Post by Nox on Jun 29, 2016 1:09:39 GMT
Divination and prophecy were pretty important in ancient Greece for understanding the will of the Theoi. The Theoi Mantikoi are those theoi who hold domain over prophecy. This includes Apollo/n, Zeus, Hermes, and various other theoi at specific cult locations where they were said to have oracles.
There were two main sources for interpreting the will of the theoi. Oracles and Manteis. Oracles were considered to receive prophecy directly from the theoi. Where a mantis would have to decipher signs in order to divine an answer. While an oracle was considered more reliable, manteis were more plentiful and accessible to people. It was common practice to ask multiple questions of a mantis to determine the consistency of the results.
Divination is still a useful tool for modern Hellenic polytheists. There are near countless methods of divination available to us. Tarot, reading tea leaves, shufflemancy, and so much more. For now, let’s take a look at some of the methods of divination that were used by the ancient Greeks.
Astrology:
Astraios is the titan of the stars, and considered the god of prophecy via astrology. Astrology came to Greece from Babylon, and focused on reading the movement of the stars and horoscopes to determine the past, present, and future.
Kledon:
Kledon is a form of omen deciphering based off of words. Being attributed to Hermes, kledon could be practiced by deciphering omens from random words you could hear from other conversations. One method is to walk into a market place with your ears covered, and find your omen from the first thing you hear upon uncovering your ears, after having whispered your question at a temple of Hermes. Pythagoreans were particularly fond of using kledon, and even had words which should be avoided as they invoked bad luck.
Kleromancy:
Kleromancy is divination based off of the drawing of lots. Pebbles, beans, bones, and dice all could be used. Though the use of pebbles is also known as pessomancy, and the use of sheep knuckle bones is called astraglomancy. Knuckle bones would commonly be carved into four sided dice.
The items used in kleromancy could have symbols, letters, images, numbers, or colors on the different sides. Those could all be interpreted to answer questions and figure out omens from the theoi.
Oneiromancy:
Oneiromancy is a form of divination using dreams to determine the future.
Philostratus wrote of Apollonius as saying “The faculty of divination by means of dreams is the divinest and most godlike of human faculties, the soul detects the truth all the more easily when it is not muddied by wine, but accepts the message unstained and scans it carefully … If the vision was seen I the first sleep or at midnight, when the soul is still immersed in the lees of wine and muddied thereby, they [the interpreters of dreams] decline to make any suggestions, if they are wise. And that the gods also are of this opinion, and that they commit the faculty of oracular response to souls which are sober “ and “inducing dreams in those who consult him, and the priests take a man who wishes to consult him, and they prevent his eating for one day, and from drinking wine for three, in order that he may imbibe the oracles with his soul in a condition of utter transparence. But if wine were a good drug of sleep, then the wise Amphiaraos would have bidden his votaries to adopt the opposite regimen, and would have had them carried into his shrine as full of wine as leathern flagons.”
This Indicates that oneiromancy should be conducted without alcohol in your system. If you’re to follow what Philostratus says then you could abstain from alcohol for three days and fast for one day prior to seeking prophecy via oneiromancy. Fasting isn’t practical for everyone though, and be aware of your own health and limits.
Ornithomancy:
Ornithomancy is a form of divination where omens are deciphered from the flight and songs of birds. It focused mainly on the behavior of large, predatory birds. One example being when an eagle foretells the return of Odysseus. However smaller birds and farm fowl could also be used for divination. The species of bird, their flight, the way the landed and settled themselves, as well as their cries were all of important note for determining omens. A crow flying to the left indicated cause to stop a journey or activity. Other examples of signs in Ornithomancy include:
Pessomancy:
Pessomancy is the art of divination via pebbles. Hermes presided over the rustic art of divination by pebbles, practiced in the highlands by shepherds and cattle-herders. He was said to have learned the art from the Thriai.
Pebbles used for pessomancy should be approximately the same size. Pebbles may be marked with symbols, letters, numbers, or even colors. Draw pebbles from a container or toss them and decipher omens. You can determine omens by looking at visible symbols, or by finding meaningful shapes in the way the pebbles land.
Offering honey to the Thriai before attempting divination with pessomancy may give more favorable results. Homer wrote “And when they are inspired through eating yellow honey, they are willing to speak truth; but if they be deprived of the gods’ sweet food, then they speak falsely, as they swarm in and out together. These, then, I give you; inquire of them strictly and delight your heart: and if you should teach any mortal so to do, often will he hear your response - if he have good fortune.” about the Thriai, Hermes, and pessomancy.
Pyromancy:
Amphiaraos is credited with having invented divination with fire. Pyromancy can be practiced by observing shapes and images in flame, or by burning things such as laurel leaves and observing the smoke for omens.
[SOURCE]
There were two main sources for interpreting the will of the theoi. Oracles and Manteis. Oracles were considered to receive prophecy directly from the theoi. Where a mantis would have to decipher signs in order to divine an answer. While an oracle was considered more reliable, manteis were more plentiful and accessible to people. It was common practice to ask multiple questions of a mantis to determine the consistency of the results.
Divination is still a useful tool for modern Hellenic polytheists. There are near countless methods of divination available to us. Tarot, reading tea leaves, shufflemancy, and so much more. For now, let’s take a look at some of the methods of divination that were used by the ancient Greeks.
Astrology:
Astraios is the titan of the stars, and considered the god of prophecy via astrology. Astrology came to Greece from Babylon, and focused on reading the movement of the stars and horoscopes to determine the past, present, and future.
Kledon:
Kledon is a form of omen deciphering based off of words. Being attributed to Hermes, kledon could be practiced by deciphering omens from random words you could hear from other conversations. One method is to walk into a market place with your ears covered, and find your omen from the first thing you hear upon uncovering your ears, after having whispered your question at a temple of Hermes. Pythagoreans were particularly fond of using kledon, and even had words which should be avoided as they invoked bad luck.
Kleromancy:
Kleromancy is divination based off of the drawing of lots. Pebbles, beans, bones, and dice all could be used. Though the use of pebbles is also known as pessomancy, and the use of sheep knuckle bones is called astraglomancy. Knuckle bones would commonly be carved into four sided dice.
The items used in kleromancy could have symbols, letters, images, numbers, or colors on the different sides. Those could all be interpreted to answer questions and figure out omens from the theoi.
Oneiromancy:
Oneiromancy is a form of divination using dreams to determine the future.
Philostratus wrote of Apollonius as saying “The faculty of divination by means of dreams is the divinest and most godlike of human faculties, the soul detects the truth all the more easily when it is not muddied by wine, but accepts the message unstained and scans it carefully … If the vision was seen I the first sleep or at midnight, when the soul is still immersed in the lees of wine and muddied thereby, they [the interpreters of dreams] decline to make any suggestions, if they are wise. And that the gods also are of this opinion, and that they commit the faculty of oracular response to souls which are sober “ and “inducing dreams in those who consult him, and the priests take a man who wishes to consult him, and they prevent his eating for one day, and from drinking wine for three, in order that he may imbibe the oracles with his soul in a condition of utter transparence. But if wine were a good drug of sleep, then the wise Amphiaraos would have bidden his votaries to adopt the opposite regimen, and would have had them carried into his shrine as full of wine as leathern flagons.”
This Indicates that oneiromancy should be conducted without alcohol in your system. If you’re to follow what Philostratus says then you could abstain from alcohol for three days and fast for one day prior to seeking prophecy via oneiromancy. Fasting isn’t practical for everyone though, and be aware of your own health and limits.
Ornithomancy:
Ornithomancy is a form of divination where omens are deciphered from the flight and songs of birds. It focused mainly on the behavior of large, predatory birds. One example being when an eagle foretells the return of Odysseus. However smaller birds and farm fowl could also be used for divination. The species of bird, their flight, the way the landed and settled themselves, as well as their cries were all of important note for determining omens. A crow flying to the left indicated cause to stop a journey or activity. Other examples of signs in Ornithomancy include:
- Any bird in flight could be interpreted by the direction of its flight. A very active bird meant strong action would be needed. Flight to the the east was propitious, but flight toward the west was a bad omen.
- If the bird flew back and forth low to the ground, The omen was unlucky. Horizontal flight in one direction meant some purpose would be revealed.
- Birds flying from the left to the right, crossing the path of the observer, is a fortunate omen while flight from the right to the left is unfortunate. Birds in flight that appear to head straight toward the observer are thought to bring good luck with them, but if they are flying away, they will take your good fortune with them.
- Birds seen on the left, whether they are in flight or perched, are unlucky, particularly if they are dark in color. A light colored bird diminishes the magnitude of the misfortune… and vice versa. A bird on the right is fortunate, but if it is dark in color, the sign is becomes weaker.
- If a bird suddenly changes its direction, this is a warning to be be on guard against an enemy’s sudden attack.
- The height of a bird’s flight affects the strength of the omen. The greater the height, the more favorable the indication.
Pessomancy:
Pessomancy is the art of divination via pebbles. Hermes presided over the rustic art of divination by pebbles, practiced in the highlands by shepherds and cattle-herders. He was said to have learned the art from the Thriai.
Pebbles used for pessomancy should be approximately the same size. Pebbles may be marked with symbols, letters, numbers, or even colors. Draw pebbles from a container or toss them and decipher omens. You can determine omens by looking at visible symbols, or by finding meaningful shapes in the way the pebbles land.
Offering honey to the Thriai before attempting divination with pessomancy may give more favorable results. Homer wrote “And when they are inspired through eating yellow honey, they are willing to speak truth; but if they be deprived of the gods’ sweet food, then they speak falsely, as they swarm in and out together. These, then, I give you; inquire of them strictly and delight your heart: and if you should teach any mortal so to do, often will he hear your response - if he have good fortune.” about the Thriai, Hermes, and pessomancy.
Pyromancy:
Amphiaraos is credited with having invented divination with fire. Pyromancy can be practiced by observing shapes and images in flame, or by burning things such as laurel leaves and observing the smoke for omens.
[SOURCE]