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一
what is fortune
? ? telling
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LLINGFORTUNETELLING ELLINGFINTRODUCTION LLINGTO FORTUNETE UNETELLINGF LLINGFORTUNETELL NETELLINGFOR INGFORTUNE FORTUNEF GFOR 11 book for pub.indd 2
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G N
introduction to fortune telling
Fortune-telling
is the practice of predicting information about a person’s life. The scope of fortune-telling is in principle identical with the practice of divination. The difference is that divination is the term used for predictions considered part of a religious ritual, invoking deities or spirits, while the term fortune-telling implies a less serious or formal setting. Historically, fortune-telling grows out of folkloristic reception of Renaissance magic, specifically associated with gypsies. An example of divination or fortune-telling as purely an item of pop culture, with little or no vestiges of belief in the occult, would be the Magic 8-Ball sold as a toy by Mattel, or Paul II, a cephalopod of the Sea Life Aquarium at Oberhausen used to predict the outcome of matches played by the German national football team.There is opposition against fortune-telling in Christianity and Judaism based on biblical prohibitions against divination. This sometimes causes discord in the Jewish community due to their views on mysticism.
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The Oracle Octopus
Paul the Octopus was a common octopus from Weymouth, England. Paul lived in a tank at a commercial attraction, the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany and became internationally famous after his feeding behaviour was used to correctly predict the winner of each of the Germany national football team’s seven matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as the outcome of the final.
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The Chinese character 4 (四) sounds very similar to the Chinese word for death, so 444 (死死死) can be interpreted as “die, die, die”.
4?4 ?4 why is it
dying
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fortune telling – dying trade
4
Fortune telling was once a thriving business because many people, relied on fortune tellers for advice on matters such as marriage, business, and the selection of auspicious dates.
Trends
Fortune tellings such as Astrology can also be found on the net and magazines. Most followed Astrology on Twitter, Xstrology, has gained aproximately of 1,723,975 followers in less than 2 years.
indian fortune telling However, with the advancement and economic development of our society, many of the trades, such as fortune telling, that were common in Singapore are fast disappearing.
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a sidewalk fortune teller 1/1/01 8:18 AM
We don't license magicians, astrologers, fortune tellers and politicians, so why the hell do we license psychologists? 11 book for pub.indd 6
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fortune telling – dying trade
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fortune telling – dying trade
Fortune-telling is traditionally known to be in the form of palmistry, numerology, astrology and parrot-astrology. What connection can there be between human destiny and astrology? Mr. T M Raghavan, 63, born in Kerala, India, is a practitioner in parrot-astrology. He explains and links human events to his ancient craft of parrotastrology. which is based on 27 lucky fortune cards (based on Indian astrological system) picked by a parakeet for S$1 each time.
Parrot Astrologer Mr. T M Raghavan 63
“I have always been interested in reading people’s fortune. I used to observe astrologers when I was young in India. This was how I developed my interest and experience. At first, I was casual, never took parrot-astrology seriously or thought of becoming a parrot-astrologer myself one day. But I came to being one by accident. I was out of job and a good friend advised me to go into parrotastrology since I had some knowledge
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fortune telling – dying trade
The earnings are very small and miserable in parrot-astrology. At the end of a long day, i.e. 12 hours, my income is about S$10 to S$15. about it. So I decided to go for it. I got my parrots from my friend. Since then, I have been a parrot-astrologer and have no regrets,” Mr. T M Raghavan said happily. He has 2 very beautiful and charming parrots named “Mani” and “Letchimi”. They are trained to forecast anyone’s fortune and destiny. They have the intelligence to select the right fortune cards for T M Raghavan’s customers. He believes that they are the goddess’s gift and thus he decided to give them God’s name. The fortune cards have pictures of deities and lucky messages. Customers consult T M Raghavan on matters concerning marriage, money, business and work. Some of them also come to him on occasions like festivals and birthdays.
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T M Raghavan voiced his frank view son the ups and downs of his trade, “The earnings are very small and miserable in parrot-astrology. At the end of a long day, i.e. 12 hours, my income is about S$10 to S$15. I normally charge S$1 for a reading. I am surviving as my overhead is low; a small table, or even the pavement sometimes, parrots, some charts and a notebook. My income is better during special occasions like trade fairs and exhibitions.” Mr. T M Raghavan is one of the Indian pioneers who has come here and witnessed the changing facets of Singapore.
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二 方 法 1/1/01 8:19 AM
methods of fortune telling
Methods
Common methods used for fortune telling include astromancy, horary astrology, pendulum reading, spirit board reading, tasseography (reading tea leaves in a cup), cartomancy (fortune telling with cards), tarot reading, crystallomancy (reading of a crystal sphere), and chiromancy (palmistry, reading of the palms). The last three have traditional associations in the popular mind with the Roma and Sinti people (often called “gypsies”). Another form of fortune-telling, sometimes called “reading” or “spiritual consultation”, does not rely on specific devices or methods, but rather the practitioner gives the client advice and predictions which are said to have come from spirits or in visions.
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Some of the common fortune telling methods:
Alectromancy Astrology
Augury
Alectromancy: by observation of a rooster pecking at grain. Alectryomancy which the diviner observes a bird, or most preferably a white rooster or cockerel, pecking at grain that the diviner has scattered on the ground. The observer may place grain in the shape of of letters and thus discern a divinatory revelation by noting which letters the birds peck at.
Augury: by the flight of birds. It is a prophetic divining of the future by observation of natural phenomena— particularly the behaviour of birds and animals and the examination of their entrails and other parts, but also by scrutiny of man-made objects and situations.
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methods of fortune telling
八
XVIII
Bazi
Bibliomancy
Cartomancy
Ceromancy
Cheiromancy
Four Pillars of Destiny, as known as Ba zi, is a Chinese and Japanese conceptual term that describes the four components creating a person’s destiny or fate. The four components within the moment of birth are year, month, day, and hour. The four pillars is used alongside fortune telling practices such as Zi wēi dòu shù within the realm of Chinese Astrology.
Bibliomancy is the use of books in divination. The method of employing sacred books (especially specific words and verses) for ‘magical medicine’, for removing negative entities, or for divination is widespread in many religions of the world.
Cartomancy: by playing cards, tarot cards, or oracle cards. Cartomancy is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards. Forms of cartomancy appeared soon after playing cards were first introduced into Europe in the 14th century. Practitioners of cartomancy are generally known as cartomancers, card readers or, simply, readers.
Ceromancy: by patterns in melting or dripping wax. Ceromancy is the art of divination by dropping melted candle wax in a pan of cold water. Some people also use the term ceromancy to describe divination by any drippings or shapes formed on th side of a candle, or even divination from obseving an actual candle flame and how it burns.
Cheiromancy: by the shape of the hands and lines in the palms. Palmistry or chiromancy, is the art of characterization and foretelling the future through the study of the palm, also known as palm reading, or chirology.
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methods of fortune telling
The World's Strangest Methods of Fortune Telling 1.Ailuromancy or felidomancy: Simply observe the way your cat moves or jumps to determine the future – especially weather. A black cat crossing your path being a bad omen is an old piece of ailuromancy. Did your cat lick her ears three times? Company must be on the way. Right ear? It’s a gentleman caller. Left ear? Expect a lady. 2. Uromancy: I bet if you think about the root word you can figure this one out. Yep… it’s fortune-telling based on your urine. Sure, your urine can definitely tell you a few
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things about your health – how well hydrated you are, for example. However, uromancy is the interpretation of the bubbles in urine to reveal future events. If the bubbles are big and spaced far apart, expect good things. If they are small and close together, something terrible (death of a loved one or a serious illness) may be just around the corner. 3. Onychomancy: Believe it or not, your fingernails are very powerful. Fingernail clippings were once used in spells, healing rituals and superstitions. In fact, many of the superstitions are still floating around out there – Japanese girls are told that biting their fingernails will result in a difficult childbirth later on down the line. The white spots on your fingernails are supposed to be a sign of good fortune – a spot on thumb specifically means that a gift is about to be bestowed upon you. Greedy people are said to have crooked fingernails, and the half-moon shape (“lunula”) at the base of the nail indicates your lifeline – the bigger the lunula, the longer your life will last. Ever bend your nail back? Bad news: not only did it probably make you use a few choice words, it also means there’s a difficult time ahead of you and it could last for a couple of months. 4. Oomancy: Making an omelet? Give this a try first: separate the egg white, then drop into boiling water and see what shape the whites take. It’s kind of like reading tea leaves. Before you dismiss the idea, consider this: one of the girls involved in the Salem Witch Trial was playing this seemingly harmless game with her friends when she saw her egg whites take the shape of a coffin. Not long after, 24 deaths rocked the community.
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I Ching Divination
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methods of fortune telling
The I Ching is traditionally performed by the casting of yarrow stalks (or sticks) or coins, generating a hexagram which is composed of the two stacks of three lines within it, called the trigrams. The meanings of the hexagrams are connected to those of the trigrams that make them up, and their symbolism is ultimately based on seeing solid lines as strong and active (Yang), and broken lines as weak and passive (Ying). There are eight trigrams and each of them has a metaphorical meaning based on its composition of solid and broken lines.
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Lithomancy Lithomancy is a form of divination by which the future is told using stones or the reflected light from said stones. The practice is most popular in the British Isles.
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methods of fortune telling
The earliest verified account of lithomancy comes from Photius, the patriarch of Constantinople, who describes using a stone called the baetulum to perform the ritual However, some writers also claim that Helenus predicted the destruction of Troy using the ritual.
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MR CHING
55
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methods of fortune telling
掌
Palm Re相ding Though there are debates on which hand is better to read from, both have their own significance. It is custom to assume that the left hands shows potential in an individual, and the right showed realized personality. Some sayings about the significance include “The future is shown in the right, the past in the left”; “The left hand is the one we are born with, and the right is what we have made of it”; “The right hand is read for men, while the left is read for women”; “The left is what the gods give you, the right is what you do with it.” The choice of hand to read is ultimately up to
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the instinct and experience of the practitioner. The left hand is controlled by the right brain, reflects the inner person, the natural self, the anima, and the lateral thinking. It could even be considered to be a part of a person’s spiritual and personal development. It is the “yin” of personality. As opposites are, the right hand is controlled by the left brain, reflects the outer person, objective self, influence of social environment, education, and experience. It represents linear thinking. It also corresponds to the “yang” aspect of personality (masculine and outgoing).
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Q&A
PALM READING
1. What do you think about youngsters getting into fortune telling? I am studying I Ching, which is based on the rich chinese history. We take into consideration many aspects such as Yin and Yang. Some are frauds but those with ethics take this job seriously and sincerely want to help people solve problems. 2. How long have you been in this trade? A few decades.
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3. What kind of changes have you seen in this trade? During the cultural revolution, anything that is related so superstitions is prohibited. I was originally a member of the workers party. now i work for the society. I have been touring different countries from Hong Kong to Malaysia and Singapore. Just like how we should study the weather and have sufficient preparation, we can know when to avoid hazards through knowing our own fortune.
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methods of fortune telling
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methods of fortune telling
Tarot Reading To many people reading Tarot cards is simply harmless fun. It seems to fit in with the New Age Movement where people try to get in touch with their ‘Inner Spirit’. They believe a Tarot card reading can be used by them to channel their thoughts and connect somehow with the ‘Oneness of the Universe’. To others it can become a practice or activity to which they are completely devoted, and eventually it becomes part of their way of life.
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Q&A MR WANG
I Ching Fortune Teller 76
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1. What is this occupation about? This is about I Ching. It is an accumulation of 5000 years of China history. 2. What do people ask about? When people are baffled about their life or they feel uncomfortable about their homes etc… 3. How many people do you think are in this occupation? There are very few people who truly know about I Ching in Singapore so it’s hard to say. 4. How did you enter this occupation? I have been studying this art for 60 years and I am working on glorifying this art. 5. What do you think of this occupation? Unending flow of chinese culture with deep roots.
…it is an accumulation of 5000 years of China history.
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Tang-ki are Taoist spirit-mediums possessed by deities and give advice to their clients about all matters of importance. They may also perform exorcism and healing and amazingly mutilate themselves to demonstrate supernatural power. Usually they don’t remember what the deities said to them when they wake up.
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Q&A
Thien Teck Thong Fortune Analysis 11 book for pub.indd 34
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methods of fortune telling
5. What kind of equipment do you use? Tarot cards, gem stones and joss sticks. 1. What do you think of youths getting more interested in fortune telling can you tell us more about your occupation? We look at fengshui. normally we help people who have questions about various aspects of their life: love, family and career. 2. How did you get into this occupation? It is passed down from family but there is a way to learn if you are interested.
6. I heard there is an association for fortune tellers, do all of you congregate together or sort yourselves according to fortune telling style? We gather together all the same 7. What do you think of fortune tellers without license? I can’t comment on them but i would say that each of us have our own abilities
3. What do people ask about? Most people would ask about their health
g Feng Shui & 4. Other than CNY, when are other occasions that you will be very busy? We are busy during other periods as well, some people do ask about their health problems.
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MR LIM
Spirit Medium akaTang Ki Part- time chef 38
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1. Why do you think this is a vanishing trade? Not everyone who wants to be a Tang Ki can do so. Most of the tang Kis are chosen by deities. For example, my mother was possessed suddenly while she was going about in her daily work. It turned out that she was posssed by the Goddess of Mercy. Her twin sister, who is my aunt was also chosen by the same deity. 2. How do you know you are the chosen one? My mother consulted a person at the temple. 3. Can this be passed on from generation to generation? No, you need to be chosen. 4. Will this affect you normal way of living? More or less so, but there is a way to mitigate it. f\ For example, my mother negotiated with the deity through a medium at a temple. the medium advised her to be a vegetarian. 5. Are there any special habits? Vegetarian on 1st and 15th day of the lunar calendar. 6. How do they take on assignments? People who have problems will approach them to ask them regarding their fortune, family problem. 7. Is there a designated time to communicate with the deities? Through chanting to invite the deities over.
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8. Do the Tang Kis have a club to ensure their welfare? They do have a few clubs. 9. There are cases of frauds. how do you differentiate swindlers from the real Tang Kis. It is up to individual's judgement. the authentic ones are able to foretell things accurately. 10. Are there different deities? Yes there are all sort of deities. For example, qian shou guan yin etc. 11. How do you know which deity possessed you? They will announce their arrival. 12. Is there a way to learn this skill? This is an innate ability. my master told me that I have the inborn ability to communicate with deities. 13. Why do you think there are fewer and fewer Tang Kis around? Government has put a ban on home temples. 14. You have other occupations (part-time chef ) is it very busy for you to juggle two occupations? Not really since I only work as a Tang Ki on 1st and 15th of lunar month. I am used to this since I have always communicated with the deities since young.
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“” 15. Are there any taboo? We have to be vegetarian on 1st and 15th and avoid raw food and red meat. 16. Are your parents supportive of your occupation? My father was a Tang Ki as well so there is no problem.
17. Does this have any influence on your taste? I listen to Jay Chou as well. only during 1st and 15th I will have to be very careful not to consume meat or I’ll be punished. There were a few incidents I which I was punished by the deity because I consumed meat accidentally. The deities have sharp objects to carry out punishment. I was wondering why my back was hurting so badly. and then I was told afterwards that I was punished for that.
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I listen to Jay Chou as well. only during 1st and 15th I will have to be very careful not to consume meat or I’ll be punished. 1/1/01 8:19 AM
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三 统 计 1/1/01 8:19 AM
facts 11 book for pub.indd 41
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The Chinese have surveyed the issue and have learned that 1 in 3 people believe in fortune telling.
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8
8 888
The Beijing Olympic opening ceremony started exactly at 8 seconds and 8 minutes past 8pm on August 8, 2008. 9,000 Chinese couples got married on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, more than doubling the previous single-day marriage record.
90s
However, the number of believers has been decreasing since the end of 90s.
80s
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2000 – present
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