Spirit of Divination

What is a "spirit of divination" (Acts 16:16)?
πνευμα πυθωνος (pneuma Pythonos), the original Greek words translated "a spirit of divination," literally means "a spirit of Python."

What is a spirit of Python?
In Greek paganism, Python was said to be a serpent that lives in Delphi in what is southern Greece today and that was said to have the power of divination. "A spirit of Python" is likely to have been what the locals called the demon in this slave girl.

What was this spirit of Python/divination really?
Just an unclean spirit - a demon.

Can a demonic spirit really have the power of divination?
There are two sources of spiritual power: God, who is omniscient - i.e., all knowing - and Satan, a fallen angel - i.e., a creature - whose spiritual power pales compared in that of the Creator God. Apparently, the demon in the slave girl drew power from Satan and said things about the future that came to pass often enough for her to bring "her masters much profit by fortune-telling" (Acts 16:16).

What did the "slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination" (Acts 16:16) cry out?
"These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation" (Acts 16:17).

Was she right?
Yes

Then why did Paul become "greatly annoyed" (Acts 16:18)?
For at least three reasons. First, she kept repeating this "for many days" (Acts 16:18). Second, crying this out during "prayer" (Acts 16:16) probably disturbed the prayer(s). Third, when people confirm that "these men" indeed "are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation," at least some of the people risked trusting the girl and her demon.

How is she different from the psychics, witches and other who engage in fortune telling today?
She isn't. Today's psychics, witches and fortune tellers are also enabled by demonic spirits and also say things that come to pass at least once in a while.

What did God say about His people seeking advice from psychics, witches and fortune tellers?
He called them "abominations" and strictly forbade them: "When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you" (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). "Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 19:31). "And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people" (Leviticus 20:6). Seeking guidance from any spiritual source other than God the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent (see John 16:7) is an abominable and idolatrous betrayal of Him.

What about things like daily horoscopes and fortune cookies?
What do you think?