Divination in Ritual
By Foxglove
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines Divination as: 
1.	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
2 .	unusual insight : intuitive perception.
I tend to agree with this definition, at least for the most part. Divination to me is about the connection to Deity and spirit, that we make to discover unknown or hidden things, usually done so with an element of ritual or some form of ritualistic approach. The way in which we do this is very much a personal thing as each of us has a very different connection to the realm of Spirit. As such we need to find our own ways of approaching it.
In this workshop, I will try to define for you ways of incorporating Divination into ritual practice, not only for self development but also for self discovery. We will not necessarily look into divination as a way of seeing the future, we will however, have a look at that in brief. Instead we will focus on divinatory symbolism and how we can use it to create a ritual experience.
But there are some things I feel we need to understand first. Divination can, but not always, be an act of ritual unto itself. But how do we combine the ideals of Wiccan ritual and the Arts of divination? The answer to that is easy. Firstly we need to look what we use as divinatory tools, as it is the symbols that are inherent in these tools that guide us to wisdom within the particular ritual.
Secondly, Anything that is used in divination is generally seen as holding some hidden ancient power. Unfortunately this is not the case. I am yet to have a truly magical experience with a piece of painted cardboard coated in plastic, I have however had great experiences delving deep into the symbolism which has been put onto a tarot card. This is the biggest step we need to take when looking at divination. It is what we see and feel that gives us the experiences in which connect us to the tool and to spirit.
Tools of the Trade
Even though there are thousands upon thousands of different Divination tools that we can use, a complete list here would fill more time than we have. However I am sure that each person who follows the Witches’ path would have a preferred method. The most common tools for divination are Tarot, Astrology, Runes, scrying, psychometry and clairvoyance. 
I have personally used all of these at some point in my practice, the most basic yet most symbolic of these is the tarot.
Tarot
Tarot symbolism is very heavy at best and each card can hold many different meanings. By using the symbols found in each card we are able to focus our energies and utilise the ritual experience to understand each card.
The most enjoyable way is by doing Tarot Path working exercises in which each card is explored in order to reveal the hidden truths found in the Fool’s journey. The key here is to understand that we all walk that same path and can most certainly associate the current state of our lives to at least one card on the journey. In turn by looking at the card in front we can see where we came from and by looking at the next card in line we can see where we are headed. Very rarely would we be able to deviate from the Fool’s journey unless by choice, but even that would be hard to do.
This particular type of pathworking is excellent for understanding and learning the tarot’s messages but how can it be put to ritual use? The answer to that is not so easy. When I contemplate this question I can see in my mind a long journey of which we use 22 players acting out the role of each card. This idea, although a worthwhile event if it can be organised; would be cumbersome and hard work. Below is a simpler ritual form:
I have participated in a Samhain ritual which has been titled “The Tarot and the Trickster Rite”. This ritual started with each person being told to take a card from a Tarot deck but without letting any other participant know what the card was. As it turned out, everyone was fooled by the fact that all the cards were the Death card. They were then blindfolded and had to walk a maze of twine, the maze had 3 entry points but all led to the same place.
Each person would have been under the impression that their card would have had a different destination, as each card was supposed to be different, but alas, no. When everyone had assembled at the end of the maze and had removed their blindfold, they were then offered a different deck of cards. This time the deck contained 2 sets of Major Arcana. 1 black set and 1 white set.
Depending upon the colour of their card, they were then led through one of 2 curtains. Each pathway behind one of the curtains was a path that led to a reader. Those with the black card were lead down the path of Forgetfulness, whose card was burned away in a cauldron after having it interpreted. Those with the white cards were sent down the path of Remembrance whose card was interpreted and then placed in a cauldron of water.
They then continued down their paths until they found themselves at another circle site. This was the underworld as this was where both paths led to.
As you can see with this ritual, the main focus was on the journey in which we have to take into the otherworld. This journey was decided upon by the cards that we chose. The symbols of the cards were not important as such, until we had them interpreted.
This type of ritual can also be done using many divination types including Runes, Ogham and Astrology.
Another method of Tarot ritual is to separate the four suits of the Minor Arcana and place them at thier relevant elemental point (Swords / Air or Fire, Wands / Fire or Air, Cups / Water and Pentacles / Earth), place the Major Arcana in the Centre of the circle. Each person then takes a card from the deck at each point and then connects with the card’s symbolism, alternatively the cards can be read one by one by an experienced reader (This way everyone gets a reading). Each point of the compass holds valuable knowledge and by doing this ritual we are able to utilise that knowledge on a personal and group level. Please be aware that this ritual can also be performed by a solitary.
Scrying
Scrying is a fantastic way of using divination in rituals. I have seen it done many, many times and it is by far the most accessible method. Scrying can take place at any time using almost any reflective surface. These can include crystal balls, Dark scrying mirrors, water in a cauldron or even an everyday mirror. The most important thing to do is to use what is appropriate for the timing of the ritual. I would suggest using a bowl / Cauldron of water at the full moon and a dark mirror for the dark moon, this way the energies of the ritual can be maintained.
My group have done a dark moon ritual where we used a dark bowl filled with water. During the ritual, magically charged black ink was added to the water. After dancing and chanting around the Circle like crazy and creating a space where the subconscious mind could be opened easily, the last person standing was the one who would do the scrying. People are then given the opportunity to ask questions of any nature in order to gain inner wisdom or futuristic advice.
 This ritual is very basic and can be adapted by solitaries quite easily and can most certainly be done at any time of the Lunar cycle, just by changing the object in which we are scrying. The main issue with scrying is that the mind needs to be relaxed as quite often we will allow personal thoughts to jump in the way and this can cloud our true visions. 
Other modes of Scrying can be done with flame and incense. At Imbolc I wrote a wonderful ritual which called upon Brighid of the triple flames. The Maiden came in and blessed the sacred flame from which each person then lit a candle. They then scried into the flames of the candle or even the sacred flame itself. This was a simple act, but it is that simple to include scrying into any ritual setting.
Runes
Another of the more popular modes of Divination is the Runes. 
By using the Runes we are able to connect with the Asatru Gods especially Odin, and by making that connection in ritual becomes a rite unto itself. Runes however can be used for many other purposes.
Firstly, it is such an easy to use and learn alphabet that spell work can be done by writing or inscribing Runes for the purposes at hand. I use Runes as my preferred alphabet and I readily inscribe my needs in Runes. By using another alphabet in spells, we are able to change our conscious thoughts as we tend to concentrate more when we are using an alphabet we don’t often use. This then lends power to our magic and spell work.
But the Runes are not just an alphabet. They are a system which stems far back in our consciousness. Each Rune not only represents a letter but it also contains a sound. By intoning the sound of these letters we are sending vibrations out into the spirit world which can help manifest change.
As you write each glyph, you should visualise the symbol as having a slight Aura of its own, once you start intoning the sound, visualise the aura growing stronger until you feel that enough power has been raised so it can be released. Again, it is a simple yet effective way of using the power of Runes.
I have also heard of a ritual where you can intone certain Rune symbols at the Quarter points, I have tried this on a few occasions but unfortunately, I am better with the Kings.
As with any Divination tool, Runes can be used within Rituals to give readings. Each person takes a rune and it is then interpreted. However working on particular energies within a structure, in my opinion, is more constructive and even more moving.
Astrology
Astrology is by far the most influential of divinatory systems to use in ritual. The first most basic premise is to utilise the imagery and energy of the sign in which the full moon occurs and there a few decent books on this topic. One that especially called to me a few years ago was The Witches Circle by Maria Kay Simms.
The most effective way to use Astrological energies within ritual is to find what sign the moon is in at the time of the ritual. Since I am a Capricorn, I will focus this section to that sign, but understand that you can devise your own ideas about the other signs as you need to. A full moon in Capricorn is a great time to call upon Pan and symbols that reflect your connection to this sign (if any). Capricorn rules the career and so a ritual for employment or advancement is a great idea. The sign is also an earth sign and many people would do rituals to connect to the earth and do things associated to environmentalism.
Other symbols associated with Capricorn are; the planet Saturn, the stone, onyx; the colours brown, black and purple, the goat is the animal most connected. By using these we are able to connect to the moon’s position in the heavens and as I said before, connect to the energy of the sign.
Saturn is associated to the darker aspects of life such as illness, death, restrictions, old age and negativity. These influences that Saturn governs give us an idea as to what types of rituals to perform at that time. I am certainly not suggesting that you go out on a Capricorn moon and cause illness or death but rather work with the energies to counteract it. Many Capricorns will suffer by these things and as Saturn rules their sign it is up to the individual to overcome them. This is what makes Capricorns so ambitious, the fact that we feel that we are always being hindered so we do what we can to overcome this influence. Never tell a Capricorn, we can’t do something as you will get tired of us proving our point (we like to gloat).
As I have said, these are the types of things that should be incorporated into a Capricorn ritual but all the signs of the Zodiac can be explored using the same principles.
Another way to incorporate astrology into Wiccan rites is by celebrating the cusp days as times of importance. Some of our Sabbats already fall on days such as the solstices and equinoxes, or rather 
Midsummer=  Sagittarius / Capricorn, Mabon= Pisces / Aries, Yule= Gemini / Cancer, Ostara= Virgo / Libra, but what of the others?
The cusps are seen as times of transition and it is these ‘in between times’ that can be used in spell work and ritual. This is where it can become difficult though, as we need to then decipher for ourselves the symbolism and the energies that occur at these times. A good astrology book should be able to help out there.
Ogham
One of the fastest growing methods of divination is the Celtic Ogham (pron Ow-am). This method is one that is very close to my heart. Anyone with an interest in Celtic magic would of course be familiar with it, but for those of you who are not; it is a system which uses the Irish tree alphabet (not too different to Runes). Each letter not only represents a tree but it also contains hidden wisdom.
I have managed to be a part of a Coven that uses the powers of the trees in meditations and practice. We have been studying the Ogham trees for quite a while now and have devised a ritual that allows us to focus the knowledge of each tree and put it to ritual use.
We set a spiral on the floor and at 5 different points ( N,E,S,W and Centre) an Ogham sigil was drawn. 5 people took turns pulling an Ogham stave from a bag, this dictated which sigil they started from.
The Ogham in the North represented Conflict, the Ogham in the west, Learning, South, harmony and the East, Manifestation, with the centre being the focus. With this ritual we used the ideology that each person stands at the same place (even though they are not) so when the first Ogham is used, all stand in Focus, next would be Manifestation and so on. The ritual is then continued until all have walked the spiral.
After the ritual we exchange our ideas as to what we experienced with each Ogham in each place.
Again this is quite simple when we get to the heart of it and as each person had a different tree to start from, we each had a different perspective of each Ogham few.
Like the Runes it is an alphabet and so can be used as such within spell work by writing the fews and focusing the energy, it is also usable as a meditation tool.
I will give an example of the type of magic I have performed with the Ogham. I have altered the purpose and such but have kept the main body. I have also changed from using the woods of the trees to using paper as this would be easier for those who do not have the appropriate woods (they are hard to find in Australia at times). However if the woods are locatable them please feel free to use them instead.
Imagine that you have a desire to start a new life. Set up a ritual space in which you have 2 cauldrons. The first cauldron is the cauldron of the past. On the other side of the circle you will have a cauldron of the future. Sitting in front of the cauldron of the past, write on a piece of paper the Ogham for the Yew tree. Focus your energy into the Ogham few and say that it represents your old life. The Yew is the tree of death and endings. See yourself set free of the past. Light the paper from a candle and place it into the cauldron to burn. Stand and walk away without looking back, toward the future cauldron.
Sit in front of the future cauldron and draw upon another piece of paper the Ogham Birch which represents the new life you wish to move toward. The Birch represents rebirth and renewal. Focus on the life you want to live and again empower the symbol of the Birch with this image firm in mind. Place the paper in the cauldron, but rather than burning it, leave it in there for an entire moon cycle. On the last night of the cycle, take it out as an act of rebirth from the womb and keep in a safe place until such a time as you no longer need it.
Just a note on this ritual. After the burning of the Yew Ogham (at the end of the ritual) look into the cauldron. If it is not completely burnt then there are issues that must be taken care of before the rebirth can begin. One should then seek to know what this is, so that you can then move onwards in life.
Discussion
Now that I you have seen some of the ways in which I have used divination in ritual, let us now discuss the ways in which you may have added divination into a ritual.