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Zoomancy
Derived
from the
Greek
zoion ('an animal') and manteia ('divination'),
it is a general term for the art and practice of divining the past, the
present and the future by observing the appearance and/or behavior of
animals.
It could be argued that every method of
divination using animals, such as Alectromancy,
Felidomancy,
Apantomancy, and
Arachnomancy, are forms of Zoomancy.
In one form or another, prognostication by
observing animal behavior has been practiced since pre-historic times.
Ancient hunters and gatherers, as well as agricultural and pastoral
cultures, made use of Zoomancy.
The ancient
Etruscans divined by watching the
movements of hens and roosters, the Babylonians
studied sleeping oxen's reaction to having their heads splashed with water;
the
Hittites watched eels, the
African Zandes still watch ants,
the
Dogon study termites and their
mounds, and the
Polynesians watch beetles.
There are also many ancient superstitions
associated with Zoomancy. In medieval times, it was believed that the
bansheelike howling of dogs
portended death
and calamities. A bat, pigeon, or robin redbreast that flew into the house
was assumed to be an evil omen, as well as the
flight of swallows or jackdaws down the chimney. If an owl showed itself in
the sunlight, it predestined bad luck. If one flew up against the window at
night, it was an omen that a family
member would soon die.
In the Victorian era, it was believed by many that a hare
running through the town was a sure sign that someone there would soon be
visited by fire. In China, the prediction of earthquakes
by the observation of animal abnormal behavior has been practiced since
ancient times. According to occult tradition, weather forecast can also be
acknowledged by the observation of animal, fish and bird activity.
A type of Zoomancy, often called Theriomancy, consisted of divination by the
movement of beasts, or wild animals. This type of fortune telling still is
very popular among African aborigines.
On yet another form of Zoomancy,
predictions were taken from the appearance and behavior of imaginary or
psychic animals, such as
unicorns,
sea-monsters, or salamanders, typically seen only by the
diviner.
Zoomancy
is a form of augury.
See
Diviner,
Divination,
Casting Black Magic Spells,
Commanding Spirits,
The Chakra Store,
The Tarot Store and
Divination & Scrying Tools and
Supplies.
Sources: (1)
Spence, Lewis,
An Encyclopedia of
Occultism,
Carol Publishing Group; (2)
Dictionary of the
Occult, Caxton
Publishing; (3)
Dunwich, Gerina,
A Wiccan's Guide to Prophecy
and Divination, Carol Publishing Group; (4) Pickover, Clifford A.,
Dreaming the Future: The
Fantastic Story of Prediction, Prometheus Books.
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