A global history of occult practices and tools, from tea leaves and tarot cards to fire astrology and palmistry
Throughout history, humans have sought to explain the inexplicable, understand phenomena beyond their control, and anticipate the future. In this captivating book, Owen Davies explores the global history of occult practices that seek to answer questions ranging from the philosophical to the metaphysical to the romantic and the personal.Davies presents astrology as a variety of activities that intersect with art and science. It emphasizes the technical and craftsmanship of astrological practices, which often require tools and manuals; These tools are the core of the book, accompanied by an exploration of techniques for predicting the future and uncovering the unknown.The Art of Divination is divided into six thematic groups – observing the natural world; making patterns; Communication with gods and spirits; Signals from the human body and mind; looking at the sky; and coincidence and calculation – allowing readers to see the connections between different eras and places.
