The practice of smoke divination, also known as capnomancy, has been employed by various cultures throughout history as a means of seeking insight and guidance from the spiritual realm. It is believed that the patterns and movements of smoke can reveal messages and omens that can help individuals make decisions or understand current circumstances. The interpretation of smoke divination involves a set of principles that have been cultivated and passed down through generations. These principles serve as a guide for understanding the symbolism and meaning behind the smoke patterns observed during a divination session. One of the fundamental principles of smoke divination interpretation is the recognition of different types of smoke and their respective meanings. Thick, heavy smoke is often interpreted as a sign of a problem or obstacle, while light and wispy smoke may indicate a positive outcome or a favorable situation.
I encourage others to develop an art from these principles, but will confine myself here to an Old Babylonian cuneiform text on the subject, which follows a somewhat different set of criteria. Firstly, the correct reading of smoke omens according to the Old Babylonian method requires the diviner to stand facing East, with the brazier or burner before them. As Maria Stella Cingolo (Some Remarks about the Old Babylonian Libanomancy Texts) observes, four steps are described, although it does not seem that the third and fourth must be involved:
The same is ultimately true of extispicy, although the process to get to the binary answer is much more complicated see Derek Collins, Mapping the Entrails The Practice of Greek Hepatoscopy. Thick smoke could indicate the presence of heavy energies or emotional blockages, while light, airy smoke could signify positivity and clear thoughts.
Thick, heavy smoke is often interpreted as a sign of a problem or obstacle, while light and wispy smoke may indicate a positive outcome or a favorable situation. By understanding the different qualities of smoke, diviners can begin to decipher the messages being conveyed. Another principle of smoke divination interpretation involves paying attention to the direction and movement of the smoke.
Libanomancy (Incense Divination)
Ancient animal sacrifice was not just an offering, but also a mode of divination. For one thing, of course, there was haruspicy or excispicy, the inspection of the innards (exta), especially the liver of a sacrificial animal. We are not particularly well informed about the details of this practice in the Greco-Roman world, due to the loss of ancient handbooks on the subject, but there are extensive surviving materials on the art of extispicy (akk. bārûtu) in cuneiform – no doubt enough to revive the art, if one wished, once the extant material are made available in translations with good commentaries.
Aside from this highly technical mode of divination, there were also more casual observations made during sacrifice: “They used to trouble themselves further about the corpses of the victims, (observing) whether they would fall down to the right or the left; and in the former case, they would predict fortunate (events), in the latter, unfortunate ones.
“They would also observe the moment of the (final) spasm after the sacrifice: and if the victims immediately breathed their last, they would predict a fast resolution for themselves in the matters at hand, but if not, a drawn-out and troubled one” (Psellus, On the Sacrificial Science).
These two examples are both binary (left vs. right, fast vs. drawn out), and deliver an essentially binary answer: yes or no, auspicious or inauspicious. The same is ultimately true of extispicy, although the process to get to the binary answer is much more complicated (see Derek Collins, Mapping the Entrails: The Practice of Greek Hepatoscopy).
But why do I spell all this out in a page on divination from incense? My point is that, while animal slaughter was the primary means of divination through sacrifice, the basic method (of making binary observations) and result (of learning whether the offering was received auspiciously or not) is generalizable, and in principle could be applied to any kind of offering that involves events or effects outside human control.
After all, “those who would placate the gods with frankincense were heard (by the gods) no less than those who immolated animals. For in place of victims, it is also possible to make an auspicious offering to the gods with nothing but a good conscience” (Lactantius Placidus, On the Thebaid 2.247).
And whether in animal sacrifice or pure incense offerings, it is possible to read smoke and fumes. As Lactantius Placidus writes: “The art of haruspicy contains this, that it observes the movement and crackling of the (grains of) frankincense, and the movement and inclination of the smoke, because these signs first testify the promise of the innards, if they are good – or if they are contrary, it is obstructed, as the book On the Signs of Frankincense attests, which is ascribed to Tiresias himself” (On the Thebaid 4.468).
“This kind of haruspicy is called καπνομαντεία (kapno-manteía, ‘smoke-divination’), because future events are shown from the distribution of the smoke itself” (ibid. 10.599). “There is a certain art of foreseeing the truth from the smoke of the altar, because those who are called καπνομάντεις (kapno-mánteis, ‘smoke-diviners’) know what things are going to happen from the distribution of the smoke itself” (ibid. 4.412).
In the scholia on Homer, there is even an explicit distinction made between “those who make divination using innards (gr. splánkhna)” and “those who make divination using incenses (gr. epithyómena), the burnt-offering-diviners (gr. empyroskópoi); these they call frankincense-diviners (libanománteis)” (Scholia on Iliad 24.221). According to Porphyry, the first to use such vegetarian divination from frankincense was Pythagoras himself (Life of Pythagoras 11), the sage who enjoined us not to stain altars with blood but to offer honey-cakes, frankincense and hymns (Philostratus, Life of Apollonius 1.1).
[Work in Progress: add Philostratus, Life of Apollonius 1.31]
What has been said should more than suffice to show the viability of divination from incense, but how can one actually practice it?
A straight and steady ascent of smoke is commonly associated with positive energy or a clear path forward. Conversely, if the smoke swirls or moves erratically, it may indicate confusion, uncertainty, or the presence of negative forces. By observing the direction and movement of the smoke, diviners can gain further insight into the situation at hand. The shape and formation of smoke is also an important aspect of interpretation. Diviners look for recognizable symbols or patterns within the smoke, such as animals, objects, or letters. These symbols are believed to hold specific meanings and can provide guidance or warnings. For example, the appearance of a bird in the smoke may indicate freedom or spiritual insight, while the shape of a snake could imply deception or danger. Lastly, the context and surroundings of a smoke divination session are taken into consideration during interpretation. Factors such as the time of day, location, or specific rituals performed can influence the meaning of the smoke patterns. Diviners use their intuition and understanding of the individual's situation to determine how these contextual factors impact the overall interpretation. In conclusion, the principles of smoke divination interpretation revolve around understanding the characteristics of smoke, observing its movement and direction, recognizing symbolic patterns, and considering the contextual factors of the divination session. These principles allow diviners to decipher the messages and omens present in the smoke, providing insight and guidance to those seeking answers..
Reviews for "The Language of Smoke: Exploring the Principles of Interpretation in Smoke Divination"
1. John - 1 star:
I found "Principles of Smoke Divination Interpretation" to be extremely disappointing and lacking in substance. The author's explanations were vague and poorly supported, making it difficult to grasp the concepts being presented. Moreover, the book lacked practical applications and seemed more like a collection of personal anecdotes rather than a comprehensive guide. Overall, I do not recommend this book to anyone serious about learning about smoke divination.
2. Sarah - 2 stars:
While "Principles of Smoke Divination Interpretation" had an interesting premise, I felt that it fell short in delivering a coherent and informative message. The author tended to digress and include unnecessary tangents, making it hard to focus on the main point. Additionally, the lack of visual aids or diagrams made it difficult to understand the various smoke patterns being discussed. I believe this book could benefit from a stronger structure and more concise explanations to truly be helpful to readers.
3. David - 2 stars:
"Principles of Smoke Divination Interpretation" left me feeling underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The author's writing style was confusing and inconsistent, often using cryptic language that was difficult to decipher. I also expected the book to delve deeper into the historical and cultural significance of smoke divination, but it only provided shallow insights. Overall, I was left feeling like I gained little knowledge or understanding from reading this book.