CAPNOMANCY
What is Capnomancy (Smoke Divination)?
Capnomancy (smoke divination) is a form of divination that reads the way smoke rises and drifts from incense or flame as an omen. Established primary sources for the name "capnomancy" itself are scarce, though a closely related incense-smoke practice, libanomancy, is attested in records from ancient Babylonia.
Overview
- System
- Omen Reading (reads from the way smoke rises)
- Origin
- Ancient, various regions
- What You Need
- Smoke rising from incense or flame
- Best For
- Life, timing
- Time Frame
- Near term
Origins & History
Capnomancy is generally taken to be an umbrella term for divination practices that read the way smoke rises and drifts from incense or flame as an omen. Established primary sources backing the name "capnomancy" itself are scarce, and little is known in detail about its origin or any systematic method of interpretation. As a closely related practice, libanomancy, which uses incense smoke, is attested in omen records on ancient Babylonian clay tablets and has been the subject of scholarly translation studies.
Capnomancy as practiced today is passed down through basic interpretive readings introduced in Western occult reference works from the 19th century onward, and it should be noted that this cannot be said to be a direct, unbroken continuation of any rigorous ancient system.
How It Works
- 01Decide on a single question to ask.
- 02Generate a pattern for how the smoke rises and drifts, using a random draw.
- 03Check the pattern that was generated.
- 04Receive the reading text corresponding to that pattern, in light of your question.
What It Reveals
It suits questions seeking symbolic insight, such as life direction or omens for the near future. Because primary sources for the name’s origin and for the system itself are scarce and much remains uncertain, it is not well suited to situations demanding precision or firm grounding, and is best treated as a tool for enjoying intuitive suggestion.
Related Methods
References
- Wikipedia: Libanomancy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libanomancy)
- 西洋オカルト事典類に見られる煙占い（カプノマンシー）の基本的な読み方に関する解説資料