Welcome to How We…
Each month, members of the Children & Families team will be sharing How We have introduced aspects of our community to our children. We will cover everything from the Aether to Zeus and we invite you on our journey. We continue with How We Introduce Divination
My child only turned 5 the other week so is not really ready for divination. I did get them the Children’s animal spirit oracle deck though for their birthday. I thought it would be a nice way to introduce the animals and their spiritual significance. They have also had a look through my tarot decks, we did counting practise to 78! Haha. Getting them to look at the pictures, say what they see and how it makes them feel is a good skill, not just for divination but for other aspects of life too.
We regularly look at clouds and I try to help them see shapes, patterns and pictures in the clouds. Many forms of divination use this skill, so if they take to it, it will set them up if they get interested in other, similar types, of divination. I made some ogham cards, painted the leaves that match each stave. We use them for learning to recognise the trees but also a sneaky way to start linking that tree with the ogham. We then can talk about the qualities and spiritual significance of each one. We also try to visit different types of trees so we can hug them and talk about them, make them real rather than just a picture.
At the moment its just background stuff. If they show an interest in one form or another when they’re older then we’ll run with it.
Krys (They/Them)
Manager, Children & Families Team
There are many types of divination but my go to is a form of cartomancy using a deck of everyday playing cards. It was the first method of divining I learnt and I’ve stuck with it ever since. The great thing about this form of divination is how easily accessible it is to everyone, playing cards don’t cost a lot of money and can even be bought at the local supermarket. I find if a child is really interested in learning cartomancy, rather than forking out for tarot cards which can be expensive to start them off with playing cards, where they can tune into their intuition.
I didn’t really introduce divination to the children it’s very much a thing that they have seen me do occasionally. While showing curiosity they were not overly interested. This is probably because they are taught more about creating their own futures and synchronicities in life rather than relying on divination to tell them.
Hannah
Mid-West & Wales Liaison, Children & Families Team
I love all kinds of divination but it’s not necessarily something I do in any kind of formal way with my kids. I have a set of Mórrígan oracle cards which are often very visible on my altar, and sometimes the eldest boy will ask about those. This can lead to some great conversations about symbolism and meaning, and how these tools are often simply there to help our own thoughts sort themselves out – a form of magic, in itself.
As well as the tools I employ in regular practice, I love to look out for signs in nature that could mean something, making a note of them and any patterns that occur. My eldest has definitely noticed this and will often point out to me if there are three crows present, or if he sees one with white feathers, or he’ll ask me what a particular bird represents. We look for shapes in the clouds, and tell stories about those, and while we don’t call it aeromancy, it’s certainly a related craft. I think it’s in our nature to wonder about tomorrow, so figuring out how the world works around us is a simple way to have more forethought and dip a toe into the more mystical world of divination.
Mabh
Secretary, Children & Families Team
Divination in our house started with pendulum and this was a birthday present for my two when they were 10ish. We spent time drawing an answer page and spoke about the purpose of divination and the responsibility of when to share information and when to keep it to themselves.
Only my girl showed any interest in any other forms and has spent time with my crystal ball, tarot cards and oracle cards. She has purchased her own pack and is in the process of learning the meanings and practices with her friends. It has taken over a decade to get from pendulum to tarot and I have taken my lead from my kids as to their interest and we have progressed at their pace.
Lyn
Deputy Manager, Children & Families Team