Divination

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Crystalomancy or Crystal Gazing

A mode of divination practiced since ancient times with the help of a crystal lobe, a pool of water, or any transparent object. Also, it can be accomplished with water, ink, and other like substances in the divination called hydromancy.

The divinatory practitioner is known as the scryer while the practice is known as scrying. Depending on the era the practice ranges from a simple to an elaborate form. However, the main purpose of the objects is always to induce in the clairvoyant a state of hypnosis so the seer can see visions in the crystal.

The crystal most favored by crystal gazers is a spherical or oval globe, about four inches in diameter, and preferably a genuine rock-crystal. It may be white, blue, violet, yellow, green, opalescent, or transparent. Blue and amethyst colors are less tiring on the eyes. Such a rock-crystal is very expensive and is many times substituted by a sphere of glass which renders good results.

The crystal itself must be a perfect sphere without a speck or flaw, and traditionally based in a stand of highly polished ebony, ivory, or boxwood.

In the practice, Hindus use cups of treacle or ink. Stones of pale sea green or reddish tints have been used. Ancient crystallomancers had precise invocations of the spirits to aid them in elaborate rituals. The man was pure in life and religious dispositions. In preparation for the ritual, a few days before he made frequent ablutions, subjecting himself to prayer and fasts.

The crystal and stand are inscribed with sacred characters as the floor in the room where the invocation is performed be inscribed with such characters. The room must be of thorough cleanliness and solemn atmosphere. But, the mental attitude is of the utmost importance in the divination, because true faith in it is essential for success.

If the magician is assisted by one or two friends who must observe the same rules and be guided by the same principles. The time of the invocation is set in accordance with the positions of the heavenly planets, and all preparations are made during the increasing of the moon. All instruments and accessories to be used in the ceremony--the sword, rod, and compasses, the fire and perfume to be burned, as well as the crystal--are consecrated or "charged" prior to the ritual.

During the procedure the magician faces the east and summons from the crystal the spirit he desires. Magic circles which were previously inscribed on the floor are those which the magician stands in, and it is best for him to remain within the circles for sometime after the spirit has been released. No part of the ceremony must be omitted or the invocation might incur failure.

Paracelsus and others declared the elaborate ceremonies were unnecessary, since the magnes microscomi (the magnetic principle in man) was clearly sufficient to achieve the desired object. In a later period elaborate ceremonies were not completely eliminated, but were made less imposing.

If the person for whom the ceremony is intended, is performing the ceremony himself, has no clairvoyant faculty, then the best choice for a substitute is a young boy or girl born out of wedlock who is still perfectly pure and innocent. Prayers and magical words are said prior to the ceremony along with the burning of incense and perfume. The child's forehead may be anointed and he may wear garments befitting the impressive nature of the ritual.

Some early writers describe formula prayers, known as the "Call" given prior to the inspection of the crystal. Finally after the crystal was "charged" it was given to the medium or clairvoyant person, The first indication of the clairvoyant vision was a mist or cloud over the crystal which gradually dissipated and then the appearance came into view.

Modern crystalomancy continues using a similar procedure but the preparations are simpler. The crystal is spherical and about the size of an orange. It may by held with the finger and thumb of the magician, or, if one end is flattened it may be placed on a table, or alternatively held in the palm of the hand against the background of a black cloth.

The procedure is done in subdued light. If the divination is performed for someone else it is recommended that the person holds the crystal in his hands a few minute before it is passed to the medium.

The aim of crystal gazing, as previously said, is to induce a hypnotic state producing visionary hallucinations, the reflection of light in the crystal forming points de repere for such hallucinations. Thus, the value of elaborate ceremonials and impressive rituals lies in their potential to affect the mind and imagination of the seer.

It is suggested that if telepathy operates with a greater force in a hypnotic state then it may also function in a similar fashion with the self-imposed hypnosis of crystal gazing.

With the help of visionary powers many incidents of crime, such as finding missing persons and discovering missing and stolen property, have been solved. The telepathic theory does not seem to answer the operation of this process when the appearance of the incident appears prior to its actual occurrence. The answer to this mystery must be left to future psychic research.

Though, there seems to be general agreement that the appearance is preceded by a milky clouding of the crystal. This clouding seems to be a picture itself. It is dependent on the operational conditions, and not a result of strain on the scryer's eyes, for the individual glances away for awhile the clouding still exits when his gaze returns to the crystal.

The first pictures act as a drop-scene, the nearest allegory is the cloud and of which, in materialization seances, phantasmal figures emerge. The pictures to which the could gives way to may be small or expand to the entire extent of the sphere in amazing size.

Sometimes the sphere completely disappears from the scryer's sight. The figures and/or scene assumes life-size proportions rendering the scryer a sense of bilocation as if he is part of the group or scene. This sense differs from clairvoyance.

It has been discovered that the images produced by scrying are often symbolic and the elements of choice are discernible which indicates the presentation is provided by an exterior intelligence. Usually, however, the pictures are either disconnected, vague images, or they are very clear. Also, in the visionary images have been detected thought pictures or forms, dreamlike visions, forgotten, reflected memories which may give way to representation of past, present or future events.

From the above is should be apparent the interpretation of images produced in scrying should be critically analyzed to determine whether they give valid information upon which to act, or contain some figments of the scryer's personal mental process which render the interpretation invalid. This is why it is recommended the scryer be in good physical and mental health in order to maintain objectivity in his interpretations. Caution should be the keyword when acting upon the interpretations. Even the inquirer should question his own intentions, how eager is he to believe the crystallomancer?

Aeromancy

A form of divination of foretelling future events by observing atmospheric phenomena such as when a death of a great man is foretold by the appearance of a comet.

Francois la Tour Blanche stated that aeromancy is the art of fortune-telling by spectres which are made to appear in the air, or the representation by the aid of demons which are projected on the clouds as if by a magic lantern. "As for the thunder and lightening," he added, "these are concerned with the auguries, and the aspect of the sky and of the planets belong to the science of astrology."

Within Christianity an act of aeromancy might be thought of as the phenomena of the star over Bethlehem when Christ was born.

Alectromancy (or Alectryomancy)

An ancient divinatory for that utilized a cock. When practicing this divination a circle which was divided into as many parts as there were in the alphabet was drawn in a closed place. Then a wheat-corn was placed in each section beginning with the first letter, or A. Whoever placed the corn must recite a certain incantation while doing it. The time for this divination is when the sun or moon is in Aries or Leo.

The cock must be young and white. When his claws are cut off he is forced to swallow both of them together with a small roll of parchment made of lambskin upon which have been previously written words. Now the diviner holding the cock must repeat a certain incantation or conjuration. Next, when putting the cock with the circle, he must recite two verses of the Psalms, which are exactly the midmost of the seventy-two verses in the entry on Onimancy, and it should be noted on the authority of an ancient Rabbi that there is not anything within these seventy-two verses which is not of some use within Kabbalism.

The cock, being in the circle, is observed to see from which of the letters he peck the grains, and upon these others must be quickly placed because frequently some words often contain the same letter two or three times. The letters should be written down and assembled, for they will infallibly reveal the name of the person concerning whom the inquiry was made.

A story of doubt concerns the magician Iamblicus who used this divination to discover the successor of Valens Caesar in the Roman Empire. . However, the bird just pecked four grains that spelled "T h e o." This left a great uncertainty. The letters could stand for "Theodosius," "Theodotus," "Theodorus," or "Theodectes." When Valens heard of this divination he had several persons murdered whose names began with these letters. The magician to escape his known fate drank a draught of poison.

This form of divination resembles the use of a planchette or ouija board.

Another form of Alectromacy is sometimes practiced when a cock crows or is heard crowing.

Another version of the above divinatory incident was related by Ammanius Marcellinus in the fourth century AD. In this version the ritual is described somewhat differently. Sorcerers begun by placing a basin made of different metals on the ground and drawing around it at equal distances the letters of the alphabet. Then the sorcerer possessing the deepest occult knowledge would come forth, enveloped in a long veil, holding in his hands branches of vervain, and letting forth dreadful cries which were accompanied by hideous convulsions. Eventually, almost immediately, he would stop before the basin where he became rigid and motionless. He, then, struck with the branch in his hand upon a letter several times, and then proceeded doing likewise on other letters until the sufficient amount was selected to form a heroic verse which was then given out to the assembly.

When the Emperor Valens was informed of this divinatory ritual, he was so appalled that the infernal powers had been consulted concerning his destiny that he ordered that not only the sorcerers but all the philosophers in Rome be severely punished that many lost their lives.

Details of the performance of Alectryomancy are exactly and curiously described in the fourth song of the Caquet Bonbec, written by the 14th century poet Jonquieres.

Aleuromancy

An ancient divinatory practice which utilized flour. Sentences were written on pieces of paper, each of which was rolled up in a little ball of flour The balls of flour were thoroughly mixed up nine times and then divided amongst the curious, who anxiously waited to learn their fate. The custom lingered in remote areas into the nineteenth century.

Apollo, who supposedly presided over this divination form, was surnamed Aleuromantis.

Alomancy

A form of divination by using salt. The diviner interprets future events by analyzing the patterns in which the grains fall, or travel through the air when thrown. Probably such practices gave rise to the beliefs that spilling salt is unlucky, and throwing a little salt over one’s left shoulder wards off misfortune.

Alphitomancy

A form of divination using a loaf of barley that was practiced in the earliest of times. Chiefly it was employed to prove the innocence or guilt of persons. One of its principle uses was in times when several persons were suspected of a crime. All of the suspects were given the barley bread to eat, as it was assumed that those innocent could eat it perfectly, while the guilty person would get indigestion.

This practice gave rise to a popular oath: "If I am deceiving you, may this piece of bread choke me." Eventually the practice became so prominent that it was not just reserve for people suspected of crimes. It was used to test the faithfulness of a mistress, a husband, or a wife.

There were procedures in both making the bread and administering it. A quantity of pure barley was kneaded with milk, a little salt and without leaven. This was rolled up in greased paper and baked among cinders. When baked it was taken out and rubbed with verbena leaves. Then, pieces of it was given to the suspects. Those that were guilty, it was assumed, would be unable to eat it.

In ancients another form of alphitomancy was practiced. In a sacred wood of Lavinium, near Rome, priests kept a serpent, or some say, a dragon. On certain days of the year young women would enter the woods carrying cakes made of barley and honey. It was said that the devil led the women into the woods. Supposedly the serpent ate the cakes of the innocent women, but refused the cakes of the others.

Amniomancy

A form of divination practiced by using a caul, or membrane which sometimes envelopes a child's head at birth. From inspecting the caul wise women would foretell the future of the baby. If its color is red then happy days or good fortune were ahead for the child, but if it is lead-colored then misfortune laid in the child's path.

Anthropomancy

Divination of human entrails. This horrid form of divination is very ancient. Herodotus wrote that Menelaus practiced it when detained in Egypt because of contrary winds. Because of his barbarous curiosity he sacrificed two country children in order to discover his destiny.

Also, Heligabalus practiced anthropomancy.

Julian the Apostate incorporated anthropomancy in his magical operations. He had large numbers of children killed so he could read their entrails. During his last experiment at Carra, in Mesopotamia, he enclosed himself within the Temple of the Moon, and having performed all manner of evil within, he had the Temple doors sealed and placed a guard there so no one would enter until his return. However, he was killed in battle with the Persians. When men of Julian's successor entered the Temple at Carra they discovered a woman hanging by her hair with her liver torn out.

It is speculated that the infamous Gilles De Laval also performed such hideous species of this divination.

Apantomancy

Divination of any object which presents itself by chance. Into this class of beings may fall any object which omens can be drawn from such as a hare, an eagle, etc.

Arithmancy

Divination by numbers (sometimes wrongly called Arithmomancy). The ancient Greeks examined the number and the values of letters in each name of two combatants. They predicted the combatant having the name of the greater value would be victorious. It was by using this science that some diviners foretold that Achilles would defeat Hector.

The Chaldeans also practiced arithmancy. They divided their alphabet into three parts, each part composed of seven letters which they attributed to the seven planets. Through this arithmetic method they made predictions based on the planets.

The Platonists and Pythagoreans were also strongly attracted to this form of divination which is similar to certain aspects of the Jewish Kabbalah.

Ashagalomancy

A system of divination of casting small bones (each associated with particular interpretation). The method is similar to throwing dice. In fact, in later development of this divinatory system dice were utilized. The numbers were associated with letters which formed words related to questions put to the diviner.

In an related preliminary ritual the questions are written paper which is passed through smoke of burning juniper wood.

Aspidomancy

A little known form of divination practiced in the Indies. It was first described by the 17th century writer Pierre De Lancre. The diviner or sorcerer draws a circle in which he positions himself on a buckler (sheild) where he recites certain conjurations. He enters a trance and then falls into ecstasy. When he comes out he can tell his clients things which they want to know, or which the devil revealed to him.

Astragalomancy

Small bones (each associated with a particular interpretation) were cast, in this system of divination, in the manner of throwing dice. Eventually dice were utilized in the place of bones. Numbers on the dice were associated with letters to form words that had a bearing on questions asked by the diviner. Sometimes used was an associated primarily ritual of writings questions on paper and passing it through the smoke of Jupiter wood.

Austromancy

A branch of aeromancy (divination through the astral phenomena such as thunder and lightening) concerned with the observance and interpretation of winds. Significance is focused on their intensity and direction.

Axinomancy

Divination by means of a hatchet or woodcutter's ax. This was the divinatory method by which diviners predicted the ruin of Jerusalem as described in Psalm LXXIV. However as Francois De Tour-Blanche remarked, the psalmist's description does not tell in what manner the hatchet was used by the diviners. It can only be speculated the tool was used in either one of the two ways which the ancients used it in divining and later used in the northern countries.

In the first method the tool was used to discover treasure. A round agate had to be procured. The head of the ax, also, had to be made red hot in a fire. The ax was positioned so that the head stood perpendicularly in the air. The agate had to be placed on the edge. If the agate did not roll off there was no treasure to be found. If it did roll off that indicated there was treasure. However, the agate must be replaced three times. If the agate rolled in the same direction each time it indicated the treasure was to be found in that direction. But, if the agate rolled in different direction each time then the treasure must be further looked for.

The second method was to detect robbers. It involved casting an ax to the ground. The head was to be downward with the handle perpendicular in the air. Those present had to dance around in a circle until the handle tottered and fell to the ground. The direction to which the handle fell indicated the direction in which the thief must be sought.

Some said this method would never work unless the ax was thrown into a round pot. De Blanche countered with the question as to how could this be done. How could a round pot be patched and sewed after an ax smashed it to pieces?

Belomancy

Divinatory method using arrows which dates back to Chaldea. It was practiced by the Greeks and later by the Arabians, although its use was forbidden in the Koran. One popular method was to throw a certain number of arrows into the air. The incline of the arrow as it fell indicated the course which was to be taken by the inquirer.

Divination by arrows is related to rhabdomancy.

Bibliomancy

A method divination of to determine if a person is guilty of sorcery. The individual was weighed against the big Bible in a Church. If the person weighed less then he was not guilty.

Another method of this divination was to randomly open the Bible and place a finger on a passage and believe the passage indicated the course of future action which the individual was to take. Later other works were used in the divination such as the Greek epics, classical poetry, and Shakespeare.

Method related to rhasodomancy and stichomancy.

Botanomancy

A method of divination by burning branches of vervein and briar upon which questions of the practitioners have been carved. The fire and smoke indicate the course of future action to be pursued.

A variant method is the scattering of vervein and heather leaves in a high wind to get indications of future actions to be taken.

These methods are related to halomancy.

Capnomancy

A method of divination by observing the fumes rising from poppies when thrown on live coals.

Captromancy (or Enoptromancy)

A type of divination with a mirror which the second century AD Greek traveler Pausanius described as follows: "Before the Temple of Ceres at Patras, there was a fountain, separated from the temple by a wall, and there was an oracle, very truthful, not for all events, but for the sick only. The sick person let down a mirror, suspended by a thread till its based touched the surface of the water, having first prayed to the goddess and offered incense. Then looking in the mirror, he saw the presage of death or recovery, according as the face appeared fresh and healthy, or of a ghastly aspect."

Another divinatory method of using a mirror was to place it at the back of a boy's or girl's head when their eyes were bandaged shut. In Thessaly the responses appeared in characters of blood on the face of the moon, probably projected in the mirror. This practiced was derived by the Thessalian sorceresses from the Persians who wanted to establish their religion and mystical rituals in the countries which they invaded.

Cartomancy

A divination method of telling an individual's fortune with a deck of playing cards.

Causimomancy

Divination by fire. It was thought to be a good omen whenever combustible objects did not burn when thrown into a fire.

Cephalomancy

An ancient form of divination using the head of a goat or donkey.

Ceremancy

Another term for ceroscopy, or the divination through the shapes of molten wax dripped into water.

This divinatory method is similar to molybdomancy.

Chaomancy

A branch of aeromancy (divination through astral phenomena such as thunder and lightening) concerning divining clouds or visions in the air. Shape of clouds or the occurrence of rare phenomena such as comets come within the interpretation of chaomancy.

Cleidomancy

A system of divination using a suspended key. It was only to be used when the sun or moon was in Virgo. When the name of the individual being investigated was written on a key which was then tied to a Bible, both were attached to the nail of the ring-finger of a virgin who must repeat softly certain words.

Accordingly, as the key and book remains either moving or stationary, the name of the person being investigated is considered to be right or wrong. The practice was further complicated when ancient diviners included the seven Psalms with litanies and sacred prayers. The practice become more fearful too, for not only did the key and book turned, but the impression of the key had to be found on the victim or he lost an eye.

Another method of this practice with a key and Bible was to place a key to a street door on the fiftieth Psalm, close the volume and then shut it tightly with a garter of a woman. Then it was fastened to a nail, and said to have turned when the name of a suspected thief was mentioned.

A third procedure of this practice involved two persons suspending the Bible between them, holding the ring of the key between their two forefingers.

Cleromancy

A system of divination practiced by throwing black and white beans, small bones or dice, and perhaps, stones, anything, in short, that could be used for lots. A similar practice such as cleromancy was practiced in Egypt as well as in Rome.

The Triaean lots had a similar meaning as objects in cleromancy, being little more than dicing. However the objects bore particular marks or characters, and were consecrated to Mercury, who was regarded as the patron of this method of divination. It was for this reason an olive leaf called "the lot of Mercury" was usually placed in the urn to petition his favor.

Coscinomancy

Coscinomancy is a form of divination that is practiced with a sieve, and a pair of tongs or shears, which are supported upon the thumb nails of two persons looking upon one another, or the nails of the middle finger may be used. Potter in his Greek Antiquities says, "It was generally used to discover thieves, or others suspected of any crime, in this manner: they tied a thread to the sieve by which it was upheld, or else placed a pair of shears, which they held up by two fingers, then prayed to the gods to direct and assist them; after that they repeated the names of the persons under suspicion, and he, at whose name the sieve whirled round or moved, was thought guilty." In the Athenian Oracle it is called "'the trick of the sieve and scissors, the coskiomancy of the ancients, as old as Theocritus,' he having mentioned it in his third idyll, a woman who was very skillful in it." Saunders, in his Chiromancy, and Agrippa, at the end of his works, give certain mystic words to be pronounced before the sieve will turn. It was employed to discover love secrets as well as unknown persons. According to Grose, a chapter in the Bible is to be read, and the appeal made to St. Peter or St. Paul.

Critomancy

This is a form of divination by observing viands and cakes. The paste of cakes that are offered in sacrifices is closely examined, and from the flour that is spread upon them omens are drawn.

Dactylomancy

This is a term covering the various forms of divination using rings. One form resembles the phenomenon of table-tapping found in Spiritualism. A round table is inscribed with the letters of the alphabet, and a ring is suspended above it. The ring is believed to indicate certain letters that go to make up required messages. According to Ammianus Marcellinus this method was used to find Valen's successor, and the name of Theodosius was correctly indicated. Solemn services of religious character accompanied this mode of divination.

Another form of dactylomancy, of which there is no detailed account, was the practiced with rings of gold, silver, copper, iron or lead, which were placed on the fingernails in certain conjunctions of the planets. A wedding ring is, however, most favorable for uses of this sort.

Another use is to suspend the ring within a glass tumbler, or just outside of it so, that the ring when swung may easily touch the glass. As with table-tapping, a code was devised, the glass being struck once for an affirmative answer, twice for a negative, and so on.

Suspended above a sovereign, the ring will indicate the person from whom head hair has been taken, or, if requested, any other member of the company.

Daphnomancy

An ancient form of divination by a process of burning laurel. During the burning of a branch in a fire if there is crackling, this is a sign of good luck. But if the crackling is absent, then the prognostication is false.

Demonomancy

Divination by means of demons. The divination occurs through the oracles made by the demons, or the answers they give to the inquirers. However, this form of divination is thought to be not very reliable because demons are reputedly vain and unreliable.

Eromancy

One of six types of divinations practiced by the Persians by air and water. They wrapped their heads in a napkin, exposed to the air a vase full of water, over which in a low voice they uttered the objects of their desires. If bubbles appeared on the surface of the water, it was a happy prognostication. (see Eromanty)

Gastromancy

An ancient method of divination that is now speculated to have been ventriloquism. The voice of the seer seemed to come from the ground.

Eusebe Salverte, author of the Des Science Occultes (Paris, 1834), put forth the following opinion: "The name of Engastrimythes, given by the Greeks to the Pythiae (priestesses of Apollo), indicates that they made use of the sacrifice." This explanation, however, is only partial, but the text of Isaiah, "Thy voice shall die as one who hath a familiar spirit," is inapplicable in such an argument.

All who are familiar with the phenomena clairvoyance recognize that the voice becomes very low in the consequence of a change in respiration. Such was the behavior of the Pythonesses, although this too could have been the result of ventriloquism; such a phenomena presently occurs among the wizards of Greenland.

Another method of practicing gastromancy is with crystal glasses, round and filled with clear water, which are placed in front of lighted candles. Also, this method is related to crystal gazing. In this instance, a young boy or girl acts as the seer, and the magician summons the demon. The relies or answers are interpreted by observing the magical appearances that are seen in the illuminated glass vassals.

Geomancy

A system of divination that employs the scattering of pebbles, grains of sand, or seeds on the earth and then the interpretation of their shape and position. The occultist Agrippa later developed a method of making marks on the earth with a stick, (currently the method is also used by making marks on paper with a pencil or pen) and then interpreting them. The interpretation is partly intuitive and partly by means of a system of positions reminiscent of I Chang hexagrams.

The term "Geomancy" is also applied to the Chinese practice of feng-shui (wind and water), and was employed by 19th century writers to translate feng-shui. This Chinese art is concerned with the relationships between human beings and the subtle energies of nature. In classical Chinese sources, the term ti li (land positions) was likewise used, another related term is kan tu (cover and support) which has special reference to the relationships between heaven and earth.

Feng-shui and ti li are concerned with the "dragon lines" or the subtle energies of the earth particularly in relation to the setting of buildings, and the interaction between human life and earth currents. Feng-shui experts would determine the most advantageous locations for roads, bridges, canals, wells and mines in relationship to earth energies. Sites of graves were also an important consideration. Often bodies were not buried until the proper burial site was determined; sometimes bodies were unearthed and reburied.

It seems apparent that the Western form of geomancy originates from feng-shui since the position of pebbles, sand, or seeds has something in common with the acupuncture pressure points on the "body" of nature and its energies. Likewise, the Chinese concepts of subtle earth energies parallel Western concepts of ley lines and dowsing.

Gyromancy

A method of divination by going around in a circle which circumference was marked with letters of an alphabet. The presage evolved as words formed from the letters onto which the inquirers stumbled when becoming too giddy to stand up.

There is a curious connection between the practice of this divination and the familiar technique of psychic circles. In this practice all siting in a circle place a finger on a glass surrounded by letters of the alphabet. The glass will touch letters in turn to indicate words or messages.

The principle of the repeated circling is to exclude the interference of the will so to reduce the selection of letters to mere chance. In few species of enhancement, however, the art of turning round is to induce prophetic delirium. Some religious dances, particularly the rotation of certain devotees on one foot with arms out stretched, are of this nature. Such incidents indicate a sort of mystical secret.

Another form of gyromancy is where the person walks around in a circle until the individual collapses. The position that the person falls in relation to the circle determines the outcome of future events.

In the phenomenon known as the St. Vitus' Dance manifestations of spirit intelligence were observed the movements of those in convulsions. The action of the spiritual force tends to be spirally rhythmically, whether in language or bodily members.

Halomancy

A branch of pyromancy (divination by fire), which involves throwing salt into the flames. The course for future action is indicated by the nature of the resulting flames: their color, speed and direction.

Botanomancy is related to this divinatory form.

Hippomancy

A method of divination that was practiced by the ancient Celts who kept certain white horses in consecrated groves. They were made to walk immediately behind the sacred car and auguries were made from the observations of their movements.

The ancient Germans kept similar animals in their temples. If during times of hostilities these steeds departed crossing the threshold with their left forefoot, the presage was regarded as evil and the battle was called off.

Hydromancy

The divination by water that was stated by Natalius Comes (d. 1852) as being initiated by the ancient sea god Nereus, but presently the term covers a variety of divinations ranging from crystalomancy to radiesthesia.

The Jesuit M. A. Del Rio (1551-1608) described several methods oif hydromancy. The first method described depicts a ring hanging by a string that is dipped into a vessel of water which was shaken. A judgment or prediction is made by the number of times which the ring strikes the sides of the vessel.

A second method is when three pebbles are thrown into standing water and observations are made from the circles formed when the objects strike the water.

The third method described depended upon the agitation of the water, this custom was prevalent among Oriental Christians of annually baptizing that element, at the same time as taking especial care to show that the betrothment of the Adriatic by the Doge of Venice had a wholly different origin.

A fourth method used colors of the water and figures appearing in it by which Varro stated that many prognostications were made concerning the Mithridatic War. This branch of the divination proved so important that it was given a separate name and there arose from it the divination of fountains whose waters were frequently visited. Among the most famous were the fountains of Palicorus in Sicily which destroyed many a criminal who testified falsely before them. A full description as to their usage and virtue was give by the Roman philosopher Microbus (c. 345-423 AD).

Pausanius (2nd century AD) described the fountain near Epidaurus dedicated to Ino into which loaves were thrown by worshippers hoping to receive an oracle from the goddess. If the loaves were accepted they sank in the water which meant good fortune, but if they were washed up from the fountain it meant bad luck.

Other divining spring stories were collected by the antiquary J. J. Bossiard to which Del Rio gave their origination. A custom of ancient Germans was to throw newborn children into the Rhine. It was thought if the child was spurious he would drown, but if he was legitimate he would swim. Such a custom appears to be a precursor of the 17th century custom of "swimming witches" perhaps related to the Anglo-Saxon law of trail by water established by King Athelstain.

In a fifth method of hydromancy mysterious words are pronounced over a glass of water, then observations are made of it spontaneous ebullience.

In the sixth method a drop of oil was let drop into a vessel of water, this furnished a mirror through which wondrous things became visible. This, Del Rio said, is the Modus Fessanus.

The seventh method of hydromancy was cited by Clemens Alexandrinus who cited that women of Germany watched the whirls and courses of rivers for prognostic interpretations. The identical fact was mentioned by J. L. Vives in his Commentary upon St. Augustine.

Also, in modern Italy, continued the learned Jesuit, there are still diviners who take three name of suspected thieves and write them on three little balls which they throw into water, he added, some were so profaned as to use holy water in this unsanctified practice.

In a fragment of M. T. Varro's de Cultu Deorum the practice of hydromancy was attributed to Numa.

Icthyomancy

Icthyomancy is a form of divination that studies or reads the entrails of fishes. This was an important method of divination practiced by many ancient nations in Near East. Early Christians used Icthys, Greek for fish, as a symbol for Christ.

Kephalonomancy

Kephalonomancy is a method of divination that is practiced by making diver signs on the baked head of an gfhgfh. It was familiar for the Germans and the Lombards to substitute for it the head of a goat. The ancients placed lighted carbon on the gfhgfh's head, and pronounced the names of those suspected of any crime. If a crackling coincided with the utterance of a name, the latter was thought to be the guilty person.

Lampodomancy

A form of divination involving indications from a flame, its form, color, and movements, of an oil lamp or torch. A flame having a single point was an indication of good fortune, but when having two points it indicated bad luck. A flame that was bent might indicate illness. Sparks were thought to indicate forthcoming news, while the sudden extinguishing of the flame indicated disaster.

Lecanomancy

A branch of crystalomancy (divination by water). One method was to throw objects into a full container of water and to interpret the images they formed in the water, or the sounds made when the objects struck the water.

Another, more elaborate method was to place a silver vase filled with water on a moonlit night . Then let the light from a candle be reflected from a blade of a knife onto the water and the inquirer comments on the images formed on the water.

Libanomancy

A system of divination by employing incense and prayers. The incense is thrown on a fire, and the smoke carries the prayers to heaven. Supposedly if the incense is consumed the prayers will be answered.

This divinatory practice is related to pyromancy.

Lithomancy

The divination method using stones popular in the British Isles and Europe. Each stone supposedly has a significance of its own, and the divination is accomplished by tossing the stones and interpreting the arrangement in which they fall.

Thirteen stones are used. They are selected from their natural environment during favorable astrological configurations, and with the aid of intuitional guidance. Ideally, the stones should be smooth and nearly uniform in size and shape. They may range from pebbles found on a beach to semiprecious stones such as agates or various crystals.

Seven stones represent astrological signs: the sun, moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn. The remaining six stones represent the home, love, life, magic, luck and news.

Divinatory stones may be kept in a "charm" bag.

Margaritomancy

A form of divination which uses a pearl. The pearl was covered with a vase, and placed near a fire while names of subjects were read aloud. When the name of the guilty person was pronounced supposedly the pearl would bound up and pierce the bottom of the vase.

Molybdomancy

A method of divination based on the interpretation of the meaning of sharps that have been produced by dripping molten lead or tin into water. The diviner's interpretations are suppose to oracularly answer inquirer's questions.

This divinatory method is similar to ceremancy and ceroscopy.

Myomancy

A form of divination by rats or mice supposedly alluded to in Isaiah LXVI:17. The method lies in their peculiar cries or some mark of devastation denoting evil which they make. Aelian told how Fabius Maximus resigned the dictatorship because of a warning from the creatures. Cassius Flaminius resigned being commander of the calvary because of them.

Herodotus told of how the army of Semmacherib of which he was a member was defeated after being infested by rats. The rodents ate through the quivers and bows so that by morning the weapons were destroyed and in confusion men fled as many were killed.

Horapollo, in his curious study of Egyptian Hieroglyphics, described the rat as the symbol of destruction, and that the Hebrew name for the animal came from the root meaning separate, divide, or judge. One of the commentators on Horapollo remarked that the rat had a finely discriminating taste.

An Egyptian manuscript in the Biblotheque Royale in Paris contains a representation of a soul going to judgment, in which one of the figures is depicted as having a head of a rat, and having a well-known wig.

It is recognized that the Libian rats and the mouse of Scripture are the same as the Arabian jerboa, which is characterized as having a long tail, bushy at the end, and short front legs.

The mice and emerods of gold (I Samuel V: 6, 7) were essentially charms sharing a precise symbolic meaning.

Necromancy

Necromancy is the act of conjuring the dead for divination. It dates back to Persia, Greece and Rome, and in the Middle Ages was widely practiced by magicians, sorcerers, and witches. It was condemned by the Catholic Church as "the agency of evil spirits," and in Elizabethan England was outlawed by the Witchcraft Act of 1604.

Necromancy is not to be confused with conjuring devils or demons for help. Necromancy is the seeking of the spirits of the dead. The spirits are sought because they, being without physical bodies, are no longer limited by the earthly plane. Therefore, it is thought these spirits have access to information of the past and future which is not available to the living. It has been used to help find sunken or buried treasure, and whether or not a person was murdered or died from other causes.

The practice of necromancy has been compared by some to modern mediumistic or practiced spiritualism. Many consider it a dangerous and repugnant practice. Dangerous because it is alleged that when some spirits take control of the medium they are reluctant to release their control for some time.

Necromancy is not practiced in Neo-pagan Witchcraft, but it is practiced in Voodoo.

There are two noted kinds of necromancy: the raising of the corpse itself, and the most common kind, the conjuring or summoning of the spirit of the corpse.

Oneiromancy

The form of divination by which the symbolic and/or prophetic properties of dreams are interpreted. In many ancient cultures dreams were seen as portents of the gods. (see Nanshe) The psychologist Carl G. Jung reformulated this concept with his spiritual archetypes that he believed occurred in dreams which came from the collective unconscious.

Onimancy (or Onycomancy)

A very elaborate practice of divination based on the observation of the Angel Urial. Oil of olive leaves is placed upon the right hand of an unpolluted boy or a young virgin girl. Or, even better is a mixture of walnut oil and tallow or blacking to be placed on the child's hand. If money or things hidden in the earth are sought the young child's face must be turned toward the east. If knowledge concerns a crime or of a person of affection then the face must be turned toward the south; for robbery toward the west; and for murder toward the south.

Then the child must repeat the seven-two verses of the Psalms, which the Hebrew Kabbalists collected for Urim and Thummim. These are found in the third book of Johann Rechlin on Kabbalistical art (De arte cabalistica, 1517), and the treatise De verbo mirifoco (c. 1480). In each of these verses occurs the venerable name of four letters, and the three lettered name of the seventy-two angels, which are referred to as the sacred name Shemhanphorash, which was hidden in the folds of the tippet of the high priest.

When the child or student had completely repeated all the verses he was told he would "see wonders."

Other authorities believe that onycomancy refers to the interpretation of spots on human nails.

Onomancy (or Onomamancy)

A form of divination by names. Satirically speaking, some think it is more like divination by a donkey. They claim a more appropriate term for it would be onomamancy, or onomatomancy. The theory that there is an analogy between men's names and their fortunes supposedly originated among the Pythagoreanism; it produced some speculation concerning Plato. Also, it was a source of witticism by Ausonius, which probable amused some classical scholars to collect his epigrams.

There were two cardinal rules in the science of onomancy: the first concerned the vowels within a man's name. If there was an even number in the name, then there was something amiss in his left side. If the vowel were uneven, this signified a similar affliction in his right side. This left little room for sanity between the two.

The second rule involved the numeral numbering of all the letters within a name. This rule was often used to predetermine the winner of two combatants. The person having the name in which the letters added up to the greater sum was always picked to be the winner. This was how Achilles was chosen to triumph over Hector.

The second rule of onomancy relates to arithmancy.

Onychomancy

A form of divination by the use of, and the observation of human fingernails. In practice it is the observation of the shapes which the sun produces when shining on the fingers of a young boy. These shapes supposedly indicate the future or future action to be taken.

Oomancy

A system of divination by the outer and inner forms of eggs. The process was to break an egg into a glass of water, and then to interpret the forms which the white assumed in the water.

Ophiomancy

A system of divination based on the color and movements of serpents.

Ornithomancy

Ornithomancy is the Greek term for the practice of augury, the method of divination by the flight of songbirds, which became a part on the Roman national religion and a distinct priesthood was developed for its practice. This is the reason for it being treated as a separate article.

Pegomancy

A branch of hydromancy (divination by water), also associated with crystalomancy or crystal gazing (or scrying). In this form of divination stones are dropped into water, then the movements and/or rings they produce in the water are interpreted.

Pessomancy (or Psephomancy)

This is a system of divination by using pebbles or beans marked with symbols or colors relating to health, communications, success, travel, and so on. The objects are placed in a bag and shuffled and then are either thrown out, or randomly drawn out.

Phyllorhodomancy

Divination by rose leaves. Once practiced by the ancient Greeks who clapped a rose leaf on the hand and judged by the sound the success or failure of their desires.

Pyromancy

Pyromancy is the divination by the means of fire and was embodied in the ancient practice of extispicy. A good presage was indicated when a vigorous flame quickly consumed the sacrifice; when it was smokeless, transparent, and neither red nor dark in color, and did not crackle but burned silently in a pyramidal form. An evil presage, however, was indicated if the fire was difficult to kindle, the wind disturbed it, and it was slow to consume the victim.

Besides sacrificial fires the ancients also divined by observing flames of torches and by throwing powdered pitch into a fire; if it caught quickly, the omen was good. The presage of a torch flame was good if it formed one point, bad if it divided into two, better than one if forming three.

The presage of the bending of the flame signaled sickness for the healthy, death for the sick and frightful disaster if the flame extinguished.

The vestal virgins in the Temple of Minerva at Athens were assigned the duty of making particular observations of the light which perpetually burned there.

Rhabdomancy

A term for divining by rods, derived from the Greek word meaning "a rod" and "divination." The practice was alluded to by Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682), "As for the divination or decision of the staff, it is an augrial relic, and the decision thereof is accused by God Himself. `My people asked counsel of their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them.' Of this kind was that practised by Nabuchadonosor in that Caldean miscellany delivered by Ezekiel."

In John Brand's Observations of Popular Antiquities (1777; 1813), the following description was cited from a manuscript on Discourse of Witchcraft written by Mr. John Bell (1705), which was delivered from the Theophylact: "To set up two staffs, and having whispered some verses and incantations, the staffs fell by the operation of demons. Then they considered which way each of them fell, forward or backward, to the right or left hand, and agreeably gave responses, having made use of the fall of their staffs for signs."

This was the Grecian method of rhabdomancy which Saint Jerome took as being the same as the method alluded to in the above passage from Hosea and in Ezekiel XXI:21, 22, were it is thought "arrows" might have been used.

From the above is it easy to see how belomancy and rhabdomancy are frequently confused. In all historical incidents one is not certain whether they are identical practices or different.

The practice seemed to originate with the Chaldeans and Scythians and spread to the Germanic tribes who cut pieces of bark from fruit trees, carved characters on them and threw them at a hazard on a white cloth.

According to a rabbis the Hebrews employed the same or similar methods. Except, they did not used characters but peeled the bark clear off one side of the rods and drew the presage from the manner in which the rods fell.

The Scythians and Alani used rods made of myrtle and sallow. The latter chose "fine straight wands" for their divining devices according to Herodotus, which seems to imply the Hebrew used similar methods.

Rhasodomancy

The form of divination by which a work of the great poets is randomly to a verse or passage, or even a word, and an oracular meaning is interpreted relating to and inquirer's questions usually concerning future course of action.

This divinatory form is similar to bibliomancy.

Scapulomancy

An ancient form of pyromancy (divination by fire) based on the interpretation of the cracks in the shoulder blades on animals burned in sacrificial fires.

Stichomancy

Another name for bibliomancy. A form of divination by randomly chosing a word or verse and interpreting an oracular meaning from it to answer an inquirer's question usually concerning a course for future action.

Stolisomancy

Divination by the way a person dresses himself. For example, in ancient Rome Emperor Augustus believed that a military revolt would occur on the day when it did because an attendant buckled his right sandal on his left foot.

Sycomancy

This form of divination uses fig tree leaves. The diviner's question or proposition is written a fig leaf. If afterwards the leaf dried slowly, then the prophecy is good; but, if the leaf dried quickly, the omen is bad.

Tasseomancy

A divinatory form of fortune-telling by reading tea leaves. It is also known as tasseography. Tasseomancy originated in the Middle Ages stemming from ceroscopy and molybdomancy. In the 17th century, the West Dutch Indies merchants introduced tea from the Orient. Tea drinking became a popular custom which gave rise to the divination of tea leaves that remained in the bottom of the cup.

Tasseomancy is largely dependent on psychic intuition. Tea is poured into a cup without the use of a strainer. The one seeking psychic help, the inquirer, consumes all of the tea in the cup. If any moisture remains it is shaken out onto a napkin.

The leaves remain in the bottom of the cup which the diviner observes to see what patterns are formed. A letter, heart shape, or a ring might be observed. There are some standard symbolisms which are observed when interpreting the patterns: snake (enmity or falsehood), spade (good fortune through industry), mountain (journey or hindrance), house (change, success).

Another method is to leave a little moisture in the cup. This allows the leaves or dregs to be swished around. The cup is the upturned into the saucer. The reader picks up the cup and begins examining the formation of the dregs. As in the above described method, the dregs can form patterns such as letters, numbers, geometric designs, straight or wavy lines or shapes which resemble animals, birds or objects. Again, various symbols have particular meanings: straight lines indicate careful planning and peace of mind, while a cup shape indicates love and harmony. Time frames are also indicated by estimating the proximity of the leaves to the rim. Dregs closer to the rim and handle represent the immediate future, while those at the cup's bottom indicate the far future. Some diviners say they can only predict twenty-four hours into the future.

Due to technical modernization tea bags have arrived, but readers have circumvented this by cutting the bags and dropping the leaves into the cup. In some instances coffee grounds are used, but the practice is less common.

Italians, in the 18th century, claimed they invented the coffee-ground form of the divination. Also, they believed the prophecies came from demons so the diviners recited incantation during their practices such as: "Aqua boraxit venias carajos," "Fixitur et patricam explinabit tornare," and "Hax verticalines pax Fantas marobum, max destinatus, veida porol." It was believed that if such incantations were done incorrectly, the reading would be inaccurate.

Tasseomancy is currently conducted in England, Ireland, and Europe. In the United States it is primarily practiced in larger cities in "Gypsy tearooms" and in restaurants and other establishments which furnish back room fortune-telling services. Some occultists practice it too.

Tephramancy

In this method of divination the ashes remaining from the fire that has burned victims in sacrifice are used.

Theomancy

Theomancy in the ancient world was a form of divination by oracles believed to be divinely inspired. However in the Jewish Kabbalah, theomancy studies the mysteries of the divine majesty and seeks the sacred names. The one who possesses the science knows the future, commands nature, has full power over angels and demons, and can perform miracles. The Rabbis claimed that it was by this means that Moses performed so many miracles; that Joshua was able to stop the sun; that Elias caused fire to fall from heaven, and raise the dead; that Daniel closed the mouths of lions; and that the three youths were not consumed in the furnace. However, even though experts in the divine names, Jewish rabbis no longer perform any of the wonders done by their fathers.

In your experience, what method works best?

Have you tried any of this yourself, or are you just copy/pasting from TheMystica.com?

No I am just trying to learn that how much things I can achieve by using the right Key, which many Magicians, Majus or Adepts wasn’t able to find, and without that key a person would be like a trickster who knows everything but don’t know that from where these things having their start.

Do you know about the right Origins of all of these Divinations that from where these things having their start ?

Traveller wrote:

Do you know about the right Origins of all of these Divinations that from where these things having their start ?

No