A Look at the Psychological and Social Roots of Superstitions in Iran: A Conversation with Kaveh Talabam/ Morteza Hamounian

In Iran, fortune-telling and divination have existed since ancient times, but in recent years, this phenomenon has grown significantly, not only among the illiterate, but also among the upper levels of society and politicians. This phenomenon, which many psychologists and social scientists believe has its roots in mental and social insecurity, has become a tool […]...

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Conversation with two fortune-tellers who do not read fortunes for themselves/ Ali Kalaei

Divination and fortune-telling is one of the oldest professions of humanity. In the past, it was considered a science and everyone in a society, from rulers to the condemned, believed in it. But today, in the eyes of observers and modern intellectuals, it has turned into a pseudo-science and superstition. It is still believed by […]...

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Psychic Industry: From Free Exchange to Fraud / Amin Ghazaei

Philosophical schools of thought in legal theory differ significantly on the legal legitimacy of activities such as fortune-telling, amulet writing, palm reading, psychic readings, mind reading, and all services based on claims of supernatural powers. Libertarians argue for the legality of these businesses, claiming that as long as individuals voluntarily and willingly purchase such services […]...

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Why has superstition taken hold in Iran?/ Mehdi Ambari

Divination and fortune-telling, as activities that claim to predict the future or interpret events, have existed in various societies since ancient times. In Iran, due to specific economic, social, and cultural conditions, these activities have developed in different forms and have had a profound impact on individuals and society. This article attempts to briefly examine […]...

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When fortune tellers roll the dice and we play/ Pooyan Khoshhal

Albert Einstein has a famous quote: “God does not play dice.” But if he were alive today and looked at social media, he might shake his head in disappointment and say, “It seems that fortune tellers and social media are not only playing dice, but they are also gambling with it.” Nowadays, predictions, fortunes, and […]...

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When superstition ties reason down/ Fereshteh Goli

Myth refers to beliefs and actions based on fear, ignorance, or misunderstanding of natural and supernatural causes – often without scientific or logical basis – and can exist individually or collectively. In fact, the foundation of superstitions and magic is built on the fear and ignorance of humans. In the past, superstitions were a part […]...

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When hope boils in a cup of coffee/ Alireza Goodarzi

The woman sat down and fear was in her eyes. He was thinking about a cup of tea. He said, “Oh my child! Don’t be sad!” Love is your destiny.   Allow me to distinguish between concepts that have no clear boundaries: fortune-telling, palmistry, divination, and astrology. Each claims to have a connection with another […]...

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“Ramali in the Digital Era: Violation of Women’s Rights and Reproduction of Vulnerability / Ali Barnaie”

In the chaos of virtual platforms and social networks in Iran, digital fortune tellers and diviners with thousands of followers make colorful promises of changing fate to desperate, vulnerable individuals, essentially launching a “dream-selling business”. Women, especially in marginalized and low-income communities, are the main targets of these promises. In fact, fortune telling and divination, […]...

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Serious Economy/ Ahmad Alavi

Ramali and falgiri, as part of the informal economy, have deep roots in many developing societies, including Iran. This phenomenon, which thrives in a context of economic, social, and cultural crises, not only leads to the withdrawal of capital – both financial, human, and social – from the productive and formal economic cycle, but also […]...

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Does fortune-telling and divination tarnish human dignity?/ Sina Yousefi

Fortune-telling and divination, as manifestations of superstitions in modern societies, are considered a serious threat to human dignity beyond just a cultural and social problem. These phenomena take advantage of individuals’ psychological, economic, and social vulnerabilities, targeting their intellectual independence and free will, and reducing them from capable and autonomous beings to dependent and passive […]...

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قتSuperstition sales under the shadow of law / Ehsan Haqqi

Humans have always believed in the influence of supernatural and non-material factors on their lives and destinies, from ancient times until the present day as recorded in history and shown by archaeological studies. They have constantly strived to control these factors and improve their lives and the lives of their loved ones by manipulating them. […]...

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