What is Divination?

The short answer:
Divination is the act of communication with the Divine source.

How is this different from prayer?

Kinda like using a beeper is not the same as making a phone call.

Prayer is an act of ritual; sometimes a statement or phrase or even free verse thoughts which serve to affirm ones beliefs, devotion etc; a one way out-reach TO the Creator, deity or ancestor.

Divination is a two way conversation between the querist and the Divine Source.

It is for the most part a simple process: A question is followed by an answer, via a device which represents the oracular symbolism (such as cowry shells, yarrow stalks, coins, dice, cards, rocks, leaves, bones etc.) or person in mediumistic trance with a divinity.

In the case of a device a good oracle will use as its source of revelation a cosmogony (a way to view all aspects of life which can be abstracted to evaluate events, phenomenon, behavior and physiological correspondences).

An oracle reads the life-force of the querist, thus determining his strengths weaknesses, coping abilities, adaptability and more then reveals the underlying hidden forces and shaping factors of behaviors and events.

Not all oracles are as sophisticated as stated above. Some oracles give simply a Yes or No or some rudimentary counsel which may be abstracted to the circumstance on some level. While the 'higher'; more spiritually useful oracles include in a reading the divine agents to be invoked to affect the outcome of the situation of inquiry. A process that is nothing less than miraculous!

After working with an oracle on relevant matters of living (not just secular queries) in short time you’ll come to understand what it means to know beyond the shadow of doubt that there IS an all knowing Supreme Being that is counseling you, providing you with challenges and leading you toward growth. In this way there is PROOF of something Divine to put ones faith in, rather, than blind faith, hope and mere belief (which in itself implies uncertainty). When the keynotes of the symbols are visible in the details of the events and behaviors as they play out, even if it was a negative reading, there is always a sense of wonder as it was/ is an event foretold.

Oracles, if used properly can be a miraculous tool which connects one to the wisdom aspect of The Supreme Being. However, not every answer received through just any ole oracular device is to be trusted as divine. There is a hierarchy of spiritual agents governing all things, oracles included. It is not difficult to ascertain the 'level' of the oracle. One that gives counsel on earthly and mundane matters would be a lesser oracle by virtue of how it handles the querist. Does it teach him; send him on a road of SELF help, growth and discovery? Or does it merely inform him? Higher oracles such as the Metu Neter, I Ching and Ifa exist as life coaches to aid an individual with reaching his highest spiritual potential. Of course this end will be determined by how one uses the oracle. One must ask ones person 'Am I seeking to be merely informed? Or am I seeking to know my self?'