Divination is a traditional practice among Wiccans, even though this traditional character must not lead us to think it's a widespread practice that every adept does. As I mentioned regarding magick, it is not necesary to use it to be wicca.

Two of the most usual methods of divination used among wiccans are the runes in their different forms and Tarot. Of this last one, there are a multitude of different decks available, making it certain anybody wishing to start using it will find one to their content.

There are several more methods, from the most known like palmistry, oniromancy (dream interpretation), I-Ching (milenary chinese oracle where coins or small twigs are used to get the reading), or radiestesy (using a pendulum or divination rod) to more exotic ones like reading tea leaves, coffee remains, or interpreting omens based on birds flying by, very much like the legends Rome's fundation with Romulo, Remo and the vultures.

Even though they're apparently different, each of them are based on centering the perception on an object external to the reader. You could say that those objects, wether cards, runes or birds, act as reflex and amplifiers to the natural foresight of the subject. Another posibility leads us to consider jungian theory of synchronicity, with explanations that far exceed the goals of this page. Let us just say that it talks about the "significative coincidences" that start the moment we want to consult any method.

When talking about Tarot, the availability of different decks right now is so wide that you can safely say there is one for every taste and need. From mythical animals and revisions from different cultural points of view, religions or artisitical trends, to the particular visions of diferent artists.

But my idea is not to review the available decks. Such a task is to all avail imposible nowadays, even though there are some pages on the web where we can find a wide selection that can probably help us decide if we're considering the purchase of a Tarot deck to start our path into the divination arts.

My recomendation falls, without doubt, in the deck known as Rider-Waite. The deck was published for the first time in 1903 with a conceptual design by Arthur Waite, a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn. The drawings were done by Pamela Colman Smith, also a member of the order, and who was supposed to draw in a state of trance. The first impression you receive of them is a bit flat and almost boring, but there is an edition called "Universal Waite" that was recoloured, resulting in a much more attractive deck. There is an excelent book published into two volumes for those who want to embeb themselves into Tarot and the particularities of the Rider-Waite deck, called "Seventy eight degrees of Wisdom", and written by Rachel Pollack. For more information, or related books, I suggest you go through the corresponding section under Bibliography.

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