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Divination Bowls
Oct. 13th, 2022 11:37 amSpecially marked bowls have been used for centuries for divinatory purposes. Occasionally a drum top, or the inside of a drum, marked with symbols, is used instead. A type of sortilege is then used, i.e., casting a certain number of small twigs, pebbles, grains of rice, or apple seeds on to the markings, which the diviner will then interpret.
Here is a selection, ancient and modern, from various cultures.
Images:
( Bowls and Drums )
It is rather rare, nowadays, to see a Witch using a Divination Bowl or Witch Bowl (or Witch Drum) as they are sometimes called. Nevertheless, over the past 33 years, I have seen examples of very old Witch Bowls and Witch Drums that their owners were still actively using (I do not have pictures of them presently, but I will see if I can get one).
A modern equivalent, which cycles into minor popularity every now and again, might be specially marked teacups for tea-leaf reading. A bit more common these days is dispensing with a hard object and using a cloth marked with a pattern or various symbols. These can be used with twigs, pebbles, etc., as above, or they might be used with runes, metal charms of various shapes, dice, or dominoes, or something like that. The scope for creativity is wide.
Experiment as you will. Whatever your modality and tools, it is most important to remember that divination is a service to humanity, so give people the best that humanity is capable of. Train yourself toward specific and verifiable predictions that will be helpful. "You are headed for a time of emotional turbulence and uncertainty" is not helpful. "Your employer will be laying off a massive number of workers in four months' time, so I advise you to start looking for a new job now before the market becomes flooded with your coworkers." *That* is helpful. If you cannot train yourself to do this (a requirement is understanding the nature of reality and being able to call things by their true names), find a teacher.
*** Blessed be to those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.
* Copyright to Coven Rochester
Here is a selection, ancient and modern, from various cultures.
Images:
( Bowls and Drums )It is rather rare, nowadays, to see a Witch using a Divination Bowl or Witch Bowl (or Witch Drum) as they are sometimes called. Nevertheless, over the past 33 years, I have seen examples of very old Witch Bowls and Witch Drums that their owners were still actively using (I do not have pictures of them presently, but I will see if I can get one).
A modern equivalent, which cycles into minor popularity every now and again, might be specially marked teacups for tea-leaf reading. A bit more common these days is dispensing with a hard object and using a cloth marked with a pattern or various symbols. These can be used with twigs, pebbles, etc., as above, or they might be used with runes, metal charms of various shapes, dice, or dominoes, or something like that. The scope for creativity is wide.
Experiment as you will. Whatever your modality and tools, it is most important to remember that divination is a service to humanity, so give people the best that humanity is capable of. Train yourself toward specific and verifiable predictions that will be helpful. "You are headed for a time of emotional turbulence and uncertainty" is not helpful. "Your employer will be laying off a massive number of workers in four months' time, so I advise you to start looking for a new job now before the market becomes flooded with your coworkers." *That* is helpful. If you cannot train yourself to do this (a requirement is understanding the nature of reality and being able to call things by their true names), find a teacher.
*** Blessed be to those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.
* Copyright to Coven Rochester
