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FORTUNE-TELLING

		
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practice of predicting the future of individuals by divining the alleged significance of certain signs, such as the lines in the palm of a hand (see DIVINATION,; PALMISTRY,).Other forms of fortune-telling, in addition to palmistry, include ASTROLOGY (q.v.); cartomancy, the practice of foretelling coming events by means of playing cards; and necromancy, the practice of divining the future ostensibly through consultation with the spirits of the dead. Clairvoyance, the perception of past, present, and future events by extrasensory means, and prophecy, as a manifestation of religious exaltation, are not considered forms of fortune-telling.

Although fortune-telling is without basis in scientific fact and is contrary to prevailing conceptions of physical science and philosophy, it is popular in many countries, including the U.S. In ancient times fortune-telling was virtually a universal practice. The governments of Rome and other nations of antiquity appointed official fortune-tellers (augurs) whose talents were invoked before important state and personal decisions were made. History and literature abound with instances of the influence exercised by fortunetellers on monarchs and other important persons.

An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited.

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ENCYCLOPEDIA:

FORTUNE-TELLING,

FORTUNE-TELLING,. practice of predicting the future of individuals by divining the alleged significance of certain signs, such as the lines in the palm of a hand (see DIVINATION,; PALMISTRY,). Other forms of fortune-telling, in addition to palmistry, include ASTROLOGY (q.v.); cartomancy, . . .

ENCYCLOPEDIA: FAUST

ENCYCLOPEDIA: TAROT,

ENCYCLOPEDIA: PALMISTRY,

ENCYCLOPEDIA: CARDS AND CARD GAMES,