CLEROMANCY
Several popular methods of divination involve casting lots, or tossing/dropping objects and making predictions based on the way they land. Known as Cleromancy, this branch of divination can be done with several different objects. Although the results would typically be considered random, those practicing Cleromancy believe the objects land in a particular way for a reason.
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Favomancy
This method of Cleromancy uses beans to predict the future! Having Middle Eastern origins, Favomancy can be used to answer both yes-or-no and open-ended questions. To start, you’ll need a certain number of beans – some ancient methods specified a number, such as 41, but you may choose to use a number that is more significant to you or a randomly selected amount. For yes-or-no questions, just a few beans will do, but for open-ended questions you’ll need at least a handful.
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If you’re looking for an answer to a yes-or-no question, or deciding between two options, you can either select beans (or shells, rocks, etc.) that have a distinct marking/shape on one side, or you can color one of the sides yourself. (Some muggles unknowingly practice this method of divination using coins!) You’ll need an odd number of beans for this method; simply decide ahead of time what each side represents, ask your question, and drop the beans. Whichever side has the majority is your answer!
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For a more open-ended question, select a larger number of beans and cast them onto a surface. Allow the beans to land naturally, then look for patterns and symbols in them! You may find that all of the beans form an image together, or you may find that a small cluster of them form one – there may even be several images in your beans at once!
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Astragalomancy
Some readers use dice for divinatory purposes in a method known as Astragalomancy. Historically, bones with engraved numbers or letters have been used to foretell the future. However, an easy-to-practice method that can be used today simply assigns meaning to each of 21 possible outcomes.
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First, you must write out the numbers 4-24, and next to each number write a possible answer to your question. The answers do not need to be in any particular order – just whatever comes to mind! Four dice are rolled and the resulting numbers are totalled, yielding a number between 4 and 24 which corresponds to one of your answers.
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Rune-Casting
A final and perhaps more well-known type of Cleromancy is rune-casting. Using a variety of layouts, a seer can make predictions based on runic symbols inscribed on small rocks or pebbles. A common runic alphabet used for divination is the Elder Futhark, a set of 24 symbols each representing a different word/idea.
The querent asks a question, then the reader draws one or more runes from a bag, generally reading them in the order they are cast. Some rune layouts prescribe a particular meaning to each position in the layout; for example, a common three-rune spread focuses on past, present, and future; some spreads focus on problems and solutions.
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When a rune is drawn, the meaning needs to be interpreted in the context of the situation. The relationship between the literal meaning and the question that was asked may not be immediately apparent, but by thinking further about the positive/negative connotation of the word, one can often make connections to the question.
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Assignment
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Choose one of the following activities to complete.
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OPTION A: READ AND RESPOND
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Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Your responses must be in your own words. 8 points each
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1. What are some small objects you could use to practice Favomancy, other than those mentioned in the lesson?
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2. If you were practicing Favomancy, how many beans would you use? Why?
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3. If I were using Astragalomancy to answer the question, “What should I do after graduation?”, what are 10 answers that could be assigned to possible outcomes?
4. Which rune would you hope to draw if you asked a question about a competition? Explain your answer.
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5. What might it mean if you drew Dagaz in the “past” position?
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OPTION B: CREATIVE CLEROMANCY
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Cleromancy is not limited to beans, coins, dice, and runes! You can cast many different objects, and the ways to determine meaning from your cast are limitless. Look around your house and find an object(s) you could use for divination. In a paragraph or two (roughly 200-300 words), describe the object and the method you would use for determining meaning! Please be creative in describing your method; it should be unique to those described in this lesson. 40 points