Have you ever asked yourself that question? I know I have.
When I was learning the Tarot, fortune telling was talked about as one of the most evil practices known to man. Not only was it a bad thing, but it was degrading the true purpose of Tarot. Ah, but divination was different. That was a good thing. That was something that only true Tarot readers did; those elite Tarot readers who wouldn’t dare debase themselves with the gypsy practice of fortune telling.
If you were like me, you would have asked yourself, “what exactly is the difference here?”
Now I know times have changed and people don’t think about, or write about Tarot in the same they did when I was learning but still, fortune telling is not a word Tarot readers want to use at a Tarot Convention.
I once did an experiment where I advertised myself as a Fortune Teller and then, after a month or so, I switched to diviner. If I’m honest, I did this for financial reasons. I wanted to find out if the difference between these two words would generate more income. Or, as a side benefit, would I prefer to read for one group over the other. Perhaps the Fortune-Teller group would be easier (that was my reasoning anyway) to read for than the Divination group?
Sadly, the differences were none existent. As much as that disappointed me, it did raise the question, “does the distinction only matter to people who study Tarot?”
The Quiz
Here’s the question:
- What do you think the differences between Divination and Fortune telling are?
- Is there one?
- If not, why do people prefer to use one term over the other?
- Does the concept of Free-Will, or Free-Choice (to quote Arthur Waite) make a difference? Does it influence which term we use?
- Is Divination the more politically correct term for the same things as Fortune-Telling?
I’d love to know what your thoughts are on this one. I’ll see you in the comments!
One last thing, you may be pleased to know that nowadays I simply advertise myself as a Tarot reader 
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25 comments… Let's discuss
Well I try to stay away from “Fortune Telling” since I like people to create their own Fortunes. But, coming from Southern California, the ‘Dude’ capital of the world; I will still refer to myself as “the Dude of Divination”. Mainly to stand apart from the “Daughters of Divination” up in San Francisco. Plus it is some what silly, and gives people a laugh.
Hi Fred,
Love the name – Dude of Divination!
Glad you liked the post!
1. Depends on who you ask. A non-tarot person probably would see know real difference. In the tarot community, it seems to me that divination means an interactive reading where the querent is given advice on how to achieve their goals (that’s a very simplistic way of putting it, I realize) and that fortune telling is a way to sap people’s will, take away their power, and make them dependent pawns (again, overly simplistic and kind of silly).
2. Is there? Depends on who you ask. Are you asking me?
I think you are. I don’t think there really is…they both amount to readings. The information given and the way it is given will vary from reader to reader. I think most of us readers acknowledge that there are some things in our lives that we cannot change (that will happen or that we will experience) and that there are things we can change and are in control of. The ratio of time spent on those two is what varies (well, one thing that varies).
3. It’s the connotation that is mostly important to other readers rather than clients. One is more descriptive (reads the situation and what is likely to happen) and one is more prescriptive (providing advice for the client).
4. I suppose how much weight we put on the importance of Free Will would. However, not always. I believe very much in the importance of free will. I also believe that my clients are aware of their own free will and power. What they want from me, mostly, is information so that they can make their own decisions. They are not interested in my judgment of their situation or actions (past, present, or future).
5. Divination is of course the politically correct term. It has been for some time. But I think though that interest (even among readers) is shifting. It seems that readers are becoming more interested in learning how to read the probable future more clearly. Not to abandon the idea of “empowering” clients, but in order to provide a more balanced reading. How can you tell someone whether or not they should bring an umbrella if you don’t first have a forecast?
Well that was fun! Thanks!
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Some great points here!
My favorite line is, “How can you tell someone whether or not they should bring an umbrella if you don’t first have a forecast?”
I remember listening to a radio show (Beyond Worlds) were you mentioned the changing trends of Tarot – from a publishers perspective. Very interesting, and reading point 5 reminded me of this – which is cool because that reflects my approach to Tarot, and perhaps most others also?
Great comment, and I enjoyed reading your points. My own approach is to predict first, and then introduce a level of interaction. Could this be a blending of Fortune-Telling and Divination? Perhaps, but I don’t like to lean to heavily into the, “What are your thoughts on this card” side of things.
Thanks for dropping by
I think, in modern terms at least, the only real difference between fortune-telling and divination are the associations with the words. Divination is derived from the word divine, hence the heavens, the universe etc., and has a good association. Fortune-telling has a colourful past, but is spoken of in the bible as the devil’s work and therefore has a bad or negative association, subliminaly at least.
Fortune-telling is a term that seems to be on the wane in the industry itself, except perhaps for some psychic chat lines. The new modern, and more acceptable word for fortune-telling is surely predictive or prediction. Same thing really, but has a better ring to it, predictive tarot.
In my mind, both divination and fortune-telling (predictions, or, predictive tarot) amount to the same thing with the main difference being how we treat the word outcome and our use of the word the as the definitive article.
I’ve recently been reading Arthur Waites’ Pictorial Key to the Tarot, and he does seem to pour scorn on the act of fortune-telling, preferring to use the word divination, and yet, his Celtic Cross has card number 6 (the modern day Immediate Future) as what is before him, and card number 10 as what will come – both clearly predictive. It doesn’t say might or likely to, it says is and will – both clear and definitive words.
No-one seeks to disempower their client with forcing on them the (only?) outcome, but it seems to me that just by seeking to find the direction things are headed in, is still making a prediction based on the cards in front of you. The reader is still making a call as to what’s happening next, whether they soften that with likely or not, they are still making a prediction, or, telling a fortune.
I think what is often forgotten is that the fortune told isn’t always filled with gold and that even an unfortunate telling is still offering a choice as to what to do next, to follow a course of action that may lead you to that vision, or away from it; and as the client, you can still take it or leave it, as far as the prediction is concerned. Like I did with the nice tarot reader a few years back – no I didn’t get remarried at 40, nor did I want to, but I sure hope I live to be 84
Hi Catherine,
I agree with everything you said. I particularly like:
My style of reading is to make the predictions as early as possible. At the start of the reading, I talk about things most definitely in a predictive sense, and then, once I feel it’s the right timing (every reading has a different dynamic to it so I just play it by ear), I introduce choice. From that point onwards my readings become interactive. From this perspective I certainly agree that Tarot readers (in general) don’t seek to deliberately disempower their clients, but whatever approach they take they do predict outcomes – I think this point is a very important to understand and I’m glad you shared it with us.
Thanks for stopping by
The difference is negligible I think – it’s all in the semantics. On one level, “divination” implies free will, the association in my mind is for example someone divining water – it’s kind of like probing or mapping. However, I’m pretty sure that in the more religious sections of the community it would be as heinous a term as fortune telling which to me implies some ineffable fate and carries with it a greater polarity and dynamic… the word “fortune” is extremely evocative. Out of the two I prefer “fortune teller” in a way because it has a sense of drama to it. It’s balls out and has a sense of adventure to me.
I don’t really call myself anything other than a Tarot reader – because I don’t want people to have too high expectations of me… I guess with some kind of dusty cloak that concealed my face and an exotic accent I too could be a fortune teller (!). I think an entertaining tarot reading and a useful and accurate tarot reading arn’t mutually exclusive.
Hi Chris,
Great comment. You’ve made some excellent points and I’m glad you stopped by to share your thoughts on this.
I couldn’t agree more, and in my humble opinion, that is exactly the balance you strike with your Tarot readings (which I’ve been lucky enough to experience – a little bit of drama, mixed in with a good dose of realism and accuracy).
…just wanted to add that sometimes a challenge to free will is what actually invokes it. You’re a great example of this.
Thank you
Very awesome questions! I think it boils down to personal preference really. I see this sort of thing all over the place, especially here in the USA. I know a lot of Native Americans who prefer to be called “Indians”, and there are about a million other examples I can use. I actually prefer the term “fortune telling” because I like the gypsy-esque/carnival mystery that surrounds tarot. But I may be biased, because my style of tarot reading has nothing to do with advice-giving, it’s purely for entertainment value. I think many readers prefer the term “divination” because it lends an air of legitimacy to their craft, which is understandable. But the very word “divination” is synonymous with “fortune telling, prophesy, foretelling, soothsaying”. So they are, by definition, one and the same.
Hi Dan,
I’m drawn to that as well, though if my clients come to me for some entertainment, I’m sure they would be sorely disappointed!
But I think they do appreciate (as Chris mentioned a few comments back) a sense of fortune-telling drama, mixed in with accuracy, realism and options. For the clients I work with, introducing some choices is vital to the success of the reading, but I’m sure they wouldn’t like them as much if I just kept it to a purely interactive experience.
I agree. Although the history of the two words started life with a different meaning, I do question whether or not that distinction is valid now?
Thanks for the great comment, I’m glad you dropped by to share it with us
For those of you who don’t know, Dan has a FaceBook app called Politically Incorrect Tarot Readings which is awesome fun and reminds me (and hopefully others) not to take ourselves so seriously. It also introduces a little taste of the Drama that a fortune-telling reading can introduce – thank you Dan!
Hey Doug, thanks for the plug! I was thinking about it, and perhaps another reason why I personally prefer the other term is because maybe a part of me is still not confident completely, so it’s easier for me to fall back on a good disclaimer of “for entertainment purposes only”. It’s a chicken thing to do I think, and I doubt I would do that if someone came to me with a serious problem, but it’s pretty easy to use that as an exit strategy. I would probably use the term “diviner” or “divination” if I were doing it more professionally.
Hi Dan,
That’s a good thing. An earlier quiz that I did here discussed a lot of interesting ethical issues that every Tarot reader faces. Namely, “what questions am I prepared to answer, and what questions am I not.” The overall feeling was that having a disclaimer would protect the Tarot reader legally. From that perspective, I think your approach shows good sense. As far as confidence goes, that is something that comes with time. And believe me, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been reading, you’ll always get caught out with a difficult question.
Thanks for dropping by
1. What do you think the differences between Divination and Fortune telling are?
Divination and fortunetelling have a common goal, predicting the future. Divination however is more open to possibilities for use. Fortune telling is just telling you what is going to happen without any advice or tips.
2. Is there one?
There is a difference.
3. If not, why do people prefer to use one term over the other?
Even if there is no difference in our field don’t like the word fortune telling because it brings up images of Ms. Cleo, frauds, not using tarot to its fullest ability,
4. Does the concept of Free-Will, or Free-Choice (to quote Arthur Waite) make a difference? Does it influence which term we use?
Fortune telling removes you from the equation and basically says this will happen you can’t stop it. Divination based on what form can allow room for free will , by giving advice.
5. Is Divination the more politically correct term for the same things as Fortune-Telling?
It is a preferred term within the community, outside people won’t care because they don’t know the difference. They will assume it’s the same and still want a fortune telling reading regardless.
I do not like to use the word fortune teller on my site, it bring up to my mind the whole Ms. Cleo or any neon sign reader. I don’t want clients to think I am the kind of reader you go to and I will tell you that you will meet a tall dark man in 2 months his name is James and you will marry him and have 3 kids. That’s fortune telling and I don’t do that. I feel if we could put one term above the other in a classification system Divination would be top with Fortune telling a sub group of tradition that you can use divination for. Divination does not automatically imply empowering readings or any of the kinds of readings we practice today. It simply means communing with the divine.
Hi Angelo,
It’s interesting the way one is associated with fraud, whilst the other is not. From that perspective, I can definitely see the need for people to make the distinction. I think what interests me most is not the fact that both terms can be defined as predicting future events, but how one term became associated with fraud whilst the other hasn’t.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your views
Hey Douglas,
Another provocative post. I agree with Barbara’s views above but I have to say I love Chris Healey’s line: “Out of the two I prefer “fortune teller” in a way because it has a sense of drama to it. It’s balls out and has a sense of adventure to me.”.
That made me laugh out loud and I share the sentiment! Why not take back the term fortune teller and make it a positive thing?
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Great idea! We should reclaim the term!
Hi Douglas,
Whats the difference between divination/fortune telling?
I would think not much since both would mean tapping of a source which is beyond our immediate consciousness.
We in India are so used to fortune telling (and quite keenly too) thats its actually an easier phrase to use. Fortune telling here is quite common through astrology, parrot picking a card for you, palmistry etc. and usually people will quite enthusiastically go with you.
Infact I have to stress the other way round (also I personally believe it too). Tarot/any other means of fortune telling… “tells us is the most likely future given our current set of beliefs and actions. By changing these, we have the ability to change our future”
Hi Tarotfaith,
Fascinating! It’s interesting how different cultures view these terms differently. Good point!
Giving people options is an important part of a Tarot reading. It doesn’t make the reading, but without it … something feels like it’s lacking.
Hi Douglas,
I find the short conversation goes something like this:
“Hi, I’m a TAROT CARD READER.”
“Oooooh, really? A fortune teller?”
“Yes.” (sighs)
My own humble experience suggests that the term “divination” stays relatively within the Tarot community. And honestly, I believe that when the general public uses the term “fortune teller,” they actually keep their expectations lower. If the reader scores, awesome. If the reader completely befuddles them with incoherent generalities, well, they knew that stuff was fake anyhoo.
Hi Robby,
That’s sound logic and a great reality check for anyone who starts thinking that a Tarot reader is perceived as anything other than a fortune teller.
LOL well said!
This is an older post, but I never took the quiz.
1. What do you think the differences between Divination and Fortune telling are?
Divination sounds more pretentious — hey, I’m not a two-bit Romani wannabe, I divine the will of the Eternal!
2. Is there one?
When it comes to discussion, yes. Based on what I’ve seen discussed in large tarot communities online, divination is associated with readings that are empowering by being largely psychological and look to counsel the sitter (a term that seems to also be preferred over client) in making himself a better person. Fortune-telling is the Miss Cleo scam, to borrow from Angelo above.
I don’t think fortune-telling should be viewed this way. And I am bothered by readers who think “will he come back to me?” is a useless question that MUST be rephrased into something like, “what can I do to become more loveable?” It implies we know best for the querent, and maybe the querent really needs to ask the first question and receive a big, fat NO in order to get unstuck.
And I know too many professional, ethical readers who have good success with these “fortune telling” questions to not admire them and their professional aplomb.
3. If not, why do people prefer to use one term over the other?
I think the preference exists either way. The terms become a way to say, “I’m not a scam artist” versus “I could be a scam artist.”
4. Does the concept of Free-Will, or Free-Choice (to quote Arthur Waite) make a difference? Does it influence which term we use?
It doesn’t make a difference to me in which term we use, as I believe free will can come into play. We can’t avoid every disaster, but we can at least be prepared. Not unlike the weather forecast, to use a common argument.
5. Is Divination the more politically correct term for the same things as Fortune-Telling?
Definitely, although I think it includes deeper workings with a client.
I think we should be able to predict AND empower the client, helping them to know what’s coming and enable them to manage or cope with it.
Doug,
Great site!
I have studied the Tarot off and on for more than 8 years now, still each new reading gives me goosebumps.
I have also studied astrology, but gave it up because astrology is sort of a dead end – (where are the outcome is concerned), precisely what you have been saying.
I now explain to clients that Tarot is a guide and not a set of final outcomes. With Tarot, one has the choice of how you can live your life, ex. Death- be prepared for change, you may not be able to avoid change but you can certainly combat it in the best way possible.
Thanks again for your great articles and tips.
Divination is based ONLY on thing that are in existing on in the past.
It is NOT future telling( it does not work for that )
Fortune telling is only about telling what is going to happy in the future.
The Bible forbids it,but divination was used by Joseph.