What Is Lampadomancy?

by Craig Shrives

Lampadomancy is divination involving the flame of a lamp. It is type of pyromancy and has its origins at least as far back as ancient Egypt. In the most common method, the seer observes the movement of the flame.

Common interpretations were:

• Single point on the flame — good fortune.
• Two points on the flame — bad luck.
• Bent flame — illness.
• Sparks — news pending.
• Extinction of a flame — very bad omen.

In an alternate method, the seer reads the spots of carbon deposited on paper sheets held over the flame. In another method, the seer uses the lamp to attract spirits to the flames to ask them about future events. (In this method, a special lamp with grotesque forms is used.)

Mumbo-jumbo-meter: 10/10

See Also