"There must not be among you….any diviner..." (Deut. 18:10-15)
The purpose of divination is to predict the future in order to enable one to choose the most effective course of action in the present. The Torah forbids this because we are supposed to lead our lives according to its laws, and not according to any notions we may have of what might prove advantageous. In the "gray area" of life, i.e. those issues about which there is no explicit directive from the Torah and regarding which someone might be in doubt regarding what to do (for example, what career to pursue, whom to marry, etc.) it is permissible – and even advisable – to attempt to ascertain G‑d’s will through means that He himself has provided: as the Torah here describes, we are allowed to consult bona fide prophets for this purpose, and ever since the close of the era of prophecy, the inspired insight of reputable sages of the Torah has taken their place. (Tanya, Igeret Hakodesh 22)
In addition, there are many other permissible means available (some of which were used even during the era of prophecy), such as dream interpretation, bibliomancy, and so on. These techniques are too numerous and their methodologies too complex to be detailed here, but their common denominator is that they only be practiced under the guidance of a competent and qualified rabbinic authority, so as to avoid any unwitting flirtation with divination. (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 178-179. See Chikrei Mingagim, vol.1, pp. 230-239)
Based on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah 178-179; see Chikrei Minhagim vol. 1, pp. 230-239
© 2001 Chabad of California/www.LAchumash.org
divination Divination is damaging to a person. The only reason for which divination is permissible is to cure a disease. It is like seeping light out of a body when one does not know who is doing it. Some close relatives have engaged in it to collect wealth. It involves going back to one's history to find out who has done it and cutting relations with such a person. It is a forced exile imposed on me for protection. Unless one is a victim one cannot realize its impact .By the time you realize it the damage has already been done.
Divination is never permissible under any circumstances, even curing a disease.. Chazzal compares it to idolatry because a diviner forgets about Hashem and that He controls everything. The consequences are dangerous because instead of seeking what we should do based off of Torah law and what is right, we go by something that may or may not be good to do. Even a prophet is prohibited from divining because a diviner still forgets about the will of Hashem, and even prophets aren't perfect and thus interpret some things wrong about the will of Hashem. Diving causes people to not be who they are- we must stay true to our Jewish neshama and what we know is right with the Torah in our mouth and in our hearts as Hashem declares if we want to be a nation of Kohanim. We must seek Hashem for guidance of what to do with our lives, whether we have a disease or even if we are in a life-threatening circumstance.
Hashem bless you and keep you.