• prediction magazine

    Fortune Telling

    Aura Viewing - Review

    As a science graduate my relationship with the spiritual was dubious to say the least.

    Blood and bones and other tangible things I understood, soul and aura less so.

    But all this changed a couple of years ago, when I went to a mind, body and spirit event in London.

    A friend and I knew the organiser so went to see what all the fuss was about, and in the midst of an array of crystals, tarot cards and mantra chanting was a stall offering aura readings.

    Firstly, I had to find out what my aura was. The stall holder explained it was the energy that radiated from me, at a basic level, if I radiated positive energy, my aura would be positive.

    He could photograph it, and give it to a trained analyst who could decipher my personality, current emotions and offer me guidance based on it.

    Intrigued, but utterly sceptical, Tanya and I went for it. We sat on a metal chair which measured our electro-photonic vibrations (aka our auras!) and waited for the Polaroids to develop.

    We got chatting to a couple of women there.

    One told me, she had her aura read from time to time as she believed it was more scientific than a palm or tarot card reading. The other said she liked seeing the colours change as she developed as a person.

    However, the cynic in me was too strong to overrule and Tanya and I promised we would give NOTHING away in the chat with the aura reader.

    When my time came, my Polaroid had developed into an angry blur of reds, with my face in the centre.

    The aura reader explained to me the good first; I was adventurous and liked working and playing hard. I liked pushing myself and being the best. All of this rang true, but then surely most people would fit this description.

    She then picked out some less flattering attributes, which showed currently I was pushing myself too hard, how my adventurous nature often landed me in hot water, and while I liked the thought of being the best, I’d often abandon projects that would help me achieve that.

    This sat a lot more uncomfortably with me, again all of it true. I tried to justify this is my head, but there was no way this could have been ascertained unless I’d chatted to her about my life at the time, which I most certainly hadn’t.

    Obviously nothing she told me was new, deep down I knew my best and worst faults, but having a stranger outline them to me allowed me to evaluate my life. Did I really want to be a stress ball who flitted from project to project, without ever seeing anything through? No.

    While I can’t change some things (e.g. preferring lone glory over team work) I can use my knowledge of this to work harder at group projects now I know my weaknesses.

    I now also harness my passion for achievement by sticking out projects rather than abandoning them when I get bored, finding the rewards much greater now.

    And Tanya’s aura? The blues in hers suggested she was someone who people relied on, and because of this, she left very little time to herself.  Again, absolutely accurate.

    Lima Curtis writes about health, energy and the environment for many people including the Independent, Earth Times and www.cliniccompare.co.uk

    GYPSY FORTUNE TELLING

    Whether it’s reading tea leaves, palms or crystal balls, Romany Gypsies are renowned fortune tellers. Deborah Durbin teaches you the art of their ancient techniques.

    Romany Gypsies date back more than 1,000 years. They originated in India and have always been a culture with strong roots and family traditions, one of which is the ability to tell tangible fortunes. Here, you can learn the art of Gypsy fortune telling and, with a little practice, get accurate readings…

    Tea leaves

    Tasseomancy, or tea-leaf reading as it is more commonly known, is thought to have originated in Asia, the Middle East and Ancient Greece.
    The name derives from the Arabic word ‘tassa’, meaning cup and the Greek word ‘mancy’ meaning divination.

    Reading with the aid of tea leaves has often been associated with Gypsy fortune tellers and is still very popular today because it is an effective tool for tapping into the subconscious.

    While it is a rare thing to find a practising tea leaf reader, let alone a genuine tea leaf reading Gypsy, it is still an interesting and uncannily accurate form of divination and with a little practice you will soon be able to read your
    own and others’ tea cups.

    What you need to read tea leaves

    You can still buy loose leaf tea today from most supermarkets. It’s always best to use a fine grain tea if you can, because the leaves will stick better to the cup. The second item that you will need for a successful tea-leaf reading is a white or pastel- coloured teacup. The cup you use should also have a wide brim so that the leaves have a greater chance of sticking to the bottom and sides of the cup. Additional items that you will need are a wide saucer, a teaspoon for stirring the tea and a teapot. The teapot should be a china or porcelain, rather than metal.

    Preparation

    Boil a kettle of water. When it has boiled, throw a small handful of tea leaves into the teapot and give it a stir. Pour the tea into the cup and allow it to cool – do not add milk.

    Concentrate on a question or an issue you wish to resolve. Take three sips of the tea, then throw the rest away, but leave a small amount in the bottom of the cup.

    Reading the tea leaves

    Take the cup in your most dominant hand and turn it three times in a clockwise direction. Pour any remaining liquid from the cup down the sink. Place the cup upside down on the saucer and once again turn it in a clockwise direction three times. The leaves will be clumped together in different places inside the cup, including the rim, the side and the bottom. You are now ready to read the tea leaves.

    Symbols

    As you turn the cup around you will notice different shapes emerge in the patterns formed by the tea leaves. Below is a list of common shapes and their meanings:

    • ACORN near the top, it means success and gain, while at the bottom, it means good health
    • ANCHOR stability, constancy
    • APPLE knowledge, achievement
    • BABY a new venture, pregnancy
    • BALL completion, variable fortunes
    • BUTTERFLY transition, transformation
    • CAT deceit, a false friend
    • CROSS protection, sacrifice
    • DOG friend
    • DOOR opening (to something new) or
    • closing (old issues and relations), spirituality
    • EGG good omen, creation, new beginnings
    • ENVELOPE a message is on its way, whether positive or negative
    • FIRE achievement
    • FISH creation, good fortune
    • FLAG nationality
    • GATE opportunity, future success,
    • GLOW enlightenment
    • HORSESHOE good luck, attraction
    • HOUSE security, change, success
    • INSECT good luck is on its way
    • JEWELS gifts are on their way
    • KANGAROO harmony at home
    • KITE wishes coming true, flying free
    • LADDER promotion
    • LEAF new life
    • MOUNTAIN obstacles or a specific area
    • MOUSE theft
    • NAIL injustice, unfairness
    • NECKLACE  admirers. If broken,
    • it means danger of losing a lover
    • OAK health, long life, tree of life
    • OCTOPUS danger
    • PALM TREE success
    • PIG greed
    • QUESTION MARK need for caution
    • RABBIT need for bravery,
    • RING a phone call or coming full circle. Near the top, it means marriage or the offer of marriage. At the bottom, it means a long engagement. If it’s broken, it means an engagement has been broken off
    • SCALE legal issues
    • SCISSORS quarrels, possibly separation
    • STAR health and happiness, hope
    • TABLE social gatherings
    • TENT travel, cover, hidden truth
    • URN wealth and happiness
    • VASE a friend needs help
    • VOLCANO harmful emotions
    • WASP romantic problems
    • WHEEL if complete, it means good fortune. If
    • it’s broken, it means disappointment
    • YOKE domination
    • ZEBRA adventure, especially overseas
    • SHAPES If you come across any of the following shapes in a reading you should pay particular attention to them:
    • TRIANGLES equal good karma
    • If you see a SQUARE there is need for caution
    • A CIRCLE equals great success in any venture
    • LETTERS usually refer to names of lovers, friends and relatives
    • NUMBERS indicate time, as in months and years

    Timing

    A teacup reading can only predict up to a year in the future. Tea leaves stuck to the bottom of the cup mean they will happen in about a year’s time. Tea leaves stuck near to the top of the cup indicate that events will happen within a few
    days or weeks. As a general rule, the bottom of the cup represents people, ideas, situations or past events. The middle part on the side of the cup represents the present and the top part of the cup represents what is coming up in the future for you.

    Palm reading

    Another very common form of Gypsy fortune telling is palm reading and, while it takes many years to learn this intricate art of divination, there are some basics to the art that you can learn quickly.

    Palmistry is also known as chiromancy, which comes from the Greek word ‘chirology’, which means ‘hand study’. This ancient art has been studied by many cultures including the Chinese, Egyptians and Tibetans.

    The lines on your palm gradually change as you change, and they tell a story of your life, past, present and future.

    Preparation

    Palms should be clean, dry and free of grease or dust and you should be sitting comfortably and relaxed. You won’t get an accurate reading by reading just one palm. You need to look at both hands. The most dominant hand on a person (usually the right) will tell you what they are like with others, while the less dominant hand reveals more about their private self and inner world.

    Reading the palm

    Start by feeling the skin texture on the palm. If the skin is damp, it signals that a person is highly sensitive and has strong emotions. If the skin is silky, which is more common on women than men, it denotes that a person is very in tune with others and often psychic. Papery skin tells that a person is a good communicator and rough or coarse skin reveals someone who loves being outdoors and is at one with nature.

    The main four lines on the palm

    While every palm is crisscrossed with numerous lines and creases, there are four main ones:

    The Life Line (A on the palm above)

    This is the line that curves around the ball of your thumb and, contrary to popular belief, doesn’t predict how long you will live. The Life Line does, however, reveal your energy, vitality and stability in life and will change as you grow.

    • A short or weak Life Line highlights someone who is insecure and cannot settle in one place for too long.
    • If the Life Line is long and deep, this signals a person who is stable, strong and someone who the whole family can turn to.

    The Head Line (B on the palm opposite)

    This is the line that goes from the same point as the life line, but goes vertically across the palm. This line shows how a person thinks.

    • A straight line shows a practical, logical person who can be over sensitive in love.
    • A curved line indicates that a person is reliable, has their feet firmly on the ground and is relaxed and adaptable to change.
    • A short line signals someone who refuses to listen to others.
    • When the Head Line is forked at the end, it denotes someone who is adaptable.

    The Heart Line (C on the palm opposite)

    This is the line that begins from your little finger and runs across the top of the palm. This line deals with your emotions.

    • A full Heart Line denotes someone who is passionate and emotional in relationships.
    • When the Heart Line ends under the middle finger, it signifies a need to be more considerate to your partner.
    • A forked Heart Line means that you are balanced with your emotions and adaptable in relationships.

    The Fate Line (D on the palm opposite)

    This is the line that travels from the wrist to the middle finger and is often one of the weakest lines on the palm. If you look at a child’s palm,
    you will not see the Fate Line.

    • A clear line denotes someone who has a clear sense of their goals and will achieve them.
    • A broken Fate Line signals someone who will possibly jump from job to job.
    • A faint line suggests someone who is trying to be the person that others want them to be rather than being true to themselves.

    Rings

    The finger on which a person chooses to wear a ring can tell you a lot about them, too:

    • A ring on the forefinger tells of a seemingly egotistical person, but who actually lacks confidence and self-esteem.
    • A ring on the middle finger signifies someone who is very materialistic and needs security.
    • A ring on the ring finger is conventional as a wedding or engagement ring. However, if there are multiple or large rings adorning it, this shows an emotional and creative person.
    • A ring on the little finger is common with people in showbiz and anybody else who sets out to achieve fame and money.

    Crystal balls

    Crystal balls and Gypsies go hand in hand and have done for thousands of years. Also known
    as crystallomancy or scrying, it is thought that this ancient art evolved in Egypt, but the Hindus, Greeks and Australian Aborigines all used scrying throughout their history as a form of divination.

    How does it work?

    As with all forms of divination, crystal balls are
    a tool to help us tap in to the subconscious and the degree to which you can predict forthcoming events lies in how tuned in you are when you look in to the crystal ball. Crystal balls come in
    all sizes and you can buy one from new age shops and shops online.

    Preparation

    Before you read the crystal ball you should cleanse the ball in water to rid it of any residual energy from previous readings. Dry it with a clean, fibre-free cloth and place it on its stand. Your ball should be large enough to read clearly. Always keep your crystal ball wrapped in a velvet cloth when you’re not using it and never leave it in direct sunlight. If you don’t have a crystal ball you can get the same results with a bowl of water. The bowl should be a dark colour.

    Reading your crystal ball

    As with any form of divination, you need a time when you have peace and quiet and it’s best done when you are alone. If you have a black backdrop behind the crystal ball, all the better.

    Sit comfortably and relax. As a beginner,
    you might not get anything during your first attempts, but the more you relax, the easier you will find it. You need to let go of any mundane thoughts that enter your head and try to gaze through the glass of the ball. After a while you should see some sort of change. The ball may become cloudy or dark, or you may see some written messages or something similar to a film strip appear in the glass. Shapes, shadows or silhouettes are very common when you first use the crystal ball. It’s quite rare to see anything that makes sense, so make a note of what you see and you can work out what it means later.

    If you see an image in the centre of the crystal ball, this refers to the present, images at the back are the past and those at the front of the crystal ball deal with issues in the near future.

    Below are some common images and their meanings:

    • ANCHOR a safe haven
    • BIRD a message bringing good fortune
    • CLOUDS positive news
    • CUP love coming your way
    • DRAGON strength
    • EYES fate will step in
    • FRUIT children
    • HOUSE a move is on the way
    • LION recovery from illness
    • MOON family life will be good
    • PEOPLE a party and good friends
    • SNAKE new found knowledge
    • STAR fame
    • TOWER an authoritative man
    • UNICORN innocence and fantasy
    • WATER good communications
    • WHEEL a change in fortune

     

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    Hydromancy

    Discover how to connect with the deepest parts of your subconscious and see into the future with water divination. Nikki Allen investigates the ancient art of hydromancy

    Do you ever get the sense you are being drawn towards water? Or how about feeling more peaceful when you’re in its presence – taking a bath or swimming in the sea? Waves lapping gently on the shore, a waterfall crashing onto rocks below, or rain falling outside while you’re tucked up snugly in bed, are sounds many of us can relax to and feel comforted by. Water, one of the most vital givers of life, connects not only with our bodies – which are 90 per cent composed of H2O – but also with our minds, our emotions and our souls.

    Along with its ability to provide life, quench our thirst and calm our minds, water has had another use since ancient times – as a method of divination. Hydromancy, its name originating from the Greek words for water (hydro) and divination (-mancy), encompasses a vast range of techniques using water to gain insight into the future, and access parts of our subconscious.

    The history of hydromancy

    Water divination techniques have existed for thousands of years in cultures across the globe, from ancient Greece and Britain to the Incas of South America. Hydromancy was first recorded amongst the ancient Greeks in 400-500 BC. They believed that nature spirits dwelled in fresh water, and people searching for a hint of events to come would sit by a river or a lake and watch its movement to interpret the messages it was sending. They would also gaze into sacred vessels filled with water for hours at a time, waiting to receive divine messages and visions.

    The Celts of ancient Briton and the Incas of Peru used large bowls of water in the same way. Mystics would interpret images and symbols that appeared in the still surface of the water. In a variation of this technique, it is recorded in the Old Testament that mystics would drop a little oil into a bowl of water to produce a mirror-like surface where images would appear.
    Ancient Germanic tribes, meanwhile, practiced a more brutal form of water divination. A popular custom was to throw a newborn child into the Rhine – if the baby was legitimate he or she would be able to swim. This has echoes of the later Anglo Saxon idea of trial by water and the practice of discovering whether a woman was a witch by drowning her to see whether she would sink or float.

    In the second century AD, the celebrated Greek traveller and writer Pausanias described a fountain near the small city of Epidaurus. The fountain was dedicated to Ino, a mortal queen who after her death was worshipped
    as Leucothea, the goddess of the sea. Worshippers would come to the fountain and throw loaves into it, hoping to receive an oracle from the goddess. If the loaves were accepted, they sank in the water, which meant good fortune, but if they were washed up from the fountain, it meant bad luck.

    Famous hydromancers

    In the 16th century, hydromancy reappears as a divination technique used by one of the most famous seers of all
    time, Nostradamus. By candlelight, he observed the motions of water in a bowl set upon a brass tripod and recorded what he saw, describing the visual impressions as being like a “burning mirror”. While some of the quatrains he wrote were too cryptic to decode, Nostradamus predicted many future events with incredible accuracy using hydromancy.
    When at the start of the 17th century, the Spanish theologian and Jesuit, Martin Del Rio wrote and published a book on the magic and occult practices of the times, he described several of the most popular and widely used methods of water divination. One of these was to hang a ring on a string and dip it into the water, then shake the bowl. The hydromancer then made predictions depending upon how many times the ring hit the sides of the vessel.
    Another of the methods Del Rio described was dropping three pebbles into still water and watching the circles that formed on the surface. Have you ever tried this particular method yourself? It still exists today in the popular children’s (and adults’!) game of attempting to skip a stone across a lake, pond or even the sea. If it skips three times, good luck is on its way and your wish will come true.
    Many of these methods are still used today amongst wiccan and pagan communities, though they have taken on different forms as technology has advanced. For example, once scrying mirrors were developed, they proved a much more convenient alternative to water. But many modern pagans, particularly in Britain, still prefer the natural connection to water and the feeling of being at one with nature that it creates.

    Hydromancy for beginners

    Pagan expert and high priestess Patti Wigington recommends the following technique for you to try for yourself when you are experimenting with water divination for the first time:

    To ensure that water divination works as well as possible for you, it’s essential that you’re in a calm, relaxed frame of mind. The best way to reach this state varies for everyone. For some of us, lighting candles and incense or playing soft music can help you achieve a deep state of relaxation. One particular tip for novice hydromancers is to play a CD of the natural sounds of water softly in the background, to help you connect with the element.

    The ideal conditions for water divination are outside during a full Moon, with a clear sky. This will help your hydromancy skills, due to the Moon’s strong bond with water. Water is closely linked to the cycles of the Moon, as those who live on the coast and experience the phenomenon of lunar tide can confirm!

    Once you have found a calm, peaceful space on the right night, you will need a table or another flat surface, a dark bowl, a jug with enough water to fill the bowl, and a pen and paper. It is best to use a metal bowl, or a glass bowl painted black, and to fill it with water from a natural source, such as a lake or stream. It’s important to use a dark bowl as it is more like the bottom of a lake or pond. If you are lucky enough to live near a natural body of water, you can use this to practice with instead.

    Put on your relaxing water sounds, and sit or stand in a comfortable position by the table. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and meditate on the energy of the nature surrounding you. Observe the powerful energy of the full Moon’s effect on you, and take a few moments to recognise your connection to the Moon, the water and the Divine.

    When it feels like the right time, open your eyes and lift the jug of water. Hold it over the bowl, imagining the wisdom and guidance contained within the pure liquid. Pour the water into the bowl. When the bowl is full, position yourself so that you can see the moonlight reflected directly into the water. Stare into the water, looking for patterns, symbols or pictures.

    Keep breathing deeply and concentrating until you begin to see images in the water. They may start as vague shadows at first, and they may be accompanied by thoughts or feelings that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Even if the thoughts that pop into your head and the images and symbols you are seeing seem to make no sense, make sure you keep a note of everything that appears. You can contemplate them later.

    It’s important to remember that the images you will see are not actually in the water – they are a projection from your mind on to it. Whether these messages are of a mystic origin or are coming from your subconscious doesn’t matter – it’s simply down to your intuition to make sense of the message in the right way for you.

    Remain gazing into the water for as long as it feels comfortable – it may just be a few minutes, or several hours, but it’s important to stop when you are beginning to feel restless or distracted. Afterwards, you can leave your water out overnight to charge it even more, or you can pour it away into your garden as an offering.

    If you have a natural connection with water, simply staring at its calm surface could be enough to allow you to see and interpret visions. Or, if you need some extra help, you could try stirring the water slightly with a freshly cut twig, which should help to bring more images and symbols into vision.

    Other methods to try…

    There are many variations on the technique described above – choose whichever resonates with you, or try them all and see which brings the best results! Here are three more suggestions:

    For this first technique, you will need a bowl of water, a ring threaded through a piece of string or a chain a pen and paper.

    • Find a comfortable position to sit in
    • Fill a bowl with water and place it in front of you. Slow your breathing to a rhythmic pattern, and allow your mind to go into a trance-like state
    • Pick up the suspended ring and let it dangle gently above the water, touching it’s surface very slightly. Stare into the water and let your mind wander over the patterns that appear
    • Make a note of the images and symbols you see, and allow your intuition to interpret them

    For this second method, you will again need a bowl of water and pen and paper, as well as a smooth pebble.

    • Begin by sitting comfortably, filling a bowl with water and placing it in front of you
    • Breathe slowly and deeply with focus, as though you are beginning a meditation
    • Allow your mind to relax completely
    • Pick up a pebble and drop it into the water
    • As you do this, stare into the water and let your mind wander over the ripples that appear
    • Read what you see in the ripples – symbols, images and patterns and make a note of everything you see

    Steam can also be used as a method of divination. For this technique, you will need a mirror hung on a wall with a low table placed in front of it, as well as a large pan of water.

    • Heat the water to boiling
    • Remove the pan of boiling water and place it on a heatproof surface on the table, in front of the mirror
    • Wait for the steam to rise and cloud up the surface of the mirror
    • Gaze into the mirror, or wait for the steam to condense and for drips to appear
    • Watch as the drips form into letters, numbers, shapes or symbols

     

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    CHANNEL YOUR GUIDES WITH AUTOMATIC WRITING

    can provide a window of opportunity to speak to angels, spirits or, as in Neale Donald Walsh’s case, God….

    Getting started

    First of all, you need a pencil or pen and a notepad – it is preferable that you choose ones that you normally use, not new ones. If you feel more comfortable, you can use a typewriter or computer. However, if you do choose to use your computer, ensure that you are not online and work from a word-processing document. This will minimise unwanted distractions.

    You could also use some or all of the following to enhance the atmosphere and setting: Choose a time of day where you can work uninterrupted for at least 20 minutes and create the most comfortable and relaxed atmosphere possible. You may opt to light some candles, cleanse your space or do a meditation before you begin. Ensure the temperature is just right, too. It is also vital that you’re wearing comfortable clothing as you don’t want to be distracted or fidgety as you commence your psychic work. Some people like to wash their hands right before a session to indicate that they’re ready to accept an entity to write with them – do whatever you’re at ease with.

     

    1. Take a seat at your table with pen and paper or at your computer. Gently close your eyes and say a prayer of protection. This will help to prevent lower level entities from attaching themselves to you. Here’s a suggestion for a prayer, “I am protected by love and light, only entities of highest intention can pass through my door. Should others try to enter, my door will close and block them out. This is my loving prayer of care and protection”.

    2. Take a few moments to centre yourself by tuning into your breathing. Take a few slow, deep breaths, maintaining good posture. It can also be helpful to do a grounding visualisation before you go any further (see page to the right).

    3. Once you feel calm and ready, it’s time to pick up the pen. To begin, you have a couple of options. At the top of the page you can write the area that you would like guidance on as a general topic or a specific question. However, some prefer to write a request, such as, ‘Will someone write with me?’ Do whichever feels right.

    4. Remember to breathe normally and be patient. Your first connection might take a while. Many describe their first connection as though someone had grasped their hand or arm – just relax and let it happen.

    5. When you do have a connection, it is quite common to draw many circles, figures of eight and back and forth movements on the page. Go with this and ask the guide for their name and any relationship they have to you. It is advisable that you know who you’re writing with before you go any further and start to write words. Remember to be respectful and thank your guide when they respond to you.

    6. Now you can ask if they have something to share with you – do this by writing it on the page and wait for them to respond. This is the routine the session will generally follow until you and/or your guide are finished, which will possibly be indicated by your hand relaxing.

    7. Remember to thank your guide for working with you and take a moment for a few deep breaths – repeat the grounding visualisation if you feel the need.

    Important to note

    • Always say a prayer of protection before you begin each session

    • Try to write at the same time of day to create a routine for yourself and your guide

    • Spelling, grammar and punctuation don’t matter in automatic writing

    • Automatic writing takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t work straight away

    • If you experience a negative connection or feel uncomfortable put the pen down, breathe deeply and repeat the grounding visualisation. You can also open any nearby windows and/or do a space clearing. Keep in mind that it is optimal to start the session in a tension-free state

    Grounding visualisation

    Sitting on a chair, put both feet flat on the ground. Breathing slowly and deeply, visualise a cord running from the top of your head, through to the base of your spine and down to the centre of the Earth. Feel the energy of the Earth surge up through your entire body via this cord, out of the top of your head and connecting with the Universe above. Visualise a bright, warm, golden light shining down from above and entering through the top of your head. Feel the light filling you through the centre of your body, then out through the base of your spine, down into the centre of the Earth and connecting you to the Earth below.

     


    The Ouija board and poetry 

    The planchette is most commonly associated with the Ouija board or, as it was previously known, the talking board. This form of communicating with spirits has historically inspired many literary works and celebrated writers regardless of the bad press and ill-deserved reputation it has received over time.

    The writings of Sylvia Plath are included among these. Her poem, Ouija, was influenced by the experiments she and Ted Hughes made with a board and, Dialogue over a Ouija Board, written in 1957, also incorporates the text from one of her various sessions.

    A Ouija board was also used by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet James Merrill. The author recorded messages that he claimed were from deceased people. He then combined them with his own poetry and created his 1982 collection, The Changing Light at Sandover. This was published in three installments between 1976 and 1980 and concerned occult communication with angels and spirits.

     

    Famous ‘automaters’

    One of the most prolific automatic writers in history is the Brazilian medium Francisco Chico Xavier, having produced about 100,000 pages of work. Born in 1910, he began his automatic writing in primary school when he won an essay competition, stating that a spirit had written it. Throughout his life, he created many books of scientific and literary quality far beyond his educational abilities, donating all income to charity. Supporters claim the size of his body of work and the diverse range of subject matter and styles were evidence enough of his authenticity.

    Helene Smith, a medium who wrote under the pseudonym of Catherine Elise Muller, was born in Switzerland around 1863. Smith claimed to have been a Hindu princess and Marie Antoinette in past lives. She produced writing in Arabic and what she claimed were the languages of Mars and Uranus, which she then translated into French. This was surrounded by scepticism, yet some investigators supported the claim that the alphabet was indeed extraterrestrial.

    William Stainton Moses, a well-educated and ordained minister in the Church of England, was initially a sceptic. He investigated séances and found himself drawn to automatic writing. He is best known for his books Spirit Teachings (1883) and Spirit Identity (1879). He believed his writings originated from higher spirits and were intended for good.

    More recently, American author Neale Donald Walsch claimed he began automatic writing without realising what it was, after scribbling down a series of angry questions to God, asking why his life wasn’t working out. Walsch was both stunned and surprised that God responded and prompted him to take to the page. Walsch claims he had conversations with God via automatic writing. This resulted in a series of best-selling books called Conversations with God.

     
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    NUMEROLOGY

    Numerology is your story, created through your name and birth date. This ancient knowledge dates back through the ages and can be found within the writings of Hebrew, Indian, Chinese and Egyptian traditions. All you need to gain a very powerful insight is your birth name and birth date. Your Life Path Number is determined by adding up all the numbers in your birth date until you reach a single fi gure, while your Destiny Number is determined by adding the numerical value of your birth name.

    YOUR LIFE PLAN

    You have a unique path through life. Numerology can help you to access some of your deeper wisdom and life choices. We all have the option to live a conscious existence or a life devoid of conscious awareness. Through Numerology you can discover your conscious world and your own individual wisdom. This helps to create a perfect Magic balance in romantic relationships, friendships, career and your relationship with money.

    Numerology using your birthday

    The day you were born is of tremendous significance, it determines the life you are meant to lead. There are no accidents as to the day you were born. Your birth date dictates the energies that make up your unique vibration that we call the real ‘you’. To determine your Life Path Number, add all the numbers in your birth date together until you reach a single fi gure between 1 and 9. For example, to calculate 14th May 1985 you would add 1+4+5+1+9+8+5 = 33, then do 3+3 = 6, giving the result of a Life Path 6.

    Life as a 1 You are very good at creating and accepting new beginnings. When you’re feeling confi dent, you stride ahead with a feisty determination. However, when challenged you suffer a lack of self-esteem, feel selfconscious and struggle to accept your higher self. You need to believe in yourself more – don’t keep your spiritual life a secret. You are at your best when you start a project from the beginning and learn from your mistakes as you go. However, those who are unaware of their innate Number 1 energy can get stuck with a selfi sh outlook and a fi xation on the material world. You can easily balance your life when you put your mind to it. Life lesson for a 1: Learn to manage your spiritual truth to achieve a life of harmony.

    Life as a 2 You are the ideal partner – whether it is in love, friendship or business, you strive for peace and harmony. Disharmony and unpleasant situations disturb you and you seek to calm any troubled waters. You like the finer things in life and love anything beautiful. You sometimes try too hard to please everyone. Your darker energy is moody, undecided, oversensitive and easily incensed. If you do not develop your inner world properly, people might see you as a bit too clingy. Life lesson for a 2: Build harmonious relationships in your life.

    Life as a 3 You are the life and soul of the party. As a great friend, you are fun to be around and can lift the spirits of people who feel down. You learn quickly when something catches your attention but, once you have a good understanding of it, you move on. Full of enthusiasm, you get very excited about things, then fi nd that you suddenly lose interest and move on to something else. However, this energy in its darkness can make you smothering and obsessive. When you have no outlet for your creative talents you sway towards becoming chaotic, disorganised and depressed. To steer clear of this part of your psyche make sure you prepare and get organised. Instant gratifi cation is not the answer! Your greatest happiness comes from feeling loved, by yourself and others. Life lesson for a 3: Let things be.

     
  • prediction magazine

    OGHAM THE TREE ORACLE

    Marion Williamson branches out into the ancient wisdom of the trees to give you magical advice in any situation…

    Ogham is a Celtic alphabet that was used in Ireland and Britain between about the 4th and 7th centuries. While its inscriptions have been found on monuments dotted all around the Irish Sea, the exact origins of the alphabet are not known. It has been suggested that the Irish created it as a secret language used by scholars and druids to keep their thoughts, beliefs and religious rituals a secret from the ruling Christian authorities of Roman Britain.

    The trees named in the Ogham alphabet were frequently used by druids in their magical practices. They believed the trees had a spirit of their own from which they could divine answers to help them in their daily lives. The druids created the Ogham alphabet out of their love and respect for the wisdom of the trees. They knew the trees had such longevity that they would have absorbed knowledge and spiritual appreciation far beyond the druids’ own understanding. Druids, witches and those who studied the trees knew of their healing powers, understanding their properties for curing physical ailments as well as emotional and spiritual ones.

    Each Ogham symbol represents the essence of that particular tree’s wisdom and was used as a powerful talisman, sometimes carved into jewellery or etched into everyday objects. They were also used as a method of fortune telling.

    Make your own Ogham

    Your Ogham symbols should traditionally be made from wood, driftwood or twigs in order to remain true to their magical origins. Once you have a piece of wood for each for use in your oracle (a minimum of 10 is recommended), you should then carve the Ogham symbol into the wood. If this is too diffi cult, drawing on pebbles, glass beads or even cardboard will also do the trick.

    Divination

    Place your new Oghams in a small bag or pouch. Before you ask the Tree Oracle for guidance take a few minutes to quieten your thoughts. Then focus on the situation that you’d like the Ogham to help you with. Draw out a minimum of three Oghams from the bag, then toss them on the floor.

    Those closest to you represent the present, those that fall in the middle are the past and the furthest ones represent your future. To decipher the meaning of each Ogham, follow our guide on the next few pages. But remember that trusting your own intuition is always the most successful way to glean any insight.

    Beith

    Tree – Birch • Month – November • Colour – White • Letter – B• Planet – The Sun • Gemstone – Rock Crystal • Flower – Daisy • Deity – Taliesin
    The Birch symbolises new beginnings, change and transformation. A time to start from scratch and to leave the past behind you. A birth or much-awaited reunion is possible.

    Luis

    Tree – Rowan • Month – December • Colours – Grey, red • Letter – L • Planet- Uranus • Gemstone – Peridot • Flower – Snowdrop • Deity – Brigitania
    Protection, healing and empowerment, you have luck and strength on your side in whatever path you choose to travel. You have an angel watching over everything that you do.

    Fearn

    Tree – Alder • Month – January • Colour – Crimson • Letters – F, V • Planet – Mars • Gemstone – Ruby • Flower – Broom • Deity – Bran or Arthur
    Regeneration. You have the strength to overcome any harsh circumstances and come out fighting. Celebrate how you have changed and adapted to the changes in your life.

    Saille

    Tree – Willow • Month – February • Colours – Bright colours • Letter – S • Planet – The Moon • Gemstone – Moonstone • Flower – Primrose • Deity – Morgan le Fay or the Morrigan
    Your intuition is strong and women are on your side. Trust your emotions, even your powerful feelings have value right now as they remind you that you’re alive.

    Nuin

    Tree – Ash • Month – March • Colour – Green • Letter – N • Planet – Neptune • Gemstone – Coral • Flower – Wood Anemone • Deity – Lir, the sea god and Gwydion The Magician
    This is a powerful sign that you are in tune with the energies of Earth and that you are on the right track. Try not to get distracted from your goals.

    Úath

    Tree – Hawthorn • Month – April • Colour – Purple • Letter – H • Planet – Venus • Gemstone – Topaz • Flower – Wood Sorrel • Deity – Govannan and Olwen the Summer Flower Maiden
    Try not to be judgemental, for there’s more going on than you can see. Be fl exible and you’ll find that the position you are in doesn’t have to be rigid.

    Duir

    Tree – Oak • Month – May • Colour – Black and dark brown • Letter – D • Planet – Jupiter • Gemstone – Diamond • Flower – Coltsfoot • Deity – Dagda
    You have learned an important lesson. Take some time to truly absorb what this means. We often skip on to the next challenge without appreciating what we’ve achieved – not this time!

    Tinne

    Tree – Holly • Month – June • Colour – Dark grey • Letter – T • Planet – Earth • Gemstone – Red Carnelian • Flower – Meadowsweet • Deity – Danu
    Challenges will be overcome. You will move to the next obstacle stronger and with good humour. This is a good time to be with other people, to socialise and appreciate the relationships in your life.

    Coll

    Tree – Hazel • Month – July • Colour – Brown • Letters – C, K • Planet – Mercury • Gemstone – Amethyst • Flower – Vervain • Deity – Ogma and Manannan Mac Lir
    Your dreams and intuition will be very strong, and your psychic impressions extremely accurate. You will give wise counsel if asked for advice by others.

    Muin

    Tree – Vine • Month – August • Colour- Variety • Letter – M • Planet – Venus • Gemstone: Emerald • Flower – Valerian • Deity – Branwen or Guinevere
    Take it easy and relax. Your creativity needs an outlet, so the less tense you are, the more exciting the results. It would be good to take a break.

    Gort

    Tree – Ivy • Month – September • Colour – Sky blue • Letter – G • Planet – The Moon veiling Persephone • Gemstone – Opal • Flower – Woody Nightshade • Deity – Arianrhod
    You need to get together with friends or family as they will provide you with maximum inspiration. A romantic time when a new love interest may appear.

    Gétal

    Tree – Reed • Month – October • Colour – Green • Letters – NG • Planet – Pluto • Gemstone – Jasper • Flower – Watermint • Deity – Pwyll, head of Annwn
    You can lead this situation. Take the reigns and have confidence in your abilities. You have much more to give to life than you realise.

    Ruis

    Tree – Elder • Colour- Red • Letter – R • Planet – Saturn • Gemstone – Jet • Flower – Dandelion • Deity – Pryderi, son of Pwyll
    When difficulties arise you will act with dignity, even if you feel like screaming. Keep cool, calm and dignified and you will win the respect and love of the people that care about you most.

    Quert

    Tree – Apple • Colour – Green • Letter- Q
    It’s decision time. You need to stop dithering and look inside at what is really going on in your heart. You may have a diffi cult choice to make but you’ve procrastinated long enough. Summon all your courage, focus on what you want and make your choice.

    Straif

    Tree – Blackthorn • Colour – Purple • Letters – SS, Z, ST
    Fate has taken over and you’ll just have to sit back and deal with what comes. Although you don’t have to feel helpless in this situation. Remember that wherever you end up after the changes have taken place will be a far better situation for you in the long run.

    Ailm

    Tree – silver fir • Colour – Light blue • Letter – A
    Learn from past mistakes so that you don’t keep running around in circles. You have been here before – what did you do then? What did you learn then that can help you now? The answers are ones you already know, you just need to remember.

    Onn

    Tree – Furze • Colour – Yellow gold • Letter – O
    You are about to come to the end of a long period of searching and will finally discover what you have been looking for all along. Whether this was a conscious or subconscious search, share your inspiration and wisdom with others and you will be richly rewarded.

    Úr

    Tree – Heather, Mistletoe • Colour – Purple • Letter – U
    You have to relax. Stop worrying about something you have no control over. The more anxious you become the less likely you are to find a solution to your problem. Step back, allow yourself some space to get some perspective and let the problem float gently into your mind.

    Eadad

    Tree – White Poplar or Aspen • Colours – Silver and white • Letter – E
    You might bend, but you won’t break. The gift of the gab will save you as will your lightning quick thoughts. At the point where you think you are beyond saving, a moment of pure inspiration will come to you and you will spectacularly rescue you.

    Idad

    Tree – Yew • Colour – Dark Green • Letters – I, J, Y
    Nothing lasts forever and changes are on the way. It may be necessary to grieve for what you need to move away from, give it thanks and then turn to embrace the future. You are starting on the road to wonderful new opportunities, people and places.

    Pín

    Tree – pine • Colours – Deep green and silver • Letters – IA
    You need to clear the air if you have hurt someone’s feelings. You may be feeling guilty and don’t know what course of action to take. The answer will always be to communicate your honest feelings and to show you are truly sorry for any hurt caused.

    Óir

    Tree – Spindle • Colour – White • Letters – TH, OI
    Happiness is within your grasp, tread carefully, don’t push the issue and you will succeed. You’re extremely close to what you want, so don’t interfere or complain. Allow events to unfurl before you without interference and all you’ve wished for will come to you naturally.

    Uillenn

    Tree – Honeysuckle • Colours – Yellow and white • Letters – P, PE, UI
    Make sure your reasons for going down this path are the right ones. Your secrets are not as protected as you might think and others may be able to see what it is you are trying to hide from the spotlight. Always endeavour to act with integrity and love so your soul is pure.

      

  • prediction magazine

    FLOROMANCY

    Jacky Newcomb delves into the magical world of floromancy and shows you how to use flowers and their symbolism to perform spells and see into the future…

    Since ancient times, flowers have been associated with magical and Divine properties. Their appearance and the messages they can bring us make them the perfect tool for fortune telling and magical enchantment. Don’t you long for the days when the gift of flowers was a simple sign of love? These days you’re more likely to be offered a bag of chips and half-a-pint down the pub, but don’t let this put you off. Men have been known to follow big hints when it comes to gifts; and praise goes a long way to a repeat performance. Why not leave this feature lying around in a prominent place? You never know your luck.

    Flowers were one of many different ways that women would ‘tell their fortune’ or look into the future in earlier times. Most women wanted to know who and when they might marry. Years ago, when women didn’t have the opportunity of working outside the home, it was crucial to marry ‘well’. Without a wealthy husband women were doomed to a life of poverty, a life in service (working as a governess or ‘companion’ to a wealthy widow), or one where she relied on moneyed relatives to take care of her. A good marriage (to a wealthy man) was imperative. So, unsurprisingly, one of the most popular uses of floromancy is love divination to find out the state of your love life for the years ahead.

    Floromancy lore

    Gathering psychic insight using flowers is called floromancy, but this also includes the study of leaves, plants, trees, colours, and the time of planting among other things. You’ve probably followed floromancy lore already; I bet you’ve treasured four-leaf clovers you’ve found… seeing as they are meant to bring good luck! Did you also pluck the petals off a daisy one-at-a-time when you were a child? We used to call out, ‘He loves me? He loves me not?’ with each petal. The true answer comes with the final pluck. If you want to dream of your true love, place a bay leaf under your pillow. Holly (maybe by the bedside rather than under the pillow) can be used for the same thing at Christmas. Cultures around the world had their own types of plant divination. Anglo-Saxon folklore suggested that if you offered an expectant mother the choice between a rose and a lily, she would choose a rose if the baby was a girl and a lily if it was a boy.

    In Korea young women worked with carnations to tell their future. Placing three flowers in her hair, she would watch them to see which died first. The top one meant her last years would be hard, the middle ones meant her earlier years would be hard but, if the bottom one died first, it meant her entire life would be hard… not a happy prospect for the future groom. In the East, a young woman would place a petal in her lover’s hand to see if he had been true to her. Hitting the petal with the side of her hand, she listened for the sound it would make. Silence indicated he had been unfaithful.

    Flowers are used by Feng Shui experts to improve energy flow and enhance the energy of our living spaces. Mystics use flowers for metaphysical reasons and homeopaths use them for medicine. They are so important in our waking life that they turn up in dreams, too. Dreaming of flowers can mean many things. Plants/trees that are good omens include; jasmine, lilies, marigolds, oak trees, olive trees, palm trees, thistles, thorns and wormwood. So that you are warned, the plants that are not such good luck include birch, cherry, plum and walnut trees, dandelions and withered roses. If you dream of walnuts it indicates your lover has been unfaithful in traditional divination meanings. Dreams that indicate a long life mainly involve fruit trees. Apricot, apple, fig and grape are all signs of good health. Dreaming of oak (which represents long life in all forms of divination) is also a fantastic omen.

    Magical associations

    Many different plants have magical associations. Use the plants listed here in your spell work: Clover represents wealth and happy romantic partnerships (you may have heard the old saying ‘living in clover’). Raspberry and cucumber plants signify good love affairs. Violets denote success and prosperity. However, the condition of the fl ower is also important. Is your loving red rose wilted? If so this may indicate lack of attention from that someone special in your life. Healthy plants and fl owers in dreams can represent growth and abundance (a literal blossoming); this might be in reference to either current projects or future dreams.

    Mugwort has long been connected to the emotions of women. The dried form of the plant has been used to fi ll herb pillows for magical dreams. Sleeping with the plant in this way can enable you to see into the future and have important spiritual insights. Flowers were also tied up with fairy magic. Another name for clowslip is fairycup. Fairies like hiding in the clowslip bell flowers and, wherever clowslips can be found, you are sure to discover fairy gold nearby. Dandelion clocks (dandelion seed heads) transport our fairy friends. If you blow on a dandelion clock to distribute the seeds you may have a wish in exchange for sending the fairy further on its way

    The elves and pixies like to shelter underneath the fern leaves. Be careful not to crush them when you’re out walking. Legend has it that in Russia, at Midsummer, you should cast out a handful of fern seeds; wherever the seeds fall the fairy gold will be hidden. And, finally, we have the foxglove, the ultimate fairy flower. The Irish called it ‘fairybells’ or ‘fairycup’. The fairies looked favourably on anyone growing this most magical of fl owers and the taller the flower, the better. When important magical (and invisible) folk walk by, the foxglove is said to bow its head in respect.

    Flower psychometry

    Did you know that flowers could speak? They may not have a voice-box, but they can bring you messages just the same. You probably already have a favourite type of flower. What flower would you buy for yourself if money were no object? Flowers have a type of personality don’t they? Daisies are full of innocence, white orchids are exotic and sensual, bright yellow tulips are just fun. Make a list of all of your favourite flowers. What are they telling you just by looking at them? Are they who you are, or who you want to be? Next select a flower. Hold it in your hands and close your eyes. Merge your soul with the energy of the flower and write down what you feel. Spend a few minutes just relaxing and holding the flower; touch it, stroke it, sense it. When you are ready, make a few notes. What is the flower telling you? There are no right or wrong answers, it’s just a learning experience. Practice until you feel comfortable with the experience. Have a go with friends and then compare notes afterwards. Maybe you could read for each other.

    Secret messages in the flowers

    We all know that a ready-prepared bunch of flowers from the local garage is not the same as blooms selected and hand-wrapped from the exclusive flower shop in town. Yet the gift of a single rose plucked by the hand of your lover is worth even more than a whole bunch from the fl orist down the road. Each flower has its own special meaning. The meaning of the red rose has stayed true, but over the years different flowers have been appropriate in different situations. Calla lilies have been used as both wedding and funeral flowers; they symbolise resurrection and rebirth. Wreaths are often used at funerals, but are just as appropriate hanging on the door at Christmas. Laurel and rosemary branches are frequently used in funeral wreaths; both mean remembrance and honour.

    Flower etiquette at these times is important. Many religions accept funeral fl owers as an expression of love during the grieving period, but Hindu funerals do not traditionally have flowers as part of the funeral ritual. Mormons don’t accept flower crosses and in Judaism you don’t send the flowers until after the funeral and, even then, only as a gift for the family rather than part of the funeral service itself. White flowers would be acceptable at the funeral of a Christian funeral, but not welcome by Muslims or Orthodox Jews. And finally, don’t send a Buddhist red flowers; thank goodness your local florist or funeral director can advise on these things because none of this is set in stone and ‘traditional ideas’ change all the time.

    In Victorian England things were even more complicated. Some say women had far too much time on their hands then – individual flowers had specific meanings and a whole secret message could be sent to your lover in a bunch of flowers. The language of flowers is called floriography. A tussie-mussie or ‘nosegay’ is the name given to a small bunch of flowers, which was given as a love gift. During medieval times they were carried around to mask unpleasant smells (both from the body and inside the home). They were created literally to keep the nose gay (that is, happier without the unpleasant smells). During Queen Victoria’s reign they were also a fashion accessory and bouquets would often include the symbolism and hidden meanings shown in the chart on the right.

    Flowers have magical meanings and are also used in spells. These can be done for all sorts of purposes and often stem from society’s use of flowers. For example, we often give gifts of flowers for celebrations; we send them along with our ‘good wishes’; they are used as gifts for weddings, engagements, birthdays, new births and funerals; we hand them over as thank-yous, get-well-soons and goodbyes. We work with ‘spells’ almost instinctually by following these age-old rituals along with the giving of a gift, eg, a card with special greeting words inside or the blowing out candles on a birthday cake (candle magic). What magical rituals do you follow at home? For the simplest form of flower magic, try placing a vase with a single bloom next to the photograph of a loved one. You don’t even need to say any words because the act of adding the flower is powerful enough to send your love to the person in the photograph – of course you can always say, “I love you,” each time you pass the picture if you want to. Flowers can bring good luck, especially if you wear or display the flower of your birth month (see right). As you might expect they have divination meanings, too.

     
     
  • prediction magazine

    TASSEOMANCY

    Could Tasseomancy be your cup of tea? With tea leaf reading making a welcome resurgence, Anna Bailey warms the pot and tries her hand at this ancient divinatory art…

    The word Tasseomancy comes from the French ‘tasse’ (cup) plus the Greek suffi x ‘-mancy’ (divination). Other names for tea leaf reading include ‘cup reading’, Tasseography (literally ‘cup writing’), and Tasseology (‘cup knowledge’). It’s a method of divination based on the interpretation of symbols formed by tea to predict a person’s fortune. The reader analyses the patterns, shapes and symbols that the wet leaves form in the cup, interpreting their meanings either literally or symbolically to gain an insight into the life of the person having the reading – called the seeker.

    History of Tasseomancy

    The idea of reading a cup for signs of the future has been part of the cultural history of many countries for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It has roots in ancient Greece (where they practised Kottovos, using wine), the Middle East (where coffee ground reading – casseomancy – was common) and, of course, the homeland of tea, China.

    In 1899, an American writer named John Hanley referred to “Figures and Signs as Interpreted by Our Grandmothers,” suggesting tea leaf reading dates back to the early 19th century. Indeed, it’s thought the custom spread throughout Europe in the mid-1800s with nomadic gypsies, who travelled from town to town practising their art. The method also has ties with Irish and Scottish history. In 1922, Telling Fortunes By Tea Leaves by Cicely Kent noted, “It is a very favourite method of The Highlanders where it customary for the ‘guid wife’ to read in her cup of tea at breakfast the events she may look for during the day.”

    Although the earliest record of tea appeared in China in 350BC, it wasn’t introduced to the West until 1610, when Dutch traders imported ‘chai’ from Java. At the time, it was a commodity only the wealthy could afford. But by the late 18th century, it’s estimated that more tea was smuggled into Britain than was brought in legally. This made it affordable for all of society and tea drinking soon became integral to everyday life. Traditionally, the women of the family would practise tea leaf reading, often at gatherings of family and friends.

    During the Victorian era, tea leaf reading became a popular parlour game. As women mo

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