Our prehistoric ancestors used many techniques for foretelling the future but most involved observing the natural world. A flock of birds across the sky, the way horses galloped across the hillside, even the darting of a running hare may all have been portents of the future and reveal a glimpse of what destiny has in store. The trick was to be attentive and alert to these signs and the messages they might hold. This is easy to achieve, even in our modern world, and you can even condense your search for portents into a walk around town in a lunch hour. I call it a Walk of Divination.

Think of something in the future that you want guidance about. Do not make the subject too specific, as divination seems to bring impressions rather than definitive answers. Make it something like: What path will bring me the most contentment? Then, holding this thought in your mind, go for a walk. Where and how far you walk is entirely up to you, but make this a walk of purpose, a walk of divination rather than just a leisurely ramble. You might like to repeat your intention under your breath, rather like a mantra to focus the mind and you might like to ask your inner guides to accompany you on your route. Take notice of everything about your surroundings and look for three things that really catch your eye, things that make you stop and take notice. These are your portents. Now, finish your walk and interpret them. Meanings might come easily to you or you may have to meditate to find the secrets contained in whatever you encountered. Again, you might want to consult your inner guides and ask for their help.

Maggie, a single mum, for example, was worried about her son and his lack of progress at school. He had always done so well but, recently, had been falling behind. She did not want to make things worse by confronting him, however, if it was merely a temporary phase he was going through. Undecided what to do, she went for a Walk of Divination during her lunch hour in the town where she worked.

Maggie walked down to the park and saw two ducks squabbling over some crumbs in a lake. She took this as her first portent. Walking away from the water, Maggie passed a group of trees and disturbed a flock of pigeons that had taken refuge there. They noisily flapped around until, realising she was no threat to them, they settled again in the trees. Maggie took this as her second portent. She did not see anything else of note in the park but, on her return to the office, passed a colleague, a friend from Accounts. Commenting on the late spring sunshine Maggie’s friend beamed and said “Summer’s on its way”. Something about the comment touched Maggie and so she took this as her third portent. Reflecting over a sandwich later, Maggie interpreted the squabbling ducks as an indication of what would happen if she confronted her son. Best not do that, she concluded. The disturbed pigeons she took as her son’s recent behaviour and the fact that the birds had quickly settled, she took as a good sign. Finally, the comment that ‘Summer’s on its way’ she took as an indication that her son would quickly be back to his studious self. She worried no more and the portents came true: her son settled at school and the incident quickly passed.

Observing portents in the natural world is an ancient technique for divining the future. All it takes is a short walk, an attentive eye, and a bit of interpretation. Remember that the portents are for you alone and so interpret them as they are relevant to your life rather than relying on any general associations you might have read. This is particularly important for animals, which can mean different things to different people. On a Walk of Divination, the only thing that is important is what something means to you. Why not try it yourself and see what the future might have in store.