Methods of divination

Innumerable methods of divination can be found around the world, and many cultures practice the same methods under different
names. During the Middle Ages, scholars coined terms for many of these methods — some of which had hitherto been unnamed —
in Medieval Latin, very often utilizing thesuffix -mantia when the art seemed more mystical (ultimately from Greek mantis, prophet)
and the suffix -scopia when the art seemed more scientific (ultimately from Greek skopein, to observe). Names like drimimantia,
nigromantia, and horoscopia turned up, along with a slew of other esoteric (and distinctly Medieval) "sciences" such as phrenology
and physiognomy.

Of course, some forms of divination are much older than the Middle Ages, like haruspication, while others (such as
megapolisomancy or coffee-based tasseomancy) are born of the 20th and 21st century.

Contents
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See also · References

A
abacomancy /ˈæbəkoʊmænsi/ (also
amathomancy): by dust (Hebrew ’ābāq,
dust + Greek manteia, prophecy)
acultomancy /əˈkʌltoʊmænsi/ (also
acutomancy): by needles (from
acutomancy below, influenced by Latin
acūleus, needle)
acutomancy /əˈkjuːtoʊmænsi/ → see
ACULTOMANCY (Latin acus [acut-], needle +
Greek manteia, prophecy)
adromancy /ˈædroʊmænsi/ → see
ALOMANCY (from idromancy below,
influenced by alomancy)
adryomancy→ see HYDROMANCY
(metathesis of hydromancy)
aeromancy /ˈɛəroʊmænsi/: by
atmospheric conditions (Greekāēr, air +
manteia, prophecy)
agalmatomancy /əˈɡɔːlmətoʊmænsi/:
by statues (Greek agalma [agalmat-],
statue + manteia, prophecy)
aichmomancy /ˈɛkmoʊmænsi/: by sharp
objects (Greek aikhmē, spearhead +
manteia, prophecy)
ailuromancy/aeluromancy → see An arithmancer from Atalanta Fugiens (1618), by Michael Maier
THERIOMANCY

alectormancy/alectromancy
/əˈlɛktroʊmænsi/: by rooster sacrifice (Greek alektor, rooster + manteia, prophecy)
alectryomancy/alectoromancy: by rooster divination → seeTHERIOMANCY
aleuromancy¹ /əˈljʊəroʊmænsi/: by flour; see also CHARTOMANCY (Greek aleuron, meal + manteia, prophecy)
alomancy/Halomancy /ˈæloʊmænsi/ (also adromancy): by salt (Greek hals, salt + manteia, prophecy)
alphitomancy/ˈælfɪtoʊmænsi/: by barley (Greek alphis [alphit-], barley + manteia, prophecy)
alveromancy /ælˈvɪəroʊmænsi/: by sounds
amathomancy /ˈæməθoʊmænsi/ → see ABACOMANCY by sand (Greek amathos, sandy soil + manteia, prophecy)
ambulomancy /ˈæmbjʊloʊmænsi/: by walking (Latin ambulāre, to walk + Greek manteia, prophecy)
amniomancy /ˈæmnioʊmænsi/: by placenta (Greek amniōn, amnion + manteia, prophecy)
 anemoscopy/anemomancy /ˌænɪˈmɒskoʊpi/: by wind (Greek anemos, wind + -skopiā, observation)
anthomancy /ˈænθoʊmænsi/: by flowers (Greek anthos, flower + manteia, prophecy)
anthracomancy /ˈænθrəkoʊmænsi/: by burning coals (Greekanthrax [anthrak-], charcoal + manteia, prophecy)
anthropomancy /ænˈθrɒpoʊmænsi/: by human sacrifice (Greekanthrōpos, human being + manteia, prophecy)
anthroposcopy /ænθroʊˈpɒskoʊpi/: by physical appearance (Greekanthrōpos, human being + -skopiā,
observation)
apantomancy /əˈpæntoʊmænsi/: by chance encounters with animals (Greekapantein, to encounter + manteia,
prophecy)
arachnomancy /əˈræknoʊmænsi/: by spiders (Greek arakhnē, spider + manteia, prophecy)
archeomancy/archaeomancy /ˈɑːrkioʊmænsi/: by sacred relics (Greek arkhaios, ancient + manteia, prophecy)
ariolation /ˌærioʊˈleɪʃən/: by altars (Latin ariolus, hariolus, prophet)
arithmancy: assigning numerical value to a word or phrase
armomancy /ˈɑːrmoʊmænsi/: by one's own shoulders (Latinarmus, shoulder + Greek manteia, prophecy)
aruspicina: study of entrails[1]
aspidomancy /ˈæspɪdoʊmænsi/: by sitting in a drawn circle (Greekaspis [aspid-], shield + manteia, prophecy)
astragalomancy/astragalamancy → see CLEROMANCY
astragyromancy → see CLEROMANCY (from astragalomancy above, perhaps influenced by Greekguros, spiral, circle,
and therefore vertebra)
astrapomancy /ˈæstrəpoʊmænsi/: by lightning (Greek astrapē, lightning flash + manteia, prophecy)
astrology/astromancy/astroscopy /əˈstrɒloʊdʒi/: by celestial bodies (Greekastron, star + -logiā, study)
augury /ˈɔːɡjʊəri/ → see THERIOMANCY
auramancy /ˈɔːrəmænsi/: by auras (Greek aurā, breath + manteia, prophecy)
auspicy/auspication → see THERIOMANCY (Latin avis, bird + specere, to look at)
austromancy → see THERIOMANCY /ˈɔːstroʊmænsi/: by wind (Latin auster, south wind + Greek manteia, prophecy)
avimancy → see ORNISCOPY (Latin avis, bird + Greek manteia, prophecy)
axiomancy/axinomancy /ˈæksioʊmænsi/: by axes (Latin axis, axis + manteia, prophecy)

B
batraquomancy/batrachomancy /bəˈtrækoʊmænsi/: by frogs (Greek batrakhos, frog + manteia, prophecy)
belomancy/bolomancy /ˈbɛloʊmænsi/: by arrows (from bolomancy below, influenced by Greek belemnon, javelin,
or belonē, needle)
bibliomancy → see CHARTOMANCY
biorhythmic divination: by biorhythms
bletonism/bletonomancy /ˈblɛtənɪzəm/: by water current (named forMonsieur Bleton, a French bletonist)
bolomancy /ˈbɒloʊmænsi/ → see BELOMANCY (Greek bolē, arrow + manteia, prophecy)
botanomancy /boʊˈtænoʊmænsi/: by burning sage or figs (Greekbotanē, flora + manteia, prophecy)
brizomancy → see ONEIROMANCY (Greek brizein, to be sleepy + manteia, prophecy)
brontomancy/brontoscopy /ˈbrɒntoʊmænsi/: by thunder (Greek brontē, thunder + manteia, prophecy)
bumpology /bʌmˈpɒloʊdʒi/: by bumps on the skin (English bump + Greek -logiā, study)

C
cabala → see KABBALAH
canomancy /ˈkænoʊmænsi/ or /ˈkeɪnoʊmænsi/: by dogs (Latin canis, dog + Greek manteia, prophecy)
capnomancy /ˈkæpnoʊmænsi/: by smoke (Greek kapnos, smoke + manteia, prophecy)

libanomancy /laɪˈbænoʊmænsi/: by smoke or ash from incense (Greeklibanos, frankincense + manteia,

prophecy)[2]
carromancy /ˈkæroʊmænsi/: by melting wax (Greekkarrō, of wax + manteia, prophecy)
cartopedy → see SOMATOMANCY (Latin carta, papyrus paper + pēs [pēd-], foot)
cartomancy → see CHARTOMANCY
catoptromancy/captromancy → see SCRYING
causimancy/causimomancy /ˈkɔːzɪmænsi/: by burning (Greek kaiein [kaus-], to burn + manteia, prophecy)
cephalomancy → see SOMATOMANCY
cephaleonomancy/cephalonomancy/ˌsɛfəliˈɒnoʊmænsi/: by boiling a donkey's head (Greekkephalaion, head
[with meaning influenced by Greekonos, donkey] + manteia, prophecy)
ceraunoscopy /ˌsɛrəˈnɒskoʊpi/: by thunder and lightning (Greekkeraunos, thunderbolt + -skopiā, observation)
ceromancy/ceroscopy /ˈsɛroʊmænsi/: by dripping wax in water (Greekkēros, wax + manteia, prophecy)
chalcomancy: by striking gongs or copper bowls (Greekkhalkos, copper + manteia, prophecy)
chaomancy /ˈkeɪoʊmænsi/: by aerial visions (Greekkhaos, primordial space + manteia, prophecy)
chartomancy /ˈkɑːrtoʊmænsi/: by things on paper (Greekkhartēs, papyrus paper + manteia, prophecy)

cartomancy /ˈkɑːrtoʊmænsi/: by cards (Latin carta, papyrus paper + Greekmanteia, prophecy)

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

stichomancy /ˈstɪkoʊmænsi/: by books or lines (Greekstikhos, line of verse + manteia, prophecy)

aleuromancy² /əˈljʊəroʊmænsi/: by fortune cookies (of the same origin asALEUROMANCY¹)

bibliomancy /ˈbɪblioʊmænsi/: by the Bible (Greek biblion, book + manteia, prophecy)
I Ching divination: by the I Ching or the accompanying I Ching manual
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 ChristianBible 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 SOMATOMANCY
cheirognomy/chirognomy → see SOMATOMANCY
chien tung → see KAU CIM
choriomancy /ˈkɒrioʊmænsi/: by pig bladders (Greek khorion, placenta + mantiea, prophecy)
chresmomancy /ˈkrɛsmoʊmænsi/: by the ravings of lunatics (Greekkhrēsmos, oracular utterance, chresm +
manteia, prophecy)
chronomancy /ˈkrɒnoʊmænsi/: by apt occasion (Greekkhronos, time + manteia, prophecy)
cineromancy/ceneromancy → see SPODOMANCY /ˈsɪnəroʊmænsi/ (Latin cinis [ciner-], ashes + Greek manteia,
prophecy)
clamancy (see also Fāl-gūsh): by random shouts and cries heard in crowds, at night, etc. (Latinclāmāre, to cry out
+ Greek manteia, prophecy)
cledonism/cledonomancy /ˈklɛdoʊnɪzəm/: by chance events or overheard words (Greekklēdon, rumor)
cleidomancy/clidomancy /ˈklaɪdoʊmænsi/: by keys (Greek kleis [kleid-], key + manteia, prophecy)
cleromancy /ˈklɛroʊmænsi/: by casting (Greek klēros, lot + manteia, prophecy)

astragalomancy/astragalamancy /əˈstræɡəloʊmænsi/ (also cubomancy): by dice (Greek astragalos, vertebra

+ manteia, prophecy)
domino divination: by dominoes
favomancy /ˈfævoʊmænsi/: by beans (Latin faba, bean + Greek manteia, prophecy)
Ogham casting: by Ogham letters
runecasting/Runic divination: by runes
cometomancy /koʊˈmɛtoʊmænsi/: by comet tails (Greek komētēs, comet + manteia, prophecy)
colormancy/coloromancy: by colors (English color + Greek manteia, prophecy)
conchomancy /ˈkɒŋkoʊmænsi/: by shells (Greek konkhē, mussel + manteia, prophecy)
cosquinomancy/coscinomancy /koʊˈsɪnoʊmænsi/: by hanging sieves (Greekkoskinōn, sieve + manteia,
prophecy)
cottabomancy/cottobomancy /ˈkɒtəboʊmænsi/: by wine in a brass bowl (Greekkottabos, cottabus + manteia,
prophecy)
craniognomy /ˌkreɪniˈɒɡnoʊmi/ or /ˌkreɪniˈɒnəmi/ → see SOMATOMANCY (Greek krānion, skull + -gnōmoniā,
interpretation)
the crawling baby: by a baby's crawling
crithomancy/critomancy /ˈkrɪθoʊmænsi/: by barley cakes (Greekkrithē, barley + manteia, prophecy)
cromnyomancy/cromniomancy /ˈkrɒmnioʊmænsi/: by onion sprouts (alteration of Greekkrommuon, onion +
manteia, prophecy)
cryptomancy /ˈkrɪptoʊmænsi/: by omens (Greek kruptos, hidden + manteia, prophecy)
cryomancy /ˈkraɪoʊmænsi/: by ice (Greek kryo, ice )
crystal ball gazing → see SCRYING
crystal gazing → see SCRYING
crystallomancy /ˈkrɪstəloʊmænsi/ → see SCRYING (Greek krustallos, crystal + manteia, prophecy)
 cubomancy /ˈkjuːboʊmænsi/ → see CLEROMANCY (Greek kubos, cube + manteia, prophecy)
cyathomancy /ˈsaɪəθoʊmænsi/: by cups (Greek kuathos, cup + manteia, prophecy)
cybermancy /ˈsaɪbərmænsi/: by computer oracles (Englishcyber(netics) + Greek manteia, prophecy)
cyclicomancy /ˈsɪklɪkoʊmænsi/: by swirling water in a cup (Greekkuklikos, cyclical, circular + manteia, prophecy)
cyclomancy /ˈsɪkloʊmænsi/ or /ˈsaɪkloʊmænsi/: by wheels (Greek kuklos, circle + manteia, prophecy)

D
dactyliomancy /dækˈtɪlioʊmænsi/: by finger rings (Greekdaktulios, finger ring + manteia, prophecy)
dactylomancy /ˈdæktɪloʊmænsi/ : by means of finger movements (Greekdaktulos, finger + manteia, prophecy)
daphnomancy /ˈdæfnoʊmænsi/: by burning laurel wreaths (Greekdaphnē, laurel + manteia, prophecy)
demonomancy /dɪˈmɒnoʊmænsi/: by demons (Greek daimōn, divine power + manteia, prophecy)
dendromancy /ˈdɛndroʊmænsi/: by trees, especially oaks, yews, or mistletoe (Greek dendron, tree + manteia,
prophecy)
deuteroscopy /ˌdjuːtəˈrɒskoʊpi/: by second glance or double take (Greekdeuteros, secondary + -skopiā,
observation)
dictiomancy /ˈdɪkʃoʊmænsi/: by randomly opening a dictionary (Englishdictio(nary) + Greek manteia, prophecy)
divining → see DOWSING
djubed → see SCRYING
dōbutsu uranai: by animal horoscope (Japanese dōbutsu, animal + uranai, prognostication)
domino divination → see CLEROMANCY
dowsing (also divining, water witching): by a divining rod (of unknown origin)
dracomancy /ˈdrækoʊmænsi/: by dragons (Greek drakōn, dragon + manteia, prophecy)
dream questions: by dreaming
dririmancy/driromancy /ˈdrɪərɪmænsi/: by dripping blood (alteration ofdrimimancy, influenced by Middle English
drir, blood)
drimimancy/drymimancy /ˈdrɪmɪmænsi/: by bodily fluids (Greek drimus, pungent + manteia, prophecy)

E
electromancy: by lightning and electricity (Greekilektros electric + manteia prophecy)
eleomancy/elaeomancy: by oil (Greek elaion, olive oil + manteia, prophecy)
emonomancy → see DEMONOMANCY
empirimancy: by experiment/experience
empyromancy /ɛmˈpaɪəroʊmænsi/: by burning (Greek empurios, fiery + manteia, prophecy)
enochian chess: by playing a four·handed variant of the game
enoptromancy /ɛˈnɒptroʊmænsi/ → see SCRYING (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 /ˈɛroʊmænsi/: by water vessels exposed to air (Greekāēr, air + manteia, prophecy) — cf. aeromancy
extispicy/extispication /ɛkˈstɪspɪsi/: by the remains of sacrificed animals (Latinexta, entrails + specere, to look at)

F
favomancy → see CLEROMANCY
felidomancy → see THERIOMANCY (Latin fēlēs [fēlid-], cat + Greek manteia, prophecy)
feng shui → see GEOMANCY
floriography/floromancy /ˌflɔːriˈɒɡrəfi/: by flowers' feelings (Latinflōs [flōr-], flower + Greek -graphiā,
representation)
fractomancy /ˈfræktoʊmænsi/: by fractals (English fract(al) + Greek manteia, prophecy)
fructomancy/fructimancy: by fruit (Latin frūctus, fruit + Greek manteia, prophecy)

G
 galvanoscopy /ˌɡælvəˈnɒskoʊpi/: by galvanism (English galvan(ism) + Greek -skopiā, observation)
gastromancy¹ → see SCRYING
gastromancy² /ˈɡæstroʊmænsi/: by guttural sounds (Greekgastēr, belly + manteia, prophecy)
geomancy /ˈdʒiːoʊmænsi/: by earth (Greek Gaia|gē, earth + manteia, prophecy)

feng Shui divination: by Feng Shui

geloscopy /dʒɪˈlɒskoʊpi/: by laughter (Greek gelōs, laughter + -skopiā, observation)
gematria: by the Hebrew alphabet (Greek gē, earth + -metriā, measurement)
genethlialogy: by birth dates (Greekgenethlios, birthday + -logiā, study)
grammomancy /ˈɡræmoʊmænsi/: by writing individual letters (Greekgramma, letter + manteia, prophecy)
graphology /ɡræˈfɒloʊdʒi/ (also graptomancy): by studying handwriting (Greekgraphē, writing + -logiā, study)
graptomancy /ˈɡræptoʊmænsi/ → see GRAPHOLOGY (Greek graptos, written + manteia, prophecy)
gyromancy /ˈdʒaɪəroʊmænsi/: by dizziness (Greek gūros, spiral + manteia, prophecy)

H
hagiomancy: by saints (Greek hagios, holy + manteia, prophecy)
halomancy /ˈhæloʊmænsi/ → see ALOMANCY
hakata: by bones or dice
haruspicy/haruspication /həˈrʌspɪsi/ → see HEPATOSCOPY (Latin haru-, entrails + specere, to look at)
hematomancy/haematomancy /ˈhɛmətoʊmænsi, ˈhiː-/: by blood (Greek haima [haimat-], blood + manteia,
prophecy)
hepatoscopy/hepatomancy /ˈhɛpətoʊmænsi/ (also haruspicy, haruspication): by liver (Greek hēpar [hēpat-], liver
+ -skopiā, observation)
hieromancy/hieroscopy /ˈhaɪəroʊmænsi, ˈhaɪ.ər-/: by studying sacrifices' entrails (Greekhieros, holy + manteia,
prophecy)
hippomancy → see THERIOMANCY
horoscopy /hoʊˈrɒskoʊpi/: aspect of the Stars at nativity[4] (Greek hōrā, season + -skopiā, observation)
hydatomancy: by rainwater (Greek hudatis, raindrop + manteia, prophecy)
hydromancy/hydroscopy → see SCRYING
hyomancy: by wild hogs (Greek hūs, swine + manteia, prophecy)
hypnomancy /ˈhɪpnoʊmænsi/: by sleep (Greek hupnos, sleep + manteia, prophecy)

I
I Ching divination → see CHARTOMANCY
ichnomancy /ˈɪknoʊmænsi/: by footprints (Greek ikhnos, track + manteia, prophecy)
ichthyomancy → see THERIOMANCY
iconomancy /aɪˈkɒnoʊmænsi/: by icons (Greek eikōn, image + manteia, prophecy)
idolomancy /aɪˈdɒloʊmænsi/: by idols (Greek eidōlon, phantom + manteia, prophecy)
idromancy → see ALOMANCY (Greek idrōs, sweat + manteia, prophecy)
ifá: geomancy patterns generated with palm nuts, opele, cowrie shells, etc... that refer to Ifa Divination texts; a
collection of odu Ifa verses.
iridology: by eye color (Greek īris [īrid-], iris + -logiā, study)
isopsephy: by numbers and letters (Greekīsos, equal + psephos, pebble)

J
Jyotish Vedic system of astrology

K
kabbalah/qabalah/cabala: by the Kabbalah (Hebrew qabbālâ, tradition)
kau cim: by bamboo
 kayu ura: by rice gruel
kephalonomancy /kəˈfælənoʊmænsi/ → see CEPHALEONOMANCY
keraunomancy /kɪˈrɒnoʊmænsi/ → see CERAUNOSCOPY
knissomancy /ˈnɪsoʊmænsi/: by incense (Greek knisa [kniss-], vapor + manteia, prophecy)
kypomancy → see PHYLLOMANCY (akin to Greek kupellon, goblet + manteia, prophecy)

L
labiomancy /ˈleɪbioʊmænsi/: by lips (Latin labium, lip + Greek manteia, prophecy)
lampadomancy /ˈlæmpədoʊmænsi/: by flame (Greek lampas [lampad-], light + manteia, prophecy)
lecanomancy/lecanoscopy /lɪˈkænoʊmænsi/: by a basin of water (Greeklekanē, basin + manteia, prophecy)
letnomancy: by secrets (English let no (man see) + Greek manteia, prophecy)
libanomancy /laɪˈbænoʊmænsi/ → see CAPNOMANCY and SPODOMANCY (Greek libanos, frankincense + manteia,
prophecy)
literomancy /ˈlɪtəroʊmænsi/: by a letter in a written language (Latinlītera, letter + Greek manteia, prophecy)
lithomancy /ˈlɪθoʊmænsi/: by gems or stones (Greeklithos, stone + manteia, prophecy)
logarithmancy /ˌlɒɡəˈrɪθmənsi/: by logarithms (English logarith(m) + Greek manteia, prophecy)
logomancy /ˈlɒɡoʊmænsi/: by words (Greek logos, word + manteia, prophecy)
[5]
lots: divination through chance, or the drawing or tossing of lots
lunamancy → see SELENOMANCY (Latin lūna, moon + Greek manteia, prophecy)
lychnomancy /ˈlɪknoʊmænsi/: by candles (Greek lukhnos, lamp + manteia, prophecy)

M
macharomancy: by swords or knives (Greekmakhaira, dirk + manteia, prophecy)
macromancy /ˈmækroʊmænsi/: by large objects (Greekmakros, large + manteia, prophecy)
maculomancy /ˈmækjʊloʊmænsi/: by spots on the skin (Latinmacula, spot + manteia, prophecy)
mahjong divination: by Mahjong tiles
margaritomancy /ˌmɑːrɡəˈrɪtoʊmænsi/: by bouncing pearls (Greekmargarītēs, pearl + manteia, prophecy)
mathemancy /ˈmæθɪmænsi/: by mathematics (English mathe(matics) + Greek manteia, prophecy)
mazomancy /ˈmæzoʊmænsi/: by nursing (Greek mazos, breast + manteia, prophecy)
meconomancy /mɪˈkoʊnoʊmænsi/: by sleeping (Greek mēkōn, poppy [i.e., an opiate] + manteia, prophecy)
megapolisomancy: by large cities (Englishmegalopolis + Greek manteia, prophecy)
meilomancy: by moles
metagnomy /mɪˈtæɡnoʊmi/ or /mɪˈtænoʊmi/: by magic (Greek meta-, beside + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
meteormancy /ˈmiːtioʊrmænsi/: by meteors (English meteor + Greek manteia, prophecy)
meteoromancy /ˌmiːtiˈɒroʊmænsi/: by thunder and lightning (Greekmeteōron, heavenly phenomenon +manteia,
prophecy)
metoposcopy/metopomancy /ˌmɛtoʊˈpɒskoʊpi/: by the lines of the forehead[6] (Greek metōpon, forehead + -
skopiā, observation)
micromancy /ˈmaɪkroʊmænsi/: by small objects (Greekmikros, small + manteia, prophecy)
moleosophy /moʊˈlɒsoʊfi/ or /ˌmoʊliˈɒsoʊfi/: by blemishes (Englishmole + Greek sophiā, knowledge)
molybdomancy /moʊˈlɪbdoʊmænsi/: by molten metal (Greekmolubdos, lead + manteia, prophecy)
moromancy /ˈmɒroʊmænsi/: by foolishness (Greekmōros, dull + manteia, prophecy)
myomancy → see THERIOMANCY
myrmomancy → see THERIOMANCY

N
narcomancy /ˈnɑːrkoʊmænsi/: by sleep (Greek narkē, numbness + manteia, prophecy)
natimancy → see SOMATOMANCY (Latin natis, buttock + Greek manteia, prophecy)
necromancy¹ /ˈnɛkroʊmænsi/: by speaking to the dead, by corpses[7] (Greek nekros, corpse + manteia, prophecy)
necyomancy /ˈniːsioʊmænsi/: by summoning damned souls (Greeknekuiā, invocation + manteia, prophecy)
nephomancy /ˈnɛfoʊmænsi/: by clouds (Greek nephos, cloud + manteia, prophecy)
 nigromancy /ˈnaɪɡroʊmænsi/: by black magic (Latin niger, black + Greek manteia, prophecy)
nomancy /ˈnɒmənsi/ or /ˈnoʊmənsi/ → see ONOMANCY (variant of onomancy, influenced by Latin nōmen, name)
notarikon/netrikon: by initials (Latin notāricus, in shorthand)
nggàm → see THERIOMANCY
numerology /ˌnjuːməˈrɒloʊdʒi/: by numbers (Latin numerus, number + Greek -logia, branch of study)
numismatomancy: by coins (Greek nomisma [nomismat-], coin + manteia, prophecy)

O
oculomancy /ˈɒkjʊloʊmænsi/: by eyes (Latin oculus, eye + Greek manteia, prophecy)
odontomancy /oʊˈdɒntoʊmænsi/: by teeth (Greek odous [odont-], tooth + manteia, prophecy)
oenomancy/oinomancy /ˈiːnoʊmænsi/: by wine (Greek oinos, wine + manteia, prophecy)
ololygmancy /oʊˈlɒlɪɡmænsi/: by the howling of dogs (Greekololuzō [ololug-], howl + manteia, prophecy)
omoplatoscopy → see SCAPULIMANCY (Greek ōmoplatē, shoulder blade + -skopiā, observation)
omphalomancy /ˈɒmfəloʊmænsi/: by navels (Greek omphalos, navel + manteia, prophecy)
oneiromancy/oneiroscopy /oʊˈnɪəroʊmænsi/: by dreams (Greek oneiros, dream + manteia, prophecy)
onimancy /ˈɒnɪmænsi/ → see ONYCHOMANCY
onomancy/onomomancy/nomancy /ˈɒnoʊmænsi/: by letters in a name (Greekonoma, name + manteia, prophecy)
onomomancy /oʊˈnoʊmoʊmænsi/ → see ONOMANCY
onychomancy/onymancy/onimancy /oʊˈnɪkoʊmænsi/: by finger· and toenails (Greekonux [onukh-], nail +
manteia, prophecy)
onymancy /ˈɒnɪmænsi/ → see ONYCHOMANCY
oomancy/ooscopy /ˈoʊoʊmænsi/ (also ovomancy): by eggs (Greek ōion, egg + manteia, prophecy)
ophidiomancy/ophiomancy → see THERIOMANCY
ophthalmomancy → see OCULOMANCY (Greek ophthalmos, eye + manteia, prophecy)
organoscopy → see PHRENOLOGY (Greek organon, organ + -skopiā, observation)
orniscopy/ornithomancy → see THERIOMANCY
oromancy: by mountains (Greekoros, mountain + manteia, prophecy)
oryctomancy: by minerals (Greek oruktos, dug + manteia, prophecy)
ossomancy → see OSTEOMANCY (Latin os [oss-], bone + Greek manteia, prophecy)
osteomancy: by bones (Greek osteon, bone + manteia, prophecy)
Ouija/Ouije: by ouija board (French oui, yes + German ja, yes)
ouranomancy → see URANOMANCY
ovomancy → see OOMANCY (Latin ōvum, egg + manteia, prophecy)

P
pallomancy: by pendulums (Greek pallein, to sway + manteia, prophecy)
palmistry/palm reading → see SOMATOMANCY (Latin palma, palm)
papyromancy: by folding paper, especially paper money (Greek papūros, papyrus paper + manteia, prophecy)
pedomancy → see SOMATOMANCY (from podomancy, influenced by Latin pēs [pēd-], foot)
pegomancy: by fountains (Greek pēgē, spring + manteia, prophecy)
pessomancy: by pebbles (Greek pessos, oval pebble + manteia, prophecy)
pecthimancy/petchimancy: by brushed cloth (possibly akin to Greekpekein, to card wool, or pēktē, netting +
manteia, prophecy)
phobomancy: by feelings of fear (Greekphobos, fear + manteia, prophecy)
photomancy: by fields of light (Greekphōs [phōt-], light + manteia, prophecy)
phrenology (also organoscopy): by the configuration of one's brain (Greekphrēn, 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 (Greekphullon, leaf + rhodon, rose + manteia, prophecy)
physiognomy/physiognomancy: by faces (Greek phusis, nature + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
 phytognomy: by the appearance of plants (Greekphuton, plant + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
plastromancy: by cracks formed by heat on a turtle'splastron (English plastron + manteia, prophecy)
pilimancy: by observing the patterns produced by a collection of human hair .
plumbomancy: by observing shapes molten lead makes when poured in water (Latinplumbum, lead + Greek
manteia, prophecy)
pneumancy: by blowing (Greek pneuma, breath + manteia, prophecy)
podomancy/pedomancy → see SOMATOMANCY
poe divination: by throwing stones on the floor, practised at Taoist temples
portenta (also ostenta): study of natural phenomena[8]
psephomancy: by lots or ballots (Greekpsephos, pebble + manteia, prophecy)
pseudomancy: by false means, such asPeter Answers (Greek pseudēs, false + manteia, prophecy)
psychognomy: by phrenological notations (Greek psūkhē, soul + -gnōmoniā, observation)
psychomancy → see NECROMANCY¹ (Greek psūkhē, soul + manteia, prophecy)
[9]
ptarmoscopy/ptarmoscopie: from ancient Greek the interpretation of sneezes
pyromancy/pyroscopy: by fire (Greek pūr, fire + manteia, prophecy)

Q
qabalah → see KABBALAH

R
radiesthesia: by rods, pendulums, or other cylindrical tools (Latinradius, spoke + Greek -aisthēsiā, sensing)
retromancy: by looking over one's shoulder (Latinretrō, behind + Greek manteia, prophecy)
rhabdomancy/rabdomancy: by rods, sticks, or wands (Greekrhabdos, 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 SOMATOMANCY
runecasting → see CLEROMANCY

S
scapulimancy/scapulomancy (also spatulamancy, omoplatoscopy): by bovine or caprid shoulder blades (Latin
scapula, shoulder blade + Greekmanteia, prophecy)
scarpomancy: by old shoes (Italian scarpa, shoe + Greek manteia, prophecy)
scatomancy: by excrement (Greekskōr [skat-], excrement + manteia, prophecy)
schematomancy → see SOMATOMANCY
sciomancy¹ (also shadowmancy): by shadows (Greek skiā, shadow + manteia, prophecy)
sciomancy²: by spirits (of the same origin assciomancy¹)
scrying: by gazing (shortened fromdescrying)

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 (Greekgastēr,
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 (English shadow + Greek manteia, 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: by burning straw with an iron (Greeksidēros, iron + manteia, prophecy)
sikidy: by drawing sixteen lines in sand (perhaps aMalagasy transliteration of Englishsixteen)
skatharomancy: by beetle tracks (Greekskatharōn, 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 (Greeksōma [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[10] (Greek kheir, hand +
manteia, prophecy)
cheirognomy/chirognomy /kaɪˈrɒɡnoʊmi, -ˈrɒnoʊ-/: by hands (Greek kheir, hand + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)
podomancy/pedomancy (also cartopedy): by the soles of one's feet (Greekpous [pod-], foot + manteia,
prophecy)
rumpology (also natimancy): by buttocks (Englishrump + Greek -logiā, study)
schematomancy: by the face (Greek skhēma [skhēmat-], figure + manteia, prophecy)
sortilege: by the casting of lots, orsortes

sortes virgilianae: by Vergil's Aeneid

spasmatomancy: by convulsions (alteration of *spasmodomancy , from Greek spasmos [spasmōd-], spasm +
manteia, prophecy)
spatilomancy: by animal excrement (Greekspatilē, excrement + manteia, prophecy)
spatulamancy → see SCAPULIMANCY (from scapulimancy, influenced by Latin spatula, splint)
spheromancy → see SCRYING (Greek sphaira, sphere + manteia, prophecy)
sphondulomancy: by spindles (Greek sphondulos, spindle + manteia, prophecy)
splanchnomancy → see ANTHROPOMANCY (Greek splankhna, innards + manteia, prophecy)
spodomancy: by soot (Greek spodos, wood ashes + manteia, prophecy)
[11]
cineromancy/ceneromancy: by the ashes of a specifically sacrificial or ritual fire
libanomancy /laɪˈbænoʊmænsi/: by smoke or ash from incense (Greeklibanos, 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)[12]
stareomancy: by the four elements (Greek stais [stair-], dough + manteia, prophecy)
stercomancy: by seeds in bird excrement (Latinstercus, excrement + Greek manteia, prophecy)
sternomancy: by ridges on the breastbone (Greek sternon, breastbone + manteia, prophecy)
stichomancy → see CHARTOMANCY
stigonomancy: by burning writing onto bark (Greekstizein [stigōn-], to brand + manteia, prophecy)
stoicheomancy/stoichomancy → see CHARTOMANCY
stolisomancy: by fashion (Greek stolis, garment + manteia, prophecy)
styramancy: by observing patterns produced by chewing gum, gum wax, or products produced by the L. styraciflua
tree.
sycomancy → see PHYLLOMANCY
symbolomancy: by things found on the road (Greeksumbolon, sign + manteia, prophecy)

T
taromancy → see CHARTOMANCY
tasseography/tasseomancy → see PHYLLOMANCY
technomancy: by technology (English techno(logy) + Greek manteia, prophecy)
temurah: → see KABBALAH
tephramancy/tephromancy: → see SPODOMANCY (Greek tephrā, ash + manteia, prophecy)
theomancy: foretelling events, prophecy[13] (Greek theos, god + manteia, prophecy)
theriomancy /ˈθɪərioʊmænsi/: (also zoomancy): by animal behavior (Greekthēr, wild animal + manteia, prophecy)

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

prophecy)
alectryomancy/alectoromancy /əˈlɛktrioʊmænsi, -təroʊ-/: by rooster behavior (Greekalektruōn, cockerel +
manteia, prophecy)
augury: by bird formations[14] (Latin augur, diviner)
hippomancy /ˈhɪpoʊmænsi/: by horse behavior (Greekhippos, horse + manteia, prophecy)
 ichthyomancy /ˈɪkθioʊmænsi/: by fish behavior (Greek
ikhthūs, fish + manteia, prophecy)
myomancy /ˈmaɪoʊmænsi/: by rodent behavior (Greek
mūs, mouse + manteia, prophecy)
myrmomancy /ˈmɜːrmoʊmænsi/: 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 (Greekornīs [ornīth-], bird + -
skopiā, observation)
thumomancy /ˈθjuːmoʊmænsi/: by one's own soul, presage[15]
(Greek thūmos, soul + manteia, prophecy) Russian peasant girls using chicken for
topomancy /ˈtɒpoʊmænsi/: by geography and geological divination. A 19th·centurylubok.
formations (Greek topos, place + manteia, prophecy)
transataumancy: by things accidentally seen or heard
trochomancy /ˈtrɒkoʊmænsi/: by wheel ruts (Greek trokhos, wheel + manteia, prophecy)
turifumy: by shapes in smoke (Latintūs [tūr-], incense + fūmus, vapor)
tyromancy/tiromancy /ˈtaɪəroʊmænsi/: by cheese (Greek tūros, cheese + manteia, prophecy)

U
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)

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

W
water witching → see DOWSING

X
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)[16]

Y
ydromancy1 → see SCRYING
ydromancy2 → see ALOMANCY (from idromancy above, influenced by alomancy)

Z
zoomancy → see THERIOMANCY (Greek zōion, being + manteia, prophecy)
zygomancy: by weights (Greek zugon, yoke, balance + manteia, prophecy)
See also
divination
list of astrological traditions

References
1. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in the Entrails of a sacrificed beast; which was Aruspicina..."
2. Del Rio, Martín Anton. Investigations Into Magic.P.G. Maxwell-Stuart, trans. Reprint ed. Manchester
, U.K.:
Manchester University Press, 2000, p. 160(https://books.google.com/books?id=I2iCYDHYbycC&lpg=P A160&dq=tep
hramancy&pg=PA160#v=onepage&q=tephramancy&f=false); Dunwich, Gerina. Candlelight Spells: The Modern
Witch's Book of Spellcasting, Feasting, and Healing.Secaucus, N.J.: Citadel Press, 1988, p. 51.Cite error: Invalid
<ref> tag; name "DelRio" defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
3. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in the insignificant Speeches of Madmen, supposed to be possessed with a divine
Spirit; which Possession they called Enthusiasm..."
4. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in the aspect of the Stars at their Nativity; which was called Horoscopy
, and
esteemed a part of judiciary Astrology..."
5. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes, in mere Lottery
, as Cross and Pile; counting holes in a sieve; dipping of e
Vrses in
Homer, and Virgil; and innumerable other such vain conceipts..."
6. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in the Lineaments of the face; which was called Metoposcopy
..."
7. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in the Prediction of Witches, that pretended conference with the dead; which is
called Necromancy, Conjuring, and Witchcraft; and is but juggling and confederate knavery
..."
8. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in Monsters, or unusual accidents; as Eclipses, Comets, rare Meteors,
Earthquakes, Inundations, uncouth Births, and the like, which they called Portenta and Ostenta, because they
thought them to portend, or foreshow some great Calamity to come..."
9. Sciences et Voyages No24 Juin 1937 "Divination, magie et tatouages en Bosnie
10. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in...Palmistry in the lines of the hand; in casual words, called Omina..."
11. Buckland, Raymond. The Fortune-Telling Book: The Encyclopediaof Divination and Soothsaying.Detroit, Mich.:
Visible Ink, 2004, p. 102.
12. Not all sources agree that tephramancy and tephromancy are synonyms. Some sources claim that tephramancy
uses only the ash of treebark, while tephromancy may use the ashes of any sacrifice. See: Buckland, The Fortune-
Telling Book: The Encyclopedia of Divinationand Soothsaying, 2004, p. 479; Pickover, Dreaming the Future: The
Fantastic Story of Prediction,2001, p. 183; Dunwich,Candlelight Spells: The Modern Witch's Book of Spellcasting,
Feasting, and Healing,1988, p. 153. Other sources claim that tephramancy utilizes only the ashes of human
sacrificial victims. See:Spence, Lewis. An Encyclopaedia of Occultism.New York: Dodd, Mead, 1920, p. 408(http
s://books.google.com/books?id=e8BZAAAAMAAJ&dq=tephramancy&pg=P A408#v=onepage&q=tephramancy&f=fal
se); Ellison, Robert Lee. The Solitary Druid: Walking the Path of Wisdom and Spirit. New York: Kensington
Publishing Corp., 2005, p. 58(https://books.google.com/books?id=89sXRiQ5_E4C&lpg=P A58&dq=tephramancy&pg
=PA58#v=onepage&q=tephramancy&f=false); Waite, Arthur Edward. A Manual of Cartomancy and Occult Divination.
Reprint ed. Whitefish, Mont.: Kessinger, 1995, p. 236 (https://books.google.com/books?id=gvFetCKKfBYC&lpg=P A2
36&dq=tephramancy&pg=PA236#v=onepage&q=tephramancy&f=false); Robertson, John G. Robertson's Words for
a Modern Age: A Cross Reference of Latin and Greek Combining Elements. Eugene, Ore.: Senior Scribe
Publications, 1991, p. 193.
13. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...and these kinds of foretelling events, were accounted Theomancy or Prophecy
..."
14. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in the Casual flight, or feeding of birds; called Augury
..."
15. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan (1651). "Lastly, to the Prognostics [who] have added innumerable other superstitious
ways of Divination[:]...Sometimes in their own hopes and fears, called Thumomancy, or Presage..."
16. Pickover, Clifford A. Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of Prediction.Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books,
2001, p. 137.

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