Weekly Divination ~ reading body language

[Hope]

I think this may be an interesting discussion for us. The topic is body language.
In fact MANY naysaers of any form of divination, think that people just watch body language and ask many questions, and then parrot back the info based on what was said and how.

I have to admit I ALSO agree that is VERY true of many con artists.

However I also think it can be good divination and awareness to honor what you see and hear; and that it really serves your whole life to listen to those cues.

For example your new boyfriend says "I LOVE DOGS" yet he can't look you in the eye when he says it, never owned a dog in his life, and seems to set his jaw when telling you... hmmm really are you still sure he LOVES them?

When I do readings I refuse to listen to the long drawn out parts of the questions, just a topic and I read the energy. Obviously when I am online I can not see the body language but I can face to face.

Often I will give a reading and hear NO NOT ME NO WAY, while the body language says OMG, how did she know, the arms cross fast etc.

So body language, let's talk!

love
t

[TheWomanMonster]

LOL :lol: I've totally done that to people before.

A good friend of mine, did a 1 year spread of Tarot for her on new years...
Was laying out cards and interpreting them as we went along.
The whole time she's saying one thing, and I'm seeing something entirely different.

I would pull something pertaining to a relationship and she gets all bitter, "no that'd never happen, I'm concentrating on my career" But I can see her eyes sparkle a little with interest and desire for love.

Good news is that the reading was a positive one over all so once she got past the denial of "nothing good ever happens to me" she loosened up. Apparently she's had a really good year so far!

[SilverClaw]

When I do readings I refuse to listen to the long drawn out parts of the questions, just a topic and I read the energy. Obviously when I am online I can not see the body language but I can face to face. Actually when it comes to the online aspect I can feel the energy and I have called people on things if I had a nagging feeling about something whether it was good bad or otherwise something they were trying to hide.

When I have done a reading in person, I make sure the body language is taken into consideration. It also helps me dictate whether or not I should do a reading for some one as well. And what I mean is if the person is stoned or drunk ... and the drunk part is not as noticeable on the breath but the body language does speak volumes.

[LisaT4P]

What I tend to notice when doing in person readings is that I get alot of people who are being VERY careful NOT to show me any body language. LOL

Some people who are used to receiving readings will sit and nod, or smile & laugh, or talk to me as I go through the cards. But some will sit as still as possible with this deer-in-the-headlights look. They are afraid to move or even breathe! Usually they loosen up once I get through all the cards and start asking specific questions, going back over the reading and touching on what I feel are key points.

I usually don't read "alone", since the person being read for usually has a friend that has probably been read for by me before, and is saying things like, "Yeah that makes so much sense!" or "Remember when so-and-so said or did that thing?" I get alot of help from the peanut gallery. :D

I really prefer to do readings online, actually. I can take just the question without knowing anything else or seeing the person. I can just read what I see in the cards and then discuss it later without the influence of body language or helpful comments from friends & others. It makes the reading feel more "real" for me. When I read in person it feels like it is more for entertainment than any real advice I might give. *shrug*

[SwordsFlameSong]

Anyone ever read the Trixie Belden books? Well, I devoured them as a kid. I was reading at age 5 and back in the 70's there wasn't a great deal of kids books out there. Trixie Belden was a Nancy Drew type. And she liked to observe people - just quietly observe.

So, here I was 7 years old - wanting to be like Trixie Belden and I started observing people. I never stopped.

Body language is fascinating and very telling. Not 100% fool proof but a damn good means to understanding people.

The job I hold demands a lot out of a body. Constant communications and troubleshooting. I am considered to be one of the tops there with my people skills. But I "read" what their body and tone tells me as well as what they have to say. It enables me to be more effective in conflict situations (electronic claims customer support) and co-workers (there's always some negative people there also). Not meaning to brag but I do think I am so good at it because, as a kid I started active listening which means watching as well eh.

Though even as a kid I could tell when someone was blowing smoke. I could tell if someone was upset even if they hid it well. I would take action to help.

Some of my pagan friends say I am an empath and a diviner because I can read people. People at work just say I have strong people skills.

I don't know it is just me. Each person matters and each person gets my focus.

As far as divination is concerned. Hrmmmm. Aye, I feel it helps. Though, when I do tarot readings and the like I don't want to know the querant's question nor do I ask questions. But I do watch their body language. If something I am saying seems to be seriously upsetting to them I will try to word it differently. Just as I can tell if I am nailing something on the head by their body language.

I brought my tarot deck to work on Samhain - charged two bits a reading for charity. From what i heard afterward I nailed each querant's question but they were thrown by the fact I didn't ask questions. I could also tell when a person was very uncomfie with the whole thing.

I am running on at the mouth - obviously due to the fact I have only had one cup of coffee - and who wants to read a rambling lecture by yours truly?

[Hope]

I remember those books, and I think you did a good job of explaining where I hoped this would go.

About how reading a person is in a way a form of its own divination, just like police officers are trained to watch for certain tells, or poker players do to "know" what is happening with another person.

I think reading body language can assist people in many areas.
parenting, work, medical fields, and also divination/readings

I think people shy away from the topic, because they do not want to be lumped into the role of scam artists that have ONLY that as a skill.

love
t

[SwordsFlameSong]

I usually get blank stares when I mention Trixie Belden. People ask me if I am not actually talking about Nancy Drew. LOL.

The reading of non-verball cues is actually a science. When I was in college I took non-verbal communications from the token anthropoligist in the Communications dept. She was AWESOME. First day of class "Don't bother with the books this is a hands on class". I also took a couple of other courses she taught. Every week we had to do an "experiment" and write about our experiences. One was breaking a societal more. I went to the local pub wore a bib, and poured my beer in a baby bottle and drank it that way. Another time I dressed like a slut goth and went with friends to a preppy night club. You would not believe the reactions I got. Like, at the club, my friends KNEW what I was doing and didn't say anything about my get up but they tried to hide me. They would lean away if we were walking. It was all very intriguing.

Just as some people can tell when I am well and truly angry. I get very cold. My tone becomes more firm, the language I use becomes more complex, my gaze is more focused but my body stays relaxed. Friends tell me, when they start seeing that they want to run and hide! LOL.

Just as the words may indicate one thing but the body and eyes may say another. At work, no one can tell who I like and whom I don't because I actively trained myself to overcome some of those cues I could give off. But, sit around in one of our meetings and someone will roll their eyes or gaze fixedly at some object when they don't like what the speaker is saying.

As far as divination. I knew two high priestesses. One well, she was a charlatan. I would watch her and she hid a lot of things with flash and dash manuevers. Others would see just the flash and not look closely. But her body language always made me think "staged".

The other HP, watching her do a divination was a treat. There was something so natural about her. No flash no dash - just integrity and a passion for what she was doing.

Which brings me to another point. Acting. Never discount getting some basic acting lessons in. If you are nervous about being in front of others acting classes can teach you how to modify and be aware of your body language. I would get sicker than a dog from nerves before having to do a speech or presentation. But acting classes helped me control the non-verbal cues that would have given this away.

So, I also think that it is very important to be aware of the non-verbal cues that you give off. In life or while doing a divination. Because the person you are reading for may well be reading you.
I remember those books, and I think you did a good job of explaining where I hoped this would go.

About how reading a person is in a way a form of its own divination, just like police officers are trained to watch for certain tells, or poker players do to "know" what is happening with another person.

I think reading body language can assist people in many areas.
parenting, work, medical fields, and also divination/readings

I think people shy away from the topic, because they do not want to be lumped into the role of scam artists that have ONLY that as a skill.

love
t