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THERIOMANCY

Animals are often observed in Divination, frequently as symbols representing a particular characteristic. For example, a butterfly represents transformation, a snake represents an enemy, and a lion represents strength. These symbols appear in various branches of Divination, including Tessomancy, Gastromancy, Cleromancy, and Oneiromancy. However, one branch of Divination, Theriomancy, is specifically devoted to studying animal behavior, observing animals more in depth than the face-value meanings they often represent as symbols. Theriomancy is also sometimes referred to as Zoomancy.

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Throughout history, different groups of people (wizards and muggles alike!) have placed importance on different animals, sometimes based on mythology, sometimes based on practical use. Some branches of Theriomancy are derived from these significances, while others have developed over time as a result of observed patterns. The following is a list of sub-branches of Theriomancy:

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  • Ailuromancy – cats

  • Alectryomancy – roosters

  • Hippomancy – horses

  • Ichthyomancy – fish

  • Myomancy – rodents

  • Myrmomancy – ants

  • Nggàm – spiders or crabs

  • Ophidiomancy – snakes

  • Ornithomancy – birds

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Although we will not study all of these branches this year, it is important for you to recognize that they exist. Generally, these animals must be observed in nature in order to divine any useful information from them, and it’s their behavior or movement being studied.

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Ichthyomancy

Divination by fish is a method that was common in ancient times, particularly in the areas of Babylon, China, Greece, and Phoenicia. However, some Seers still practice Ichthyomancy today; in fact, wizards were able to purchase “fortune fish” as recently as 1991 in Diagon Alley, at a store called Praedico Predico.

Some who practiced Ichthyomancy would actually dissect and examine parts of the fish as omens of the future, but others simply studied the movement and behavior of live fish. Typically, a Seer would place a fish in a consecrated bowl, or a bowl specifically intended for divinatory purposes, and observe its behavior.

 

Inspired by Ichthyomancy, muggles have actually created an item called the Fortune Teller Miracle Fish (pictured below). Muggles will put this plastic fish in the palm of their hand and then determine their fortune based on its movement.

Myomancy

This method of divination observes the behavior of mice and rats as omens for the future. Myomancy was most popularly used in ancient Rome, Egypt, and Assyria, but readings and supplies have been available in Diagon Alley as recently as 1992 at a shop called Marcus Minugius Myomancer.

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In particular, certain behaviors are believed to indicate evil or misfortune. These behaviors include making shrieking noises or causing destruction. Seers practicing Myomancy would keep rats or mice in order to monitor their behavior for such occurrences.

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An alternative method of divination by rodents involves freeing a mouse, either by simply opening its cage or by placing it inside of a maze with a path to freedom. Seers using this method would observe the mouse as it escapes the cage or maze and draw omens based on its direction and route.

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Ailuromancy

Cats have been highly revered in many cultures, both muggle and wizard. Cats have been associated with both luck and evil, and therefore it is no surprise that they are commonly used for divinatory purposes.

 

The following are just some of the many cat behaviors observed by Seers practicing Ailuromancy. You’ll notice that many, but not all, of these are predictions about weather, which is a common topic of Ailuromancy.

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  • Sneezing – predicts a happy marriage or an upcoming storm

  • Sitting with its back to fire – predicts cold weather to come

  • Looking out the window – predicts rain to come

  • Curling up with forehead on ground – predicts an upcoming storm

  • Following you – predicts money coming your way

  • Washing behind its ear – predicts visitors are coming

  • Fighting with another cat – predicts death

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Aside from these omens, cats can be used to answer yes or no questions. Simply think of a question and call your cat into the room. Pay attention to which of its paws hits the floor first when it enters; the right forepaw indicates yes, while the left forepaw indicates no.

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Ornithomancy

Throughout ancient history, birds have been observed as omens, considered to predict the future. The ancient Roman term for this was Augury. Divination through birds generally provides omens and signs for the future rather than answering specific questions. However, if the querent has a particular question or concern on his/her mind, it may be that the omen relates to that issue.

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Birds can be observed spontaneously or in a planned session. Seers can interpret the birds’ flight or listen to their calls. Oscines, or birds observed for their singing, include ravens, crows, owls, and hens. The eagle and the vulture, known as Alites, can be observed for their flying patterns.

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You may read chapter 7 of your textbook, Symbology for Seers, for more information regarding the flight patterns and songs that may be observed and their meanings.

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The birds’ color(s) may provide additional insight, beyond what is derived from the flight patterns and songs. The following colors are associated with certain signs as mentioned below:

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  • Red – good luck

  • Orange – excitement

  • Yellow – warning

  • Green – adventure

  • Blue – love

  • White – happiness

  • Gray – peace

  • Brown – good health

  • Black – danger

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Assignment

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Choose one of the following activities to complete.

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OPTION A: SLIDESHOW

 

Create a slideshow summarizing the four methods of Theriomancy described in this lesson. Please be sure to put the information into your own words; you should not simply copy-paste information from the lesson! Your slideshow should be at least 10 slides long. Please include images and make your slideshow visually appealing. 40 points

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OPTION B: READ AND RESPOND
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Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Your responses must be in your own words. 5 points each

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1. Name at least two other animals that may appear as symbols in Divination. What might they represent? Explain the connection between each animal and the trait it represents; i.e. a butterfly represents transformation because it transforms from a caterpillar.

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2. Theriomancy involves observing animals in their natural environments. How would you ensure that you do not interfere with the environment while making your observations?

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3. Muggle convention such as the Fortune Teller Miracle Fish often have roots in magic. How might the predictions of the Fortune Teller Miracle Fish relate to actual Ichthyomancy?

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4. Which method(s) of Theriomancy can be used to answer yes or no questions? Briefly describe this process.

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5. What are birds observed for their singing called?

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6. What would it mean to observe an Alite whose direction changed while flying?

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7. What do the birds that are used for Ornithomancy have in common? Why do you suppose this is?

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8. As a Seer, what type of animal(s) would you keep? What would you expect to learn from them?

ABOUT PROFESSOR Isabella

A Ravenclaw Alumna, Isabella has been a member of myHogwarts since Year 48. Graduating in Year 57, she served as a Prefect, a Quidditch Captain and a Head Student during her student years. As an Alumni, you can find her gazing at crystal balls or looking at tarot cards to see if something major or minor is about to happen. However, given that her true nature lies with the Department of Mysteries, where she works as an Unspeakable, no one shall ever know what she sees. Apart from the aforementioned positions, Isabella also works as a Mugwump, a Book Duster in the Hogwarts Library, a Co-Curator in the Godric's Hollow Museum, a Duelling Referee, a Quidditch Assistant, a DMLE Officer and a Quibbler Reporter.

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