Lithomancy: Stone Divination

Lithomancy is a style of divination that uses stones, crystals, or the light reflected from stones in predications and spiritual readings. This is a general term that covers two or three stone readings up to open ended castings used with an undetermined number of stones. The earliest known usage of lithomancy is an account from Photios I of Constantinople (820-893 AD), he was an influential church leader. He describes a physician (not a doctor) named Eusebius using a stone called a baetulum to perform a ritual. A baetulum is a meteorite or similar stone that is believed to be of divine origin and is worshipped and held sacred.

A few simple forms of this type of divination are using four- five stones of about the same size and shape but different colors. Each colored stone would be assigned a yes, no, maybe, or rephrase. The fifth stone would be your personal stone. Hold the stones in your hand while thinking of your question. When you are ready drop the stones onto a flat surface the stone closest to your personal stone is your answer.

Another method is using 13 stones, since 13 is a witch’s lucky number. Each stone is assigned some correspondence to a particular planet or element. A crystal can be used that reflects the energy of the planet or element. For example:

·       Universe (life on a big scale) = Anglite

·       Spirit (inner self, psychic connection) = Amethyst

·       Sun (life force, ego, energy, male energy) = Sunstone

·       Moon (connection to intuition, female energy) = Moonstone

·       Mercury (self-development, communication) = Aventurine

·       Venus (love, relationships, happiness) = Rose Quartz

·       Mars (courage, bravery, battle) = Bloodstone

·       Jupiter (prosperity, wealth, career) = Citrine

·       Saturn (health, longevity, limits) = Smoky Quartz

·       Earth (family and home) = Petrified Wood

·       Water (healing, cleansing, emotions) = Lapis Lazuli

·       Air (logic, dreams, desire) = Sodalite

·       Fire (willpower, action, determination) = Pyrite

Add a person stone or charm to represent to person the reading is for.  Drop them on a divination mat or even pendulum mat.

You can also create your own set of stones by using certain stones for certain purposes and simple grid. For example, rose quartz for love issues, amethyst for spiritual issues, red jasper for health issues, moonstone for emotional issues, obsidian for protection issues, jet for healing issues, and personal stone. Your simple grid can have past, present, and future sections along with obstacles and helpful element sections. To cast the lot just repeat the process from above. Do not forget to record your answer in your spiritual journal.

Have you tried lithomancy or stone divination?