of the mediums, originally from Glasgow, but now resident in Lincolnshire is
into Red Indian mythology etc. And has purchased numerous artefacts from the
various trade stands that come to these fairs. He has a pair of horns, carved into
Indians faces, against a picture of an Indian brave, also a bust of a native chief. All
these are cast from resin, and are available in many novelty or gift shops. He has a
habit of telling people that the tribe that he belongs too! Make him these by hand. The
horns being real horn, and the bust being made by a small child on the camp, from
lollipop sticks and clay!
The so-called tribe grow their own herbs and have a wonderful herb that you chew,
and it will stop smoking. They also have a special herb, but this is only grown on this
one reservation, and only available to the members of the tribe. This will cure cancer!
I personally wonder what exactly his clients think of such utter dribble, especially
when they handle these objects to find stamped on the bottom ‘made in china’
Chinese Indians!

A medium that works with us, he does think that he is the greatest thing since Jesus
Christ loves to tell people how he was a professional footballer. That football bought
him his house. He also goes on to tell people that he had a knee injury that prevented
him playing in any major games. So he became an engineer. However he never had
any formal qualifications. And his current partner found him living in the streets,
suffering a mental breakdown. He now advises people as to what they should do! He
has his own spiritualist church, which is why he deems himself a medium. His church
is a room in a nearby hotel!

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One lovely lady medium giving a demonstration said, “ I have here your father”
indicating a lady in the front and centre of the auditorium. “He is bringing you a gift,
something very personal from himself to you. It is a rabbits foot!”
“I don’t think so!!” exclaimed the lady,” I am an animal protection activist! So is my
father, who just so happens to be sat here with me”

One gentleman who professed to be a Mystic. (“Call me Mystic Malcolm – like

Mystic Meg!”) Would read cards playing cards (cartomancy) but would not even look
at a Tarot deck believing them to be inaccurate. This man would only perform
readings after a number of drinks. He also professed to speak numerous languages,
after spending most of his life touring the world. At one venue we read the cards of a
pretty Singapore girl, who later came to me to ask me to translate what he had said!
The same happened in Wales. The best was in a Chinese restaurant where he tried to
order in Chinese, only to get thrown out for calling the owner’s wife a ten-dollar
whore!

We had one particular medium that specialized in hands on healing. Instead of simply
channelling the energies through, no this man would have to make skin-to-skin
contact, He especially liked breast cancer! It gave him a good excuse to fondle the
ladies. He also never would have an extra person in the room with him as a
chaperone.

You can make up your own conclusions as to why?

On the fair we have one gentleman who believes himself to be a shadow dweller,
always wearing black, from head to foot. Even in the hottest of weathers, refusing to
even wear a short-sleeved shirt!

This same person is totally money orientated, and consciously thinks up ways of
making money from people, daily.wheter it is selling supposedly ‘lucky’ charms or
books that he has purportedly written. As an organiser, he charges 50% of your
earnings; you must conform to his way i.e. Have your leaflets designed and printed by
him (at a considerable cost of course!) you can only advertise things in it that he will
allow, if he already has a medium on the show, regardless of your qualifications, you
can not. Because of the fraudulent mediums act (which he is so fond of quoting) He
charges an admission price (door charge) this is so that the fair is classed as an
entertainment, ergo it does not come under the act, and thus he can use whatever
means to self aggrandisement. He claims to be a doctor, author, broadcaster, medium,
healer, fully trained psychologist etc. the list of accomplishments is almost endless,
including being a master electrician and an England Olympic squad marksman!

He controls the bookings: Always making sure, that first and foremost, his girlfriend
is fully booked up, before anyone else, usually 10-12 advance bookings! When a
querent comes in they pay their entrance fee, and are given some leaflets, detailing the

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clairvoyants available. The person then sits, and reads thru these leaflets, hopefully
deciding to have a reading with someone. They go back to the entrance table with
their choice. If he decides you are not working today, he will simply say to the
prospective customer that the person they want is unable to see them however, such a
body is available, and can deal with their particular case better. So obviously the
person is going to bow to his judgement and follow his weighted advice.
I personally have had this happen a number of times from the said gentleman…my
last experience of this, was in Redditch Birmingham. I sat awaiting customers, from
early morning until about 10.30 at night .In the length of the day I had three
customers, all of whom were perfectly happy with their readings. At the end of the
night, I was packing away and chatting with a girl, about Tarot cards.
The girl simply said “ my mum wanted a reading with you”
I replied, “well, why didn’t she?”
“Oh!” she informed me” He said you weren’t doing readings, so sent her to him, over
there” indicating another clairvoyant! I could see, simply by looking that this lady
wasn’t enjoying her reading, and that she was simply being fed a load of bullshit.
Meaningless garbage that could apply to anyone, or any situation.

It was at this point that various pieces of the jigsaw began to fall into place. I had
overheard part of a conversation earlier that day about how a new clairvoyant would
have to have a tryout, to see if it could work. One of the clairvoyants had that same
week bought a new car, with money loaned him from, the organiser! He obviously
wanted to make sure that he got his money back!

Some people have weird and wonderful images of what exactly a clairvoyant or
psychic, should look like. Numerous times I have had people remark, when visiting
there homes” Oh! I expected someone wearing a long black cloak, or pointed hat”
I usually reply,” I do but riding on the broomstick, they tend to get in the way!”

Even now, in the twenty-first century people still have an ingrained belief that
somehow, because we use this sixth sense, we are some kind of supernatural being
and can turn back the hands of time, or correct mans wrongs and injustice. I do so
wish that we could. I explain, on a daily basis, we are not God, As a human we have
choices, to turn left, or to turn right, maybe to proceed as we are, or simply to sit and
wait awhile.
I liken the job to that of a doctor; you must be professional in what you do, not just
when you are on duty, but also in your private life.

All a clairvoyant can do is to give you that advice, it is up to you as an individual to

take heed or not.

The god given right of free choice.

Use it wisely.

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 COLD READING

Cold reading refers to a set of techniques used by professional manipulators to get a subject to
behave in a certain way or to think that the cold reader has some sort of special ability that
allows him to "mysteriously" know things about the subject. Cold reading goes beyond the
usual tools of manipulation: suggestion and flattery. In cold reading, salespersons, hypnotists,
advertising pros, faith healers, con men and some therapists bank upon their subject's
inclination to find more meaning in a situation than there actually is. The desire to make sense
out of our experience has led us to many wonderful discoveries, but it has also led some of us
to many follies. The manipulator knows that his mark will be inclined to try to make sense out
of whatever he is told, no matter how farfetched or improbable. He knows, too, that people
are generally self-centred, that we tend to have unrealistic views of ourselves and that we will
generally accept claims about us that reflect not how we are or even how we really think we
are but how we wish we were or think we should be. He also knows that for every several
claims he makes about you, that you reject as being inaccurate, he will make one that meets
with your approval; and he knows that you will remember the hits he makes and forget the
misses.

Not all cold readings are done by malicious manipulators. Some readings are done by
astrologers, graphologists, tarot readers, and psychics who genuinely believe they have
paranormal powers. They are as impressed by their correct predictions or "insights" as are
their clients. We should remember, however, that just as scientists can be wrong in their
predictions, so pseudoscientists and quacks can sometimes be right in theirs

Cold readers begin by taking in as much of the subject as they can, the clothes, manner of
speech, apparent age, physical attributes, socio-economic status, and mannerisms. Even
someone’s eyes and hands can hold many clues. During this initial assessment the proficient
cold reader quickly winnows all the possible classifications into those that are most likely.
From these preliminary inferences alone accurate predictions can be made, but it is not yet the
time for such precision. These initial guesses are tested with general statements that lightly
touch possible problems, all along watching for reactions. This is the crucial step. The clients
reactions guide his statements as he goes from the general to the more specific, they lead the
way to more and more precise assessments of what is bothering the client, while allowing him
to abandon dead ends or wrong guesses. As more accurate statements are made the client
becomes increasingly convinced that the cold reader is divining the truth by some extra
sensory means.

Muscle reading is yet another tool for surreptitiously acquiring information. It involves direct
contact with the person being read, either holding a hand or an arm or touching something the

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client is holding like a handkerchief. Contact like this permits the reading of involuntary
muscle movements that can be used to gauge a client’s reaction. These reactions inform the
cold reader if he is hot or cold allowing him to go from general to more specific statements.

Cold readers also know that certain aspects of human psychology itself helps in their
endeavours. One phenomenon, called subjective validation or selective memory, is especially
important. It involves remembering significant events and forgetting the insignificant or
unfavourable ones. Any assertion from the cold reader that is correct will tend to be
remembered and the many that are off the mark are usually forgotten.

The Forer Effect is related to selective memory but is even more apropos to the cold reading
scenario. It states that in general, when people are given many general and specific claims
about themselves, the inaccuracies are overlooked and the general statements are interpreted
as accurate. Both these phenomenon give people a distorted memory of past events and
prevents putting these events into their true context.

It's an interesting component of the human condition that we want so much to believe that
someone can help us to make sense out of an often senseless world, to gain control over that
which is beyond our control, and to give us certainty in the face of the unknown and
unknowable. Recognizing these facts, and realizing that we're all subject to the same wishes
and needs, it behoves us to be particularly vigilant about believing that which we most
desperately want to believe, especially when that belief flies in the face of logic and the laws
of science

There are many people who promote themselves as psychics or clairvoyants, and who claim
that their powers enable them to read your character, make contact with dead relatives, or
provide insights into your life and your future.

Often, the psychic will begin by explaining that his or her gifts sometimes work and
sometimes don't. It depends upon your receptivity and sincere cooperation. Because the
messages aren't always clear, it's important for you to interpret the message on your own
terms and fit it into your life. In this manner, the expectation is established that if only you are
open and receptive, the reading will work. If you fail, it's not because the psychic is a fraud.

When examining so-called psychic phenomena; or, for that matter, any supernatural claim, we
should apply Occam's Razor, a test for validity named for William of Occam, a philosopher of
the fourteenth century. Occam's Razor, in the original Latin, states, 'Won sunt multiplicanda
entia praeternecessitatem." or, "Things must not be multiplied beyond necessity." Another
way to state this principle is, "The simplest explanation for a phenomenon is likely to be the
correct explanation." In other words, when something occurs, don't assume that it's caused by
an extraordinary phenomenon that defies the laws of science if a simpler explanation also fits.
If I pull a hard-boiled egg from behind your ear, there are at least two explanations - either I'm
able to defy laws of physics and produce something out of thin air, or I had concealed the egg
somewhere and through deft sleight of hand was able to make it appear to materialize behind
your ear. By applying Occam's Razor, we can pretty safely assume that the most likely
explanation for the appearance of the egg is the latter.

Psychics know that almost all of the questions people have will fit under one of three
headings. Usually, people are concerned about affairs of the heart, problems with health, or
issues around money. Therefore, the psychic might explain that he or she senses three areas
that either now are giving the customer, that have in the past given the customer concern, or
that will give the customer concerns in the future. There isn't time to discuss all three, so the
customer is asked which one to focus on. The customer's answer, combined with an
assessment of his or her age, ethnicity, socio-economic status (as ascertained by dress, car,

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jewellery, etc.) and common sense knowledge of typical life crises people encounter (i.e.
birth, puberty, career choice, work, marriage, children, middle age, declining years, death),
narrows the field of inquiry. This knowledge, combined with a scrutiny of the customer's
involuntary (and sometimes voluntary) reactions to the psychic's pronouncements can be used
to quickly lead the pair in the direction the customer wants to go. If initial, highly general
statements are off the mark, the customer's facial expression, breathing pattern, eye
movements, etc. will let the reader know. A good reader picks up on the cues and is able to
adjust the reading to fit the cues. In a short period of time, the reader is seemingly able to
"discover" what's on the customer's mind. At this point, the customer, especially if he or she is
inclined to fall for the psychic's hype, charisma and mystical surroundings, will often let his
or her guard down and reveal the burning question or questions.

STOCK READINGS

"You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of
yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate
for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage.
Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the
inside. At times, you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or
done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become
dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an
independent thinker and do not accept other's statements without satisfactory proof, but you
have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself lo others. At times, you are
extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and
reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be unrealistic."

Some of your aspirations tend to be pretty unrealistic. At times you are extroverted,
affable, sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary and reserved. You
have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. You pride
yourself on being an independent thinker and do not accept others' opinions without
satisfactory proof. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety, and become
dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. At times you have
serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing.
Disciplined and controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on
the inside.

Your sexual adjustment has presented some problems for you. While you have some
personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them. You have a
great deal of unused capacity, which you have not turned to your advantage. You have
a tendency to be critical of yourself. You have a strong need for other people to like
you and for them to admire you

People close to you have been taking advantage of you. Your basic honesty has been
getting in your way. Many opportunities that you have had offered to you in the past
have had to be surrendered because you refuse to take advantage of others. You like
to read books and articles to improve your mind. In fact, if you're not already in some

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sort of personal service business, you should be. You have an infinite capacity for
understanding people's problems and you can sympathize with them. But you are firm
when confronted with obstinacy or outright stupidity. Law enforcement would be
another field you understand. Your sense of justice is quite strong.

Do these fit into YOUR LIFE?

If the answer is YES.

Well, it is likely that you also read your daily star forecast in the newspaper and
believe it to be accurate too!

The above are just generalizations. The true psychic, will not pre-empt anything, does
not have stooges pumping for information etc And if you watch this person a number
of times at demonstrations, or shows. You will find that the information given out is
totally different every time (lets face facts: everyone they speak too has different
views, beliefs and problems)

When I begin a reading for someone. The only question I ask is:

If there is anything bad, do you want me to tell you?

If that person says yes, tell me everything.

I do.

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GHOSTS

A lot of people say, “I would like to see a ghost”

How do you know that you haven’t?

I have never yet seen the typical Casper type of white cloud like apparition. Most
spirits appears as they would in life, as your Uncle Bill, or Aunty May.

I always explain to people that as you drive past a bus stop, you may see four people
waiting for the bus. To the man standing there waiting to go to work he is by himself.

(See waiting for the 47)

Ghosts and things that go bump in the night always capture people’s imaginations.
Most people see ghosts as being frightening and scary. Some people don't agree that
ghosts exist at all, but there are so many people willing to tell of their own
experiences with ghosts and haunted houses that even the most sceptical person
cannot discount them out of hand. What is a ghost, are they all the same;
Can they hurt us, why do they haunt us? Not all ghosts are the same, true they are all
departed spirits, well departed from the physical bodies they had here on earth. I will
try and explain the different type of "ghosts" as some I do not like to call ghosts.
Some people are so wrapped up and connected to their earthly possessions that when
they die their spirit will not let go of them. (See Motivation)

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Most of them don't even know they are "dead". This might seem hard to grasp but it's
true, some do not realise they have died and so carry on, or try to, as if they are still
here. Some do realise but still don't want to leave behind their possessions or loved
ones. (See locked in the loo)
What about the question of time, well time only exists, as we know it here on earth, so
to a "ghost" no time has passed. So these types of spirit "hang around " places that are
familiar to them i.e. they haunt the buildings or areas they know until they are helped
or are ready to pass over to the spirit world. The reasons for haunting vary depending
how the person died, under what circumstances (was it a violent death) and what their
beliefs were when they were alive for instance they may think that they have
committed a great sin and won't be accepted into heaven or they may not believe at all
that heaven exists and so don't accept there is anywhere else to go. (See block of
flats)
What about "bad or evil" people, well they can create a realm where they stay until
they accept the light and release their own negativity. This can be a "Hell" of their
own making.

In most cases when someone "dies" or passes over to spirit, they go to a wonderful
place and are greeted by their loved ones or friendly people they used to know. We
must understand that the spirit world consists of many levels of existence or
dimensions. There is one level that is very close to the earth plane that all spirits have
to pass through to get to the higher realms. Some spirits get "stuck" in this level for
some of these reasons.

Some people report hearing noises or objects that move, they can become frightened
by this, and yes it can be quite disturbing if you are alone at night, some of the noises
can be explained logically, water pipes or the wind etc. If it is a spirit, they are
usually not there to frighten you, but to get your attention. It could be a relative or
friend who has recently passed over come to say goodbye or let you know they are all
right and not really "dead". If a loved one has passed and do not realise they are
"dead" they can become very frustrated when they try to talk to you or try to get your
attention and you just ignore them, well you can't see them so you will ignore them.
They will eventually become so frustrated that they will generate enough energy to
move things or make noises or create a smell that can be linked to a particular person
or place to get your attention.

If this happens don't be afraid just speak to them as if they were still alive, but explain
to them gently what has happened or if you are not sure who they are say a little
prayer and ask for them to be guided over to where they need to be. Any spirit that
does become a nuisance, ask it to leave telling it that you are frightened by its
presence, if it is a loved one it should go. If it remains then tell it in a very forceful
manner, leaving them under no misunderstanding that you want them to leave. For
those spirits that do get "stuck" there are mediums around who do what is known as
"Rescue work", where they communicate with the spirit and try and guide them over
to where they should be. This is specialised work and should only be done by
experienced mediums, channelers or a priest.

There are some negative spirits, which want to stay close to the earth plane and can
cause a nuisance. They can try and attach themselves to someone, usually with a
loose or damaged "etheric field". They feed on a persons fear so if you don't allow

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yourself to be afraid (not easy at times) then they can't affect you, as they say there is
nothing to fear except fear itself. They can become a nuisance, very noisy and cause
objects to be thrown around but they can't hurt us physically.

For us to see a spirit physically the conditions have to be right. To explain it simply,
spirits vibrate at a higher frequency to those still "alive". This is why we can't see
them all the time. If conditions are right, our vibrational rate is higher and theirs is
lower we will see them with our eyes as apparitions. If they are so wrapped up in
their world they will not see us so won't interact with us, but they will still be able to
move through what we see as physical objects e.g. walls and doors etc. Sometimes
we will see a loved one or relative who has recently passed for a short time as they
come to say goodbye before going on their journey, they may even talk to us, this is
so special and should be remembered throughout our lifetime. This could be in
daylight as well as at night when it easier for them to manifest or for us to see them.
Spirit can also come very close during thunderstorms; this is probably why some
people become afraid during storms.

Once you get over your own fears the spirit world can bring great comfort, joy and
pleasure. I hope one day you will all experience this and realise just how close the
spirit world is....

Even if you do not believe in spirit, you must admit (even scientists do) that we are all
energy. Right the way back to atomic levels. Energy cannot be destroyed. If you hit a
brick with a hammer, it is still a brick, though now it is in dust. Thus some people
believe that our energy still lingers.

Especially if we come to a violent end.

A murder.

The energy lingers in that place and sensitive people can ‘feel’ the replayment of
those events.

Some would actually see the re enactment of this particular event. Others would ‘feel’
maybe uncomfortable, or ‘out of place’

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Private Readings

In Oldham (Bates motel revisited)

Two ladies were sitting side by side; I naturally assumed they were friends.
The first lady came up for a reading. The main question was would she change job? I
gave her a reading and gave her the answer to her question.
At the end of every session I always finish by saying, if there is anything else I can
answer, or questions you want to ask me, just come back and ask.

The second lady took her seat, almost immediately I picked up strange vibes… Not
frightening, but like being in a cage with a tiger, apprehension and caution.

Her main question was would the man she loved for the previous eighteen years one
day be hers?
I asked his name, so I could spread the cards to look at him.
She answered,” Alfred”,

“Alfred Hitchcock”.
”Is this a wind up?” I asked her.
“No that was his name”, Detective Alfred Hitchcock.

Well I did her reading; again it was doom and gloom very sinister and simply put:

No she would not have a relationship with this man.

When she left and returned to her seat, her previous friend returned to my table to fill

in some of the missing pieces.

It appeared that the girl had murdered her family, butchered them, dismembered them

and draped various parts of their anatomy all over the family home.

When the Police investigated, she said that it was an accident. However further

investigation showed drawings made by this girl, four years previous, depicting the

said crime (premeditated) In all its grisly and ghastly detail. The investigating officer

in his report had said that entering the house was like a scene from an Alfred

Hitchcock movie!

15
The lady even now would look at someone and say, “Haven’t you got lovely ears”

“They would make lovely bracelets!” or “what beautiful eyes, I could make cuff links

from them” and still looked at other people to dismember and adorn her self with.

The other lady said “you know that I’m a nurse, well I’m not just any nurse, I’m her

nurse Its my job to assess her, to see if she is ready to go back into society.

What do you think?”

Do you really want to know MY answer?

16
Here, Pussy Pussy! (The Cats Tale)

After numerous telephone conversations with a particular lady, who did in fact have a

vast knowledge of things occult, She finally asked me to give her a reading. I duly

arrived at this ladies house, it was in a respectable area, and every thing appeared to

be well. How wrong can appearances be! We went into the kitchen for the reading. On

the table was a tin of Whiskers (cat food) I commenced the reading. Every time I tried

to turn over a card, I was stopped by this young lady who would commence telling

Me Her version of what this depicted, and asking me questions about unrelated

subjects, would the snow in Alaska, be as cold or taste different from the snow we

had?

I turned over a card it was The World, it is number 21 the highest card in the major

arcana; one of the symbols on this is a lion:”OH! A cat!” she then continued “I was

brought up by a cat, Her name was Kitty. A black and white one.

Then looking up from the table and cards to her back window and rear garden,

“ My Mums coming in, she’s been in the garden, getting some sun. I shan’t be a

minute I’ll let her in”. She rose to go to the door.

I was glad of the break, within this reading. She returned, moments later.” Here’s

Mum” The lady said whilst resuming her seat at the table. I heard a gentle purr and

then leaping on to the table was a little black cat with a white throat.

“ This is my mum, Kitty” the lady introduced us.

Then proceeded to open the tin of food and eat it with a fork, stopping occasionally to

feed the cat, off the same fork she was using to eat this herself!

17
She continued to inform me that she had been sectioned for six years (locked away in

a mental asylum) because a supposed to be psychic at a fair had told her she had four

entities on her soul and she should do something about it!

She did, she went to her local GP and informed him that she had these entities.

So he duly carried out what he thought to be a reasonable course of action, for

someone in the twentieth century proclaiming to be possessed by entities, or demons.

He sent her to the mental hospital.

Even now, her nurse and her psychologist would visit her weekly to check on her

progress. She did not like either of them as they both professed to read her aura. The

doctor however seemed to drain off her aura, suck it away for his own purpose.

Effectively a psychic vampire!

He had informed her at an earlier stage that he was indeed a master of the light

universe. Now she had begun to fear him, and that he was doing this remotely

(removed from the vicinity) and that he was such a powerful mage that he had been

doing this to her, whilst riding past her on his bicycle!

I know that doctors do some times make house calls, but I have never heard of one

that calls on his pushbike, or at 11pm at night…

Maybe she had the wrong medication.

Maybe she shouldn’t have seen a psychiatrist or a doctor.

She would have probably been better off seeing a vet.

18
Heave Ho!

A young gentleman invited me to his home for a reading. I arrived to find a Victorian

type of place, immediately out of fitting with a young man. On entering this property

In the late afternoon on a winter’s day I was struck by the gloomy atmosphere.

The gentleman himself was very pleasant, well spoken and mild mannered. I

commenced the reading, no problems.

Towards the end I noticed that this gentleman was getting rather restless, fidgety. I

ended the reading by asking my usual question.

Is there anything else I can help you with? “Well” he started, “ I thoroughly enjoyed

your reading for me, but would you mind if I took off my clothes?”

Being a pagan I have never had any problems with nudity, either mine or that of

others. (A lot of pagans work skyclad, when working their spells, believing that this is

the way that you entered this world, it is the way that you leave it so being naked

brings you a little closer to the cosmos, or the powers that be.)

”Not a problem” I replied

”I also have a need” he continued “ a need to masturbate, you don’t have to join in,

and you can watch if you like!” I told him I only perform readings, thanked him for

the offer picked up my money and left.

As I was climbing into the car, to come home he was standing in the window, waving.

Not with his hand.

19
The Value of Money (why they don’t put pockets in shrouds)

A lady asked me to contact her deceased husband. He had been a man working in a
very prestigious company, on the board of directors. Earning in excess of £5,000 a
week! With expense accounts for everything he might need including cars, food etc.

In fact he paid someone £150 a day to wash his car. The man paid to do this, simply
took it to the nearest Asda Superstore, and power washed it, costing approximately
£3.50.
I did, when I brought this man through, her simple question (and probably the hardest
to answer) was.
Why?

Had he some dark hidden secret, that had driven him to despair, that had led to his
self-execution?

His answer was that he simply did not have enough money!

Third Time Lucky!

On the same track, another lady wanted to know whether her husband had really
killed himself, or was it foul play.

This man was actually found with his dressing gown cord wrapped around his neck,
hanging from the banister rail. In his own home.

I brought him through. Yes he had intended to do away with himself, and had finally
succeeded.

His first attempt had been to drink a bottle of whiskey and four full tubs
(approximately 100) of paracetamols.

His second attempt was to leap off the bridge over the motorway towards an
oncoming lorry. He missed the lorry, landing behind it and breaking his ankle.

Unfortunately the following traffic had seen this and swerved to miss him, causing a
pile up of sixteen cars! And about forty injured people!

20
THE BLOCK OF FLATS

A young lady had decided to leave her husband, because he liked the bottle better than
her.
This young man couldn’t stand the thought of his wife with anyone else, or a life
without her.
He simply took a hammer to her; beat her around the head, until she lay unconscious.
Held her by the ankles out of their third storey flat then dropped her to the ground.

The sickening thud, onto a car parked in the street, and its alarm now sounding alerted
neighbours, who proceeded to phone the Police.
Panic now set in and this young man ran from the scene of this horrible crime,
through the seedy estate in which he had found his love, diving through a fence found
him on a railway track, with the London to Glasgow express train yards away.
Neither the driver nor the lad had any chance to compensate.
His life ended as the Police arrived at the flat to discover the girl, still alive!

Six months in hospital, with tremendous trauma and numerous operations, including
rebuilding her face the girl recovered, to still find that she loved this man.
Even after the terrible ordeal she had suffered at his hands (this not being the first
time he had beaten her)
He still had not left her, as he now was constantly with her, but in spirit, rather than
flesh. A little daunting for the girl, has he did have a habit of sitting on her bed, or
besides her wherever she went.

Did he love her?

Had he ever truly loved her??
Or was he trying to make up for being the unthinking callous beast he had been.

Maybe next time he will be able to look after their love properly, if he is ever allowed
to find such a precious gift again.

My personal beliefs are that to each yin there is a yan.

We all, each and every one, have what is commonly called a soul mate. A person we
find and can spend all eternity with. In various incarnations, and over many centuries.

Sometimes we are lucky enough to find this partner, sometimes we must keep
searching.

21
I know how it’s done

On one of the fairs I was doing a demonstration, and picked on a gentleman, he was
well dressed, very well spoken and extremely well educated. At the end of my
demonstration, he smiled benignly, thanked me very much and told everyone present
that it was absolutely 100% accurate. After I had finished, my part of the show I made
my way to the bar, only to be stopped by this same gentleman, who simply said,

“ I know how you did that!”

“In fact I know how all you people are able to do that”
He proceeded to inform me. “You are all mind readers!”

“That’s how you do it, you simply look into a persons mind and tell them what is
there, their innermost thoughts, or feelings,” He continued to inform me that he had
been to spiritualists, mediums but they had only been able to bring people through
that he knew.

Why couldn’t they bring someone through that he didn’t know, or tell him something
that he himself did not know about?

It is indeed impossible to prove a negative.

Or is it true that the customer is always right?

22
John Doe

A lady phoned and asked if it would be possible to do her a reading. Of course I

replied. Taking the address etc I duly arrived to find a rather miss match of things. A

very well spoken lady in a tatty semi with ragamuffin children and numerous dogs

cavorting around. The lady asked if I wanted a cuppa, and was indeed very friendly

and polite. I did notice however that this was covering a lot of agitation. She was

constantly smoking, fingers twitching, and swearing, for no apparent reason. We went

into her dining room and I duly started her reading. I could tell, without even turning

over a card that this lady was suffering emotional stress.

Her husband had left her.

Her present was OK.

Her future was getting better,

Yet her past was very, very troubled.

At the end of a reading I always ask if there is anything else I can help with, or

anything else the querent wants to know.

She asked if I could look into her past, at a past lover.

I said “certainly”.

His name was John. A common name.

During the reading for this man, it looked strange; things were not as they first

appeared.

The man had been kidnapped!

Was he still alive? Yes, but at present drugged to the eyeballs….

He had been kept this way for nine months!!

23
Looking around this man at this present time, it did appear that the people holding

him were indeed professional, at what they did. I could see 9mm machine pistols,

fitted with double clips, similar to ones used by the SAS in trouble situations, or

government agencies.

Two men constantly guarding him, giving him food and water, and reasonable

comfort. The location was some kind of industrial unit that had been derelict for some

time.

I also found that this man had two other people with him, a man and a woman.

Because of the drugs, I could not clearly discern from his viewpoint, what he could

see, or whom these people were.

The all-engulfing feeling from this man was for his only daughter, she was constantly

on his mind, and within his very soul.

The family had paid the ransom.

It had been this lady’s husband, Duncan who had bravely taken the money to the drop

off point, and had dealt with the kidnappers, for the release of his friend.

The insurance firm had paid a vast sum of money to the mans family, because of the

time delay, they had assumed that this man was now dead.

The chief beneficiary being his sole daughter, Maya.

To add to the confusion, this ladies husband, Duncan, had now disappeared along with

the kidnapped mans daughter, Maya…

Both people’s passports were missing….

Do you need a conclusion?

24
A Market Treat

We had decided to move house, and whilst looking around decided to look at the local
market (one of my favourite hobbies is looking around markets and flea markets, and
car boot sales. Sometimes just picking up the objects, you can get tremendous
feelings, and insight from them.) As you can imagine. Finding the right property was
an absolute nightmare. Not only trying to find a house that was in the right area at the
right price, it also had to ‘feel’ right. Trying to explain that one to various estate
agents! Goodness knows what they thought!!

Whilst looking around I saw a gentleman with his young son. The child was asking
for sweets, and pestering, as most young children do.
The father said “NO” and smacked the child around the ears. I instantly saw that this
young gentleman would be dead within a fortnight, and this poor child would have the
enduring memory that his father did not love him.
Without any further ado, I simply bought a fifty pence bag of sweets, located the child
and gave them to him. I could see this man looking at me as if I were some kind of
pervert.

Eighteen months on I received a telephone call from a lady asking me to come to her
house and do a reading. I duly arrived, was admitted into the living room, to find a
spirit sitting comfortably on the settee.

It was the gentleman I had seen on the market!

The look of understanding of the spirit gentleman’s face was worth more than the
price any one could have paid for any reading.

Needles to say this lady had an excellent reading.

25
Waiting for the 47

One afternoon, I decided to talk a walk with the dog around town. A friend decided to

come with us. We chatted as we walked, until walking past the local school back

towards home my friend said” doesn’t that lady look poorly”, indicating a rather frail

old lady standing in the bus shelter, facing the old peoples home. She appeared rather

pale and a little drawn, on two elbow crutches, the metal kind that wrap around your

forearm. Wearing a flowery summer dress that ended below her knees, so to did her

legs! From her knees down to the ground there was just an empty space! The lady

seemed to be hovering in mid air, with no visible means of support.

As we approached, the hackles on the dog’s neck stood up and he began to growl. (He

was a big dog, a rottweiler/mastiff cross weighing nearly 18stone) the lady simply

looked at us and smiled we walked past, my friend stopped about six feet further

turned around. The bus stop was empty. Now he too was spooked! He returned to

examine the bus shelter. Yes, indeed it was empty, no one lurking around it behind it,

or anywhere at all. Not wanting to accept what he had just seen, he went directly to

the old peoples home to make enquiries. Yes the lady he described had lived there and

every day she would amble across the road for a little walk, just to watch the children

play and listen to their laughter. However, he couldn’t see her now, as she had died

earlier that morning, and was now in the chapel of rest

26
A Mothers Love

A lady had moved house, bringing her teenage daughter with her, at first things

seemed a little unsettled. The lady put this down to being in a new place, and the

general upset this causes. Things got worse.

Within twelve months the daughter had stolen £35,000 of her mothers money. All of

which, she used for drugs, between her and her friends. The mother would find the

daughter searching through her purse taking loose change, When none was to be had

she would send her mother out to the bank to get more money. Eventually things came

to the point that the mother could not stand it any longer. She left the house, walked

down the prom to the mud banks and walked in. She kept walking, until she could

walk no further. The mud now being up to her chest, stopping her going any further.

She said simply ” OK, I’ll wait for the tide, if I am about to die, so be it!”

She fell asleep. Waiting for the tide. When she awoke she had changed her mind and

with a firm resolve turned around and walked back to the prom and to her life. As she

climbed back her daughter and her friends saw her, not thinking anything else they set

about beating her up, her own daughter kicking her so hard it actually burst her breast.

Which she subsequently had to have removed at hospital. It hadn’t been the first time

she had sustained injuries from the daughter. Previously the same girl had punched

her mum in the face with an iron, causing temporary blindness and smashing her

cheekbone. The lady went down hill rapidly, going from a dress size 16 to

approximately 7 ½ stone!

27
On her release from hospital, this lady contacted me, for a reading. Over that reading,

and a few others, we would sit and have a coffee, and discuss her problems, and how

best to negotiate these.

She wanted a spell, to improve her life. Well, wouldn’t you?

Maybe it was desperation (that is what some people called it) or maybe it was time to

do something instead of simply thinking about it. Whichever. The lady did the spell,

that week her daughter was arrested (she is currently serving 7-10 years for drug

related offences) A week after her daughter had gone to prison a gentleman started to

call, just to see that everything was OK (a good Samaritan) this has now escalated, the

gentleman now lives with the lady and cares for her immensely.

They plan to marry this year. The lady’s health has improved; she is now a size 14 and

feels a lot better.

So, do spells work? I know what this lady’ s answer would be.

28
Mums Boy

A lady phoned me and asked for a reading. I promptly arrived at the house to see the

spirit of a young man walking through the door. I duly did the reading for the lady

whilst this spirit youngster sat attentively at his mother’s side. Following every action

and every word. At the end of the reading I just had to comment on this young man,

so obviously in love with this lady, his mum. I could see the tears in this ladies eye.

She was indeed heartbroken, that I could so plainly see him, yet she could not. I then

noticed that the room was quite bare, no photographs or pictures. Usually when

someone passes over. Parents especially will keep a photo near by. Not so this lady. I

gave her his name and all the details this young soul poured out to me, even the name

of his pet Staffordshire bull terrier: Bluebell.

The lady was in shock.

Her sister made her a cuppa, and when she had composed herself, she began to tell me

her sons’ story;

The boy’s father had been a soldier serving in Northern Ireland, he had been killed.

The son wanted to follow his dad’s footsteps and throughout his childhood had

dreamed of joining the army. Eventually getting good grades from his school exams

he had enlisted and been accepted to join Her Majesty’s Army. He would join on

Monday. Saturday came and the whole family had a party, a sort of sending off spree.

That night, after the party. The family had returned home and gone to bed. In the

middle of the night Mum awoke went downstairs to make a cup of tea. As the kettle

29
began to boil, she noticed Policeman coming to her door. She opened the door; two

officers requested that she accompany them to the mortuary to identify her son!

Thinking this was some mistake or a stupid ghoulish prank she said “don’t be stupid,

my boys asleep upstairs in bed” Going up at the officers urging she checked his room,

it was empty.

The boy had decided to climb out from his bedroom window run across the field to

his girlfriends. He had done so. Jumping over the fence he had landed in the road, a

taxi returning back to town had hit him head on killing the lad instantly!

The mum went to the mortuary, to find that every major organ of this boy’s body had

been removed, including his eyes, tongue and even parts of his skin!

“For God’s sake,” she had exclaimed, “Leave me something to bury!”

It was indeed a sad day that this young fit man with a dream within his hand had

stepped into a different world. A bench seat with a plaque on it was donated to his old

school. The taxi driver had to have therapy, to cope with the accident.

The boy. His spirit was happy, he was with the father he so missed and still able to be

the lovely son to his mother he had always been and would continue to be.

30
The Power of Love

A lady in Bolton had fallen in love with a gentleman serving in the army. Unfortunatly

for him it had been a one-night stand; to her it was indeed true love. Over the next

eighteen months. The lady had tried writing; telephoning everything she could, to

make contact with this man of her dreams.

All to no avail.

She contacted me and the lady placed a spell upon this man. Twenty-eight days later,

This same man was knocking at her door, asking her to move to Colchester, to be with

him. She was amazed that after eighteen months and all this effort a spell would work.

That didn’t amaze me.

What I found amazing was that this lady had moved house three times since their

liaison, yet he still managed to find her!

31
The Spirit Message

I was asked to do readings in the upstairs room of a pub, for about four ladies. I must

admit, I don’t like readings in pubs especially. More times than not there is always

problems, either with residual energies, people who have problems with what I do.

People who just have problems with each other, etc. The list could go on forever.

I duly arrived and was met by the landlady, she escorted me upstairs and sat me in the

front room of the pubs flat with a drink, and away we went with reading number one.

After reading the Tarot cards for this lady, I remarked that the lady she had with her

was trying to bring through a message.

I described the lady in spirit and she hadn’t a clue who she was or what she wanted. In

truth she couldn’t make any sense of a thing I was passing on to her.

She went downstairs to send the next person up, leaving both of us a little perplexed

and confused.

The second lady duly appeared and again, so too did the same spirit. I explained what

had happened earlier, again explaining the appearance, and the message that this spirit

was trying to bring through. Again, no luck.

This happened all the way with everybody present that night for readings!

32
I must admit that by the end of the readings this spirit was getting rather adamant that

she wanted this message giving! I too was getting somewhat bewildered as to just

what I could do to help her out. It was only when I had packed my things away and

gone downstairs to say goodnight that again I saw this same spirit standing by a lady

near the window. Sitting directly under where I had been sitting all night. I walked

over to the lady explained again. The lady went white. It was her mother that had died

just two days previous. Yes, she knew exactly what the message meant. She thanked

me very much. Then went on to explain, that she HAD wanted a reading with me but

had not been able to afford it.

She had that reading.

Without any charge.

33
The Strange Experience

Whilst finishing off after a session one night a middle aged gentleman came up to me
with the challenge “If you’re so good, Tell me what happened to me!”

Without even pausing whilst I continued to pack away my things, I simply told him
that approximately 12-18months ago he had gone on a trip to find his father.
Not the man he called dad but his true genetic father. He had travelled extensively,
basically on a wild goose chase, a fool on others errands.
This man had actually gone to Russia, to chase his roots. He had taken his own eldest
son with him. He had basically been sent from one family member to another,
enquiring about his father, all to no avail.
One night whilst trying to sleep he had seen a golden glow appear, in the corner of the
room. Being a little frightened by this, it got his attention. As he looked at this his
father appeared within this glow and began talking to him, telling him where he
should go and to whom to speak too, to get the answers he needed. His own son was
amazed and was vigorously shaking him, saying “DAD”
“Wake up!”
He turned over and said, “I am awake son.”
“But Dad, you were talking Russian!”
He couldn’t then, and can’t now speak a word of the language!
But he had been doing so!

He followed the advice, which had been given him in the vision. He found out all
about his true father, and the part he had played in the Russian freedom movement!

The man was totally taken aback. By the information I had just given him, even his
drinking friends, and acquaintances in the pub hadn’t a clue about this aspect of his
life.
To say he was stunned is indeed an understatement.
His next train of thought being voiced ” Well, How the hell did you know all that!
Someone must have told you!”
I replied, “ yes the man at your side told me”

He thought I meant his drinking partner.

He was wrong.
I told him this mans name..

However much he spent that night, to get drunk. It wasn’t worth it.

He was sober immediately.

34
He heard his deceased father’s name.

And on the news tonight

I had done a number of readings for an Asian lady, and her family. All of which were

doctors, as is still common with Asian families, if your father is a greengrocer, you

too will be a greengrocer.

She had also had a number of spells.

Not for herself, but for various members of her family, mainly for good fortune or

love. She was indeed a wonderful lady, never asking for anything for herself, but

always putting her family before her. Including distant family, sisters in law, cousins

etc. The last one she had was for financial success.

This particular reading was in the mid afternoon. A pleasant day, the lady and her

sister wanted to know if her husband and brother in law would be successful, in their

latest endeavour.

They had set out to a business meeting, to raise funds for a new surgery, or and

extension to their old surgery.

The answer was a definite yes. The ladies were over the moon.

However within the cards it said that death was imminent! A further spread of cards

indicated that it would be the lady’s husband. The brother in law was fine.

I hoped that the cards would be wrong, or maybe I had miss-interpreted them. I left

the lady’s house, and made my way home.

35
The ladies decided to watch TV.

They were just in time for the news.

Whilst watching the local news a road alert was screened to tell people that between

two junctions of the M6 there were sever delays, and to try to miss this part of the

motorway, if at all possible. Being the dutiful Asian wife that she was the lady

decided to phone her husband and let him know, as this was to be their route home

from the meeting.

She rang.

Expecting her husband or brother in law answering the phone, she was shocked and

dismayed when the Police answered the phone.

It was indeed her husband who had been involved in this incident.

It appeared that he had seen the congestion forming, braked, for no apparent reason

his air bag had exploded, taking his head through the rear screen.

The brother did not have a scratch on him; obviously he was greatly shaken up.

But safe and still alive.

Oh Yes, they had got the money they had needed.

Maybe on old adage is wise here:

Be careful what you wish for:

It has strange ways of coming to you:

36
A law unto himself

A judge asked me to call at his home, as he had a particular dilemma that he thought I

might be able to help with. I duly arrived and commenced the reading. Strangely

throughout the reading the feeling I had was that this man didn’t need advice. His

decision was already made. I told him this. It appeared that his eldest son was a major

drug dealer in the town. Because of his position in the community (being a judge) it

did indeed put him in a rather strange situation. His dilemma basically was should he

uphold the law and give his son to the powers that be or could he himself resolve the

problem. Knowing the law as he did, he understood that his son would go to prison

for a considerable time. His son had recently married and started a family. It would be

vastly unfortunate for his family to lose their dad at such a critical time. The judge

simply asked his son to dinner. When he arrived, they ate well, and had a few drinks.

When the time was right, the judge asked his son to take a look in the cellar he did.

The judge proceeded to lock him in and incarcerated him for six months. He kept him

fed and watered and looked after, as any father would, all he had taken from him was

his liberty. He had told no one about this, not even his daughter in law! She kept

asking had anyone seen her husband, but no one had.

So if you chance upon a lady asking the whereabouts of her husband.

Ask her first if her father in law is a judge.

37
Locked in the Loo

Yet another strange telephone call came through this started something like

“ Hello, I don’t, know if you can help me but I’ve been locked in the bathroom for

four hours!”

Intrigued I informed the lady that I was neither a joiner, plumber nor locksmith, so

just how exactly did she think that I could help her.

She expanded on the story.

It appeared that on the inside of her bathroom door was a latch, so the occupant could

have privacy. Whilst using the toilet the lady had noticed that the latch moved by

itself to the closed position. She had tried to open it from the inside, to no avail. Her

husband and her daughter had tried from the outside, and could not open the door.

After four hours of constantly trying to persuade the door to open the husband had the

great idea to phone the Police or the Fire Brigade, to see if they could extract his wife.

The lady by this time was in quite a panic.

As the husband went downstairs the daughter sat looking at the door and the lady

inside sat on the loo contemplating her predicament.

A loud click was heard and all three saw the latch undo itself.

This hadn’t been the first of these strange happenings, kettles would turn themselves

on or off, seemingly of their own accord.

The stereo would play music loudly at the strangest times.etc.

This had been the last straw.

They wanted to know if the house was haunted, and why them.

I visited the home. And instantly found the spirit of a young man.

38
The spirit simply wanted his family, particularly his son. I told the lady this and she

went white. “ Oh, My grandson has always asked me Gran who is that man? And

pointed to the upstairs. I couldn’t see anything or anyone. Do you think he could see

him?”

This I think was the key. The spirit had taken this young child to be his own son and

simply wanted to contact him. On further interaction with this spirit, it appeared that

he had been a drug dealer. He had an escape route, from the front bedroom through

the bathroom.

Whilst trying to escape one night, he had been brutally kicked to death.

His family had since moved out and this lady had taken up residence, after the council

had finished renovating the property.

I explained to the spirit the current situation and hoped he would go to the light.

I explained to the lady what she must do to help this soul on his way.

A week later, my phone rang again “ Can you come around to my daughters?” it was

the same lady. “

“So you didn’t do as I said”

“No, I didn’t, please come as soon as you can.” She pleaded.

I went around immediately.

It appeared that the lady and her daughters had been into town shopping. After a nice

bit of retail therapy they had returned home. Gran went to the kitchen to make

everyone a cuppa. The front door burst open. The middle door burst open. The first

door slammed shut followed by the middle door. The daughters sat stunned, at what

they had just seen.

They checked the doors, they were still locked.

39
Daughter number one said ” I’m not stopping in the Addams’ family house, I’m off”

and promptly left the second daughter said “ I have to go to work now mum so look

after Charley, I’ll see you later” and also left.

Gran decided to start making dinner for her and her little helper. Charley did not want

to help his gran so went into the front room. A few minutes went by and Charley

asked if he could have some music on, as he wanted to dance. He was told that she

was too busy making Granddads tea so go and dance by himself. A few moments

passed and not hearing any music, actually not hearing anything at all Gran decided to

investigate. Knowing that a quiet child is usually in trouble of some kind. She went

into the front room; there were no signs of the child.

“ Charley! Where are you?” she shouted.

“I’m up here gran” came the reply

“Up where?” she was getting more than a little agitated.

“In the bathroom”

What are you doing?” thinking the child was simply answering the call of nature.

“ I’m dancing…

Dancing with that man…” came the ominous reply!

Now alarm bells where ringing in grans head, she ran to the stairs, running to the

landing, she could see that her little grandson was indeed dancing.

In fact dancing a waltz. But not on the floor…

No

Rather about four feet off the bathroom floor, with unseen arms enfolded around this

tyke’s body, gently swaying from side to side, then around.

Without any further ado she grabbed the child, ran from the house to her daughters

and promptly telephoned me.

40
This time she followed implicitly the instructions I gave her.

This time he moved on to the light.

41
An Urgent Call from Lady Jane

I had done a number of readings for a middle-aged lady, Jane. She was going through

a difficult patch, looking after her infirm and elderly mother, and trying to get her

relationship off the rocks.

The telephone rang and I heard Janes voice, “ Hello Ian, can you come round here,

NOW!”

“I need to see you urgently”

Jane was not a lady to panic, over the slightest thing, so whatever this crisis was; I

knew it would be something big. Immediately I presumed that her mother being old

and frail had passed over! How wrong was I to be!!

I arrived at her house within about ten minutes. She opened the door, and on entering

the house I instantly saw mum sitting drinking a cup of tea! Standing by her were two

rather large gentlemen, both clean-shaven, and wearing rather smart suits.

They looked like solicitors. Again, how wrong?

No introductions were given. Jane asked me to sit and simply said

“ What can you tell me about that?” she gave me a rather expensive watch to hold.

Immediately I could tell that this was indeed her husbands. I said, “This belongs to

your husband David.” No one said a word but the two men drew closer. I proceeded to

tell them all that I was picking up from the watch, his emotions, feelings etc.

42
Very disturbed and feeling neglected yet having a strange desire/ a passion.

One of the men said, “Can you get a location of this man?” It was then I knew these

men were from the ministry of defence!

I concentrated and was able to give them an address. I didn’t even know if the

location existed; let alone the actual street name and number. It was a location I had

never heard of before. And certainly wasn’t within the locality.

Instantly the watch was taken from me Jane said a very hurried “Thanks” and I was

outside!

Oh well. I returned home, thinking what a strange way to behave.

The next day again the phone rang, again it was Jane.” Can you come around again

today, I need to explain some things to you” This time there was no urgency in her

voice.

I duly arrived back at the house, this time a very friendly welcome and a cup of tea.

Over the cuppa Jane explained what had happened. After I left, the men from the

government immediately went to the address I had given them. They found the

husband David with a fourteen-year-old schoolgirl!

I told Jane the girls name and what she too looked like.

She was flabbergasted! I said if she had wanted that information too, I would have

told her instead of being bundled out.

Obviously because of this mans job everything was hush-hush.

The next time I did readings for Lady Jane her questions were encyclopaedic!

43
Have you seen Wendy?

I had just finished doing readings for a party and handing a business card to the

hostess, she said “ Oh I used to live across the street from your house, at number 13.

Have you seen Wendy?”

Thinking she meant the people that lived in this house, I explained that none of their

names was Wendy. The lady laughed and said when you go back, ask the occupants. I

bet they WILL know Wendy!

The lady filled in the rest of the story Thus:

When she was living there, she was expecting her first child. Whilst heavily pregnant

her husband had gone to the local pub, only five hundred yards away. Whilst sitting

watching TV she had heard the cellar door rattle, as if someone was trying to open it.

Knowing she was alone in this large Victorian house, she went to the door. It was still

locked. She resumed watching TV then felt very heavy bangs under her feet. She

promptly moved to another seat. The banging followed her, as if someone in the cellar

below her feet could see, her and follow her movements. This happened again and

again. After thirty minutes of moving from seat to seat, she moved to the pub and

brought her husband and a few friends back, to investigate.

Nothing was found…

On numerous occasions she would be in her back yard, hanging out the washing, or

simply playing with her baby son. To look up towards the top room in the house, to

see the curtain fall back over the window, as if someone was watching.

Yet a prompt investigation. Would show the room to be quite empty.

44
The final straw came a couple of years on, when the child had begun to toddle. Whilst

sat in the front room the little boy walked past his mum, as if holding onto a grown

ups hand, walking towards the stairs. “Where are you going?” the mum enquired

“I’m going upstairs with Wendy” came the reply

“Who’s Wendy?”

The child seemed to stop, look up as if in conversation with a grown up.

Then came the reply.

“Wendy says that she’s my mum now, and, that I have to go with her NOW!”

The lady, grabbed her son went to her mothers, sold the house and never had any

further problems with Wendy.

However it did prompt her to start researching.

This is what she found out:

The family that had lived there previously had a nanny. Her name was Wendy. She

had died trying to save the children from a fire that had engulfed the home. Her room

had been this same room at the top of the house.

A number of years after leaving this house a family had moved in the father, regularly

beating his wife, one day decided to take his frustrations out of someone else, so he

beat the child.

Strangely enough the next day he and his wife were found in their car. It had turned

upside down and collided with a lamppost on the prom. The car had been engulfed in

flames, it was reported that the couple could be heard screaming for about five

minutes as the firemen tried to extinguish the blaze. A child was sitting quietly on the

prom playing with a stone.

A policeman asked the child “What are you doing here?”

45
The child quietly replied, “Wendy brought me here and told me that I would be alright

now!”

The girl that lives there now has reported ‘feeling’ someone in her room, and

sometimes feels as if an unseen body is lying directly over hers, and can feel the

person breathing on her, in the night.

Strangely enough everyone who has lived in this property with children, has looked

after them.

So maybe we could do with a few more Wendy’s.

46
The Terrible Tarot

A friend of mine went to do readings at a party for about six or eight individuals.

All night a word kept coming to him, for no particular reason. At the end of the night

he happened to mention this to the hostess of the party.

“What’s the word” she asked

“Payback” he replied.

The lady went ashen. “You are not going to believe this” She exclaimed
“I too was a professional reader, but whenever I did a reading for someone,
something would always happen to me! I called it ‘payback”
The lady had given up reading because a brain tumour had been found, she had
blamed this too on the Tarot – ‘Payback’

“Before you go, I’d like you to take these with you,” she said, handing a well worn
pack of tarot cards to my friend “I hope you will have better luck with them than I
have”
My friend left, went home and promptly phoned me to tell me of this strange tale. I
told him to cleanse the cards, what to do and to do it now.

He said he would.
He didn’t.

After our telephone call he decided to go to bed, whilst going upstairs, he stopped and
looked through the window, on the landing, as it seemed quite bright outside.
It wasn’t daylight. Someone had firebombed his motorbike!

A few days went by. Still he had not cleansed the cards
.
Early one morning his wife was taking their three children to school.
She stopped at the top of the road, a T junction. Going to turn right, she checked the
traffic. It was clear. As she looked to her right before pulling out.
The front end of her car disappeared!
A Rolls Royce had taken the entire front off her car, she sat there dazed and stunned.
The children and herself physically ok but obviously very shaken.

47
A family friend returned from touring Europe on his motorbike, they told him this
same tale. He pleaded with them to let him have the cards.
They were pretty scared and so gave him these terrible tarot
.
As he drove home through country lanes that afternoon.
He fell off his bike, running over both his legs, which had to be amputated!

We visited him in hospital. Typical biker, sitting in his bed with his leather jacket on,
He looked a little quite and somewhat stunned.
He remarked “ I did a reading for the bloke in the corner bed that’s now empty, and a
reading for the bloke that was in the bed facing me.” indicating two empty beds.
“They both died!”

48
The Guest House

Numerous hotels across the length and breadth of Britain are purportedly haunted.

Most just for publicity reasons, though there are a few that doesn’t advertise the fact.

These are usually the ones that are well and truly haunted. Travelling around as much

as I do I come into contact with a lot of hoteliers, and guesthouse owners.

In the old days of variety they would be called pro-digs.

The number of stories relating to these is legion.

However, one particular guesthouse that we used to visit regularly (because it was
cheap) always had strange feelings to it. Most rooms we stayed in or that others on the
fair stayed in, always felt: ‘not quite right’
The hotel owner used to buy the bedding and beds, cheap, from a local old folks

home. Usually after someone had died in that particular bed. Thus cutting the costs of

the hotel. (Don’t be squeamish! This is business. You never consider when going on

holiday who has slept in your bed previously or where that particular bed has come

from)

One night a lady medium staying in the hotel awoke to find a gentleman standing over
her, in bed, grinning wildly and laughing. It was the laughter that had awakened her

It was her screams that awakened everyone else.

Now I know that you would normally think that as a medium she would be used to
spirits visiting her, and not be afraid. In fairness, to be awoke in this manner, whether
by spirit or person, from your sleep it is still a shock.

I calmed her down and the rest of the people staying in the hotel, were persuaded that
it was just a bad dream and eventually all seemed to go back to their respective rooms
and back to sleep.

This lady would not venture back into this room.

Not even for a gold bar. She was truly frightened. The rest of the night, she spent in
the back seat of her car. During the following day we discussed this happening with
the proprietor:

49
It appeared that this was not the first time. In fact only because the hotel was full, had
he put her in that room. It was the only room available.
Normally no one was ever put into the room.

It transpired that for a number of years a gentleman had lived in the room as a full
time guest. He wasn’t able to find work. He had gone through relationship problems
etc. Anyway. Eventually he had stumbled on to black magic. Thinking that this would
cure his life he had begun to practise various spells, and incantations, with a modicum
of success.
Usually in this same room.
Eventually he had become quite insane. Feeling that the only thing left for him to do
was a blood sacrifice. It was this that led to his own demise. He had taken a young girl
(had to be a virgin) to his room, raped her then tried to cut her throat to drink her
blood, consuming her life force. Has he had tried to kill the girl, it was her father that
had smashed his way in. taking the knife from this mad man had plunged it seventeen
times through his chest killing him.
Amazed, we asked how did he know so much. The girl, she was the proprietors’ wife!

50
A Trip to London

It has always been nice to see how the rich and famous live, and to share their

sumptuous life style, if only fleetingly. A while ago the famous American illusionist

David Copperfield came to Britain. A friend and myself decided to go and watch him

perform in London. We were seated in the centre about three rows from the front. We

had arrived early, to make sure we didn’t miss anything. So sitting, waiting we like

everyone else started to people watch, in case we could see anyone famous, watching

the show also.

I noticed that the security people kept walking past and looking furtively at us. The

people sitting either side of us were quietly asked to move.

The people from in front of us likewise vacated their seats!

My friend was starting to get a little alarmed.

I decided that come hell or high water I was not going to be moved from this seat. So

pushing my arms thru the seat sides, and wrapping my feet around the seat base, I

thought that it would be difficult to move me out.

My peripheral vision saw a man approaching on the row behind us. I expected the

“time to go now” Instead a giant of a man stood behind us he put his hand on my

shoulder and pressing firmly said, in a Scottish accent, “now boys, we’re not going to

have any trouble. Are we?” it was an assurance, not a question.

I turned to look at this man.

Because he was bending over between us, his jacket bowed open. I noticed the pistol,

in its holster nestling along his side, and a can of CS gas on his belt.

51
I learned at an early stage, never argue with a man who has a gun.

I looked into his eyes. They told lots of stories. All frightening ones.

This was definitely a guy you would not want to mess with!

“No problems at all mate” I replied.

“Good, just sit there and watch the show. Don’t speak unless your spoken to.” Said

the Scottish giant.

As I turned my head to now face forward, I noticed why.

The royal family had decided to pay a visit. They were sitting right next to me!

I faced forward and within a minute a sweet voice said softly quietly and most regally

“Hello Ian! Would you like a Malteaser?”

I simply said” Thank you M’aam”

And turning to the Scottish giant “ Is it OK!”

The look on this mans face.

The most famous lady in the World, knowing my name, and offering me a sweet.

I had done her a reading earlier that week.

52
9-11

I get asked to perform at many corporate events, sometimes doing a lecture type

performance, sometimes-private readings for the company’s elite. On numerous

occasions, I have noticed that a lot of the time many different employees will have

similar readings, obviously where work is concerned on one such occasion, in the

middle of July. I was doing a number of private readings within a company when I

read a lady, with no future after early September! Then again a colleague of hers and

yet again. After about six of these, I began to doubt things.

Particular doubt falling on myself, and my reading abilities!

I had never come across this before. Thinking that maybe I was overworked and tired.

Was the only reason I could think of.

Finishing the party I made my weary way home.

The day after realising that I hadn’t been paid I contacted the agent. There were no

problems as this was for a reputable company. Like most big firms they get the

invoice then anything up to three months can pass before payment is made.

Time passed, and three months later, still not having heard anything the agent

suggested I contact the firm direct and see if I could hurry them along.

I phoned up and was put through to the director.

We exchanged pleasantries. Then he exclaimed that during the week or so after the

party. They had discussed the readings, I had given them.

What a strange thing that so many of his employees should suffer the same fate! He

had organised a trip for them to America.

53
A surprise vacation for the best of his firm. As part of that ‘thank you’ they had gone

to the Twin Towers.

The date of the excursion 9th September!

That was indeed why the cheque hadn’t arrived.

He had been busy with funeral arrangements etc.

54
Police Please

Sometimes we are asked to look at forensic evidence, or simply see if we can give a

clue as to how a crime was committed, or why.

Sometimes for an opinion, of the victim, or offenders state of mind, at that particular

time etc. Sometimes, purely because there might be an occult theme to the crime,

whether it be Voodoo or Witchcraft. Or some idiot trying to cover the real purpose of

their crime.

55
The Locked Room

A man was found dead in a locked room. The key was on the inside; locking it the

windows were bolted shut. In the centre was a small table with a black altar drape

covering it in this was a set of Tarot cards, laying out in a classic spread. It appeared

the victim had died of fright.

In this the millennium. A very unusual cause, from which to die.

I was asked to read these cards, and give their meanings. Could they be responsible

for this mans fear?

Well, the simple answer was that Yes, indeed they were.

The cards themselves read in no uncertain way that this man had committed incest,

and now his sister was about to reveal the past to the public.

Because of his standing in the public eye (he was a Judge) it would have resulted in

his downfall and ultimately despicability in the community.

He feared the worst that he could go to prison, and maybe face others whom he had

committed.

The fear of this had pushed him over the top.

56
Motivation

A businessman was seen, by CCTV, pulling onto the car park, parking his car,
climbing out of the vehicle and walking into the office.

The receptionist, talked to this man, made him a cup of tea with two sugars, which he
drank.

He then preceded to go to the meeting, which went well, Signed the forms, and paper
work he had been waiting for, at the end of a very successful business meeting said
his farewells and left the office.

Instead of waiting for the lift he took the stairs.

Being stopped two floors down by an old friend promised to meet him in the pub later
that day for a drink.

Walking towards the reception area again he was stopped by a golf friend and
promised to have a game of golf with him at the weekend.

Said goodbye to the receptionist and again thanked her fro the lovely cup of tea.

Went outside, again CCTV followed his progress into his car and out of the car park.
Nothing strange about that is there?

Forensic proved that this man had been dead for at least four days before this!

57
Corpses

Outside the Midland hotel, here in Morecambe I noticed a converted ambulance,

parked there. Every time I drove down the prom, something would draw my attention
to it.

In the front windscreen was a doll on a surfboard with a blue Mohican haircut. I
assumed it might belong to someone visiting Morecambe for the punk festival.
At the back, above the door was an extra number plate, reading’ CORPSES’ I thought
that maybe it belonged to one on the many punk bands that were playing here, and
maybe that was the name of the band.

So far, very logical. One night, returning home again driving down the prom I again
saw this vehicle, this time there was a strange light around it, a kind of glow.
As I got closer, the light took form and appeared to be standing on the roadside. It
appeared to be a very evil looking young gentleman,
Grinning wildly, almost like a mad man, leering and pointing into the road at vehicles,
as they passed.
Psychically I could hear demented laughter. I must admit I felt uneasy about this
situation, as I had never experienced something like this.
The day after this episode, I was doing readings for a couple of Policemen, and
happened to mention, my strange night.

The day after, typical Policemen decided to investigate the vehicle.

Upon that investigation, it appeared that there was no tax.
A tow truck was called to remove the vehicle. The mechanic who arrived with a truck
tried the door, so he could release the hand brake and so take the ambulance away.
When he entered the vehicle, he found a gentleman’s body, hanging from the centre.
Further tests revealed the corpse to have been dead for two days.

However he had probably hung there most of the day, before dying, simply watching
vehicles and people walk past, leering into the road.
Maybe trying to shout for help, before finally reality snapped, madness, taking final
hold, frenzy setting in to ultimately lead to an ignominious death.

58
 DIVINATION

So, what is divination? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, divination is "the art or
practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by
the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers." This definition also includes
"unusual insight: intuitive perception."

When someone says " Crystal ball " you get the image of an old gypsy woman who is not to be
messed with. But, if she is a fake, then how come you walk away and say to yourself "how did
she know that?"

We are all born with the gift, modern society takes it away from us.

If you believe it you will see, but if you do not want to know, then the gift will be lost.

At the end of the day the choice is yours.

We all fear what we do not understand but there is nothing to fear but fear itself.

We seem to push aside people who say that they have seen the future and what will happen if
we do not listen.

We say that these people are mad, insane because they have seen demons and aliens.

But perhaps we should listen; they could just be the key to our future. Instead they are locked
away from our eyes and ears, why listen to the mad man?

You may find it hard to believe but some psychic's do vanish.

If anyone asks questions they do not exist anymore, or they are stamped as
mad.

You can then go see these people, but their carers will say, "don't listen to
them, they are on medication, they don't know what they are saying

“I wonder how much an hour they get paid to take away someone's freedom.”

59
A word on divination is probably not out of place. It could be argued that all
the possible pasts and futures are spread around us, linked by time and a
myriad of probabilities.

Some of these probabilities are clear: step out in front of that car and get hit.
Some are subtler, and have knock-on effects that can last for years. And of
course, they interact, so that pretty soon you don't just have a "decision tree"
but a shifting sea of possibility.

Divination is a way to tap into that sea of possibility.

Maybe it's in your head, maybe not; the point is that it works and is useful.

The Qabalists have the Tree of Life; Voudou (Voodoo) hungans have the
hierarchy of loa. Western occultists have the Tarot. And the Northern
Europeans have runes. Each system is an attempt to explain and parameterise
the universe; it's both a key to the mysteries and, in some way, the mysteries
themselves.

I've long held that the systems are all as good as one another; some work
better for one person than another, but none is intrinsically better or more
accurate than any other. It comes down to personal preference.

It may be true that, as these systems are quite tightly integrated into their
cultures, it is easier for someone to work with their native system than with a
foreign one - but that certainly doesn't deny the validity of other systems.

The African rune vitki and the suburban Japanese mambo aren't paradoxes.

60
Astrology is probably the best-known fortune telling technique with any sort of

'rational' or scientific basis, although omen-lore, lucky and unlucky signs, precious

stones, numerology and palmistry also have early origins and were used in

prophesying and divination. However, playing cards were used in England for fortune

telling in the middle of the 18th century. Cartomancy seems to have been practised

elsewhere much earlier, particularly France, where There had been a revival of

interest in fortune-telling, the occult, prophecy, clairvoyance, etc., perhaps inspired by

the prophecies of Nostradamus (1503-1566) in the 16th century. By the end of the 17th

century Britain's Renaissance had reached its zenith. The world was fraught with

wonders, and the learned men of the day were constructing elaborate new schemes to

encompass the whole of knowledge. There was a society of fortunetellers in London

who called themselves the Mercurii of London.

Artists and seers are drawn to design even more compelling fortune telling and tarot
packs, drawing upon esoteric philosophies, religion, mysticism, Egyptology or
inspired speculation. In some cases the theories are sublime: some purport higher
authority or even a secret manuscript as their basis, whilst others rely upon
correspondences with cabbalism, astrology, numerology, witchcraft, and so on. Best
known amongst the French cartomantic fortune tellers of the revolution era was
Madame Lenormand, who had designed her own variant version of the tarot, and was
said to have been consulted by Napoleon and predicted military disaster. There are
several popular fortune telling narratives similar to the Madame Lenormand account
found in booklets. It usually runs like this:

"At the end of the 18th century there lived a famous gypsy who had a great
reputation as a fortune teller... she predicted the downfall of Napoleon and many
other historical events... after her death her cards were found and are now
reproduced here..."

Lenthall's cards of about 1690 are an example of English Divination or Oracle cards
from this period. They involve looking up the answer according to mathematical
rules, reminiscent of numerology and dice throws, So that the prophecy is read on a
specific card. Also similar to an English for form the I Ching!
Generally, that is to say in a large majority of packs, the 'fortune' is printed at the
bottom of the card, beneath an allegorical illustration depicting the predestined
outcome. Some packs are more engaging than others.

61
Italy is generally regarded as the birthplace of the modern day tarot, which was
originally a card game. In the 18th century the trump cards became the focus of
mystification and since then the tarot has become a sort of popular religion or oracle.
For believers, the tarot holds the key to inner wisdom, but sceptics must respect their
right to freedom of belief.
There has also been a distinguished output of ENGLISH TAROT CARDS. By the
1870s a number of English occultists had begun taking an interest in the tarot,
attracted by the idea that the tarot was some sort of repository of ancient wisdom,
esoteric lore or such like, and that it could be used to predict the future. French
occultists were largely responsible for these beliefs, notably Court de Gébelin, Eliphas
Levi and Eteilla, who saw correlations between the tarot trumps and ancient
mysteries.
Thus the tarot became the domain of initiates such as S.L. MacGregor Mathers, A.E.
Waite and Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) MacGregor Mathers was the author of a
popular booklet on the tarot, in which he wrote that:

"The Tarot, consisting as it does, of the ten numbers of the decimal scale counter
changed with the tetrad, and of a hieroglyphical alphabet of twenty-two mystic
symbols, must be relegated to a far earlier period in the history of the world than that
usually assigned to the introduction of cards into Europe".
Mathers also offers theories on the Egyptian origins of the Tarot, and throws in some
extra ideas about Gnosticism and Cabbalism.
More recent English tarot packs, reveal that fortune telling has become a game of fun
for all ages, but there are also many other sites on the Internet covering this subject in
greater depth.

The Rider-Waite Tarot Cards were first published in England in 1909, and printed by
William Rider & Son, London. They were sold either separately, or accompanied by
a book written by Arthur Edward Waite titled "The Key to the Tarot". The Rider-
Waite tarot was reissued in 1910 and many times since then. It has become the most
popular tarot pack of the twentieth century. It is usually featured in many magazines
and occult/horror films.
The Thoth Tarot was painted by Lady Frieda Harris (1877-1962) under the guidance
of Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) during WWII, a time of great national anguish. The
imagery of the cards reflects Crowley's eclectic occultist philosophy, which, like
Waite, included astrological and alchemical symbolism, along with other esoteric lore.

There have been several editions of this pack published since 1972 and it has become
one of the more popular 20th century tarot packs. The original paintings were made
with wartime materials, and are currently housed in the Warburg Institute, London,
where they are beginning to show signs of deterioration.

During the late 1940s and 1950s The Insight Institute, of New Malden in Surrey, ran
correspondence courses on the Tarot, which consisted of lessons with homework that
was checked by tutors. The principal of the Institute was Adrienne Arden, and the
"Directors of Studies" were Richard Eden, Noel Jaquin, Colin Evans, Edward

62
Whitman, Vera Crompton and Frank Lind, who subsequently published the
correspondence course material under his own name.
The Insight Institute also published courses on Astrology, Graphology, Chiro-
Psychology, Yoga and Psychic development, as well as a set of 'Authenticated' Tarot
cards. The Insight Institute Tarot course describes the origins of the Tarot as 'Indian',
introduced by gypsies who spoke Romany, which accounts for the problematic origin
of the word 'tarot', (according to the Insight Institute)

During the 1970s Waddingtons distributed tarot packs in England, often in

conjunction with Stuart Kaplan, such as the 1JJ Tarot deck manufactured by A.G.
Müller + Cie, Switzerland in 1970. Stuart Kaplan also commenced publishing
'complete and authoritative guides' on the tarot, as well as re-publishing the Rider-
Waite Tarot that has now become a classic.

Is Clairvoyance Evil?

Just what exactly does evil mean? We have already seen from the many examples that
genuine Divination helps more people, than it injures. Like everything, there is always
light and shade on every path. Just to balance the books a little and to give a different
perspective on things.

Two powerful bodies are opposed to the idea that survival of death is a natural
phenomenon. The Christian Church holds as its central belief that the death of Jesus
redeemed humanity and gave eternal life to those who follow him. The simple fact
that this is totally in opposition to the evidence derived from the communications, that
we all survive physical death, eluded me for years. Of course orthodox Christianity
cannot accept the fact that everyone, cats and dogs included, continue in some form
after death.

The role of a priest as teacher and minister is not actually at odds with the role of a
medium as a link with the next world, and should not be. But one can understand that
difficulties could arise particularly if a medium were fraudulent!

In 1953 The Churches’ Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies was
inaugurated. It is an ecumenical body and its introductory leaflet states that it exists to
"promote the study of psychical and religious experience within a Christian context.
… The Fellowship takes a positive view of psychic sensitivity which many people
seem to experience quite naturally in their lives….". It holds branch and group
meetings, residential and day conferences, and publishes two journals the "Christian
Parapsychologist" and the "Quarterly Review".

I understand that there are a number of Quaker members.

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The Scientists

Scientists seek to prove hypotheses by conducting experiments that are repeatable.

The link with a communicator in the next world cannot necessarily be repeated under
test conditions. Scepticism is an obstruction to communication so the sceptical sitter
often fails to get results and his or her scepticism is reinforced! However, when
scientists have been invited to witness physical phenomena and to take measurements,
photographs, etc, they have frequently become less than scientific! They have either
refused to investigate at all, which does not seem to be acting in accordance with a
true spirit of inquiry, or, if they have investigated and witnessed events which they
found inexplicable, they have refused to alter their belief systems to accommodate
these new experiences and have preferred to deny the evidence of their own senses.

Spiritualism and psychic studies of any kind, therefore, have always encountered
opposition from these two powerful voices. The media have also tended to ridicule,
probably out of deference to scientists and the Church, and because in a materialistic
society that which is not understood in terms of the five senses is easily mocked.

Witchcraft

The study of psychic phenomena and everything relating to it has been linked with
witchcraft and this has proved a serious matter from the point of view of acceptance
by society and also from a legal standpoint. Until the passing of the Fraudulent
Mediums Act in 1951, for which the movement worked over many years, mediums
were actually in danger of breaking the law pertaining to witchcraft and vagrancy.
Witchcraft itself is still under persecution by people who should know better. It is and
should be treated as yet another comparative religion.

The Witchcraft Act, 1735

Since the earliest days the alleged practice of witchcraft was regarded as an offence
punishable both in the ecclesiastical and civil courts. A succession of Statutes exists
dating from the seventh century, each replacing the previous one.

The Act of 1735 replaced that of 1604 enacted in the reign of James 1, and this in turn
replaced an Act of 1563 enacted in the reign of Elizabeth 1, and so on. Conviction
under the Act could result in a prison sentence.

The Act of 1735, together with Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act of 1824 was serious
threats to the practice of mediumship. (The Vagrancy Act makes punishable as a rogue
and a vagabond "every person. Using any subtle craft by palmistry or otherwise to
deceive and impose on any of his Majesty’s subjects" and it was held that mediums
were persons who used a "subtle craft".) Conviction under the Vagrancy Act resulted
in a fine.

The Famous Case of Helen Duncan

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Mediums had to be very careful indeed not to fall foul of the law. If this sounds like
an exaggeration, the case of Helen Duncan sadly proved the point. Helen was born in
Callander in Perthshire in 1898. She came from a poor family and had little education
but was psychic from childhood and developed into an incredibly powerful
materialisation medium. As an adult she worked professionally as a medium,
managed by her husband, Henry, with whom she had nine children.

Helen was very successful and had many devoted followers whose loved ones had
communicated at her séances. However, she was not above trickery at times and on
one occasion was detected in a crude and clumsy fraud. When the lights were turned
on she was caught trying to conceal some white material. There was a struggle to gain
possession of a stockinet vest during which the police were called at Helen’s request.
The vest was later produced in evidence at Court.

This incident resulted in her first trial in Edinburgh in 1933 at which she had a
conviction for "pretending" to be a medium and was fined £10. Worse was to follow.
In 1944 Helen was indicted at the Central Criminal Court, in London, under the
Witchcraft Act,

"That on the 19th January 1944 she pretended to exercise or use a kind of conjuration,
namely, that spirits of deceased persons should be present in fact in the place where
she then was."

She was not allowed to demonstrate her mediumship to the jury. Her Barrister, C.E.
Loseby, himself a Spiritualist, conducted a strenuous defence but, on 4th April, Helen
was sentenced to 9 months in prison.

The authorities were inclined to turn a blind eye to mediums but Helen had attracted
attention to herself in the sensitive area of wartime security. At a séance in Edinburgh
her guide, Albert, told of the sinking of HMS Hood. This information was in fact
correct and 1400 lives had been lost, but the Admiralty was keeping the news from the
public.

Then at a séance in Portsmouth Helen was arrested and detained in Holloway for five
days.

The charges which led to her trial were made under the Witchcraft Act rather than the
Vagrancy Act because the authorities wanted Helen in prison and unable to practise
her mediumship.

Her work seriously deteriorated after her imprisonment and the Spiritualist National
Union withdrew her diploma. Helen did recover her former faculties and despite bad
health started to travel again, conducting séances.

At the time of the Suez Crisis in 1956, the interruption of a séance by the police when
Helen was in trance caused her such injuries that she was hospitalised for a month.
She never fully recovered and died later that year.

Physical mediumship is very rare nowadays.

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The Fraudulent Mediums Act

The Fraudulent Mediums Act received the Royal Assent in July 1951. (It will be noted
that Churchill returned to office in the same year.)

"At last the law recognised that genuine mediumship existed. The
fraudulent were still liable for prosecution, but the Movement had
always tried to police itself. They hated fraud just as much as any
magistrate. This Act which amended the Witchcraft Act and section 4
of the Vagrancy Act effectively extended religious tolerance to the
Spiritualist Movement.”

("100 Years of National Spiritualism" by Jean Bassett).

Not deeply buried in our collective unconscious is the notion that it is wrong and
dangerous to possess psychic gifts. This shows itself as a prejudice - a prejudice we
need to recognise and consider.

The Bibles version of fortune telling and divination in general is here. It is a little long
winded, but worth the effort. Just to balance things a little and show maybe the other
side of the coin. Or not, as the case may be, here is a Christians viewpoint.

I’ll let you be the judge.

The seeking after knowledge of future or hidden things by inadequate means. The
means being inadequate they must, therefore, the supplemented by some power that is
represented all through history as coming from gods or evil spirits hence the word
divination has a sinister signification. As prophecy is the lawful knowledge of the
future divination, its superstitious counterpart, is the unlawful. As magic aims to do,
divination aims to know. Divination is practically as old as the human race. It is found
in every age and country, among the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Hindus, Romans, and
Greeks; that tribes of Northern Asia had their shamans, the inhabitants of Africa their
mgangas, the Celtic nation their druids, the aborigines of America their medicine-men
-- all recognized diviners and wizards. Everywhere divination flourished and
nowhere, even today, is it completely neglected. Cicero's words were, and apparently
always will be, true, that there is no nation, civilized or barbarian, which does not
believe that there are signs of the future and persons who interpret them. Cicero
divided divination into natural and artificial. Natural (untaught, unskilled) included
dreams and oracles in which the diviner was a passive subject of inspiration, and the
prediction that from a power supposed to be then and there within him. Artificial
(taught, studied) comprised all foretelling from signs found in nature or produced by
man. Here the diviner was active, and the divination came apparently from his own
skill and observation. This division is almost the same as that given by St. Thomas
with respect to the invocation of demons: divination with express invocation of
spirits, embracing dreams, portents, or prodigies, and necromancy, and divination
with tacit invocation through signs and movements observed in objects in nature, such
as stars, birds, figures, etc., or through signs and arrangements produced by man, such
as molten lead poured in water, casting of lots, etc. Dreams here mean those expressly
prepared and prayed for with hope of intercourse with gods or the dead. Portents or

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prodigies are unusual and marvellous sights coming from the lower world. Here we
are considering artificial divination.

METHODS

The variety of divinatory methods is very great. Scarcely an object or movement in

the heavens, on the earth, or in the air or water escaped being metamorphosed into a
message of futurity. Add to these the invention of man, and there is a glimpse of the
immense entanglement of superstitions in which pagan people groped their way. They
can, however, be grouped into three classes, as seen from St. Thomas's division. A
detailed list has been given by Cicero, Clement of Alexandria in his "Stromata", and
others of the Fathers.

Under the first class, express invocation, come oneiromancy or divination by dreams;
necromancy, by so-called apparitions of the dead or spiritism; apparitions of various
kinds, which may be either external or in imagination, as Cajetan observes; Pythonism
or by possessed persons, as the Delphic Pythoness; hydromancy, by signs in water;
aeromancy, by signs in air; geomancy, by signs in terrestrial substances (geomancy
has also another meaning); aruspices, by signs in the entrails of victims, etc.

The second class, tacit invocation and signs found ready-made in nature, embraces
judicial or genethliac astrology, pretending to tell the future through the stars; augury,
through the notes of birds, and later covering prediction through their mode of acting,
feeding, flying, and also the neighing of horses and sneezing of men, etc.-- with us it
comprises all foretelling by signs; by omens, when chance words are turned into
signs; chiromancy, when the lines of the hand are read; and many similar modes.

The third class, tacit invocation and signs prepared by man, includes geomancy from
points or lines on paper or pebbles thrown at random; drawing of straws; throwing
dice; cutting cards; letting a staff fall or measuring it with the fingers saying, "I will or
I will not"; opening a book at random, called Sortes Virgilianae, so much was the
Æneid used in this fashion by the Romans; etc. This last transferred to the Bible is
still common in Germany and elsewhere.

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Hypnotism is also used for purposes of divination.

HISTORY

To attempt to trace the origin of divination is a waste of time, since like religion it is
universal and indigenous in one form or another. Some nations cultivated it to a
higher degree than others, and their influence caused certain modes of divination to
spread. By its practice they gained a wide reputation for occult power. Pre-eminent in
history stand the Chaldeans as seers as astrologers, but the ancient Egyptians and
Chinese were also great adepts in elaborate mysterious rites. Which of them had
priority therein is still an open question, though the larger share in the development of
divination, especially in connection with celestial phenomena, is attributed to the
Chaldeans, a vague term embracing here both Babylonians and Assyrians. In Greece
from the earliest historical times are found diviners, some of whose methods came
from Asia and from the Etruscans, a people famous for the art. While the Romans had
modes of their own, their intercourse with Greece introduced new forms, and
principally through these two nations they spread in the South and West of Europe.
Before Christianity divination was practised everywhere according to rites native and
foreign. In early days priest and diviner were one, and their power was very great. In
Egypt the pharaoh was generally a priest; in fact, he had to be initiated into all the
secrets of the sacerdotal class, and in Babylonia and Assyria almost every movement
of the monarch and his courtiers was regulated by forecasts of the official diviners and
astrologers. The cuneiform inscriptions and the papyri are filled with magical
formulae. Witness the two treatises, one on terrestrial and the other on celestial
phenomena compiled by Sargon several centuries before our era. In Greece where
more attention was paid to aerial signs the diviners were held in high esteem and
assisted at the public assemblies. The Romans, who placed most reliance in divination
by sacrifices, had of official colleges of augurs and aruspices who by an adverse word
could postpone the most important business. No war was undertaken, no colony sent
out without consulting the gods, and at critical moments the most trifling occurrence,
a sneeze or a cough, would be invested with meaning. Alongside all this official
divining there were practised secret rites by all kinds of wizards, magicians, wise

68
men, and witches. Chaldean soothsayers and strolling sibyls spread everywhere telling
fortunes for gain. Between the regulars and the irregulars there was a very bitter
feeling, and as the latter often invoked gods or demons regarded as hostile to the gods
of the country, they were regarded as illicit and dangerous and were often punished
and prohibited from exercising their art. From time to time in various countries the
number and influence of the regular diviners were diminished in account of their pride
and oppression, and no doubt at times they in turn may have adroitly mitigated the
tyranny of rulers. With an increase of knowledge the fear and respect of the cultivated
people for their mysterious powers so decreased that their authority suffered greatly
and they became objects of contempt and satire. Cicero's "De Divinatione" is not so
much a description of its various forms as a refutation of them; Horace and Juvenal
launched many a keen arrow at diviners and their dupes, and Cato's saying is well
known, that he wondered how two augurs could meet without laughing at each other.
Rulers, however, retained them and honoured them publicly, the better to keep the
people in subjection, and outside classical lands, workers of magic still held sway.

Wherever Christianity went divination lost most of its old-time power, and one form,
the natural, ceased almost completely. The new religion forbade all kinds, and after
some centuries it disappeared as an official system though it continued to have many
adherents. The Fathers of the Church were its vigorous opponents. The tenets of
Gnosticism gave it some strength, and neo-Platonism won it many followers. Within
the Church itself it proved so strong and attractive to her new converts that synods
forbade it and councils legislated against it. The Council of Ancyra (c. xxiv) in 314
decreed five years penance to consulters of diviners, and that of Laodicea (c. xxxvi)
about 360 forbade clerics to become magicians or to make amulets, and those who
wore them were to be driven out of the Church. A canon (xxxvi) of Orleans 511)
excommunicates those who practised divination auguries, or lots falsely called Sortes
Sanctorum (Bibliorum), i.e. deciding one's future conduct by the first passage found
on opening a Bible. This method was evidently a great favourite, as a synod of Vannes
(c. xvi) in 461 held forbidden it to clerics under pain of excommunication, and that of
Agde (c. xlii) in 506 condemned it as against piety and faith. Sixtus IV Sixtus V and
the Fifth Council of Lateran likewise condemned divination. Governments have at
times acted with great severity. Constantius decreed the penalty of death for diviners.
The authorities may have feared that some would-be prophets might endeavour to
fulfil forcibly their predictions about the death of sovereigns. When the races of the
North, which swept over the old Roman Empire, entered the Church, it was only to be
expected that some of their lesser superstitions should survive. All during the so-
called Dark Ages divining arts managed to live in secret, but after the Crusades they
were followed more openly. At the time of the Renaissance and again preceding the
French Revolution there was a marked growth of noxious methods. The latter part of
the nineteenth century witnessed a strange revival, especially in the United States and
England, of all sorts of superstition, necromancy or spiritism being in the lead. Today
the number of persons who believe in signs and seek to know the future is much
greater than appears on the surface. They abound in communities where dogmatic
Christianity is weak. The natural cause of the rise of divination is not hard to discover.
Man has a natural curiosity to know the future, and coupled with this is the desire of
personal gain or advantage, some have essayed, therefore, in every age to lift the veil,
at least partially. These attempts have at times produced results that cannot be
explained on merely natural grounds, they are so disproportionate or foreign to the
means employed. They cannot be regarded as the direct work of God nor as the effect

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of any purely material cause; hence they must be attributed to created spirits, and
since they are inconsistent with what we know of God the spirits causing them must
be evil. To put the question directly: can man know future events?

Let St. Thomas answer in substance: Future things can be known either in their
causes or in themselves.

Some causes always and necessarily produce their effects, and these effects can be
foretold with certainty, as astronomers announce eclipses.

Other causes bring forth their effects not always and necessarily, but they generally do
so, and these can be foretold as well-founded conjectures or sound inferences, like a
physician's diagnosis or a weather observer's prediction about rain.

Finally there is a third class of causes whose effects depend upon what we call chance
or upon man's free will, and these cannot be foretold from their causes. We can only
see them in themselves when they are actually present to our eyes. Only God alone, to
whom all things are present in His eternity, can see them before their occur. Hence we
read in Isaiah (41:23), "Show the things that are to come hereafter, and we shall know
that you are gods."

Spirits can know better than men the effects to come from the second class of causes
because their knowledge is broader, deeper, and more universal, and many occult
powers of nature are known to them. Consequently they can foretell more events and
more precisely, just as a physician who sees the causes clearer can better
prognosticate about the restoration of health. The difference, in fact, between the first
and second classes of causes is due to the limitations of our knowledge. The
multiplicity and complexity of cause prevent us from following their effects.

Future contingent things, the effects of the third class, spirits cannot know for certain,
except God reveal them, though they may wisely conjecture about them because of
their wide knowledge of human nature, their long experience, and their judgments
based upon our thoughts as revealed to them by our words, countenances, or acts.
Unless we wish to deny the value of human testimony, it cannot be doubted that
diviners foretold some contingent things correctly and magicians produced at times
superhuman effects. The very survival of divination for so many centuries would
otherwise be inexplicable and its role in history an insoluble problem. On religious
grounds to say that divination and kindred arts were complete impostures would be to
contradict Scripture. In it we read laws forbidding magic, we have facts like the deeds
of Jannes and Mambres before Pharaoh, and we have a declaration of God showing it
possible for a sign or wonder to be foretold by false prophets and to come to pass
(Deuteronomy 13:1-12). But, except when God gave them knowledge, their ignorance
of the future resulted in the well-known ambiguity of the oracles.

Attempts to give artificial divination a merely natural basis have not succeeded.
Chrysippus (de Divinatione, ii, 63) spoke about a power in man to recognize and
interpret signs, and Plutarch (de Oraculis) wrote on the special qualifications an augur
should have and the nature of the signs, but a preternatural influence was recognized
in the end. Some modes may have been natural in their origin, especially when
necessary causes were concerned, and many a prediction made without occult

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intervention, but these must have been comparatively rare, for the client, if not always
the seer, generally believed in supernatural assistance. That some analogy may be
traced between an eagle and victory, an owl and sadness--though to the Athenians a
welcome omen--and that to lose a tooth is to lose a friend, may readily be admitted,
but to try to connect these with future contingent events would be to reason badly
from a very slight analogy, just as to stab an image, to injure the person it represents,
would be to mistake an ideal connection for a real one. Human instinct demanded a
stronger foundation and found it in the belief in an intervention of some supernatural
agency. Reason demands the same. A corporeal sign is either an effect of the same
cause of which it is a sign, as smoke of fire, or it proceeds from the same cause as the
effect which it signifies as the falling of the barometer foretells rain, i.e., the change in
the instrument and the change in the weather come from the same cause. Man's future
actions and signs in nature stand in no such relation. The sign is not an effect of his
kinds of signs from the living creatures can be passed over by almost the same
reasoning. From those who believed in fatalism, or pantheism or that man, gods, and
nature were all in close communion, or that animals and plants were divinities, a
belief in omens and auguries of all kinds might be expected (see ANIMISM).
Everywhere, as a matter of fact, divination and sacrifice were so closely connected
that no strict line could have been drawn in practice between divination with and
without express invocation of gods or demons. The client came to offer sacrifice, and
the priest, the diviner, tried to answer all his questions, while the private wizards
boasted of their "familiar spirits".

THEOLOGICAL ASPECT

From a theological standpoint divination supposes the existence of devils who have
great natural powers and who, actuated by jealousy of man and hatred of God, ever
seek to lessen his glory and to draw man into perdition, or at least to injure him
bodily, mentally, and spiritually. Divination is not, as we have seen, foretelling what
comes from necessity or what generally happens, or foretelling what God reveals or
future act; neither do the sign and his act proceed from the same cause. The other
what can be discovered by human effort, but it is the usurpation of knowledge of the
future, i.e. arriving at it by inadequate or improper means. This knowledge is a
prerogative of Divinity and so the usurper is said to divine. Such knowledge may not
be sought from the evil spirits except rarely in exorcisms. Yet every divination is from
them either because they are expressly invoked or they mix themselves up in these
vain searching’s after the future that they may entangle men in their snares. The
demon is invoked tacitly when anyone tries to acquire information through means
which he knows to be inadequate, and the means are inadequate when neither from
their own nature nor from any Divine promise are they capable of producing the
desired effect. Since the knowledge of futility belongs to God alone, to ask it directly
or indirectly from demons is to attribute to them Divine perfection, and to ask their
aid is to offer them a species of worship; this is superstition and a rebellion against the
providence of God Who has wisely hidden many things from us. In pagan times when
divining sacrifice was offered it was idolatry, and even now divination is a kind of
demonolatry or devil worship (d'Annibale). All participation in such attempts to attain

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knowledge is derogatory to dignity of a Christian, and opposed to his love and trust in
Providence, and militates against the spread of the Kingdom of God. Any method of
divination with direct invocation of spirits is grievously sinful, and worse still if such
intervention ensues; with tacit invocation divination is in itself a grievous sin, though
in practice, ignorance, simplicity, or want of belief may render it venial. If, however,
notwithstanding the client's disbelief the diviner acts seriously, the client cannot be
easily excused from grievously sinful cooperation. If in methods apparently harmless
strong suspicion of evil intervention arises it would be sinful to continue if only a
doubt arise as to the natural or diabolical character of the effect protest should be
made against the intervention of spirits; if in doubt as to whether it be from God or
Satan, except a miraculous act be sought (which would be extremely rare), it should
be discontinued under pain of sin. A protestation of not wishing diabolical
interference in modes of divination where it is expressly or tacitly expected is of no
avail, as actions speak louder than words. A scientific investigator in doubt about the
adequacy of the means can experiment to see if such superhuman intervention be a
fact, but he should clearly express his opposition to all diabolical assistance. The
divining rod, if used only for metals of water, may perhaps be explained naturally; if
used for detecting guilty persons, or things lost or stolen as such (which may be
metals), it is certainly a tacit method. To believe in most of the popular signs simply
ignorance or weakness of mind.

DIVINATION IN THE BIBLE

The Hebrews coming from Egypt -- a land teeming with diviners -- and dwelling in a
country surrounded by superstitious tribes, would have their inborn desire for
foreknowledge intensified by the spirit of the times and their environments; but God
forbade them repeatedly to have anything to do with charmers, wizards, diviners,
necromancers, etc., all of whom were abomination in His sight (Deut., xviii, 10, 11).
The ideal was in Balaam's day when "there is no soothsaying in Jacob, nor divination
in Israel" (Numbers 23:23), and to preserve this, the soul that went aside after diviner
God declared He would destroy (Lev., xx, 6) and the man or woman in whom there
was a divining spirit was to be stoned to death (Lev., xx, 27). God however, as St.
Chrysostom puts it, humoured the Hebrews like children, and to preserve them from
excessive temptation, lots were allowed under certain conditions (Jos., vii, 14; Num.,
xxvi, 55; Prov., xvi, 33; in N.T. See also LOTS). Hebrew seers were permitted to
answer when it pleased Him (Origen, c. Cels. I, xxxvi, xxxvii), prophets might be
consulted on private affairs (I K. ix. 6), and the high priest could respond in greater
matters by the Urim and Thummim. Gifts were offered to seers and prophets when
consulted, but the great prophets accepted no reward when they acted as God's
representatives (IV K., v. 20). When the Hebrews fell into idolatry, divination, which
always accompanied idolatry, revived and flourished, but all during their history it is
evident that secretly and again more openly wrongful arts were used and as a result
condemnations were frequent (1 K., xv, 23; IV K., xvii, 17; Zach. x. 2; Is. xliv, 25
etc.). It should be borne in mind that their history is very long one, and when we
reflect how completely other nations were given over to all kinds of impious arts and
silly observances we shall readily admit that the Hebrews were in comparison

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remarkably free from superstitions. When later these flourished more strongly and
permanently it was during the decay of faith preceding and following the time of
Christ (see Jos. Ant. Jud. XX, v, i, viii, 6; Bell. Jud. VI, v, 2). The Talmud shows the
downward tendency.

The various methods of divining and kinds of diviners are not always clearly
distinguished in Scripture; the Hebrew words being differently interpreted and
sometimes merely synonyms. The following list is based on mainly upon Lesetre's
article in Vigouroux's "Dict. de la Bible": --

Divination by consulting the Teraphim, small household gods of which we first read
in the time of Abraham and Laban (Gen. xxxi, 19). How they were consulted is not
known. It was apparently Chaldean form, as Laban came from that country.

They are met with in Judges, xvii, 5; IV K., xxiii, 24, and elsewhere. They sometimes
deceived their inquirers (Zach., x, 2).

The Hartummim, a name translated by "interpreters" (Vulg. conjectores) in the Douay

version (Gen., xli, 8), elsewhere (Dan., ii, 2) by "diviners" (Vulg. arioli) and other
names, especially "Chaldeans".

The Hakamim are the wise men (Vulg. sapientes) of the Bible (Gen., xli, 8), a
name given those skilled in divination in Egypt, Idumea (Abd. 8), Persia (Esth., i,
13), Babylon (Jer., 1, 35).

Qesem or Miqsam designated divination in general and is always used in the

Scripture in a bad sense except in Prov., xvi, 10. By it the witch of Endor raised up
the dead Samuel (I K., xxviii, 8). "The king of Babylon stood in the highway, at
the head of two ways, seeking divination (qesem), shuffling arrows; he inquired of
the idols (teraphim), and consulted entrails" (Ezech., xxi, 21). The arrows bore the
signs or names of towns, and the first name drawn was the one to be attacked.
This was Babylonian mode. The Arabs practised it so: three arrows were prepared
and the first inscribed, "The Lord wills it", the second "The Lord wills it not", and
the third was blank. If the blank came a new drawing followed until an inscribed
arrow was taken. The last method mentioned in text quoted was aruspicy (Vulg.
exta consuluit).

Nahash is soothsaying (Vulg. augurium) in the Bible (Num., xxii, 23). The precise
method signified by it is in dispute. The versions make it equivalent to divination
by the flight of birds, but this mode, so common among the Greeks and Romans,
was apparently not used by the Hebrews except towards the time of Christ. From
its derivation, as commonly accepted, it would mean divination by serpents,
ophiomancy, but on the other hand it is never in this in the Scriptures. Balaam's
divination by animal sacrifices is so termed (Num., xxiv, 1) and also Joseph's
(Gen., xliv, 5, 15) which remains a vexed question in spite of Calmet's triumphant
solution (Dict. of the Bible, III, p. 30) except reasonable explanation of Grotius be
accepted (Hummelauer, Com. in Gen., p. 561).

Mekashsheph is the magician (Vulg. maleficus) in Ex., vii, 11, and the wizard in
Deut, xviii, 10, who not only seeks the secrets of the future but works wonders. St.

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 Paul mentions two of their leaders, Jannes and Mambres, and their modes are
styled sorceries (Vulg. veneficia) in IV K., ix, 22 and (Vulg. maleficia) Micheas, v,
11.

The word 'obh signifies the spirit called and the person calling him, the
necromancer. In Deut., xviii, 11, it is expressed by "seeking the truth from the
dead" (the best known case is that of the witch of Endor) and elsewhere by
Pythons (Is., viii, 19), divining spirits (I K., xxviii, 7). The Septuagint translates
the words by "ventriloquist" because when the necromancers failed or wished to
deceive the people they muttered as if from under the ground as though spirits so
spoke; it recalls Shakespeare's of "squeak and gibber". (Cf. Is., xxix, 4.) A bottle
or skin water bag is 'obh; the use of the word here may come from the diviners
containing the spirit or being inflated by it.

The Yidde 'onim were diviners whom we generally find connected with
necromancers, and the two terms are perhaps practically synonymous (I K., xxviii
3; IV K., xxi, 6; etc).

Divining by Me'onen included apparently many methods: divination by chance words,

as when Abraham's servant sought a wife for lsaac (Gen., xxiv, 14; I K., xiv, 9; III K.,
xx, 33); auguries (Is., xi, 6); observers of dreams (Deut., xviii, 10), etc. There were
also modes by charming serpents (Jer., viii, 17), astrology (Is, xlvii, 13), and by
consulting the Ephod (I K., xxiii, 9).

In the N.T. diviners are not specifically mentioned except in Acts, xvi, 16, concerning
the girl who had a pythonical spirit, but it is altogether likely that Simon Magus (Acts,
viii, 9), Elymas (Acts, xiii, 6), and others (II Tim., iii, 13), including the possessors of
the magical books burnt at Ephesus (Acts, xix, 19), practised divination and that it is
included in the wonders by which Antichrist will seduce many (Apoc., xix, 20). Under
the New Law all divination is forbidden because, placed on a higher plane than under
the Old Dispensation we are taught not to be solicitous for the morrow (Matt., vi, 34),
but to trust Him perfectly Who numbers the very hairs of our heads (Matt., x, 30). In
divination, apart from the fraud of the Father of Lies, there was much merely human
fraud and endless deception the predictions were generally as vague and as worthless
as modern fortune telling, and the general result then as now favoured vice and
injured virtue.

Since the mid-1960s, there has been an immense increase in the popularity of
divination, or fortune telling, among young people all over the globe.
Divination is an occult practice where a person foretells future events or gains secret
knowledge regarding someone's personality and life.
Popular methods of divination are: astrology, tarot cards, palm reading psychic
consultations, mediums and ouija boards.
Why have these practices (especially astrology) become so popular in our modern
“scientific” culture? Because people want personal guidance in their lives. People
want to know the future, because knowledge of the future means control of the future.
Control of the future, through occult means, is supposed to give a person an advantage
over others.
This advantage entails power.
People want to predestinate their own lives through foreknowledge.

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A key element in divination is that people seek this knowledge on their own terms.
Psychics and those who cast astrology charts generally give out vague good news to
their customers. If they gave out bad news, they would go out of business.
“This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the
Lord: which say to seers, ‘See not’; and to the prophets, ‘Prophesy not unto us right
things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits’” (Is. 30:9,10).
Therefore, astrologers, psychics and all diviners, by nature, are false prophets.
“The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the
magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king. But there is a God in heaven that
revealeth secrets (Dan. 2:27,28).
This does not mean that psychics have never been right. Through coincidence and
demonic deception many people are deceived into becoming followers of these occult
practices.
When it comes to divination, Satan's tactic is simple: give people what they want, tell
them what they want to hear.
“The prophets prophesy falsely and my people love to have it so” (Jer. 5:31).
Perhaps you are thinking, “Come on what’s the big deal? I only read the astrology
page in the newspaper.” Or, “My friends and I have a séance once in a while, so what?
Its just good clean fun.”
The basic problem with that thinking is that it is man-centred. It totally ignores what
God has said regarding divination.
The Bible says that God hates divination in any form with a holy hatred.
“Thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of [the] nations. There shall not be
found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,
or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a
charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that
do these things are an abomination unto the Lord” (Deut. 18:9-12).
If you are involved in astrology in any way, or if you consult with a psychic, you are
detestable before God. You are an abomination in the sight of the Lord.
The Word of God speaks clearly and forcefully regarding this issue. God says that
divination is worthless and deceitful, “they prophesy unto you a false vision and
divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart” (Jer. 14:14).
The Lord proclaims that diviners are liars and false prophets,
“they prophesy a lie unto you” (Jer. 27:10).
He says that those who practice divination will not be a part of his people, “they shall
not be in the assembly of my people” (Ezek. 13: 9).
God says that divination is false, futile, nonsense and lies,
“a vain vision, a lying divination” (Ezek. 13:7).
Diviners have not been sent by the Lord God, “the Lord hath not sent them” (Ezek.
13:6). The Lord does not speak through them, “ye say, ‘The Lord saith it’; albeit I
have not spoken” (Ezek. 13:7).
God tells his people not to worry about the signs in the heavens (i.e. astrology),
because “the customs of the people [including astrology] are vain” (i.e. useless, futile;
Jer. 10:3). The Lord through the prophet Isaiah proclaimed a severe judgment against
astrologers,
“Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the
stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that
shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they
shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; none shall save thee” (Is.
7:13-15).

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In Acts 16:16-18, a girl who had a spirit of divination (or, in modern jargon, was a
“psychic”), had these powers only because she was possessed by a demon. Apostle
Paul cast this demon out, in the name of Jesus Christ, and set the poor girl free of this
dark oppression.
Why does God hate divination?
Because it is a demonic, unauthorized form of revelation. God has given to mankind a
perfect, infallible guide for salvation, life and godly living.
This guide is the Bible.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”, (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
When people reject, ignore or attempt to allegorise the Bible, in order to incorporate it
into an occult or new age paradigm, they are asserting their independence from God.
They insult the majesty of God. They are saying by their actions, “The Bible is
unnecessary;” or, “The Bible is not an adequate guide for living.” They are saying,
“I'll do it my way. I don't need God telling me what to believe or how to act.”

Practitioners of divination, whether they realize it or not, are accepting the satanic
doctrine of salvation and power through autonomy from God (cf. Gen. 3:1-6; Jud.
21:25). Satan was the first diviner in history. When Adam and Eve obeyed Satan
rather than God, they were seeking a shortcut to power and dominion. God had
promised Adam eternal life, if he perfectly obeyed God’s command not to eat of the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God commanded Adam and Eve “to be
fruitful and multiply” and fill the earth (Gen. 1:28). Adam was given dominion over
the earth in order to develop a godly culture–one that would glorify, obey and enjoy
fellowship with the Creator. In order to develop a worldwide godly culture, mankind
would be totally dependent on God's Word (before the Fall through direct
communication) for personal and societal ethics.
If anyone needed personal guidance, they would receive it from God. Adam and Eve
rejected God's plan, believed Satan's word and decided to follow their own ethical
standard (cf. Gen. 3:1-6).
The result of disobedience to God's word is death (cf. Gen. 2:17), spiritual death and
slavery to sin and Satan in this life; physical death, hell and the lake of fire in the
future.
When people seek the answer to life's problems through divination, they only make
matters worse.
It is a normal part of human nature that drives people to seek dominion over the earth.
It is understandable that people want success in life. It is perfectly rational to seek out
ways of overcoming life's problems; but to do so apart from God's Word is a form of
idolatry and self-worship.
Jesus Christ said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do
not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also....
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or
else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon
[i.e. riches].... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:19-21,24,33).
There is no neutrality. True success, and lasting dominion, can only come by placing
Christ first in your life. The only way to have a meaningful life is by believing in

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Jesus Christ and repenting of your wicked life-style. Instead of the vain, idiotic
babbling of the diviners, you must submit to Christ's Word as your blueprint for
living. Perhaps you are asking, “Why do I need to believe in Jesus Christ? Aren't the
accounts of His virgin birth, crucifixion and resurrection myths made up by the early
Christian church?” Absolutely not!
The apostle Peter said, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we
made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). God came to earth and dwelt in human
flesh (cf. Phil. 2:5-8). He was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem (cf. Matt. 1:23-2:1).
Jesus lived a sinless life (cf. Jn. 8:46). He was tortured and crucified as a blood
atonement for his people. “Christ Jesus: whom God set forth to be a propitiation [i.e.
Christ appeases God's just wrath against sin] through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier
of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:24-26). Jesus Christ died on the cross and
was laid in a tomb for three days (cf. Matt. 27:50,60). On the third day, he rose from
the dead, victorious over sin, the world, death and Satan. “But now is Christ risen
from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept [i.e. died]. For since by
man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all
die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ
the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end,
when he shall have delivered the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall
have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:20-26).
Jesus Christ ascended into heaven (cf. Acts 1:9) and sits on the right hand of God the
Father (cf. Heb. 1:3). Jesus Christ now personally intercedes for those who believe in
him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9).
If you believe in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. You
will have eternal life. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so
must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For, God
sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”
(Jn. 3:14-18).
What about you?
Are you going to trust in Jesus Christ?
Have you repented of your sins?
Or, will you continue to lead a life characterized by self-worship?
Divination won't save you. It will drag you into the pit of hell, “into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12).
Copyright © Brian Schwertley, Lansing, Michigan, 1998

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So there you have it! This just about sums up the way that ‘The Occult’ is looked

upon by those who are blinded by there own bigotry.

Strange isn’t it that spiritualists pray to Jesus and sing Christian hymns use the Holy

Cross, yet according to the above all of them are in ‘league with the Devil’ and are

destined to an eternity of torment and plague!

THE TOOLS WE USE

Generally speaking it is one or more of the three Clair’s.

Clairvoyance
Clairaudience
Clairsentient

Clairvoyance:
Basically means clear seeing: whether this is seeing a spirit of someone (although this
really should be called mediumship) or seeing events, of the past present or future.

Clairaudience:
Basically means clear hearing: again this might be a spirit telling you a message, or
simply their name. Or simply hearing noises you can’t explain. Many people have
reported walking down the street and hearing their name called out, quite loudly and
distinct. This generally is a sign that there is a message for you. At this time most
people think that they are indeed going mad and seek some kind of professional help.

Clairsentient:
Basically means clear smelling: Many people have experienced walking into a room
and smelling their departed mothers perfume, or fathers’ favourite tobacco. Or maybe
the smell of a favourite food cooking (Bread or apple pie). This is generally believed
to be simply a calling card. This specific spirit, just letting you know by remembering

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them in this way, that they are still with us, even though they may not be within our
physical sight.
Also under this heading comes feel, there again are numerous instances where a
person has felt their hair being brushed. A gentle hand on their shoulder. Often times a
spouse feeling the presence of a departed partner lying alongside them in bed.

Although clairvoyance is the general term, adapted by most to cover whatever means,
they are able to glean the information. A clairvoyant will use all the senses of touch,
taste sight and smell, sometimes all together. Or maybe a permutation of any or all.

You will of course see advertisements for people who say they are ‘Tarot Readers’
‘Palm Readers’. This simply means they have got their instructions from a book and
the interpretation of whatever divinatory tool they use is from a removed source i.e.
the instruction manual. As a ‘clairvoyant’ they use their innate psychic abilities to
interpret whatever they may see and put this into perspective for you.

The purest form of clairvoyance is simply using your mind, and ‘tuning in’ to the

situation. Even using extra tools, such as the I Ching, runes, tarot etc. Sometimes we

can use various tools, as these to unlock a specific part of that cosmic mind, to help

with the tuning. Many people will only use one particular tool, others will use many,

and depending on the area they are looking into. It is like a plumber, sometimes he

will use a wrench, other times it will be a big hammer, or even a blowtorch. The job

itself dictates the tools to use. And yes, you can sometimes use a hammer to drive in a

screw.

My favourite tool is of course pure clairvoyance, followed a very close second by the

Tarot cards.

Simply because they can be used in so many different ways, and can cover so many

different facets of a persons life, in one go. I personally feel an affinity to the tarot, so

maybe I am a little biased in their favour.

However I also find that using crystals, gives me personally some very good insight.

Although I have spoke with many people who find it extremely difficult to get

anything at all from either of these two sources!

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The Tarot:

The tarot is cartomancy or telling the future using playing cards. Five suits making a

total of 78 cards. No one knows for sure the true history of the Tarot. It is generally

considered to have begun in either Egypt or India, travelled over the World by

gypsies, arriving into Europe where it eventually became our standard deck of playing

cards. This is generally attributed to the French. The Tarot is 78 cards, made up of five

suits. The French deleted the Major Arcana, leaving four suits, of fourteen cards,

deciding that the page, and knight were too similar, the page was further deleted,

leaving four suits of thirteen cards. Over the years the symbols on these suits have

changed, from Coins-Diamonds, Batons/sticks-Clubs, Swords-Spades,

Chalices/loving cups – Hearts. But their meanings remain the same.

The major arcane were branded the devils picture book, simply because of the picture

of the devil that they contained. Also because of the story they tell, from zero (The

Fool) to twenty-one (The World) or the fool’s journey through life, and his fight

against evil, or in some cases, the selling of his soul to the devil, for worldly wealth.

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A Tarot Exercise

If you haven’t access to a Tarot pack, then an ordinary deck of cards will do. Simple

think of a question, that can be answered yes/no. Shuffle the pack, whilst thinking of

your question. Whenever you ‘feel’ ready. Stop and remove three cards .The one on

the left will tell you where you are at this moment, why you are asking the question.

The centre one is either a bridge or a door, it will tell you if you are going to get this

outcome, or not. The final card, on the right is the ultimate answer, and the why it will

or won’t. With a normal deck of cards, a person will simply ask a question, whilst

shuffling them. Again take out three cards. The black ones being against and the red

being in favour.

Although the Romany (Gypsies) did not create the deck of cards, they did adapt their
fortune-telling techniques to include the cards. The deck of choice was the regular
deck of playing cards, not the Tarot. However, by the 18th Century they were using the
Tarot as well as the regular deck.

When reading in the Romany manner, pay close attention to the Sevens. These cards
are given special meaning, and give added significance to the area(s) where they fall.
The special meanings are as follows:

• Seven of Diamonds - your thoughts

• Seven of Spades - your tears
• Seven of Hearts - your jealousies
• Seven of Clubs - your worries

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 The 32 Card Deck

Traditionally, a Romany deck contains 32 cards, Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Nine,

Eight and Seven of each suit.

Meanings are listed below.

Luck, good Letter, gift,

House, Business affairs,
news, receipt money,
pleasant news, can mean sad
of letter or proposal of
love letter news received
newspaper marriage

Good Affectionate Man with fair

Untrustworthy man,
Character, person of fair or grey hair,
widower
loyal man appearance soldier

Fair woman
Dark, friendly Loving blonde
Widow who can't
woman woman
keep secrets

Young man in
Serious young
Dark, attractive lesser
Cheerful young man, in law or
young person, position, may
person medicine, can also
a friend not be
mean deception
reliable
Money,
Sorrow, loss of
Successful Good fortune, journey,
freedom, sad
journey luck in love change of
journey
home
Difficulties
Unexpected with wishes,
good luck, Loss, thwarted sharp
positive Wishes fulfilled plans, bad omen, objects,
outcome of health problems sudden
legal matters events,
firearms

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 Love from
blonde person,
Short trip,
marriage, Low spirits,
Good friends brief love
dowry, disappointments
affair
furnishing a
house, flirtation
Success,
Annoying or
Recognition of
Suspense, unfriendly
good deed, Small pleasure
decisions or remarks,
small or small wish
arrangements to be sibling, child
investment fulfilled
made or pet
gives good
involved
return

Romany Spread

No Court card is selected. Deck is shuffled and spread out face down in a fan shape.
Questioner selects twenty-one cards from the spread and hands them to the Reader.
The cards are spread face up in the order that they were selected. The cards are read as
follows:

Many Romany spreads involve all thirty-two cards. There are two significant spreads,
The Four Fans and the Four Jacks spreads. There is also a short reading spread,
believed to have come from the Russian Romany.

The Four Fans

Good for a quick, but thorough reading. Have Questioner shuffle cards. Hold all cards
in deck loosely, and have Questioner choose eight cards (either one at a time or in
groups). Take the eight cards and place in lower left hand corner. Continue with the
same method until all 32 cards are used.

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 The Four Jacks

This spread can be used for a once-per-year reading or for any question regarding
timing. It could be used to find out when a planned event is most favourable, or to
find out what will happen in a particular three-month period during the coming year.
Each Jack stands for period of three months.

The first three cards of each group stand for the individual months. The months are
represented as follows:

• Jack of Clubs - January, February, March

• Jack of Hearts - April, May, June
• Jack of Spades - July, August, September
• Jack of Diamonds - October, November, December

From a deck of thirty-two, remove the four Jacks. The Questioner shuffles the
remainder. First position is lower left. The Jack of Clubs is set in the centre of the
section.

Lay the first six cards around the Jack, and a seventh card covers it. Follow this for
the remainder, laying the Jack of Hearts in the second position in the upper left. The
Jack of Spades is positioned in the upper right, and the Jack of Diamonds in the lower
right.

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Pay particular attention to any Court card appearing in the positions representing a
month (Card 1, 2 or 3 of each group). The seventh card is considered to be the final
outcome or advice of the cards. Cards 4, 5 and 6 link the advice card to the months.
The seven cards in each spread can be used to represent the days of the week in a
four-week period.

Russian Gypsy Quick Spread

Questioner shuffles the deck of thirty-two and places it face down

before the Reader. The Reader selects the top two cards and places
them at the top. The reader continues to pick pairs of cards until
the King or Queen of Hearts is found, depending upon the
Questioner’s gender. Once the Heart is found, it and its companion
card are put aside. If the Heart is first, then the reading is about a
current situation. If the Heart is the second card, then the reading is
more about the Questioner’s thoughts and attitudes.

After the pair have been put aside, the remaining cards are
carefully righted and put on top of the remaining deck.

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Then the Reader selects three cards at random from the stack and places them below
the pair. If the answer is clear, then no further cards are selected. If the answer is
unclear, the reader may select no more than two more cards to add.

To make the reading clear.

The reading should not be pushed further.

The Runes

RUNES - The Viking Oracle

For as long as anyone can tell, runes have been around helping people in the northern
European area and now they are making quite a comeback on a worldwide basis due
partly to commercialism and partly due to the unknown uprooting of many occult

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practices. People are looking for a better way to live and people are looking towards
oracles for answers and guidance to their troubles. This is where the runes come into
play. In this area, we will be looking at the meanings of runes and how they can help
you.

At this point, we will give only a brief overview of what they are and where they
came from. This is only a survey.

Runes come from the Nordic area where the ancient Vikings once lived, worked, and
fought. Though they were relatively savage in their outings, the Vikings were people
in touch with Earth and the many forces that coexisted with them. They have a whole
lore that includes many popular god figures such as Thor, the son of Odin. Thor
carried a mighty hammer and many of us know him from comic books. The father of
Thor, Odin, was the creator of the Runes and is the most important holy figure of the
Viking people. Odin hung upside down from a tree limb for a chance of higher
knowledge and right before he came down from the tree limb, he was bestowed with
the new system called the Runes. These symbols were used for writing and magic by
the high priests. On this page, we will discuss the 25 runes most used today and their
meanings.

Odin, the Norse High God of the Aesir, hung from the world tree, Yggdrasil, impaled
on his own spear, for nine days and nights in order to gain the knowledge of runes.
When the runes appeared below him, he reached down and took them up, and the
runic knowledge gave him power. He later passed on this knowledge to the Vanir
goddess Freya. She, in turn, taught him the magic of seidr. Heimdall, the god who
guarded the Rainbow Bridge, taught the runes to mankind.

Runic alphabets first appeared among German tribes in central and Eastern Europe.
Some runes symbols are likely to have been acquired from other alphabets, such as
the Greek, Etruscan, and the Early Roman. The runes were made of straight lines to
make the characters suitable for cutting into wood or stone.

The earliest runic inscriptions on stone are dated to the late 3rd century AD, although
it is probable that runic alphabets had been in use for some centuries before.

The Old Germanic Runic alphabet or "Elder Futhark" contains 24 runes. The first six
runes of the alphabet spell out the word "FUTHARK". As the runes spread
northwards into Scandinavia, some rune symbols were dropped and the alphabet was
reduced to only 16 runes. Between 400 and 600 AD, three Germanic tribes, the
Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes, invaded Britain. They brought the runes with them.
The forms of several of the runes changed, notably the runes for A/O, C/K, H, J, S,
and Ng. Also, changes in the language led to nine runes being added to the alphabet to
compensate for the extra sounds, and several runes were given different
corresponding letters. This alphabet, expanded to 33 symbols, has become known as
the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. The rune names themselves have been passed down
relatively intact. Although no manuscript exists listing the names of the older,
Germanic runes, the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian rune poems agree to such an
extent that their common origin can be deduced. Here you can see number of Runic
Scripts

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Runes are usually attributed to either the Norse or the Celts.

Commonly runes are made from wood. Shops bought ones are generally on a kind of

small tile made from ceramic or resin. However true Norse runes were carved from

bone. Human bone, in fact the knuckle bones from their opposing tribes. Norse

believed that to enter Valhalla (Norse Heaven) you could only do so fighting.

Obviously when opposing teams entered into heaven the fighting would continue. It

was also believed that whatever you had on this life you should take with you into the

next. Therefore if you would continue to fight in heaven, it would be wise for the

earthly shaman to remove your corpses hands, therefore it could not continue the

celestial bash! Not wanting to waste anything, the said vanquished hero would now be

put to work divining the conquerors future!!

A Rune Exercise

Again like the first tarot exercise, by simply thinking about things and picking three,

your question will be answered, Runes do not give reasons why.

The other exercise you can try is to get the rune of your choice. E.g. Sig- (the rune for

strength.) Go to work and today go straight to your boss and ask about that promotion,

or pay rise, that you have been putting off. To your surprise, you will get a favourable

response. A lot of people make their own runes by collecting stones, from a river or

the beach, and simply painting the sigils onto them.

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The runes are an ancient Germanic alphabet that probably dates back to the last
couple centuries B.C.

It is commonly believed that they were used for divination and magic, based on the
many mentions of magical runes in Norse literature, such as this from the Havamal,
stanza 157:

Þat kann ek it tólpta: ef ek sé á tré uppi váfa virgilná,

sva ek ríst ok í rúnom fák,
at sá gengr gumi
ok mælir við mik.

A twelfth (spell) I know: when I see aloft upon a tree

A corpse swinging from a rope,
Then I cut and paint runes
So that the man walks
And speaks with me.

(Translation by Ralph W. V. Elliott)

A very early description of Germanic divination, which may have involved runes, is
given by Tacitus in Germania, chapter X (date, AD 98):

They, more than anyone, attend to omens and divination. Their custom
with regards to divination is simple: They cut down a branch from a
fruit-bearing tree, and chop it into twigs; they mark these with certain
signs, and sprinkle them randomly upon a white cloth. Thereupon, the
priest of the community, if it is a public matter, or the head of the
household, if it is a private one, having called upon the gods, looks up
to the sky and takes up three of the twigs, one after another, and
interprets them ac cording to the signs previously carved on them.

Reconstructions of the Magic

While texts like this make it a very plausible theory that the runes were used for
magic and divination, we have no idea exactly how they were so used. The runes all
had names, and these names were very ancient; we have poems in three languages
(with many similarities), which contain short verses about the meanings of each name.

However, we have no direct evidence that these rune poems had anything to do with
magic. For all we know, they were simply mnemonic or aesthetic: "C is for cookie;
that's good enough for me..."

But the hypothesis that these poems supply some key to the magical and divinatory
meanings of runes -- and indeed, that these runes were the same as the notae in
Tacitus and the rúnom in the Havamal and so on -- are impossible for the romantic or
the occultist to resist.

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Once this hypothesis is granted, we can go to great lengths to reconstruct a Theory of
Runes, as Edred Thorsson has done. (If we believe Thorsson, the ancient Germanic
tribes had an occult philosophy of such complexity it would have flabbergasted a Kab
balist! We can also ignore ‘all’ ancient evidence about their meanings, and make up
our own new system of meanings, as Ralph Blum and many other authors has done.
But in all of these cases what you end up with is a reconstruction.

Why go to secondary sources?

Why settle for a reconstruction?

Bibliomancy There is a process of divination known as Bibliomancy, which consists

of randomly opening a work of literature and applying the first passage you see to the
situation at hand. One way to use the Runes for divination without going through a
reconstruction is to use a set of runes associated with one of the Rune Poems. Make
yourself a set of rune-cards, or rune-twigs, or find some other way to randomly
choose runes. Choose one or a few for each reading, and read the associated verses of
the rune poem.

Let some elements of the poems jump out at you. Let those elements intertwine with
each other and with the situation about which the divination is being made. Add a
liberal dose of imagination and intuition, and voila! A divination!

The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem is admirably suited for this purpose. Of the three extant
rune poems, it is the least grim and dark, and it has the most runes. (The other two
only have sixteen runes apiece.) I've provided this copy of a good translation of the
rune poem for your edification.

The Futhark alphabet was used by the North European Germanic peoples (the
Swedish, Norwegian and Danish) between the 3rd and 17th centuries A.D. About
3500 stone monuments in Europe, concentrated mostly in Sweden and Norway, are
claimed to have been inscribed with this writing.

The Futhark alphabet, which is also called the Runic stemmed from the very same
origin, as did the ancient Turkish inscriptions with Gokturk alphabet.

The Runic Characters are written directionally from right to left,

otherwise in normal from top to bottom rows!

Much of early Hungarian history was recorded in runic writings; - carved into stone,
clay, leather and wood. Unfortunately most of it was destroyed! When Saint Stephen,
First Christian King of Hungary was converting the Magyar people to Catholicism, he
ordered all reminders, objects and writings of the Pagan era to be destroyed
throughout the nation. This of course was to ensure the steady forward course of
religious conversion.

Very little historical evidence written in ancient Hungarian Runic writing survived.
During the rule of King (Corvinus) Hunyadi Matthias (Mátyás 1458-1490) "history
and its recording" took an important role. Renowned for his humanistic views, the
King was surrounded by scholars; he was patron of the arts and sciences. During his

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reign, a magnitude of the nation's cultural contribution was exposed. From the mid
15th century more evidence of and references to the Ancient Hungarian Runic writing
were found then previously. The Transylvanian Hungarians (Székely Magyarok)
deserve much of the credit for safeguarding, using and keeping the Ancient Hungarian
Runic Writing alive.

It is the intention of some Hungarian scientists and linguists to bring back the use of
Runic writing, which could be thought to the children in schools; possibly in heritage
classes.

Ancient Hungarian Runic Characters

and Matching Present Day Alphabet

Since the oldest runic finds are ascribed to roughly the middle of the second century
AD, and since the script seems already to have been in use for some period when the
characters are first found perhaps as much as a century) this can at least tell us
something of what the oldest forms of Germanic were like at around the year 100 AD,
then it is possible that this date of c. 100 AD is in fact the time when the script was
first devised.

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 Letter
Rune Name Equivalent Sound

Fehu F F as in f at

Uruz U U as in u nder

Thurisaz Th Th diphthong as in t hin, or in wea th er

Ansuz A A as in a dd

Raido R R as in r ed

C (hard),
Kauno C as in c at ; K as in k ing
K

Gebo G G as is g ood; Gh as in lo ch

Wunjo W, V W as in w ax; v as in v an

Hagalaz H H as in h at

Naudiz N N as in n ow

Isa I (short) I as in s i t

Jera J, Y J as in j am; Y as in y ap

Ihwaz I (long) I as in s i te, Y as in st y le

Perth P P as in p ot

Z as in z one. S as in cou s in (may also have been the

Algiz Z
rolling RRR heard in Scottish dialect)

Sowilo C (soft), S C as in ni c e; S as s it

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 Tiwaz T T as in t op

Berkanan B B as in b ag

Ehwaz E E as in e nd

Mannaz M M as in m an

Laguz L L as in l et

Ingwaz Ng Ng dipthong as in fi ng er

Othila O O as in o ld, or in c o t

Dagaz D D as in d o g

Fehu (F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned, earned income,
luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or near future. Sign of hope and
plenty, success and happiness. Social success. Energy, foresight, fertility,
creation/destruction (becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal
property, esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates some sort of
failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty,
slavery, bondage.

Uruz: (U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed potential. A
time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, strength, tenacity,
understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better).
Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of
the self-. Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected force, and
domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, rashness,
callousness, violence.

Thurisaz: (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of destruction

and defence, conflict. Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A
tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality,
fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or
Merkstave: Danger, defencelessness, compulsion, betrayal, and dullness. Evil, malice,
hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman. Rape?

Ansuz: (A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message or insight,
communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech, true vision, power of words
and naming. Blessings, the taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom.
Ansuz Reversed or Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, and manipulation by
others, boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but duplicitous god.
He always has his own agenda.)

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 Raidho (R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and those of
lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or
setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and
deciding upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or
Merkstave: Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, and irrationality. Disruption, dislocation,
demotion, delusion, possibly a death.

Kenaz: (K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity,

inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation
and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new
strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave:
Disease, break-up, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion
and false hope.

Gebo: (G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating
balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal
relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie
in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll,
privation, bribery.

Wunjo: (W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity.

Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going "over the top". If
restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo Reversed
or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, and alienation. Delirium, intoxication,
possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berserker.

Hagalaz: (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially

the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis,
leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be
reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of
power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.

Nauthiz: (N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to strength,

innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of
will to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise
patience. Recognition of one's fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears.
Nauthiz Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, and
laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional
hunger.

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 Isa: (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or
activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is
to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa
cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Egomania, dullness, blindness, and
dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Jera: (J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier efforts are realized. A
time of peace and happiness, fruitful season. It can break through stagnancy. Hopes
and expectations of peace and prosperity. The promise of success earned. Life cycle,
cyclical pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. Jera Merkstave
(Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Sudden setback, reversals. A
major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict.

Eihwaz: (EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness.

Enlightenment, endurance. Defence, protection. The driving force to acquire,
providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your sights
on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be relied
upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, and
weakness.

Perthro: (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery,
hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one's destiny, knowledge
of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things feminine,
feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, fellowship and
joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, stagnation,
loneliness, and malaise.

Algiz: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to

shelter oneself or others. Defence, warding off of evil, shield, and guardian.
Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies
appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won
or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine
forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.

Sowilo: (S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honour. The life force, health. A
time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life, victory,
health, and success. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness,
power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire. Sowilo Merkstave (Sowilo
cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals, bad counsel, false success,
gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, casting down of vanity.
Wrath of god.

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 Tiwaz: (T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honour, justice, leadership and authority. Analysis,
rationality. Knowing where one's true strengths lie. Willingness to self-sacrifice.
Victory and success in any competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz Reversed or
Merkstave: One's energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis, over-
analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in
competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly
separation.

Berkano: (B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general fertility, both mental and
physical and personal growth, liberation. Regenerative power and light of spring,
renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair or
new birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed or
Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close
to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit,
sterility, and stagnation.

Ehwaz: (E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a horse, car,
plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the better. Gradual
development and steady progress are indicated. Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An
ideal marriage or partnership. Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes
around it. Ehwaz Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change
is perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation. Reckless haste,
disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.

Mannaz: (M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human race. Your
attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social
order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence,
awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz Reversed
or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness,
manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now.

Laguz: (L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing
power of renewal. Life energy and organic growth. Imagination and psychic matters.
Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld.
Success in travel or acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or
Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You may be making
wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a
rut. Fear, circular motion, avoidance, withering. Madness, obsession, despair,
perversity, sickness, suicide.

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 Ingwaz: (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth.
Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human
warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose
strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz
Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Impotence,
movement without change. Production, toil, labour, work.

Dagaz: (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity

as opposed to night time uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an enterprise. The
power of change directed by your own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the
ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where
opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in
opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.

Othala: (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, a

home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth,
spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical
journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave:
Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma,
prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.

Blank Rune: There is no historical support for a "Blank Rune" in runic divination. It
was invented in the 1980's. It should not be used in a rune casting. If you bought a
rune set with a blank piece, save it in case you lose another rune piece, but don't use it
in rune casting.

My sets of runes were to be used primarily for divination, so I wanted something

robust and lasting. Runes have traditionally been made from a variety of materials;
many modern sets are made from wood. But runes, to me, have always been linked to
stone, and so I decided to make my set from stones.

Which rune script to use? The choice here was pretty simple. The Elder Futhark is the
oldest, simplest, and has the most work written about it. So the Elder it was.

To me, many depictions of the runes have the proportions all wrong; there is no
homogeneity of form. A rune set drawn by the same hand should, like handwriting,
carry some consistency across the forms. Several evenings were spent trying-out
various forms before I settled on the ones shown here.

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Why these? Well, for a start they hang together well (to my eye) to form a clean-
looking alphabet. Scripts in this set look like scripts and not just haphazard masses of
symbols. The next decision was regarding the blank rune, Wyrd. It's a fairly recent
innovation but that doesn't make it any less valid; it works well for some people. But
to me the twenty-four Elder runes sit together "just so" and don't need the extra rune.

A Rune Ritual

Before starting, make sure that everything is in place. Gather a large bowlful
stones to choose from, arrange tools and notes. Make sure the work area is
comfortable.

Light a suitable incense and arrange lighting, music etc. Music might seem an
odd choice but I found something powerful and non-invasive. The job took
over three hours to complete, and repeating the same classical tape kept my
mind on the job.

Toast Odin, the workplace and myself with mead.

Bearing in mind the character of the runes, select twenty-four suitable stones
from the stone hoard and arrange them ready to start.

While working on a single rune, contemplate its nature and generally "connect
with the rune energy". Repeat until they are all carved.

Wash the stones and allow them to dry. Leave them over night under a full
moon

Mix up the paint from egg yolk, iron ochre powder and a drop of your own
blood drawn with a suitable knife. The blood serves to link me to this set of
runes and to energise them. There are many instances of this practice in the
literature; it's not as ghoulish as it may seem.

While painting each rune, again connect with it, filling the form with the
rune's meaning.

When finished, again salute Odin, the runes and myself, and throw open the
doors. Let the fug clear, put the dry runes away, and tidy up.

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For the next few weeks I carry the new set of runes with you. This allows
them to become something intimately "mine" (Do not be precious about who
touches or uses them; they are however your runes!). During this period you
should use and handle them quite extensively. Now put them somewhere safe
and bring them out when needed.

The three-norn reading refers to the three norns, Viking Fates. One draws
three stones at random: one represents the past, one the present and one the
future. The way they relate, as well as the individual runes, is relevant, but
here is not the place to go into a how-to on a subject I'm pretty new to myself.

The single-draw snapshot is straightforward; pull one stone. It can be harder to

interpret because context is all-important.

One method I find useful is to have a dialogue while divining. So I may ask,
"What will happen to my job?" and get a reading. Based on that reading, I may
go on to ask, "Okay, what if I push for a raise?" and get another. Then perhaps,
"Okay, forget the raise, what if I'm meek and good?" and another reading. This
builds a picture that I find much more accurate and meaningful than a single
reading. It's especially good with relationships.

First, let's look at the major runic alphabets (called "futharks" based upon the first six
symbols). There are many other variants, but the Elder, Anglo-Saxon, and Younger
Futharks are the most well known.

Runes were used to write many languages including, Gothic, German, Frisian,
English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Lithuanian, Russian, Hebrew and
other Semitic languages (due to trade relations with the Khazars, a Semitic tribe of
traders of the Silk Road).

The runes might be read from left to right or from right to left, even on the same
artefact. Translation of runic inscriptions is therefore extremely difficult, and
complicated by the fact that rune masters sometimes wrote cryptic puzzles or in secret
script.

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The Witches' runes

The Witches' runes as I am going to show them here are the ones described by Patricia
Crowther in her book "Lid off the Cauldron". There are only eight of them, and the
symbols are deceptively simple. Each pictogram looks very much like the earliest
forms of writing, used by hunter-gatherer tribes thousands of years ago. Ms Crowther
didn't give any hint of the origins of this particular set, except to say that they are an
ancient form of divination

The Sun

This is the rune of success and positive outcome. It can denote progress and
personal enrichment in life, as well as being the rune for "yes" in a reading for a
straightforward question. Acts like the outcome card for the tarot when is the leading
stone (furthest from you).

The Moon

The four "x" marks represent the four main phases of the moon, and accordingly you
can expect changes to occur within the next 28 days. This stone is particularly
feminine and often appears in response to questions about women's issues such as the
menses or pregnancy. This rune is a messenger; telling you to be aware that big
changes are coming to your life. Whether that change will be positive or negative is
best found by relating it to the rune closest to it.

Rings

This is the rune of love, and when it is the leading stone it is a positive
answer to your question. It can also mean engagement, marriage or a new/renewed
relationship about to emerge, sometimes speaking of the need to refresh and find a
new approach in an existing partnership.

Crossed Spears

The symbol of the crossed spears signifies arguments, negative events: strife of an
upsetting nature, rather like the Tower card in the tarot. If it is near to a positive rune
it may indicate the end of a quarrel and repair of any damage done. Especially if it lies
with the Rings, where it indicates the healing of a personal relationship or renewal of
a partnership.

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Positively, if you are in the army, navy or air force this rune could mean you are due a
promotion at work, or if you are ill a speedy and successful recovery.

Wave

The Wave rune is to do with the people around you, your friends and family and their
influence upon you. Much of it's meaning is derived by the other stones closest to it.
As the Wave symbol may represent the sea, this rune is also associated with travel. A
journey abroad is indicated especially if the Sun rune is nearby, but a journey for
someone close to you if the Moon stone is closest. When cast near the Rings it
foretells a holiday or long distance relationship.

Birds

A trio of birds carry a message of some unexpected news that may alter your life
completely, particularly if this rune leads. Generally the news will lead to a positive
change - look at the runes lying closest to it for a deeper insight into its nature.
The Birds can also mean the arrival of news about friends or family you haven't seen
for a while, whether they live abroad or you just lost touch. Letters, documents and
any other form of written communication/records should be watched out for because
they will bring happiness.

Ear of Corn

This stone uses the symbolism of harvest to show abundance, success and happiness.
This is a lucky rune and if leading is very positive about your query's outcome,
whether it be about finances, business, friendship, partnership or spiritual questing.
Specifically, with the Rings it indicates a happy and prosperous marriage, with the
Sun it foretells fast progress and success in your chosen career, and with Waves,
success abroad.

The Black Rune

This is a rune of difficulty; I see it as under the jurisdiction of the sphere "Geburah"
on the Tree of Life. Negative influences rule your life for a time, but all losses and
unhappiness are learning experiences and will lead to an improved personal
perspective and progress on your life's path.
Again, the meaning of this rune depends on the stones lying nearest to it; when it lies
with a positive stone it indicates that the pain and this experience will lead to a
beneficial change in circumstances. Always relate this rune to the runes lying around
it.

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Casting
1. Cast the runes in the manner of dice; also, cast all of them at once.
2. A rune is only relevant to a reading if it falls face up.
3. The leading, or most important, rune in a reading is the one furthest from you.
4. If a casting results in all the runes being facedown, this is like the blank rune in the
Viking oracle, you are not meant to know the answer. You shouldn't attempt another
reading for at least one week.
5. The runes are not a toy.

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Various alphabets are used for divination

Some of the following are classed as scripts. And would be used as an alternative
alphabet, by seers, fortune tellers etc, to take and keep notes and so that their own
countrymen could not read their secrets.

Here you can see number of Runic Scripts

"The Elder Futhark is thought to be the oldest version of the runic alphabet, and was
used in the parts of Europe which were home to Germanic peoples, including
Scandinavia. Other versions probably developed from it. The names of the letters are
shown in Common Germanic, the reconstructed ancestor of all Germanic languages."

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"A number of extra letters were added to the runic alphabet to write Anglo-Saxon/Old
English. Runes were probably bought to Britain in the 5th century by the Angles,
Saxons, Jutes and Frisians (collectively known as the Anglo-Saxons), and were used
until about the 11th century. Runic inscriptions are mostly found on jewellery,
weapons, stones and other objects. Very few examples of runic writing on manuscripts
have survived. "

"This version of the runic alphabet was used sporadically in Scandinavia, in particular
in Denmark and Sweden, until about the 17th century." [There are variants of the
Younger Futhark also.

The commonality of symbols of all of the following alphabets makes sense when one
considers the migration of ancient peoples from the east to the west. The people and
languages of northern Europe are considered "Indo-European" because of this
migration. It's not unreasonable that customs, languages, alphabets, mythology, etc.
share common origins. Staggering, isn't it!

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"The Etruscan alphabet is thought to have been developed from the Greek alphabet by
Greek colonists in Italy. The earliest known inscription dates from the middle of the
6th century BC.

More than 10,000 Etruscan inscriptions have been found on tombstones, vases,
statues, mirrors and jewellery. Fragments of an Etruscan book made of linen have also
been found.

Most Etruscan inscriptions are written in horizontal lines from left to right, but some
are boustrophedon (running alternately left to right then right to left).

Used to write: Etruscan, a language spoken by the Etruscans, who lived in Etruria
(Tuscany and Umbria) between about the 8th century BC and the 1st century AD.
Little is known about the Etruscans or their language."

Archaic Etruscan alphabet (7th-5th centuries BC)

Neo-Etruscan alphabet (4th-3rd centuries BC)

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"The Messapic alphabet is thought to have derived directly from the Greek alphabet,
rather than developing from the Etruscan alphabet. The only known inscriptions in the
Messapic alphabet date from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. The Messapic language
was not related to other languages of Italy."

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"The Romans used just 23 letters to write Latin. There were no lower case letters, and
K, X, Y and Z used only for writing words of Greek origin. The letters J, U and W
were added to the alphabet at a later stage to write languages other than Latin. J is a
variant of I, U is a variant of V, and W was introduced as a 'double-v' to make a
distinction between the sounds we know as 'v' and 'w' which was unnecessary in
Latin."

But what other alphabets may have influenced runes? Remember that over the
millennia there was a great migration of people, spreading from the birthplace of
mankind, in the "middle east" to what are now Europe and northern Africa. Ancient
people did travel--a lot--and long before the Vikings became known as explorers and
traders.

"Hungarian runes (Székely Rovásírás) are descended from the Kök Turki script used
in Central Asia. The Székler Magyars in Hungary used them before István, the first
Christian king of Hungary, ordered all pre-Christian writings to be destroyed. In
remote parts of Transylvania however, the runes were still used up until the 1850s.
Hungarian runes were usually written on sticks in boustrophedon style (alternating
direction right to left then left to right). The runes include separate letters for all the
phonemes of Hungarian and are in this respect better suited to written Hungarian than
the Latin alphabet. "

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The upper rune rows are the Elder Futhark variants. The lower rune row shows the
Turkish Runes and their phonetic equivalents.

"The Tifinagh or Tifinigh abjad is thought to have derived from the ancient Berber
script. [Berbers were mountain people, who lived in northwestern Africa, in what is
now Morocco.] The name Tifinagh means 'the Phoenician letters', or possibly comes
from the Greek word for writing tablet, 'pínaks'. It is not taught in schools, but is still
used occasionally by the Tuareg for private notes, love letters and in decoration. For
public purposes, the Arabic alphabet is used."

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"The South Arabian alphabet is known from inscriptions found in southern Arabia
dating from between 600 BC and 600 AD. Its origins are not known. The South
Arabian alphabet, like Arabic and Hebrew, includes only consonants. It was written
from right to left in horizontal lines. The top row of letters are written in monumental
style, while the bottom row of letters are in cursive style. "

"The Sabaean or Sabaic alphabet is one of the south Arabian alphabets. The oldest
known inscriptions in this alphabet date from about 500 BC. Its origins are not
known, though one theory is that it developed from the Byblos alphabet. The Sabaean
alphabet, like Arabic and Hebrew, includes only consonants. Unlike Arabic and
Hebrew, Sabaean has no system for vowel indication. In most inscriptions it is written
from right to left, in some it is written in boustrophedon style (alternating right to left
and left to right). It was used to write Sabaean, an extinct Semitic language spoken in
Saba, the biblical Sheba, in southwestern Arabia. The Sabaeans managed to unite
southern Arabia into a single state by the 3rd century AD, but were conquered by the
Abyssinians in 525 AD. "

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Runes are an ancient Germanic alphabet, used for writing, divination and magick.
They were used throughout northern Europe, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and
Iceland from about 100 B.C.E. to 1600 C.E. Runic inscriptions of great age have even
been found in North America, supporting stories that the Vikings arrived in the
Americas long before Columbus.

Tacitus, in Chapter X of his Germania, describes a form of divination used by

Germanic tribes:

"To divination and casting of lots, they pay attention beyond any other
people. Their method of casting lots is a simple one: they cut a branch
from a fruit-bearing tree and divide it into small pieces which they
mark with certain distinctive signs and scatter at random onto a white
cloth. Then, the priest of the community if the lots are consulted
publicly, or the father of the family if it is done privately, after invoking
the gods and with eyes raised to heaven, picks up three pieces, one at a
time, and interprets them according to the signs previously marked
upon them."

Runes are an oracle from which one seeks advice. They work best if you detail your
current circumstances and then ask a specific question. Rune readings are sometimes
obscure. They hint toward answers, but you have to figure out the details. This is
when the rune casters intuition becomes paramount. Runic divination or "rune
casting" is not "fortune telling" in the sense that one actually sees the future. Instead,
runes give one a means of analysing the path that one is on and a likely outcome. The
future is not fixed. It changes with everything one does. If one does not like the
prediction, one can always change paths.

Since ancient times, runes have been used for divination and magic, in addition to
writing. The word "rune" actually means mystery, secret or whisper. Each rune has
esoteric meanings and properties associated with it, beyond its mundane meaning and
phonetic value. Each translates into a word or a phrase signifying concepts important
to the early peoples who used them, representing the forces of nature and mind. Each
rune has a story attached to it, a relationship to a Norse God.

Runic alphabets first appeared among German tribes in central and Eastern Europe.
Some runes symbols are likely to have been acquired from other alphabets, such as
the Greek, Etruscan, and the Early Roman. The runes were made of straight lines to
make the characters suitable for cutting into wood or stone. The earliest runic
inscriptions on stone are dated to the late 3rd century AD, although it is probable that
runic alphabets had been in use for some centuries before.

The Old Germanic Runic alphabet or "Elder Futhark" contains 24 runes. The first six
runes of the alphabet spell out the word "FUTHARK". As the runes spread
northwards into Scandinavia, some rune symbols were dropped and the alphabet was
reduced to only 16 runes. Between 400 and 600 AD, three Germanic tribes, the
Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes, invaded Britain. They brought the runes with them.
The forms of several of the runes changed, notably the runes for A/O, C/K, H, J, S,
and Ng. Also, changes in the language led to nine runes being added to the alphabet to
compensate for the extra sounds, and several runes were given different

110
corresponding letters. This alphabet, expanded to 33 symbols, has become known as
the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. The rune names themselves have been passed down
relatively intact. Although no manuscript exists listing the names of the older,
Germanic runes, the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian rune poems agree to such an
extent that their common origin can be deduced.

One who aspires to become adept with runes must have some knowledge of the
mythology, history, and culture of ancient Europe and Scandinavia. The kenning of
rune lore is inextricably dependent upon these. Much of what you find here will
merely point you in the right direction. The rest is up to you. Delve as lightly or as
deeply as you wish.

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MEDIUMSHIP

Mediumship is an interesting process considering we have little to no control on the

outcome of each session.

Each reading is unique and has it's own special and personal earmarkings.

No, psychic medium reading is alike and you will not experience it in the same way
even twice.

Mediums are as almost as varied as their readings. Each carrying their own unique
style into the work.

But there are some constants in mediumship that you should be made aware of.

VALIDATION: True mediumship seeks validation from the spirits that come through.
There are many ways for a spirit to validate who they are to you. You, being the
person that is receiving the reading and desiring the contact.

In mediumship circles the person or persons being read for are know as the sitter or
sitters.
You, as the sitter have a very special job during a reading.

By your personal knowledge or through the personal knowledge of others known to

the spirit you can validate or invalidate certain information that comes froth as the
result of a medium reading.

Some of this information can be validated during the course of a reading

while some information may require validation after the reading with friends or other
family members whom are privy to this certain info.

Here are some examples of ways in which a spirit may try to validate who they are:

Sometimes the medium will get the names very clearly or just the initial. Also the
spirit's personality traits may be described.
Most spirits are willing to show how they passed to the medium.

Often spirits will give important dates of reference to further validate themselves.

They have been known to mention other family members. Sometimes calling them by
name.

They have also been known to mention a recent event even if small in your current
life or other family members life’s to show awareness of the here and now and their
spiritual presence at the event.
They have been known to show past events.

They have even been known show their favourite flower, book, song or any favourite

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from their life or even yours.

And just to surprise us. They have even been known to find some really unique way
of validating themselves that we probably have not even thought of yet.

All in all. The spirit may choose to use any of the above methods or even none of
them.

But they will find a way to validate them.

Sometimes a sitter will hold out for a specific validation that they asked the spirit for
in advance.

Sometimes this method works but also a lot of times it doesn’t.

That is why it is very important not to place any preconceived expectations on the
reading.

If you get your special validation great and if you do not, just know that it is not
always possible.

That is just the way things are!

It is a good idea during a medium reading to take notes or even tape record the
reading.
Because you will want some kind of record of information received. And you will not
want to depend on memory to help you sort out the information later.

One reason is because medium readings can have an overwhelming effect initially and
you would most likely forget more than you remembered.

A medium reading is and always should be considered a special event in a person's

life.

Because within this most wonderful process we call psychic mediumship you receive
the most important validation of all.

YOU ARE AN ETERNAL SPIRIT!

Clairvoyance and mediumship are generally associated together, although, really they
are totally different fields. I personally have always been interested in what is called
Physical mediumship. This is where the medium actually produces physical
phenomenon i.e. a spirit in ectoplasm .Un fortunately I have never met a medium that
could do this. I have seen numerous fakes. The Victorian times were fraught with such
people and the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini made it their
personal quest to show these charlatans for what they really were.

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A Look at Physical Manifestations

"Physical mediumship is the process whereby someone, in Spirit, usually known as a

spirit operator (as compared to a spirit communicator), works or operates through the
mental AND physical energies of the medium and causes something physical to
happen on the Earth plane. Physical mediumship is objective in nature; that is, when
the phenomena occur, everyone is able to see and/or hear them."

The implications, here, are really quite staggering: Mind is capable of affecting
matter. Perhaps this is the most pertinent implication lying at the foundation of
physical mediumship.

What makes a physical medium?

Mediumship is an inherent element of the Spirit. Therefore, to some degree, everyone

can develop the ability to link with Spirit and, thus, be receptive to the influences
coming from those in Spirit. But, not everyone can become a physical medium.
Unlike evidential mediumship, which can, to some degree, be developed within most
people, physical mediumship requires certain elements to be present within the
physical organism of the medium. Either you have those elements or you do not.

First, there must be an abundance of what is known as etheric matter within the
etheric vehicle. The etheric vehicle is a subtle counterpart of the physical body, which
performs two basic functions:

One: It acts as a battery, or storehouse, for certain types of vital energies that come
from the sun (prana) and from the earth (kundalini). This energy vitalizes the dense
physical body, in a way that compliments the energy that we receive from the various
foods we eat.

Two: It acts as a bridge of consciousness between the spirit and the body. Specifically,
it acts as a bridge of energy and consciousness between the astral body and the
physical body.

The etheric vehicle is comprised of matter that is far more refined and subtle than the
rarest of physical matter (hydrogen). To the clairvoyant, the etheric vehicle appears as
a thin, luminous band of light and energy surrounding the physical body by
approximately one inch. It tends to have a silvery-blue-grey colour and varies in
intensity and brilliance, depending upon the general health and energy disposition of
the individual. Illness and physical exhaustion tend to weaken the etheric vehicle, as
do long periods of cloudy weather. On the other hand, good health causes the etheric
vehicle to appear more brilliant and energized.

Anton Mesmer, the father of modern-day hypnosis, conducted a great deal of research
on etheric energy-matter. He called it "animal magnetism." In his researches, he
ascertained that certain people had an abundance of this vital energy-matter.
Furthermore, this energy could be transferred from those who had an abundance of it

114
to those who seemed lacking in it. They could do this through mentally directing this
energy as they moved their hands over the individual's aura. He called this type of
activity "magnetic passes." It forms the basis for the laying-on-of-hands. Finally, he
discovered that certain people could be put into a state of sleep, or trance, through
these magnetic passes; and, in that condition, they exhibited paranormal abilities, such
as clairvoyance, etc. This was called Mesmerism and, later, became the foundation for
modern-day hypnosis.

How does Spirit work with a physical medium?

In physical mediumship, the Medium uses this abundance of etheric energy and
matter in order to produce the various manifestations. They do this exactly as Anton
Mesmer discovered: through the directed use of mind, they release this energy-matter
from the physical medium's body and use it.

Most often, although not always, the medium must be in a state of rather deep trance.
This helps place the medium's mind on the sideline, so to speak, thus allowing the
intelligence of the spirit operator to work with and manipulate the etheric energy-
matter. Spirit tells us that they assist the medium in attaining this trance state through
a process not unlike that of Mesmer's magnetic passes.

During the manifestations, the physical medium usually sits within an enclosed area,
called a cabinet. This helps focus the energies and creates a type of battery from
which the phenomena can be built and energized. There is usually a curtain in front of
the cabinet that can be spread apart in order for people to see what is going on within
the cabinet.

Another condition that seems to prevail in physical mediumship is that of darkness.

Most physical phenomena take place in darkened quarters, with a dim red light
providing the only light source. Spirit tells us that white light tends to inhibit the
phenomena, while dim red light energizes it. Unfortunately, this condition has, over
the years, tended to foster an amazing barrage of cheating and fraud within the realm
of physical mediumship. These conditions do not allow people to see very well and
can create a psychological effect that fosters the seeds for figment of imagination.

What is ectoplasm?

Nandor Fodor, in his Encyclopaedia of Psychic Science, describes ectoplasm as

follows:

"A mysterious protoplasmic substance streaming out of the body of the

medium by the manipulation of which, either by the subconscious self or by
discarnate intelligences, phenomena of a super-physical order, including
partial and complete materialization, are produced.

The word was originated by Professor Richet . . . The first thing that has been
definitely established is that ectoplasm is matter, invisible and intangible in its

115
primary state but assuming vaporous, liquid or solid condition in various
stages of condensation. It emits a smell which reminds one of ozone."

When the spirit operators withdraw the etheric energy-matter from the medium's
body, it is known as ectoplasm. It is through the use and manipulation of ectoplasm
that the physical phenomena occur. Once created, the ectoplasm generally emerges
from the medium through some bodily orifice (nose or mouth) or through a psychic
centre, located near the navel, known as the solar plexus.

Manipulation of Ectoplasm:

This is the most fundamental use of ectoplasm. The ectoplasm is released from the
medium's body, and the operator demonstrates how it can be fashioned and directed.
This becomes a demonstration of Spirit's ability to influence matter via the directed
use of mind.

Movement of Objects:

Ectoplasm can be used to move objects. During a demonstration such as this, the spirit
operator might mould the ectoplasm into hardened rods and direct these rods to the
underside of an object and cause the object to be lifted.

Direct Voice:

Here, the Spirit operators create an ectoplasm voice box, through which they can
speak physically and audibly to all present. This is often done using a small conical
device, known as a trumpet. The trumpet acts very much like the cabinet, in that the
energies are focussed inside the trumpet. The trumpet is often levitated around the
room, with the Spirit people speaking through it.

A very interesting phenomenon witnessed during direct voice is the shifting in the
strength of the voice, as the energy level and harmony change. When the voice first
begins, it is often very garbled and difficult to distinguish. As the energy is built up,
the voice becomes more powerful and more easily understood. Toward the end of the
session, when the energies begin to diminish, so, too, do the quality and clarity of the
voice. In fact, this gradual peaking and diminishing of phenomena is quite common in
all forms of physical manifestations.

Apportation:

Here, Spirit causes something to materialize in the sitting room, apparently from
nowhere. The apported object sometimes does and sometimes does not remain. Often,
the materialized object is dematerialised back to where it came from. Stones, gems,
animals, ancient relics, and even people have been known to be apported into séance
rooms.

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Raps and Taps:

This is a common form of activity observed in circles for physical mediumship. The
Spirit people cause sharp raps to be heard, often from within the table they are sitting
around. A code can be established through the raps, thus creating a means of
conveying specific messages to the sitters.

Spirit Lights:

This is another common occurrence in physical circles. Flashes or balls of light

appear, often on or near the vicinity of the medium himself or herself. These in
modern times have been dubbed orbs.

Materialization: The Crème de la Crème of Physical Mediumship

In materialization, the Spirit people use ectoplasm to create an image or moulding of

himself or herself. The degree and strength of the materialized form varies quite a bit.

A full-form, head-to-toe materialization of a spirit is, perhaps, the most amazing

phenomenon witnessed in mediumship.

There are countless recorded cases where spirits have materialized fully, with full
dress and facial features. Some have been as clear and solid as an earthly body. Spirit
has even been known to go to the extent of creating fingerprints on their materialized
hands. Materialized spirits have been known to walk among the sitters; talk to the
sitters via direct voice; touch, hug, and kiss the sitters; allow the sitters to touch them;
materialize in front of the sitters; pass through walls; and dematerialise before the
sitters.

A most interesting phenomenon seen during materialization is the physical link

between the materialized form and the medium. After a spirit materializes and walks
away from the medium, there can be seen a cord of ectoplasm linking the spirit form
with the medium. This ectoplasmic cord can be likened to the umbilical cord of a
foetus. Through it, the spirit operator receives a supply of etheric energy-matter from
the medium. The spirit may dematerialise by withdrawing the ectoplasm back into the
medium's body via this cord.

A specific form of materialization, whereby the spirit operator uses the ectoplasm to
mould his or her face over the face of the medium, is known as transfiguration.

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 Why Physical Mediumship Is So Rare

During the last century, up until around the 1930's, physical mediumship was very
common, and the strength and range of phenomena were amazing. Today, it is quite
rare. There are two basic reasons for this:

One: Earlier on, when modern Spirit phenomena was relatively new, people needed to
see. They needed objective evidence of Spirit's presence; thus, the preponderance of
physical manifestations. As people began accepting the reality of mediumship and,
then, yearning more for teaching and philosophy, the occurrence of physical
mediumship began to lessen, while mental mediumship began to predominate. In
other words, the needs of Humanity dictated how Spirit would respond to those needs
-- always the case with Spirit.

Two: The development of physical mediumship can be a lengthy process; sometimes

tedious, with nothing happening in the circle for months or even years; requires great
commitment on everyone's part; and generally revolves around the development of
one, maybe two, people in the circle, with the other people sitting to help them in their
development.

Today, people are just not geared to putting this amount of time and effort --

sometimes totally selflessly -- into the development of any form of mediumship. In

earlier years, sitting in circle was, often, what people did to socialize. Most of the

great pioneer mediums began by sitting in a home circle. Today, this is simply not the

case. Thus, today, the occurrence, as well as the nature, of physical mediumship is

nothing like it was a century ago. However, we have noticed during the last decade

that there seems to be a resurgence of interest in physical mediumship and,

consequently, resurgence in the development of physical mediums.

As we stated: Mind over matter; that is what physical mediumship is all about.
Traditionalists in Spiritualism will answer with an empathic and resounding,

"NO. Only Spirit out of body can create such manifestations."

The question is: why should that be the case?

In the 1970's, the Toronto Society Psychical Research put this very question to the test
for, in conjunction with the New Horizons Research Foundation. Their findings were
published, in 1976, in the book

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"Conjuring Up Philip: An Adventure in Psychokineses."

A group of people decided to meet regularly, just as they would if sitting for

mediumistic development, with one major difference: they decided to create a

fictitious character, whom they later called "Philip." Little by little, as the meetings

continued, everyone present was creating the character of Philip. More and more

details were being woven into the life story of Philip. Finally, the group decided to put

their experiment to the test. They wanted to see if phenomena -- attributed to "Philip"

as the operator -- would occur. They got more than they bargained for.

Remember, they were sitting to experiment with psychokinesis, not mediumship.

Psychokinesis, or PK, is the movement of objects via the directed use of
INCARNATE mind. Not only did the Philip group get PK phenomena, they got
levitation and direct communication, through raps, from Philip. But, they did NOT
achieve any actual manifestation of Philip. The debate is this: Were the phenomena a
result of mass hallucination? Was this a genuine demonstration of the group's energy,
collectively known as Philip, manifesting itself as Philip? Or was Philip actually a
person, in Spirit, who decided to work with this group and telepathically fed the group
information about himself and his earthly life and, then, through the power of physical
mediumship -- with the group (or, perhaps, one person) acting as the medium --
physically materialized him.

The conclusion of the Philip group, itself, was that it was strictly PK at work here. In
other words, the combined mental energies of the group, focussed through the
"person" of Philip, were the source of the manifestations.

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 What Is Mediumship/Channelling?

Mediumship can be defined as follows: The process whereby a human instrument,

known as a MEDIUM or CHANNEL, is used by one or more discarnate, spirit
personalities for the purpose of:

Presenting information, verifiable or otherwise.

Causing so-called paranormal activities to occur.

Channelling forth certain types of energies.

Manifesting themselves for objective examination and/or identification.

From this definition, we see the following:

Mediumship involves a cooperating effort between a person on the Earth plane (the
medium or channel) and a person in Spirit (the communicator).

There are several objectives behind the manifestation of mediumship.

In addition to this, we see that those in Spirit use mediumship for the following
purposes:

To present information, which may or may not be verifiable.

To cause certain types of paranormal activities to occur.

To channel forth certain types of energies.

To manifest themselves materially.

Therefore, mediumship involves the cooperation between at least two individuals:

An Earth-plane channel or medium and a spirit communicator or operator.

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You will note that we distinguish between a spirit communicator and a spirit operator.

A spirit, who uses a medium for the purpose of communication, either verbally or
visually, is known as a spirit communicator. A spirit who uses a medium for the intent
of working with and/or manipulating energies or energy systems is called a spirit
operator. This distinction is very general, and it should be noted that a spirit operator
can, and often does, communicate.

Thus, mediumship can be distinguished as two basic types: Mental Mediumship and
Physical Mediumship

Mental mediumship involves the relating of information, through communication, via

the varied aspects of thought transference, or mental telepathy. Mental mediumship
takes place within the consciousness of the medium. The results are expressed
verbally and must pass through the medium's mouth. In a demonstration of mental
mediumship, it is the medium that hears, sees, and feels what the spirit
communicators are relating. Furthermore, it is the medium's function to relate the
information, with minimum personal influence and prejudice, to the recipient of the
message, also known as the sitter.

Physical mediumship involves the manipulation and transformation of physical

systems and energies. The spirit operators, in this case, are causing something to
happen upon the Earth plane. What it is that actually happens varies with the style of
mediumship involved, but the results can be seen and heard by others.

When spirit links with a medium, the spirit communicator exerts various degrees of
control, or overshadows the consciousness of the medium to a greater or lesser
degree. This varies, depending upon the intent and conditions of communication, as
well as the ability of the medium to lend themselves to be overshadowed or
controlled.

Genuine trance is a strong sharing of mental and physical energies and consciousness
between the medium and the spirit communicator. There is generally -- although not
always -- manifested, within the medium, the following:

A slowing of the heart rate.

A slow, deep, and steady breathing pattern.

No rapid eye movement, or REM.

A lowering of body temperature.

A greatly reduced reaction to touch and pain.

Various degrees of unconsciousness.

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Furthermore, because in the trance condition the spirit communicator is speaking
directly through the consciousness of the medium -- rather than the medium relating
what is being mentally given to him or her -- the voice pattern, inflection, and general
manner of speech differ from that normally exhibited by the medium.

One final point needs to be mentioned: that of control. What does it mean to be
controlled by spirit? First of all, it does NOT mean that the medium is, in any way,
possessed by a spirit personality. Possession -- or attachment (apparently a new and,
in my opinion, disturbing buzz word) -- is extremely rare. Nor does it mean that the
medium leaves his or her body and the spirit enters therein.

Mediumistic control means a sharing of mental and physical energies between the
medium and spirit communicator or operator. Control signifies a telepathic rapport
between the two. How strongly en rapport they are determines the degree of control.
Control can range from inspired thought, to conscious control, to light trance, to deep
trance, to very deep trance. It all depends upon the work at hand and the mental and
physical energies available to the spirit communicator or operator.

Why Spirit Communication?

Why would someone wish to communicate with their spirit loved ones? What does
this accomplish, for them as well as for the loved ones in Spirit? Why would spirit
wish to "come back" and communicate to their earthly loved ones? What type of
information does spirit seek to impart to those of us on the Earth plane?

These are just a few of the questions which people ask when they consider
mediumship and spirit communication. It all boils down to one basic question: Why?
Why should spirit in the body seek to establish communication with spirit out of the
body, and vice versa?

First: why seek spirit communication, through a medium? Spirit communication helps
bring together that which seems to have become separated and lost, through death:
love and interaction with our loved ones. We seek spirit communication because we
want to know: do our loved ones survive death; if so, where are they, and are they the
same people that we knew and loved while together on earth?

Mediumship answers both of these concerns with a resounding YES. YES, our loved
ones survive death. They go to a place not separated by distance, but by dimension.
And YES, they survive, as we knew them on earth. The only thing they leave behind,
through death, is the physical body and earthly treasures; everything else goes with
them. This, alone, gives tremendous comfort to the grieving.

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Our work with mediumship has shown us, clearly, that communicating with spirit
loved ones can be a tremendous source of resolve, closure, and, especially, healing.
How often have we seen loved ones, reaching across the doorway of life, in order to
express how sorry they are for the errors of the past? This applies not only to those in
the body, but in Spirit as well. The opportunity to say, "I'm sorry" can bring with it an
amazing healing for all concerned. Thus, spirit is anxious to relate to their earthly
loved ones what they have come to see and how they have changed since their
passing.

In many ways, death can be likened to a journey. If you take a trip to a foreign land, or
move away from those whom you love, what would be your first order of business,
when arriving at your destination? Most of us would want to call home and let our
loved ones know that we arrived safely. Thus it is with death. Spirit wishes to convey
to us that they have made the journey and are OK. Mediumship can be the telephone
line through which this communication takes place.

A psychic can give names and addresses. But, only a medium -- one who has touched
and linked with the spirit of your loved one -- can convey the true essence, love, and
spirit of that person. And that bears with it the greatest of evidence and comfort to one
who is grieving.

Thus, we have one of the most profound reasons why people seek genuine spirit
communication. We also have one of the greatest sources of disappointment for
people who visit mediums.

It's the difference between looking at a picture of your loved one and actually having
your loved one there, sharing the experience of that picture with you. Mediums must
come to understand this. They must nurture sensitivity: not only to the vibrations of
those in Spirit, but to the reasons why spirit seeks to communicate with spirit. Thus it
is with evidential mediumship. Harry Price, had to say about mental inspirational
mediumship:

"Mental mediums, often women, appear to have no qualities,

intellectual or physiological, which distinguish them from their fellow.
On the contrary, they often emerge from the semi-educated class of
society. Their utterances are often puerile, platitudinous, or
nonsensical. The trance addresses one hears at the typical spiritualist
service have been called "a farrago of stale platitudes and twaddling
ethico-religious uplift,' with little spirituality in them. And after nearly
a hundred years of intensive experimentation, we have learnt
absolutely nothing from the spirits. And the many recorded
conversations with the dead, such as can be found in "Raymond", are
often so mundane that they are usually received with scepticism, if not
ridicule. Some of these messages may be true. But if true, why so silly?
Are our dead relatives and friends incapable of giving us information
that so vitally concerns us, and of which we are so badly in need? Are
they incapable of giving us one new fact concerning this world -- to
say nothing of the next -- not already known to us? Or one proof --
absolute and scientific -- that our souls 'survive' if our bodies do not?
It rather looks like it."

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What a sad commentary from a researcher who spent a good portion of his life
investigating mediumship and channelling! However, the question which plagues so
many people -- especially researchers such as Harry Price -- is legitimate: if all this
wonder and mystery is, in fact, often Spirit-inspired, why is there, also, so much trite
communication; furthermore, why is there disagreement, amongst those in Spirit,
concerning such profound issues as reincarnation?

First of all, it is important to keep in mind: all communication from Spirit must pass
through the consciousness of the channel; therefore, it will be influenced, to one
degree or another, by the medium's mind and personal prejudices. Secondly, and
probably more challenging to the student, is this simple truth: not every spirit sees life
through the same set of "eyes". There is disagreement on some very important issues
amongst those of us on the Earth plane; likewise, there is disagreement on some very
important issues amongst those of us not on the Earth plane.

To some, this may seem disturbing, for they would like to believe that somewhere in
creation there is ultimate and universal truth. Indeed there is! But, that ultimate and
universal truth concerns matters of the Spirit, not of the earth. Ultimate truth resides
within the Spirit, and it often gets distorted when it filters down to the level of earthly
matters and conditions. That of the earth comes and goes, with the winds of time, but
the truth of the Spirit remains constant, steadfast, and eternal.

Helpful Hints on Consulting a Medium or Psychic:

Some Practical Do's and Don'ts and
What to Look Out For and How Not to Get Cheated.

Contrary to popular belief, mediums and psychics are not machines that can be
randomly turned on and off. Many subtle factors are involved in the channelling of
information. Sometimes, everything falls very nicely into place and a strong
communicative link is established. At other times, this may not be the case. The
failure to establish or maintain a strong link with Spirit may have nothing to do with
either the medium or the sitter; so, we must never judge any sensitive's work based
upon one sitting.

The question is: how can you determine whether you should visit a particular medium
or psychic. Here are some helpful hints:

First and foremost: know whether you wish to sit with a medium or a psychic. Each
works on a different level and offers a different type of information. A medium offers
communication from Spirit; a psychic attunes to and interprets the energies from the
sitter.

If a sensitive promises you the world, be careful.

If a sensitive charges an unreasonably high fee, then you can be pretty well assured
that his or her primary motive for doing the work is financial. Of course, the service
offered by a good medium or psychic is invaluable, and you should expect to pay a
reasonable rate for his or her time; but, outlandish fees should be avoided. Use good
judgment here.

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Be careful when a medium says that he or she will promise communication from
particular spirit loved ones. No one can make that guarantee. If conditions are right,
and if that particular medium is suitable for your loved-ones to link with, then, very
likely, you will get what you hope to receive. This is determined at the time of the
sitting, not prior. So, be cautious of guarantees made in this work.

Be cautious of sensitives who charge per question or per communicator. In our

opinion, this is too much like grocery shopping and not the way in which sittings
should be conducted.

During a sitting, be discerning when it comes to predictions. It is true that what we

shall do tomorrow is being planned, spiritually, today, and the energy of those plans
are within the aura; but nothing of the future is etched in stone. Always use your good
judgment concerning the future.

Understand why it is that the Spirit loved-ones wish to communicate through a

medium. Is it to tell us about career, romance, and finances? No. That is not their job.
Spirit comes, first, to let us know that they are OK and that there is life after death;
then, to guide and inspire us. Spirit does not come to live our lives or to make
decisions that we should be making. The same applies to psychics. Do not turn over
the responsibility of your life into the hands of another.

Be very careful of sensitives who ask personal questions, either before or during your
sitting. Very often, they fish for information and return that information, either as a
message from Spirit or as part of the psychic reading. No medium or sensitive needs
to know anything about you except your name (even this is not really required). If he
or she asks for additional information, do not offer it. You do not have to provide your
date of birth or anything of that nature beforehand. The only question which a
sensitive should ask, during a sitting, is whether or not you understand or can accept a
piece of information given to you; then, answer only YES or NO; do not give any
additional information.

The time you spend with a psychic or medium is YOUR time. If ever you are told that
you cannot tape record a sitting or reading, stay clear!

Finally, please avoid those ubiquitous psychic hot lines. Trust me on this one: for a £1
a minute, you are NOT making any kind of a friend.

There are many very good, ethical, fair, and honest mediums and psychics, and the
service, which they can render to the seeking soul, is, truly, priceless; but you have to
know what to look out for. Use this information, as a guideline in your quest and you
will find what you need.

Best of luck in your quest for truth!

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The Crystal

From the most ancient times precious stones have been used in the making of amulets
and talismans. An amulet, or charm, is an object that is believed to have a particular
power - for example, to protect against sickness, or to ward off the evil eye - simply
because of its existence. This may be because it is made of a particular substance, or
because of its shape. Just by wearing it or having it about their person, a person
benefits from the amulet's power and qualities.

A talisman is an object that has been created with a specific purpose and intention in
mind. Whether to help cure someone’s ills, sickness or to protect against an evil curse
etc or even to do harm to an enemy. In contrast to the general power of an amulet, a
talisman is made to do a specific job and has to be 'charged' by a magical ritual. It will
often make use of the inherent properties of, for example, gemstones that make them
work as amulets, but they are directed towards a particular goal. A talisman may,
therefore, be made up of an arrangement of several stones with different properties,
each of which are required in order to achieve the desired objective.

The Maoris of New Zealand have made jade amulets in the shape of human figures,
which are called Hei-tiki. (Jade is found in the South Island of New Zealand.) The
Hei-tiki represents the life force, and are handed down in families or given as gifts
between friends.

In Hindu lore, the gems regarded as having the greatest magical properties, known as
the Maharatnani, were the diamond, pearl, ruby, sapphire and emerald. The Hindu
nararatna is one of oldest recorded amulets made of gemstones. It consisted of a set of
stones - a diamond, ruby, emerald, pearl, sapphire, coral, topaz, jacinth and cat's eye -
set into a ring or pendant. Each embodied the magical properties of one of the planets,
and the nine combined made a powerful amulet.

Given in the Book of Exodus (chapter 28) Precious stones adorned the sacred Hebrew
Breastplate of Aaron. In The instructions for its construction it was stated that the
golden breastplate was to be set with twelve stones representing the Twelve Tribes of
Israel: sardius, topaz, carbuncle, emerald, sapphire, diamond, ligure, agate, amethyst,
beryl, onyx and jasper.

In the Tree of Life of the Cabala, the highest of the sephiroth, Kether, the Crown, is
symbolised by jewels.

The ancient Egyptians, for example, engraved the images of the scarab and the
goddess Isis on emeralds as a good luck measure.

A 13th-century treatise, The Book of Wings, gives details of the images that may be
used in this way. For example:

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The beautiful and terrible figure of a dragon. If this is found on a ruby or any other
stone of similar nature and virtue, it has the power to augment the goods of this world
and makes the wearer joyous and healthy.

The figure of a falcon, if on a topaz, helps to acquire the good will of kings, princes
and magnates. The image of an astrolabe, if on a sapphire, has power to increase
wealth and enables the wearer to predict the future.

The well-formed image of a lion, if engraved on a garnet, will protect and preserve
honours and health, cures the wearer of all diseases, brings him honours, and guards
him from all perils in travelling.

Common, modern day amulets include the St.Christopher medallion: supposed to

bring about a safe journey.

CRYSTALS

We start with a brief introduction to quartz rock crystal. If you have ever heard the saying " as
clear as crystal “ you will be confused straight away, because crystal is very rarely clear.

It is usually milky white at the base and clear towards the tip.

The milky white base represents the Ying or female side and the clear part represents the Yang
or male side of the crystal.

Regarding Quartz, where would we be without it?

Quartz what is it?

What is it used for?

Well it is in most clocks, watches and machinery including the computer you are using right
now. If you look at a watch face it may say Quartz somewhere upon it.

This is what charges your watch and makes it work.

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 Crystal Balls

A crystal gazing ball will channel for you, help you to connect with your spirit friends who can
give you information and a better understanding of life. Then it is up to you whether you tell or
not. Hold those feelings with you; they will come to light sooner or later, only time will tell.

Crystals go through moods just like us. You try taking a photo of a crystal that dose not what
want to be photographed. The colours are all wrong, the images are blurred and sometimes the
camera just won't work. You tell me what's happening there. Tell me how a clear quartz crystal
can turn blue or red in one photo and in the next it can be as clear as water, without moving the
camera or changing the light. A lot of people believe that simply because quartz stores enery,
we ‘pick up’ on that enery.sometimes its like static electricity, and that’s why it can cause
difficulties in photography etc.

Crystal balls come in many sizes and colours. The most popular is Rock Crystal or quartz. As
long as the crystal grows large enough it can be shaped, a crystal ball will not grow round, it
has to be carved into that shape.
They can be expensive and different stones give different meanings. For example a Rose
Quartz sphere is for love and relationships, and well as for self-love and emotional problems.

I use various crystals, for different things, even different sized balls. Ranging from one-
about10 inches, which is extremely heavy, to a small ball I keep in my case that is about 2
inches across.

Holding one of the smaller crystals sends energy messages to the larger rock crystal sphere that
you can then pick up on.

Because crystals absorb energy, both positive and negative, from time to time they
will all require cleansing. There is nothing mysterious in that fact. We just need to
find out the best way that's all.

To cleanse my own crystals I use a mixture of Sunlight, Moonlight and an herb called
Sage. You can start by holding your crystals under running water, shake dry and place
in Sunlight for a day or Moonlight for a night.
Sage is also excellent to use.

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Many different minerals and crystals are used for various things i.e.

Rose quartz: For matters of love and to help troubled sleep.

Haematite: for grounding and protection.

Amethyst: for spiritual matters

Mostly when people refer to the crystal, they mean a crystal ball. This is usually made

from quartz crystal, some do use glass. Before either of these people would use either

a bowl full of ink or water. This was called scrying. Basically whatever you use it

simply helps the reader to focus, either by staring into a see through ball or a bowl of

ink, it focus’ your mind and it is those mental images that are brought into sight, and

discussed, for the querent. One could certainly select a group of stones with different

meanings, put them together in a pouch and let people choose by feel or sight and

give mini readings based on what was chosen. Take a class in stone casting and learn

how the Ancients did their divination's based on the 4 elements and 4 directions.

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Casting Stones

I have met very few psychics or others who use casting stones, but there are a few of
us who do. There are many different methods for using gemstones and crystals as an
oracle; it depends on what feels right for you.

Casting stones are simply a group of crystals, gemstones or the like which you
"throw" onto a surface and then read. You can sometimes buy casting stones as a kit,
complete with a drawstring pouch in which to store them. Or you can select your own
stones one by one as it feels right to you.

The best stones to use in casting stones should be relatively small, but not tiny (very
small stones are frequently lost, and they should also be relatively flat, or with a flat
side.

You can choose your stones by virtue of their magical associations, colour, name, or
feel. For instance, Tiger Eye is usually included in a set of casting stones. Tiger Eye
is a yellow/orange colour, and thus has associations with warmth, light, heat, the Sun,
clarity, daytime, etc. It also could be associated with cats, vision, and the night,
depending on the question and what you choose to associate it with, or what your
subconscious tells you it means. Amethyst is associated with spirituality and psychic
vision,

You can cast your stones in various ways. I have a lovely handmade cloth onto which
the stones are cast and interpreted them based on what area they fall in, which stones
fell next to which other stones, taking into account colours, associations and the
‘feel’. I have a circle design on the cloth, divided into four areas representing the four
directions and their associations: East (air), South (fire), West (water) and North
(earth). Air connects with the mind (as does the colour yellow), Fire connects with
action and energy (as do red coloured stones), Water is the intuitive and emotional
(blue and purple coloured stones), and Earth is the practical and manifest (earth
tones). I also have twelve segments, correlating to the zodiacal elements also as each
stone has an association with a planetary energy. The present is represented as being
in the centre, and the further from the centre, the further away the event, or the less
prominent in the querents’ life.

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Crystal Tarot....

Have a general knowledge of The major Arcana Collect the following crystals (each
represents a corresponding energy to a trump card) Decide how many stones will be
used as an answer or reading, and how they will be chosen.

The Fool - Agate

The Magician - Clear Quartz

The High Priestess - Kyanite

The Empress - Carnelian

The Emperor - Emerald

The Hierophant - Hematite

The Lovers - Rose Quartz

The Chariot - Leopard Skin

Strength - Citrine

The Hermit - Smokey Quartz

The Wheel - Aventurine

Justice - Bloodstone

The Hanged Man - Ametrine

Death - Black Tourmaline

The Tower - Chrysocolla

The Devil l- Black Onyx

Temperance - Kunzite

The Star - Tektite

The Moon - Moonstone

The Sun - Golden Tiger-eye

Judgement - Fluorite

The World – Opal

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You might just do a reading from the ‘feel’ that you pick up from each of the crystals.

Crystallomancy or crystal ball gazing is perhaps the most familiar of the intuitive
types of divination. Everyone has run across the gypsy fortuneteller stereotype in
movies and TV and the reality is not far off. To perform this type of divination you
need a crystal ball, or some other form of crystal (a large quartz crystal works nicely
as well). Lighting and mood are very important in getting a good reading. I have
found that a quiet candlelit area, free of distractions, tends to work best.

To begin, you should settle yourself in a light trance. This can be accomplished by
concentrating on breathing deeply and regularly for a few minutes, then picturing a
red 7 in your head then an orange 6, yellow 5, green 4, blue 3, purple 2, violet 1 (this
is Laurie Cabot's crystal countdown...it works very well to bring on an altered state of
awareness. there are thousands of ways to enter a trance state, but I have found this
way to be quick and easy to both remember and perform). You will know that you are
in the trance state by a feeling of tingling in your hands or body and a slight euphoric
or floating calm feeling. Once in this state, concentrate on the crystal ball, let your
eyes focus or unfocus as they will, don't think about it too hard, and let your mind
wander like you would while daydreaming.

After a time, you should begin to see shapes and forms in the play of light within and
on the crystal. Like the children's cloud game, or the inkblot test, call or write down
what these shapes look like to you.... Keep doing this till the symbols either starts to
repeat or you can't maintain concentration any more. Now the analysis. You take your
question that you were divining for and relate these symbols to it. Do not worry what
they might mean to someone else, these are YOUR symbols from YOUR dream
consciousness...so they will mean what you think they should mean.

Hydromancy or scrying is similar in technique to crystallomancy, but instead of using

a crystal ball as your focus you use the reflective surface of a bowl or cup of water,
wine or ink...still natural bodies of water are also good such as a lake or pond. In this
type of divination, mood and lighting are also important. As a Witch or Pagan. A good
time and place to perform hydromancy is during your new and full moon esbats, using
your chalice that is full of some liquid (water, wine, mead etc.) and the reflection of
the moon as your light source, but you can do it at other times too. The actual form
and interpretation follows along exactly like crystal gazing.

Pyromancy is another variant of the crystal gazing technique, this time gazing at a
fire. Campfires, bonfires, or fires in a fire place work better than a candle flame
(which tends to be fairly steady and unvarying but can still be used).

There are other forms of intuitive divination like reading tealeaves or clouds and these
tend to follow the same pattern as crystal gazing. Experiment around, different
focuses will work better for you than others and you will best find which by trial and
error.

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CRYSTAL SCRYING

Both Merlin and John Dee used a crystal globe for scrying. Because of the cost of
rock crystal balls many people use a glass ball.

Brazil has the best crystal rocks in the world. Although crystals may grow to a
considerable length, they seldom exceed one inch in thickness.

There are however some exceptions. Flaws in a crystal such as cracks, bubbles and
discolorations do not make crystal unfit for scrying although they may distract your
attention. In fact some people find these flaws helps their mind’s eye to ‘flip over’ and
‘see’

Size is however not important and bigger does not mean it will be better. Crystal
scrying should be done in near or total darkness.

The main thing is to avoid reflections on the surface of the crystal. The best method is
to use the light of a candle when scrying but make sure the candle does not reflect in
the ball.

Focus your gaze on the centre of the crystal not on its surface. Try looking through the
crystal as if it were a mirror upon the astral world.

The first things you may see are clouds that change colour. Eventually a mist will
spread outwards from the centre of the crystal to reveal images.

When you scry for visions sooner or later you will achieve communication from the
spirits. These spirits will help you to understand what you have seen in the visions.

It may be helpful to charge your crystal ball once a month with moonlight.

Place the ball in a glass bowl of natural water in the glow of a full moon.

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WATER SCRYING

You will need a large, deep bowl made from glass, brass or silver. It must have a
smooth and even rim.

You must set your base on some sort of tripod for best results. A tripod made of laurel
boughs is the best.

You will need to do your own testing to find out which bowl works best for you and
how much water you should use. Do not use water from a tap. Get clean, fresh water
from a stream.

The ancient Greeks believed that nature spirits dwelled in fresh water. The water may
be stored in a vessel and used again.

However it is a good idea to replace your water once a month. Never collect the water
of daytime. Water should only be collected at night preferably on a full moon.

To make your wand use a branch from a bay tree, hazel tree or the laurel.

The end of the wand should be covered in dry tree sap or resin.

Dip the end of the wand into the water until it becomes wet. Wet the rims of the bowl.

The best time to scry is at night when it is quite. By gently drawing the rim of the
wand around the bowl the action of the resonating basin will cause circular ripples to
form in the basin. The water seems to breathe with the sounds.

It is the harmonics that seem to whisper forth predictions of the future. These are
interpreted with the help of a guardian angel.

You may also receive visual impressions that Nostradamus likened to that of a
"burning mirror". It will cause it to resonate.

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Mirror scrying

Mirror scrying is an evolved form of water scrying. When it became possible to build
mirrors they were regarded as being like water that was fixed into one place.

The early mirrors were made of polished copper, brass, marquisette, tin foil or
mercury behind glass, polished silver and obsidian. All types of mirrors may be used
for scrying and the size is not important.

Because mirrors are linked to the moon mirrors should be backed with silver. Try and
use a round or oval mirror instead of a square mirror.

For the frame try and use a mirror that has a silver frame.

Old mirrors also seem to work better than new mirrors.

Most seers prefer to use a black mirror. Because this is difficult to buy you may have
to make one.

Just simply take out the glass and paint it black. You may have to give it a few coats
of paint though. When you put it back in the frame make sure the glass part is to the
front.

The use of black mirrors may be traced back over the centuries. John Dee used a
black mirror of obsidian.

When using the black mirror for scrying you do not want to see your reflection. The
best is to leave the mirror on a table and look at it from an angle.

Look into the depths of the mirror as though you were looking into a bowl of water.
At first it may appear grey than colours will come and go.

With time and practise you will be able to see scryed images like still photographs or
moving film images. Spirits may sometimes look at the scryer; talk to the scryer or
even touch the scryer.

The visions may even exist outside the mirror and surround the scryer on all sides.

John Dee (1527 to 1608) was one of the greatest scryers in history. Dee's private
library of books was renowned throughout Europe.

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Through his studies Dee was well versed in the magic of the ancient world. In 1591
he became strongly interested in spirit communication when he started having
troublesome dreams and hearing knocking noises.

He records these disturbances in his private diary. Dee began by trying to see visions
within a small rock crystal.

Dee met Edward Kelley in 1582 when he came to his house seeking information
about turning base metals into pure gold. Kelley had little interest in the angels other
than trying to use them to make money.

The angels treated Kelley with contempt and only used him as a line of
communication to Dee. Dee had a strong interest in using the angels as political
channels, but the angels where not interested.

The angels where only interested in passing on the system of Enochian magic. The
actual scrying method of Enochian magic was recorded in Dee's diary Libri
Mysteriorum.

Dee's crystal was a small globe of rock crystal. Sometimes Dee used a mirror of
obsidian that he called his jet shewstone.

The crystal rested within a golden frame that had a cross on top. The crystal in its
frame rested upon a seal called Sigillum Aemeth.

The angel Uriel gave instructions about this.

The Sigillum resides in the British museum today. The Sigillum was placed in the
middle of Dee's scrying table. The angels gave instructions for the table as well. It
was to be made of sweet wood and two cubits in all directions.

A magic square of twelve Enochian letters occupies the centre of the table. The table
was draped with a white silk cloth.

Around the central square of the table were seven talismans known as Ensigns of
Creation. Dee always opened each scrying session with a prayer.

Dees method shows just how exact a scryers table must be.

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A Crystal Exercise

Use a crystal, or a glass filled with water. Sit where you are comfortable, relax and

look at the water in the glass. Imagine yourself going deeper into it, totally immerse

yourself within. Now you will see things around you, pictures, you may not be able to

make sense of these at this present time, but you will find there meanings for you at a

future date. Usually like déjà vu!

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Pendulums

Pendulums are a very simple method of divination, generally used for simple "yes or
no" questions. A pendulum is some kind of weight suspended from a string or chain.
The end of the chain is held lightly in the fingers, and the question is asked. The
pendulum should, within a minute or so, begin to swing in a particular direction, thus
giving you the answer to your question.

Before using a pendulum, determine which direction means "yes", which means "no",
and which means "uncertain or don't know". Most often, a north-south direction
means yes, an east-west direction means no, and a circular motion means uncertain.
The best way to determine this for yourself, though, is to make these the first
questions you ask your pendulum: "Which direction means yes?"

You can buy pendulums made for purposes of divination. If you're on a tight budget,
you can make your own with a piece of string or chain, and whatever you want to
attach to the bottom of it. The most common use of a pendulum I have come across is
a woman who ties her wedding ring to a piece of string or cotton, holds it over her
belly to divine whether her child will be a boy or girl. It should not be very long (six
inches or so), and the weight should be heavy enough to pull the string taut as you
hold it gently by the end You can use it alone, or you can make a nice cloth (or even
just a paper) circle, with straight lines running North-South and East-West to hold the
pendulum above.

Pendulums work by allowing your intuitive/subconscious mind to give you the answer

to your questions, which in turn moves the pendulum in the direction in which it

needs to go.

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Palms

Usually it is believed that you left hand is the hand that you are born with, your hand
is what you make of it, in other words left is for possibilities, right probabilities.
Every line tells a story, and if you where to take a print of your palms now and than
again, six months on you would notice differences.
The palmist looks at all the major lines in your hand and many of the minor lines to
fill in the gaps, or fine-tune those meanings. Usually it is the simple act of holding
hands that gives the psychic the link they need and then a conversation from your
psyche to that of the reader is downloaded and thus your future is divined. There are
far too many books detailing the meanings of lines, and far too many lines for me to
go into detail of them all.
Basically looking at your hand the first line running across from little finger below the
other four digits is your head line. The longer this line, the more intelligent. It’s like a
TV antennae. A short one will pick up BBC but if covers the width of your hand,
super intelligent, able to pick up satellite TV! The one below this generally starting
around the life line but running across the hand towards the little finger is the Heart
line. The more bubbles or crisscross lines in this line show the more sexually
motivated the person. The line running around the thumb towards the wrist is the life
line. If this line finishes at the ‘V’ near the rest it means you will expire at about 82.

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Psychometrics

A method of sensing or 'reading' from physical objects the history of each object (and
the history of things and people associated with these objects) that is hidden to
ordinary sensibility.

Joseph R. Buchanan, an American physiologist, who claimed it could be used to

measure the ‘soul’ of all things, coined the term in1840. Buchanan further said that
the past is entombed in the present. Buchanan experimented with some students from
Cincinnati medical school and found that when certain students where given an
unmarked bottle of medicine they had the same reaction as if they had taken the
medicine. Buchanan developed the theory that all things give off an emanation.

These emanations contained a sort of record of the history of the object. Buchanan
believed that objects recorded senses and emotions and these could be played back in
the mind of the psychometric scryer.

Some theosophists attempt to explain psychometry in terms of the Akashic records.

Psychometrists usually scry in a normal state of mind.

Researchers who followed Buchanan theorized that objects retain imprints of the past
and their owners — variously called 'vibrations', 'psychic ether', and aura — that
could be picked up by sensitive. Psychometry is the main technique used in
criminology. The ability to interpret memories connected with an object or artefact
and can even include rooms and buildings. The information that comes through from
any one of these things to someone who claims to have this ability can be in the form
of any of the senses. For example, it may in the form of a mental picture of a person
connected with a room, the happiness of a person who once owned an artefact or the
memories of a person who witnessed something happen long ago in a certain place
leaving their thoughts in the very surroundings.

The word comes from the Greek "Psyche" (Soul) and "Metron" (measure)

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 Psychometry

This is best done when you do not know who is handing the object to you,
either an unknown person or one of a number of people handing you an object
when your eyes are closed.

Sit relaxed with your eyes closed and your hands palms up in your lap.

Instruct a person to place an object in your hands, which they have had in their
possession for a long time.

Relate everything that you see in your mind, think of, hear in your head and
also any feelings that you have while holding the object.

NOTE You may pick up some thoughts and feelings etc. that seem
meaningless to you but keep talking as much as possible about what is in your
mind and you may be amazed at how much is relevant to the owner of the
object. This technique develops your gift of feeling. It gives you the
experience of learning to tune into another person's vibrations to discern what
you are feeling. Every object a person has in their possession becomes
magnetised by their vibration.

Sometimes, while practising psychometry, the feelings associated with the

object are vague and don't seem to bear much relevance to anything
recognisable to the owner of the object. On other occasions the opposite is the
case and intricate details can be discerned. One day while a group of friends
were practising one girl was surprised when told that the reader could see a
black and white dog. He was able to describe it in great detail and she
confirmed that she did, in fact, have a black and white dog that exactly
matched the description.

Psychic Criminology

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The use of psychics in the investigation and jury selection of civil and criminal cases.

This controversial technique has grown in the decades following World War II due to
the publicized successes of various celebrity psychics.

The primary technique is psychometry, handling objects, such as discarded weapons

or the belongings of victims, and sensing their 'vibrations', which can provide
information to help solve the crime.

Throughout history seers and dowsers have been sought out to help locate missing
persons and solve crimes.

Psychic detection was used in Europe during and after World War I. And as recent as
the search for Saddam Hussein after the Iraqi war in 2003.

In 1925 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, predicted that the
detectives of the future would be clairvoyants or would use clairvoyants.

By the latter part of the twentieth century, hundreds of psychics were working
regularly with police in the United States, Britain, and Europe, though their success
was erratic.

Police departments remain divided over the effectiveness of psychics.

Some make regular use of selected individuals and have established written
procedures for doing so; others feel psychics make no difference in solving cases.

Departments that do use psychics often are reluctant to admit it publicly.

For many reasons including the old chestnut of ‘witch craft’

Have you ever touched someone or something and gotten some kind of message —
such as ideas, pictures, or words? While shopping in an antique store, do you pick up
impressions about certain pieces?

You are experiencing psychometry.

Psychometry is the art of interpreting the psychic vibrations contained in objects.

Sometimes referred to as "psychic touch," It is often used in cases of missing persons.
The reader can touch an object the person has worn or touched, usually an article of
clothing, to get impressions of the person’s whereabouts.

Some common items used in psychometry are rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings,
and watches. Any of these items will hold information about the wearer, such as
thoughts, their emotional state, and sufficient events affecting the person’s life.
Through psychometry, a story unfolds that describes not only the events of a person's
life, but also how the person is feeling, thinking and reacting to these events. In order
to receive clear information, the object should belong to and have been worn only by
the person getting the reading.

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The following exercises are very basic, but they will help you learn to develop your
psychometric abilities, individually and in groups. Everyone has this ability to some
degree, but most of us don't focus on it consciously. With practice, you may become
proficient in a very helpful tool. And as I always say, only use your gifts for your
highest good.

Any attempt to intrude on someone’s life without his or her permission is an

invasion of privacy and is very inappropriate.

Which Hand To Use

The hand you use to get impressions from objects of very important. Your dominant
hand gives or relays information, while your non-dominant or receptive hand receives
information. Your receptive hand is the correct hand to use.

The following a simple test to find out which hand is most receptive. It is very
important that you do this, as you will always use this hand to receive impressions, at
least until you have become so accurate that you can use either hand.

For most right-handed people, the left hand is the receptive hand. For left-handed
people, the right hand is likely to be the receptive hand. If you are in doubt, or were
changed from a left-hander to a right-hander as a child, the following test can be used
to discover which is which.

1. Hold both hands at chest level with fingertips pointing up and palms facing each
other.
2. Rub hands together very lightly to stimulate the energy flow.
3. Move your hands closer together, then apart, feeling the flow of energy.
4. Whichever hand feels stronger, or that it is emitting stronger energy, that is your
dominant hand. The other is your non-dominant or receptive hand. Always use your
receptive hand in psychometry.

When you are beginning your work in psychometry, always pick up or touch an object
with your receptive hand. If you pick up the object with your dominant hand, you may
inadvertently transmit an impression as you do.

Form a habit of using your receptive hand to take things from others, and to pick up
something you may intend to use. This will be a challenge, as you are probably used
to picking things up and holding things with your dominant hand, but this practice
will help you to remember to use your receptive hand for psychometric work.

How To Practice Psychometry

As we have already learned, all objects carry an energy frequency connected to the
person they are most in contact with. You can learn to interpret these energies with the
exercises that follow.

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The first exercise is for the individual, but it is best performed with a friend from
whom you can receive feedback.

1. Sit relaxed with your eyes closed and your hands in your lap, palms up.
2. Instruct a person to place an object that they have had in their possession for a long
time in your receptive hand.
3. Relate everything that you see in your mind, think of, hear in your head and any
feelings that you have while holding the object.

You may pick up some thoughts, feelings, and symbols that seem meaningless to you
but keep talking as much as possible about what is in your mind and you may be
amazed at how much is relevant to the owner of the object. This technique develops
your gift of feeling. It gives you the experience of learning to tune into another
person's vibrations to discern what you are feeling.

Sometimes, while practicing psychometry, the feelings associated with the object are
vague and don't seem to bear much relevance to anything recognizable to the owner
of the object. On other occasions, the opposite is the case and intricate details can be
discerned. Some people are more relaxed and trusting and so they get many messages
immediately. Some people are afraid they will say or do it incorrectly so they get
nothing. Don’t worry. You can’t do it wrong!

The following exercise is for a group of people. Group practice is best because you
can all put an object into a bowl without knowing which object belongs to whom. In a
new group setting such as this, try not to say anything that might make someone
uncomfortable. Be tactful and diplomatic, but as descriptive of your thoughts,
feelings, or symbols as possible for feedback from the owner of the object.

1. As discreetly as possible, everyone puts an object of his or hers in a bowl.

2. Each person then reaches in and takes out an object that it is not their own.

3. Hold the objects in your receptive hands until you receive an impression.
Sometimes I ask specific questions such as, "Will this person change their job or
career?" "Will he or she find love?" "If so when?" "Who?" What lesson does this
person have to face at this time? ... Etc.

4. Each person then takes a turn describing his or her impressions. Relate everything
that you see in your mind, think of, hear in your head and any feelings that you have
while holding the object.

5. Everyone should give some kind of feedback. Feedback is what helps us to develop
your skills.

Dermo-Optic Perception

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Another area of psychometry is dermo-optic perception, or "sight through touch." It
refers to ‘seeing’ by touching the skin’s surface. Some people have developed this
sensitivity quite naturally; especially those who are sight impaired and must rely on
touch.

Everyone emits electromagnetic energy. When we tap into this energy, we can see as
well as if we were using our eyes. But regardless of continuing proof that such a thing
as dermo-optic ability is present in many people, arguments still abound that relate
dermo-optics to telepathy and clairvoyance. Therefore, it should be mentioned that in
many cases where dermo-optic perception ability was found evident in a certain
person, that person was separately tested for telepathic and clairvoyant abilities, and
in most of the cases, no such ability was present!

It is commonly thought that some people can distinguish colours and patterns through
dermo-optic perception. Various colours have different feeling. Some have described
black as "sticky" or "clinging" to the touch, while yellow was "slippery" and blue was
found to be "still more slippery, but cool to the touch, like delicate ice." Red causes
great, bold radiation, and according to some, is so hot that the subject immediately
draws his hand away, as though from searing heat.

It seems that small children are sensitive to colours, and can easily distinguish them
merely by feel. One young mother reports the case of her six-year-old daughter’s
ability to distinguish colours by touch. She discovered that one day while she was
wrapping Christmas presents, she asked her six-year-old daughter to give her the bolt
of red ribbon. Her daughter immediately pulled the right colour ribbon out of the bag,
and repeated this with green, gold, white, and blue ribbon. She never pulled the wrong
colour out of the bag.

With practice, we can all master the ability to read by touch. Here is an exercise to
help you develop your sense of touch.

1. Prepare a bowl of lukewarm water.

2. Close your eyes and gently dip your fingers into the water.

3. Repeat this exercise for about five minutes at a time.

At first, you may have some difficulty knowing exactly when your fingers make
contact with the water, but after a short amount of practice, you will feel the tips of
your fingers becoming more sensitised.

Feeling textures is also a helpful means of developing dermo-optic perception. Place

various specimens such as salt, sugar, sand, or other granular substances into small
separate envelopes and touch each substance through the envelopes. Don’t reach in
and touch the substance directly.

First, try to distinguish it through the paper of the envelope. At first, it may seem
impossible to detect exactly what your fingertips are touching through the paper, since
all of the substances are similar in texture. Here is the point of the test where you must
not doubt!

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Trust your instincts.

With patient practice, you will be able to detect through your fingertips the substances
in the envelopes.

Various objects have different feelings, not just in texture, but because everything
radiates its own specific energies, and trained fingertips can sense these differences.

Awareness of this speeds the process of your own development in dermo-optical

attempts.

Feel the difference between wood and paper, plastic and metal, wool and silk, china
and glass, or hair and fur.

This method will help to enhance your sensitivity to feel the varying objects and
textures.

Such practice raises your vibration so that eventually you will be able to "read"
someone just by touching him or her, as you learned psychometrically.

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 The Parapsychic Sciences

Parapsychic science is the unity of contemporary science and philosophy with

metaphysics to provide us with the ability to understand and communicate with the
spiritual realm. It covers many areas of psychic science including the investigation of
psychic phenomena, extra-terrestrial activity, telepathy, near-death experiences, and
parapsychology.

Parapsychology is a branch of psychology specifically involved with the studies of

paranormal events. The parapsychologist ascertains the history, principles, and
theories behind psychic phenomena involving telepathy, clairvoyance, sensory
awareness, psychometry (psychoscopy or "psychic touch"), dermo-optic perception,
spiritual healing, auras, mediumship, and so forth. A parapsychologist can also
counsel individuals who have suffered trauma due to alien and spirit encounters and
other paranormal experiences.

The following are some of the parapsychic sciences:

Aura: an energy field surrounding every person, animal, plant, and object. Auras can
be observed by those sensitive to seeing them. They contain meaningful colours that
can assist in the healing process and are also indicative of spiritual growth.

Auras have also been photographed. Using a device known as a Kirlian camera.

Channelling: allowing a spiritual entity to communicate with others through a

medium.

The spirit can speak directly through the medium, using the medium’s voice, the spirit
may speak aloud so everyone can hear (if they are sensitive or clairaudient), or the
spirit can allow the medium to translate information given psychically.

Clairvoyance: the ability to "see" events psychically. Clairaudience is the ability to

"hear" events intuitively, and clairsentience is the ability to "feel" events
empathetically.

Commonly referred to as the "clairs," they are extensions of our five senses. The two
lesser-known "clairs" are clairaroma or clairscent, which involves the sense of smell,
and clairgustus or clairsavourance, which is associated with the sense of taste.

Dermo-optic perception: an element of psychometry where one can "read" a person

intuitively through contact with their skin. A person who has developed their ability to

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sense things about someone through touch, can get impressions through as much as a
handshake.

Mediumship: relaying impressions and communications between the spirit world and
the physical world psychically or through the act of channelling. The medium can be
anyone or anything conducive to the transfer of such information.

Psychometry: also referred to as "psychic touch" it is the ability to obtain psychic

impressions from holding an object that someone has worn or touched. Someone
intuitive can also obtain impressions from photographs.

Spiritual healing: channelling divine energy to the recipient by direct touch,

manipulation of the aura, or through stones, crystals, music, colour, and aroma.

Telepathy: sending or receiving information from one person to another by

concentrated thought. Animals, particularly our pets, communicate with us (and each
other) telepathically.

Clairvoyance

Awareness lies dormant in the psyche, waiting only for the individual to acknowledge
the presence of psychic abilities and to take steps to develop those abilities. The most
common psychic ability is known as clairvoyance. Referred to as "clear seeing",
clairvoyance is the ability to regress or advance in time to "see" with the "third eye"
past, present, and future events that are not visible to the normal human eye or mind.
The most remarkable feature of clairvoyance is the ability to go beyond the
conventional time and space barrier; catching glimpses of current happenings at a
distance, visualizing events that have already occurred, and seeing things that have
not yet happened.

Physiologically, the clairvoyant organ is the pineal gland; a light-sensitive organ

located in the geometric centre of the forehead just above eye level. When a person
first begins to exercise clairvoyant ability, she may experience slight headaches or
pressure that is often described as a sensation that the brain is expanding. Such
expansion is the result of the pineal gland vibrating against the walls of its chamber.
As a person continues to strengthen this gland, the chamber enlarges slightly, giving
the pineal gland enough room to vibrate more freely resulting in the ability to see with
what we call the "third eye."

Clairvoyance and other avenues of psychic impression are commonly referred to as

the "clairs." Besides clairvoyance, there is clairaudience, or "clear hearing" and
clairsentience, or "clear feeling." Some people are able to hear psychic messages
audibly, and some sense them intuitively in the heart area.

The other two "clairs" are clairaroma or clairscent, which involves the sense of smell,
and clairgustus or clairsavourance, which is associated with the sense of taste. Have
you ever experienced an aroma or taste that reminded you of a loved one who had
passed on? These are just other ways our dearly departed can let us know they are
with us in spirit!

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As you may have noticed, the "clairs" are really psychic extensions of our five human
senses. While we all possess some psychic ability, only those who already are, or who
endeavour to become more sensitive are able to detect such energies. However, with
conscientious awareness, we can all learn to experience inner vision by tapping into
the power of the "third eye."

Develop Your Own Psychic Ability

We all have an innate psychic ability also referred to as intuition or simply the "gut
feeling." There are several schools of thought as to how psychic we already are vs.
how psychic we can become. We utilize the power of what we call the "third eye" in
order to see past, present, and future events psychically. With enough practice, anyone
can develop or strengthen their innate psychic ability.

Tapping Into the Power of the Third Eye

There are many techniques used to tap into the power of the "third eye." Native
Americans conduct vision quests.

Secret societies have arcane rituals.

Aboriginal and similar cultures use hallucinogenic plants.

Nevertheless, probably the best method of strengthening clairvoyance is meditation.

To begin with, try the following visualization exercise called the "Tree of Life." It can
help you reach a meditative state, while keeping you firmly grounded and centred.

If you can do this outside, where you are in contact with the earth, it is that much
more effective.

Do this exercise for five to ten minutes a day to start. If you already meditate
regularly, try this for fifteen or twenty minutes each day.

1. Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet firmly on the ground. Take two or three
deep breaths and exhale completely after each breath.

2. Imagine the brightest, most glorious white light that you can possibly visualize —
like the light of the full moon — and see it surrounding your body like a cocoon.

3. Visualize roots growing from the soles of your feet all the way down to the centre
of the earth. Breathe the earth energy up into your entire being.

4. See the very top of your head opening up and branches growing out toward the
heavens, attaching themselves to all the heavenly bodies, planets, and stars in the
universe. Breathe this universal energy down into your entire being.

5. Visualize the universal energy coalesce with the earth energy. Together, both the

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earthly and universal energies bring forth a golden light that pulsates throughout your
body. Feel, for a few moments, the soothing warmth of the golden light.

6. Now imagine a bright blue light emanating from your forehead. Feel it expanding
to halogenic phosphorescence. Feel this light for a moment. Is it cool? Is it warm?
Become that feeling of vision and awareness.

7. Once you feel that the brightness of the blue light has reached its zenith, let the
light contract to become no more than a gentle flicker, like a pilot light. Keep this
pilot light burning.

8. Open your eyes and take another deep breath. Try not to focus on anything in
particular, as if you are daydreaming. How do you feel? What do you perceive?

At first the picture may appear foggy and out of focus. Don’t try to clear it, or a stray
thought brought on by outside surroundings may drive the impression away. Stay
relaxed and focus your concentration on the images, and gradually the picture will
clear. You may find yourself in a "daydreaming" state with your eyes slightly out of
focus. This is the ideal state to receive mental images.

You may see colours, shapes, and symbols. Such mental images convey a tremendous
amount of information. For example, if you see the colour green, this might indicate
healing and growth. Shapes and symbols also have meaning. Clouds may stand for
revelation or clarity. Animals signify important metaphysical concepts. A cat might
represent transformation, independence, and sensuality, while a hawk or a falcon
might embody aspiration, freedom, and the rise to a higher level of consciousness. As
you progress, you will also begin to see movies, with the inside of your forehead right
behind the third eye as the movie screen, of what has been, what is now, and what is
to be.

Developing your clairvoyance is an ongoing process. Each of us is unique and

progresses at a different pace. Practice with like-minded friends who can give you
feedback. Call a friend on the telephone and, with her permission, tune in to the
colours she is wearing, or which room she is in, or what she is doing at that given
moment.

Most importantly, always use your gifts only for good.

We are spiritual beings enjoying our human experience, each on our own path.

Honour every being on their path, bless them on their journey, and release them to
their highest good.

In other words there is no preparation needed or any need for trance, etc. Scryers are
sometimes unable to hold certain objects because of that objects past. For example if
the object had been used in a violent crime.

In some cases if a scryer has been handed an object of someone who recently died of
illness the scryer may suffer from symptoms of the illness. Psychometric impressions
may come in the form of emotions, sounds, scents, tastes or images.

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The visions are usually very rapid in nature. The visual images occur with no logical
sequences.

Psychometrists usually experience a loss of energy and an increase in body

temperature when scrying. Some scryers report an irregular heartbeat.

It is generally thought that psychometry is a natural power of the human mind, but
some people believe that it is controlled by spiritual beings. Some scryers feel that
they act as an instrument and that the spirits do the actual scrying.

If you possess a talent for psychometry you probably already know it. It usually starts
at an early age and seems to be a natural gift not something that is learnt.

A Psychometric Exercise

Ask a friend to let you hold something of theirs, a ring watch etc. Sit back, and relax.
Feel everything about this item, imagine the gold melting, into your fingers, you and
it are one, sharing the same space. Then simply say what you feel or see. Don’t be
surprised if you spook your friend, or they say, “ How the hell did you know all that!”

Practicing your psychometry

Some objects contain psychically perceivable energy that has been placed into them
deliberately. These are called "charged objects" and you will want to create a few of
these if you are interested in playing this particular game. Use five small, identical
blocks of wood. They should be "charged" with emotional energy by holding each one
in your hands while concentrating on a particular emotion. Later the blocks are
circulated among your guests; with each person attempting to perceive which block is
"charged" with each particular emotion.

First you need to acquire five pieces of wood about five or six inches long and an inch
wide, of any thickness you feel comfortable with. These "sticks" need to look and feel
identical so you cannot tell them apart from each other. It is best not to paint the wood,
but you can if you prefer. You then need to label each piece with an identifying number
near the end on one side (1-5). These numbers will correspond with one of five
different emotions you will attempt to imprint on each stick. An index card or notebook
should be used to maintain a record of the associated emotion. If you are very serious
about developing this ability you may prefer to use a notebook in order to document
more detailed information.

First select the five different emotions you intend to focus upon. Write them down next to the
related number in your notebook. Emotions include love, lust, freedom, excitement,
contentment, curiosity, longing, etc. You can select any emotion you choose but try to make
them as different from one another as possible. It is very easy to "pick up" a feeling of hate or
depression, you won't enjoy having to encounter negative emotions later on so try and keep
them as positive as possible.

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CHARGING THE OBJECTS:

Select a block to be assigned to a particular emotion, then while holding it in your hands, focus
all your attention on that emotion. You should attempt to feel the emotion as strongly as you
can while imagining filling the stick with it, pushing the emotion from your chest and head into
the object. If it helps to focus on a particular mental image, then do so, and note the nature of
the image in your notebook. Sometimes the best way to focus on an emotion is to remember a
time when you felt it clearly and concentrate upon a particular image connected with that
event. Perform this concentration technique with one emotion for between five and ten
minutes. Then wait at least ten minutes for your emotions to clear before repeating the process
with the next block. Follow this procedure until all five blocks have been "charged." Some
precaution should be taken to keep the sticks from making physical contact with each other.
This is to prevent the psychic energy of one stick from "contaminating" the others.
Metaphysical literature suggests wrapping each block in a silk handkerchief, but rolling them
up, separated in the folds of a hand towel, should be sufficient.

In a party situation each guest will need a piece of paper to write down his or her impressions.
Everyone should be told what the five target emotions are, then the five numbers should be
listed in a column to the left on each paper. Each of your guests in turn will be given a block to
work with, one block after the other. (If everyone is sitting in a circle it is easy to pass each
block to the person next to you.) Then while holding the object in their hands for one or two
minutes, each person should focus their complete attention on it while waiting for an emotion
to come clearly to mind. The trick here is to clear the mind of any preconceptions and try to
"feel" emotion coming from the wood rather than simply "guess" what the emotion might be.
Also be on alert for any mental image that comes to mind.

After everyone has selected which emotion they believe is associated with the block they are
holding, they should write the name of that emotion to the right of the identifying number on
the paper. Any mental image that came to mind can be written down to the right of the
emotion. Once you have written down this information, pass the block to the next person.
Repeat this process until everyone has worked with all five objects before checking for results.

If you find yourself feeling the same emotion with more than one block then guess that
emotion twice if necessary. Logic has nothing to do with this, and it's better to get four out of
five than ignore a correct impression because it has already be guessed previously. If you wish
you can return to a previous object to re-evaluate your guess before making a final conclusion.

Statistics tell us that in five attempts you should successfully choose only one of the five
emotions correctly. Repeating the entire exercise five times would produce twenty-five
attempts and odds alone would produce a total of five correct impressions. Anything better than
this is evidence of psychic perception.

After playing the game, you and/or your friends might want to repeat the "charging" procedure
in order to saturate the sticks with as much energy as possible. If your friends assist you, have
them concentrate on a specific image you want associated with each emotion. If a particular

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image is included every time it will reinforce the "target" image you are hoping others will be
able to detect. This is layering. When using psychometry, you must learn to peel back the
layers of time and ownership. Like the skins of an onion!

Psychometry, as described here, can be an excellent tool for learning to develop clairvoyant
ability, since once you are familiar with perceiving "impressions" from specific objects you can
easily switch to turning your attention to people, events, etc., which is clairvoyant perception.

Psychometry: Summary of Instructions

1) Prepare "charged objects" by following steps (a) - (e)

a) Create five identical blocks of wood.

b) Number one end of one side of each block (1 through 5).

c) Charge the five objects with one emotion each by "pushing" the emotion into the object from
your head and chest for 5-10 minutes. (Wait 5-10 minutes before charging the next object.)

d) Write down which emotion is associated with each block.

e) Store the blocks by rolling them up in a silk handkerchief or small towel.

2) The objects are distributed to the first five guests sitting in a circle, each guest having a pen
and paper with the numbers 1-5 listed in a column on the left.

3) Each guest attempts to feel which of the five, pre-selected emotions are associated with the
object they are holding (1-2 minutes) then the object is passed to the next person.

4) The selected emotion is written next to the number of the object, along with any visual
image perceived.

5) After everyone has written their selections, the results are compared.

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 Geomancy

Explores the realm where human consciousness meets and dialogues with the Spirit of
the Earth. It empowers the harmonious interaction between person and place.

Through the art of appropriate placement of both secular and spiritual structures,
places where we pray, work and play, geomancers locate and shape spaces in harmony
with both the physical and the spiritual environment of the place.

Strictly speaking, the term geomancy refers to an ancient form of divination in which,
simply put, handfuls of soil or other materials were scattered on the ground, or
markings made in the earth or sand, to generate a range of dot configurations which
could then be "read" by a seer.

In the 19th century, however, geomancy came to be applied to the Chinese practice of
feng shui by which the location and orientation of houses and tombs was determined
with close regard to the topography of the local landscape. The feng shui master or
geomant employed a circular magnetic compass, called a luopan, which was marked
off in rings containing data relating to astrology, directions, the elements, landscape
forms, times of day, and so on. The aim was to locate a site where the energies or ch'i
of the land and sky were brought into perfect balance. The harmony of these energies
ensured good fortune.

The science of feng shui, literally "wind and water", recognized that certain powerful
currents and lines of magnetism run invisible through the landscape over the whole
surface of the earth. The task of the geomancer was to detect these currents and
interpret their influences on the land through which they passed.

These lines of magnetic force, known in China as the "dragon current", or lung-mei,
existed in two forms: the yin, or negative, current represented by the white tiger, and
the yang, or positive, current, represented by the blue dragon. The landscape will
display both yin and yang features; gently undulating country is yin, or female, while
sharp rocks and steep mountains are yang, or male.

It was the aim of the geomancer to place every structure precisely within the
landscape in accordance with a magic system by which the laws of music and
mathematics were expressed in the geometry of the earth's surface. The landscape
itself may be manipulated in order to achieve the harmony sought through the
placement or adjustment, or removal, of trees or rocks, or bodies of water. Every
feature of the landscape may be contrived to produce an effect which ultimately is

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perceived as beautiful; indeed, perceived beauty in a landscape may in fact be simply
when the lines of the dragon current are in balance.

At the outset, a geomancer must locate the course of the major lines of the dragon current in his
or her area. These days, it is claimed that such energy lines can be detected, and traced, through
dowsing.

In the 1960s, the ley lines discovered by Alfred Watkins forty years earlier came to be
identified with the dragon lines of Chinese feng shui. This gave a whole new meaning
to ley lines which now ceased to be simply straight tracks but in fact mapped on the
surface of the landscape lines of energy coursing through the earth. The presence of
prehistoric sites - megalithic tombs, stone circles, standing stones - along ley lines
indicated that these energy currents were known in prehistoric times and that the sites
did not merely mark the route but somehow also tapped into this energy source.
Frequently, important prehistoric monuments occupy sites where two or more ley
lines intersect.

Divination and fortune telling cover the whole globe. Everyone has some interest in it.
I have tried to show a few of the mainstream forms of divination. There are of course
countless ways of looking into the future.

OMPHALOMANCY

Omphalomancy is a form of divination by the navel of a newborn first child.

The mother uses it to ascertain future conceptions. These indications were obtained
from the number of markings on the navel of the child

BELLY TALKERS

In ancient Rome Belly Talkers were sort by many seeking answers to the future.

These Belly talkers spoke automatically while in a trance.

The Mediums were believed to have a Daemon in their belly.

The Daemon used the Mediums vocal organs to predict the future.

Alectryomancy

Alectryomancy is divination by poultry. It is done by drawing a large circle on the

ground and then dividing the circle into sections or slices. In each section / slice a
letter of the alphabet is written.

After this is done, a question is then asked and grain is then sprinkled over all the
sections in the circle.

A cockerel is let loose and whichever letter section he eats the grain from reveals the
answer to his question.

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On the floor was placed a pile of grain, a bowl of water, and a lump of clay.

A cockerel was then let loose.

If he pecked at the grain the girl would marry a rich man.

If he drank the water, a poor husband.

If the cockerel pecked at the clay, it meant death.

I Ching

The I Ching is an ancient Asian system of divination and understanding the Cosmos
and one's relationship to it. Legend has it that Chinese Emperor Fu-hsi around 2852
B.C.E invented the I Ching. It is composed of 64 different hexagrams, with each
hexagram containing a six-line figure. There are 4,096 answers that are possible with
this combination.

The I Ching is read by throwing yarrow stalks or coins, with coins being the much
simpler and more accessible method. It can be consulted with three pennies, although
special Chinese coins can be used if you can find access to them.

There are two different types of lines in the I Ching -- the yin line and the yang line.
The yin relates to the feminine and the receptive, while the yang is the masculine and
active (yes, these attributes are a bit sexist, but this is an ancient system. You can
ignore "masculine" and "feminine" altogether if you choose). The yin line appears as
a broken line, while the yang line is unbroken.

When tossing the coins, first decide which side of the coin represents which type of
line; I usually use heads for yang, tails for yin, which is most common. A numerical
value is given to each side of the coin, thus heads equals the value of 3, and tails the
value of 2. You throw the three coins six times, writing down the appropriate line
each time, going from bottom to top. The types of lines possible are as follows:

___x___ 6 (moving) three tails

_______ 7 (young yang) two tails, one head
___ ___ 8 (young yin) two heads, one tail

___0___ 9 (moving) three heads

Once you have thrown the coins six times, you will have a hexagram composed of the
upper trigram (the top three lines), and the lower trigram (the bottom three lines).
Consult the I Ching book of your choice, finding the hexagram you have thrown, and
read the interpretation.

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There are a number of I Ching books on the market; Bollinger's is the best. The lines
are more complex than the explanation I have given here briefly, and you should
consult the book of your choice to learn about moving lines, and what to look up in
terms of each line.

A finished hexagram may look something like the following:

___ ___
___ ___
___ ___
___ ___
_______
_______

This is the hexagram numbered 19, called LIN. Its keyword is "Approach (Symbol of
Advance)". In short, it indicates great progress and success.

The I Ching is part of a holistic spiritual system, and should not be taken lightly.
Many Westerners find it difficult to use as an oracle, yet many others find it
immensely accurate and extraordinarily helpful in terms of understanding. You must
treat the I Ching with respect and due seriousness; most who read it have found that it
can be mocking in its responses if you treat it as just another toy.

A lot of Westerners look towards the East for their insperation. There is no more
mystical place that the home of Shang Ri La: Tibet. I found this a while ago, and hope
you find it interesting especially now after looking at the previous methods.

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Tibetan art of divination

By Dorjee Tseten

Tibetan Bulletin
March - April 1995

Although means of telling the future were employed in Tibet, before the advent of
Buddhism, they are not regarded as an alien remnant outside the Buddhist framework
that it is occasionally convenient to call upon. Rather, they are used within the sphere
of Buddhist concepts, functioning in accordance with Buddhist principles such as
karma. There are no references to divination in the collections of sutras, but many can
be found in the tantras.

Purpose: By looking into someone's future, the diviner or medium can assess the
particular situation and recommend how to respond or deal with it Remedial action, in
the form of rituals, evokes positive forces and can result in a change in the person's
fortune. Rituals will not change a person's karma, and those requesting and
performing a divination are aware of this. However, they can induce latent positive
potential to take precedence over that, which is perceived as the cause of an
impending misfortune.

The efficacy of a ritual involves the patron making offerings of food and money to the
monks or adepts performing it. The merit acquired from this gift is used to trigger the
forces of latent positive potential in oneself or others. Thus, one is not transferring
merit and stepping outside the laws of cause and effect, but merely using merit to
awaken the forces of one's own or other's good karma.

If, for example, someone's relative is ill, or his business is deteriorating, an individual
may request a qualified practitioner's divination to discover what ritual would be most
helpful in setting conditions right. The success of this ritual depends on the strength of
one's own karma. However, if the karma or predisposition to be ill is stronger than the
latent positive potential in the sick person's continuum, the effects of the disease will
not be overcome and the ritual will remain unsuccessful.

Performing divination for the ill is often considered quite tedious. Khamtrul
Rinpoche, a Tibetan lama, says, "If you tell a patient to take Tibetan medicine or
Western medicine, and I have to conduct a divination for each question. I feel that
whatever we do, it is important for us to make the decision ourselves, because there is
less cause for regret afterwards. If we are unable to do that, or have tried, but still feel
we need someone else's advice, the next step is to seek guidance through divination.

It is said that the invasion of Tibet by the Chinese had been predicted through various
means and accordingly many rituals were performed. However, since the Tibetan

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people's negative karma was too strong to be countered by rituals, they remained
ineffectual.

Divination In Tibetan Society: Divination is very much a part of life in Tibet and
continues to be so among the exiled community. Major decisions concerning everyday
life such as marriage or business agreements are made only after consulting some
form of divination. In most cases, people have favourite lamas who they consult. In
nomadic areas where the sparse population is subject to the whims of nature,
divination, signs and omens are seriously examined.

They generally interpret these themselves.

Qualifications needed:

When performing a divination, an individual is relying on the power vested in him by

a particular deity. This power may have been acquired through a connection with the
deity in a past life, and reinforced through retreats involving recitation of a mantra as
many as one million times, identifying himself with the deity with clear concentration
and the generation of divine pride.

There are many ways of performing divination related to the practice of various
deities. For example, there are divinations dependent on Manjushri, Tara, Vajrapani,
the Five Dakinis, Palden Lhamo, Dorje Yudronma and Tsering Chenga (the Five Long
Life Sisters)

The motivation for performing divination must be pure. Although anyone can acquire
a relationship with a deity through intensive mantra recitation and consequently
acquire certain powers, if they are used for unwholesome purposes, they will
eventually rebound and bring about an unfortunate rebirth.

Varieties of Divination:

i) Dough ball Divination: This method is practised mainly in the monasteries or by

individual lamas when an important decisions needs to be made, such as in the search
for the reincarnation of very high lamas. A number of possible answers to the enquiry,
such as the names of likely candidates for a reincarnation, are written on slips of
paper. These are then encased in equal sized balls of dough. Great care is taken to
weigh the dough balls to ensure that they are exactly the same size. The dough balls
are then placed in a bowl, which is carefully sealed and placed in front of a sacred
object, such as the Jowo statue in the main temple in Lhasa, images of Dharma
protectors or the funerary monuments of great lamas, requesting their inspiration in
deciding the outcome.

For a period of three days monks remain in the temple reciting prayers day and night.
During that time no one is allowed to touch the bowl.

On the fourth day, before all those present the cover of the bowl is removed.
Prominent lama rolls the dough balls round in the bowl before the sacred object until
one of them falls out.

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That is the ball containing the answer.

ii) Dice Divination: Palden Lhamo dice divination is conducted with three dice with a
number from one to six indicated by dots on each face.

Divination associated with other deities can be conducted with dice marked with
letters. The dice are made of bone, wood or conch shell.

Khamtrul Rinpoche described his own procedure for doing dice divination as follows:

For a divination to be successful, it is essential that the diviner should have a pure
motivation and the person who came for advice believe in the diviner.

It is important that they both pray to the Three Jewels, their root and lineage lamas
and their deities, chiefly Palden Lhamo and other Dharma protectors, for a clear
answer. If I didn't hear the request clearly, I ask again.

Then, I visualise myself as my personal deity Dorje Shonu or Vajra Kilaya and call on
Palden Lhamo. Through my long familiarity with her, I can clearly visualise her
before me and I request her to give a perfect answer to the person who came for
advice. Then 1 throws the dice and according to the numbers indicated on the dice, I
refer to a divination book. There are many such hooks written by great lamas and they
provide all the possible answers, though once you are familiar with divination
techniques reference to texts is no longer necessary".

iii) Divination on a rosary: The person doing the divination prays to the deity he is

invoking for the correct answer and recites that deity's mantras. He then holds up the

rosary horizontally in front of him, with the fingers of each hand grasping a randomly

chosen bead, leaving half the beads of fewer between them. Then the fingers of each

hand move towards each other counting three beads at a time. The outcome of the

divination depends on the number of beads left.

The procedure is repeated three times.

When only one bead remains, the result is called `falcon'.

When two beads remain, it is called 'raven'.

When three beads remain the result is called 'snow lion'.

The outcome on the first attempt indicated the extent of the deities' support and the

quality of the divination in general.

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A falcon at the first attempt would indicate support from protectors, luck in a new

enterprise, and success in a lawsuit.

A raven on the first try means the protectors are not on your side. There will be no

accomplishment, lawsuit will be unsuccessful and there are enemies present. Such a

divination would caution against starting on any new enterprise.

A snow lion on the first round would indicate support from the deities, slow but stable

accomplishments and weakness on the part of enemies. If the question concerned

successful business, this would be regarded as a neutral result.

At the second attempt, the outcome indicates conditions to take place in one's

immediate environment.

The falcon indicates good luck in general, but not much success for those wishing to

have children. The risk of thefts and illnesses in general would remain small.

The raven indicates serious illness, obstacles to health and a decline in the life force.

There will be a tendency for things to get lost or stolen. However, in the case of an

ordained person, these negative aspects would be reduced.

On the third occasion, the number of remaining beads gives clues about an expected

person arriving from elsewhere. This was a very important aspect of life in Tibet, for

people travelled constantly and there was no communication system. A falcon with

regard to an expected visitor indicates imminent news or arrival. With regard to

illness, it would indicate finding the best way to cure it.

A raven represents a bad indication concerning expected travellers. They are likely to
encounter obstacles on the way will not arrive at all or will be robbed. The sick will
not be cured and possessions will be lost or stolen.

The snow lion indicates that travellers will arrive late, but come to no harm. Problems
with health will be few, although there will be difficulties in finding the right
treatment.

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The best divination would be three consecutive falcons. This would indicate that
travellers will arrive quickly, patients will recover and accomplishments will be swift.

iv) Bootstrap Divination: This form of divination is popular among nomads. The
flat, one-inch thick bootstraps are folded over each other into squares and suddenly
pulled apart. If the bootlace unfolds freely and clearly it indicates positive signs, while
a tangle would be negative.

Interpretation of Incidental Signs

When a practitioner is setting up or preparing the yield for a retreat, certain

occurrences in his environment can be interpreted as indicative of his future
accomplishments. These can be either positive or negative.

Positive signs indicating that the practitioner will receive the Buddha’s' and
Bodhisattvas' blessing include: seeing cranes, geese, ducks, swans, pheasants and
other auspicious birds flying overhead or hearing their calls; overhearing the sounds
of drums, of stringed instruments, flutes, gongs, bells; people reciting auspicious
stanzas including such words as victorious, accomplished, excellent, happiness,
success, give it, take it, fruitful, great, numerous and glorious.

Negative signs indicating impending obstacles include: hearing the chatter of

monkeys, squeaking of mice howl of wolves, bray of donkeys; low of buffaloes;
having one's path crossed by snakes or scorpions; encountering people in mourning,
hearing them express words like defeat, decline, die, sick, get rid of something, alas,
difficult, unsuccessful and meaningless. In such instances, the practitioner should
interrupt his practice and move to another site.

In general, when setting out on a journey or some other enterprise the following
would be considered good omens, or signs of success: meeting elaborately dressed
men, women and children; pregnant women, cows with their calves properly dressed
bhikshus, illustrious people, Brahmins dressed in white, beautiful bejewelled women,
young girls playing together, elephants, smart carriages, and people holding religious
symbols such as the wheel, vase, garland, lotus, umbrella, or banners.

Signs of failure would be indicated by the following: losing luggage; encountering

wicked, frightful, worn out or ragged persons; having one's road blocked; seeing
collapsed houses, something catching fire, or having things break.

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Dreams

Certain individuals are gifted with clairvoyant dreams which they can use as means of
predicting the out-come of future events. These dreams usually take place in the latter
part of the night, before dawn, and are characteristically very clear. Like other forms
of divination, they usually occur as the result of a special relationship with a deity and
use either established symbolism that which is particular to the dreamer and easily
recognised by him or her.

For a practitioner, the following are established symbols of high accomplishment:

seeing Buddha’s, Bodhisattvas, one's personal deities, and receiving teachings from
them; dreaming of being enthroned, putting on a crown, taking a bath, being given
vajras and other religious implements; dreaming of having become king, of reading
scriptures, of being in temples with holy objects, tigers, dragons, lions, garudas,
horses, or ascending into the sky close to the sun and moon; rotating the four
continents, easily swimming across the sea, seeing the sun or moon rising, ploughing
a field, eating dairy products, and of sitting on a lotus; dreaming of being respected
and praised by the gods, by one's parents, spiritual masters, beautiful ladies, and
friends; dreaming of wildflower parks, rain, ripe fruit, kings, ascetics, Brahmins,
wealthy people, virtuous masters, geese and other auspicious birds.

Overcoming obstacles is indicated by dreaming of gold, treasure, precious stones,

sound weapons, food grains, ornaments, armour, and of killing one's enemy.

The following dreams, although apparently negative, actually indicated good results,
and symbolise the surmounting of obstacles: cutting off one's head, eating human
flesh, washing one's body in blood, drinking alcohol, shaving off one's hair, burning
one's body, immersing oneself in sewage, surrounding the town with one's entrails,
and making love during the day.

The following dreams indicated obstacles created by harmful Spirits: meeting tigers,
leopards, cats, dogs, pigs, donkeys, mice, scorpions, weasels, snakes, vultures owls,
dwarfs, dark, naked thin people, butchers, pale and skinny children, tall naked men,
and struggling with any of the above; dreaming of wells becoming dry, of heaps of
bones and skulls, and of ruined houses.

In general bad dreams are those including the following indications: being chased by
soldiers, applying vegetable oil to one's body, talking with crippled or hunchbacked
individuals, seeing the sun or moon going down, climbing mountains of sand or
twigs, seeing red flowers or camel's back, passing through narrow passages,
wandering in a swamp, running downward, breaking the parts of one's body or of
things, being defeated by others and engaging in unwholesome actions. These dreams
indicate that an individual has very little merit and will have a short life. In such
cases, a lama would advise that the person should accumulate merit, meditate on
emptiness, and perform peaceful fire ritual offerings before resuming any activity he
or she was engaging in.

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Examining Flames

Observing the flames of ritual fire offerings is also a form of divination. First, one
invokes the fire god and then observes the flame. A bright, golden, orange colour, a
smokeless and soundless quality, the flame burning strongly and turning to the right,
or burning upward in a single point, the fire lasting long and giving off a pleasant
smell are general positive signs, and indicate that whatever questions one had in mind
will be answered in a positive way.

When the colour of the flame is Snow white and the fire burns very gently, it mean
that one has been cleansed of imprints left by unwholesome actions.

The flame turning yellow means that one will become powerful and wealthy.

Its turning bright red signifies success in any undertaking and it’s becoming a clear,
smokeless blue colour symbolizes sound health and that one will develop one's
lineage.

Signs of illness and other misfortune are indicated by the fire blazing fiercely and the
flame turning dark smoky, the colour of human flesh, green, that of vegetable oil, dull,
pale, having two or three points and a foul smell.

When performing a fierce fire offering ritual, though, the above signs are considered
to be positive.

Signs that are considered to be negative in the case of either peaceful or wrathful
rituals are sparks and smoke afflicting the performer of the ritual.

Dark flames moving in all directions and blazing in an unsteady way indicate the
termination of one's lineage.

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Observing a Butter Lamp

The butter lamp used for divination should be faultless and made of gold, silver or
another precious metal. It should be thoroughly cleaned. A wick should be made from
a dry and odourless piece of wood, which is neither too thick nor too thin, with a
height reaching the brim, and placed in the centre of the lamp. Barley should be
heaped on it, and melted, purified butter poured over it. Then recite: Om ah hum vajra
guru dhe vadakki nihum' od' od li sarva ah lo ke praha dhe naye svan bah a hundred
times and think of the question you wish to ask.

Then light the butter lamp and observe the shape of the flame.

A globular point means safety, a conch shape represents fame, and a bright yellow
flame indicated no obstacles, a lotus and jewel like flame denotes wealth.

A flame with a hook shaped tip means that one will become powerful and one with
two points signifies that the person will leave for another place.

If the light of the lamp is dim and the flame gutters, it means someone will become
one's enemy or that he or she is about to receive a guest from a distant place.

The flame separating into two parts indicates separation within one's family.

A dark red flame means the eldest son will die, the middle of the flame turning red
and smoke coming from the wick indicates loss of property and the lamp going out
without apparent reason means death.

Spilling of the melted butter stands for the length of an undertaking.

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Mirror Divination

Performance of the Dorje Yudronma mirror divination should be done in a quite and
peaceful place. The mirror is placed in a container filled with grain, itself standing on
top on a clean felt cushion. The diviner then sprinkles vermilion powder (Sindura) and
recites the mantras of the ritual. In front of the mirror is placed a small crystal stupa or
a piece of crystal, and at the back, a five coloured flag (representing the Buddha’s of
the five families) is attached to an arrow. On the right, is a ritual cake offering
decorated with butter ornaments and on the left a red coloured cake offering. Around
these are arranged offerings of drink, roasted barley flour (tsampa) mixed with butter,
incense and various kinds of wood.

In front of himself or herself, the diviner places a vajra, a bell and a damaru (drum),
some barley and vermilion powder to sprinkle in the drink, as well as an arrow to
which is tied a white scarf. He or she then generates himself or herself as a deity and
performs the preliminary ritual for removing obstacles according to the ritual of Tam.

Following this, invocations are made to Dorje Yudronma, one of Tibet's chief
protectors, who holds an arrow with the five colours in her right hand and a white
silver mirror in her left. The diviner then requests the goddess to give a correct answer
to the questions asked.

The mirror is not read by the diviner but by a virgin boy or girl no more than 15 years
old. The child, who must be clean and well dressed, sits on a cushion under which has
been drawn a swastika, symbol of stability. He or she is asked to pick up a stone, wrap
it in a piece of red cloth and place it under his or her knee and is made to drink the
orange tinted libation. Blessed ears of barley are placed on the child's head, which is
the wrapped with a turban.

The diviner cleans the mirror and lights the butter lamp. The child looks into the
mirror and, depending on the type of divination that has been requested, sees either
pictures, like sequences in a film or letters. Letters require written questions, which
have been given to the diviner. The child describes the visions to the diviner who
interprets and explains them in terms of the questions that have been asked. The
reader of the mirror has no knowledge of the questions asked and the diviner does not
see m the mirror; however, they are complementary and mutually dependent for this
type of divination. The child's ability to read the mirror disappears at puberty, and thus
the diviner may use different children at different times.

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Shoulder-blade Divination

It is said that divining from shoulder blades was first done by brown bears who, after
killing weasels and mice took out the shoulder blades and examined the lines on them
to know whether they were being pursued by hunters. This was observed by hunters,
who noticed that the bears sometimes ate the body of their prey and sometimes
abandoned it uneaten with only the shoulder blade extracted. Gradually, this form of
divination came into use among hunters themselves, as well as among robbers and
thieves. It was also very popular among village people.

The bone used in the divination must be the right shoulder blade of a slaughtered
sheep, as opposed to an animal which has died from disease or been lulled by wild
animals.

To begin with, the shoulder blade must be cleaned of meat and washed in clean water.
The diviner than fumigates it with juniper and holds it up with his or her right band to
be reflected in a mirror. Next, he recited 'Ye dharma' three to seven times and invokes
the deities requesting them to give a clear answer. The shoulder blade is then burned
in a smokeless fire, Out of the sight of strangers.

During the burning, if the shoulder blade makes a rattling sound it means evil spirits
are haunting the house. Accompanying clucking sounds would indicate that they are
causing harm and discord in the family. The spine of the shoulder blade falling away
very quickly would mean that the above troubles could be dispelled with a appropriate
rituals.

The shoulder blade is divided into different areas, which enable the diviner to make
quite detailed predictions. These are: one's protector's, Naga's enemy's and kindred's
areas. Between the protector's and the kindred's areas are five sections known as the
king's, the lord's, the minister's, one's own and the servant's areas. These should be
separated by a distance of one finger's breadth.

Bubbles in one's own area are a good sign, although if they recede the implications
are negative. A crack in the lower part of one's own area indicates weakness in that
year, and in the middle part, misfortune and regret. However, a rack on the back
signifies invincibility in he face of enemies and evil spirits. A rack in the shoulder
blade socket indicate loss of property, though its fullness indicates impending wealth.
The shoulder remaining white is a positive sign of imminent action, while it’s turning
to an ash colour is negative and indicates high winds that year. Black stands for heavy
sin and yellow for a warm year.

The shoulder blade's cracking in many lines indicates a loss of path or an unsuccessful
future. Generally speaking white cracks are good indications, black ones are bad and
slightly dark ones are of middling negativity. White cracks in one's protector's area
indicate that the protector is helping you and black ones show the necessity of
performing purifying rituals, lamp offerings, incense burning rituals, hoisting prayer
flags and chanting prayers of confession.

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If the Nags's area or the cracks on it become black one must perform a Naga cake
offering beside springs and lakes. A crack appearing in the upper part of one's enemy's
area means that he will become powerful and if it is black, it is a bad sign and one
must recite sutras and the ritual of the white Umbrella (gDugs dkar), which has the
power to clear obstacles. If the kindred area is black one must perform ransom life
rituals (Tse sgrub). The division between the king's area and the servant's area are
examined in the same way. The shoulder blade's cracking in vertical lines denotes
illness and in horizontal lines, that one will be a victim of theft and robbery or that it
will take a long time to achieve a goal or accomplish a task.

Hearing Divination (See Clairaudience)

This type of divination is done in the nomadic areas of Tibet and other isolated places,
where there may not be a diviner available to consult. Before proceeding with the
divination, a piece of juniper is tied to a shoulder blade with wool, white cloth or
string. The diviner then places the shoulder blade in the left pocket of his cloak and
walks out of his dwelling. The first word he hears outside will indicate the turn of
events. If this divination is being performed with regard to someone who is ill, then
negative words such as 'long' would suggest a protracted recovery. On the other hand,
words such as 'good' will indicate a quick recovery. These words can be applied to any
other circumstances about which the diviner is seeking an answer with the word 'good
always having a positive connotations while others like 'nothing' having negative
significance.

From among the above, Dough ball divination is regarded as the most reliable. But
due to the length of the preliminary rituals, it is only conducted 9n very important
occasions. Some lamas are able to make predictions using no overt means of
divination, but through direct inspiration from the deity. Though the result is the same,
they would not usually claim to be performing divination.

168