Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Carromancy.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Carromancy
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Carromancy (from Greek κηρός, 'wax', and μαντεία, 'divination'), otherwise known as ceromancy, is a form of divination involving wax.[1][2] One of the most common methods of carromancy is to heat wax until molten, then to pour it directly into cold water. The shapes and movements of the wax as it cools and solidifies can then allegedly be read to forecast auguries of the future. Another method more commonly practiced in the contemporary era is studying the burning of an ordinary candle. The movements and erratic actions of the flame are then said to predict the future.
Carromancy was widespread in ancient Russia and is also known in modern Russia as one of the Christmas rituals[3].
Carromancy also has roots in ancient Celtic and perhaps later in Ancient Roman times. [4] According to scraps of knowledge salvaged from around the period CE 500, it appears that the candle burned during a druid's vigil was poured into a bowl and then into a clear pool of cold water. The auguries for the future could then be read.
References
[edit]- ^ Laura Tempest Zakroff (8 May 2017). The Witch's Cauldron: The Craft, Lore & Magick of Ritual Vessels. Llewellyn Worldwide, Limited. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-7387-5252-5.
- ^ John Brand (1813). Observations on Popular Antiquities: Chiefly Illustrating the Origin of Our Vulgar Customs, Ceremonies, and Superstitions. F. C. and J. Rivington. p. 621.
- ^ "Как гадать на воске? Правила гадания и значения фигур". beautiful-and-happy.ru. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ Patricia Telesco (1998). Future Telling. Crossing Press. ISBN 978-0-89594-872-4.
See also
[edit]Carromancy
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Carromancy, also known as ceromancy, is a form of divination that involves melting wax, typically from candles, and pouring it into water to interpret the shapes, patterns, and bubbles formed as it cools and solidifies, thereby seeking insights into the future or hidden matters.[1]
The term derives from the Ancient Greek kērós ("wax") combined with manteia ("divination"), reflecting its classical linguistic roots in methods of prophetic interpretation.[2]
Historically, carromancy appears in records of early modern European folk magic, particularly in Venice during the period from 1580 to 1730, where it was practiced in domestic settings by women often labeled as cunning folk or witches. In these contexts, the practice extended beyond simple pattern reading to include the molding of wax into human figures or dolls, which were then pierced with needles, bound together, or melted over a hearth fire while reciting incantations, primarily for love magic, relational binding, or influencing others' affections. Archival evidence from the Venetian Holy Office trials documents specific instances, such as the 1689 case of Samaritana Rossi, who used wax figures melted with household tools like iron rods to perform rituals, and the 1580s activities of Perina Marigi, who incorporated herbs into wax molds for harmful or protective spells. These acts often drew on sacred materials, including wax from Easter candles or church sources, blending folk traditions with elements of Catholic ritual amid periods of intense prosecution for illicit magic.
While claims of ancient Celtic or Roman origins circulate in esoteric literature, verifiable historical documentation primarily emerges from post-medieval Europe, where carromancy served as an accessible, low-cost divinatory tool in everyday spiritual life. The method's simplicity—requiring only wax, water, and fire—contributed to its persistence across social classes, though it frequently intersected with broader accusations of sorcery during inquisitorial eras. In contemporary practice, carromancy endures in modern witchcraft and occult traditions, emphasizing symbolic interpretation of forms like animals, letters, or abstract shapes to convey messages from the spiritual realm.
These symbols align with broader divinatory symbolism in European folk practices, where closed loops like circles evoke wholeness and continuity.[15]
Etymology and Definition
Terminology and Origins of the Name
The term carromancy, alternatively spelled ceromancy, originates from the combination of the Ancient Greek words kēros (κηρός), meaning "wax," and manteia (μαντεία), meaning "divination" or "prophecy."[2] This etymological structure reflects the practice's focus on interpreting patterns formed by melted wax. The variant spelling ceromancy derives from French céromancie and Medieval Latin cēromantia, indicating its transmission through European scholarly traditions.[3][1] The earliest attested use of ceromancy in English appears in 1652, in the writings of clergyman John Gaule, marking the term's entry into documented occult literature.[3] Spelling variations and regional nomenclature further illustrate the term's evolution across cultures. In Italian folklore, the practice is termed ceromanzia, emphasizing its integration into Mediterranean esoteric customs.[4] English esoteric texts often refer to it simply as "wax scrying," highlighting the scrying aspect without the Greek-derived suffix.[5] Carromancy is distinguished from the broader field of pyromancy—divination through observation of fire or flames—by its exclusive reliance on wax as the interpretive medium, typically poured into water to solidify into symbolic forms.[1] This specificity underscores wax's role as a transformative substance bridging heat and cooling in the divinatory process.Core Principles and Distinction from Other Divination Forms
Carromancy, also known as ceromancy, is a form of divination centered on the interpretation of patterns formed by melted wax as it transitions from a fluid to a solid state, symbolizing messages from spiritual or subconscious realms. This practice views the wax's cooling process as a metaphor for life's transitions, where the molten form embodies fluidity, potential, and change, while the solidified shapes reveal outcomes, warnings, or insights into unresolved matters.[6][7] The core principle hinges on thermal manipulation, typically involving heating wax until liquid and then allowing it to drip into cold water or air, where rapid cooling creates distinct formations for analysis. These patterns—ranging from smooth pools indicating clarity to jagged edges suggesting obstacles—are read intuitively to provide guidance on personal queries or spell efficacy in magical contexts. Fluidity in the wax is often associated with evolving situations or emotional states, whereas solidification points to fixed results or necessary actions.[6][7] Carromancy distinguishes itself from other divinatory arts through its reliance on physical wax transformation rather than natural elements or internal experiences. Unlike hydromancy, which interprets omens directly from water's movement, ripples, or contained objects, carromancy uses wax as the primary medium, often introduced into water to enhance pattern visibility but focusing on the wax's own configurations. In contrast to oneiromancy, which deciphers symbolic content from dreams during sleep, carromancy employs deliberate, waking ritual to generate and observe tangible symbols.[8][6] At its foundation, shape recognition in carromancy draws on pareidolia, the perceptual phenomenon where individuals discern meaningful figures in ambiguous or random stimuli, facilitating the connection of wax forms to broader symbolic interpretations within a spiritual framework.[9]Historical Development
Ancient Roots and Early Practices
Carromancy, or ceromancy, has been linked to ancient Mediterranean cultures in some historical accounts, where the use of melted wax for divinatory purposes may have emerged as part of broader oracular traditions. In ancient Greece, wax was occasionally employed in ritual contexts associated with lekanomancy, a form of water-based divination, where melted wax dropped into water formed shapes interpreted as omens. This practice is noted in classical texts as a minor element in rituals, such as a lekanomantic method involving a sanctified wax taper combined with holy water to reveal hidden truths, reflecting the material's symbolic purity and malleability in prophetic acts.[10] While claims of ancient Roman, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Celtic origins appear in esoteric literature, verifiable historical documentation for carromancy primarily emerges from later European traditions.Evolution in Medieval and Renaissance Europe
During the Middle Ages, carromancy saw references in 12th-century texts, where it was associated with forms of bewitchment involving wax figures. Theologians like John of Salisbury described the use of wax or clay figures in maleficia, viewing such practices as demonic magic. This period marked an integration with Christian mysticism, where wax-dripping techniques were sometimes adapted to interpret divine signs, though often condemned as superstitious. In the 15th and 16th centuries, carromancy appeared in alchemical contexts during the Renaissance, where wax was used in experiments symbolizing transmutation, though not explicitly for divination. The practice faced severe persecution during the witch hunts of the late 15th and 16th centuries, with texts like the Malleus Maleficarum (1487) condemning divination arts, including those involving wax, as demonic sorcery that could lead to pacts with the devil. Accusations often lumped carromancy with other "superstitious" acts, resulting in trials and executions across Europe, which drove the practice underground among secretive groups of folk healers and alchemists. This suppression paradoxically preserved carromancy through oral traditions and hidden manuscripts, allowing it to survive inquisitorial scrutiny. Geographically, carromancy spread from Italy, where Renaissance humanists integrated it into occult studies, northward to England by the 17th century, appearing in grimoires and English folk magic compilations. In England, it adapted to local customs, often combined with candle burning in rural divination, as documented in accounts of cunning folk practices amid the ongoing witch persecutions. This dissemination reflected broader exchanges via trade routes and scholarly networks, embedding carromancy in diverse European occult traditions.[11]Methods and Techniques
Materials and Preparation
Carromancy, also known as ceromancy, traditionally employs natural waxes such as beeswax or soy as the primary substance for divination, chosen for their ability to melt into interpretable forms without excessive additives.[12][7] Contemporary adaptations incorporate candles of varying colors to align with specific intentions, such as white for purity and clarity or red for passion and energy, enhancing the ritual's focus through color correspondences rooted in Western esoteric traditions.[7] Auxiliary items include a clean basin or container filled with cold water to receive the molten wax, a heat source like a double-boiler (balneum Mariae) or brass bowl to safely melt the material, and optional enhancements such as herbs or incense to amplify atmospheric intent.[12] Safety is paramount, with practitioners advised to avoid synthetic waxes that may emit toxic fumes when heated, favoring natural alternatives to prevent health risks during the melting process.[7]Step-by-Step Process of Divination
Carromancy divination follows a structured ritual sequence to channel spiritual insights through the medium of wax. The process emphasizes focus, observation, and respect for the elemental forces involved. The procedure commences with an initial invocation, in which the practitioner sets a clear intention for the reading. This step typically involves prayer, meditation, or a spoken affirmation of the query to align the mind and invite guidance from spiritual entities before any physical manipulation of the wax occurs.[6][13] Subsequently, the wax—often sourced from colored candles selected to align with the inquiry's theme—is heated until fully molten, commonly in a double boiler to ensure safety and even melting. The practitioner then allows drops or pours of the liquid wax to fall into a vessel of cold water, carefully observing the flow rate, viscosity, and initial interactions as the wax contacts the water surface.[14][6] In the cooling phase, the wax is permitted to solidify within the water, a process that generally requires several minutes for the formations to stabilize and become examinable. Once hardened, the resulting wax structure is gently lifted from the water for detailed scrutiny under adequate lighting.[6] The ritual concludes with a closing invocation, where the practitioner expresses gratitude to any invoked spirits or forces and documents the observed formations in a journal. This step preserves the reading for personal reflection and potential correlation with future events.[6][13]Symbolism and Interpretation
Common Wax Shapes and Their Meanings
In carromancy, the solidified wax forms a variety of shapes that practitioners interpret using established symbolic associations drawn from folk traditions and occult practices. These interpretations emphasize archetypal meanings, where geometric figures often denote cycles or barriers, animal forms suggest specific events or warnings, and abstract patterns reveal emotional or energetic states. While meanings can be intuitive and context-dependent, traditional sources provide consistent guidelines for common symbols.Geometric and Object Shapes
The following table summarizes prevalent geometric and object-based wax formations and their standard interpretations, based on historical occult compilations:| Shape | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circle | Unity, completion of a cycle, or reconciliation in relationships |
| Cross | Protection from harm or an impending obstacle to navigate |
| Heart | Love, affection, or the deepening of a friendship into romance |
| Ring | Commitment, such as marriage, or the resolution of a binding issue |