If a distinction is to be made between divination and fortune-telling, divination has a formal setting or ritual and social character, usually in a religious context; while fortune-telling is a more everyday practice for personal purposes or gain. Divination has been a traditional practice for Samhain since ancient days, this practice has taken many forms as the centuries have elapsed, todays most popular method is scrying.

Scrying or crystal gazing is the occult practice of using a medium, most commonly a reflective surface or translucent body, to aid perceived psychic abilities such as clairvoyance. The media often used to "see" are water, polished precious stones, crystal balls, or black mirrors. When one stares into the media for a long period of time, he may receive visions of various nature. Scrying has been used in many cultures as a means of seeing the past, present, or future; in this sense scrying constitutes a form of divination or fortune-telling and is quite popular during Samhain and one that you are more than welcome to try on your own at any time of year.

However you can learn more about scrying and divination in general on our page of Divination, below I am including some instructions for traditional Samhain divination or scrying methods.

1. If you peel an apple all in one piece on Samhain night and allow it to fall to the ground unaided, it will spell out the initials of your future mate.


2. Hang an apple from a string with a coin pushed deep inside and try to bite out the coin without using your hands. Succeed, and your pockets will be full throughout the coming year.


3. If you walk backward into a dark room while looking into a mirror and eating an apple at the same time, you will see your future mate's face in the mirror's reflection.

Hazelnuts were tossed into divination patterns by the Druids and then buried to honor the old gods: Draw a small circle about one foot in diameter on the ground in front of you. Take thirteen nuts and shake them around in your cupped hands, or a special cup with your hand covering the mouth, while concentrating on your question.

Gently toss the nuts in front of you. Those that land directly in the circle have the most bearing on you. If more land in the circle than out of it, you have a right to be concerned about the question you asked. Study the nuts for patterns which you can interpret.

For example, if the nuts are all pointing in one direction this could be an indication of a direction you need to take your problem. If they appear in the form of a familiar object, use that information to apply to your question. Occasionally they might fall to appear as letters of the alphabet which you can relate to your question.

Four plates having been set down on a table, water was poured into one, a ring placed on another, some clay in the third, and in the fourth was placed either some straw, salt, or meal. A person would then be blindfolded and led up to he table, and into whichever plate he or she placed their hand, so would their future turn out.

The water signified migration, the ring marriage, the clay death, and the fourth plate prosperity. On re-arranging the order of the plates, others would be blindfolded and led up in like manner.

Scrying is the art of gazing into an object while focusing your mind on one particular question or issue. The objects used usually have reflective surfaces, such as mirrors, water, or crystals. To scry, focus your mind on one issue or question and soften your focus or gaze - but do not stare - into the surface of the object. After some time, visions should form. These may come either as entire scenarios played out with all the detail of a high-tech movie, or they may be only symbols that you will have to interpret for yourself.

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