fortune-telling; divination; augury
General term for predicting the future or seeking hidden knowledge through supernatural or ritual means.
古代では、卜占によって国の方針を決めることもあった。
In ancient times, national policies were sometimes decided through divination.
彼は卜占に詳しく、よく人々の運勢を占っている。
He is well-versed in fortune-telling and often reads people's fortunes.
Compound of 卜 (divination, fortune-telling) and 占 (divination, fortune-telling). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination reinforces the meaning of divination.