Methods of divination can be found around the world, and many cultures practice the same methods under different names. During the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
, scholars coined terms for many of these methods—some of which had hitherto been unnamed—in
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin was the form of Literary Latin
Classical Latin is the form of Literary Latin recognized as a Literary language, literary standard language, standard by writers of the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire. It was used f ...
, very often utilizing the
suffix when the art seemed more mystical (ultimately from
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic p ...
, , 'prophecy' or 'the power to prophesy') and the suffix when the art seemed more scientific (ultimately from Greek , , 'to observe'). Names like ''
drimimantia'', ''
nigromantia'', and ''
horoscopia'' arose, along with other
pseudosciences such as
phrenology
Phrenology () is a pseudoscience which involves the measurement of bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.Wihe, J. V. (2002). "Science and Pseudoscience: A Primer in Critical Thinking." In ''Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience'', pp. 195–203. C ...
and
physiognomy
Physiognomy (from the Greek , , meaning "nature", and , meaning "judge" or "interpreter") is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face. The term can also refer to the general ...
.
Some forms of divination are much older than the Middle Ages, like
haruspication
In the religion of ancient Rome, a haruspex (plural haruspices; also called aruspex) was a person trained to practise a form of divination called haruspicy (''haruspicina''), the inspection of the entrails ('' exta''—hence also extispicy ...
, while others (such as
megapolisomancy or coffee-based
tasseomancy) originated in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The chapter "How Panurge consulteth with Herr Trippa" of ''
Gargantua and Pantagruel
''The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel'' (french: La vie de Gargantua et de Pantagruel) is a pentalogy of novels written in the 16th century by François Rabelais, telling the adventures of two giants, Gargantua ( , ) and his son Pantagru ...
'', a parody on occult treatises of
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim (; ; 14 September 1486 – 18 February 1535) was a German polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, theologian, and occult writer. Agrippa's ''Three Books of Occult Philosophy'' published in 1533 drew ...
, contains a list of over two dozen "mancies", described as "common knowledge".
A
*
abacomancy
Abacomancy, also known as ''Amathomancy'' (from the Greek word "amathos" meaning sand) a form of divination based on the interpretation of the patterns in dust, dirt, silt, sand, or the ashes of the recently deceased. Reading the patterns is beli ...
(also amathomancy): by dust (
Hebrew
Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...
, dust +
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Greece
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group.
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family.
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
, prophecy)
*
acultomancy
Acultomancy (from acutomancy, the type of acultomancy described below, influenced by Latin acūleus, needle) is a form of divination that uses needles for readings.
Using needles comes from the olden days where Romani people used to read peopl ...
(also acutomancy): by needles (from ''acutomancy'' below, influenced by
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...
, needle, or , prickle or thorn)
* acutomancy → see (Latin [], needle + Greek , prophecy)
* adromancy → see (from ''idromancy'' below, influenced by ''alomancy'')
* adryomancy→ see (metathesis of ''hydromancy'')
* aeromancy : by atmospheric conditions (Greek , air + , prophecy)
* agalmatomancy : by statues (Greek [], statue + , prophecy)
* aichmomancy : by sharp objects (Greek , spearhead + , prophecy)
*
ailuromancy
Ailuromancy or aeluromancy (from ), also known as felidomancy, is a form of theriomancy. It is divination using cats' movements or jumps to predict future events, especially the weather.
One of the most common methods of ailuromancy utilizes the ...
/aeluromancy → see
* alectormancy/alectromancy : by
rooster
The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adu ...
sacrifice (Greek , rooster + , prophecy)
*
alectryomancy
Alectryomancy (also called alectoromancy or alectromancy; derivation comes from the and ) is a form of divination in which the diviner observes a bird, several birds, or most preferably a white rooster or cockerel pecking at grain (such as wheat ...
/alectoromancy: by rooster divination → see
*
aleuromancy
Aleuromancy is the use of flour for divination. The word comes from the Greek ''aleuron'', meaning flour, and ''manteia'', meaning divination.
Description
Divination with flour is attested in cuneiform tablets from the 2nd millennium BCE. Flou ...
¹ : by flour; see also (Greek ,
meal
A meal is an eating occasion that takes place at a certain time and includes consumption of food. The names used for specific meals in English vary, depending on the speaker's culture, the time of day, or the size of the meal.
Although they c ...
+ , prophecy)
*
alomancy
Alomancy, also called adromancy, ydromancie, idromancie, and halomancy, is an ancient form of divination. Similar to many other forms of divination, the diviner casts salt crystals into the air and interprets the patterns as it falls to the grou ...
/Halomancy (also adromancy): by salt (Greek , salt + , prophecy)
*
alphitomancy
Alphitomancy (from , and ) is a form of divination involving barley cakes or loaves of barley bread.
When someone in a group was suspected of a crime, the members of the group would be fed barley cakes or slices of barley bread. Supposedly, the ...
: by barley (Greek [], barley + , prophecy)
* alveromancy : by sounds
* amathomancy → see by sand (Greek , sandy soil + , prophecy)
* ambulomancy : by walking (Latin , to walk + Greek , prophecy)
*
amniomancy
Amniomancy is a method of divination whereby the future life of a child is predicted from the caul covering their head at birth. The colour and consistency of the caul are used to interpret the future. A vivid colour is supposed to reflect a vivid ...
: by
placenta
The placenta is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ (anatomy), organ that begins embryonic development, developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation (embryology), implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrien ...
(Greek ,
amnion
The amnion is a membrane that closely covers the human and various other embryos when first formed. It fills with amniotic fluid, which causes the amnion to expand and become the amniotic sac that provides a protective environment for the devel ...
+ , prophecy)
*
anemoscopy/anemomancy : by wind (Greek , wind + , observation)
* anthomancy : by flowers (Greek , flower + , prophecy)
* anthracomancy : by burning coals (Greek [], charcoal + , prophecy)
* anthropomancy : by human sacrifice (Greek , human being + , prophecy)
* anthroposcopy : by physical appearance (Greek , human being + , observation)
* apantomancy : by chance encounters with animals (Greek , to encounter + , prophecy)
* arachnomancy : by spiders (Greek
Arachne, , spider + , prophecy)
* archeomancy/archaeomancy : by
sacred relics (Greek , ancient + , prophecy)
* ariolation : by altars (Latin , , prophet)
*
arithmancy
Numerology (also known as arithmancy) is the belief in an occult, divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. It is also the study of the numerical value, via an alphanumeric system, of the letters ...
: assigning numerical value to a word or phrase
* armomancy : by one's own shoulders (Latin , shoulder + Greek , prophecy)
* aruspicina: study of entrails
*
aspidomancy
Aspidomancy (from the Greek word meaning shield) is a form of divination based on the interpretation of patterns on a shield. Reading the patterns is believed to give some insight into the future. Readers study the shield, looking for a pattern ...
: by sitting in a drawn circle or on a shield (Greek
grc, aspid- shield + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
astragalomancy
Astragalomancy, also known as astragyromancy, is a form of divination that uses dice specially marked with letters or numbers.
Originally, as with dice games, the "dice" were knucklebones or other small bones of quadrupeds. Marked ''astragali ...
/astragalamancy → see {{sm,
cleromancy
Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
In classical c ...
* astragyromancy → see {{sm,
cleromancy
Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
In classical c ...
(from ''astragalomancy'' above, perhaps influenced by Greek {{transl, grc, guros, spiral, circle, and therefore
vertebra
The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates, Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characterist ...
)
* astrapomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, æ, s, t, r, ə, p, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by lightning (Greek {{transl, grc, astrapē, lightning flash + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
astrology
Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Di ...
/
astromancy/ {{IPAc-en, ə, ˈ, s, t, r, ɒ, l, oʊ-, dʒ, i: by celestial bodies (Greek {{transl, grc, astron, star + {{transl, grc, -logiā, study). This method was widespread in medieval period, particularly in Mesopotamia.
*
augury
Augury is the practice from ancient Roman religion of interpreting omens from the observed behavior of birds. When the individual, known as the augur, interpreted these signs, it is referred to as "taking the auspices". "Auspices" (Latin ''ausp ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɔː, ɡ, jʊər, i → see {{sm,
theriomancy
* auramancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɔː, r, əm, æ, n, s, i: by
aura
Aura most commonly refers to:
* Aura (paranormal), a field of luminous multicolored radiation around a person or object
* Aura (symptom), a symptom experienced before a migraine or seizure
Aura may also refer to:
Places Extraterrestrial
* 1488 ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, aurā, breath + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
auspicy
Augury is the practice from ancient Roman religion of interpreting omens from the observed behavior of birds. When the individual, known as the augur, interpreted these signs, it is referred to as "taking the auspices". "Auspices" (Latin ''ausp ...
/auspication → see {{sm,
theriomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, avis, bird + {{wikt-lang, la, specere, to look at)
*
austromancy
Aeromancy (from Greek ἀήρ ''aḗr'', "air", and ''manteia'', "divination") is divination conducted by interpreting atmospheric conditions. Alternate spellings include arologie, aeriology and aërology.
Practice
Aeromancy uses cloud formatio ...
→ see {{sm,
theriomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɔː, s, t, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by wind (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, auster, south wind + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* avimancy → see {{sm,
orniscopy
Ornithomancy (modern term from Greek ''ornis'' "bird" and ''manteia'' "divination"; in Ancient Greek: οἰωνίζομαι "take omens from the flight and cries of birds") is the practice of reading omens from the actions of birds followed in ma ...
(Latin {{wikt-lang, la, avis, bird + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
axiomancy
Axinomancy is one of several obscure methods of divination using an axe, hatchet, or (rarely) a saw. Most of the methods involve throwing an axe into the ground, or swinging it into a tree, and interpreting the direction of the handle or the qui ...
/
axinomancy
Axinomancy is one of several obscure methods of divination using an axe, hatchet, or (rarely) a saw. Most of the methods involve throwing an axe into the ground, or swinging it into a tree, and interpreting the direction of the handle or the q ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, æ, k, s, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
axes
Axes, plural of '' axe'' and of '' axis'', may refer to
* ''Axes'' (album), a 2005 rock album by the British band Electrelane
* a possibly still empty plot (graphics)
A plot is a graphical technique for representing a data set, usually as a g ...
(Latin {{wikt-lang, la, axis, axis + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
B
* batraquomancy/batrachomancy {{IPAc-en, b, ə, ˈ, t, r, æ, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by frogs (Greek {{transl, grc, batrakhos, frog + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
belomancy
Belomancy, also bolomancy, is the ancient art of divination by use of arrows. The word is built upon , and , , 'divination'. Belomancy was anciently practised at least by Babylonians, Greeks, Arabs and Scythians.
The arrows were typically mark ...
/bolomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, b, ɛ, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by arrows (from ''bolomancy'' below, influenced by Greek {{transl, grc, belemnon, javelin, or {{transl, grc, belonē, needle)
*
bibliomancy → see {{sm,
chartomancy
*
biorhythmic divination: by biorhythms
* bletonism/bletonomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, b, l, ɛ, t, ən, ɪ, z, əm}: by water current (named for ''Monsieur Bleton'', a French bletonist)
* bolomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, b, ɒ, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
belomancy
Belomancy, also bolomancy, is the ancient art of divination by use of arrows. The word is built upon , and , , 'divination'. Belomancy was anciently practised at least by Babylonians, Greeks, Arabs and Scythians.
The arrows were typically mark ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, bolē, arrow + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* bone-throwing the tossing of pieces of bone or wood practiced by various cultures
*
botanomancy {{IPAc-en, b, oʊ-, ˈ, t, æ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by burning sage or figs (Greek {{transl, grc, botanē,
flora
Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous (ecology), indigenous) native plant, native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for f ...
+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* brizomancy → see {{sm,
oneiromancy
Oneiromancy (from the , and ) is a form of divination based upon dreams, and also uses dreams to predict the future. Oneirogen plants may also be used to produce or enhance dream-like states of consciousness. Occasionally, the dreamer feels as if ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, brizein, to be sleepy + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* brontomancy/brontoscopy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, b, r, ɒ, n, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by thunder (Greek {{transl, grc, brontē, thunder + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* bumpology {{IPAc-en, b, ʌ, m, ˈ, p, ɒ, l, oʊ-, dʒ, i: by bumps on the skin (
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national id ...
''bump'' + Greek {{transl, grc, -logiā, study)
C
* cabala → see {{sm,
kabbalah
Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The de ...
* canomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, æ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i or {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, eɪ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by dogs (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, canis, dog + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
capnomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, æ, p, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by smoke (Greek {{transl, grc, kapnos, smoke + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
libanomancy {{IPAc-en, l, aɪ, ˈ, b, æ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by smoke or ash from incense (Greek {{transl, grc, libanos,
frankincense + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
[ Del Rio, Martín Anton]
''Investigations Into Magic.''
P.G. Maxwell-Stuart, trans. Reprint ed. Manchester, U.K.: Manchester University Press, 2000, p. 160 (originally published 1599-1600)[Dunwich, Gerina. ''Candlelight Spells: The Modern Witch's Book of Spellcasting, Feasting, and Healing.'' Secaucus, N.J.: Citadel Press, 1988, p. 51.]
*
carromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, æ, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by melting wax (Greek {{transl, grc, karrō, of wax + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cartopedy → see {{sm,
somatomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, carta, papyrus paper + {{lang, la, pēs
la, pēd- foot)
*
cartomancy
Cartomancy is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards. Forms of cartomancy appeared soon after playing cards were first introduced into Europe in the 14th century. Huson, Paul (2004). ''Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient ...
→ see {{sm,
chartomancy
*
catoptromancy
Catoptromancy (Gk. κάτοπτρον, ''katoptron'', "mirror," and μαντεία, ''manteia'', "divination"), also known as captromancy or enoptromancy, is divination
Divination (from Latin ''divinare'', 'to foresee, to foretell, to predict ...
/captromancy → see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
*
causimancy/causimomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, ɔː, z, ᵻ, m, æ, n, s, i: by burning (Greek {{transl, grc, kaiein
grc, kaus- to burn + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
cephalomancy
Cephalonomancy (also known as ''cephaleonomancy'' or ''kephalonomancy'') is an ancient form of divination which used two different methods; one was concerned with the shape of the skull, somewhat like extispicy or phrenology the other involved hea ...
→ see {{sm,
somatomancy
*
cephaleonomancy/
cephalonomancy{{IPAc-en, ˌ, s, ɛ, f, ə, l, i, ˈ, ɒ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by boiling a donkey's head (Greek {{transl, grc, kephalaion, head
grc, onos, donkey+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
ceraunoscopy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, s, ɛ, r, ə, ˈ, n, ɒ, s, k, oʊ-, p, i: by thunder and lightning (Greek {{transl, grc, keraunos, thunderbolt + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
*
ceromancy/ceroscopy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, ɛ, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by dripping wax in water (Greek {{transl, grc, kēros, wax + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* chalcomancy: by striking gongs or copper bowls (Greek {{transl, grc, khalkos, copper + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
chaomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, eɪ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by aerial visions (Greek {{transl, grc, khaos,
primordial space + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* chartomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, ɑːr, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by things on paper (Greek {{transl, grc, khartēs, papyrus paper + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
cartomancy
Cartomancy is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards. Forms of cartomancy appeared soon after playing cards were first introduced into Europe in the 14th century. Huson, Paul (2004). ''Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, ɑːr, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by cards (Latin {{lang, la, carta, papyrus paper + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
***
taromancy/tarotmancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, t, æ, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
tarot
The tarot (, first known as '' trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a pack of playing cards, used from at least the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play card games such as Tarocchini. From their Italian roots ...
(English ''tarot'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
***
Parrot astrology
Parrot astrology or Parakeet fortune-telling ( ta, கிளி ஜோசியம்) is a type of astrology popular among the Tamils of Tamil Nadu, Telugus in Andhra Pradesh, India and Singapore. It involves using mainly rose-ringed and Ale ...
: by parrots picking cards
**
stichomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, t, ɪ, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by books or lines (Greek {{transl, grc, stikhos, line of verse + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
***
aleuromancy
Aleuromancy is the use of flour for divination. The word comes from the Greek ''aleuron'', meaning flour, and ''manteia'', meaning divination.
Description
Divination with flour is attested in cuneiform tablets from the 2nd millennium BCE. Flou ...
² {{IPAc-en, ə, ˈ, lj, ʊər, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
fortune cookie
A fortune cookie is a crisp and sugary cookie wafer usually made from flour, sugar, vanilla, and sesame seed oil with a piece of paper inside, a "fortune", usually an aphorism, or a vague prophecy. The message inside may also include a Chines ...
s (of the same origin as {{sm,
aleuromancy
Aleuromancy is the use of flour for divination. The word comes from the Greek ''aleuron'', meaning flour, and ''manteia'', meaning divination.
Description
Divination with flour is attested in cuneiform tablets from the 2nd millennium BCE. Flou ...
¹)
***
bibliomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, b, ɪ, b, l, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by the
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts o ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, biblion, book + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
***
I Ching divination
I Ching divination is a form of cleromancy applied to the ''I Ching''. The text of the ''I Ching'' consists of sixty-four hexagrams: six-line figures of ''yin'' (broken) or '' yang'' (solid) lines, and commentaries on them. There are two main m ...
: by the
I Ching
The ''I Ching'' or ''Yi Jing'' (, ), usually translated ''Book of Changes'' or ''Classic of Changes'', is an ancient Chinese divination text that is among the oldest of the Chinese classics. Originally a divination manual in the Western Zh ...
or the accompanying I Ching manual
*** stoicheomancy/stoichomancy: by the ''
Iliad
The ''Iliad'' (; grc, Ἰλιάς, Iliás, ; "a poem about Ilium") is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the '' Odys ...
'' and the ''
Odyssey
The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major Ancient Greek literature, ancient Greek Epic poetry, epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by moder ...
'' or the ''
Aeneid
The ''Aeneid'' ( ; la, Aenē̆is or ) is a Latin Epic poetry, epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Troy, Trojan who fled the Trojan_War#Sack_of_Troy, fall of Troy and travelled to ...
'' (Greek {{transl, grc, stoikheion, element + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy; to the Greeks,
Homer
Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the '' Iliad'' and the '' Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of ...
's writings were held in similar esteem to the Christian
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts o ...
or the Muslim
Quran
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , sing.: ...
, as were
Virgil
Publius Vergilius Maro (; traditional dates 15 October 7021 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature: t ...
's writings to the Romans, making them the basic — or elementary — reading material in each culture)
*
cheiromancy/chiromancy→ see {{sm,
somatomancy
* cheirognomy/chirognomy → see {{sm,
somatomancy
* {{transl, zh, chien tung, italic=unset → see {{transl, zh, {{sm,
kau cim
''Kau Chim'' or ''Kau Cim'', also known as Lottery poetry (), is a fortune telling practice that originated in China in which the querent (person asking the question) requests answers from a sacred oracle lot. The practice is often performed in ...
* choriomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, ɒr, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
pig bladder
Pig bladder (also pig's bladder) is the urinary bladder of a domestic pig, similar to the human urinary bladder. Today, this hollow organ has various applications in medicine, and in traditional cuisines and customs. Historically, the pig bladder ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, khorion,
placenta
The placenta is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ (anatomy), organ that begins embryonic development, developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation (embryology), implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrien ...
+ ''mantiea'', prophecy)
* chresmomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, r, ɛ, s, m, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by the ravings of lunatics (Greek {{transl, grc, khrēsmos, oracular utterance,
chresm + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
chronomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, r, ɒ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by apt occasion (Greek {{transl, grc, khronos, time + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cineromancy/ceneromancy → see {{sm,
spodomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, ɪ, n, ər, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, cinis
la, ciner- ashes + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* clamancy (see also
Fāl-gūsh
Fāl-gūsh ( fa, فالگوش) is the act of standing in a dark corner spot or behind a fence and listening to the conversations of passersby and trying to interpret their statements or the subject of their dialogue as an answer to one's questions ...
): by random shouts and cries heard in crowds, at night, etc. (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, clāmāre, to cry out + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
cledonism/
cledonomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, l, ɛ, d, oʊ-, n, ɪ, z, əm}: by chance events or overheard words (Greek {{transl, grc, klēdon, rumor)
* cleidomancy/clidomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, l, aɪ, d, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by keys (Greek {{transl, grc, kleis
grc, kleid- key + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
cleromancy
Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
In classical c ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, l, ɛ, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by casting (Greek {{transl, grc, klēros,
lot + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
astragalomancy
Astragalomancy, also known as astragyromancy, is a form of divination that uses dice specially marked with letters or numbers.
Originally, as with dice games, the "dice" were knucklebones or other small bones of quadrupeds. Marked ''astragali ...
/astragalamancy {{IPAc-en, ə, ˈ, s, t, r, æ, ɡ, ə, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i (also cubomancy): by
dice
Dice (singular die or dice) are small, throwable objects with marked sides that can rest in multiple positions. They are used for generating random values, commonly as part of tabletop games, including dice games, board games, role-playing ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, astragalos,
vertebra
The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates, Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characterist ...
+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
domino
Dominoes is a family of tile-based games played with gaming pieces, commonly known as dominoes. Each domino is a rectangular tile, usually with a line dividing its face into two square ''ends''. Each end is marked with a number of spots (also ca ...
divination: by dominoes
**
favomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, f, æ, v, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by beans (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, faba, bean + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
Ogham
Ogham (Modern Irish: ; mga, ogum, ogom, later mga, ogam, label=none ) is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write the early Irish language (in the "orthodox" inscriptions, 4th to 6th centuries AD), and later the Old Irish langua ...
casting: by Ogham letters
**
runecasting
There is some evidence that, in addition to being a writing system, runes historically served purposes of magic. This is the case from the earliest epigraphic evidence of the Roman to the Germanic Iron Age, with non-linguistic inscriptions and ...
/
runic divination
*
cometomancy
Aeromancy (from Greek language, Greek ἀήρ ''aḗr'', "air", and ''manteia'', "divination") is divination conducted by interpreting atmosphere, atmospheric conditions. Alternate spellings include arologie, aeriology and aërology.
Practice
Aer ...
{{IPAc-en, k, oʊ-, ˈ, m, ɛ, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
comet
A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process that is called outgassing. This produces a visible atmosphere or Coma (cometary), coma, and sometimes also a Comet ta ...
tails (Greek {{transl, grc, komētēs, comet + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* colormancy/coloromancy: by colors (English ''color'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* conchomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, ɒ, ŋ, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by shells (Greek {{transl, grc, konkhē,
mussel
Mussel () is the common name used for members of several families of bivalve molluscs, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, whic ...
+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
cosquinomancy/coscinomancy {{IPAc-en, k, oʊ-, ˈ, s, ɪ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by hanging sieves (Greek {{transl, grc, koskinōn, sieve + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cottabomancy/cottobomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, ɒ, t, ə, b, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by wine in a brass bowl (Greek {{transl, grc, kottabos,
cottabus + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* craniognomy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, k, r, eɪ, n, i, ˈ, ɒ, ɡ, n, oʊ-, m, i or {{IPAc-en, ˌ, k, r, eɪ, n, i, ˈ, ɒ, n, əm, i → see {{sm,
somatomancy (Greek {{transl, grc, krānion, skull + {{transl, grc, -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
* the crawling baby: by a baby's crawling
*
crithomancy/critomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, r, ɪ, θ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by barley cakes (Greek {{transl, grc, krithē, barley + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
cromnyomancy/cromniomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, r, ɒ, m, n, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by onion sprouts (alteration of Greek {{transl, grc, krommuon, onion + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cryptomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, r, ɪ, p, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
omen
An omen (also called ''portent'') is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change. It was commonly believed in ancient times, and still believed by some today, that omens bring divine messages fr ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, kruptos, hidden + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cryomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, r, aɪ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by ice (Greek {{transl, grc, kryo, ice )
* crystal ball gazing → see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
*
crystal gazing
Crystal-gazing (also known as crystal-seeing, crystallism, crystallomancy, and spheromancy) is a method for seeing visions achieved through trance induction by means of gazing at a crystal. Traditionally, it has been seen as a form of divinati ...
→ see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
* crystallomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, r, ɪ, s, t, ə, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, krustallos, crystal + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cubomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, k, juː, b, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
cleromancy
Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
In classical c ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, kubos, cube + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cyathomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, aɪ, ə, θ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by cups (Greek {{transl, grc, kuathos, cup + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cybermancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, aɪ, b, ər, m, æ, n, s, i: by computer oracles (English ''{{not a typo, cyber(netics)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* cyclicomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, ɪ, k, l, ᵻ, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by swirling water in a cup (Greek {{transl, grc, kuklikos, cyclical, circular + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
cyclomancy Cyclomancy is a form of divination based on spinning an object and deriving predictions or conclusions from the object's final resting direction. In some traditions, a wheel or top
A spinning top, or simply a top, is a toy with a squat body and ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, ɪ, k, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i or {{IPAc-en, ˈ, s, aɪ, k, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by wheels (Greek {{transl, grc, kuklos, circle + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
D
* dactyliomancy {{IPAc-en, d, æ, k, ˈ, t, ɪ, l, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by finger rings (Greek {{transl, grc, daktulios, finger ring + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
dactylomancy
Dactylomancy, from the Greek word for finger, is a term used by proponents to define a form of divination using rings.Jacob, P. L. (1878) "Science and Literature in the Middle Ages, and at the Period of the Renaissance", Bickers and Son
Modern ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, d, æ, k, t, ᵻ, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by means of finger movements (Greek {{transl, grc, daktulos, finger + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
daphnomancy
Daphnomancy is a form of pyromancy whereby the future is predicted by burning bay laurel leaves. A loud crackling from the fire is a positive omen, whereas silence is a negative one.
History and etymology
''Daphno'' is thought to be a tribute to D ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, d, æ, f, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by burning laurel wreaths (Greek {{transl, grc, daphnē, laurel + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* demonomancy {{IPAc-en, d, ᵻ, ˈ, m, ɒ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by demons (Greek {{transl, grc, daimōn, divine power + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* dendromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, d, ɛ, n, d, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by trees, especially
oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably ''L ...
s,
yew
Yew is a common name given to various species of trees.
It is most prominently given to any of various coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus ''Taxus'':
* European yew or common yew (''Taxus baccata'')
* Pacific yew or western yew (''Taxus b ...
s, or
mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, dendron, tree + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* deuteroscopy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, dj, uː, t, ə, ˈ, r, ɒ, s, k, oʊ-, p, i: by second glance or double take (Greek {{transl, grc, deuteros, secondary + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
* dianomancy {{IPAc-en, d, aɪ, ə, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by delivery, esp. by the randomly-generated words found on Whole Foods grocery bags to identify orders (Greek {{transl, grc, dianomí, delivery + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* dictiomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, d, ɪ, k, ʃ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by randomly opening a dictionary (English ''{{not a typo,
dictio(nary)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* divining → see {{sm,
dowsing
Dowsing is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, claimed radiations ( radiesthesia),As translated from one preface of the Kassel experiments, "roughly 10,000 active dowsers i ...
* djubed{{Citation needed, reason=all search results appear to link to this page, date=April 2019→ see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
* {{transl, ja,
dōbutsu uranai
Dōbutsu uranai (動物占い in Japanese) or zoological fortune-telling is a recent Japanese divination trend based on an animal horoscope. Each person is categorized into an animal-type based on their birthdate, and based on their animal-type ...
, italic=unset: by animal horoscope (
Japanese
Japanese may refer to:
* Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia
* Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan
* Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture
** Japanese diaspor ...
{{transl, ja, dōbutsu, animal + {{transl, ja, uranai, prognostication)
*
domino
Dominoes is a family of tile-based games played with gaming pieces, commonly known as dominoes. Each domino is a rectangular tile, usually with a line dividing its face into two square ''ends''. Each end is marked with a number of spots (also ca ...
divination → see {{sm,
cleromancy
Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
In classical c ...
*
dowsing
Dowsing is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, claimed radiations ( radiesthesia),As translated from one preface of the Kassel experiments, "roughly 10,000 active dowsers i ...
(also divining, water witching): by a
divining rod
Dowsing is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, claimed radiations ( radiesthesia),As translated from one preface of the Kassel experiments, "roughly 10,000 active dowsers in ...
(of unknown origin)
* dracomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, d, r, æ, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
dragons (Greek {{transl, grc, drakōn, dragon + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
dream questions: by dreaming
* dririmancy/driromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, d, r, ɪər, ᵻ, m, æ, n, s, i: by dripping blood (alteration of ''drimimancy'', influenced by Middle English {{lang, enm, drir, blood)
* drimimancy/drymimancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, d, r, ɪ, m, ᵻ, m, æ, n, s, i: by
bodily fluids (Greek {{transl, grc, drimus, pungent + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
E
* electromancy: by lightning and electricity (Greek {{transl, grc, ilektros electric + {{transl, grc, manteía prophecy)
* eleomancy/elaeomancy: by oil (Greek {{transl, grc, elaion, olive oil + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* emonomancy → see {{sm,
demonomancy{{Citation needed, date=January 2008
* empirimancy: by experiment/experience
*
empyromancy
Pyromancy (from Greek language, Greek ''pyr,'' “fire,” and ''manteia,'' “divination”) is the art of divination by means of fire. ...
{{IPAc-en, ɛ, m, ˈ, p, aɪr, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by burning (Greek {{transl, grc, empurios, fiery + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* encromancy: by oil ink stains (Greek {{transl, grc, elaion oil ink + {{transl, grc, manteía prophecy)
*
enochian chess: by playing a four·handed variant of the game
* enoptromancy {{IPAc-en, ɛ, ˈ, n, ɒ, p, t, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, enoptron,
looking glass + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
enthusiasm
In modern usage, enthusiasm refers to intense enjoyment, interest, or approval expressed by a person. The term is related to playfulness, inventiveness, optimism and high energy. The word was originally used to refer to a person possessed by ...
: speeches by those supposed to be possessed by a divine spirit
* entomomancy/entomancy: by
insect
Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, entomon, insect + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* eromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɛ, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by water vessels exposed to air (Greek {{transl, grc, āēr, air + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy) — ''cf.'' aeromancy
*
extispicy/extispication {{IPAc-en, ɛ, k, ˈ, s, t, ɪ, s, p, ᵻ, s, i: by the remains of sacrificed animals (Latin {{lang, la,
exta, entrails + {{lang, la, specere, to look at)
F
*
favomancy → see {{sm,
cleromancy
Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
In classical c ...
* felidomancy → see {{sm,
theriomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, fēlēs
la, fēlid- cat + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
feng shui → see {{sm,
geomancy
Geomancy (Greek: γεωμαντεία, "earth divination") is a method of divination that interprets markings on the ground or the patterns formed by tossed handfuls of soil, rocks, or sand. The most prevalent form of divinatory geomancy in ...
*
floriography
Floriography (language of flowers) is a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. Meaning has been attributed to flowers for thousands of years, and some form of floriography has been practiced in tradition ...
/floromancy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, f, l, ɔːr, i, ˈ, ɒ, ɡ, r, ə, f, i: by flowers' feelings (Latin {{lang, la, flōs
'flōr-'' flower + Greek {{transl, grc, -graphiā, representation)
* fractomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, f, r, æ, k, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
fractal
In mathematics, a fractal is a geometric shape containing detailed structure at arbitrarily small scales, usually having a fractal dimension strictly exceeding the topological dimension. Many fractals appear similar at various scales, as il ...
s (English ''{{not a typo,
fract(al)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* fructomancy/fructimancy: by fruit (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, frūctus, fruit + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
G
* galvanoscopy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, ɡ, æ, l, v, ə, ˈ, n, ɒ, s, k, oʊ-, p, i: by
galvanism
Galvanism is a term invented by the late 18th-century physicist and chemist Alessandro Volta to refer to the generation of electric current by chemical action. The term also came to refer to the discoveries of its namesake, Luigi Galvani, spec ...
(English ''{{not a typo,
galvan(ism)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
*
gastromancy¹ → see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
* gastromancy² {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɡ, æ, s, t, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by guttural sounds (Greek {{transl, grc, gastēr, belly + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
geomancy
Geomancy (Greek: γεωμαντεία, "earth divination") is a method of divination that interprets markings on the ground or the patterns formed by tossed handfuls of soil, rocks, or sand. The most prevalent form of divinatory geomancy in ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, dʒ, iː, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by earth (Greek {{wikt-lang, grc, γαῖα, {{grc-transl, γαῖα , {{wikt-lang, grc, γῆ, {{grc-transl, γῆ , earth + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
feng Shui divination: by Feng Shui
* geloscopy {{IPAc-en, dʒ, ᵻ, ˈ, l, ɒ, s, k, oʊ-, p, i: by laughter (Greek {{transl, grc, gelōs, laughter + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
*
gematria
Gematria (; he, גמטריא or gimatria , plural or , ''gimatriot'') is the practice of assigning a numerical value to a name, word or phrase according to an alphanumerical cipher. A single word can yield several values depending on the cipher ...
: by the
Hebrew alphabet
The Hebrew alphabet ( he, אָלֶף־בֵּית עִבְרִי, ), known variously by scholars as the Ktav Ashuri, Jewish script, square script and block script, is an abjad script used in the writing of the Hebrew language and other Jewis ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, gē, earth + {{transl, grc, -metriā, measurement)
* genethlialogy: by birth dates (Greek {{transl, grc, genethlios,
birthday
A birthday is the anniversary of the birth of a person, or figuratively of an institution. Birthdays of people are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with birthday gifts, birthday cards, a birthday party, or a rite of passage.
Many rel ...
+ {{transl, grc, -logiā, study)
* grammomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɡ, r, æ, m, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by writing individual letters (Greek {{transl, grc, gramma, letter + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
graphology
Graphology is the analysis of handwriting with attempt to determine someone's personality traits. No scientific evidence exists to support graphology, and it is generally considered a pseudoscience or scientifically questionable practice. Howe ...
{{IPAc-en, ɡ, r, æ, ˈ, f, ɒ, l, oʊ-, dʒ, i (also graptomancy): by studying handwriting (Greek {{transl, grc, graphē, writing + {{transl, grc, -logiā, study)
* graptomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɡ, r, æ, p, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
graphology
Graphology is the analysis of handwriting with attempt to determine someone's personality traits. No scientific evidence exists to support graphology, and it is generally considered a pseudoscience or scientifically questionable practice. Howe ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, graptos, written + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
gyromancy
Gyromancy is a method of divination in which a person spins around inside or walks the circumference of a circle drawn on the ground, the perimeter of which is marked with the letters of an alphabet. The divination is inferred from the letter at t ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, dʒ, aɪr, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by dizziness (Greek {{transl, grc, gūros, spiral + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
H
* hagiomancy: by saints (Greek {{transl, grc, hagios, holy + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* halomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, h, æ, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
alomancy
Alomancy, also called adromancy, ydromancie, idromancie, and halomancy, is an ancient form of divination. Similar to many other forms of divination, the diviner casts salt crystals into the air and interprets the patterns as it falls to the grou ...
* {{transl, sn, hakata, italic=unset: by bones or dice
*
haruspicy
In the religion of ancient Rome, a haruspex (plural haruspices; also called aruspex) was a person trained to practise a form of divination called haruspicy (''haruspicina''), the inspection of the entrails ('' exta''—hence also extispicy ...
/haruspication {{IPAc-en, h, ə, ˈ, r, ʌ, s, p, ᵻ, s, i → see {{sm,
hepatoscopy
In the religion of ancient Rome, a haruspex (plural haruspices; also called aruspex) was a person trained to practise a form of divination called haruspicy (''haruspicina''), the inspection of the entrails ('' exta''—hence also extispicy ...
(Latin {{wikt-lang, la, haruspex, haru-, entrails + {{wikt-lang, la, specere, to look at)
* hematomancy/haematomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, h, ɛ, m, ə, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i, ,_, ˈ, h, iː, -: by blood (Greek {{transl, grc, haima
grc, haimat- blood + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
hepatoscopy
In the religion of ancient Rome, a haruspex (plural haruspices; also called aruspex) was a person trained to practise a form of divination called haruspicy (''haruspicina''), the inspection of the entrails ('' exta''—hence also extispicy ...
/hepatomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, h, ɛ, p, ə, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i (also haruspicy, haruspication): by liver (Greek {{transl, grc, hēpar
grc, hēpat- liver + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
* hieromancy/hieroscopy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, h, aɪər, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by studying sacrifices' entrails (Greek {{transl, grc, hieros, holy + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* hippomancy → see {{sm,
theriomancy
*
horoscopy {{IPAc-en, h, oʊ-, ˈ, r, ɒ, s, k, oʊ-, p, i: aspect of the Stars at nativity (Greek {{transl, grc, hōrā, season + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
* hydatomancy: by rainwater (Greek {{transl, grc, hudatis, raindrop + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* hydromancy/hydroscopy → see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
* hyomancy: by wild hogs (Greek {{transl, grc, hūs, swine + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* hypnomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, h, ɪ, p, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by sleep (Greek {{transl, grc, hupnos, sleep + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
I
*
I Ching divination
I Ching divination is a form of cleromancy applied to the ''I Ching''. The text of the ''I Ching'' consists of sixty-four hexagrams: six-line figures of ''yin'' (broken) or '' yang'' (solid) lines, and commentaries on them. There are two main m ...
→ see {{sm,
chartomancy
*
ichnomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɪ, k, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by footprints (Greek {{transl, grc, ikhnos, track + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* ichthyomancy → see {{sm,
theriomancy
* iconomancy {{IPAc-en, aɪ, ˈ, k, ɒ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
icon
An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most c ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, eikōn, image + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* idolomancy {{IPAc-en, aɪ, ˈ, d, ɒ, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
idols (Greek {{transl, grc, eidōlon, phantom + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* idromancy → see {{sm,
alomancy
Alomancy, also called adromancy, ydromancie, idromancie, and halomancy, is an ancient form of divination. Similar to many other forms of divination, the diviner casts salt crystals into the air and interprets the patterns as it falls to the grou ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, idrōs, sweat + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* {{lang, yo,
ifá
Ifá is a Yoruba religion and system of divination. Its literary corpus is the ''Odu Ifá''. Orunmila is identified as the Grand Priest, as he revealed divinity and prophecy to the world. Babalawos or Iyanifas use either the divining chain ...
, italic=unset: geomancy patterns generated with palm nuts, opele, cowrie shells, etc... that refer to {{lang, yo, Ifa divination texts; a collection of {{lang, yo, Odu Ifa verses
* iridology: by eye color (Greek {{transl, grc, īris
grc, īrid- iris
Iris most often refers to:
*Iris (anatomy), part of the eye
*Iris (mythology), a Greek goddess
* ''Iris'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants
* Iris (color), an ambiguous color term
Iris or IRIS may also refer to:
Arts and media
Fictional ent ...
+ {{transl, grc, -logiā, study)
*
isopsephy Isopsephy (; ''isos'' meaning "equal" and ''psephos'' meaning "pebble") or isopsephism is the practice of adding up the number values of the letters in a word to form a single number. The total number is then used as a metaphorical bridge to othe ...
: by numbers and letters (Greek {{transl, grc, īsos, equal + {{transl, grc, psephos, pebble)
J
* {{transl, hi,
Jyotish
Jyotisha or Jyotishya (from Sanskrit ', from ' “light, heavenly body" and ''ish'' - from Isvara or God) is the traditional Hindu system of astrology, also known as Hindu astrology, Indian astrology and more recently Vedic astrology. It is on ...
, italic=unset Vedic system of astrology
K
*
kabbalah
Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The de ...
/qabalah/cabala: by the
Kabbalah
Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The de ...
(Hebrew {{transl, he, qabbālâ, tradition)
* {{transl, zh,
kau cim
''Kau Chim'' or ''Kau Cim'', also known as Lottery poetry (), is a fortune telling practice that originated in China in which the querent (person asking the question) requests answers from a sacred oracle lot. The practice is often performed in ...
, italic=unset: by bamboo
* {{transl, ja,
kayu ura, italic=unset: by rice gruel
* kephalonomancy {{IPAc-en, k, ə, ˈ, f, æ, l, ən, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
cephaleonomancy
*
keraunomancy {{IPAc-en, k, ᵻ, ˈ, r, ɒ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
ceraunoscopy
* knissomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, ɪ, s, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by incense (Greek {{transl, grc, knisa
'kniss-'' vapor + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* kypomancy → see {{sm,
phyllomancy (akin to Greek {{transl, grc, kupellon, goblet + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
L
* labiomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, l, eɪ, b, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by lips (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, labium, lip + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
lampadomancy
Lampadomancy is a form of divination using a single oil lamp or a torch flame.
As with Lychnoscopy, the diviner reads presages from the movements of the flame. An alternate method is also practiced, consisting of reading the spots of carbon
...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, l, æ, m, p, ə, d, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by flame (Greek {{transl, grc, lampas
grc, lampad- light + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
lecanomancy Lecanomancy (Gr. λεκάνη, "dish, pan" + μαντεία, "divination") is a form of divination using a dish, usually of water, which, like many ancient forms of divination, has multiple forms.
The earliest form of lecanomancy appears to have co ...
/lecanoscopy {{IPAc-en, l, ᵻ, ˈ, k, æ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by a basin of water (Greek {{transl, grc, lekanē, basin + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* letnomancy: by secrets (English ''let no (man see)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
libanomancy {{IPAc-en, l, aɪ, ˈ, b, æ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
capnomancy and {{sm,
spodomancy (Greek {{transl, grc, libanos,
frankincense + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
literomancy
Literomancy, from the Latin ''litero'', "letter", ''mancy'', "divination", is a form of fortune-telling based on written words, or, in the case of Chinese, characters. A fortune-teller of this type is known as a literomancer.
When practicing liter ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, l, ɪ, t, ər, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by a letter in a written language (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, littera, lītera, letter + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
lithomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, l, ɪ, θ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by gems or stones (Greek {{transl, grc, lithos, stone + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* logarithmancy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, l, ɒ, ɡ, ə, ˈ, r, ɪ, θ, m, ən, s, i: by
logarithm
In mathematics, the logarithm is the inverse function to exponentiation. That means the logarithm of a number to the base is the exponent to which must be raised, to produce . For example, since , the ''logarithm base'' 10 of ...
s (English ''logarithm'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* logomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, l, ɒ, ɡ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by words (Greek {{transl, grc,
logos
''Logos'' (, ; grc, λόγος, lógos, lit=word, discourse, or reason) is a term used in Western philosophy, psychology and rhetoric and refers to the appeal to reason that relies on logic or reason, inductive and deductive reasoning. Aristo ...
, word + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* lots: divination through chance, or the drawing or tossing of lots
* lunamancy → see {{sm,
selenomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, luna, lūna, moon + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* lychnomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, l, ɪ, k, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by candles (Greek {{transl, grc, lukhnos, lamp + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
M
*
macharomancy
Macharomancy (Greek ''makhaira'', a short sword or a dagger, and ''manteia'', prophecy; alternative spellings are machæromancy, machairomancy) is a form of divination by interpreting knives, daggers or swords, one of many methods of divination b ...
: by swords or knives (Greek {{transl, grc, makhaira,
dirk
A dirk is a long bladed thrusting dagger.Chisholm, Hugh (ed.), ''Dagger'', The Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th ed., Vol. VII, New York, NY: Cambridge University Press (1910), p. 729 Historically, it gained its name from the Highland Dirk (Scot ...
+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* macromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, æ, k, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by large objects (Greek {{transl, grc, makros, large + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* maculomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, æ, k, j, ʊ, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by spots on the skin (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, macula, spot + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
mahjong
Mahjong or mah-jongg (English pronunciation: ) is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China and has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. It is commonly played by four players (with some three-pl ...
divination: by Mahjong tiles
* margaritomancy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, m, ɑːr, ɡ, ə, ˈ, r, ɪ, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by bouncing pearls (Greek {{transl, grc, margarītēs, pearl + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* mathemancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, æ, θ, ᵻ, m, æ, n, s, i: by
mathematics (English ''{{not a typo, mathe(matics)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* mazomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, æ, z, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by nursing (Greek {{transl, grc, mazos, breast + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* meconomancy {{IPAc-en, m, ᵻ, ˈ, k, oʊ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by sleeping (Greek {{transl, grc, mēkōn, poppy
.e., an opiate">opiate.html" ;"title=".e., an opiate">.e., an opiate+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
megapolisomancy: by large cities (English ''megalopolis (city type), megalopolis'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* meilomancy: by
mole
Mole (or Molé) may refer to:
Animals
* Mole (animal) or "true mole", mammals in the family Talpidae, found in Eurasia and North America
* Golden moles, southern African mammals in the family Chrysochloridae, similar to but unrelated to Talpida ...
s
* metagnomy {{IPAc-en, m, ᵻ, ˈ, t, æ, ɡ, n, oʊ-, m, i or {{IPAc-en, m, ᵻ, ˈ, t, æ, n, oʊ-, m, i: by magic (Greek {{transl, grc, meta-, beside + {{transl, grc, -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
*
meteormancy
Aeromancy (from Greek ἀήρ ''aḗr'', "air", and ''manteia'', "divination") is divination conducted by interpreting atmospheric conditions. Alternate spellings include arologie, aeriology and aërology.
Practice
Aeromancy uses cloud formatio ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, iː, t, i, oʊ-, r, m, æ, n, s, i: by
meteor
A meteoroid () is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space.
Meteoroids are defined as objects significantly smaller than asteroids, ranging in size from grains to objects up to a meter wide. Objects smaller than this are classified as mic ...
s (English ''meteor'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* meteoromancy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, m, iː, t, i, ˈ, ɒr, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by thunder and lightning (Greek {{transl, grc, meteōron, heavenly phenomenon + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
metoposcopy/metopomancy {{IPAc-en, ˌ, m, ɛ, t, oʊ-, ˈ, p, ɒ, s, k, oʊ-, p, i: by the lines of the forehead (Greek {{transl, grc, metōpon, forehead + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
* micromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, aɪ, k, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by small objects (Greek {{transl, grc, mikros, small + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
moleosophy {{IPAc-en, m, oʊ, ˈ, l, ɒ, s, oʊ-, f, i or {{IPAc-en, ˌ, m, oʊ, l, i, ˈ, ɒ, s, oʊ-, f, i: by blemishes (English ''
mole
Mole (or Molé) may refer to:
Animals
* Mole (animal) or "true mole", mammals in the family Talpidae, found in Eurasia and North America
* Golden moles, southern African mammals in the family Chrysochloridae, similar to but unrelated to Talpida ...
'' + Greek {{transl, grc, sophiā, knowledge)
*
molybdomancy
Molybdomancy (from and -mancy) is a technique of divination using molten metal. Typically, molten lead or tin is dropped into water. It can be found as a tradition in various cultures, including Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germ ...
{{IPAc-en, m, oʊ-, ˈ, l, ɪ, b, d, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by molten metal (Greek {{transl, grc, molubdos, lead + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* moromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, ɒr, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by foolishness (Greek {{transl, grc, mōros, dull + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
myomancy → see {{sm,
theriomancy
* myrmomancy → see {{sm,
theriomancy
N
* narcomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, ɑːr, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by sleep (Greek {{transl, grc, narkē, numbness + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* natimancy → see {{sm,
somatomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, natis, buttock + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
necromancy
Necromancy () is the practice of magic or black magic involving communication with the dead by summoning their spirits as apparitions or visions, or by resurrection for the purpose of divination; imparting the means to foretell future events ...
¹ {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, ɛ, k, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by speaking to the dead, by corpses (Greek {{transl, grc, nekros, corpse + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* necyomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, iː, s, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by summoning damned souls (Greek {{transl, grc, nekuiā,
invocation
An invocation (from the Latin verb ''invocare'' "to call on, invoke, to give") may take the form of:
*Supplication, prayer or spell.
*A form of possession.
* Command or conjuration.
* Self-identification with certain spirits.
These forms a ...
+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
nephomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, ɛ, f, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by clouds (Greek {{transl, grc, nephos, cloud + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
nigromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, aɪ, ɡ, r, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
black magic
Black magic, also known as dark magic, has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes, specifically the seven magical arts prohibited by canon law, as expounded by Johannes Hartlieb in 1 ...
(Latin {{wikt-lang, la, niger, black + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
nomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, ɒ, m, ən, s, i or {{IPAc-en, ˈ, n, oʊ, m, ən, s, i → see {{sm,
onomancy
Onomancy (or nomancy) is divination based on a subject's name. Onomancy was popular in Europe during the Late Middle Ages but is said to have originated with the Pythagoreans. Several methods of analyzing a name are possible, some of which are b ...
(variant of ''onomancy'', influenced by Latin {{wikt-lang, la, nōmen, name)
*
notarikon
Notarikon ( he, נוטריקון ''Noṭriqōn'') is a Talmudic and Kabbalistic method of deriving a word, by using each of its initial (Hebrew: ) or final letters () to stand for another, to form a sentence or idea out of the words. Another var ...
/netrikon: by
initial
In a written or published work, an initial capital, also referred to as a drop capital or simply an initial cap, initial, initcapital, initcap or init or a drop cap or drop, is a letter at the beginning of a word, a chapter, or a paragraph tha ...
s (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, noto, notāricus, in
shorthand
Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that increases speed and brevity of writing as compared to longhand, a more common method of writing a language. The process of writing in shorthand is called stenography, from the Greek ''st ...
)
*
nggàm
Nggam () is a type of divination found among many groups in western Cameroon. Among the best documented is its practice by the Mambila people of Cameroon and Nigeria, in which the actions of spiders or crabs are interpreted by the diviner. Th ...
→ see {{sm,
theriomancy
*
numerology
Numerology (also known as arithmancy) is the belief in an occult, divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. It is also the study of the numerical value, via an alphanumeric system, of the letters in ...
{{IPAc-en, ˌ, nj, uː, m, ə, ˈ, r, ɒ, l, oʊ-, dʒ, i: by numbers (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, numerus, number + Greek {{transl, grc, -logia, branch of study)
* numismatomancy: by coins (Greek {{transl, grc, nomisma
grc, nomismat- coin + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
O
*
oculomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɒ, k, j, ʊ, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by eyes (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, oculus, eye + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* odontomancy {{IPAc-en, oʊ, ˈ, d, ɒ, n, t, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by teeth (Greek {{transl, grc, odous
grc, odont- tooth + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
oenomancy/oinomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, iː, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by wine (Greek {{transl, grc, oinos, wine + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* ololygmancy {{IPAc-en, oʊ-, ˈ, l, ɒ, l, ᵻ, ɡ, m, æ, n, s, i: by the howling of dogs (Greek {{transl, grc, ololuzō
grc, ololug- howl + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* omoplatoscopy → see {{sm,
scapulimancy
Scapulimancy (also spelled ''scapulomancy'' and ''scapulamancy'', also termed ''omoplatoscopy'' or ''speal bone reading'') is the practice of divination by use of scapulae or speal bones (shoulder blades). It is most widely practiced in China ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, ōmoplatē, shoulder blade + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
*
omphalomancy
Omphalomancy is a method of divination meant to determine the number of children a mother may have, based on the belief that the shape of the navel
The navel (clinically known as the umbilicus, commonly known as the belly button or tummy butt ...
{{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɒ, m, f, ə, l, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by navels (Greek {{transl, grc, omphalos, navel + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
oneiromancy
Oneiromancy (from the , and ) is a form of divination based upon dreams, and also uses dreams to predict the future. Oneirogen plants may also be used to produce or enhance dream-like states of consciousness. Occasionally, the dreamer feels as if ...
/oneiroscopy {{IPAc-en, oʊ-, ˈ, n, ɪər, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by
dream
A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. Humans spend about two hours dreaming per night, and each dream lasts around 5 to 20 minutes, al ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, oneiros, dream + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* onimancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɒ, n, ᵻ, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
onychomancy
*
onomancy
Onomancy (or nomancy) is divination based on a subject's name. Onomancy was popular in Europe during the Late Middle Ages but is said to have originated with the Pythagoreans. Several methods of analyzing a name are possible, some of which are b ...
/onomomancy/nomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɒ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by letters in a name (Greek {{transl, grc, onoma, name + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* onomomancy {{IPAc-en, oʊ-, ˈ, n, oʊ, m, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
onomancy
Onomancy (or nomancy) is divination based on a subject's name. Onomancy was popular in Europe during the Late Middle Ages but is said to have originated with the Pythagoreans. Several methods of analyzing a name are possible, some of which are b ...
*
onychomancy/onymancy/onimancy {{IPAc-en, oʊ-, ˈ, n, ɪ, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by finger· and toenails (Greek {{transl, grc, onux
grc, onukh- nail + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* onymancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɒ, n, ᵻ, m, æ, n, s, i → see {{sm,
onychomancy
*
oomancy/ooscopy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, oʊ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i (also ovomancy): by eggs (Greek {{transl, grc, ōion, egg + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* ophidiomancy/ophiomancy → see {{sm,
theriomancy
* ophthalmomancy → see {{sm,
oculomancy (Greek {{transl, grc, ophthalmos, eye + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* organoscopy → see {{sm,
phrenology
Phrenology () is a pseudoscience which involves the measurement of bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.Wihe, J. V. (2002). "Science and Pseudoscience: A Primer in Critical Thinking." In ''Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience'', pp. 195–203. C ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, organon,
organ + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
*
orniscopy
Ornithomancy (modern term from Greek ''ornis'' "bird" and ''manteia'' "divination"; in Ancient Greek: οἰωνίζομαι "take omens from the flight and cries of birds") is the practice of reading omens from the actions of birds followed in ma ...
/ornithomancy → see {{sm,
theriomancy
* oromancy: by mountains (Greek {{transl, grc, oros, mountain + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* oryctomancy: by minerals (Greek {{transl, grc, oruktos, dug + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* ossomancy → see {{sm,
osteomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, os
la, oss- bone + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* osteomancy: by bones (Greek {{transl, grc, osteon, bone + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
Ouija
The ouija ( , ), also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the Latin alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words "yes", "no", occasionally "hello" and "goodbye", along with various symbols and grap ...
/Ouije: by
ouija board
The ouija ( , ), also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the Latin alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words "yes", "no", occasionally "hello" and "goodbye", along with various symbols and grap ...
(
French {{wikt-lang, fr, oui, yes +
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
{{wikt-lang, de, ja, yes)
* ouranomancy → see {{sm,
uranomancy
* ovomancy → see {{sm,
oomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, ōvum, egg + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
P
* pallomancy: by
pendulum
A pendulum is a weight suspended from a wikt:pivot, pivot so that it can swing freely. When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting, Mechanical equilibrium, equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, pallein, to sway + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* palmistry/palm reading → see {{sm,
somatomancy (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, palma, palm)
*
papyromancy: by folding paper, especially
paper money
A banknote—also called a bill (North American English), paper money, or simply a note—is a type of negotiable promissory note, made by a bank or other licensed authority, payable to the bearer on demand.
Banknotes were originally issued ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, papūros, papyrus paper + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* pedomancy → see {{sm,
somatomancy (from ''podomancy'', influenced by Latin {{wikt-lang, la, pēs
la, pēd- foot)
* pegomancy: by fountains (Greek {{transl, grc, pēgē, spring + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* pessomancy: by pebbles (Greek {{transl, grc, pessos, oval pebble + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* pecthimancy/petchimancy: by brushed cloth (possibly akin to Greek {{transl, grc, pekein, to
card wool, or {{transl, grc, pēktē, netting + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* phallomancy: by swing of the phallus (Greek {{transl, grc, phallus, phallus + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* phobomancy: by feelings of fear (Greek {{transl, grc, phobos, fear + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* photomancy: by fields of light (Greek {{transl, grc, phōs
'phōt-'' light + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
phrenology
Phrenology () is a pseudoscience which involves the measurement of bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.Wihe, J. V. (2002). "Science and Pseudoscience: A Primer in Critical Thinking." In ''Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience'', pp. 195–203. C ...
(also organoscopy): by the configuration of one's brain (Greek {{transl, grc, phrēn, mind + {{transl, grc, -logiā, study)
* phyllomancy: by leaves (Greek {{transl, grc, phullon, leaf + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** sycomancy: by fig leaves (Greek {{transl, grc, sūkon, fig + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
tasseography
Tasseography (also known as tasseomancy, tassology, or tasseology) is a divination or fortune-telling method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments.
The terms derive from the French word ''tasse'' (cup), w ...
/
tasseomancy (also kypomancy): by tea leaves or coffee grounds (French ''{{lang, fr,
tasse'', cup + Greek {{transl, grc, -graphiā, representation)
* phyllorhodomancy: by rose petals (Greek {{transl, grc, phullon, leaf + {{transl, grc, rhodon, rose + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
physiognomy
Physiognomy (from the Greek , , meaning "nature", and , meaning "judge" or "interpreter") is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face. The term can also refer to the general ...
/physiognomancy: by faces (Greek {{transl, grc, phusis, nature + {{transl, grc, -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
* phytognomy: by the appearance of plants (Greek {{transl, grc, phuton, plant + {{transl, grc, -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
*
plastromancy
Oracle bones () are pieces of ox scapula and turtle plastron, which were used for pyromancy – a form of divination – in ancient China, mainly during the late Shang dynasty. ''Scapulimancy'' is the correct term if ox scapulae were used for th ...
: by cracks formed by heat on a turtle's
plastron (English ''
plastron'' + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* pilimancy: by observing the patterns produced by a collection of human hair
* plumbomancy: by observing shapes molten lead makes when poured in water (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, plumbum, lead + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* pneumancy: by blowing (Greek {{transl, grc, pneuma, breath + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
podomancy
Podomancy (also known as solistry) is a divination by examining the lines of soles. Similar to palmistry, where the divination is based on the person's palm shape and lines, podomancy is based on the belief that a person's feet represent the sy ...
/pedomancy → see {{sm,
somatomancy
*
poe divination
Poe divination (from the 'poe' (桮) in the Hokkien , Min Dong BUC: buăk-bŭi, "cast moon blocks", also called as "bwa bwei", Mandarin ) is a traditional Chinese divination method, in which the divination seeker throws or drops two little woo ...
: by throwing stones on the floor, practised at
Taoist
Taoism (, ) or Daoism () refers to either a school of philosophical thought (道家; ''daojia'') or to a religion (道教; ''daojiao''), both of which share ideas and concepts of Chinese origin and emphasize living in harmony with the '' Ta ...
temples
*
{{lang, la, italic=unset, portenta, cat=no (also
{{lang, la, italic=unset, ostenta, cat=no): study of natural phenomena
* psephomancy: by lots or ballots (Greek {{transl, grc, psephos, pebble + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* pseudomancy: by false means, such a
Peter Answers(Greek {{transl, grc, pseudēs, false + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
psychognomy: by
phrenological notations (Greek {{transl, grc, psūkhē, soul + {{transl, grc, -gnōmoniā, observation)
* psychomancy → see {{sm,
necromancy
Necromancy () is the practice of magic or black magic involving communication with the dead by summoning their spirits as apparitions or visions, or by resurrection for the purpose of divination; imparting the means to foretell future events ...
¹ (Greek {{transl, grc, psūkhē, soul + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* ptarmoscopy/ptarmoscopie: from ancient Greek the interpretation of sneezes
*
pyromancy
Pyromancy (from Greek ''pyr,'' “fire,” and ''manteia,'' “divination”) is the art of divination by means of fire. ...
/pyroscopy: by fire (Greek {{transl, grc, pūr, fire + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
Q
* {{transl, he, italic=unset, qabalah → see {{sm,
kabbalah
Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The de ...
R
* radiesthesia: by rods,
pendulum
A pendulum is a weight suspended from a wikt:pivot, pivot so that it can swing freely. When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting, Mechanical equilibrium, equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that ...
s, or other cylindrical tools (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, radius,
spoke
A spoke is one of some number of rods radiating from the center of a wheel (the hub where the axle connects), connecting the hub with the round traction surface.
The term originally referred to portions of a log that had been riven (split l ...
+ Greek {{transl, grc, -aisthēsiā, sensing)
* retromancy: by looking over one's shoulder (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, retro, retrō, behind + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
rhabdomancy/rabdomancy: by rods, sticks, or wands (Greek {{transl, grc, rhabdos, rod + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
rhapsodomancy: by poetry (Greek {{transl, grc, rhapsōidiā, verse + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* roadomancy: by
constellations (apparently from
Old English {{lang, ang, rodor,
firmament
In biblical cosmology, the firmament is the vast solid dome created by God during his creation of the world to divide the primal sea into upper and lower portions so that the dry land could appear. The concept was adopted into the subsequent ...
+ Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
rumpology → see {{sm,
somatomancy
*
runecasting
There is some evidence that, in addition to being a writing system, runes historically served purposes of magic. This is the case from the earliest epigraphic evidence of the Roman to the Germanic Iron Age, with non-linguistic inscriptions and ...
→ see {{sm,
cleromancy
Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
In classical c ...
S
*
scapulimancy
Scapulimancy (also spelled ''scapulomancy'' and ''scapulamancy'', also termed ''omoplatoscopy'' or ''speal bone reading'') is the practice of divination by use of scapulae or speal bones (shoulder blades). It is most widely practiced in China ...
/scapulomancy (also
spatulamancy
Scapulimancy (also spelled ''scapulomancy'' and ''scapulamancy'', also termed ''omoplatoscopy'' or ''speal bone reading'') is the practice of divination by use of scapulae or speal bones (shoulder blades). It is most widely practiced in China a ...
, omoplatoscopy): by bovine or
caprid shoulder blades (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, scapula, shoulder blade + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* scarpomancy: by old shoes (
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
{{lang, it, scarpa, shoe + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
scatomancy Scatomancy is the reading of a person's fortune by examining their bodily excrement, or by examining those of an animal. It is also known as ''spatalomancy'', ''spatilomancy'', ''copromancy'', and ''spatalamancy''.
Definition
Scatomancy is liter ...
: by excrement (Greek {{transl, grc, skōr
grc, skat- excrement + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* schematomancy → see {{sm,
somatomancy
*
sciomancy
Theurgy (; ) describes the practice of rituals, sometimes seen as magical in nature, performed with the intention of invoking the action or evoking the presence of one or more deities, especially with the goal of achieving henosis (uniting ...
¹ (also shadowmancy): by shadows (Greek {{transl, grc, skiā, shadow + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
sciomancy
Theurgy (; ) describes the practice of rituals, sometimes seen as magical in nature, performed with the intention of invoking the action or evoking the presence of one or more deities, especially with the goal of achieving henosis (uniting ...
²: by spirits (of the same origin as ''sciomancy¹'')
*
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
: by gazing (shortened from
descrying)
**
crystal gazing
Crystal-gazing (also known as crystal-seeing, crystallism, crystallomancy, and spheromancy) is a method for seeing visions achieved through trance induction by means of gazing at a crystal. Traditionally, it has been seen as a form of divinati ...
: by reflective objects
***
catoptromancy
Catoptromancy (Gk. κάτοπτρον, ''katoptron'', "mirror," and μαντεία, ''manteia'', "divination"), also known as captromancy or enoptromancy, is divination
Divination (from Latin ''divinare'', 'to foresee, to foretell, to predict ...
/captromancy (also enoptromancy, djubed{{Citation needed, reason=all search results appear to link to this page, date=April 2019): by mirrors (Greek {{transl, grc, katoptron, mirror + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
***
gastromancy¹ (also crystallomancy, spheromancy, crystal ball gazing): by crystal ball (Greek {{transl, grc, gastēr, belly
.e., round object+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
***
hydromancy
Hydromancy (Ancient Greek ὑδρομαντεία, ''water-divination'',Liddell, H.G. & Scott, R. (1940). ''A Greek-English Lexicon. revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones. with the assistance of. Roderick McKenzie.'' Oxford: ...
(also ydromancy): by water (Greek {{transl, grc, hudōr, water + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* selenomancy: by the moon (Greek {{transl, grc, selēnē, moon + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* shadowmancy → see {{sm,
sciomancy
Theurgy (; ) describes the practice of rituals, sometimes seen as magical in nature, performed with the intention of invoking the action or evoking the presence of one or more deities, especially with the goal of achieving henosis (uniting ...
¹ (English ''shadow'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* Shufflemancy: by the use of an electronic media player such as an electronic playlist, iPod, or other medium wherein one skips a certain number of songs and the lyrics and/or tune of the song is the answer to the divinatory question
*
sideromancy
Pyromancy (from Greek ''pyr,'' “fire,” and ''manteia,'' “divination”) is the art of divination by means of fire. ...
: by burning straw with an iron (Greek {{transl, grc, sidēros,
iron
Iron () is a chemical element with symbol Fe (from la, ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, right in ...
+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* {{not a typo, sikidy: by drawing sixteen lines in sand (perhaps a
Malagasy transliteration of English ''sixteen'')
* skatharomancy: by beetle tracks (Greek {{transl, grc, skatharōn, spot + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* {{lang, gd,
slinneanachd, italic=unset/{{lang, gd, slinnanacht, italic=unset: by animal shoulder blades (
Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well a ...
{{lang, gd, slinnean, shoulder blade)
* solaromancy: by the sun (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, sol, sōl
la, sōlāris, sōlār- sun + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* somatomancy: by the human form (Greek {{transl, grc, sōma
grc, sōmat- body + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
cephalomancy
Cephalonomancy (also known as ''cephaleonomancy'' or ''kephalonomancy'') is an ancient form of divination which used two different methods; one was concerned with the shape of the skull, somewhat like extispicy or phrenology the other involved hea ...
(also craniognomy): by skulls (Greek {{transl, grc, kephalē, head + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
cheiromancy/chiromancy {{IPAc-en, k, aɪ, ˈ, r, ɒ, m, æ, n, s, i (also palmistry, palm reading): by palms (Greek {{transl, grc, kheir, hand + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** cheirognomy/chirognomy {{IPAc-en, k, aɪ, ˈ, r, ɒ, (, ɡ, ), n, oʊ-, m, i: by hands (Greek {{transl, grc, kheir, hand + {{transl, grc, -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
**
podomancy
Podomancy (also known as solistry) is a divination by examining the lines of soles. Similar to palmistry, where the divination is based on the person's palm shape and lines, podomancy is based on the belief that a person's feet represent the sy ...
/pedomancy (also cartopedy): by the soles of one's feet (Greek {{transl, grc, pous
grc, pod- foot + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
**
rumpology (also natimancy): by buttocks (English ''rump'' + Greek {{transl, grc, -logiā, study)
** schematomancy: by the face (Greek {{transl, grc, skhēma
grc, skhēmat- figure + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* sortilege: by the casting of lots, or ''
sortes''
** sortes virgilianae: by
Vergil
Publius Vergilius Maro (; traditional dates 15 October 7021 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature: the ...
's ''
Aeneid
The ''Aeneid'' ( ; la, Aenē̆is or ) is a Latin Epic poetry, epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Troy, Trojan who fled the Trojan_War#Sack_of_Troy, fall of Troy and travelled to ...
''
* spasmatomancy: by convulsions (alteration of ''spasmodomancy'', from Greek {{transl, grc, spasmos
grc, spasmōd- spasm + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* spatilomancy: by animal excrement (Greek {{transl, grc, spatilē, excrement + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
spatulamancy
Scapulimancy (also spelled ''scapulomancy'' and ''scapulamancy'', also termed ''omoplatoscopy'' or ''speal bone reading'') is the practice of divination by use of scapulae or speal bones (shoulder blades). It is most widely practiced in China a ...
→ see {{sm,
scapulimancy
Scapulimancy (also spelled ''scapulomancy'' and ''scapulamancy'', also termed ''omoplatoscopy'' or ''speal bone reading'') is the practice of divination by use of scapulae or speal bones (shoulder blades). It is most widely practiced in China ...
(from ''scapulimancy'', influenced by Latin {{wikt-lang, la, spatula,
splint)
* spheromancy → see {{sm,
scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, sphaira,
sphere
A sphere () is a Geometry, geometrical object that is a solid geometry, three-dimensional analogue to a two-dimensional circle. A sphere is the Locus (mathematics), set of points that are all at the same distance from a given point in three ...
+ {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* sphondulomancy: by
spindle
Spindle may refer to:
Textiles and manufacturing
* Spindle (textiles), a straight spike to spin fibers into yarn
* Spindle (tool), a rotating axis of a machine tool
Biology
* Common spindle and other species of shrubs and trees in genus '' Euony ...
s (Greek {{transl, grc, sphondulos, spindle + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* splanchnomancy → see {{sm,
anthropomancy (Greek {{transl, grc, splankhna, innards + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
*
spodomancy: by soot (Greek {{transl, grc, spodos, wood ashes + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** cineromancy/ceneromancy: by the ashes of a specifically sacrificial or ritual fire
**
libanomancy {{IPAc-en, l, aɪ, ˈ, b, æ, n, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by smoke or ash from incense (Greek {{transl, grc, libanos,
frankincense + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
[
** tephramancy/tephromancy: by tree ]bark
Bark may refer to:
* Bark (botany), an outer layer of a woody plant such as a tree or stick
* Bark (sound), a vocalization of some animals (which is commonly the dog)
Places
* Bark, Germany
* Bark, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland
Arts, en ...
ashes, by sacrificial or ritual fire ashes, or human sacrificial victim ashes (Greek {{transl, grc, tephrā, ash + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* stareomancy: by the four elements
Classical elements typically refer to earth, water, air, fire, and (later) aether which were proposed to explain the nature and complexity of all matter in terms of simpler substances. Ancient cultures in Greece, Tibet, and India had simil ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, stais grc, stair- dough + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* stercomancy: by seeds in bird excrement (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, stercus, excrement + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* sternomancy: by ridges on the breastbone
The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, sternon, breastbone + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* stichomancy → see {{sm, chartomancy
* stigonomancy: by burning writing onto bark (Greek {{transl, grc, stizein grc, stigōn- to brand + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* stoicheomancy/stoichomancy → see {{sm, chartomancy
* stolisomancy: by fashion
Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture. The term implies a look defined by the fash ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, stolis, garment + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* styramancy: by observing patterns produced by chewing gum, gum wax, or products produced by the L. styraciflua tree
* sycomancy → see {{sm, phyllomancy
* symbolomancy: by things found on the road (Greek {{transl, grc, sumbolon, sign + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
T
* taromancy → see {{sm, chartomancy
* tasseography
Tasseography (also known as tasseomancy, tassology, or tasseology) is a divination or fortune-telling method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments.
The terms derive from the French word ''tasse'' (cup), w ...
/ tasseomancy → see {{sm, phyllomancy
* technomancy: by technology
Technology is the application of knowledge to reach practical goals in a specifiable and reproducible way. The word ''technology'' may also mean the product of such an endeavor. The use of technology is widely prevalent in medicine, scie ...
(English ''{{not a typo, techno(logy)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* temurah: → see {{sm, kabbalah
Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The de ...
* tephramancy/tephromancy: → see {{sm, spodomancy (Greek {{transl, grc, tephrā, ash + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* theomancy: foretelling events, prophecy (Greek {{transl, grc, theos, god + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* theriomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, θ, ɪər, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: (also zoomancy): by animal behavior (Greek {{transl, grc, thēr, wild animal + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** ailuromancy
Ailuromancy or aeluromancy (from ), also known as felidomancy, is a form of theriomancy. It is divination using cats' movements or jumps to predict future events, especially the weather.
One of the most common methods of ailuromancy utilizes the ...
/aeluromancy {{IPAc-en, aɪ, ˈ, l, ʊər, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i (also felidomancy): by cats (Greek {{transl, grc, ailouros, cat + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** alectryomancy
Alectryomancy (also called alectoromancy or alectromancy; derivation comes from the and ) is a form of divination in which the diviner observes a bird, several birds, or most preferably a white rooster or cockerel pecking at grain (such as wheat ...
/alectoromancy {{IPAc-en, ə, ˈ, l, ɛ, k, t, ər, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by rooster behavior (Greek {{transl, grc, alektruōn, cockerel + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** augur
An augur was a priest and official in the ancient Rome, classical Roman world. His main role was the practice of augury, the interpretation of the will of the List of Roman deities, gods by studying the flight of birds. Determinations were ba ...
y: by bird formations (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, augur, diviner)
** hippomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, h, ɪ, p, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by horse behavior (Greek {{transl, grc, hippos, horse + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** ichthyomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, ɪ, k, θ, i, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by fish behavior (Greek {{transl, grc, ikhthūs, fish + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** myomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, aɪ, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by rodent behavior (Greek {{transl, grc, mūs, mouse + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** myrmomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, m, ɜːr, m, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by ant behavior (Greek {{transl, grc, murmēx, ant + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** nggàm
Nggam () is a type of divination found among many groups in western Cameroon. Among the best documented is its practice by the Mambila people of Cameroon and Nigeria, in which the actions of spiders or crabs are interpreted by the diviner. Th ...
: by spider or crab behavior (Mambila
The Mambilla or Mambila people of Nigeria live on the Mambilla Plateau (in 'Sardauna' local government area of Taraba State in Nigeria). A small fraction of Mambilla migrants left the Mambilla Plateau for the Ndom Plain (also known as northern Tik ...
{{lang, mcu, nggàm, divination)
** ophidiomancy/ophiomancy: by snakes behavior (Greek {{transl, grc, ophis grc, ophid- snake + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
** orniscopy
Ornithomancy (modern term from Greek ''ornis'' "bird" and ''manteia'' "divination"; in Ancient Greek: οἰωνίζομαι "take omens from the flight and cries of birds") is the practice of reading omens from the actions of birds followed in ma ...
/ornithomancy (also auspicy/auspication, avimancy): by bird migration (Greek {{transl, grc, ornīs grc, ornīth- bird + {{transl, grc, -skopiā, observation)
* thumomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, θj, uː, m, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by one's own soul, presage (Greek {{transl, grc, thūmos, soul + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* topomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, t, ɒ, p, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by geography and geological formations (Greek {{transl, grc, topos, place + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* transataumancy: by things accidentally seen or heard
* trochomancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, t, r, ɒ, k, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by wheel ruts (Greek {{transl, grc, trokhos, wheel + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* turifumy: by shapes in smoke (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, tus, tūs la, tūr- incense + {{wikt-lang, la, fumus, fūmus, vapor)
* tyromancy/tiromancy {{IPAc-en, ˈ, t, aɪr, oʊ-, m, æ, n, s, i: by cheese (Greek {{transl, grc, tūros, cheese + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
U
* umbilicomancy: by umbilical cord
In placental mammals, the umbilical cord (also called the navel string, birth cord or ''funiculus umbilicalis'') is a conduit between the developing embryo or fetus and the placenta. During prenatal development, the umbilical cord is physiolog ...
s (English ''{{not a typo, umbilic(al cord)'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* umbromancy: by shade (Latin {{wikt-lang, la, umbra, shadow + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* uranomancy/ouranomancy: by the sky (Greek {{transl, grc, ouranos, firmament + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* uromancy
Uroscopy is the historical medical practice of visually examining a patient's urine for pus, blood, or other symptoms of disease.
The first records of uroscopy as a method for determining symptoms of an illness date back to the 4th millennium BC, ...
/urimancy: by urine
Urine is a liquid by-product of metabolism in humans and in many other animals. Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the urinary bladder. Urination results in urine being excreted from the body through the urethra.
Cellular ...
(Greek {{transl, grc, ouron, urine + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* urticariaomancy: by itches (New Latin
New Latin (also called Neo-Latin or Modern Latin) is the revival of Literary Latin used in original, scholarly, and scientific works since about 1500. Modern scholarly and technical nomenclature, such as in zoological and botanical taxonomy ...
{{wikt-lang, la, urticaria, urticāria, hives
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a kind of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps. Hives may burn or sting. The patches of rash may appear on different body parts, with variable duration from minutes to days, and does not leave any long-lasti ...
+ Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
V
* videomancy: by films (English ''video
Video is an Electronics, electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving picture, moving image, visual Media (communication), media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, whi ...
'' + Greek {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
W
* water witching → see {{sm, dowsing
Dowsing is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, claimed radiations ( radiesthesia),As translated from one preface of the Kassel experiments, "roughly 10,000 active dowsers i ...
* wishbone → see {{sm, furcula
The (Latin for "little fork") or wishbone is a forked bone found in most birds and some species of non-avian dinosaurs, and is formed by the fusion of the two pink
clavicles. In birds, its primary function is in the strengthening of the Thorax, ...
X
* xenomancy: by strangers (Greek {{transl, grc, xenos, stranger + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* xylomancy: by the shape or texture of wood, or the appearance of burning wood (Greek {{transl, grc, xulon, wood + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)[Pickover, Clifford A. ''Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of Prediction.'' Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2001, p. 137.]
Y
* ydromancy¹ → see {{sm, scrying
Scrying, also known by various names such as "seeing" or "peeping", is the practice of looking into a suitable medium in the hope of detecting significant messages or visions. The objective might be personal guidance, prophecy, revelation, or in ...
* ydromancy² → see {{sm, alomancy
Alomancy, also called adromancy, ydromancie, idromancie, and halomancy, is an ancient form of divination. Similar to many other forms of divination, the diviner casts salt crystals into the air and interprets the patterns as it falls to the grou ...
(from ''idromancy'' above, influenced by ''alomancy'')
* Yes No Oracle
* Answering Oracle: Full responses to more detailed questions
Z
* zoomancy → see {{sm, theriomancy (Greek {{transl, grc, zōion, being + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
* zygomancy: by weights (Greek {{transl, grc, zugon, yoke, balance + {{transl, grc, manteía, prophecy)
See also
* Divination
* List of astrological traditions
Most human civilizations – India, China, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Maya, and Inca, among others – on complex systems of astrology, which provided a link between the cosmos with the conditions and events on earth. For these, the astrological ...
* Wiktionary category:English words suffixed with -mancy
References
{{Reflist
{{Divination