Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard

228 Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard

Rhabdomancy (RAB-doe-MAN-see) (dowsing)—Divi-

nation with sticks or wands called divining rods,

commonly Y-shaped.

Scrying (SKRY-ing) (gazing)—Divination by looking

into water, a mirror, a crystal ball, etc. Crystal ball

gazing has always been a favorite technique among

Wizards.

Taseomancy (TAY-zee-oh-MAN-see) (tea reading)—

Divination by examining the suggestive patterns of

tea leaves left in the bottom of a cup and matching

them with assigned meanings.

In addition, there are numerous techniques that are

not, strictly speaking, divination, but rather intended

to determine a person’s character. Casting a natal horo-

scope can be used for this purpose, as well as palm

reading. Some other approaches are:

Graphology (gra-FOL-oh-gee, handwriting

analysis)—Determining a person’s charac-

ter by analyzing their handwriting.

Phrenology (fre-NOL-oh-gee, head)—Inter-

preting a person’s character by analyzing

the shape and lumpiness of their skull.

Physiognomy (FIZ-ee-AH-no-mee, appear-

ance)—Interpreting a person’s character by

analyzing their facial and bodily features.

Lesson 3: Augury

(Reading Omens)

Rather than doing something and then interpreting or

“reading” the results, as in most of the above-listed

mantic arts, augury involves interpreting spontane-

ous occurrences and events in Nature, such as the

shapes of clouds or the flight of birds. These are called

omens (“signs”), and to say that something seems

ominous is to say “the signs look bad.”

Birds in particular have captured the attention

and imagination of people throughout history, for their

miraculous power of flight. The word auspice, another

word for omen, derives from a Latin word meaning

“observer of birds.” In ornithomancy (or-NITH-o-

man-see, “bird divination”) the type of bird, how high

it flies, the direction of flight, and whether or not it

sings in the air are all considered. Some species are

“naturally propitious,” others are invariably “of ill

omen,” and the significance of certain birds depends

upon circumstances and the person by whom they are

seen.

Flight is especially important. A bird flying high

with outstretched wings is a favorable sign; one that

flies low with irregular wing-beats is unfavorable. If a

bird appears to the right (East) of someone facing

North, that is a good sign; and the contrary if it ap-

pears to the West (left—sinister originally simply meant

“left”). A bird’s song is judged according to its vol-

ume and frequency. Even the feathers of birds that

may be dropped and found have significance. All

birds—particularly birds of prey—are capable of pro-

viding portents, and eventually the very word for bird

(ornis) came to mean “portent.” Four species above all

are esteemed for their prophetic significance: the eagle

and vulture of Zeus, Apollo’s raven, and Hera’s crow.

A Few Forms of Augury

Aeromancy (AIR-oh-MAN-see) (air)—

Interpreting events in the air and sky, such as

clouds, fog, rainbows, etc.

Apanthomancy (ah-PAN-tho-MAN-see)

(animals)—Interpreting random encounters

with animals, as a black cat meaning bad luck.

Austromancy (AW-stro-MAN-see) (wind)—

Interpreting the force and directions of wind.

Capnomancy (KAP-no-MAN-see) (smoke)—In-

terpreting patterns of smoke rising from a fire.

Ceraunoscopy (seh-RON-oh-SCO-pee) (thun-

der) —Interpreting thunder and lightning.

Hydromancy (HY-dro-MAN-see) (water)—

Interpreting water, including movement,

color, tides, and ripples.

Meteoromancy (ME-tee-OR-oh-MAN-see)

(meteors)—Interpreting meteors by their

direction, brightness, and the constellations

in which they appear.

Ornithomancy (or-NITH-oh-MAN-see) (birds)

—Interpreting the flight, calls, etc. of birds.

Xylomancy (ZY-low-MAN-see) (wood)—

Interpreting found pieces of wood by shape,

size, and flammability.

Traditional Augury Lore

Aeromancy (air and sky):

(The critical times for observation are sunrise and sunset.)

“Red sky at morning, sailors take warning; red sky

at night, sailor’s delight.”

A hazy sun in the morning is the forerunner of a damp

afternoon.

High fluffy clouds over the sky with a West wind por-

tend fair weather.

Gray-yellow clouds, or murky vaporous ones that

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