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wanderingsorcerer · 15 days

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Bones of the Past: Unearthing the Ancient Art of Osteomancy by W.S.

Osteomancy, an ancient divination art utilizing bones, boasts a rich history spanning millennia and has manifested in various forms across diverse cultures worldwide. In today's Wanderers Tea Time, we'll explore these distinctive variations and even guide you through crafting your own personalized set.

The art of osteomancy goes by many names across many different cultures, but its main purpose is to divine future or present events. This can look like bone throwing, which entails reading the way bones land after asking a question.

Pyro osteomancy in which the bones are heated in fire and the cracks are read by the shaman or fortune teller.

There is no one correct way to practice osteomancy because each cultures take on the practice differ depending on region and era.

Chinese Oracle bones

The practice of shamans reading Oracle bones in China is seen most prominently in the late shang dynasty, the process involved the use of Turtle Shell and or Ox scapula bone.

Emperors, nobles and even peasants were known to frequent these fortune tellers for answers. The process involved carving questions into the bone or shell and then placing them into a fire. The heat from the fire would cause fracture points in the bone and from these cracks the shaman or fortune teller would be able to get insight into the questions asked.

If this sounds familiar to you and you've never heard of osteomancy there is a chance you recognize this scene from Avatar the last Airbender.

This scene, despite its animated nature, adeptly illustrates the profound reliance individuals often placed on fortune tellers, while also delving into the cultural intricacies that underpin this ancient practice in an easy to digest manner.

osteomancy in Ancient Greek culture

In Ancient Mediterranean culture there were many different ways people could divine the future. One such way was the use of Astragaloi, an ancient four sided die usually made from a sheep's knuckle bone.

These dice were usually numbered and correspondence charts were used to see which God would be governing over your question, once completed whoever was doing the readings would be able to divine an answer.

This was a fairly common practice and was a type of game in and of itself. But the Astragaloi were used in other games all around the ancient Mediterranean and it was so common to have a set, that many children who died young were known to be buried with a set of them.

New Age Spiritualism*Derogatory

The rise in new age spirituality has led to a rise in cultural misappropriation, Osteomancy is not as common amongst the new age spiritual movement as say tarot cards are.

It's Folk practitioners I've noticed who are keeping the art form of osteomancy alive, and are doing so respectfully within their cultures parameters.

That being said when it does bleed into New Age Circles What I've unfortunately seen in recent years, especially on tiktok, is the practice of osteomancy being used in the same fashion as hoodoo and African religious practices. (By white people)

And while it is important to learn about other cultures and to grow as a practitioner. It is also important to understand that copying the way a specific culture does their divination is not something you should be doing unless you are a part of that culture or at least are attempting to reconnect to it.

Osteomancy is an open practice and has been practiced for thousands of years, however you shouldn't be playing copyright infringement with our African brothers and sisters.

Osteomancy Sets: The Found

To create your own Osteomancy set it is common to go into the forest or parks and search for animal bones which have already dried and been exposed to sunlight. These sets when created are said to be more valuable than one purchased because each piece of bone holds a story and a different assigned meaning. This allows you to read a more detailed answer to the question asked. The can take years to complete though so people will also add stones and other nicknacks into the mix.

Make sure each bone is cleaned with a degreasing solution and then soaked in a hydrogen peroxide solution for several days to keep rotting from taking place. If done properly the bones should last several years, if you do it incorrectly you may notice bone flies appear. They feed off of bone and are a nuisance they damage the entire set.

You can also make a Vegan version out of Wood, carving answers into them and throwing them as you would a normal Osteomancy set.

Below I will show you how to make your own set of Osteomancy Bones from the Grocery store :)

[Liability Disclaimer]

"Wandering Sorcerer shall not be held liable in the event that you become sick after attempting this project, please do not attempt unless supervised by an adult or are yourself over the age of 18. Follow all safety procedures, both recommended and inferred by the warnings given" W.S. 04/08/2024

{WARNINGS AND SAFETY PROCEDURES}

"This is going to include the handling of fresh animal meat and bone. Please practice food safety and contamination control, I don't want you to get sick. while not found in avians, if you do this project with other animals Bone dust can expose you to prions, which is known to cause brain diseases when inhaled. If and when carving into dry bone wear a mask and have proper ventilation, its best to do most if not all of this outside."

Now that that's out of the way without further adieu here is -

Osteomancy sets: The Formed

As someone who has done a fair amount of taxidermy work and wanted a set of my own Osteomancy bones a few years back I decided it would be cool if I made my own instead of buying one off etsy. This step by step can be converted to suite any animal however at the time I decided on chicken because it was rather inexpensive, and I was craving fried chicken that day :)

Opus Est~

Raw Chicken Drumsticks ( 6 is a good number ) store bought is fine

Dawn Dish Soap

Hydrogen peroxide

Very Sharp Knife

Metal Pot

Gloves (please wear gloves when handling hydrogen peroxide and wash your hands and the area after handling meat to avoid spreading bacteria)

The Burden Of Creation

Start by deboning the chicken, this can be tough but what I did was follow the bone using the back end of the blade. Very important the blade be as sharp as possible.

Then begin pulling away the meat and separate any cartilage from the drumstick. Cook the chicken however you like but DO NO COOK THE BONES

Once the bones are prepped we are going to begin the degreasing stage, using Dawn Dish Soap and water begin cleaning and scrubbing the remaining blood and meat from the bone.

once you're satisfied with the results, get fresh clean water and inside the metal pot add a decent amount of soap, you will allow it to sit for at minimum 24 hours.( 72hrs is best with daily water and soap changes) keep doing this until the water no longer has scum forming from the bones.

After degreasing stage is complete, get a new pot and add in hydrogen peroxide, you can get high proof 12% or higher peroxide from the hair salon, but if not Medical Grade 3% is fine, it just takes a few more days.

Change the peroxide solution daily, you should begin seeing a bleaching effect after 72 hours. Once the bones are white you can leave them out in the sun for a few days to allow them to fully dry.

The Joy Of Creation

Now that the bones have been degreased, bleached and dried we can begin actually designing the Osteomancy Set,

The set we will be creating is the crossing questions Osteomancy set, many people more than likely already know of this set as it is a common form of divination seen amongst many yes no fortune tellers on Live Streams today.

To make a set of your own you will need

Twine

paint

Dried Bones

This is entirely up to you on how you decide to wrap or paint your Bones, the main important aspect is that a specific amount of your Bones are wrapped in twine and the others are painted with varying symbology and answers. If you have the aptitude you can carve into the bones to create permanent symbols (please use proper ventilation)

The most common for a set of six, is three wrapped and three painted.

Allow yourself to get creative, once they've been created bless them however you like and name them as you would any other tool.

So now that you've created your very own set of Osteomancy Bones, you might be asking how you read the answers.

Well look no further:

How to Not Be Dyslexic When Reading Bones

You should have a designated throwing cup in which the set can both be stored and thrown from, think Yahtzee but for divination.

when thrown, the bones will land dependent on their varying weights and your throwing styles.

If they create an X the answer to your question is yes.

If the answer is no they will drastically separate from one another, sometimes subtle other times at cartoonish velocity.

When two stringed ones cross it becomes a definite yes. Meaning the most likely scenario to happen.

If a painted and a strung bone cross it means probably, if two painted cross its a soft maybe.

Depending on your own point of view and the symbology painted on your bones, you can interpret different meanings from your throws. The more personal a design you give your Bones the more you will be

I Feel It in My Bones

Osteomancy is an important aspect of divination, many of the ancient divination practices have unfortunately been lost or made illegal by society(The Vapors) so i think it's nice that we see this ancient art still widely practiced today. I hope I was able to offer some insight into this practice and maybe even inspired you to create your very own.

Thank you for sitting down and having Tea with me on the Other side of the Great Divide

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theoddcryptid · 21 days

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Free tarot / bone and charm / oracle readings, first come first serve.

check out the form for more info and some rules

#tarot #divination #tarot readings #tarot cards #witchblr #witch #pagan #witchy #free tarot #free tarot readings #osteomancy #bone reading

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thehexwitch · 1 year

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Some animistic bone-reading tips

I've been practicing bone-reading for about five years now, and through that I've picked up on a few things that I don't regularly see people talking about, so I decided to put together a list that I would have personally found helpful at the beginning of my divination practice. Please be advised that I come at bone-reading from a very animistic perspective, so if that's not a viewpoint that you believe in, most of these tips probably won't be helpful to you.

The method of bone-reading I use is to ask a specific question and toss the bones to read. This is a common method, but there are also alternate practices, such as tossing bones in the fire and reading them based on the burns and heat cracking.

Choose your bones carefully. Pick ones that want to be worked with, and ones that you're personally able to resonate with. Bones that don't want to be read can't be used effectively from my experience.

Feed your bones. This is the practice of giving your bones offerings to maintain their willingness to work with you and to build your relationship with them. I find divinatory herbs and blood to be a great offering, though blood should not be used without experience and caution. Food the animal would have eaten while alive can also be effective (for example, if your set is made primarily of fox bones, a small offering of meat might be appreciated).

Listen to your gut. Bone-reading is an incredibly instinctual and personalized form of divination. Don't try too hard to logically assign meanings to your bones - from my experience, they will usually let you know. If you can tell a bone would like to be used for a reading but can't tell what the bone might mean, add it to your set. It will let you know once you start doing readings with it.

Use a mat. This is partially a mundane recommendation; if you throw your bones straight onto the floor, they're eventually going to break. This also makes it easier to tell when a bone breaking is significant to the reading. A mat can also serve as a center of the reading; the bones in the middle may be more significant, whereas the bones that fall off the mat may be irrelevant to the reading. This isn't a format one has to use, but it can be helpful, especially to beginners.

Just start bone-reading. Obviously you should go into it having done research, and with a cautious and respectful attitude. However, at a certain point, doing research and preparation isn't helpful. Because bone-reading is so personalized and instinctual, there is so much you can only learn once you start. During your first few readings, pay close attention to each bone, where they fall next to each other, and what they may be telling you about their meaning.

#bone reading #bone divination #osteomancy #divination #trad witch #traditional witchcraft #witchblr #crooked path #animism #faery faith #folklore #folkloric witchcraft #faery witch #folk devil #folk magic

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maceofpentacles · 2 years

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divination readings!!

a little about me :) i’m a 22 year old with a passion for divination! i’ve been doing readings for a few years now and i’ve loved every second of it! i love helping people and giving them guidance when they need it.

forms of divination i use: tarot, oracle, runes, pendulum, and osteomancy (bone throwing)

tarot readings:

single card pull - $3

asset + hindrance - $5

release + retain - $5

advice from the universe - $8

week/month/year ahead - $5/$8/$12

what does your inner child need from you - $8

what shadow behavior do you need to work on - $8

general love (what’s next for you romantically) - $8

custom - message me!

oracle readings:

single card pull - $3

three card pull - $5

messages from your guardian angels - $8

custom - message me!

combination tarot + oracle readings:

entity identification (deity, angel, demon, spirit guide, etc.) - $15

messages from your entity (deity, angel, demon, spirit guide, etc.) - $10

connecting with your entity (deity, angel, demon, spirit guide, etc.) - $10

dragon guide identification - $10

advice from your dragon guide - $8

what animal spirit wants to work with you - $8

advice from your ancestors - $8

rune readings:

single rune pull - $3

three rune pull - $8

messages from your entity (deity, angel, demon, spirit guide, etc.) - $10

custom - message me!

pendulum + bone throwing readings: (yes/no)

three questions - $3

five questions - $5

ten questions - $8

unlimited questions for a month (you can come back to message me whenever you want within a month of your purchasing) - $15

i accept payments through paypal, venmo, cashapp, and zelle! i always send a picture of what i end up pulling (cards, runes, bones, etc) so you can get a feel for the energy i gather during the readings :)

i do readings for just about anything but i DO NOT do any readings regarding physical health, fertility, specific love related questions ((i.e. twin flame, future spouse, or soulmate readings)), or things that make me uncomfortable.

i enjoy every reading i get to do! if you’d like a reading but don’t know what you want, we can chat and figure something out that works with what you’re looking for and your budget! my prices are 100% negotiable as well so don’t be shy to send an offer my way :)

if you are interested in purchasing a reading from me please shoot me a message telling me what type of reading you’d like, along with any info (name, pronouns, etc) you feel is necessary for me to know beforehand!

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delicatelydeceased · 1 year

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🕯𝔚𝔞𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔖𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔰🕯

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will-o-the-witch · 5 months

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Diviners— What sort of things would you want to learn in a bone reading 102 class? Like if you had the basic principles down but wanted to get into something more intermediate

#osteomancy #bone reading #divination #I’m teaching another class at my local witchy shop #and we’ve already covered 101

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vacantwoodsenthusiast · 22 days

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April Bone Reading:

A lot of anxiety towards conflicts at work and trying to find new housing as I have a change in goals with a potential roommate. But there is love and stability in my current relationships overall, and successful is on the horizon due to the hope and strategic communications I plan to have in the distant future. I just got to hold on a little while longer.

#bone throwing #bone reading #osteomancy #bone witch #april 2024

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closetedwitchlet · 1 year

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Reading Bones Appalachian style

I was out visiting one of my mentors today. A lovely soul [S for privacy] who was raised in old Southern Appalachian traditions explained bone casting (also known as Osteomancy).

• it's extremely personal and specific to the caster

• he has not just bones but small trinkets that mean different things to him

• he explicitly explained to me that he hesitates to explain osteomancy because each individual piece can mean different things like:

○ the black walnut can be toxic and thus indicate toxicity. But because the shell is difficult to crack, many animals don't consume it and therefore could, depending on where it lands, mean strong barriers

○ you can research and find different meanings for the same animal bone and types of bone, but what is important is what it represents to the caster

○ same goes for types of wood and seeds (crystals aren't a heavy influence in Appalachian culture, but doesn't mean you can't use it in casting!)

Also, he makes sure to always leave flowers where he found the bones he works with as a sign of gratitude and also feeling sorry for the animal.

And as always, when handling remains, ask questions if you are buying about how the remains were prepared or research how to process remains yourself.

#witch #witchcraft #witchy #witches #bones #bone reading #appalachia #appalachain mountains

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dathomirdumpsterfire · 5 months

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~Chapter 23 Snippet: Love cannot go to waste. It's value isn't tied to either it's expression or it's reciprocation~

"An apology?" Obi-Wan asks, confused, "Whatever for?"

The seer turns away, his expression hidden by the hood of his leather cowl.

“I did not warn you of… events. I keep track of your fate, jedi. I saw that the way forward was clouded and poor, but also that intervention was likely to have lethal consequences for you. I value your life more than your mandate, and so... I held my tongue.”

“Oh,” Obi-Wan replies faintly.

“I do not regret my choice, and I will make the same one again should history repeat itself. No matter the consequences,” Maul says cuttingly, still facing away.

Obi-Wan isn't sure what to think about all that. Honestly, he's too bloody tired at the moment to even begin to think through the ethics involved. It might be selfish of him, but the young jedi finds himself far more concerned with the way the fortune teller is holding himself, here and now, rather than the unchangeable past.

That body language. It is the frame of a man waiting to take a hit.

“Maul,” he says softly, reaching over to set a hand on the far side of that black jawline.

The seer grasps his wrist, but otherwise doesn't stop him as Obi-Wan turns his face until their gazes meet.

In the mood for some young Witch!Maul and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the lower levels of Coruscant? Start here 👇🏽

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wanderingsorcerer · 15 days

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Osteomancy Post Out Now, For The Gays And The They's, No Straights Allowed

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wizardichor · 1 year

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If I reopened in-depth bone readings how many of y'all would actually want one done? Asking because they can take a few hours each and I don't want to over fill my schedule so I need to know how many slots I should open.

#witchblr #witchcraft #witch #witches of tumblr #witch community #death witchcraft #paganblr #bone reading #bone tossing #bone throwing #bone set #death witch

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messiah10chi · 1 year

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I finally have the osteomancy set of my dreams, but I am always open to new pieces. 🦴🦴🦴

#eclectic witch #witchblr #witchcraft #witch #pagan witch #pagan #paganblr #paganism #osteomancy #bone #bone reading #divination

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delicatelydeceased · 1 year

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🐈‍⬛𝔒𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔅𝔯𝔬𝔠𝔨𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔣𝔩𝔬𝔠𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔤🐈‍⬛

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flaxenshit · 5 months

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Me: hasn't updated my wards in over a year

Me: uses zero protection or cleansing when doing magic

Me: makes a new spell, recasts my most powerful spell 3 times, doubts my bones, makes no sacrifices, and calls Frau Holle a bitch

Also me: why is everything in my life going wrong and why am I so fucking tired

#witchcraft #frau holle #bone reading #we love casting spells #wards #cleansing #protection

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bonesandcards · 7 months

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Since my birthday I’ve been bonding heavily with my bone throwing set. I’ve been building and working this particular set for the last two years. I have added some new painted bones recently as well as clay pieces I made. The paint and clay is drying on my new pieces as we speak. I will be soon be opening my books for bookings for bone readings.

#conjure #hoodoo #conjure woman #conjure dairies: mama t #bone reading #bone throwing

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harmonyhealinghub · 8 months

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The Ancient Art of Bone Readings: Delving into the Secrets of Divination

Shaina Tranquilino

August 31, 2023

Throughout history, humans have sought to unravel the mysteries of the future. From tarot card readings to astrology, divination practices have provided a glimpse into what lies ahead. Among these ancient methods stands bone reading, a lesser-known yet fascinating form of divination that holds roots in various cultures across the globe. In this blog post, we will explore the intriguing world of bone readings, their origins, and how they are conducted today.

Origins and Cultural Significance:

Bone readings can be traced back thousands of years and are deeply rooted in African, Indigenous, and European cultures. It is believed that ancestral spirits guide bone readers in interpreting messages from beyond. These ancestors act as mediators between the divine realm and our earthly existence, offering insights, wisdom, and guidance through the casting and interpretation of bones.

The Process:

Bone readings involve throwing or casting a collection of bones onto a specially prepared surface such as a cloth or animal hide. Each bone represents a different aspect of life or symbolizes specific energies. The arrangement patterns formed by the bones provide the reader with clues about past events, present circumstances, and potential outcomes.

Types of Bones Used:

Although there is no strict rule regarding which bones can be used for readings, common choices include animal bones like chicken wings or feet, knucklebones from sheep or goats, seashells, stones, coins, or even dice. Some practitioners also incorporate other objects such as feathers or charms to enhance the overall symbolism.

Interpreting Messages:

Once casted, bone readers carefully observe the positions and relationships between each bone to interpret their meanings. This process involves intuition and spiritual connection with both the client seeking guidance and the spirit world. Interpretations may vary based on cultural traditions or personal experiences; therefore, it is crucial for each practitioner to develop their unique understanding of symbols within the context of their craft.

Benefits and Insights:

Bone readings offer a range of benefits to those seeking guidance. They can provide clarity on personal matters, relationships, career paths, and even spiritual growth. By gaining insight into past events, one can better understand patterns or obstacles that may be affecting their present circumstances. This knowledge allows individuals to make informed decisions and take proactive steps towards a brighter future.

The Ethical Aspect:

Like any form of divination or psychic reading, ethical considerations are vital in bone readings. It is crucial for practitioners to approach each session with honesty, integrity, and compassion. Transparency regarding limitations and possibilities should be provided while ensuring client consent and confidentiality at all times.

Bone readings are an intriguing practice that taps into ancient wisdom and connects us with ancestral spirits. While some may remain skeptical about their efficacy, these divination methods continue to provide comfort, clarity, and valuable insights to those who seek them. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, bone readings serve as a reminder that our ancestors' wisdom can still guide us through life's uncertainties.

#bone reading wisdom #bone reading #bone throwing #divining bones #the language of bones #unveiling destiny #skeletal insights #ancient art of bone reading #intuitive guidance #bones and beyond #sacred divination #seeking clarity through bones

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