from Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein (1973)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Science-fiction writer Robert Heinlein was of the opinion that all human beings (to which I would append “who are physically and mentally competent to do so”) should be able to accomplish anything to which they bring sufficient focus and commitment, and that specializing in one or two talents to the exclusion of all others “is for insects” (by which I think he meant “social insects” like ants and bees that employ a well-defined hierarchy of duties).
In the realm of divination, over the last five decades I’ve set my mind to learning and practicing a wide range of techniques within the esoteric tradition, beginning with natal and progressed astrology in 1970, then moving into tarot, horary astrology, Lenormand and Kipperkarten, I Ching, geomancy, astro-lithomancy (a personal variant), scrying, dream analysis, palmistry, pendulum, playing-card cartomancy and a couple of hybrids involving cards and dice, dominoes, board-game spinners or coin-flips. Much of this activity arose from my philosophical exploration of Hermetics, and especially of Qabalistic symbolism.
A quick glance at the numerous entries in the online search results that end in the suffix “mancy” shows that I’ve barely scratched the surface, although far too many of them are archaic shamanistic methods that have no place in modern prognostication. (Sheep entrails, anyone?) One important system I haven’t touched yet is Nordic runes, but I did read a beginner’s book.
Ultimately, though, I gravitated toward those that offer the most utility at the confluence of practical, day-to-day functionality, psycho-spiritual interplay and sociopolitical maneuvering where I do most of my “fortune-telling.” Tarot and horary astrology share top billing in my approach to situational awareness, while Lenormand excels at pragmatic inquiries, with playing cards a close second. My engagement with the rest has been more academic, and I’ve worked with them just enough to gain some proficiency without coming anywhere near mastery.
Even though I’m retired, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to give each of them the attention it deserves. If I had all the time in the world (at my age that’s a laugh), I would dedicate a big chunk of it to the I Ching and geomancy, which exhibit some similarities of a binary nature as described in my previous post (linked below).
I have several geomancy books: Aleister Crowley’s small volume; Stephen Skinner’s and John Michael Greer’s separate contributions; Israel Regardie’s material in The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic; and The Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, subtitled “Of Geomancy,” by “the pseudo-Agrippa.” There’s enough to work with in those to keep me busy for the rest of my days, but Greer’s book commands most of my interest.
When it comes to I Ching, I’ve used the Wilhelm/Baynes translation for decades, but more recently I discovered Benebell Wen’s I Ching, The Oracle on Kindle and I now have to buy the printed version so I can tab it for reference. I highly recommend it for its clarity and its overview of the history of Chinese mysticism.
The last time I visited the general theme of multiple paths was in August of 2017, in my post “Expanding Your Reach.” I’ve come a long way since then, but it’s remarkable how many of these initiatives were already underway nine years ago. On the other hand, it’s equally disturbing to realize how many of them have not progressed much over that extended period of time. All I can say is that performing (and writing about) tarot, horary astrology and Lenormand sucked me in, and I Ching is poised to do the same as soon as I get around to it (unless I return to geomancy first).
I suppose it could be labeled “specialization by default” rather than by intent. Although I’m a longtime fan of Heinlein, I prefer to be recognized as expert in a narrow field of endeavor than as mediocre across a broad spectrum. Just call me “Ant-Man.”
