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Beschreibung

A global history of divination practices and tools, from tea leaves and tarot cards to pyromancy and palmistry

Throughout history, humans have aspired to explain the unexplainable, to understand phenomena beyond our control, and to peer into the future. In this captivating book, Owen Davies explores the global history of divination practices that seek to answer questions that range from the philosophical and metaphysical to the romantic and personal. Davies frames divination as a diverse array of activities that overlap with art and science. He emphasizes the artistry and craft of divination practices, which often require tools and manuals; these objects are at the heart of the book, accompanied by an exploration of the techniques of foretelling the future and revealing the unknown.

Organized into six thematic groups-observing the natural world; making patterns; communicating with gods and spirits; signs from the human body and mind; looking to the heavens; and chance and calculation-Art of Divination allows readers to see connections between different ages and places. From the Romans looking to the flight of birds, to Renaissance tarot cards, and to modern-day fortune cookies, Davies reveals the timeless desire to transcend the human condition and the wide and varied practices that people have devised to do so.

A global history of divination practices and tools, from tea leaves and tarot cards to pyromancy and palmistry

Throughout history, humans have aspired to explain the unexplainable, to understand phenomena beyond our control, and to peer into the future. In this captivating book, Owen Davies explores the global history of divination practices that seek to answer questions that range from the philosophical and metaphysical to the romantic and personal. Davies frames divination as a diverse array of activities that overlap with art and science. He emphasizes the artistry and craft of divination practices, which often require tools and manuals; these objects are at the heart of the book, accompanied by an exploration of the techniques of foretelling the future and revealing the unknown.

Organized into six thematic groups-observing the natural world; making patterns; communicating with gods and spirits; signs from the human body and mind; looking to the heavens; and chance and calculation-Art of Divination allows readers to see connections between different ages and places. From the Romans looking to the flight of birds, to Renaissance tarot cards, and to modern-day fortune cookies, Davies reveals the timeless desire to transcend the human condition and the wide and varied practices that people have devised to do so.

Über den Autor

Owen Davies is professor in history at the University of Hertfordshire and an expert in the history of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and popular medicine from the ancient world to the modern era. His many books include Art of the Grimoire: An Illustrated History of Magic Books and Spells.

Details
Erscheinungsjahr: 2026
Fachbereich: Tarot, Lebensdeutung, Orakel
Genre: Importe
Produktart: Nachschlagewerke
Rubrik: Esoterik & Anthroposophie
Medium: Buch
Inhalt: Einband - fest (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 9780300282511
ISBN-10: 0300282516
Sprache: Englisch
Einband: Gebunden
Autor: Davies, Owen
Hersteller: Yale University Press
Verantwortliche Person für die EU: Libri GmbH, Europaallee 1, D-36244 Bad Hersfeld, gpsr@libri.de
Abbildungen: 200 color + b-w illus.
Maße: 250 x 195 x 29 mm
Von/Mit: Owen Davies
Erscheinungsdatum: 25.08.2026
Gewicht: 1,064 kg
Artikel-ID: 136239959