#astragalomancy

[apiswitchcraft]

greek astragalomancy

guess who found out about another ancient form of divination yall. first off, I would like to direct you to this post by @hellenic-reconstructionism that basically said all of this already. I'm not sourcing from them, however they have basically all the same info I have so I don't want it to seem like I'm copying them. much love <3

BACKGROUND:

Traditionally, astragalomancy was done with bones called astragaloi, knucklebones or tali (most commonly from sheep or goats). To be clear, the use of astragaloi has been traced back all the way to the Neolithic period, and is not solely Greek. We are just only talking about the Greek divination type, but just know these aren't the only interpretations out there.

For the game and divination technique, the four sides of the knucklebone would be marked as 1 (chion), 3 (hyption), 4 (pranes), or 6 (koon), with opposing sides adding up to 7.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans would also make replicas of astragaloi out of wood, glass, bronze, or ivory, and in a book I read they used a coin flip instead of a dice roll, so I'll include how to do that too

HOW TO:

Usually a full set of astragaloi would be five bones, but you can also use one bone and just roll it five times. In either case, hold your knucklebones in your hand and jiggle them (like you would with dice) while thinking of your question. Throw/drop them onto a soft surface like an altar cloth or mat and look at either all the downward or the upward facing numbers (depending on what you prefer, I use the upward facing). Make sure to keep track of all the individual numbers that you pulled, as each sum can have multiple different interpretations.

For another method, take a set of three coins of any shape, size, or origin. Flip these three all together at once, and see their correspondences below.

Chion: 3 Heads | Hyption: 1 Tail | 2 Heads | Pranes; 2 Tails, 1 Head | Koon: 3 Tails

Throw this set of three four more times. Each time you flip the three, correspond it to an astragalus value, so that you end up with five numbers.

Some deities that you may call upon that are mentioned in the interpretations are Athena, Hermes, Apollo, or Themis (among others that I could not be bothered to list in entirety).

INTERPRETATIONS:

there are, to my knowledge, two distinct interpretations for each number reading. one in "The Greek I Ching" by Kostas Dervenis (which he sources from somewhere else, I'm sure) and those from the inscriptions in Termessos, which are below. I did not include all of Dervenis' (I used a couple to fill in some blanks) because I would feel bad taking something I paid for and providing it for free on the internet.

Individual rolls | Sum | Title | Interpretation

11111 | 5 | Zeus Olympios | If you see only Chians: Zeus will give good thinking to your mind, stranger: he will grant happiness to your work, for which you will give thanks. But appease Aphrodite and the Son of Maia (Hermes).

11113 | 7 | Athena Areia | If four Chians and one three are cast, the god signals: By avoiding enmity and Animosity, you will reach your prize; you will arrive and the blue-eyed goddess Athena will save you. The activity that you have in mind will turn out as you wish it.

41111 | 8 | Moirai | If one four and four Chians in a row are cast: Don’t do the business that you are engaged in; it will not turn out well. It will be difficult and impossible around someone who tires himself out. But if you go abroad for some time, no harm will come from it.

33111 | 9 | Zeus’ Eagle | If two threes and three Chians are cast: A high flying eagle on the right-hand side of the traveler will be a good omen; with the help of Greatest Zeus (Zeus Megistos) you will achieve your goal; do not fear.

61111 | 10 | Daimôn Megistos | If one six and four Chians in a row; It will be better to fulfill whatever vow you made to the daimôn, if you intend to perform what you ponder in your mind. Demeter and Zeus will save you.

11143 | 10 | Caring Fortune | If three are Chians, one a four and the fifth a three, Do not do the business you are about to do; as for the very intention you have, the gods are restraining it, but they will free you from you toil and no harm will meet you.

33311 | 11 | Victory | If three threes are cast, and further two Chians; you will win; you will take what you wish, and you will achieve everything; the daimôn will make you honored, and you will overcome your enemies, the plan that you are about to realize will be according to your desire.

44111 | 11 | Joyful Victory | If two fours and three Chians in a row are cast; Do all your business because it will turn out well. The gods will save him who is ill from his bed; also the god announces that he who is in another country will return home.

41133 | 12 | Asklepios | If one four, two Chians and two threes are cast; A storm will come about your business, but it will turn out well; also the god announces that he will free the one who is ill from his suffering, and the gods will bring safely home the one who is abroad.

11163 | 12 | Steering Tyche | Three Chians, a six, and the fifth throw a three; Do not yet make haste to go; it is impossible to go, rather wait, if you set out to rush mindlessly, you will do great damage to yourself, but if you wait, blameless time will accomplish everything.

11164 | 13 | Aphrodite | Three Chians and a six and the fifth a four; Sail wherever you wish; you will return full of joy, for you have found and accomplished everything that you ponder in your mind; but pray to Aphrodite and the Son of Maia (Hermes).

13333 | 13 | Zeus and Athena | If one Chian and four threes are cast; You are fit for every business and ready for any undertaking. The gods will easily save him who is ill, and all will be well as to the other oracles.

11344 | 13 | The Melodious Muse | If one three falls, two ones, and two fours: You would do well to act. Good prospects, profits easily gained. It is better now to participate, rather than to try to create. Keep private, in order to succeed, the sweet verse of the Muse.

13334 | 14 | Triton | One Chion, three threes, and one four; The god announces: You kick against the goad, you struggle against the waves, you search for a fish in the sea: do not hasten to do business. It does not help you to force the gods at the wrong time.

61133 | 14 | Daimôn | One six, two Chians, and a pair of threes. Do not project terrible things, and do not pray for what is against the gods, thinking terrible thoughts. There will accrue no gain from it, and no reward will come from this path you are walking.

44411 | 14 | Agathos Daimôn | If three fours and two ones are cast: The daimôn will lead you on the way that you undertake, and the lover of smiling, Aphrodite, will lead you toward good things. You will return with rich fruit and an untroubled Fate.

13344 | 15 | Zeus Savior | One Chian, two threes, two fours being cast: Approach with courage the business that you set out to do; do it! You will win, since the gods have given you these favorable signs, and do not avoid them in your intention: nothing bad will come from it.

11166 | 15 | Zeus Ammon | If three ones and two sixes are cast: The god announces to you: Undertake with courage the way you set out in your mind, god will give you everything: you will accomplish whatever your mind tells you, and Zeus, thundering high, will be with you as your savior.

33333 | 15 | Tyche the Savior | If all the threes are cast together: The woman who has given birth to a child, had both breasts dry, but then she again flourished and has milk in abundance. Then you too will reap the fruits about which you ask me.

43611 | 15 | Zeus of Hosts and Guests (Xenios) | A four, a three, a six, and two Chians: Do not make haste with the business for which you set out, it is not yet time. The gods will easily save him who is ill, and the god announces that he will make an end to the travel of him who is in foreign land.

63331 | 16 | Herakles | One six, three threes, and a fifth a Chian: The moment has not yet arrived, you make too much hast. Do not act in vain, nor like the bitch that has borne a blind puppy. Deliberate calmly, and the god will lead you.

64411 | 16 | Ares | One six, two fours, and two Chians: Why do you hurry? Wait calmly, the moment has not yet come; if you hurry without sense and in vain, you pursue something that is not yet ready. I do not yet see the right moment, but you will have success when you wait a little while.

43333 | 16 | Kronos | One four is cast, the other four are threes: Scorpions stand in your way, do not hurry towards the business that you intend; wait, and what you wish will arrive later; neither to buy this nor to sell is better.

44413 | 16 | Delphic Apollo | Three fours, one Chian, and the fifth a three; Do not make haste, it will not be better to go; when you wish to rush mindlessly, you will damage yourself very much; but when you stay put, blameless time will perform everything.

66113 | 17 | Isis the Savior | A double six, two Chians and the fifth a three: Enter and receive the voice from the tripod! The time is also ripe for marriage; you will marry and return home. You will achieve whatever you want in your business, having found the thing about which you are anxious.

16634 | 17 | Hermes the Savior | A Chian, a six, two threes and the fifth a four: I do not see anything painful among the things about which you ask me; do not think small, go forward with courage; you will find everything you wish: your vow will be fulfilled, and there is a perfect occasion for you.

44333 | 17 | Sarapis | If two fours are cast and three threes: Take courage and fight, Zeus the Owner (Ktesios) is your helper. You will punish your opponent and have him under your fist, and he will give happiness to the works for which you thank him.

14444 | 17 | Revenge | When a single Chian is cast, and the others are four: Now the daimôn will fulfill everything for you and lead you the right way. You will perform everything according to your mind, do not wear yourself out anymore. You will achieve beautifully whatever you desire.

66114 | 18 | Adrasteia | If two sixes, two Chians, and the fifth a four: Do your business and undertake it; the time will be favorable. In the middle, difficulties and danger are waiting. As to the other oracles, things will turn out well for you.

16443 | 18 | Zeus of the Lightning | A Chian and a six, two fours and the fifth a three: What you plan will not turn out according to your liking, when you do it; it is not useful to travel to foreign lands. You will show no insight if you sell now, nor will it be useful.

44433 | 18 | The Greatest Daimôn | If there are three fours and two threes, he signifies this: I do not see this plan as safe for you; thus wait. You will do well, after this there will be luck; as for now remain calm, trust the gods and stay helpful.

63333 | 18 | Good Time | A six and four threes together; the oracle announces thus: Do not make haste, the daimôn is opposed to you, rather wait and do not act like a dog that gave birth to a blind litter. Take counsel calmly, and things will turn out happily for you.

66133 | 19 | Good Hope | Two sixes, a Chian and two threes; he signifies this: Everything about which you ask me is smooth riding for you and safe; do not be afraid, a daimôn will lead you toward everything; he will end the painful difficulties and you will disprove the suspicions.

44461 | 19 | Zeus of the Possessions | Three fours, one six, and the fifth a Chian: Proceed with courage, the oracle is about hope, stranger; it announces also that the sick person will be saved. If you need to consult an oracle, you will receive what you desire.

34444 | 19 | Hermes Who Brings Gain in Trade | If one three and four fours are cast: Zeus will give you a good plan to your mind, stranger; thus, all will be well, undertake what you desire; you will find whatever you ask the oracle for, and nothing will be bad for you.

33364 | 19 | Victory | Three threes, one six and the fifth a four: You pronounce a good oracle, stranger; one you have thought it through, you will do whatever you desire, and the god will be your helper; you will win, you will reap the fruits, and you will achieve everything.

44444 | 20 | The Inexorable Moirai | If all fours are cast together in the same way: the sun has gone down, and terrible night has come, everything has become dark. Interrupt the matter about which you ask me; it is neither better to buy nor to sell.

43661 | 20 | The Moon | A four and a three, two sixes, and the fifth a Chian: Do not undertake this business, stranger; it will not turn out well for you. The god announces that he will help the one who is ill; and if there is any fear, nothing bad will happen to you.

63344 | 20 | The Protecting Dioskouroi | Alone the six, two threes, the others fours: A man who makes haste does not achieve what opportunity offers. You have a profit, and there is fear everywhere because of evil; your business is ill-fated, and everything is painful; watch out!

66611 | 20 | Hephaistos | Three sixes and two Chians; he will tell the following: It is impossible to do business; do not toil in vain! And do not turn every stone, lest you chance upon a scorpion. Fussiness will not bring you luck, be on your guard for all sorts of misfortune!

66441 | 21 | Demeter | A pair of sixes, two fours, the fifth a Chian: Everything about which you ask me is on a smooth way for you and safe; do not be afraid, a daimôn will lead you toward everything; I see nothing that will bring you harm; take heart and go forward.

44463 | 21 | Helios, Bringer of Light | Three fours, one single six, and the fifth a three: You will achieve whatever you desire, and you will find whatever you worry about. Make an attempt, stranger, having taken heart; everything is ready; you will find what is invisible, you will come to the day of salvation.

33366 | 21 | Tyche Who Leads to Good Things | When three threes are cast and two sixes, he announces this: You matters are doing well; this oracle tells you to press forward; you will get away from difficult illness and master everything, and the god announces that he who is erring in a foreign land will return.

16663 | 22 | The Manifest Fates | One Chian, three sixes, the fifth being cast is a three: Do not put your hand into a wolf’s mouth, lest some harm happens to you; the matter about which you ask is difficult and delicate; but you stay quiet, avoiding travel and business transactions.

44446 | 22 | Poseidon | If all that are cast are fours, but the fifth is a six, he announces this: Throwing seeds and writing letters on the sea are both pointless and fruitless doing; since you are mortal, do not force a god to harm you.

43366 | 22 | Terrible Ares | Four and two threes, two sixes, and he announces this: Do not undertake the travel that you intend, stranger! Nobody will do it. A large fiery lion is about, against whom you have to be on your guard, a terrible one. The oracle is untractable, wait quietly.

16664 | 23 | Athena | One Chian, three sixes, and the fifth a four: Honor Pallas Athena, and you will get everything, whatever you wish, and everything which you are planning will turn out well; she will free from bonds and will save the sick person.

66443 | 23 | Happiness | If two sixes are cast and two fours, and the fifth is a three: Sail, wherever you want, you will return home again, having found and done everything according to your wish; you will achieve everything, and thus to buy and to trade is happiness.

66633 | 24 | Apollo Pythios | If three sixes and two threes are being cast, he signifies this: Stay put, do not act, obey Phoibos’ oracles. With time, you will find an occasion, but for now stay quiet. If you wait a short while you will achieve everything, whatever you desire.

44466 | 24 | Kronos the Child Eater | Three fours, two sixes; the god announces this to you: Stay at home with your possessions and do not go somewhere else, lest a terrible monster and a revengeful demon approach you. I do not see this business as reliable and safe.

46663 | 25 | Man Who Brings Light | One four being cast, three sixes and the fifth a three: Take courage; you have an opportunity; you will achieve what you desire, and you will come upon the right time to begin your travel; your toil will have its chance; is is good to engage in work, competitions and litigation.

66661 | 25 | Mother of the Gods | Four sixes, the fifth a Chian: he signifies this: As wolves overpower sheep and powerful lions overpower broad hoofed oxen, so you too will master all this, and everything about which you ask will be yours, with the help of Zeus’ son Hermes.

66644 | 26 | Subterranean Zeus | When three sixes and two fours, the oracle announces: The business has its obstacles, do not make hast, but wait; there is a road, painful, impossible and not to be approached; to buy is painful and to sell brings loss.

66663 | 27 | Heavenly Aphrodite | Four sixes, the three alone: he signifies this to you: The daughter of Uranus, Aphrodite, the mighty mistress of the Erotes, sends a good oracle, she will grant travel to you; you will escape from sickness and vainglorious thoughts.

66664 | 28 | Damage | Four sixes, a four: he signifies this: It is impossible to undertake something vain; do not in vain toil uselessly, lest you incur damage by pressing on. It is not good to begin traveling nor doing business.

66666 | 30 | Square Hermes | If all that are cast together are sixes: Do not go, wherever you intend to; it will be better for you to stay; I see something hostile to you, thus wait; afterwards, it will be possible, and (the god) will free you from fear and save you from toil.

[lua-stellar]

What is the Future of your Dream Career?! ✨ Dice Divination

this reading was done via the dice (images included)

consider tipping me on ko-fi if you liked this reading :3

pile 1

dice rolled: one, three, six,

If you pursue your dream career you will work alot and have to dedicate alot of your time into it however the reward is too good to miss! You will reach your goals if you go down this path, and you will be able to achieve great success. But you must keep in mind that going down this path requires commitment to your dream and hard work before reaping the benefits of your labour, good luck in all that you do! If you pursue your dream career you will be met with success one day.

pile 2

dice rolled: one, five, five,

In the future if you try to pursue your dream career, well i get the vibe that your future self will be surrounded by different choices and opportunities as a result of going down that path. This is a good thing, but in the future you may find yourself overwhelmed with all of the choices, possibilities and outcomes,you may be unsure of whats right for you. You will be surrounded by all of these overwhelming choices, you may land on one that's better than your original dream.This also could signify that you are unsure in your dream career, that you are feeling lost about your future, and maybe you would like to explore other options, its better to see what choices you have instead of loyally sticking to one specific career which you may not enjoy as much in the long run. Nonetheless I see good opportunities in your future and at the very least, you will likely be set career wise in whatever it is that you choose.

pile 3

dice rolled: one, five, six,

I feel as though you will go down the path of your future career and be presented with better options down the line, and you will choose a different path. But good news,this path may not be your original dream but you will be met with great success and you will be very happy with what your future career has to offer you. It's important that you go into something in the future that you will like and enjoy and bring you alot of success, even if that means abandoning your dream a little bit. It seems that in this reading in the future that is pretty much what you chose! Good luck in all that you do!

[messiah10chi]

My new casting mat for my dice. Such a cute little thing that doubles as a bag!

[terriblymundane]

Open for some free tarot & dice readings! While it is on a "first come" basis, keep reading for additional spots that will be offered through a little contest 🖤

Reading Content:

One question in-depth reading

Picture of your reading

How To Participate:

Follow

Like and/or reblog

Winners (x5) will be picked at random and contacted at the beginning of December ;)

I do readings as an hobby and purely for your entertainment. Do bring along your sense of humor ☕

[luciladlafuente]

Get a free tarot or astragalomancy reading by pre-saving my new single!

My new song is not only inspired by Sappho, but also by the prophecies of the Pythia and the eternal fire of the Vestals. Because of this, I'll be giving away free tarot and astragalomancy readings to those who presave.

Presave here!

[aureliaeiter]

I'm opening an Etsy store

Hello everyone! For those of you who may not know me, I'm a polytheist and witch from Southern Europe who's been in this path for 5 years. I practice tarot since 5 years ago and astragalomancy since 4 months ago. More info about me and my practice here.

I've been thinking about opening an Etsy store since last year but I didn't have the time to do so. Since I don't live in the same city where I had my side job anymore I now have free afternoons but my economic situation is a bit worse. I got both the Eight and Nine of Pentacles in a tarot reading yesterday and I saw it as a clear indication that I should take this opportunity to embark in this journey.

What I offer?

Prices may change depending on Tax variation. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Tarot readings from as cheap as 2 € (aprox. $3) to 13 €. There's different types of tarot pulls you can check in my “Tarot” category.

Astragalomancy readings from 1 € (aprox. $2) to 10 €. Just like with tarot, there's different types here as well.

Deity alignment consultation. This is especially designed for people who wanna start worshiping a deity but don't know who to worship and how to start. This consultation doesn't rely on the worshiper getting signs from a deity, but rather on their personality, goals and needs. For 7 € you get an assessment on which deity you should reach out to with a guide on the deities characteristics and domains and how to contact them for the first time.

With every purchase you enter a monthly giveaway for a free 3 Card tarot reading (past/present/future). The winner of the giveaway will be contacted at the end of each month.

Please reblog so it reaches people who might be interested. May the gods bless you.

[sirowl]

Divination using playing dice.

The art of divination takes many forms, from seeking guidance in the stars to deciphering the intricate symbolism of cards. Among these ancient practices is the art of divination using dice. By rolling a die with a question in mind, the number that lands facing the heavens is interpreted as the answer, offering insight, fate, or wisdom from beyond.

While researching for this post (though, to be honest, it was just a quick Google search), I learned that in ancient Hellas, a similar form of divination was practiced. However, instead of using a six-sided die, they used the four-sided knucklebones of animals. This practice was known as astragalomancy.

For a single die throw, each number (or a pair of numbers) was assigned a specific meaning. With this arrangement in mind, the die was cast while focusing on a question. The number on the side facing the heavens was then interpreted as the answer.

I use this practice as a quick method for answering yes-or-no questions. I assign three pairs of numbers to represent yes, no, and maybe, requesting the guides for guidance.

This is a list of numbers and associated meanings i use

You can make the practice more complex by using multiple dice. This allows for greater nuance in your questions and answers. One approach is to roll several dice and interpret each individually, gaining insight into different aspects of the question. Another method is to sum the numbers and follow the same yes/no/maybe system based on the total, creating a broader range of possible outcomes.

[hillbillyoracle]

For those who recently followed for my dice divination resources (all three of them), here's the link.

Additionally, if you enjoy using dice, I really recommend looking into geomancy. It, along with tarot, are the two forms I most often recommend.

[river-in-the-woods]

Dice divination

d4 – Cardinal directions, four elements

d6 – Four elements + Sun and Moon, days within the next week (excluding present day)

d8 – Planetary readings (excluding Pluto), I Ching, Wheel of the Year sabbats, cardinal directions + in-between them, bāguà trigrams

d10 – Tree of Life, general numerology

d12 – Planetary readings (Zodiac, Houses, 9 planets + North and South node), months of the year, hours of the day/night

d20 – As in DnD, used to determine the positivity/negativity of an action/event

d100 – Bibliomancy, combined with other dice to determine page number

Note 1: When throwing multiple dice, for each additional die, -1 from the sum total so that the number 1 can still be read as an oracle.

Note 2: These cover the most common dice on the market (thanks to popular tabletop games); it is possible to acquire specialist dice to cover other possibilities.

[alabaster-the-crow]

Free Divination Readings

RULES

Please specify if you would like poker cards or dice

Please include your star sign, initials, and the element you most closely relate to

Specify what you would like the reading to be about

Be respectful

[a-christmas-fruitcake]

Trying to make some tarot-style dice and I'm really pleased with how they're looking

There are only 4 suits so I'm still figuring out what I want on the 2 blank sides. I'm thinking sun and moon symbols might be good, or maybe The Fool vs The World? Since they're somewhat "opposite" cards (if you can even call them that)

Idk, I'll have to think it over

[lua-stellar]

What does your crush think of you?? Dice Divination find out what your crush thinks romantically of you✨✨

consider tipping me on my ko-fi if you liked this reading :)

this reading was done with divination via the dice, images included

pile 1

dice rolled: one, one, two,

this person is interested in you and does want a relationship, from this pile i can see that you two are very close and possibly friends already, you two probably spend alot of time with eachother and theyre self is attatched to you and your guys' relationship they value you alot as a person and it is definently possible that they want to take it to the next step and feel the same for you as you feel for them in terms of romance! I can tell they do love you alot as their self is attatched in a way to the relationship you two hold.

pile 2

dice rolled: two, two, three

this person most likely has more than one option in terms of romantic partners, and it is possible that they have problems with indecisiveness, they don't know whether they want you or the other person. This person seems to be very unsure of themsleves and unsure of what they even want out of a relationship, my personal advice would be to let go and stop being led on by this person but who knows maybe they will choose you in the end.

pile 3

dice rolled: one, two, four

this person genuinely believes that you don't like them :( romantically at least I'm getting the vibe that your crush likes you but feels as though that there is an obstacle of some kind preventing them from pursuing a relationship with you, there is a chance that they think that you don't like them back, and or there is something else (someone else that likes you?) that is preventing them from pursuing something more with you. If you really like this person you should communicate with them and try to see whats up!

[messiah10chi]

New bull bone dice for casting. 🎲

[terriblymundane]

Welp, it's that time of the year to cross fingers not get sick in the wake of all the gatherings but aside that... Offering some free tarot & dice readings in the coziness of the holidays! While it is on a "first come" basis, keep reading for an additional spot that will be offered through a little contest 🖤🎄

Reading Content:

One question in-depth reading

Picture of your reading

How To Participate:

Follow

Like and/or reblog

Winner will be picked at random and contacted at the beginning of January ;)

I do readings as an hobby and purely for your entertainment. Do bring along your sense of humor ☕

[luciladlafuente]

I'm thinking of giving away free tarot and astragalomancy/bone throwing readings to those who pre-save my new song. Would anyone be interested?

[devildevotee]

If you're still taking questions, could you ask Heru-Sa-Aset what steps I need to take next in order to achieve our goal by Wep Ronpet this year?

the overarching theme of this reading is the emotional blocks you’re currently going through. there is something that you need to work on currently to best achieve your goal, and what’s more - you can start doing this right this second! no need to wait. the problem presented by the dice is a judgement issue - are you quick to be nasty towards yourself? this is what the dice have brought to my attention - and what’s more, is these feelings aren’t just stated, but they glue themselves to you. they repeat in your brain, and it just causes more damage over time. you need to be able to let them go, and be honest with yourself here - do you deserve such harsh standards? be compassionate to yourself - being judgemental isn’t any more acceptable when it’s directed inwards, you know! and you need to acknowledge how far you’ve come, just the same! look towards the people (and spirits and/or deities) who love you - look at how highly they think of you! that’s worth planting deep into your heart - the truth of how wonderful you are is still there, no matter what you think or say. you are wise, you are capable. you are you.