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