One of the simplest divination methods in the world is also one of the oldest. Called ‘Urim and Thumin’ in the Bible, and practiced by the ancient priesthood of Israel, it consisted of two stones, one light stone and one dark stone, which were stored in the high priest’s breastplate. One stone was assigned the meaning ‘Yes’ and the other stone was assigned the meaning ‘No.’ It was consulted for answers to questions of a fairly direct nature—should I go left or right? Should we begin planting this week? Should this man make a sacrifice of a sheep and two turtledoves to Jahweh on this matter? Should I take Rachel, daughter of Joseph, as my concubine? This system of divination was the one featured in Paolo Coelho’s novel, The Alchemist.
Urim and Thumin, which could also be called ‘The Yes and No Stones,’ is a binary divination system. Other binary divination systems are the I Ching of China, which relies on a series of 64 different hexgrams or sets of six lines, which have either broken or unbroken lines in their formation. One African divination system employs a series of eight discs carved from tortoise shell and strung together, with each shell inscribed with some combination of 1s and 0s. The string of eight shells is ritually thrown by a diviner, who then draws from it any one of a number of answers. Urim and Thumin is the simplest divination tool in the world. The African divination tool just described is one of the most complex. Both are binary-based, which gives you an idea of how flexible a binary-based divination system can be.
Hello and thank you very much for your posts which are really handy and well done. The 2 stones divination system really enjoyed me and I feel like this is something I can use. The only question is what kind of stones should I use ? I guess Onyx for the black one, but what about the white and blue one ? What should you recommend ?
Also it is not mentioned in your post but during session do you use a candle lit and incense ?
Thank you
I actually use the sort of glass stones that are used in vases with floral arrangements. Because the glass stones are made to be roughly the same uniform shape, my finger can’t identify which stone I’m grabbing, so I know I’m not deliberately grabbing a particular stone for the answer.
But if you want to use natural minerals, I’d say either moonstone or some other white stone like snow quartz for the light stone. Onyx, most obsidians or jet would all be good choices for the dark stone. The third stone can actually be any other color. Either Lapis lazuli,or a certain shade of turquoise stone would be lovely blue stones to use for this purpose, but a red jasper or a green agate would also be nice for the third stone.
I don’t normally light a candle or incense when using the yes-and-no stones, because sometimes, I’m consulting them on the spur-of-the-moment. I think it is good preparation to light a candle or incense if you have a whole list of questions which you want to put to them. In that case, I think lighting a candle and/or incense helps to focus one’s own mind on the seriousness of the consultation, and it can help to summon the spirits you are asking to communicate with you via the stones. I hope this helps. Sorry for the tardiness of my reply.