Divination Methods

A

abacomancy /ˈæbəkɵmænsi/: by dust (Hebrew ’ābāq, dust + Greek manteia, prophecy)

acultomancy /əˈkʌltɵmænsi/ (also acutomancy): by needles (from acutomancy below, influenced by Latin acūleus, needle)

acutomancy /əˈkjuːtɵmænsi/ → see acultomancy above (Latin acus [acut-], needle + Greek manteia, prophecy)

adromancy /ˈædrɵmænsi/ → see alomancy below (from idromancy below, influenced by alomancy)

adryomancy→ see hydromancy below (metathesis of hydromancy)

aeromancy /ˈɛərɵmænsi/: by atmospheric conditions (Greek āēr, air + manteia, prophecy)

agalmatomancy /əˈɡɔːlmətɵmænsi/:^{[citation needed]} by statues (Greek agalma [agalmat-], statue + manteia, prophecy)

aichmomancy /ˈɛkmɵmænsi/: by sharp objects (Greek aikhmē, spearhead + manteia, prophecy)

ailuromancy/aeluromancy → see under theriomancy below

alectormancy/alectromancy /əˈlɛktrɵmænsi/: by rooster sacrifice (Greek alektor, rooster + manteia, prophecy)

alectryomancy/alectoromancy → see under theriomancy below

aleuromancy¹ /əˈljʊərɵmænsi/: by flour; see also under chartomancy below (Greek aleuron, meal + manteia, prophecy)

alomancy/Halomancy /ˈælɵmænsi/ (also adromancy): by salt (Greek hals, salt + manteia, prophecy)

alphitomancy /ˈælfɨtɵmænsi/: by barley (Greek alphis [alphit-], barley + manteia, prophecy)

alveromancy /ælˈvɪərɵmænsi/:^{[citation needed]} by sounds

amathomancy /ˈæməθɵmænsi/: by sand (Greek amathos, sandy soil + manteia, prophecy)

ambulomancy /ˈæmbjʊlɵmænsi/: by walking (Latin ambulāre, to walk + Greek manteia, prophecy)

amniomancy /ˈæmni.ɵmænsi/: by placenta (Greek amniōn, amnion + manteia, prophecy)

anemoscopy/anemomancy /ˌænɨˈmɒskɵpi/: by wind (Greek anemos, wind + -skopiā, observation)

anthomancy /ˈænθɵmænsi/: by flowers (Greek anthos, flower + manteia, prophecy)

anthropomancy /ænˈθrɒpɵmænsi/: by human sacrifice (Greek anthrōpos, human being + manteia, prophecy)

anthroposcopy /ænθrɵˈpɒskɵpi/: by physical appearance (Greek anthrōpos, human being + -skopiā, observation)

anthracomancy /ˈænθrəkɵmænsi/: by burning coals (Greek anthrax [anthrak-], charcoal + manteia, prophecy)

apantomancy /əˈpæntɵmænsi/: by chance encounters with animals (Greek apantein, to encounter + manteia, prophecy)

arachnomancy /əˈræknɵmænsi/: by spiders (Greek arakhnē, spider + manteia, prophecy)

archeomancy/archaeomancy /ˈɑrki.ɵmænsi/: by sacred relics (Greek arkhaios, ancient + manteia, prophecy)

ariolation /ˌæriɵˈleɪʃən/: by altars (Latin ariolus, hariolus, prophet)

armomancy /ˈɑrmɵmænsi/: by one’s own shoulders (Latin armus, shoulder + Greek manteia, prophecy)

aruspicina: study of entrails

aspidomancy /ˈæspɨdɵmænsi/: by sitting in a drawn circle (Greek aspis [aspid-], shield + manteia, prophecy)

astragalomancy/astragalamancy → see under cleromancy below

astragyromancy → see under cleromancy below (from astragalomancy above, perhaps influenced by Greek guros, spiral, circle, and therefore vertebra)

astrapomancy /ˈæstrəpɵmænsi/: by lightning (Greek astrapē, lightning flash + manteia, prophecy)

astrology/astromancy/astroscopy /əˈstrɒlɵdʒi/: by celestial bodies (Greek astron, star + -logiā, study)

augury /ˈɔːɡjʊri/ → see under theriomancy below

auramancy /ˈɔːrəmænsi/: by auras (Greek aurā, breath + manteia, prophecy)

auspicy/auspication → see under theriomancy below (Latin avis, bird + specere, to look at)

austromancy → see under theriomancy below, /ˈɔːstrɵmænsi/: by wind (Latin auster, south wind + Greek manteia, prophecy)

avimancy → see orniscopy below (Latin avis, bird + Greek manteia, prophecy)

axiomancy/axinomancy /ˈæksi.ɵmænsi/: by axes (Latin axis, axis + manteia, prophecy)

B

batraquomancy/batrachomancy /bəˈtrækɵmænsi/: by frogs (Greek batrakhos, frog + manteia, prophecy)

belomancy/bolomancy /ˈbɛlɵmænsi/: by arrows (from bolomancy below, influenced by Greek belemnon, javelin, or belonē, needle)

bibliomancy → see chartomancy below

biorhythmic divination: by biorhythms

bletonism/bletonomancy /ˈblɛtənɪzm/: by water current (named for Monsieur Bleton, a French bletonist)

bolomancy /ˈbɒlɵmænsi/ → see belomancy above (Greek bolē, arrow + manteia, prophecy)

botanomancy /bɵˈtænɵmænsi/: by burning sage or figs (Greek botanē, flora + manteia, prophecy)

brizomancy → see oneiromancy below (Greek brizein, to be sleepy + manteia, prophecy)

brontomancy/brontoscopy /ˈbrɒntɵmænsi/: by thunder (Greek brontē, thunder + manteia, prophecy)

bumpology /bʌmˈpɒlɵdʒi/: by bumps on the skin (English bump + Greek -logiā, study)

C

cabala → see kabbalah below

canomancy /ˈkænɵmænsi/ or /ˈkeɪnɵmænsi/: by dogs (Latin canis, dog + Greek manteia, prophecy)

capnomancy /ˈkæpnɵmænsi/: by smoke (Greek kapnos, smoke + manteia, prophecy)

libanomancy /laɪˈbænɵmænsi/: by smoke or ash from incense (Greek libanos, frankincense + manteia, prophecy)^[2]

carromancy /ˈkærɵmænsi/: by melting wax (Greek karrō, of wax + manteia, prophecy)

cartopedy → see under somatomancy below (Latin carta, papyrus paper + pēs [pēd-], foot)

cartomancy → see under chartomancy below

catoptromancy/captromancy → see under scrying below

causimancy/causimomancy /ˈkɔːzɨmænsi/: by burning (Greek kaiein [kaus-], to burn + manteia, prophecy)

cephalomancy → see under somatomancy below

cephaleonomancy/cephalonomancy/ˌsɛfəliˈɒnɵmænsi/: by boiling a donkey’s head (Greek kephalaion, head [with meaning influenced by Greek onos, donkey] + manteia, prophecy)

ceraunoscopy /ˌsɛrəˈnɒskɵpi/: by thunder and lightning (Greek keraunos, thunderbolt + -skopiā, observation)

ceromancy/ceroscopy /ˈsɛrɵmænsi/: by dripping wax in water (Greek kēros, wax + manteia, prophecy)

chalcomancy: by striking gongs or copper bowls (Greek khalkos, copper + manteia, prophecy)

chaomancy /ˈkeɪ.ɵmænsi/: by aerial visions (Greek khaos, primordial space + manteia, prophecy)

chartomancy /ˈkɑrtɵmænsi/: by things on paper (Greek khartēs, papyrus paper + manteia, prophecy)

cartomancy /ˈkɑrtɵmænsi/: by cards (Latin carta, papyrus paper + Greek manteia, prophecy)

taromancy/tarotmancy /ˈtærɵmænsi/: by tarot (English tarot + Greek manteia, prophecy)

stichomancy /ˈstɪkɵmænsi/: by books or lines (Greek stikhos, line of verse + manteia, prophecy)

aleuromancy² /əˈljʊərɵmænsi/: by fortune cookies (of the same origin as aleuromancy¹ above)

bibliomancy /ˈbɪbliɵmænsi/: by the Bible (Greek biblion, book + manteia, prophecy)

I Ching divination: by the I Ching or the accompanying I Ching manual

stoicheomancy/stoichomancy: by the Iliad and the Odyssey or the Aeneid (Greek stoikheion, element + manteia, prophecy; to the Greeks, Homer‘s writings were held in similar esteem to the Christian Bible or the Muslim Quran, as were Virgil‘s writings to the Romans, making them the basic — or elementary — reading material in each culture)

cheiromancy/chiromancy→ see under somatomancy below

cheirognomy/chirognomy → see under somatomancy below

chien tung → see kau cim below

choriomancy /ˈkɒri.ɵmænsi/: by pig bladders (Greek khorion, placenta + mantiea, prophecy)

chresmomancy /ˈkrɛsmɵmænsi/: by the ravings of lunatics (Greek khrēsmos, oracular utterance, chresm + manteia, prophecy)

chronomancy /ˈkrɒnɵmænsi/: by apt occasion (Greek khronos, time + manteia, prophecy)

cineromancy/ceneromancy → see under spodomancy below /ˈsɪnərɵmænsi/ (Latin cinis [ciner-], ashes + Greek manteia, prophecy)

clamancy (see also Fāl-gūsh): by random shouts and cries heard in crowds, at night, etc. (Latin clāmāre, to cry out + Greek manteia, prophecy)

cledonism/cledonomancy /ˈklɛdɵnɪzm/: by chance events or overheard words (Greek klēdon, rumor)

cleidomancy/clidomancy /ˈklaɪdɵmænsi/: by keys (Greek kleis [kleid-], key + manteia, prophecy)

cleromancy /ˈklɛrɵmænsi/: by casting (Greek klēros, lot + manteia, prophecy)

astragalomancy/astragalamancy /əˈstræɡəlɵmænsi/ (also cubomancy): by dice (Greek astragalos, vertebra + manteia, prophecy)

domino divination: by dominoes

favomancy /ˈfævɵmænsi/: by beans (Latin faba, bean + Greek manteia, prophecy)

Ogham casting: by Ogham letters

runecasting/Runic divination: by runes

cometomancy /kɵˈmɛtɵmænsi/: by comet tails (Greek komētēs, comet + manteia, prophecy)

colormancy/coloromancy: by colors (English color + Greek manteia, prophecy)

conchomancy /ˈkɒŋkɵmænsi/: by shells (Greek konkhē, mussel + manteia, prophecy)

cosquinomancy/coscinomancy /kɵˈsɪnɵmænsi/: by hanging sieves (Greek koskinōn, sieve + manteia, prophecy)

cottabomancy/cottobomancy /ˈkɒtəbɵmænsi/: by wine in a brass bowl (Greek kottabos, cottabus + manteia, prophecy)

craniognomy /ˌkreɪniˈɒɡnɵmi/ or /ˌkreɪniˈɒnəmi/ → see under somatomancy below (Greek krānion, skull + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

the crawling baby: by a baby’s crawling

crithomancy/critomancy /ˈkrɪθɵmænsi/: by barley cakes (Greek krithē, barley + manteia, prophecy)

cromnyomancy/cromniomancy /ˈkrɒmni.ɵmænsi/: by onion sprouts (alteration of Greek krommuon, onion + manteia, prophecy)

cryptomancy /ˈkrɪptɵmænsi/: by omens (Greek kruptos, hidden + manteia, prophecy)

cryomancy /ˈkrɪptɵmænsi/: by ice (Greek kryo, ice )

crystal ball gazing → see under scrying below

crystal gazing → see under scrying below

crystallomancy /ˈkrɪstəlɵmænsi/ → see under scrying below (Greek krustallos, crystal + manteia, prophecy)

cubomancy /ˈkjuːbɵmænsi/ → see under cleromancy above (Greek kubos, cube + manteia, prophecy)

cyathomancy /ˈsaɪ.əθɵmænsi/: by cups (Greek kuathos, cup + manteia, prophecy)

cybermancy /ˈsaɪbərmænsi/: by computer oracles (English cyber(netics) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

cyclicomancy /ˈsɪklɨkɵmænsi/: by swirling water in a cup (Greek kuklikos, cyclical, circular + manteia, prophecy)

cyclomancy /ˈsɪklɵmænsi/ or /ˈsaɪklɵmænsi/: by wheels (Greek kuklos, circle + manteia, prophecy)

D

dactyliomancy /dækˈtɪliɵmænsi/: by finger rings (Greek daktulios, finger ring + manteia, prophecy)

dactylomancy /ˈdæktɨlɵmænsi/ : by means of finger movements (Greek daktulos, finger + manteia, prophecy)

daphnomancy /ˈdæfnɵmænsi/: by burning laurel wreaths (Greek daphnē, laurel + manteia, prophecy)

demonomancy /dɨˈmɒnɵmænsi/: by demons (Greek daimōn, divine power + manteia, prophecy)

dendromancy /ˈdɛndrɵmænsi/: by trees, especially oaks, yews, or mistletoe (Greek dendron, tree + manteia, prophecy)

deuteroscopy /ˌdjuːtəˈrɒskɵpi/: by second glance or double take (Greek deuteros, secondary + -skopiā, observation)

dictiomancy /ˈdɪkʃɵmænsi/: by randomly opening a dictionary (English dictio(nary) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

divining → see dowsing below

djubed → see under scrying below

dōbutsu uranai: by animal horoscope (Japanese dōbutsu, animal + uranai, prognostication)

domino divination → see under cleromancy above

dowsing (also divining, water witching): by a divining rod (of unknown origin)

dracomancy /ˈdrækɵmænsi/: by dragons (Greek drakōn, dragon + manteia, prophecy)

dream questions: by dreaming

dririmancy/driromancy /ˈdrɪərɨmænsi/: by dripping blood (alteration of drimimancy, influenced by Middle English drir, blood)

drimimancy/drymimancy /ˈdrɪmɨmænsi/: by bodily fluids (Greek drimus, pungent + manteia, prophecy)

E

eleomancy/elaeomancy: by oil (Greek elaion, olive oil + manteia, prophecy)

emonomancy → see demonomancy above^{[citation needed]}

empirimancy: by experiment/experience

empyromancy /ɛmˈpaɪrɵmænsi/: by burning (Greek empurios, fiery + manteia, prophecy)

enochian chess: by playing a four·handed variant of the game

enoptromancy /ɛˈnɒptrɵmænsi/ → see under scrying below (Greek enoptron, looking glass + manteia, prophecy)

enthusiasm: speeches by those supposed to be possessed by a divine spirit ^[3]

entomomancy/entomancy: by insects (Greek entomon, insect + manteia, prophecy)

eromancy /ˈɛrɵmænsi/: by water vessels exposed to air (Greek āēr, air + manteia, prophecy) — cf. aeromancy

extispicy/extispication /ɛkˈstɪspɨsi/: by the remains of sacrificed animals (Latin exta, entrails + specere, to look at)

F

favomancy → see under cleromancy above

felidomancy → see under theriomancy below (Latin fēlēs [fēlid-], cat + Greek manteia, prophecy)

feng shui → see under geomancy below

floriography/floromancy /ˌflɔriˈɒɡrəfi/: by flowers’ feelings (Latin flōs [flōr-], flower + Greek -graphiā, representation)

fractomancy /ˈfræktɵmænsi/: by fractals (English fract(al) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

fructomancy/fructimancy: by fruit (Latin frūctus, fruit + Greek manteia, prophecy)

G

galvanoscopy /ˌɡælvəˈnɒskɵpi/: by galvanism (English galvan(ism) + Greek -skopiā, observation)

gastromancy¹ → see under scrying below

gastromancy² /ˈɡæstrɵmænsi/: by guttural sounds (Greek gastēr, belly + manteia, prophecy)

geomancy /ˈdʒiːɵmænsi/: by earth (Greek Gaia|gē, earth + manteia, prophecy)

feng Shui divination: by Feng Shui

geloscopy /dʒɨˈlɒskɵpi/: by laughter (Greek gelōs, laughter + -skopiā, observation)

gematria: by the Hebrew alphabet (Greek gē, earth + -metriā, measurement)

genethlialogy: by birth dates (Greek genethlios, birthday + -logiā, study)

grammomancy /ˈɡræmɵmænsi/: by writing individual letters (Greek gramma, letter + manteia, prophecy)

graphology /ɡræˈfɒlɵdʒi/ (also graptomancy): by studying handwriting (Greek graphē, writing + -logiā, study)

graptomancy /ˈɡræptɵmænsi/ → see graphology above (Greek graptos, written + manteia, prophecy)

gyromancy /ˈdʒaɪrɵmænsi/: by dizziness (Greek gūros, spiral + manteia, prophecy)

H

hagiomancy: by saints (Greek hagios, holy + manteia, prophecy)

halomancy /ˈhælɵmænsi/ → see alomancy above.

hakata: by bones or dice

haruspicy/haruspication /həˈrʌspɨsi/ → see hepatoscopy below (Latin haru-, entrails + specere, to look at)

hematomancy/haematomancy /ˈhɛmətɵmænsi/ or /ˈhiːmətɵmænsi/: by blood (Greek haima [haimat-], blood + manteia, prophecy)

hepatoscopy/hepatomancy /ˈhɛpətɵmænsi/ (also haruspicy, haruspication): by liver (Greek hēpar [hēpat-], liver + -skopiā, observation)

hieromancy/hieroscopy /ˈhaɪrɵmænsi/ or /ˈhaɪərɵmænsi/: by studying sacrifices’ entrails (Greek hieros, holy + manteia, prophecy)

hippomancy → see under theriomancy below.

horoscopy /hɵˈrɒskɵpi/: aspect of the Stars at nativity ^[4] (Greek hōrā, season + -skopiā, observation)

hydatomancy: by rainwater (Greek hudatis, raindrop + manteia, prophecy)

hydromancy/hydroscopy → see under scrying below

hyomancy: by wild hogs (Greek hūs, swine + manteia, prophecy)

hypnomancy /ˈhɪpnɵmænsi/: by sleep (Greek hupnos, sleep + manteia, prophecy)

I

I Ching divination → see under chartomancy above.

ichnomancy /ˈɪknɵmænsi/: by footprints (Greek ikhnos, track + manteia, prophecy)

ichthyomancy → see under theriomancy below

iconomancy /aɪˈkɒnɵmænsi/: by icons (Greek eikōn, image + manteia, prophecy)

idolomancy /aɪˈdɒlɵmænsi/: by idols (Greek eidōlon, phantom + manteia, prophecy)

idromancy → see alomancy above (Greek idrōs, sweat + manteia, prophecy)

ifá: by palm nuts

iridology: by eye color (Greek īris [īrid-], iris + -logiā, study)

isopsephy: by numbers and letters (Greek īsos, equal + psephos, pebble)

J

Jyotish Vedic system of astrology

K

kabbalah/qabalah/cabala: by the Kabbalah (Hebrew qabbālâ, tradition)

kau cim: by bamboo

kephalonomancy /kəˈfælənɵmænsi/ → see cephaleonomancy above

keraunomancy /kɨˈrɒnɵmænsi/ → see ceraunoscopy above

knissomancy /ˈnɪsɵmænsi/: by incense (Greek knisa [kniss-], vapor + manteia, prophecy)

kypomancy → see under phyllomancy below (akin to Greek kupellon, goblet + manteia, prophecy)

L

labiomancy /ˈleɪbi.ɵmænsi/: by lips (Latin labium, lip + Greek manteia, prophecy)

lampadomancy /ˈlæmpədɵmænsi/: by flame (Greek lampas [lampad-], light + manteia, prophecy)

lecanomancy/lecanoscopy /lɨˈkænɵmænsi/: by a basin of water (Greek lekanē, basin + manteia, prophecy)

letnomancy: by secrets (English let no (one see) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

libanomancy /laɪˈbænɵmænsi/ → see under capnomancy and spodomancy (Greek libanos, frankincense + manteia, prophecy)

literomancy /ˈlɪtərɵmænsi/: by a letter in a written language (Latin lītera, letter + Greek manteia, prophecy)

lithomancy /ˈlɪθɵmænsi/: by gems or stones (Greek lithos, stone + manteia, prophecy)

logarithmancy /ˌlɒɡəˈrɪθmənsi/: by logarithms (English logarith(m) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

logomancy /ˈlɒɡɵmænsi/: by words (Greek logos, word + manteia, prophecy)

lots: divination through chance, or the drawing or tossing of lots^[5]

lunamancy → see selenomancy below (Latin lūna, moon + Greek manteia, prophecy)

lychnomancy /ˈlɪknɵmænsi/: by candles (Greek lukhnos, lamp + manteia, prophecy)

M

macharomancy: by swords or knives (Greek makhaira, dirk + manteia, prophecy)

macromancy /ˈmækrɵmænsi/: by large objects (Greek makros, large + manteia, prophecy)

maculomancy /ˈmækjʊlɵmænsi/: by spots on the skin (Latin macula, spot + manteia, prophecy)

mahjong divination: by Mahjong tiles

margaritomancy /ˌmɑrɡəˈrɪtɵmænsi/: by bouncing pearls (Greek margarītēs, pearl + manteia, prophecy)

mathemancy /ˈmæθɨmænsi/: by mathematics (English mathe(matics) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

mazomancy /ˈmæzɵmænsi/: by nursing (Greek mazos, breast + manteia, prophecy)

meconomancy /mɨˈkoʊnɵmænsi/: by sleeping (Greek mēkōn, poppy [i.e., an opiate] + manteia, prophecy)

megapolisomancy: by large cities (English megalopolis + Greek manteia, prophecy)

meilomancy: by moles

metagnomy /mɨˈtæɡnɵmi/ or /mɨˈtænɵmi/: by magic (Greek meta-, beside + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

meteormancy /ˈmiːti.ɵrmænsi/: by meteors (English meteor + Greek manteia, prophecy)

meteoromancy /ˌmiːtiˈɒrɵmænsi/: by thunder and lightning (Greek meteōron, heavenly phenomenon + manteia, prophecy)

metoposcopy/metopomancy /ˌmɛtɵˈpɒskɵpi/: by the lines of the forehead^[6] (Greek metōpon, forehead + -skopiā, observation)

micromancy /ˈmaɪkrɵmænsi/: by small objects (Greek mikros, small + manteia, prophecy)

moleosophy /moʊˈlɒsɵfi/ or /ˌmoʊliˈɒsɵfi/: by blemishes (English mole + Greek sophiā, knowledge)

molybdomancy /mɵˈlɪbdɵmænsi/: by molten metal (Greek molubdos, lead + manteia, prophecy)

moromancy /ˈmɒrɵmænsi/: by foolishness (Greek mōros, dull + manteia, prophecy)

myomancy → see under theriomancy below

myrmomancy → see under theriomancy below

N

narcomancy /ˈnɑrkɵmænsi/: by sleep (Greek narkē, numbness + manteia, prophecy)

natimancy → see under somatomancy below (Latin natis, buttock + Greek manteia, prophecy)

necromancy¹ /ˈnɛkrɵmænsi/: by speaking to the dead, by corpses^[7] (Greek nekros, corpse + manteia, prophecy)

necyomancy /ˈniːsi.ɵmænsi/: by summoning damned souls (Greek nekuiā, invocation + manteia, prophecy)

nephomancy /ˈnɛfɵmænsi/: by clouds (Greek nephos, cloud + manteia, prophecy)

nigromancy /ˈnaɪɡrɵmænsi/: by black magic (Latin niger, black + Greek manteia, prophecy)

nomancy /ˈnɒmənsi/ or /ˈnoʊmənsi/ → see onomancy below (variant of onomancy, influenced by Latin nōmen, name)

notarikon/netrikon: by initials (Latin notāricus, in shorthand)

nggàm → see under theriomancy below

numerology /ˌnjuːməˈrɒlɵdʒi/: by numbers (Latin numerus, number + Greek manteia, prophecy)

numismatomancy: by coins (Greek nomisma [nomismat-], coin + manteia, prophecy)

O

oculomancy /ˈɒkjʊlɵmænsi/: by eyes (Latin oculus, eye + Greek manteia, prophecy)

odontomancy /oʊˈdɒntɵmænsi/: by teeth (Greek odous [odont-], tooth + manteia, prophecy)

oenomancy/oinomancy /ˈiːnɵmænsi/: by wine (Greek oinos, wine + manteia, prophecy)

ololygmancy /ɵˈlɒlɨɡmænsi/: by the howling of dogs (Greek ololuzō [ololug-], howl + manteia, prophecy)

omoplatoscopy → see scapulimancy below (Greek ōmoplatē, shoulder blade + -skopiā, observation)

omphalomancy /ˈɒmfəlɵmænsi/: by navels (Greek omphalos, navel + manteia, prophecy)

oneiromancy/oneiroscopy /ɵˈnɪərɵmænsi/: by dreams (Greek oneiros, dream + manteia, prophecy)

onimancy /ˈɒnɨmænsi/ → see onychomancy below

onomancy/onomomancy/nomancy /ˈɒnɵmænsi/: by letters in a name (Greek onoma, name + manteia, prophecy)

onomomancy /ɵˈnoʊmɵmænsi/ → see onomancy above

onychomancy/onymancy/onimancy /ɵˈnɪkɵmænsi/: by finger· and toenails (Greek onux [onukh-], nail + manteia, prophecy)

onymancy /ˈɒnɨmænsi/ → see onychomancy above

oomancy/ooscopy ˈoʊ.ɵmænsi/ (also ovomancy): by eggs (Greek ōion, egg + manteia, prophecy)

ophidiomancy/ophiomancy → see theriomancy below

opthalmomancy → see oculomancy above (Greek ophthalmos, eye + manteia, prophecy)

organoscopy → see phrenology below (Greek organon, organ + -skopiā, observation)

orniscopy/ornithomancy → see theriomancy below

oromancy: by mountains (Greek oros, mountain + manteia, prophecy)

oryctomancy: by minerals (Greek oruktos, dug + manteia, prophecy)

ossomancy → see osteomancy below (Latin os [oss-], bone + Greek manteia, prophecy)

osteomancy: by bones (Greek osteon, bone + manteia, prophecy)

Ouija/Ouije: by ouija board (French oui, yes + German ja, yes)

ouranomancy → see uranomancy below.

ovomancy → see oomancy above (Latin ōvum, egg + manteia, prophecy)

P

pallomancy: by pendulums (Greek pallein, to sway + manteia, prophecy)

palmistry/palm reading → see under somatomancy below (Latin palma, palm)

papyromancy: by folding paper, especially paper money (Greek papūros, papyrus paper + manteia, prophecy)

pedomancy → see under somatomancy below (from podomancy, influenced by Latin pēs [pēd-], foot)

pegomancy: by fountains (Greek pēgē, spring + manteia, prophecy)

pessomancy: by pebbles (Greek pessos, oval pebble + manteia, prophecy)

pecthimancy/petchimancy: by brushed cloth (possibly akin to Greek pekein, to card wool, or pēktē, netting + manteia, prophecy)

phobomancy: by feelings of fear (Greek phobos, fear + manteia, prophecy)

photomancy: by fields of light (Greek phōs [phōt-], light + manteia, prophecy)

phrenology (also organoscopy): by the configuration of one’s brain (Greek phrēn, mind + -logiā, study)

phyllomancy: by leaves (Greek phullon, leaf + manteia, prophecy)

sycomancy: by fig leaves (Greek sūkon, fig + manteia, prophecy)

tasseography/tasseomancy (also kypomancy): by tea leaves or coffee grounds (French tasse, cup + Greek -graphiā, representation)

phyllorhodomancy: by rose petals (Greek phullon, leaf + rhodon, rose + manteia, prophecy)

physiognomy/physiognomancy: by faces (Greek phusis, nature + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

phytognomy: by the appearance of plants (Greek phuton, plant + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

plastromancy: by cracks formed by heat on a turtle’s plastron (English plastron + manteia, prophecy)

plumbomancy: by observing shapes molten lead makes when poured in water (Latin plumbum, lead + Greek manteia, prophecy)

pneumancy: by blowing (Greek pneuma, breath + manteia, prophecy)

podomancy/pedomancy → see under somatomancy below

portenta (also ostenta): study of natural phenomena^[8]

psephomancy: by lots or ballots (Greek psephos, pebble + manteia, prophecy)

pseudomancy: by false means, such as Peter Answers (Greek pseudēs, false + manteia, prophecy)

psychognomy: by phrenological notations (Greek psūkhē, soul + -gnōmoniā, observation)

psychomancy → see necromancy¹ above (Greek psūkhē, soul + manteia, prophecy)

pyromancy/pyroscopy: by fire (Greek pūr, fire + manteia, prophecy)

Q

qabalah → see kabbalah above

R

radiesthesia: by rods, pendulums, or other cylindrical tools (Latin radius, spoke + Greek -aisthēsiā, sensing)

retromancy: by looking over one’s shoulder (Latin retrō, behind + Greek manteia, prophecy)

rhabdomancy/rabdomancy: by rods, sticks, or wands (Greek rhabdos, rod + manteia, prophecy)

rhapsodomancy: by poetry (Greek rhapsōidiā, verse + manteia, prophecy)

roadomancy: by constellations (apparently from Old English rodor, firmament + Greek manteia, prophecy)

rumpology → see under somatomancy below

runecasting → see under cleromancy above

S

scapulimancy/scapulomancy (also spatulamancy, omoplatoscopy): by bovine or caprid shoulder blades (Latin scapula, shoulder blade + Greek manteia, prophecy)

scarpomancy: by old shoes (Italian scarpa, shoe + Greek manteia, prophecy)

scatomancy: by excrement (Greek skōr [skat-], excrement + manteia, prophecy)

schematomancy → see under somatomancy below

sciomancy¹ (also shadowmancy): by shadows (Greek skiā, shadow + manteia, prophecy)

sciomancy²: by spirits (of the same origin as sciomancy¹)

scrying: by gazing (shortened from descrying)

crystal gazing: by reflective objects

catoptromancy/captromancy (also enoptromancy, djubed): by mirrors (Greek katoptron, mirror + manteia, prophecy)

gastromancy¹ (also crystallomancy, spheromancy, crystal ball gazing): by crystal ball (Greek gastēr, belly [i.e., round object] + manteia, prophecy)

hydromancy (also ydromancy): by water (Greek hudōr, water + manteia, prophecy)

selenomancy: by the moon (Greek selēnē, moon + manteia, prophecy)

shadowmancy → see sciomancy¹ above (English shadow + Greek manteia, prophecy)

sideromancy: by burning straw with an iron (Greek sidēros, iron + manteia, prophecy)

sikidy: by drawing sixteen lines in sand (perhaps a Malagasy transliteration of English sixteen)

skatharomancy: by beetle tracks (Greek skatharōn, spot + manteia, prophecy)

slinneanachd/slinnanacht: by animal shoulder blades (Scottish Gaelic slinnean, shoulder blade)

solaromancy: by the sun (Latin sōl [sōlār-], sun + Greek manteia, prophecy)

somatomancy: by the human form (Greek sōma [sōmat-], body + manteia, prophecy)

cephalomancy (also craniognomy): by skulls (Greek kephalē, head + manteia, prophecy)

cheiromancy/chiromancy (kī’rə·măn·sē; also palmistry, palm reading): by palms^[9] (Greek kheir, hand + manteia, prophecy)

cheirognomy/chirognomy /kaɪˈrɒɡnɵmi/ or /kaɪˈrɒnɵmi/: by hands (Greek kheir, hand + -gnōmoniā, interpretation)

podomancy/pedomancy (also cartopedy): by the soles of one’s feet (Greek pous [pod-], foot + manteia, prophecy)

rumpology (also natimancy): by buttocks (English rump + Greek -logiā, study)

schematomancy: by the face (Greek skhēma [skhēmat-], figure + manteia, prophecy)

sortilege: by the casting of lots, or sortes

sortes virgilianae: by Vergil‘s Aeneid

spasmatomancy: by convulsions (alteration of *spasmodomancy, from Greek spasmos [spasmōd-], spasm + manteia, prophecy)

spatilomancy: by animal excrement (Greek spatilē, excrement + manteia, prophecy)

spatulamancy → see scapulimancy above (from scapulimancy, influenced by Latin spatula, splint)

spheromancy → see under scrying above (Greek sphaira, sphere + manteia, prophecy)

sphondulomancy: by spindles (Greek sphondulos, spindle + manteia, prophecy)

splanchnomancy → see anthropomancy above (Greek splankhna, innards + manteia, prophecy)

spodomancy: by soot (Greek spodos, wood ashes + manteia, prophecy)

cineromancy/ceneromancy: by the ashes of a specifically sacrificial or ritual fire^[10]

libanomancy /laɪˈbænɵmænsi/: by smoke or ash from incense (Greek libanos, frankincense + manteia, prophecy)^[2]

tephramancy/tephromancy: by tree bark ashes, by sacrificial or ritual fire ashes, or human sacrificial victim ashes (Greek tephrā, ash + manteia, prophecy)^[11]

stareomancy: by the four elements (Greek stais [stair-], dough + manteia, prophecy)

stercomancy: by seeds in bird excrement (Latin stercus, excrement + Greek manteia, prophecy)

sternomancy: by ridges on the breastbone (Greek sternon, breastbone + manteia, prophecy)

stichomancy → see chartomancy above

stigonomancy: by burning writing onto bark (Greek stizein [stigōn-], to brand + manteia, prophecy)

stoicheomancy/stoichomancy → see under chartomancy above

stolisomancy: by fashion (Greek stolis, garment + manteia, prophecy)

sycomancy → see phyllomancy above

symbolomancy: by things found on the road (Greek sumbolon, sign + manteia, prophecy)

T

taromancy → see under chartomancy above

tasseography/tasseomancy → see under phyllomancy above

technomancy: by technology (English techno(logy) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

technical analysis: by patterns in the chart of a financial instrument

temurah: by anagrams

tephramancy/tephromancy: → see spodomancy (Greek tephrā, ash + manteia, prophecy)

theomancy: foretelling events, prophecy^[12] (Greek theos, god + manteia, prophecy)

theriomancy /ˈθɪəri.ɵmænsi/: (also zoomancy): by animal behavior (Greek thēr, wild animal + manteia, prophecy)

Russian peasant girls using chicken for divination. A XIXth·century lubok.

ailuromancy/aeluromancy /aɪˈlʊərɵmænsi/ (also felidomancy): by cats (Greek ailouros, cat + manteia, prophecy)

alectryomancy/alectoromancy /əˈlɛktri.ɵmænsi/, /əˈlɛktərɵmænsi/: by rooster behavior (Greek alektruōn, cockerel + manteia, prophecy)

augury: by bird formations^[13] (Latin augur, diviner)

hippomancy /ˈhɪpɵmænsi/: by horse behavior (Greek hippos, horse + manteia, prophecy)

ichthyomancy /ˈɪkθi.ɵmænsi/: by fish behavior (Greek ikhthūs, fish + manteia, prophecy)

myomancy /ˈmaɪ.ɵmænsi/: by rodent behavior (Greek mūs, mouse + manteia, prophecy)

myrmomancy /ˈmɜrmɵmænsi/: by ant behavior (Greek murmēx, ant + manteia, prophecy)

nggàm: by spider or crab behavior (Mambila nggàm, divination)

ophidiomancy/ophiomancy: by snakes behavior (Greek ophis [ophid-], snake + manteia, prophecy)

orniscopy/ornithomancy (also auspicy/auspication, avimancy): by bird migration (Greek ornīs [ornīth-], bird + -skopiā, observation)

thumomancy /ˈθjuːmɵmænsi/: by one’s own soul, presage^[14] (Greek thūmos, soul + manteia, prophecy)

topomancy /ˈtɒpɵmænsi/: by geography and geological formations (Greek topos, place + manteia, prophecy)

transataumancy: by things accidentally seen or heard

trochomancy /ˈtrɒkɵmænsi/: by wheel ruts (Greek trokhos, wheel + manteia, prophecy)

turifumy: by shapes in smoke (Latin tūs [tūr-], incense + fūmus, vapor)

tyromancy/tiromancy /ˈtaɪrɵmænsi/: by cheese (Greek tūros, cheese + manteia, prophecy)

U

umbilicomancy: by umbilical cords (English umbilic(al cord) + Greek manteia, prophecy)

umbromancy: by shade (Latin umbra, shadow + Greek manteia, prophecy)

uranomancy/ouranomancy: by the sky (Greek ouranos, firmament + manteia, prophecy)

uromancy/urimancy: by urine (Greek ouron, urine + manteia, prophecy)

urticariaomancy: by itches (New Latin urticāria, hives + Greek manteia, prophecy)

V

videomancy: by films (English video + Greek manteia, prophecy)

W

water witching → see dowsing above

X

xenomancy: by strangers (Greek xenos, stranger + manteia, prophecy)

xylomancy: by the shape or texture of wood, or the appearance of burning wood (Greek xulon, wood + manteia, prophecy)^[15]

Y

ydromancy → see under scrying above

Z

zoomancy → see theriomancy above (Greek zōion, being + manteia, prophecy)

zygomancy: by weights (Greek zugon, yoke, balance + manteia, prophecy)