I have been reading The Sorcerer's Companion which is a historical background on Harry Potter terms and subjects. The most interesting thing I discovered upon perusing the book is the many types of Divination, and how similar they are. For example, Geomancy and Hydromancy are very similar. Geomancy interprets the way that soil is thrown and Hydromancy does the same basic thing, only with water. The certain ways that things are placed are always the keys to foretelling the future apparently during the Medieval era. Personally, I would vest more faith in the way the planets are aligned, because there may at the very least be something to changes in magnetic fields that could attribute to a person's mood, or at least, the change in weather might. For example, if it is overcast I am more likely to be dreary because it's not sunny and bright. I just don't hold much stock in predictions or fortunes I guess. Most of them are so vague that they have to come true. For example, "your good graces will pay off in the near future." Well of course they will! If you are gracious to someone they are bound to treat you better, it's common sense. Now, if it said "your good graces will pay off at four o'clock next Tuesday" I might be more convinced.
The inaccuracy of predicting the future has nothing to do with how amusing and pleasing it is to do so. Attempting to read tea leaves or palms is fun. Especially if your prediction does come true. It is as much fun as buying a horseshoe or rubbing Buddha's belly. Even though many of use don't believe in these kinds of things, it is still fun to play and see if they come true.
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