Forms of Prophecy

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 88829

Iggy, de-cloaking for a long minute:

Ok all, I was puttering around and reading through my copy of the
"Beyond the Supernatural" rulebook from Palladium Games, and found the
section on Divination.  I thought I'd send this in to the list since, in
my experience, Palladium Games is *very* thorough and accurate in their
research.

Here's what they have listed as examples... some we have seen in the
Harry Potter books, and some we haven't.  (Which also makes me wonder if
they cover some of them in the advanced divination classes.)  I will add
in a comment or two (bracketed by "*"), but everything else is from the
"Beyond the Supernatural" rulebook by Randy McCall & Kevin Siembieda.

Please also realize that, these are listed only in their pertaining to
divination.  Some aspects, like ones I point out on occasion, are not
divinatory aspects, so aren't listed in this section of the book.

Iggy McSnurd
(Who realizes that he is still posting a bit to the main list, but is
keeping cloaked unless something *really* sparks his interest.)


DIVINATION FORMS TABLE:
(found in "Beyond the Supernatural", 1988 ed., pgs. 86-87)

Arithmancy:  The use of numbers, either in patterns which reoccur around
the person or selected randomly, to tell their past or predict their
future.  See also Numerology.  (*It's funny that this is Hermione's
favorite class aside from transfiguration, and it's a form of
divination... which she has little respect for.  It should also be
noted, however, that Arithmancy is also a form of magic that utilizes
magical formulae or "magic squares" to invoke magical power, which is
why this aspect probably isn't listed in this divination chart...  I
would also like to note that, going through the files on the OT-Chatter
site, I spotted a theory someone had about the numbers 6, 12, and 24
appearing often in the books and giving hints.  This is a good example
of an Arithmantic theory.*)

Astragalomancy:  Divination by the use of dice or marked pieces of bone.
This technique includes the Viking system of "casting the runes" and the
casting of human and animal knucklebones used by African witch doctors.

Belomancy:  Foretelling the future by throwing arrows to the ground and
observing the pattern they form.  This particular technique would be
well suited to primitive or modern, bow-using cultures.

Cartomancy:  This form of divination is done literally by the "turn of a
card."  It uses special decks of cards, known as Tarot, but can also be
done with a regular deck of playing cards.  Each card is ascribed a
specific meaning and are laid in a pattern.  Meditation on the cards and
the pattern they form give the divination.  Cartomancy has always been
one of the most popular kinds of fortune-telling and has existed from
the time of the Pharaohs of Egypt.  (*Personally, I use the "Tarot of
the Cat People" rather than the more widely known "Ryder - Waite Tarot
Deck."  For me, it's not only prettier, but it's easier for me to tune
into the Cat People deck.  I'm also a firm believer that you can "pull"
an "advice" card when you need it as a single card... but that you never
do an actual reading for yourself or your immediate family, since you
are too close to the subject, which clouds and taints the reading.*)

Cephalomancy:  This divinatory skill uses the bumps and depressions
which can be found on a person's skull to predict their future.  It is
vaguely related to Palmistry in that a person's entire future is
supposed to be written on their body.  (*It is a close relative of
"Phrenology," which hypothesizes that you can use the bumps and
depressions to indicate what kind of a person the subject is.*)

Chiromancy:  Also known as Palmistry, this art teaches the user to read
the future in the lines found in the palms of the questioner's hands.
Each line is supposed to govern one particular area of life, including
Life, Love, and Fortune.  (*Many purists believe that you can only
accurately read the left hand, as it is closer to the heart and,
therefore, shows a person's destiny and past more clearly.  It is the
same reason a Tarot reader will usually have you cut the deck with your
left hand as well.*)

Crystalomancy:  Another very common form of divination, this technique
uses a crystal ball as an aid for seeing into the future.  There are
many arguments among experts as to whether the answers/visions actually
appear within the crystal or just within the mind of the seer, who uses
the crystal only as a focus.  (*Personally I believe that it's the
second... a focus.  IMHO, all forms of divination are methods to tap
into one's inner sight, and to link with the spirit world or one's
higher power for advice and insight.  And this also goes for the forms I
do, and have, practiced.*)

Empromancy:  This is divination by the studying of objects placed within
a sacrificial fire, especially as to any shapes or forms seen in the
smoke or fire itself.

Geomancy:  Divination by tossing pebbles on the ground and analyzing the
pattern they form.  The pebbles can either be special ceremonial stones,
or they can simply be a handful of stones picked up on a beach.  (*This
is also the study of "lines of power", also known as "ley lines,"
"dragon lines," or "spirit lines."  It is one of the most important
forms of divination in many parts of Asia.  In China, virtually no
building is constructed without first consulting with a Geomancer to
ensure that the building will not interfere with the harmony of these
lines.*)

Hydromancy:  This skill requires the use of a small pool of water in
which the seer analyses the ripples and disturbances of the pool itself.
(*Some also feel that a "seer" can use a wide and shallow, silver basin
when a pool is not available.*)

Icthyomancy:  Very popular in cultures which depend on fish for
existence, this is divination by the examination of the entrails of a
fish.

Kleidomancy:  By suspending a pendulum over an alphabet and asking
questions, the pendulum is supposed to spell out the answers.  A cousin
to this skill today is the modern Ouija board.  (*It's interesting to
note that "oui" is French for "yes", and "ja" is German for "yes" as
well...*)

Lecanomancy:  One of the most beautiful and most expensive of the
divinatory arts, gems are dropped into still pools of water and the
ripples they create are analyzed for hints about the future.

Molybdomancy:  This is divination by observing the pattern formed by
molten lead after it has been dropped onto a smooth surface.

Numerology:  A very popular form of divination for the last hundred
years or so, this art analyzes numbers connected to a person's name and
date of birth, using a very stringent system for reducing alphabetical
names to numbers.

Pessomancy:  This is divination by observing the size, shape, texture,
etc., of a pebble drawn randomly from a pile.  

Phyllorhodomancy:  Taking literally the old saw that each flower carries
a message, this technique analyzes the pattern formed by the petals and
leaves of a rose to divine the future.

Pyromancy:  According to practitioners of this technique, by analyzing a
fire, paying special attention to the flames and any smoke or sparks,
the future can be told.  (*It is also said by others, that looking at
shapes found in the embers of a still burning fire, and also by how long
the image in the ember lasts, one can see more clearly.  Personally, the
ember method is one I follow a little more closely, while still paying
attention to the rest.  When you think about it... this, or empromancy,
is what Dumbledore used in the office when he was watching the smoke and
asking about "in essence divided?"*)

Tasseography:  This is the reading of tea leaves; a specialty of old
women in tea houses and restaurants around the world.

Xylomancy:  This technique analyzes the pattern of spikes thrown on the
ground.  Somewhat related to Belomancy,, the best known example of this
system is the Chinese "I Ching," or Book of Changes, system.