Quick Specs
·Brand/Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
·Type: Paperback book
·Size/Quantity: Approx. 224 pages with appendices, glossary, and bibliography
·Best for: Beginners exploring divination methods, students wanting a broad survey before specializing
A Survey of Divination Methods for New Practitioners
Scott Cunningham was one of Llewellyn's most respected and widely read authors, best known for his books on herbalism and Wicca. This title, published posthumously in 2003, brings his characteristically accessible and non-dogmatic voice to the subject of divination. Rather than focusing deeply on one method, Cunningham covers a wide range of systems, giving readers a meaningful introduction to each so they can identify which approaches resonate before investing further.
The book opens with a grounding perspective on what divination is and what it can realistically offer. Cunningham argues that the real value lies in planning and course correction rather than fixed prediction, which is a useful framework for beginners who might otherwise approach divination with either excessive skepticism or uncritical reliance. This philosophical foundation sets a practical tone that carries through the entire book.
Methods Covered
The range is genuinely broad: tarot, I Ching, crystal gazing, palmistry, runes, scrying, pendulum dowsing, astrology, numerology, sand divination, water gazing, and more. Each section includes practical getting-started instructions alongside enough history and context to make the method feel coherent. Cunningham writes in his characteristic style, almost like a collection of well-told folk stories that happen to be instructional. It's a format that works especially well for survey-style books because the variety of tone and approach keeps the reading moving.
How to Use Divination for Beginners
Use this book to survey divination methods, choose one to develop, and build a consistent practice with Cunningham's guidance.
The Tarot Fellow Standard
I carry this book because Cunningham earns his reputation as an introductory author. He doesn't oversell any single