This is another one of those divination methods which I categorize under the self-coined term, artomancy, drawing omens from, and seeing pictures in, seemingly naturally-occurring things in one’s environment which can tell you something about the past, present or future. Some divination methods or tools, there’s a science to them, in the sense that there’s a set procedure to follow—you do this, in order to derive this, in order to conclude this. Xylomancy is true artomancy, because it’s quite free-form; there’s no procedure to follow to derive an answer, no definitive glossary of official meanings anywhere. Oh, there may be experts on this art somewhere in the world, but in the end, it’s really up to you discern whether the plant kingdom is giving you a definite sign or not. I’ve discerned some general principles for you to follow when practicing this old divinatory art:
- Set your intention before you start out on your walk. It can be either a specific question or problem you’re wrestling-with, or something more open-ended, like ‘what is just ahead for me in the future?’ ‘what do I need to know for the immediate future?’ or even just ‘drop me an important clue for something I need to know.’ You can merely think it, but if possible, I think it’s better to say this aloud. Setting The Intention is important, because this sends a message to the Nature Spirits to prep the landscape for your arrival, and to your spirit guides to give you the ‘nudge’ when you’ve come across something significant. Otherwise, all you’re doing is going on a normal walk.
- Then set out on your walk, keeping your mind in a state of openness, remaining calmly-alert for any wood in your path or your field of vision.
- You’re looking primarily for fallen branches, sticks or twigs, but secondarily for any trees which draw your attention. The key words here are ‘draws your attention.’ Not every three, branch, stick, or twig you see will be an omen.
- Are the sticks or twigs straight, curved, or shaped like a Y? A straight stick could indicate a straight-line path to something. A curved stick could indicate arriving at your destination will not be a straight-line path. A Y-shaped stick could indicate an important decision to make in the near-future. Are they pointing toward you, away from you, or are they at an angle where they’re not really pointing at anything?
- Do they have any branches which sprout-off to either side of a main ‘trunk’ or is it just a singular stick with a knot where a sprouted-off part may have been, or does it end in a ‘tassel’ of smaller twigs or a cluster of dried leaves at one end? A stick with a series of twigs sprouting off to either side, could indicate possible distractions or alternatives cropping-up on your way to a certain outcome. A straight stick with a ‘tassel’ of smaller twigs or dried-leaf cluster on one end could be saying that if you stay on the straight and narrow, all kinds of possibilities or rewards will crop up at the end.
- Have a cluster of sticks and/or twigs landed on the ground (or the snow) in a pattern? How are the sticks and twigs ‘interacting’ with one another? Do any of them look like they’re forming a Rune, an Ogham letter, an Icelandic glyph? Do they form a picture of sorts? Does a stick or branch resemble an animal? Do any of them have moss, or lichens, or no? Moss or lichens could indicate an old or long-standing feature in the diviner’s question or issue.
- What are the shape, size and color of the sticks or twigs? Are some bigger, thicker and darker or lighter than others? If so they could represent more important features or considerations in the matter they address.
- The same type of stick can have a different meaning, depending on its orientation. Say you encounter a Y-shaped stick; is the V-part of the stick pointing toward you, or away from you? If it’s toward you, that can mean you will be merging your resources with someone else in a certain endeavor in the future. The same sort of stick with the V-part of the stick pointing away from you can fortell a future parting-of-the-ways between you and someone or some organization you’re currently aligned-with.
- Is it just one branch? If it’s just one branch, does it look like the branch is in danger of separating and falling from the rest of the tree, or does it look like the branch wants to escape from the rest of the tree? Has the branch or stick broken off from the tree, but is caught in the other branches and is suspended perpendicular to the ground? A branch in some stage of separating or falling from a tree could indicate someone who wants to or is getting ready to separate from a larger group and head out on their own. A branch which has broken off, but has been stopped in its progress to the ground by the rest of the tree, could indicate someone who already feels emotionally-independent from a larger organization, but they are being impeded by circumstances from achieving full independence.
- If it is just a tree branch which has caught your attention, does it resemble anything else, such as an animal? What does the animal it resembles tell you about your issue or life right now?
- Is it a tree which has drawn your attention? Is it the whole tree, or just a part of it? Is it the species of tree which has caught your attention? What do you know about this tree? What is the folklore behind it? (This is where the wood cards I developed might come in handy).
- Evergreens are trees of particular power, because they stay green year-round. In fact, if there’s any time of the year they look sickly, it’s when the weather is hot, and all the other trees are lush, healthy and green. They look healthiest in cold weather. To see an evergreen sprig lying on the ground could indicate strength and protection in hard times.
- If, while you’re out walking, a tree branch falls suddenly, that is a clear indicator a surprise is coming. A sudden development, a sudden departure, or an unexpected visitor, probably one with important news.