For thousands of years people have tried to read the future in all kinds of signs – the movements of animals, sounds, everyday objects and even weapons. Here is an overview of lesser-known, often long-forgotten methods of divination, arranged alphabetically.
Aeromancy
One of six methods of divining from water and air, used by the ancient Persians. The head was covered with a cloth, and a vessel of water was placed on top of it in the open air. You spoke your wishes over the vessel. If bubbles appeared on the surface of the water, your dream would come true.
Axinomancy
A curious method of divination using an axe, known in two variants. One of them required a round agate. The blade of the axe was heated until red-hot and set horizontally, edge upwards, and the agate was then placed on it. If the stone didn’t fall, it was taken as a bad sign. If it fell three times in a row, the omen was favourable.
Alectryomancy
This involved observing the behaviour and movements of birds, especially the cockerel.
Aleuromancy
A form of divination using flour, under the patronage of Apollo and very popular in ancient Greece. The diviner composed prophetic sentences, wrote them on tiny pieces of parchment and rolled them in flour until they formed little balls. The balls were mixed nine times and handed out to those seeking Apollo’s help.
Alphitomancy
Divination with barley, used to help identify the perpetrators of crimes. The accused were given barley to eat – whoever fell ill was deemed guilty.
Anthropomancy
An ancient method of divining from the organs of human sacrificial victims, practised by some barbarian tribes and also in ancient Egypt. The victims were sometimes girls and children of both sexes.
Arithmancy
A Chaldean-Greek method of divination by numbers. The Chaldeans divided the alphabet into three parts and linked the letters with the seven planets then known. In this way they analysed names, trying to predict the outcome of negotiations or meetings.
Belomancy
The art of reading the future with an arrow. The arrow was shot from a bow straight up into the air, and the direction of its flight was then interpreted.
Bibliomancy
Divination based on a book. You asked a question, closed your eyes and opened a book – most often the Bible – at random, pointing your finger at a spot on the page at the same time. The words you pointed to held a prophecy for the questioner.
Ceroscopy
A method of divining from wax, popular in Europe – in other words, wax pouring.
Dactylomancy
The ancient art of divining with rings. One variant involved placing gold and silver rings on the fingers according to planetary conjunctions.
Phyllorhodomancy
Divination with rose petals, known in ancient Greece. A rose was caught between hands held flat, as if about to clap, and conclusions were drawn from the sound made by the movement. A clear, loud sound was considered a good omen.
Phrenology
The art of reading character from the bumps of the skull.
Hepatoscopy
Divination from the entrails of sacrificial animals. The most important organ for divination was the liver.
Hippomancy
The Celtic art of foretelling the future from the behaviour of horses.
Podomancy
The Persian art of divining from the feet, closely resembling palmistry. It is still practised in India today.
Cledonomancy
A system of divination based on words and phrases spoken or overheard by chance – for example, during a meeting with another person.
Cleidomancy
Divination using a key hung on a thread. The answer was read from the way the key moved.
Coscinomancy
A form of divination using a sieve and a pair of shears, considered an excellent way to find a thief. The shears were hung on a thread above the sieve or held over it between two fingers. The diviner asked the gods for guidance and named the suspects. At the name of the guilty party, the shears began to turn.
Critomancy
An ancient form of divination from the dough of cakes intended as an offering to the gods.
Xylomancy
This involved interpreting the arrangement of dry twigs and pieces of wood found in someone’s path.
Lampadomancy
Divination from the flame of a lamp. If the flame took the form of a single tongue of fire, it was considered a good sign.
Lecanomancy
Divination from a stone dropped into a bowl of water. The sounds it made as it fell into the water conjured up images for the shaman.
Myomancy
The ancient art of divining from the behaviour of rats and mice, practised in ancient Egypt, Assyria and Rome. Rodents were believed to herald change, especially change for the worse.
Molybdomancy
Divination with molten metal, usually lead or tin. It was similar to wax pouring.
Onychomancy
A divinatory method based on fingernails. It was practised by observing the reflection of sunlight on the nails of a small boy.
Ornithomancy
Divination from the way birds fly, and also from their song.
Pessomancy
Divination with beans or pebbles. Various symbols were drawn on them; they were mixed in a small bag, then cast out, and their positions were interpreted.
On the fringes of divination
Lists like this sometimes also include dermographia – the phenomenon of writing appearing on the skin and vanishing after a few minutes. It is compared to stigmata, although in itself it is not a method of divination.
From the archive of our esoteric magazines. Written by astrologers and esoteric specialists working with our editorial team; edited and translated for HOROSCOP.SPACE. © All rights reserved.
