Divination by Prompt: LLM-Mediated Xuanxue on Chinese Social Media

This paper presents a systematic study of LLM-mediated divination practices in the context of Xuanxue on Chinese social media, analyzing over 23,000 posts and conducting 32 interviews. It highlights the role of users as active prompt engineers, utilizing LLMs for pragmatic concerns while engaging in collaborative prompt refinement and verification practices. The findings suggest that while LLMs enhance scalability and repeatability in divination, they also raise questions about the perceived spiritual authority and efficacy compared to traditional practices.