Here is a nice technique you can use to further cultivate your intuition and connection to the energies of nature. The basic idea is that you are going to find a rock and use it to make a connection to spirit and to explore some question you might have. You can use this technique for yourself or to divine for someone else.

Start by setting your intention. For example, “I’m looking for a rock to aid me in answering such and such a question.” Then, if possible, set out to walk somewhere in nature. It can be as simple as going out in you own yard, or as involved as getting in the car and driving someplace you would like to hike.

At some point you’ll be drawn to a rock and that’s all there is to it. Pick it up. Ask the spirit of the rock if it will assist you and allow yourself to know the answer.

Most of the time you’ll want to return the rock to the place you found it so be mindful of where it was if you’re taking it home. If you’re allowed to take rocks from wherever you are and you aren’t going to be able to return it, I suggest leaving a symbolic offering. I like to carry natural tobacco with me and will leave a small amount with a prayer of thanks.

Once you’ve got your rock and you feel ready… meaning you are feeling centered and grounded and able to open your senses and receive information, begin.

Now, ask your question.

What, Where, How, Why are all good ways to start your question. When can be trickier. Best to make it simple and as clear as possible.

A rock has 4 sides. You will read at least 2.
Start on one side of the rock and look for anything you can see in it.
Anything seen while looking at rock counts. Anything you imagine you see counts. Don’t judge it, just make a note of it.
You can start by noticing anything that is physically there.. bumps, valleys, craters, smooth spots…

Turn your rock upside down and repeat the process.

Think about each image. Each one is an answer to your question.
Try to understand the logic of what the image says, of how it answers your question.
Point to each image and state the answer.

This is very much the way reading tarot cards works. The only difference is that you’ve made a direct connection to images and answers. In a tarot spread, you are utilizing a system of symbolism and cards designed by someone else. Then you still have to use your intuition and guidance to put all those images and symbols together and figure out how they answer the question posed by yourself or whomever you’re reading for.

If you’re reading for someone else, you can have them focus on their question but not tell you while you’re gathering your images. That way you won’t second guess yourself about what you’re seeing. Then after you’ve written down your images and “answers”, you can get the question and begin to translate even deeper and more specifically.

Here’s an example of image gathering: (this was a reading I did for someone else)

Her Question: Where should I focus my energies next?

Side One: (the image I saw is in bold with my immediate feeling right after.)
1- cave, dark places
2- mountain ridge – open spaces
3- bird – coming in for a landing. (birds don’t land for no reason)

Side Two:
1- house – home
2- path- leading away from home
3- veins – going out of house but through also, connected
4- palm tree- outside house – free, peaceful  (Palm tree can be pulled up by the roots and moved.)
5- full tree -inside house -padded, a lot of leaves…

The “feeling” translations would probably be different even for the same images in a different reading. The key to this and any other divination is to practice allowing yourself to hear, feel, see, know and trust what the information coming through is.

This basic technique will work with many other things in nature. I sometimes start with a “game” I used to play as a child. I had decided one day while walking around the neighborhood, that everything would be alive. At first I thought I was just pretending, but then there seemed to be so much power all around me, emanating from everything that I knew I wasn’t in control of it.  I would never forget that feeling. It was so easy to start to hear and see differently, and more deeply.

So now, I suggest this game to you. Walk through nature and allow yourself to know that everything has its own energy, its own voice and its own life. And then allow yourself to be drawn to something in particular.

Don’t judge your journey, just play.