When you think of divination, your mind probably jumps straight to tarot cards, crystal balls, or maybe even tea leaves. But not all witches follow the usual path. In fact, some of the most powerful and insightful methods come from the weirdest, most surprising tools you could imagine. If it sounds odd, that’s probably because it is—but that doesn’t make it any less magical.
Throughout history, witches have looked for signs and messages from the universe in just about everything. Why? Because magic doesn’t always come dressed up in candles and moonlight. Sometimes it hides in the folds of a shirt, the way wax drips, or even in how your noodles settle in a bowl. The universe is wild like that.
The thing is, divination is all about tapping into intuition and opening yourself up to patterns that speak beyond logic. The weirder the method, the more it jolts you out of your usual headspace—and that’s often when the best messages sneak in.
So, get comfy. Light a candle if you want. And let’s explore some of the strangest, quirkiest, and most unexpected ways witches have peeked into the unknown. You might just discover a new favorite way to divine your fate.
The Weirdest Things Witches Use for Divination
1. Chewed Gum Reading (Gumomancy)
It might sound like something out of a teenager’s notebook, but chewed gum can actually be used for magical insight. A witch will chew the gum while concentrating on a question or situation, then spit it out and place it somewhere flat. As it settles, stretches, or sticks, they study the shape it makes and the impressions it leaves behind. The strange forms can offer symbols, faces, or messages.
This works similarly to tea leaf reading or scrying—but with a modern twist. If you’re open to it, your mind will start to see meaningful symbols and even patterns in the gum’s twists and lumps. Witches who use this method often say it’s especially good for love questions, as it ties closely to the mouth and communication.
The secret to gumomancy is to approach it with playfulness. Because the method is so weird and lighthearted, it helps people loosen up and connect with their intuition. Magic doesn’t always have to be serious to be real. And if you end up with some minty fresh insights? Even better.
2. Mop Water Scrying
Mop water might be the last thing you think of as a sacred tool, but for some witches, it holds deep meaning. After mopping a floor with intention—especially during a cleaning ritual or full moon—the remaining mop water becomes a scrying surface. A witch gazes into the murky water, watching the dirt swirls, floating bits, and reflections.
This form of scrying connects with themes of purification, release, and energy clearing. Since the water has absorbed the physical and possibly emotional grime from the space, it often reveals what’s been hidden or lingering. It’s particularly good for home-related questions, unwanted energy, or figuring out what needs to shift.
Some witches enhance the experience with essential oils, herbs, or salt in the water. The way bubbles form and pop, the direction the dirt floats—even how the light reflects on the surface—can all be interpreted. It’s messy, magical, and weirdly comforting.
3. Popcorn Divination (Popcorndomancy)
Popping corn might seem like a snack activity, but witches have turned it into a method of insight. You start with a question in mind, toss some kernels into a pot, and pay close attention to what happens. Which kernels pop first? Which don’t pop at all? Do any of the popped pieces look like symbols or animals?
Each popping sound can represent energy shifting, incoming change, or areas where something is “bursting” to the surface. Some witches even divine messages from the rhythm and timing of the pops. It becomes a full sensory experience—sight, sound, and even scent playing a part.
Once the popping’s done, examine the shapes. A witch might see a heart, an arrow, a bird, or even letters in the popcorn. And the unpopped kernels? Those can symbolize blocked energy or hidden things not yet ready to emerge. Delicious, fun, and just a little bit magical.
4. Peeling Paint Messages
You know those patches of cracked or peeling paint on old walls or fences? Some witches stare at them like an oracle. This method is all about interpreting the shapes and figures that seem to appear in the flaking layers. Think of it like seeing dragons in the clouds—only these dragons might have something serious to tell you.
It’s a method often used in old or charged places. The more history and emotional energy a space has, the more potent the messages in the paint seem to be. Faces, animals, runes, or scenes can suddenly come to life the more you stare. Sometimes it feels like the walls are whispering.
It might not be the most conventional way to receive messages, but it works because it bypasses logic. Your mind starts to unlock symbols from your subconscious, nudged forward by the randomness of decay. It’s eerie, intimate, and surprisingly moving.
5. Melted Cheese Reading
Grilled cheese just got mystical. In this method, a witch watches the way cheese melts, stretches, and bubbles—especially in sandwiches, casseroles, or even pizza. As it melts or browns, shapes can form that are interpreted as symbols.
Melted cheese reading is part of kitchen witchcraft, rooted in the idea that food preparation is sacred and full of energy. The warmth, the movement, the transformation—all of it can be a mirror for what’s going on in your own life. Questions about love, comfort, or home often show up clearly in the gooey swirls.
Once the cheese has cooled a bit, take a look at the crusted edges or the stringy lines when pulled apart. You might see a shape, an animal, a heart, or a path. And if the message is unclear? You still get to eat the result. A cozy way to connect with the universe.
6. Dice From Board Games
You don’t need fancy runes or occult dice to do divination. Grab the dice from your favorite board game and assign your own meanings to the numbers or colors. Some witches even use RPG dice, like Dungeons & Dragons sets, for more variety.
This form of divination is all about making it personal. You can create a system where odd numbers mean “no” and even numbers mean “yes.” Or go deeper and assign symbols or messages to each number. The key is focusing your intention and letting your inner wisdom take over.
Rolling the dice becomes a magical act. How they land, how they bounce, even if they fall off the table—all of it can be read for meaning. And because it’s rooted in play, it tends to loosen up your mind and let the messages come through clearer.
7. Tangled Jewelry or Cords
Ever opened your jewelry box and found your necklaces in a knotted mess? Some witches see that tangle as a message waiting to be read. The shapes and intersections, the strands that pull together or apart—they all hold symbolism.
This type of divination connects strongly to emotions, relationships, and inner conflict. If two chains are wrapped tightly, it might suggest entanglement or deep connection. If one is frayed or broken, it could signal a need to let go. The way you feel while untangling it also tells a story.
You can make it more ritualistic by purposely jumbling up a few cords or strings, then shaking them in a bowl and laying them out. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let the pattern speak to you. It’s surprisingly insightful and grounding.
8. Toilet Bowl Scrying
Okay, this one gets some side-eye, but hear it out. Some witches scry in the water of a clean toilet bowl. The still surface, the swirl of water after flushing, and the reflections all offer a mirror to the subconscious.
This method is tied to release—literally and energetically. It works best when you’re alone, undisturbed, and in a state of quiet focus. The ripple patterns or even bubbles can offer signs, especially if you ask a specific question first.
It might feel silly at first, but many witches find it deeply honest. It strips away glamour and gets right to the raw, human side of divination. Magic can be found in the humblest places—even the bathroom.
9. Crumbs on a Plate
After a meal, instead of wiping your plate clean, take a closer look. Witches read the crumbs, sauce smudges, and leftover bits the same way they might read tea leaves. It’s simple, spontaneous, and tied to everyday life.
This method can feel incredibly personal, as the food is something you’ve just eaten and connected with. The remaining shapes or streaks can resemble animals, letters, or symbols. It’s like the meal leaves one last message for you before it’s truly over.
Some witches use this method to reflect on gratitude, emotional nourishment, or upcoming opportunities. It’s low-effort, cozy, and perfect for late-night kitchen table spells.
10. Hair in the Brush
We usually toss it without thinking, but some witches pause and look at the hair caught in their brush. The direction of the strands, the way they clump, or the shape they form can all carry meaning.
This kind of divination is very body-based. It connects to how you’re feeling physically, emotionally, and energetically. A lot of loose strands might point to stress or depletion. A single hair wrapping around others could symbolize entanglement with someone in your life.
You can make it more intentional by brushing your hair slowly, then examining the strands while in a meditative state. Let the patterns reveal themselves. It’s intimate, a little raw, and surprisingly revealing.
11. The Way Clothes Fall
When you toss clothes on a chair, bed, or the floor, pause before picking them up. Some witches watch how the fabric lands—what it resembles, how it folds, and what parts stick out. You might spot a shape, letter, or path.
This works especially well with scarves, shawls, or big t-shirts. You can even drop them intentionally after asking a question. Let the fabric speak as it settles. It’s soft, intuitive, and very personal.
The messages tend to be subtle—a nudge, a mood, or a metaphor. But once you start noticing them, it’s hard to unsee. Suddenly, your laundry becomes a mystical map.
12. Fingernail Scratches in Soap
Next time you shower, check your bar of soap. The little scratch marks left by your fingernails while lathering can resemble runes, letters, or sigils. It’s a form of spontaneous, watery divination.
This method taps into subconscious movement. You weren’t trying to draw anything, but something appeared anyway. What does it look like? How does it make you feel? Those are your clues.
Because it happens during cleansing, the messages are often tied to release, healing, or spiritual renewal. It’s quiet, private magic that shows up when you least expect it.
13. TV Static or Glitch Screens
Before digital TV, witches used to scry using static screens. Now, glitchy digital images or buffering symbols are the new frontier. You stare into the noise and let your mind wander.
Some see faces, symbols, or scenes flash across the screen. Others feel messages drop into their mind like dreams. It’s a form of chaos scrying, where randomness becomes revelation.
Try it during a tech hiccup or when you’re bored on a buffering screen. Zone out, breathe, and listen to what pops in. The digital world has spirits too, if you know how to look.
Magic is Everywhere, Even in the Weird Stuff
Magic doesn’t need to be polished, serious, or performed under a perfect moon. Sometimes it’s messy, funny, or completely unexpected. That’s what makes it beautiful. Witches have always known how to find meaning in the ordinary, and the weirdest tools often lead to the most surprising insights.
So whether you’re reading gum, listening to echoes, or interpreting crumbs on your plate—if it feels right, it probably is. Trust your senses. Trust your weird. Because in the world of magic, there’s no such thing as too strange.
