The Book of African Divination: Interpreting the Forces of Destiny with Techniques from the Venda, Zulu, and Yoruba (Destiny Books) [Paperback]

Raymond Buckland (Author), Kathleen Binger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Destiny Books | Publication Date: September 1, 1992

Drawing on diverse African traditions, the authors take us on a fascinating journey of magical divination practices--from Venda tablets and divining bowls to Zulu "bone" casting, Yoruba seashell casting, and Tikar spider cards.

• Comes complete with an eighty-card divination deck based on the Tikar spider cards

• Illustrates in detail how to make and use many different traditional tools of African divination

• Explains the history and myths behind the methods

• Includes sample readings to help the reader evaluate results

• Interest continues to build in the ways and wisdom of tribal people

Editorial Reviews

Review

"African methods seem very direct in contrast to more symbolic but more complex systems. The deck is fascinating and can be used after a minimum amount of study. To enjoy and use yourself or to give as a gift."
(

NAPRA Trade Journal

)

"It is of note that the methods discussed in this book tend to have a family-relationship focus as opposed to some fortune telling methods that focus on career, power, and money making . . ."
(Tami Brady, TCM Reviews )

About the Author

Artist, author, and practicing psychic, Kathleen Binger specializes in the study of African cultures and divination techniques. An authority on the occult and supernatural, Raymond Buckland is the author of numerous books on magic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892813644
• ISBN-13: 978-0892813643
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,772,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1962 I came to the U.S. from England, where I'd written comedy scripts and was personal scriptwriter for a popular British comedian. Interested in the occult for over fifty years, in the past forty years I've had over forty books published (fiction and non-fiction), with nearly two million copies in print and translated into seventeen foreign languages. I've received awards for my work and had books featured in several national book clubs. I was Technical Director for movies, working with Orson Wells and William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist). Of Romany descent, I'm an authority on Gypsies and have written several books on them. I've lectured at colleges and universities and been the subject of articles in newspapers and magazines: New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, New York Sunday News, National Observer, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Look Magazine, Cosmopolitan, True, and others.

I've appeared on national television and radio talk shows and been on BBC-TV, England, RAI-TV, Italy, and CBC-TV, Canada. I appeared extensively on stage in England and played small character parts in movies in America. I taught courses at colleges and universities and have been a featured speaker at conferences and workshops. I'm listed in reference works including Contemporary Authors, Who's Who In America, Men of Achievement, and International Authors' and Writers' Who's Who.

Latest books are The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts, The Spirit Book, Buckland's Book of Spirit Communications, Wicca For One, and Cards of Alchemy. A DVD version of my Wicca video has also recently been released: Rebirth of the Old Religion. A prolific author, I'm currently working on my autobiography. Today I live on a farm in north-central Ohio. Photo Credit: Gregory Ford

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Trash--- Has nothing to do with real African Divination, November 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of African Divination: Interpreting the Forces of Destiny with Techniques from the Venda, Zulu, and Yoruba (Destiny Books) (Paperback)

This 'divination set' is absolute garbage. Buckland is not a initiate of the secrets of Yoruba or Santeria or Orisha religion. He just put together a set based upon the most superficial understand of the Orisha. If you are a serious student of Yoruba/Santeria/Regla de Ocha begin looking at the books of Joseph Murphy and William Bascom. Stay away from this vile sort of pseudo-spiritual cotton candy.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 0 STARS if available, June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of African Divination: Interpreting the Forces of Destiny with Techniques from the Venda, Zulu, and Yoruba (Destiny Books) (Paperback)

Give us ALL a break Buckland. You have written such nonsense about every Craft I can think of. From Pagans, Wiccans, Scots, Voodoo, Gypsies, Africans,and ON AND ON and ON. How many traditions are you claiming to be part of? Why don't you let the people who actually KNOW about the different paths do the writing. This is by far the MOST ridiculous one you have out yet, but then we all know how the younger folks who are searching will still waste their money on books like this. Shame on the publishers for continuing this junk!

3.0 out of 5 stars ok history, July 10, 2011

By 

jmack - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of African Divination: Interpreting the Forces of Destiny with Techniques from the Venda, Zulu, and Yoruba (Destiny Books) (Paperback)

used before in the 90's there are better divination tools and there are worse this one is in the middle