Divine the Future With Eggs — Oomancy

Arkane Curiosities

Throughout history, we have sought to unravel the mysteries of the future through various forms of divination. One of the lesser-known methods is oomancy, the art of predicting the future by interpreting the patterns formed when an egg is cracked open. While it may sound bizarre, oomancy has deep roots in different cultures and continues to be practiced by some today. Learn how to divine the future with eggs.

The Origins of Oomancy

Oomancy, also known as ovomancy, derives from the Greek word “oion,” meaning egg, and “manteia,” meaning divination. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, a Roman historian, described how the Empress Livia Drusilla stowed a chicken egg in her cleavage, thinking it would determine the sex of her unborn child. 

The Process of Oomancy

Oomancy typically involves a specific ritual that begins with the selection of an egg. In some traditions, the color, size, or even the source of the egg may hold significance. Once the egg is chosen, the diviner focuses on their question or intention, concentrating their energy on the egg.

The next step is to crack the egg open and slowly pour into a glass of warm water. The warmth will allow the white to firm up a little.  The patterns formed by the raw egg white can reveal answers and insights related to the question or situation at hand.

Interpreting Oomancy Patterns

Various aspects of the egg, such as the shapes, lines, and colors in the egg white and yolk, are analyzed for their significance. Here are some common interpretations:

  1. Lines and Shapes: Cracks, lines, and shapes in the egg white or yolk may be seen as symbols. For example, a heart shape might represent love and happiness, while a snake-like pattern could symbolize deceit or danger.
  2. Consistency: The texture and consistency of the egg’s contents can provide additional clues. A runny egg might indicate fluidity and change, while a firm egg could suggest stability and security. Additionally, a clear white is thought to be positive, while a cloudy eggs signifies obstacles and uncertainty. 
  3. Symbolism: As you examine the egg white from all angles, you might discover some symbols. A clover indicated happiness and prosperity. A horseshoe denotes good financial luck. Seeing an arch foretells problems with coworkers and family. 

Believer or skeptic, oomancy might tap into the primal ability to divine the future. Even though you might see it trending on social networks, know that this divination form has been cracking open the future for centuries. 

Tim Kane

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Predicting the Future Using Cats

Arkane Curiosities

If you own a cat, then you possess the ability to divine the future. Throughout history, people have developed various unusual and often superstitious methods of divining the future, yet none is stranger than Ailuromancy, or predicting the future using cats. It works pretty much how it sounds. You watch the movements of said cat, and their actions reveal future outcomes, if it’s in the mood that day.

Egyptian Dreams

Since Egyptians had a thing for cats, it’s no wonder they developed this in the art of ailuromancy. One type of divination involved writing a question on a small tablet along with the name of a deity. The tablet was washed and placed inside a dead cat’s mouth (probably because a live cat wouldn’t tolerate such foolishness). Then the diviner would gain the answer the question in a prophetic dream. 

Weather Alerts

A sneezing cat could mean rain in the coming days. Even washing their faces vigorously can mean rain. If the cat turns its tail to a fire or any substituting heat source, it foretells possible heavy rain or hard frost. Curling up with forehead touching the ground foretells a storm coming your way. 

Visitor Predictor

Apparently cats can foresee visitors. If a famine licks its ears three times, check which direction it’s looking. This is where you can expect a visitor to come from. What’s more, you can divine the gender, too. If it puts its paw around the right ear, expect a male visitor. Left ear, a lady. No indication for other fluid genders. 

Fickle Luck

A cat following you is a sign of money coming your way. Yet if a black cat crosses your path, you’re sure to have bad luck. Except, should you find one white hair on a black cat, this means the cat is good luck. If you look into a cat’s eyes too long, it will bring you only bad luck.

A Warning of Sickness

Should you have sickness in your house, make sure you keep the cat close by. If it leaves and won’t be coaxed back inside, then the ill person may die. Likewise, if a cat sneezes three times in a row, the whole family will come down with a cold.

The Devil’s Creature

The worst act of ailuromancy dates back to 16th century Scotland. A person would roast a cat alive on a spit in a ritual called taghairm. Supposedly, this would summon the devil to protect the cat, who by now was screaming in agony. The devil would beg the person to relent and end the cat’s suffering. Yet the cruel SOB who started this torment would hold out until the devil had promised to fulfill a certain future request. Only then, could the cat’s misery come to an end. So who is the evil one in this scenario?

Thankfully, this sort of practice doesn’t happen anymore. Instead, we can settle for interpreting the whimsical doings of cat as it predicts future rain or perhaps a visitor. 

Tim Kane

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