soothsaying
Predicting the future
Soothsaying is the practice of predicting the future or revealing hidden knowledge, typically through supernatural or mystical means.
A soothsayer claims to divine what lies ahead—through omens, visions, or intuition.
The word has an archaic flavor, evoking ancient oracles and fortune-tellers: The king consulted his advisors on matters of soothsaying.
Modern use is often ironic or literary.
Authoritative wisdom source
- seerOne who envisions futures
- sibylAncient female prophet
- pythiaHigh-energy physics simulator
- prophetessWoman who foretells events
revelation · prognostication · foretelling · precognition · visionary · apocalypse · eschatology · messianic
Authoritative wisdom source
- seerOne who envisions futures
- auguryOmen interpretation practice
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
- scryingVisionary surface-gazing
tarot · astrology · palmistry · runes · geomancy · pyromancy · chiromancy · crystal-gazing
One who envisions futures
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- sibylAncient female prophet
- augurOne who reads omens
- shamanIndigenous spiritual healer
medium · clairvoyant · psychic · astrologer · palmist · diviner · necromancer · spiritualist
Sign of future calamity
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
- presageIndicate beforehand
- auguryOmen interpretation practice
- forewarningNotice of future trouble
premonition · foreshadowing · auspice · foreboding · sign · token · foretoken · adumbration
Spirit communication ritual
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
casting · summoning · planchette · cards · bones · shells · smoke · fire
Concealed from view
- mysticalOf hidden spiritual significance
- paranormalBeyond scientific explanation
- clairaudienceParanormal auditory perception
- telepathyDirect mental communication
extrasensory · spirit · apparition · otherworldly · ethereal · uncanny · eldritch · arcane
oracle
Authoritative wisdom source
prophetess · revelation · prognostication · foretelling · precognition · visionary · apocalypse · eschatology · messianic · futurology
oracle
Authoritative wisdom source
- seerOne who envisions futures
- auguryOmen interpretation practice
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
scrying · tarot · astrology · palmistry · runes · geomancy · pyromancy · chiromancy · crystal-gazing · tea-leaves
seer
One who envisions futures
shaman · medium · clairvoyant · psychic · astrologer · palmist · diviner · necromancer · spiritualist · druid
portent
Sign of future calamity
forewarning · premonition · foreshadowing · auspice · foreboding · sign · token · foretoken · adumbration · boding
séance
Spirit communication ritual
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
- incantationSpoken magical formula
invocation · casting · summoning · planchette · cards · bones · shells · smoke · fire · water
occult
Concealed from view
- mysticalOf hidden spiritual significance
- paranormalBeyond scientific explanation
- clairaudienceParanormal auditory perception
telepathy · extrasensory · spirit · apparition · otherworldly · ethereal · uncanny · eldritch · arcane · esoteric
- Predictionprediction, forecasting, forecast model, estimation, extrapolation
- divinationdivination, fortune telling, fortune-telling, fortune teller, tarot
- Biblical Supernaturalsorcery, witchcraft, magic, demons, exorcism
- prophecyprophecy, prophet, seer, prophets, prophetess
- dreamsnightmare, dreaming, daydream, nightmares, dreams
- foresightforesight, precognition, futurology, forethought, premonition
soothsayingempiricism
Knowledge through observation
scientific method · science · evidence-based reasoning · logical deduction · data analysis
soothsayinghistorical analysis
Systematic study of past events
historiography · retrospection · hindsight · chronicle · archaeology
soothsayingagnosticism
Doubt about divine existence
epistemic humility · uncertainty · doubt · skeptical inquiry · hedging