Divination

The Shang Dynasty believed in divination and dualism in nature. This means that they thought they could predict the future through supernatural causes and that nature was divided into two polar opposites. During the time they reigned, the people of the Shang Dynasty thought they could…

of view, they all are forms of idolatry (shirk). As Muslims, our celebrations should be ones that honor and uphold our faith and beliefs. How can we worship only Allah, the Creator, if we participate in activities that are based in pagan rituals, divination, and the spirit world? Many people participate in these celebrations without even understanding the history and the pagan connections, just because their friends are doing it, their parents did it ("it's a tradition!"), and because "it's…

The Origins of Daoism It is explained in three different theories listed below. Attitudinal Daoism I: Anarchism Attitudinal Daoism II: Authoritarian Intuitionism Pre-Laozi Daoist Theory Much of the thrust of Daoism, as we have seen, naturally motivates a reaction against the moralistic and elitist inclinations of Confucianism. Confucianism stood for a rigid, detailed, traditional pattern of hierarchical social behavior. Duties were assigned to all of one's social roles—and a person typically…

sacred and are a sign of the orishas presence and protection. Santerians say the necklace ceremony is equivalent to the ceremony of baptism and is the first of the initiations given in Santeria (Gonzalez, 1994, p. 165). A Babalawo, by the use of a divination ritual called the bajar a Orunla determines which orisha(s) will be the initiate’s, or iyawo’s ruling head. The iyawo is given five to six necklaces, and these are removed in certain circumstances – bathing, sexual activities,…

Literature has a place in our world because of its eternal teachings that cannot be passed on by simply sharing or retweeting, but before we discuss my reasoning for its present importance, it is key to go over its origins and historical significance. The origin of literature dates back to ancient times of the Sumer region in Mesopotamia, then Egypt and Greece, then in Rome. Mesoamerican writings and Ancient Chinese regimes, however, bloomed on their own through independent practices. But…

The cultural clashes amongst the people of the Hmong and Westered based society of America about health care is a clash of ideologies and ethnocentrism. A refusal to find middle ground and a general misunderstanding of each other’s cultures. Each of these culture’s healing arts, be that biomedicine of America or the traditional healings of the Hmong, are working remedies that tackle the problems faced by healers and doctors with a unique understanding of one’s culture. Through the Hmong it…

Magic traditions have long fascinated people, but none have been as captivating as the Celtic traditions. The Celts influence had a wide reach at their height of power that stretched from Ireland to Turkey, which was strengthened by their ferocity. Most of the written history and traditions of the Celts came from the Romans during their time of conquest, as the Celts passed down their traditions orally, which has added to the mysticism that surrounds them. Their spirituality was holistic,…

[Title] The Vinland Sagas consist of two similar sagas – The Saga of the Greenlanders and Eirik the Red’s Saga – which recount the discovery and attempted settlement of what is now North America. These sagas which have long been thought of as unreliable historic accounts, are being re-examined after the discovery of L’Anse aux Meadows, a Norse settlement in Canada. Although they are invaluable resources that have provided us with a deeper understanding of Norse exploration, the stories the…

The I Ching, which translates to the Book of Changes, is one of the few surviving books from the beginnings of Chinese history. It is believed to have been used as a divination tool nearly 3,000 years ago by shamans, and continues to be used today. The I Ching differs from fortune telling as the decision lies in us rather than a foretold fate completely independent of what we may or may not do. The oldest oracles confined themselves to the answers yes and no, and this is the foundation of the I…

Astrology is an ancient system of divination based on the idea that astronomical phenomena has a subjective correlation with the events that actually occur in the human world. In it’s prime astrology was considered to be a very scholarly practice, especially for Chinese, Indian, and Mayan…