WSC '25 (the Futurity pt3)

What is divination?

It is the practice of gaining hidden knowledge or insight, often about the future, through supernatural or spiritual means.

When and where did divination begin?

It dates back to around 2000 BC in Mesopotamia, China, Egypt, and other regions.

Why was divination sometimes banned in history?

For religious or political reasons, although it continued and evolved, especially within Christianity.

What is an omen?

A sign from the gods or universe that foretells something.

What is an oracle?

An answer to a question, often from a divine or spiritual source.

What is natural divination?

Divination that involves visions or direct messages to the person.

What is artificial divination?

Divination using tools, techniques, or symbols interpreted by the reader.

What are oracle bones?

Ancient tools used in the Shang Dynasty where turtle shells or ox bones were inscribed and heated to receive spiritual answers.

What is Comparative Horoscopy?

A WSC-made term combining horoscopes and comparative astrology to compare relationships using celestial data.

What is a horoscope?

A chart showing the position of the Sun, Moon, and planets at a specific time, often used for astrological predictions.

What is comparative astrology?

A method of comparing birth charts to predict compatibility between people.

What is haruspicy?

Divination by inspecting animal organs (especially livers) for divine signs, used in Ancient Rome.

What is ornithomancy?

Divination by observing bird behavior, such as flight and chirping, used in Ancient Greece and Rome.

What is alectryomancy?

Divination using roosters pecking at grain shaped into letters to spell messages.

What is pyro-osteomancy?

Another term for using oracle bones: heating bones and interpreting cracks caused by thermal expansion.

What is oneiromancy?

Divination using dreams or visions during sleep to gain future insight.

What are oneirogen plants?

Special plants used to induce dream-like states for oneiromancy.

What is bibliomancy?

Divination using books, usually sacred ones, by randomly selecting and interpreting passages.

What is hydromancy?

Divination using water's appearance, such as ripples or reflections, sometimes for inducing trances.

What is astragalomancy?

Divination using marked dice to spell messages or interpret outcomes.

What is scyphomancy?

Divination using a cup or goblet, reading patterns in liquid or reflections.

What is astrology?

The belief that celestial bodies influence human behavior and destiny.

Why is astrology considered pseudoscience?

It lacks empirical proof and has been discredited by the scientific method.

Why did divination become more popular during COVID-19?

Gen Z, especially in hard times, turned to spiritual tools for comfort and self-growth.

What is the Barnum effect?

The tendency to believe vague, general statements apply uniquely to oneself.

What is a Barnum statement?

A general phrase like "you often doubt yourself" that feels personal but applies to many.

What is the Pygmalion effect?

People perform better when others have high expectations of them.

What is cold reading?

A technique using vague statements and observing reactions to guess personal information.

What is hot reading?

A method where the reader uses previously gathered background info to sound insightful.

What is a rainbow ruse?

A statement that covers both positive and negative traits so that everyone feels it applies to them.

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to only seek or believe information that aligns with your existing beliefs.

How does confirmation bias affect belief in divination?

It makes people focus on readings that seem accurate and ignore those that don't fit.

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?

A prediction that comes true because someone believes in it and acts accordingly.

What is a self-defeating prophecy?

When someone disproves a prediction by taking action against it.

What is a self-fulfilling irony?

When someone tries to prevent a prophecy but their actions end up causing it.