Divination Taxonomy


INTRODUCTION

This article is both a taxonomy of divination and a historical theory of divination.  Divination can be classified into three big categories.  The earliest divination is with natural objects or the behavior of nature.  For example, there is aruspicina the study of entrails.  One of the few leftovers of this type of system is tasseomancy (tea leaves).  The second type and stage of divination is the creation of man-made objects of divination such as dice, dominoes, and cards for the purposes of divination.  If these objects were originally created for games or for divination is often hard to tell.  The use of regular playing cards for divination and for play is one example.  Tarot cards on the other hand have always been used for divination alone.

Lastly, humans create highly specialized types of divination based on data rather than objects.  Astrology uses the time and place of birth for divination.  Numerology uses the letters, vowels and consonants of your name for divination.  The question has to be asked, are later types of divination superior to earlier types of divination.  Certainly later types of divination supplant earlier types of divination.   Ways of looking at data are evolving and metadata, data about data is being used for forecasting.  Metadata is being used to predict social link behavior and this may just be the beginning.  Astrology became astronomy.  Perhaps prediction using metadata will ultimately supplant past systems of divination.  Below is a list of divination methods from Wikipedia broken down by the three major types discussed:

NATURAL OBJECTS

abacomancy /ˈæbəkɵmænsi/: by dust (Hebrew ’ābāq, dust + Greek manteia, prophecy)

acutomancy /əˈkjuːtɵmænsi/ → see acultomancy above (Latin acus [acut-], needle + Greek manteia, prophecy)

adromancy /ˈædrɵmænsi/ → see alomancy below (from idromancy below, influenced by alomancy)

adryomancy→ see hydromancy below (metathesis of hydromancy)

aeromancy /ˈɛərɵmænsi/: by atmospheric conditions (Greek āēr, air + manteia, prophecy)

agalmatomancy /əˈɡɔːlmətɵmænsi/:[citation needed] by statues (Greek agalma [agalmat-], statue + manteia, prophecy)

aichmomancy /ˈɛkmɵmænsi/: by sharp objects (Greek aikhmē, spearhead + manteia, prophecy)

ailuromancy/aeluromancy → see under theriomancy below

alectormancy/alectromancy /əˈlɛktrɵmænsi/: by rooster sacrifice (Greek alektor, rooster + manteia, prophecy)

alectryomancy/alectoromancy → see under theriomancy below

aleuromancy¹ /əˈljʊərɵmænsi/: by flour; see also under chartomancy below (Greek aleuron, meal + manteia, prophecy)

alomancy/Halomancy /ˈælɵmænsi/ (also adromancy): by salt (Greek hals, salt + manteia, prophecy)

alphitomancy /ˈælfɨtɵmænsi/: by barley (Greek alphis [alphit-], barley + manteia, prophecy)

alveromancy /ælˈvɪərɵmænsi/:[citation needed] by sounds

amathomancy /ˈæməθɵmænsi/: by sand (Greek amathos, sandy soil + manteia, prophecy)

ambulomancy /ˈæmbjʊlɵmænsi/: by walking (Latin ambulāre, to walk + Greek manteia, prophecy)

amniomancy /ˈæmni.ɵmænsi/: by placenta (Greek amniōn, amnion + manteia, prophecy)

anemoscopy/anemomancy /ˌænɨˈmɒskɵpi/: by wind (Greek anemos, wind + -skopiā, observation)

anthomancy /ˈænθɵmænsi/: by flowers (Greek anthos, flower + manteia, prophecy)

anthropomancy /ænˈθrɒpɵmænsi/: by human sacrifice (Greek anthrōpos, human being + manteia, prophecy)

anthroposcopy /ænθrɵˈpɒskɵpi/: by physical appearance (Greek anthrōpos, human being + -skopiā, observation)

anthracomancy /ˈænθrəkɵmænsi/: by burning coals (Greek anthrax [anthrak-], charcoal + manteia, prophecy)

apantomancy /əˈpæntɵmænsi/: by chance encounters with animals (Greek apantein, to encounter + manteia, prophecy)

arachnomancy /əˈræknɵmænsi/: by spiders (Greek arakhnē, spider + manteia, prophecy)

archeomancy/archaeomancy /ˈɑrki.ɵmænsi/: by sacred relics (Greek arkhaios, ancient + manteia, prophecy)

ariolation /ˌæriɵˈleɪʃən/: by altars (Latin ariolus, hariolus, prophet)

armomancy /ˈɑrmɵmænsi/: by one’s own shoulders (Latin armus, shoulder + Greek manteia, prophecy)

aruspicina: study of entrails [1]

aspidomancy /ˈæspɨdɵmænsi/: by sitting in a drawn circle (Greek aspis [aspid-], shield + manteia, prophecy)

astragalomancy/astragalamancy → see under cleromancy below

astragyromancy → see under cleromancy below (from astragalomancy above, perhaps influenced by Greek guros, spiral, circle, and therefore vertebra)

astrapomancy /ˈæstrəpɵmænsi/: by lightning (Greek astrapē, lightning flash + manteia, prophecy)

astrology/astromancy/astroscopy /əˈstrɒlɵdʒi/: by celestial bodies (Greek astron, star + -logiā, study)

augury /ˈɔːɡjʊri/ → see under theriomancy below

auramancy /ˈɔːrəmænsi/: by auras (Greek aurā, breath + manteia, prophecy)

auspicy/auspication → see under theriomancy below (Latin avis, bird + specere, to look at)

austromancy → see under theriomancy below, /ˈɔːstrɵmænsi/: by wind (Latin auster, south wind + Greek manteia, prophecy)

avimancy → see orniscopy below (Latin avis, bird + Greek manteia, prophecy)

axiomancy/axinomancy /ˈæksi.ɵmænsi/: by axes (Latin axis, axis + manteia, prophecy)

 

batraquomancy/batrachomancy /bəˈtrækɵmænsi/: by frogs (Greek batrakhos, frog + manteia, prophecy)

belomancy/bolomancy /ˈbɛlɵmænsi/: by arrows (from bolomancy below, influenced by Greek belemnon, javelin, or belonē, needle)

bibliomancy → see chartomancy below

biorhythmic divination: by biorhythms

bletonism/bletonomancy /ˈblɛtənɪzm/: by water current (named for Monsieur Bleton, a French bletonist)

bolomancy /ˈbɒlɵmænsi/ → see belomancy above (Greek bolē, arrow + manteia, prophecy)

botanomancy /bɵˈtænɵmænsi/: by burning sage or figs (Greek botanē, flora + manteia, prophecy)

brizomancy → see oneiromancy below (Greek brizein, to be sleepy + manteia, prophecy)

brontomancy/brontoscopy /ˈbrɒntɵmænsi/: by thunder (Greek brontē, thunder + manteia, prophecy)

bumpology /bʌmˈpɒlɵdʒi/: by bumps on the skin (English bump + Greek -logiā, study)

canomancy /ˈkænɵmænsi/ or /ˈkeɪnɵmænsi/: by dogs (Latin canis, dog + Greek manteia, prophecy)

capnomancy /ˈkæpnɵmænsi/: by smoke (Greek kapnos, smoke + manteia, prophecy)

libanomancy /laɪˈbænɵmænsi/: by smoke or ash from incense (Greek libanos, frankincense + manteia, prophecy)[2]

carromancy /ˈkærɵmænsi/: by melting wax (Greek karrō, of wax + manteia, prophecy)

cartopedy → see under somatomancy below (Latin carta, papyrus paper + pēs [pēd-], foot)

catoptromancy/captromancy → see under scrying below

causimancy/causimomancy /ˈkɔːzɨmænsi/: by burning (Greek kaiein [kaus-], to burn + manteia, prophecy)

cephalomancy → see under somatomancy below

cephaleonomancy/cephalonomancy/ˌsɛfəliˈɒnɵmænsi/: by boiling a donkey’s head (Greek kephalaion, head [with meaning influenced by Greek onos, donkey] + manteia, prophecy)

ceraunoscopy /ˌsɛrəˈnɒskɵpi/: by thunder and lightning (Greek keraunos, thunderbolt + -skopiā, observation)

ceromancy/ceroscopy /ˈsɛrɵmænsi/: by dripping wax in water (Greek kēros, wax + manteia, prophecy)

chalcomancy: by striking gongs or copper bowls (Greek khalkos, copper + manteia, prophecy)

chaomancy /ˈkeɪ.ɵmænsi/: by aerial visions (Greek khaos, primordial space + manteia, prophecy)

stichomancy /ˈstɪkɵmænsi/: by books or lines (Greek stikhos, line of verse + manteia, prophecy)

aleuromancy² /əˈljʊərɵmænsi/: by fortune cookies (of the same origin as aleuromancy¹ above)

stoicheomancy/stoichomancy: by the Iliad and the Odyssey or the Aeneid (Greek stoikheion, element + manteia, prophecy; to the Greeks, Homer‘s writings were held in similar esteem to the Christian Bible or the Muslim Quran, as were Virgil‘s writings to the Romans, making them the basic — or elementary — reading material in each culture)

cheiromancy/chiromancy→ see under somatomancy below

cheirognomy/chirognomy → see under somatomancy below

chien tung → see kau cim below

choriomancy /ˈkɒri.ɵmænsi/: by pig bladders (Greek khorion, placenta + mantiea, prophecy)

chresmomancy /ˈkrɛsmɵmænsi/: by the ravings of lunatics (Greek khrēsmos, oracular utterance, chresm + manteia, prophecy)

chronomancy /ˈkrɒnɵmænsi/: by apt occasion (Greek khronos, time + manteia, prophecy)

cineromancy/ceneromancy → see under spodomancy below /ˈsɪnərɵmænsi/ (Latin cinis [ciner-], ashes + Greek manteia, prophecy)

clamancy (see also Fāl-gūsh): by random shouts and cries heard in crowds, at night, etc. (Latin clāmāre, to cry out + Greek manteia, prophecy)

cledonism/cledonomancy /ˈklɛdɵnɪzm/: by chance events or overheard words (Greek klēdon, rumor)

cleidomancy/clidomancy /ˈklaɪdɵmænsi/: by keys (Greek kleis [kleid-], key + manteia, prophecy)

cleromancy /ˈklɛrɵmænsi/: by casting (Greek klēros, lot + manteia, prophecy)

astragalomancy/astragalamancy /əˈstræɡəlɵmænsi/ (also cubomancy): by dice (Greek astragalos, vertebra + manteia, prophecy)

favomancy /ˈfævɵmænsi/: by beans (Latin faba, bean + Greek manteia, prophecy)

cometomancy /kɵˈmɛtɵmænsi/: by comet tails (Greek komētēs, comet + manteia, prophecy)

colormancy/coloromancy: by colors (English color + Greek manteia, prophecy)

conchomancy /ˈkɒŋkɵmænsi/: by shells (Greek konkhē, mussel + manteia, prophecy)

cosquinomancy/coscinomancy /kɵˈsɪnɵmænsi/: by hanging sieves (Greek koskinōn, sieve + manteia, prophecy)

cottabomancy/cottobomancy /ˈkɒtəbɵmænsi/: by wine in a brass bowl (Greek kottabos, cottabus + manteia, prophecy)

craniognomy /ˌkreɪniˈɒɡnɵmi/ or /ˌkreɪniˈɒnəmi/ → see under somatomancy below (Greek krānion, skull + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

the crawling baby: by a baby’s crawling

crithomancy/critomancy /ˈkrɪθɵmænsi/: by barley cakes (Greek krithē, barley + manteia, prophecy)

cromnyomancy/cromniomancy /ˈkrɒmni.ɵmænsi/: by onion sprouts (alteration of Greek krommuon, onion + manteia, prophecy)

cryptomancy /ˈkrɪptɵmænsi/: by omens (Greek kruptos, hidden + manteia, prophecy)

cryomancy /ˈkraɪ.ɵmænsi/: by ice (Greek kryo, ice )

crystal ball gazing → see under scrying below

crystallomancy /ˈkrɪstəlɵmænsi/ → see under scrying below (Greek krustallos, crystal + manteia, prophecy)

cubomancy /ˈkjuːbɵmænsi/ → see under cleromancy above (Greek kubos, cube + manteia, prophecy)

cyathomancy /ˈsaɪ.əθɵmænsi/: by cups (Greek kuathos, cup + manteia, prophecy)

cyclicomancy /ˈsɪklɨkɵmænsi/: by swirling water in a cup (Greek kuklikos, cyclical, circular + manteia, prophecy)

cyclomancy /ˈsɪklɵmænsi/ or /ˈsaɪklɵmænsi/: by wheels (Greek kuklos, circle + manteia, prophecy)

dactyliomancy /dækˈtɪliɵmænsi/: by finger rings (Greek daktulios, finger ring + manteia, prophecy)

dactylomancy /ˈdæktɨlɵmænsi/ : by means of finger movements (Greek daktulos, finger + manteia, prophecy)

daphnomancy /ˈdæfnɵmænsi/: by burning laurel wreaths (Greek daphnē, laurel + manteia, prophecy)

demonomancy /dɨˈmɒnɵmænsi/: by demons (Greek daimōn, divine power + manteia, prophecy)

dendromancy /ˈdɛndrɵmænsi/: by trees, especially oaks, yews, or mistletoe (Greek dendron, tree + manteia, prophecy)

deuteroscopy /ˌdjuːtəˈrɒskɵpi/: by second glance or double take (Greek deuteros, secondary + -skopiā, observation)

dictiomancy /ˈdɪkʃɵmænsi/: by randomly opening a dictionary (English dictio(nary) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

divining → see dowsing below

djubed → see under scrying below

dowsing (also divining, water witching): by a divining rod (of unknown origin)

dracomancy /ˈdrækɵmænsi/: by dragons (Greek drakōn, dragon + manteia, prophecy)

dream questions: by dreaming

dririmancy/driromancy /ˈdrɪərɨmænsi/: by dripping blood (alteration of drimimancy, influenced by Middle English drir, blood)

drimimancy/drymimancy /ˈdrɪmɨmænsi/: by bodily fluids (Greek drimus, pungent + manteia, prophecy)

eleomancy/elaeomancy: by oil (Greek elaion, olive oil + manteia, prophecy)

emonomancy → see demonomancy above[citation needed]

empirimancy: by experiment/experience

empyromancy /ɛmˈpaɪrɵmænsi/: by burning (Greek empurios, fiery + manteia, prophecy)

enochian chess: by playing a four·handed variant of the game

enoptromancy /ɛˈnɒptrɵmænsi/ → see under scrying below (Greek enoptron, looking glass + manteia, prophecy)

enthusiasm: speeches by those supposed to be possessed by a divine spirit [3]

entomomancy/entomancy: by insects (Greek entomon, insect + manteia, prophecy)

eromancy /ˈɛrɵmænsi/: by water vessels exposed to air (Greek āēr, air + manteia, prophecy) — cf. aeromancy

extispicy/extispication /ɛkˈstɪspɨsi/: by the remains of sacrificed animals (Latin exta, entrails + specere, to look at)

favomancy → see under cleromancy above

felidomancy → see under theriomancy below (Latin fēlēs [fēlid-], cat + Greek manteia, prophecy)

feng shui → see under geomancy below

floriography/floromancy /ˌflɔriˈɒɡrəfi/: by flowers’ feelings (Latin flōs [flōr-], flower + Greek -graphiā, representation)

fractomancy /ˈfræktɵmænsi/: by fractals (English fract(al) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

fructomancy/fructimancy: by fruit (Latin frūctus, fruit + Greek manteia, prophecy)

galvanoscopy /ˌɡælvəˈnɒskɵpi/: by galvanism (English galvan(ism) + Greek -skopiā, observation)

gastromancy¹ → see under scrying below

gastromancy² /ˈɡæstrɵmænsi/: by guttural sounds (Greek gastēr, belly + manteia, prophecy)

geomancy /ˈdʒiːɵmænsi/: by earth (Greek Gaia|gē, earth + manteia, prophecy)

feng Shui divination: by Feng Shui

geloscopy /dʒɨˈlɒskɵpi/: by laughter (Greek gelōs, laughter + -skopiā, observation)

gematria: by the Hebrew alphabet (Greek , earth + -metriā, measurement)

genethlialogy: by birth dates (Greek genethlios, birthday + -logiā, study)

graptomancy /ˈɡræptɵmænsi/ → see graphology above (Greek graptos, written + manteia, prophecy)

gyromancy /ˈdʒaɪrɵmænsi/: by dizziness (Greek gūros, spiral + manteia, prophecy)

hagiomancy: by saints (Greek hagios, holy + manteia, prophecy)

halomancy /ˈhælɵmænsi/ → see alomancy above.

hakata: by bones or dice

haruspicy/haruspication /həˈrʌspɨsi/ → see hepatoscopy below (Latin haru-, entrails + specere, to look at)

hematomancy/haematomancy /ˈhɛmətɵmænsi/ or /ˈhiːmətɵmænsi/: by blood (Greek haima [haimat-], blood + manteia, prophecy)

hepatoscopy/hepatomancy /ˈhɛpətɵmænsi/ (also haruspicy, haruspication): by liver (Greek hēpar [hēpat-], liver + -skopiā, observation)

hieromancy/hieroscopy /ˈhaɪrɵmænsi/ or /ˈhaɪərɵmænsi/: by studying sacrifices’ entrails (Greek hieros, holy + manteia, prophecy)

hippomancy → see under theriomancy below.

horoscopy /hɵˈrɒskɵpi/: aspect of the Stars at nativity [4] (Greek hōrā, season + -skopiā, observation)

hydatomancy: by rainwater (Greek hudatis, raindrop + manteia, prophecy)

hydromancy/hydroscopy → see under scrying below

hyomancy: by wild hogs (Greek hūs, swine + manteia, prophecy)

hypnomancy /ˈhɪpnɵmænsi/: by sleep (Greek hupnos, sleep + manteia, prophecy)

ichnomancy /ˈɪknɵmænsi/: by footprints (Greek ikhnos, track + manteia, prophecy)

ichthyomancy → see under theriomancy below

iconomancy /aɪˈkɒnɵmænsi/: by icons (Greek eikōn, image + manteia, prophecy)

idolomancy /aɪˈdɒlɵmænsi/: by idols (Greek eidōlon, phantom + manteia, prophecy)

idromancy → see alomancy above (Greek idrōs, sweat + manteia, prophecy)

ifá: by palm nuts

iridology: by eye color (Greek īris [īrid-], iris + -logiā, study)

isopsephy: by numbers and letters (Greek īsos, equal + psephos, pebble)

kau cim: by bamboo

kephalonomancy /kəˈfælənɵmænsi/ → see cephaleonomancy above

keraunomancy /kɨˈrɒnɵmænsi/ → see ceraunoscopy above

knissomancy /ˈnɪsɵmænsi/: by incense (Greek knisa [kniss-], vapor + manteia, prophecy)

kypomancy → see under phyllomancy below (akin to Greek kupellon, goblet + manteia, prophecy)

labiomancy /ˈleɪbi.ɵmænsi/: by lips (Latin labium, lip + Greek manteia, prophecy)

lampadomancy /ˈlæmpədɵmænsi/: by flame (Greek lampas [lampad-], light + manteia, prophecy)

lecanomancy/lecanoscopy /lɨˈkænɵmænsi/: by a basin of water (Greek lekanē, basin + manteia, prophecy)

letnomancy: by secrets (English let no (one see) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

libanomancy /laɪˈbænɵmænsi/ → see under capnomancy and spodomancy (Greek libanos, frankincense + manteia, prophecy)

lithomancy /ˈlɪθɵmænsi/: by gems or stones (Greek lithos, stone + manteia, prophecy)

logarithmancy /ˌlɒɡəˈrɪθmənsi/: by logarithms (English logarith(m) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

lots: divination through chance, or the drawing or tossing of lots[5]

lunamancy → see selenomancy below (Latin lūna, moon + Greek manteia, prophecy)

lychnomancy /ˈlɪknɵmænsi/: by candles (Greek lukhnos, lamp + manteia, prophecy)

macromancy /ˈmækrɵmænsi/: by large objects (Greek makros, large + manteia, prophecy)

maculomancy /ˈmækjʊlɵmænsi/: by spots on the skin (Latin macula, spot + manteia, prophecy)

margaritomancy /ˌmɑrɡəˈrɪtɵmænsi/: by bouncing pearls (Greek margarītēs, pearl + manteia, prophecy)

mazomancy /ˈmæzɵmænsi/: by nursing (Greek mazos, breast + manteia, prophecy)

meconomancy /mɨˈkoʊnɵmænsi/: by sleeping (Greek mēkōn, poppy [i.e., an opiate] + manteia, prophecy)

meilomancy: by moles

metagnomy /mɨˈtæɡnɵmi/ or /mɨˈtænɵmi/: by magic (Greek meta-, beside + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

meteormancy /ˈmiːti.ɵrmænsi/: by meteors (English meteor + Greek manteia, prophecy)

meteoromancy /ˌmiːtiˈɒrɵmænsi/: by thunder and lightning (Greek meteōron, heavenly phenomenon + manteia, prophecy)

metoposcopy/metopomancy /ˌmɛtɵˈpɒskɵpi/: by the lines of the forehead[6] (Greek metōpon, forehead + -skopiā, observation)

micromancy /ˈmaɪkrɵmænsi/: by small objects (Greek mikros, small + manteia, prophecy)

moleosophy /moʊˈlɒsɵfi/ or /ˌmoʊliˈɒsɵfi/: by blemishes (English mole + Greek sophiā, knowledge)

molybdomancy /mɵˈlɪbdɵmænsi/: by molten metal (Greek molubdos, lead + manteia, prophecy)

moromancy /ˈmɒrɵmænsi/: by foolishness (Greek mōros, dull + manteia, prophecy)

myomancy → see under theriomancy below

myrmomancy → see under theriomancy below

narcomancy /ˈnɑrkɵmænsi/: by sleep (Greek narkē, numbness + manteia, prophecy)

natimancy → see under somatomancy below (Latin natis, buttock + Greek manteia, prophecy)

necromancy¹ /ˈnɛkrɵmænsi/: by speaking to the dead, by corpses[7] (Greek nekros, corpse + manteia, prophecy)

necyomancy /ˈniːsi.ɵmænsi/: by summoning damned souls (Greek nekuiā, invocation + manteia, prophecy)

nephomancy /ˈnɛfɵmænsi/: by clouds (Greek nephos, cloud + manteia, prophecy)

nigromancy /ˈnaɪɡrɵmænsi/: by black magic (Latin niger, black + Greek manteia, prophecy)

nomancy /ˈnɒmənsi/ or /ˈnoʊmənsi/ → see onomancy below (variant of onomancy, influenced by Latin nōmen, name)

notarikon/netrikon: by initials (Latin notāricus, in shorthand)

nggàm → see under theriomancy below

oculomancy /ˈɒkjʊlɵmænsi/: by eyes (Latin oculus, eye + Greek manteia, prophecy)

odontomancy /oʊˈdɒntɵmænsi/: by teeth (Greek odous [odont-], tooth + manteia, prophecy)

oenomancy/oinomancy /ˈiːnɵmænsi/: by wine (Greek oinos, wine + manteia, prophecy)

ololygmancy /ɵˈlɒlɨɡmænsi/: by the howling of dogs (Greek ololuzō [ololug-], howl + manteia, prophecy)

omoplatoscopy → see scapulimancy below (Greek ōmoplatē, shoulder blade + -skopiā, observation)

omphalomancy /ˈɒmfəlɵmænsi/: by navels (Greek omphalos, navel + manteia, prophecy)

oneiromancy/oneiroscopy /ɵˈnɪərɵmænsi/: by dreams (Greek oneiros, dream + manteia, prophecy)

onimancy /ˈɒnɨmænsi/ → see onychomancy below

onomancy/onomomancy/nomancy /ˈɒnɵmænsi/: by letters in a name (Greek onoma, name + manteia, prophecy)

onomomancy /ɵˈnoʊmɵmænsi/ → see onomancy above

onychomancy/onymancy/onimancy /ɵˈnɪkɵmænsi/: by finger· and toenails (Greek onux [onukh-], nail + manteia, prophecy)

onymancy /ˈɒnɨmænsi/ → see onychomancy above

oomancy/ooscopy ˈoʊ.ɵmænsi/ (also ovomancy): by eggs (Greek ōion, egg + manteia, prophecy)

ophidiomancy/ophiomancy → see theriomancy below

opthalmomancy → see oculomancy above (Greek ophthalmos, eye + manteia, prophecy)

organoscopy → see phrenology below (Greek organon, organ + -skopiā, observation)

orniscopy/ornithomancy → see theriomancy below

oromancy: by mountains (Greek oros, mountain + manteia, prophecy)

oryctomancy: by minerals (Greek oruktos, dug + manteia, prophecy)

ossomancy → see osteomancy below (Latin os [oss-], bone + Greek manteia, prophecy)

osteomancy: by bones (Greek osteon, bone + manteia, prophecy)

ouranomancy → see uranomancy below.

ovomancy → see oomancy above (Latin ōvum, egg + manteia, prophecy)

palmistry/palm reading → see under somatomancy below (Latin palma, palm)

papyromancy: by folding paper, especially paper money (Greek papūros, papyrus paper + manteia, prophecy)

pedomancy → see under somatomancy below (from podomancy, influenced by Latin pēs [pēd-], foot)

pessomancy: by pebbles (Greek pessos, oval pebble + manteia, prophecy)

pecthimancy/petchimancy: by brushed cloth (possibly akin to Greek pekein, to card wool, or pēktē, netting + manteia, prophecy)

phobomancy: by feelings of fear (Greek phobos, fear + manteia, prophecy)

photomancy: by fields of light (Greek phōs [phōt-], light + manteia, prophecy)

phrenology (also organoscopy): by the configuration of one’s brain (Greek phrēn, mind + -logiā, study)

phyllomancy: by leaves (Greek phullon, leaf + manteia, prophecy)

sycomancy: by fig leaves (Greek sūkon, fig + manteia, prophecy)

tasseography/tasseomancy (also kypomancy): by tea leaves or coffee grounds (French tasse, cup + Greek -graphiā, representation)

phyllorhodomancy: by rose petals (Greek phullon, leaf + rhodon, rose + manteia, prophecy)

physiognomy/physiognomancy: by faces (Greek phusis, nature + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

phytognomy: by the appearance of plants (Greek phuton, plant + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

plastromancy: by cracks formed by heat on a turtle’s plastron (English plastron + manteia, prophecy)

plumbomancy: by observing shapes molten lead makes when poured in water (Latin plumbum, lead + Greek manteia, prophecy)

pneumancy: by blowing (Greek pneuma, breath + manteia, prophecy)

podomancy/pedomancy → see under somatomancy below

portenta (also ostenta): study of natural phenomena[8]

psephomancy: by lots or ballots (Greek psephos, pebble + manteia, prophecy)

pseudomancy: by false means, such as Peter Answers (Greek pseudēs, false + manteia, prophecy)

psychognomy: by phrenological notations (Greek psūkhē, soul + -gnōmoniā, observation)

psychomancy → see necromancy¹ above (Greek psūkhē, soul + manteia, prophecy)

pyromancy/pyroscopy: by fire (Greek pūr, fire + manteia, prophecy)

retromancy: by looking over one’s shoulder (Latin retrō, behind + Greek manteia, prophecy)

rhabdomancy/rabdomancy: by rods, sticks, or wands (Greek rhabdos, rod + manteia, prophecy)

rhapsodomancy: by poetry (Greek rhapsōidiā, verse + manteia, prophecy)

roadomancy: by constellations (apparently from Old English rodor, firmament + Greek manteia, prophecy)

rumpology → see under somatomancy below

scapulimancy/scapulomancy (also spatulamancy, omoplatoscopy): by bovine or caprid shoulder blades (Latin scapula, shoulder blade + Greek manteia, prophecy)

scatomancy: by excrement (Greek skōr [skat-], excrement + manteia, prophecy)

schematomancy → see under somatomancy below

sciomancy¹ (also shadowmancy): by shadows (Greek skiā, shadow + manteia, prophecy)

sciomancy²: by spirits (of the same origin as sciomancy¹)

scrying: by gazing (shortened from descrying)

crystal gazing: by reflective objects

catoptromancy/captromancy (also enoptromancy, djubed): by mirrors (Greek katoptron, mirror + manteia, prophecy)

gastromancy¹ (also crystallomancy, spheromancy, crystal ball gazing): by crystal ball (Greek gastēr, belly [i.e., round object] + manteia, prophecy)

hydromancy (also ydromancy): by water (Greek hudōr, water + manteia, prophecy)

selenomancy: by the moon (Greek selēnē, moon + manteia, prophecy)

shadowmancy → see sciomancy¹ above (English shadow + Greek manteia, prophecy)

sideromancy: by burning straw with an iron (Greek sidēros, iron + manteia, prophecy)

sikidy: by drawing sixteen lines in sand (perhaps a Malagasy transliteration of English sixteen)

skatharomancy: by beetle tracks (Greek skatharōn, spot + manteia, prophecy)

slinneanachd/slinnanacht: by animal shoulder blades (Scottish Gaelic slinnean, shoulder blade)

solaromancy: by the sun (Latin sōl [sōlār-], sun + Greek manteia, prophecy)

somatomancy: by the human form (Greek sōma [sōmat-], body + manteia, prophecy)

cephalomancy (also craniognomy): by skulls (Greek kephalē, head + manteia, prophecy)

cheiromancy/chiromancy (kī’rə·măn·sē; also palmistry, palm reading): by palms[9] (Greek kheir, hand + manteia, prophecy)

cheirognomy/chirognomy /kaɪˈrɒɡnɵmi/ or /kaɪˈrɒnɵmi/: by hands (Greek kheir, hand + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

podomancy/pedomancy (also cartopedy): by the soles of one’s feet (Greek pous [pod-], foot + manteia, prophecy)

rumpology (also natimancy): by buttocks (English rump + Greek -logiā, study)

schematomancy: by the face (Greek skhēma [skhēmat-], figure + manteia, prophecy)

sortilege: by the casting of lots, or sortes

spasmatomancy: by convulsions (alteration of *spasmodomancy, from Greek spasmos [spasmōd-], spasm + manteia, prophecy)

spatilomancy: by animal excrement (Greek spatilē, excrement + manteia, prophecy)

spatulamancy → see scapulimancy above (from scapulimancy, influenced by Latin spatula, splint)

spheromancy → see under scrying above (Greek sphaira, sphere + manteia, prophecy)

sphondulomancy: by spindles (Greek sphondulos, spindle + manteia, prophecy)

splanchnomancy → see anthropomancy above (Greek splankhna, innards + manteia, prophecy)

spodomancy: by soot (Greek spodos, wood ashes + manteia, prophecy)

cineromancy/ceneromancy: by the ashes of a specifically sacrificial or ritual fire[10]

libanomancy /laɪˈbænɵmænsi/: by smoke or ash from incense (Greek libanos, frankincense + manteia, prophecy)[2]

tephramancy/tephromancy: by tree bark ashes, by sacrificial or ritual fire ashes, or human sacrificial victim ashes (Greek tephrā, ash + manteia, prophecy)[11]

stareomancy: by the four elements (Greek stais [stair-], dough + manteia, prophecy)

stercomancy: by seeds in bird excrement (Latin stercus, excrement + Greek manteia, prophecy)

sternomancy: by ridges on the breastbone (Greek sternon, breastbone + manteia, prophecy)

stichomancy → see chartomancy above

stigonomancy: by burning writing onto bark (Greek stizein [stigōn-], to brand + manteia, prophecy)

stoicheomancy/stoichomancy → see under chartomancy above

stolisomancy: by fashion (Greek stolis, garment + manteia, prophecy)

sycomancy → see phyllomancy above

symbolomancy: by things found on the road (Greek sumbolon, sign + manteia, prophecy)

taromancy → see under chartomancy above

tasseography/tasseomancy → see under phyllomancy above

technomancy: by technology (English techno(logy) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

technical analysis: by patterns in the chart of a financial instrument

tephramancy/tephromancy: → see spodomancy (Greek tephrā, ash + manteia, prophecy)

theomancy: foretelling events, prophecy[12] (Greek theos, god + manteia, prophecy)

theriomancy /ˈθɪəri.ɵmænsi/: (also zoomancy): by animal behavior (Greek thēr, wild animal + manteia, prophecy)

ailuromancy/aeluromancy /aɪˈlʊərɵmænsi/ (also felidomancy): by cats (Greek ailouros, cat + manteia, prophecy)

alectryomancy/alectoromancy /əˈlɛktri.ɵmænsi/, /əˈlɛktərɵmænsi/: by rooster behavior (Greek alektruōn, cockerel + manteia, prophecy)

augury: by bird formations[13] (Latin augur, diviner)

hippomancy /ˈhɪpɵmænsi/: by horse behavior (Greek hippos, horse + manteia, prophecy)

ichthyomancy /ˈɪkθi.ɵmænsi/: by fish behavior (Greek ikhthūs, fish + manteia, prophecy)

myomancy /ˈmaɪ.ɵmænsi/: by rodent behavior (Greek mūs, mouse + manteia, prophecy)

myrmomancy /ˈmɜrmɵmænsi/: by ant behavior (Greek murmēx, ant + manteia, prophecy)

nggàm: by spider or crab behavior (Mambila nggàm, divination)

ophidiomancy/ophiomancy: by snakes behavior (Greek ophis [ophid-], snake + manteia, prophecy)

orniscopy/ornithomancy (also auspicy/auspication, avimancy): by bird migration (Greek ornīs [ornīth-], bird + -skopiā, observation)

thumomancy /ˈθjuːmɵmænsi/: by one’s own soul, presage[14] (Greek thūmos, soul + manteia, prophecy)

topomancy /ˈtɒpɵmænsi/: by geography and geological formations (Greek topos, place + manteia, prophecy)

transataumancy: by things accidentally seen or heard

trochomancy /ˈtrɒkɵmænsi/: by wheel ruts (Greek trokhos, wheel + manteia, prophecy)

turifumy: by shapes in smoke (Latin tūs [tūr-], incense + fūmus, vapor)

tyromancy/tiromancy /ˈtaɪrɵmænsi/: by cheese (Greek tūros, cheese + manteia, prophecy)

umbilicomancy: by umbilical cords (English umbilic(al cord) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

umbromancy: by shade (Latin umbra, shadow + Greek manteia, prophecy)

uranomancy/ouranomancy: by the sky (Greek ouranos, firmament + manteia, prophecy)

uromancy/urimancy: by urine (Greek ouron, urine + manteia, prophecy)

urticariaomancy: by itches (New Latin urticāria, hives + Greek manteia, prophecy)

videomancy: by films (English video + Greek manteia, prophecy)

water witching → see dowsing above

xenomancy: by strangers (Greek xenos, stranger + manteia, prophecy)

xylomancy: by the shape or texture of wood, or the appearance of burning wood (Greek xulon, wood + manteia, prophecy)[15]

ydromancy → see under scrying above

zoomancy → see theriomancy above (Greek zōion, being + manteia, prophecy)

MAN-MADE OBJECTS

acultomancy /əˈkʌltɵmænsi/ (also acutomancy): by needles (from acutomancy below, influenced by Latin acūleus, needle)

bibliomancy /ˈbɪbliɵmænsi/: by the Bible (Greek biblion, book + manteia, prophecy)

cartomancy /ˈkɑrtɵmænsi/: by cards (Latin carta, papyrus paper + Greek manteia, prophecy)

cartomancy → see under chartomancy below

chartomancy /ˈkɑrtɵmænsi/: by things on paper (Greek khartēs, papyrus paper + manteia, prophecy)

crystal gazing → see under scrying below

domino divination → see under cleromancy above

domino divination: by dominoes

grammomancy /ˈɡræmɵmænsi/: by writing individual letters (Greek gramma, letter + manteia, prophecy)

graphology /ɡræˈfɒlɵdʒi/ (also graptomancy): by studying handwriting (Greek graphē, writing + -logiā, study)

literomancy /ˈlɪtərɵmænsi/: by a letter in a written language (Latin lītera, letter + Greek manteia, prophecy)

logomancy /ˈlɒɡɵmænsi/: by words (Greek logos, word + manteia, prophecy)

macharomancy: by swords or knives (Greek makhaira, dirk + manteia, prophecy)

mahjong divination: by Mahjong tiles

mathemancy /ˈmæθɨmænsi/: by mathematics (English mathe(matics) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

megapolisomancy: by large cities (English megalopolis + Greek manteia, prophecy)

numerology /ˌnjuːməˈrɒlɵdʒi/: by numbers (Latin numerus, number + Greek manteia, prophecy)

numismatomancy: by coins (Greek nomisma [nomismat-], coin + manteia, prophecy)

Ogham casting: by Ogham letters

Ouija/Ouije: by ouija board (French oui, yes + German ja, yes)

pallomancy: by pendulums (Greek pallein, to sway + manteia, prophecy)

pegomancy: by fountains (Greek pēgē, spring + manteia, prophecy)

qabalah → see kabbalah above

radiesthesia: by rods, pendulums, or other cylindrical tools (Latin radius, spoke + Greek -aisthēsiā, sensing)

runecasting → see under cleromancy above

runecasting/Runic divination: by runes

scarpomancy: by old shoes (Italian scarpa, shoe + Greek manteia, prophecy)

sortes virgilianae: by Vergil‘s Aeneid

taromancy/tarotmancy /ˈtærɵmænsi/: by tarot (English tarot + Greek manteia, prophecy)

temurah: by anagrams

zygomancy: by weights (Greek zugon, yoke, balance + manteia, prophecy)

DATA

Astrology Western

Astrology Chinese

cabala → see kabbalah below

cybermancy /ˈsaɪbərmænsi/: by computer oracles (English cyber(netics) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

dōbutsu uranai: by animal horoscope (Japanese dōbutsu, animal + uranai, prognostication)

I Ching divination → see under chartomancy above.

I Ching divination: by the I Ching or the accompanying I Ching manual

Jyotish Vedic system of astrology

kabbalah/qabalah/cabala: by the Kabbalah (Hebrew qabbālâ, tradition)

 

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Fortune Telling Information on this Site

Astrology Chinese

Astrology Chinese Lesson

Astrology Western

Astrology Western Charts

Astrology Western Sun and Moon Sign Combinations

Chinese Astrology 60 Year Cycle

Chinese vs. Western Astrology

Dice Fortune Telling

Divination Taxonomy

Fortune Telling Lesson

Fortune Telling with Playing Cards

Numerology and Virtual Reality

Numerology in Comic Books, Movies, Novels and Television

Numerology Wars: 22 vs. 23

Palmistry

Table of Chinese Astrology 19th – 21st Century

Tarot Lesson Major Arcana

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