HISTORY has it that human beings have always had a craving to foresee what lies ahead.
And so we are very familiar with the image of a gypsy woman decorated with exaggerated accessories where on her [alms are cards with different images.
In eras past, people will not embark on anything without consulting a fortuneteller. But since science has discovered a lot, divination is no longer believed by many.Fortune telling began as early as 400 BC. Historians believe that every culture had developed its various forms of soothsaying. During the ancient period, the Greeks had oracles for predicting their future while medieval kings had wizards or astrologers to consult. More forms evolved as years passed.
Tarot card reading was believed to have originated in China and India. Astrology, which is the divination through the use of heavenly bodies such as sun, moon and stars, originated and widely spread in Egypt.
Numerology, the interpretation of numbers, dates or anything that deals with numbers, started in Babylon and Greece. Palmistry is the interpretation or prediction of the future through looking to one’s palms — its lines, curves and other marks which may create meaning. It was proven that interest of people in palmistry began even during the Stone Age.
In the Philippines, three can be identified as most common — the card reading with the use of playing cards, the use of tarot cards, and palmistry. If a person walks through San Pedro St. in Davao City in front the Sanggunian Bldg., one would notice many fortune tellers.
The more popular among them is Kuya Romy who earns P30 for every interpretation of a pair of palms. He claims to have been sent by God to share his knowledge and to help people see their future. He uses Bible verses to defend his passion for fortune telling, like what’s found in Proverbs 2:2-6, which he quotes: “Ang kaalam usab makahimo sa imong kinabuhi nga anindot ug maoy magtultol kanimo sa tibuok kinabuhi aron dili ka maunsa (Wisdom is what will make your life beautiful and lead you throughout your life so you will not go wrong).”
A check with the Bible shows the verses read: “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding palm reading and meanings, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding…”
People from different walks of life “consult” him by allowing him to interpret not just their palms but even their dreams.
According to Ronnie Ellizar, one of his customers, he believes in what Kuya Rody said since he predicted Ronnie’s past, present’ and future dreams. He said Kuya Rody is 99% accurate but he is uncertain whether he’s coming back or not.
One thing bothered Ronnie. Kuya Rody told him he will meet an accident soon and refuses to give more details saying if he wants to know more, then he has to pay an additional P100.
This is a form of deceit.
Another customer said that she was quite hesitant in believing some of his divinations especially about the future. In addition, she said Kuya Rody was only 60% accurate. But she adds, the way he talks and delivers his message are well organized and delivered so smoothly, it helps in making some people believe in his soothsaying.
Mr. Joey Francis Dalumpines, another customer, was disappointed declared Kuya Rody as bogus. He claimed that Kuya Rody’s hunches were based on his physical appearance and some were just common and usual attributes or characteristics that a lad would have. He said he would definitely not come back.
While many people believe in fortune-telling, the Church does not favor this.
According to Pastor Romeo Jardinel from the Gladiola Missionary Baptist Church, we should not put our faith in divinations since it may mean that we do not trust the Lord our God for our destiny.
One verse he cited can be found in Deuteronomy 18:10-13 where it says, “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.”
Even Muslims do not promote fortune telling. A verse in the Qur’an mentions that these soothsayers deny what their prophet had revealed for them and that those who believe in them will not be accepted in paradise.
While many people still believe in divination, many have also relied and trusted on what God has prepared for them.