Gratian then had a very important vacancy to fill, and he knew he needed a strong hand in the east. Recalling his late General Theodosius had a son, also named Theodosius, Gratian had Theodosius Jr. called back from his exile in Spain, where he’d fled after his father’s execution. Gratian named him the new Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire—and Theodosius Jr., perhaps knowing about the prophecy which brought about his father’s end, promptly set about stamping-out the diviners in his empire more relentlessly than Valens had. So here we have both a testimony to alectryomancy’s efficacy, and a timeless caution that divination can occasionally blow up in your face.
With that caution in mind, however, I wish you good and true answers from alectryomancy, another product of our ancestors’ resourcefulness and keen desire to better-know the present and better-see future.
EXERCISES
- Think of a question for which you only need a one-word answer, or a short phrase. Choose the version of Alectryomancy you want to practice in order to obtain this answer: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. This may be completely dependent on what form of alectryomancy you have access to the resources to practice. Perform the ritual and record the animal’s answer. Is the answer believable? Coherent? File the answer away and return to it sometime later. Was the animal’s prediction accurate?
- What are the benefits of using this divination method? The drawbacks? Can you see yourself resorting to alectryomancy for an answer at any time in the future?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Shaw, Eva. The Wordsworth Book of Divining the Future. Ware: Wordsworth Reference, 1997 p. 5.
Dunwich, Gerina. A Wiccan’s Guide to Prophecy & Divination. Secaucus, N.J.:Carol Publishing Group, 1997, p. 2.
Buckland, Raymond. The Fortune-Telling Book. Canton, MI.: Visible Ink Press, 2003, p. 13.
Gibson, Walter. The Complete Illustrated Book of Divination & Prophecy. London: Souvenir Press, 1974, pp. 1-4.
Next Week’s Lesson: Capnomancy-Smoke Divination