Digital Divination: Common Theories & Thoughts
Let's get into it.
In my previous post, I talked a bit about my personal theories about divination as a whole. Now, I want to get into the origin of this whole thought process and hyperfixation: digital divination.
So many practitioners that I've talked to thus far about digital divination seem to either dislike it entirely or distrust it for one reason or another. On my Tumblr post on the topic, several users cite inaccurate results, particularly from tarot apps.
Similarly, in a poll done by jbird-the-manwich about algorithmic divination, around 20% of respondents (myself included) out of 213 respondents stated that they experienced reduced accuracy consistently in comparison to physical tools. 27% of respondents said they don't use digital tools at all. Only 3% reported improved results with digital tools over physical tools, and 4% selected a separate option stating that they've had particular success with an application.
It's a fascinating result, to say the least. I'd expected the reduced accuracy result to be the most-voted-for. That 27% of respondents who say they don't use digital tools at all is staggering, but not necessarily surprising. Many books and online resources talk about, advertise, and otherwise endorse physical divination means. I'm on the hunt for resources specifically about digital tools, so stay tuned for more as I dig.
Interestingly, in that same poll, 21% of respondents said they found no correlation in accuracy between digital and physical tools. There is a substantial crowd out there who clearly believe that digital divination is just as good as physical divination. So why do I keep finding the very vocal sentiment that digital tools aren't as accurate, aren't as reliable, aren't as good as physical tools?
Common Divination Theories
Yep, we're back to theory. This time, it's common theories I'm seeing repeated in conversations over and over again.
Divine communication. Speaking directly with a deity for guidance, messages, etc. about the past, present, and future. This includes deities' oracles, deity workers, and any others who use divination to commune with their god(s) or who believe their divination is mostly or entirely provided by their god(s).
Spirit communication. Along the same lines as divine communication. This includes spirit messages, ancestor work, and so forth. Spirits provide answers and guidance via divination. This also includes anyone with an animistic view of their tools, seeing them as having a personality or spirit that communicates or interacts directly with the reader.
Subconscious influence. Depending on the divination method being used, the specifics of this vary. Essentially, the idea is that divination taps into the subconscious mind and "delivers" messages from oneself into the open air. Whether this is because of subconscious psychic abilities or a psychological effect, it's covered under this theory.
Active psychic ability. Some diviners believe they have a natural psychic talent that they tap into. It has nothing to do with divinity, spirits, or anything other than their own ability. It's also not "subconscious" - it's an active skill being put to use. (An extension of this is sometimes the clair- senses and ability to sense spirits on their own without outside assistance.)
Intuitive powers. Similar to subconscious influence, I think, but quite different from psychic ability. This is either tied into other methods *or* stands on its own. Rather than psychic or mystical forces, this theory relies on the human mind and its powers of making connections. It differs from the subconscious slightly by way of phrasing and activity. Instead of letting passive connections come to the surface, intuitive readers actively stretch and feel for answers. This is psychic abilities' mundane, grounded cousin.
Often, you'll see some of these ideas blended together. It makes sense - an animist is likely to view their tool as having its own spirit or energy, but they may also say that they rely on their intuitive mind to work with that spirit.
Interpretation
Note that these are just theories for the method in question. All of these theories rely on interpretation by the diviner, whether it's interpreting imagery or a message from the gods. Divination can't work if someone isn't interpreting. At that point, it's just dust in the wind, a nothing message with no recipient; and in that case, why send a message at all? What's the point?
Methods of interpretation are as varied and unique as the diviners themselves. Blending color theory, positioning, traditional meanings, numerology, and more, it all depends on the practice, the tool, and the diviner.
This is why you're going to find a thousand different answers, each more esoteric than the last, when asking about how divination works. The answer is, there's no general consensus. There's no agreement on how it works or why.
But does that matter?
I think no.
Honestly, I think we're all tapping into the same "source" using different methods. I can't definitively prove that gods don't exist, just as I can't definitively prove that spirits do exist. There's only belief.
And maybe that's the kicker. Perhaps it's not the method itself that works; it's the "reaching" that works. Whatever method, whatever way, it doesn't matter. If it works, it works. It's one of those things that may never be fully understood, but we can certainly hold it up to the light and examine it. Perhaps all that matters is the belief that the divination will work.
This same philosophy can be applied to all witchcraft, I think. We're all doing generally the same thing in different ways according to our cultures, our traditions, our beliefs. There is no right or wrong way, because all that matters is that we're doing it.
There will always be some methods that work better than others, just as there will always be people who do it better than others. But anyone can do it. Anyone can learn divination and make it work for themselves.
But why the seeming stigma against digital divination?
Opinions Against It
Many of the opinions I'm finding so far online against digital divination are largely similar. Practitioners I've encountered believe that:
A connection to the tool is required, and connecting with apps/websites is more difficult (or impossible) than with a physical tool
Digital tools aren't truly random; an algorithm chooses the outcome, meaning it's not authentic
Digital tools don't have a "spirit" like physical tools do
They're "good for beginners" but like using guidebooks, they're almost like a crutch to lean on or a place to start before becoming more "serious"
Inaccurate results with no clear digging into "why" they're not accurate
Channeling energy through the tool is required, and channeling through an app/website is more difficult (or impossible) with a physical tool
All of these opinions are directly sourced from conversations I've had with other diviners. For my part, the difficulty comes from the disconnect between myself and the tool in question. Whether this is because I just haven't applied myself, I'm coming at it the wrong way, or it simply doesn't work for me, I'm not sure yet! As I move into testing apps and websites, I suppose we'll see.
Opinions in Favor
Of course, there have been people who say they use digital divination tools frequently or even exclusively. Most often, they do divinations for themselves only; I'm not sure why.
Their opinions in favor of digital divination are, largely:
Financial accessibility - Little to no cost for apps/websites (or there are free versions of apps with buy-in options for more features
Accessibility features - No physical shuffling for those who can't, users of screenreaders can utilize tools they otherwise couldn't, etc.
Available anywhere - No need to travel with tools when they're in your phone
Good for witches who practice in secret
Great for learning/trying divination - apps/websites often have resources for pull meanings, features for daily pulls, and spreads to use
Learning & Accessibility
Once again, we see the sentiment of learning in connection to divination apps. I wonder if this is a product of the branding or advertisement of the applications. Or, maybe, it's because digital tools are accessible. They're not $60 a pop in Barnes and Noble; they're discreet; they're easy to access for literally anyone with a computer or smartphone.
Is it this ease of access that creates a sort of stigma against it? Does digital divination - particularly digital tarot - have the connotation of being for beginners only?
Does anyone offer professional, paid services using digital tools?
The other thing about digital tools is, as mentioned, the accessibility. People who use screen readers, who can't shuffle a whole deck or hold up a pendulum, who have difficulty with memory - they may need the sort of accessibility that a digital tool provides. Who's to say that their divinations are less accurate than someone using a physical tool?
Increasingly, I'm coming to believe that it's less about the tool and more about the user. Everyone has a penchant for a particular one, sure, and everyone has a preference. But anyone can learn divination. And the more accessible it is, the better.
Next Up: Reading into apps' websites and reviews, deciding on what to try first, and first impressions.
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If you like my work and want to throw a couple dollars my way via Ko-Fi, it would be much appreciated! This research is going to be mostly public for exposure and interaction, but there may be behind-the-scenes notes and more in-depth UPG stuff that'll be Ko-Fi exclusive. Plus, even one-time supporters get extra and early stuff all the time!
