In the midst of the recent years’ intense transformations and chronic instabilities, Iranian society has been faced with a multifaceted erosion of social fabric; a situation that is not only observable in economic and political indicators, but also in the lived experiences of citizens. Among the key components of this multi-layered crisis, three phenomena stand […]...

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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 […]...

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 […]...

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 […]...

In a world where science and technology are rapidly advancing, it may seem strange that people still turn to fortune tellers and spellcasters to solve their problems. However, the reality is that many people, especially in times of despair and desperation, are looking for a quick and miraculous solution, and this creates an opportunity for […]...

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 […]...

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 […]...

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, […]...

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 […]...

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 […]...

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. […]...