bibliomancy
Divination through texts
Bibliomancy is divination by opening a book at random and interpreting the passage found there.
The Bible has traditionally served this purpose, but any revered text works: She practiced bibliomancy with her worn copy of the I Ching.
The practice assumes the passage selected holds special relevance to the seeker's question or situation.
Authoritative wisdom source
- prophecyForetelling of future events
- auguryOmen interpretation practice
- omensProphetic signs or warnings
- soothsayingForetelling future events
prognostication · seer · clairvoyance · lot-casting · scrying · geomancy · I Ching · tarot
Sacred religious writings
- tomesLarge academic books
- BibleChristian sacred writings
- QuranIslam's central scripture
- VirgilClassical epic poet
Homer · I Ching · manuscripts · sacred texts · classics · Aeneid · verses · passages
Gap or start
- pointingDirecting attention somewhere
- random selectionChoosing without systematic bias
- lot-castingSelection by random draw
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
prayer · meditation · seeking · guidance · interpretation · ceremony · sacred · reverence
Likelihood of occurrence
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- aleatoryGoverned by chance
- arbitraryBased on personal whim
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
fortuitous · coincidence · luck · synchronicity · unpredictable · spontaneous · indeterminate · providence
oracle
Authoritative wisdom source
- prophecyForetelling of future events
- auguryOmen interpretation practice
- omensProphetic signs or warnings
soothsaying · prognostication · seer · clairvoyance · lot-casting · scrying · geomancy · I Ching · tarot · fortune-telling
scriptures
Sacred religious writings
Virgil · Homer · I Ching · manuscripts · sacred texts · classics · Aeneid · verses · passages · poetry
opening
Gap or start
- pointingDirecting attention somewhere
- random selectionChoosing without systematic bias
- lot-castingSelection by random draw
invocation · prayer · meditation · seeking · guidance · interpretation · ceremony · sacred · reverence · consultation
chance
Likelihood of occurrence
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- aleatoryGoverned by chance
- arbitraryBased on personal whim
haphazard · fortuitous · coincidence · luck · synchronicity · unpredictable · spontaneous · indeterminate · providence · fate
bibliomancyempiricism
Knowledge through observation
scientific method · evidence-based reasoning · logical analysis · critical thinking · skepticism
bibliomancydeliberation
Careful weighing of choices
rational choice · cost-benefit analysis · strategic planning · informed consent · evidence-based practice