DIVINATION.
Aeromancy:
.Divination from atmospheric conditions ranging from halos around the sun or moon to the unexpected appearance of heavenly bodies such as the comet of 44bc., which preceded the Norman Conquest of England. Mirages have also been responsible for omens of this type, as were the famous "Bowmen of mons," huge spectral figures seen by British soldiers during World war 1, which encourages them to hold off the attacks of superior German forces, a phenomenon still not fully explained by natural means.
Alectryomancy or Alectoromancy..........still finish
Aleuromancy:
Divination by predictions written on slips of paper and baked in cakes that are chosen at random by interested persons, like Chinese fortune cookies. This has also survived in the custom of baking a coin or ring in a large cake, which is then divided among guests, one of whom is lucky and finds the gift.
Alomancy or Halomancy:
Use of salt in various divinations, probaly dating froms its ancient use as a offering to pagan gods, because of its scarcity and necessity. From that developed other rites in which salt played a significant part; hence any careless waste of such a precious substance was sure to rouse the wrath of the presiding dieties. this has survived in the modern superstitions that spilling salt brings bad luck.
Alphitomancy:
Determining an accused persons innocence by having him swallow a piece of specially baked barley loaf, with choking or other ill-effects marking him as guilty. In the year 1053, Earl Godwin of Wessex, England, collapsed while taking this test to support a false oath, and died a few days later. This case has frequently been cited as a strong argumented in favor of alphitomancy as a divination process.
Amniomancy:
A term applied to traditional predictions made re-garding a child that is born with a membraneous caul over its head.
Anthropomancy:
A form of divination used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks, involving human sacrifice and the dissection of bodies. It continued intermittently through the period of the Roman Empire and was probably revived by notorious practitioners of black arts during the middle ages.
Antinopomancy:
similar to above...but somewhere more gruesome, as children were among the principle victims.
Apantomancy:
Divination from omens depending on observations of chance objects, meeting certain tpes of amimals, or other unusual occuurrences. In ancient times such events were frequently interpreted by oracles, and their importance persisted through the middle ages, even up to modern times. From them have stemmed countless superstitions that many people still believe may bring them good or bad luck, though the interpretations may vary in different localities.
Arithmancy or Arithmomancy:
Fortune telling by numbers.
Aromancy:
A long forgotton mode of divining suitable candidates for sacrificial rites by inspecting them physically. Any modern survival of such practises is probably computerized rarther than divinatory.
Aspidomancy:
A primative form of divination in which an entranced sorcerer, seated in a magic circle, becomes inspired by the "devil" and upon awakening recounts the predictions revealed to him from that source.
Astragalomancy:
Divination with dice, ranging from crude bones with primative markings to cubes bearing spots, letters, or cabalistic symbols, all interpreted by the bone caster.
Astromancy:
The ancient forerunner of astrology, as developed in Babylon and later carried to Greece, ascribing heavenly thrones to gods as represented by the sun, moon, and planets. From their movements wise men divined the purpose of such deities, taking into account the phases of the moon, eclipses, the proximity of planets to the brighter fixed stars, and other phenomena, including the positions of constellations other than those forming the signs of the zodiac. As examples, the new moon rising in a cloudy sky presaged victory in a coming battle, while if it failed to rise at an anticipated time, it became an omen of defeat. with the advance of astrology as a science, the casting of horoscopes and other exact calculations supplanted the old traditions and astromancy dwindled in importance. Its systems are largely obsolete, but its lore has survived as modern superstitions, such as expecting bad luck if you look at the moon over your left shoulder, or making a quick wish if you see a falling star.
Austromancy:
Divining the future by a study of winds. Where weather forecasts are concerned, this is a solid science in its own right. As to foretelling the fate of individuals or nations, it is less certain but still worthy of consideration. Human affairs are often related to weather conditions.
Axinomancy:
Primarily used as a mode of finding a guilty person, this consisted of heating an ax head, setting it upright, placing a marble on it, and turning it slowly till the marble rolled in someones direction. treasure can presumably be uncovered by the same procedure. Another way is to suspend a hand ax or hatchet from a string attached to its handle, start it twirling and see to whom it points when it stops. A third and perhaps the best method is to drive the ax blade into the top of a post and let it waver there, while a group dances around the post. When the ax finally falls, its handle is supposed to point to the culprit if he is still around. If he has gone, it will point to the direction that he took.
Belomancy:
Dating from the time of ancient Babylon, this type of divination depends on tossing arrows to determine the direction a person was to take. Later, the arrows were handled like divining rods and the famous historian Herodotus (450bc) tells how Scythian soothsayers spread bundles of such rods upon the ground and interpreted each in turn. In still another form of belomancy, arrows bearing various inscriptions were drawn at random, so their advice could be followed. In its simplest form, three arrows were used to answer any direct question; one for yes..another for no and the third a blank, which meant to mix them and try again.
Bibliomancy:
A traditional divination in which anyone can be his own consultant by simply opening a book at random, pointing to a paragraph, reading it, and following its advice by his own interpretation. Originally, religious books were used and still are, but later, consultants swung to the classics...Homer...Vergil, and eventually Shakespear. In recent years, all inspirations books have filled the purpose, and now all sorts of books of publications may suggest the course to follow.
Botanomancy:
The ancient magi ascribed mystic properties to various plants and herbs, some of which were later used for purposes of divination. The practice of botanomancy, as this is termed, in cludes inscribing questions on branches of brier or vervain, which were burned with due ceremony so that answers could be revealed by the seer.
Capnomancy:
Early wise men, observing the smoke from sacrificial fires, noted that if it rose straight, clear weather was in order, hence they pronounced it as a good omen. while if it hung low, a storm threatened, so they called it a bad omen. Such was the origin of capnomancy, which up until modern times was still practiced the European peasantry, who lighted bonfires on special occasions and let the direction of the smoke decide whether the harvest would be good or bad. The indoor version of this divinatory game was to throw various substances upon a hearth fire and study the resulting smoke or fumes, interpreting them according to stipulated rules.
Cardtomancy.......#####################
Catoptromancy or Catoxtromancy:
Divination with the aid of a magic mirror. This originated in Persia and spread throughout the ancient world. Two techniques were used: In one the mirrow was suspended in a pool of water: in the other it was turned to catch the light of the moon. Either way, it showed mysterious reflections revealing future events. This practices increased through the years, reaching its peak during the middle ages with such remarkable results that it is highly probable that concave mirrors were used to reflect distorted images or other scenes. However simple magic mirrows are still used, their surface being painted a glossy black, and some persons who gaze into their depths claim to see visions there.
Cattabomancy:
Use of brazen vessels for special forms of divination.
Causimomancy:
A form of divination in which articles are thrown into a fire. if any fail to burn when they should it is regarded as a good omen.
Cephalomancy:
A weird and long-obsolete rite of boiling a donkeys head for divinatory purposes.
Ceromancy;
A time-honoured divination performed by melting pur wax in a brass bowl and pouring it slowly into another bowl filled with water, so that it forms various shapes, which are duly interpretated by the diviner. Special listings were made of those, so that ceromancy became a widespread art, which fortunately has survived in the form of tasseomancy.
Chalcomancy:
Divination by striking bowls of copper or brass. Such tones were given definite interpretations at the ancient Oracle of Dodona.
Chaomancy:
A medley of ancient divinations based on atmospheric conditionsin general, some of which survive as modern superstitions.
Chartomancy:
Divination by writing or interpreting inscriptions, sometimes of mysterious origin. Predictions written in invisable ink, which appears when papers are heated, come in this general catrgory. So do greeting cards.
Chieromancy or Chiromancy:
Divination of the palm of the hand.
Chresomancy:
Divination from the utterances of a person in a frenzy. This dates back to the famous Greek Oracle of Delphi.
Chrystallomancy or Crystalomancy:
Generally known as "crystal gazing" this consists of divining future events by interepting signs or scenes visualized in a crystal ball.Dating from remote antiquity, it is more popular than ever today and may be regarded as a higher development of catoptromancy, as visions from a crystal ball are often clearer and more realistic than those seen in a magic mirror.
Cleidomancy or Clidomancy:
A very mysterious form of divining in which a key is suspended y a thread several inches in length, which in turn is wrapped around a persone finger, so that the dangling key can rotate, swing back and forth or become immobile. Upon questions being asked, mentally or verbally, the answers are interprted according to the actions of the key. From this has developed a popular modern devise termed the "exploratory pendulum" Which consists a ball hanging from a string, which should revolve for "yes" and swing for "no" or visa versa, according to tests with individuals operators. The pendulum is also supposed to swing to in the correct direction when looking for a lost article or missing person in the locality or when held hung over a map.
In earlier forms of cleidomancy, more elaborate measures were used, one favorite method being to open a bible at a certain psalm or at the first page of a specific gospel . A large key was inserted there, with its loop extended up from the pages and the book was firmly tied with string to hold the key in place. The loop of the key is hung upon the third finger of a girls left hand and either she or a diviner resites scriptural quotations according to an established formula. In another variant, the key is held in place by two persons, each pressing a fore finger against an opposite edge.
Either way, names of persons are finally called off, and if one happens to be guilty of some theft or other crime, the key is supposed to turn at mention of his name.
Cleromancy:
An ancient mode of casting lots, with pebbles, beans, or other objects of different shapes, colours or markings. As a variation, slips of paper were used, each bearing a different symbol, which persons picked at random for appropriate interpretation.
Coscinomancy:
A forerunner of cleidomancy, in which a sieve or strainer is clipped between the spread blades of a pair of shears, or large scissors. The handles of the shears are then pressed in opposite direction by two different persons, using their respective thumbs or fingers until the sieve begins to turn. For sure results, the operator should pronounce the words "(will not put them in the brew)." That will promptly bring a "demon' to his aid.
Crithomancy or Critomancy:
Opinions vary reguarding this mode of divination. All agree that it involves corn or other grain used in sacrificial rites, but the procedure may range from forming patterns with the kernels , or the flour ground from them, to a study of the dough used for baking cakes, or the actual cakes themselves.
Croniomancy:
Onions figure in this long range divinatory process. Names or other significant items are written on different onions which are planted in due-ceremony. Careful check is kept of each, and the first onion that sprouts will respresent the person or thing chiefly concerned.
Cyclomancy:
Divination depending upon a revolving devise. Dating from time immemorial, this has its modern counter parts in the "jury wheel"from which lisred names are drawn to determined the members of a jury panel; and the so called "wheel of fortune seen at country fairs, which stops on prize winning numbers. In both cases, the decision of the wheel is automaticaly fulfilled, so it is not surprising that many people believe that questions concerning their future can be answered by a similar contrivance. Spinning arrows may be used instead of revolving wheels for telling fortunes; and on the lighter side cyclomancy has survived in various parlor games, such as "spin the bottle".
Dactylomancy:
Broadly, this covers divinations utilizing finger rings, but that should exclude cases where such rings are used chiefly as adjuncts to some cabalistic ritual, as in necromancy. Greek and Roman Rings supposedly prodused divinatory results when inscribed with words suited to their names. By the middle ages the names of the three wise men-Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar- were popular as inscriptions. Later, the custom was applied to wedding bands, which had the words "love and obey" engraved on the inside, but such a negative prediction could be nulified if the bride crossed her fingers. Gems , too had power when set in rings, but they promised a vast variety of benifits, ranging from invisibility to immunity from snake bites, so only a few were specifically associated with divation. Of those, the turquoise was outstanding and a popular procedure was to attach a turquoise ring to a string and dangle it within a goblet, where it would begin to swing and tell the hour by clicking against the sides of the glass.or even spell out words, if the letters of the alphabet were recited until the final clink.Since the diviner holds the string between his thumb and forefinger, this is practically a form of cleidomancy, with a ring being used instead of a key, hence any type of ring will do unless the diviver finds that it takes one set with turquoise to put him in the right mood.There is also an ancient form of dactylomancy practised with rings composed of different metals, which were placed on certain fingers according to planetary conditions then prevailing; hence it might properly be termed a form of astromancy.
Daphnomancy:
An ancient Greek divination in which questions of great moments were answered in varying degrees of "yes" and "no" by throwing laura leaves on a fire. The louder the leaves crackled, the better the omen: the more profound the silence, the worse.Since the laural had to be plucked from a grove sacred to apollo and tossed on an equally sacred fire, it is doubtful that the process would work now, even if it did back then.
Demonomancy ##########
Eromancy:
An Oriental form of divination in which a person covers his head with a cloth and mutters questions above a vase of water. Any stirring of the surface is reguarded as a good omen.
Felidomancy:
Divination involving the behavior or actions of a cat, ranging from changes in weather to unexpected visitors, or other occurences. Dating from the middle ages, many of these have surbvived as popular superstitions.
Floromancy:
Any interpretation of future prospects through the study of flowers or plants, including their colours, petals, time of planting, and where planted. Many omens concerning the gathering of flowers at "mid summer eve" have survived modern times;and the "good luck" commonly attributed to the finding of a four-leafed clover falls in this catrgory.
Gastromancy:
Purported divination through mysterious voicesthat are actually produced by ventriloquism, as the term itself means" stomach speaker" indicating that such deception was recognized in ancient times. Presumably, the voice came from trees, rivers, deep in the ground, or where ever else the diviner pointed. Modern spirit mediums have improved on this by going into pretended trances or working in complete darkness to convey the impression that the voices came from another world.
Gelomancy:
Predictions gained by translating hysterical laughter into tangible terms. Probably a carry over from the ancient oracles, where persons inhaled natual gas from volcanic fissures as prophecies that determined the state of nations. A useful devise for political conventions.
Geomancy:
This runs the gamut from tracing mystic figures in the sand to throwing stones on the ground and studying the patterns that they form. Such figures have been classed as signs of the zodiac, with the stones representing positions of the planets, thus linking geomancy with astromancy, but those may be reguarded as exceptional cases. Geomancy's contribution to divination is probably more random in nature, forming the basis of the mystic oracle.
Gyromancy:
Originally performed by persons moving around a circle marked with letters or symbols, until they became dizzy or stumbled, thus spelling out words or enabling a diviner intepret the symbols. From this, according to some authorities, developed wild, whirling dances by fanatics who uttered prophecies after collapsing in a state of complete exaustion. Rolling down the side of a hill can produse a similar state of ecstasy if you care to try it.
Heiromancy:
Divination through various forms of sacrifies, or preparation for such, especially when performed by adepts in accordance with accepted rituals.
Hippomancy:
Observation of the gait of a horse during ceremonial processions, as a means of divination. Now outmoded, but some modern prognosticators apply similar systems at race tracks.
Hydromancy:
This relates to forms of divination with water, which natually figures in other types of predictions involving various objects, which are there fore listed under seperate heads. In some cases, however, water plays such an important part that they must be reguarded as hydromancy despite the presence of those other factors.
One method is to study the depths of a placid pool, noting any images or symbols that appear therein, interpreting them as seems most fit. This is similar to using a magic mirror (as with catoptromancy) or gazing into a crystal ball ( as with chrystallmancy) but on a large scale. However, if results are slow, another type of hydromancy may be used; that of dropping three stones into a pool and noting any figures or other effects caused by the ripples. For best results the first stone should be round, the second triangle and the third square Diviners who use this method generally referred to special lists that told the proper interpretations to be given to various ripples.
Another time-honoured method was to invoke any "evil spirit" that dwelled in the neibourhood of the pool or stream. This demanded knowledge of cabalistic ceremonies, with all the danger accompanying such work, putting it into the catagory of demonamncy. However, it is still depended on hydromancy to a marked degree, since the demons mode of answering was by inscribing words on the surface of the water. Often, these were visable to the seer alone, and they had to be read quickly while they lasted, as they were invariably written backwards, to prove that they were the devils work.
Methods of hydromancy that were both safer and simper included casting offerings, such as bread, into the pool. If they remained there, it was a good omen; if they drifted ashore before they sank, it boded ill. This may account for the still popular custom of throwing coins into a fountain for good luck, as they are sure to sink and stay there, Where names of persons are involved, the old way of picking one through hydromancy was to write each name on a seperate stone and toss them all in a pool. Later, the stones were fished out and if all the names were washed off, or nearly so, with the exception of one, that name represented the personto whom the question pertained.A modern combination of these methods, which is simpler, easier and more convenient , is the floating ship.
Ichthyomancy:
Divination by the examination of fish offered for a sacrifice, This can be extended to include the actions of living fish, Which have many traditional interpreations, some still popular with present day fishermen.
Idolomancy:
Use of images or idols for purposes of divination. The answers may come through dreams, by drawing lots, or anything else that the believes may attribute to the power of such images. SOme ancient oracles belong in this catagory, and pagan priests often spoke from within hollow statues to give direct replies to questions regarding the furure. In many cases, idolomancy has been closely identified with "demonomancy" in as much as the idols simply represent the demons who are supposed to inhabit them when properly invoked.
Kleidomancy:
The same as cleidomancy.
Lampadomancy:
Use of lamps for divinatory purposes, according to the appearence or duation of their flames. The ancient Egyptians held a "feast of lamps" at which many rites were performed, including divination; and its modern counter part in India is held in honour of the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi, on the new moon of the month of kartik, which begins about the middle of october. During the Diwali,as this festival is termed, lighted lamps are set on floats that are sent down river or out at sea; and the longer they stay alight the better the omen.
Lecanomancy:
A method of recognizing good or bad omens by dropping various gems into the water.
Libanomancy or Livanomancy:
Forms of divination involving the burning of incense and the smoke arising from it.
Lithomancy:
Divination of stones of unusual origin or appearance, such as meteorites, which inspire the diviner with visions,or issues sounds that he alone can hear and interpret as words. Foretelling the future by observing the colours of precious stones (as with lecanomancy) is often included under the general head of lithomancy.
Logarithmancy:
A mathamatical method of divination performed with the aid of logarithms. Now surplanted by modern computers.Lychnomancy:
Divination from the flames of three identical candles set in a triangle. These are lighted and there flames are interprted as follows----- If wavering back and fourth, a change of circumstances. If twisting, spiral fashion, beware of secret plotters. Rising and falling flames, real danger. One flame brighter than the others, good furtune. A sputtering flame, disappointment soon due. A bright point at the tip of a wick, increasing success, but short lived if the point fades. For a candle to extinguish itself, severe loss for the consultant or others participating.
Macharomancy:
Use of swords, daggers and knives as instrumentss of divination, presumably of ancient origin.
Margaritomancy:
A singular procedure requiring a charmed pearl that is placed in a pot and covered with a lid. Names of persons suspected of theft or some other crime are then recited, and at the right name the pearl jumps up and strikes the lid. Choice of a pearl for this curious rite may stem from the fact that it is the only gem that is created by a living organism and might thereby become imbued with life as if to escape the oyster shell in which it was originally imprisoned.
Meteoromancy:
A special branch of Astromancy dealing with omens that pertain to shooting stars. Ancient Roman augurs included thunder, lightning, eclipses, and other heavenly phenomena in such divinations.
Metopomancy:
Predicting a persons future by certain lines on his forehead. A restricted phase of the broader subject of metoposcopy.
Molybdomancy:
Dropping hot lead on a flat surface to divine the future by interpreting the shapes that results. Hot lead may also be dropped in water and conclusions drawn from the hissing sound.
Myomancy:An ancient form of divination based on the sudden appearance of rats or mice, as well as the sounds they made. All sorts of prognostications could be made from wars to famine and pestilence, by comparing various occasions involving the behavior of such rodents . Many omens resulted reguarding rats and mice, persisting through the centuries and forming the basics for modern superstitions.
Necromancy:
The raising of the spirits of the dead divinatory purposes. The biblical account of the" witch of endor" is a good example of its practises in ancient times. and it rose to formidable proportions during the middle ages, including all forms of divination along with sorcery and witchcraft under the general head of black arts. Today, however the term is applied chiefly in its original sense.
Nephelomancy:
A study of the clouds and their various formations, as a means of divining future events.
Oculomancy:
Divination dependant on a persons eyes. Akin to hypnotism in a primative form.
Oinomancy:
The art of divination through the study of vines, including their colour, their appearance and their taste. This dates from ancient greece and rome, when wine was poured as as a liberation to the gods, in hope that they would ensure a prosperous future. Drinking to someones health is a modern survival of such customs.
Omphalomancy:
Contemplation of ones own navel as a mystical procedure that promises results. Often recommended in connection with yoga exercises.
Oneiromancy or Oniromancy:
The interpretation of dreams to divine future. A vast subject in itself, ranging from consulting the time honoured reference found in various :dream dictionaries' to the modern symbolism endorsed by psychoanalysts. One special phase is that of "dreaming true" in which future events unfold in the dreamers mind with such exacitude that the dream can later be corroborated by an accual occurrence.
Onomancy or Onomatomancy:
Use of names and the letters composing them to divine the future of persons, places, or things. Sometimes the naming of a person or a place has been prophetic in itself, and from that has stemmed the practise of giving children impressive or significant names in hope they will live up to them. Naming a child after a wealthy relative is still a better way fore-casting a prosperous future; one that will pay off.
Onychomancy:
Divination by studying the reflection of bright sunlight upon a persons fingernails and noting any symbols-real or imaginary-that may appear there. These are interpreted in accordince with established rules, as with crystal gazing or tea cup reading.
Onyomancy:
A specialized phase onychomancy where by a persons future is gauged by the appearance of the finger nails themselves. This has become a part of Cheiromancy and is detailed under that head.
Oomancy or Ovomancy:
Methods of divination utilizing eggs, some dating back to antiquity. One modern survival consists of dropping whites of eggs into water and noting the shapes or makings that abtain. The custom of colouring eggs, so popular today, also stems from ancient traditions.
Ophiomancy:
REcongnition of serpants as agents in divination. Dating from the Garden of Eden, this was found in Egypt, Greece, Rome, and among the Aztex of Mexico.
Orithomancy:
Pertaining stricly to birds, this form of divination dependant on there flight, songs, and feeding habits. it was practised extensively in ancient Rome, one theory was that the birds, being high in the heavens, might be aware of the intentions of the gods who dwelled there, and even act as there messengers. The fact that changes in weather and seasons could be foretold by watching birds caused them to be credited with divinatory powers of their own.
Pegomancy:
A form of hydromancy, or divination by water, applicable chiefly to springs and fountains. A change in colour could be an omen, such as a spring turning reddish to symbolize an approech af a war. Shapes formed by the swirl of a spring or the play of a fountain were also given appropriate interpretations.
Pessomancy or Psephomancy:
Use of pebble in divination, one ancient form being to draw different types from a large heap. The same system can be used with coloured marbles, giving each type a special interpretation and drawing one from a bag.
Phyllorhodomancy:
Clapping rose leaves against the side of the hand and noting the sounds that they make. This trifling past time was used for divination by the ancient Greeks.
Podomancy:
Study of the feet as a form of divination. This applies specifically to the soles, which can be interpreted in terms of lines and mounts, exactly as in palmistry or cheiromancy, but to a greater limited degree.
Psychancy:
Here, divination depends upon human reactions or emotions and therefore covers a wide range. Broadly, it can be defined as "phychic perception" attained through the astral counterparts of the five physical senses, thus including such factors as clairvoyance, precognition, automatic writing, and coherent messages obtained from a ouija board. Since these are often mistaken for communications, Psychomancy is sometimes linked with necromancy, or the evoking of the dead.
Pyomancy:
This covers a wide range of fire omens. If a sacrificial fire kindled slowly or uncertainly, the prospect was bad indeed. If rapidly and evenly was the best signs. With ordinary fires, omens were obtained by throwing substances such as powdered peas or pitch upon the flames: the more padidly these were consumed the better. In the northern climes, where winter nights were long, these traditions carried on through the middle ages and were common to every hearth and home. Sudden sparks from knotty logs, coloured flames from burning driftwood, curious shapes caused by flames or smoke, all were accepted as omens, good or bad.
Rhabdomancy:
Use of a wand is found is found in the earliest forms of magical ritual, hence it not only became an important adjunct in many types of divination, but served that purpose in its own right. Held in the hand of a true mystic, a wand might dip in the manner of an arrow, or turn in the fashion of a wheel, hence its use as a final convincerincreased with the years. From this developed the divination process of rhabdomancy, utilizing a fork stick, held by the y shape branches, one in each hand, so that the stem could serve as a pointer in uncovering hidden treasure, lost objects, or missing persons. The tenddency of the rod to dip made especially popular in locating mines or other minerals, but its use in that field waned. Instead, the forked rod became the property of modern dowsers, a a group of hard-headed down to earth practitioners, who use it chiefly to find under water springs or under ground streams. However, their efforts are not confined to "water Witching" as critics of the process still term it. Some of the older claims have been revived and demonstrated with sufficent success to gain the art a degree of scientific notice under the head of radiesthesia, which is being studied as a form of ESP, thus supplanting much of the superstition that was found in old-time rhabdomancy.
Rhapsodomancy:
A form of bibliomancy in which books of poetry are used instead of sacred writings or classical works. The consultant opens the book at random and divines the future from the first verse that catches his eye.
Scarpomancy or Spealomancy:
Divination from the markings on the shoulder bone of an animal, particulary a sheep.
Scarpomancy:
A modern method of reading character from a study of a persond shoe.
Sciomancy:
Primative lore abounds with omens pertaining to shadows, their size , shape and changing appearence. It was believed that danger or death could follow an attack on a persons shadow, which supposedly could be called back from the dead and questioned as to future events. This Represented an early form of necromancy.
Scyphomancy:
Dating from ancient Egypt, drinking cups were used used in divination, the early form being to fill the cup to the brim, pour out a libation to the god invoked, and look for the answer in the cup.Later methods consisted of dropping small particles of tinsel in a cup of water and noting the shapes they took, this being an early mode of tea-cup reading.
Selenomancy:
A specialized form of divination involving various aspects, phases, and appearance of the moon.
Sideromancy:
An old rite of dropping straws on red hot iron and divining the future by the peculiar shapes they take.
Splanchomancy:
A form of anthropomancy practised by ancientEtruscans, involving predictions gained from a study of the entrails of sacrificial victims.
Spodomancy:
An ancient mode of divination through examination of ashes, particulary those remaining from a sacrificial fire.
Stareomancy:
A some what general term, covering divinations by the anciant elements of fire, earth, air, and water.
Stichomancy or Stoichomancy:
Another form of bibliomancy, utilizing a random passage of a book for divining the future.
Sychomancy:
This consisted of writing names or messages on leaves of a fig tree and letting them dry out. If they dried slowly, it would bode well for who ever or what ever was mentioned; if rapidly, a bad omen. This ancient form of augury can be tested with leaves from sycamores or other trees. There is a modern version involving ivy leaves, which are placed in water for five days and then examined. If still fresh and green, good health should attend the person named thereon, but a spotted, darkened leaf denotes illness or misfortune in proportion to the number of sinister marks.
Tasseomancy:
Divination by tea leaves or coffea grounds.
Tephramancy or Tephromancy:
Akin to spodomancy, this another mode of divination from the ashes from a sacrificial fire.
Theomancy:
Divination through direct appeal, usually with special formular, to oracles that were suposed to be divinely attained.
Theriomancy:
Assorted omens drawn from the actions or appearances of various beasts. Such as saying a "barking dog never bites" might be traced back to that source.
Tiromancy or Tyromancy:
A curious form of divination based upon observation of the coagulation of cheese and its results.
Transataumancy:
Divnation based on something seen or heard accidently. Even trifling mistakes were accepted as omens by the ancient Romans, and even today many people are apt to attribute their good fortune to chance occurrence or coincidence.
Xylomancy:
Interpreting the forms or appearence of fallen tree branches or other wood seen on the ground; also the position of logs burning in a fire. If one falls suddenly, a surprize is due.
Zoomancy:
Portents involving imaginary animals that people have claimed to have seen, such as a salamder, resembling a lizard, sporting in a fire. or a serpent riding the ocean waves.
from the book of Divination and Prophecy
by Walter B Gibson and Litzka R Gibson
Graphics by- " will find out"
