Land Divination

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Spoiler

 

LAND DIVINATION

 

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As a people, the Airafalassë teachings seek to promote meditation and reflection through the natural whispers of the Duarchy and the Aspects. We hear messages from Cerridwen, Cernunnos, and Thalassa through the ripples we see in our oceans, the rains we feel from above, and the rivers that flow through our villages and forests. It is only natural to then hear Faunus throughout our lands, right beneath our feet.

 

He is not alone in this. His fated counterpart makes herself heard, as well as their creators, even if their words are quieter within this form of divination. It is our responsibility to listen deeply, to interpret these messages to the best of our abilities; an ability that is to be taught and passed down to our children so they too can listen in and feel the weight of these words from beyond.

 

To those who follow the Aspectist way, those who tread the path of elnarnsae’ame, the Wild Faith, and especially those who wish to embark on their journey with the Duarchy, I encourage you to seek out your elders and learn how to interpret these messages. Like any skill, divination of the land requires time, patience, and dedication. For those of you who are already versed in Water Divination, your spiritual process may be similar, or quite the opposite.

 

Do not be afraid to ask for guidance, for there are always hands and hearts willing to teach the way of both water and land.

 

 

CYCLES

 

Diviners should look to the cycles found in Water Divination to further add meaning to their divination. This includes cycles of day and night, with some that are more specifically tailored to the Duarchy themselves as described later on, phases of the moon, and the natural ebb and flow of the tides. While every subsection of Water Divination is not included here, those specifics (moon phases and tides) are best explored through the teachings of the Way of the Mother and are encouraged to be used hand in hand with Land Divination.

 

Cycles of Day and Night

 

Midnight is the time for deep spiritual communication and seeking answers to life’s mysteries. It is at midnight that a diviner is able to achieve a trance-like state and see visions.

 

Dawn and dusk are the transitional times of day, representing the shifting between light and dark. It is this sense of transformation that makes both the beginning and end of the day very powerful moments for divination. It is best used for questions requiring influence from both Aspects, with more Cerridwen-leaning questions taking place at dawn and questions for Cernunnos taking place at dusk.

 

Morning symbolises growth and forward momentum. It is best for exploring new ventures and setting future intentions.

 

Midday represents peak energy, strength, and vitality, and is therefore the optimal time to seek clarity on complex issues and guidance on personal matters. This is a time associated with Faunus and his outward strength within the earth itself, making it a good time to ask questions tailored to him.

 

The afternoon continues the energy of midday but with a gradual shift towards dusk. It is therefore suitable for guidance on ongoing matters. As we shift toward dusk, it is not uncommon to associate this time of day with Thalassa herself. Afternoon showers are reminiscent of her and her energies, so it is only appropriate to direct questions toward the Sea Goddess.

 

Dusk, in addition to being a transitional time of day, is associated with release and reflection. Questions to the Father can take place at dusk, but it is also the best time to seek closure.

 

Animal Tracks

 

Before asking a question within the earth, it is important to note the natural tracks left by the animals who had passed through the area before your own arrival. Some may consider these tracks to be an omen, while others view this as a blanket before the questioning begins. Take note of these tracks before disturbing the soil or sand further. Of course, there are times when one is simply called in the moment with no tracks to be found. This is not inherently positive or negative when conducting a reading.

 

Bear | Power, protection, meditation.

 

Coyote | Tricks, illusions, deceit.

 

Crab | Self-protection, rebirth, harbinger of cyclical changes.

 

Deer | Elegance, abundance, sacrifice.

 

Dog | Loyalty, reliability, honor.

 

Frog | Renewal, transformation, mystery.

 

Fox | Humor, family, light.

 

Horse | Drive, passion, wild energies.

 

Mouse | Awareness, ingenuity, conservation.

 

Owl | Insight, isolation, discernment.

 

Rabbit | Fear, creativity, luck.

 

Raccoon | Change, secrets, altered states of being.

 

Seagull | A need to seize opportunities and adapt to new circumstances.

 

Tiger | Unpredictability, rejection, willpower.

 

Turkey | Nourishment, generosity, satisfaction.

 

Turtle | Endurance, slow but steady progress, persistence.

 

Wolf | Control, freedom, deception.

 

Patterns

 

These patterns are to be created by the diviner, swiping over a section of soil or sand with one of the same motions at a time to reveal what lies beneath.

 

Types of Patterns

 

Spiral patterns are used to ask questions about the self.

 

Side-to-side swiping is best used to address day-to-day affairs and questions about community or family matters.

 

Large sweeping motions brought toward oneself are used to uncover guidance on what the world will bring toward you.

 

Large sweeping motions pulled away from oneself are known to bring insight about personal impact on the world.

 

Small sweeping motions brought toward oneself are used to determine the impact of others' personal effects on you.

 

Small sweeping motions pulled away from oneself are known to shed light on the energies being put out toward close relationships.

 

 

Types of Soil

 

Much like how sand slips through one’s fingers, dry sand should be used for questions about fleeting situations. It can symbolically be used for questions about impermanence.

 

Wet sand is more stable and should be used for asking questions about relationships or emotional healing.

 

Loam, being rich with organic matter, is best suited to asking questions about growth and potential. The damp earth can also suggest fertile times ahead in one way or another.

 

Mud can be used to divine meaning when one feels stuck and unsure of what to do or where to go.

 

Clay is best used for questions about long-term plans, as it is a foundational soil. It can also be used for divining about structure and guidance.

 

Sand granules are larger than clay granules, with silt falling somewhere in between. It is therefore best used for questions about overlooked questions and hidden details, as well as gradual change.

 

Peat is usually found in bogs and wetlands, and is a form of soil comprised of partially decomposed plant matter. Peat is most useful when divining questions about ancestry, deep healing, or transformation.

 

Chalk is a pale soil and can be used to ask questions requiring purity, truth, and clarity.

 

Rocky soil is best for asking questions about challenging situations and overcoming obstacles. 

 

Similarly, gravelly soil is for divination surrounding navigating difficulties and adapting to change.

 

Topsoil, being the upper layer, can be used to ask questions about new beginnings and surface-level questions. When topsoil is found dry and loose, it suggests the need for rest and recovery when combined with further findings.

 

Subsoil, on the other hand, is best for questions about core issues and root causes. Just as one must dig to reach the subsoil, so can it be used to divine meaning from what is hidden beneath the surface.

 

Pumice soil, which is volcanic, is best for questions surrounding release and letting go.

 

Finally, alluvial soil refers to soils that have been deposited by the passing of rivers. It is used for divining meaning about abundance, renewal, and events and people flowing into one’s life, whether that be for better or worse.

 

Rocks and Stones

 

When digging through the dirt, it is important to note specific patterns and sizes of stones and rocks. While stones come in many different shapes, Land Divination only deals with smooth, rounded stones. 

 

Sizes and Alterations

 

Fist-sized rocks | stability, strength, and structure.

 

Palm-sized rocks | release, comfort, grounding.

 

Fingertip-sized rocks | energetic, connections, bonding.

 

Faded rocks | focused on the past, memories, opportunity to explore

 

Cracked rocks | fragmented, delusions, troublesome.

 

Hagstones | the unknown, illusions, deception. Finding a hagstone is a direct message from Faunus, meant to be kept close to oneself, either in a pocket or shown off around the neck, wrist, or ankle, depending on size.

 

Pebble Patterns

 

A single rock can symbolize the person asking the question or refer to the person the question is about.

 

Two rocks of the same size are a symbol of balance in relationships, while two rocks of different sizes can hint at tougher choices ahead.

 

Three rocks suggest a third party is involved when asking questions involving friendships, romantic, or familial relationships. This isn’t inherently positive or negative, only begging the follow-up question of what is to come.

 

Rocks found in complete circles represent the natural balance as a whole.

 

Stones found in a triangle formation symbolize the past, present, and future. Inviting one to dig deeper into their divine findings.

 

Broken or jagged lines are a warning of disruption.

 

 

Seashells

 

Coastal Tiva, an Illiviran derivative of the traditionally floral language of Tiva, provides much symbolism around worship, self-identification, and physical guidance. We must look to Coastal Tiva as a guide in our divination practices.

 

Shark teeth | power, resilience, precision; associations with the Father.

 

Sand dollar | tranquility, spirituality, inner reflection; associations with the Mother

 

Mother-of-pearl | femininity, power; associations with Thalassa

 

Driftwood | the cyclical nature of life, connection to land and sea, protection, masculinity; associations with Faunus

 

Clamshell | protection, stability, practicality, resilience

 

Seawater pearl | peace, spirituality, inner reflection, tranquility, mindfulness

 

Sea kelp | invasive tendencies, suffocating environments, the overwhelming force of unchecked growth

 

Oyster shell | wisdom, adaptation, hidden truths, insight, introspection

 

Conch shell | courage, leadership, navigating challenges with confidence, adventurousness

 

Nautilus shell | wisdom, introspection, adaptability, self-discovery, growth, harmony

 

Cowrie shell | abundance, fertility, protection, maternal instincts, vitality

 

Scallop shell | grace, harmony, hospitality, inclusiveness, balance, self-discovery

 

Limpet shell | perseverance, resilience, determination

 

Abalone shell | tranquility, inner peace, protection, emotional healing

 

Cockle shell | social connections, camaraderie, joy, spontaneity

 

Conus shell | protection, defence, allure of the unknown

 

Tiger cowrie shell | strength, regal beauty, protection, guardianship, intuition, inner strength.

 

Tulip shell | elegance, refinement, simple beauty

 

Helmet shell | resilience, strength in the face of adversity, fortitude, perseverance, sense of self

 

Turban shell | creativity, adaptability, diversity, individuality

 

Periwinkle shell | determination, perseverance, persistence, overcoming obstacles through willpower

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Spoiler

thank you to @Toffee for lending a hand with writing, reviewing, and formatting.

 

feel free to practice this irp on your own but i also strongly suggest finding a buddy or a teacher to go over the process with :) enhance your experience!!

 

more divination to come <3