_edited.jpg){kind=logo}
Arcanasium
Augury
Green Focus Type
Whereas the foundation of divination is archetype, the key is the power of association.
Augury is what we call all Natural divination. Portents and omens, animal reading (apantomancy), bone reading (osteomancy), even runes and other various divination techniques. This is a primordial and very subjective and personal art. To go over each 'mancy', you would be on this page for a lifetime, so we will actually keep this lesson short.
This divination style is Green Focus related. The Green focus deals with shamanism to druidry, nature and preservation, survival and our relationship with the natural world.
There is a fine line between simply understanding nature and an actual omen.
Many times, they work hand in hand. A red sky at dawn means that it will storm or rain.
It's interesting to note that being able to predict the weather used to be an Arcane art.
It is one thing to hear a raven's call and understand that particular call means a wolf is approaching. This is an example of Natural Knowledge. It comes with experience and an understanding of nature, but it is not necessarily an Omen. The in-depth natural knowledge and familiarity with a subject of nature can however culminate into an understanding of Omens.
Intimate knowledge of any animal allows you to not only know its mind and how it reacts, but you may be able to tap into its very connection with the natural world.
The 'natural world' is simply the universe itself really.
Reality.
Tapping into Nature taps into our own biology and where we as humankind came from.
Our spiritual brothers and sisters in animals are still connected to the natural world.
On the Tree of Life even trees and other plants are related to us deep in the history of evolution.
Remember from the last lesson the vital importance of emotions and how an image or event affects the subconscious.
An Omen typically takes the form of a strange occurrence. Something that sticks out to us and invokes emotion in us. Like an owl flying into our bedroom window. We will naturally try to find meaning in things that happen as that is human nature.
If it doesn't remind you of anything or strangely connect to other things you have been going through in life, perhaps it is a portent for a surprise to come. BUT NOT NECESSARILY! We should naturally learn from any challenging or new experience after all. You should examine how you rose to the occasion in order to resolve the situation. Did you recoil from the situation? If there is anything to learn from this event, do so.
Then association comes into play. Does the bird have a correlation with a certain God or Goddess, astrological sign or other Arcane connection? We can speculate at the meaning and look into the associations to learn what we can, but otherwise it may have just been a clumsy owl.
Of course, all of this is a slippery slope to potentially becoming superstitious and obsessive.
Just like we covered in Numerology, attempting to find meaning in every small thing is unhealthy and unwise. Often, many people inherit superstitions from society that don't have any significance to them personally. Fear of broken mirrors and the number 13 for instance.
This is why personal association with the source is such an important factor in augury. There must be a strong personal bond and a deep understanding of the source material (such as animal psychology). And augury more than all the other divination techniques takes time and practice.
There must be a relation in meaning to some other aspect of life upon seeing something unusual in nature. Chances are, if it does not immediately have an emotional, mental, physical or spiritual impact, it is not an omen. Almost certainly, a bird flying into your house will be a moment of surprise, but does it have any mystical meaning really?
Omens are fairly rare, particularly in this day and age when most people aren't outside as often.
The most primordial form of divination, Omens can be both the most practical, yet the most unstable and tricky to use. To effectively use this method requires a mastery in Archetypal thinking, a profound firsthand experience with nature, and a thorough understanding of the mental and emotional connections that allow for divination in general. The most important yet rare quality to have in order to perform this divination method is direct experience with the natural world.
This just simply isn't common or even accessible for most people yet it can still be learned with time.
Animals
Animals are still very much connected to the natural world and act in accordance to the universe in their own unique way. Each animal presents an archetype and a type of 'personality', a characteristic that may remind us of aspects we see elsewhere, including within ourselves.
They are teachers for us to learn about the inner workings of nature. Keep in mind that nature used to be everything. How the universe worked and our place in it before we fought to separate ourselves from the natural universe and therefore from reality.
Beyond this, the animal has associations with different Entities of the Pantheon. You may remember that most of the astrological signs have the image of an animal. Stories of folklore use animals. Shamans take all of these things into consideration and decipher the most pertinent lessons out of each omen. For example, seeing a turtle a modern shaman may be reminded of the classic story of the Tortoise and the Hare, and deem it relevant to the situation at hand.
In this way, even some current pop culture taps into the ancient archetype and can invoke in your mind the relevant message. It is usually what we are immediately reminded of that has the most merit to our interpretation. If it makes you think of something else going on in your life or community, convey it to whom it concerns.
Some animals have such a long history with humans that they represent a rich and complex archetype.
Cats, dogs and other domesticated animals have an important role and meaning to us obviously.
Going into detail on any one of the aspects of omen-reading would take up more time than necessary. Omens in particular are best cultivated personally. To develop your own relationships with the natural spirits and find your own interpretations. It's better learned firsthand by those who pursue the Green Focus and the powers of nature. Whether intentional or not, these Divination lessons have gone from the least subjective form of divination and end with the most subjective.
Many cultures also have Animal Totems or 'Spirit Animals'. You will learn much more about these in our Green Focus.
Still, a practical list of common animals used for divination, totem and spirit animals can be useful here for those who already know they want to pursue the Green/Druid focus. Just pick the continent you currently live in for a quick read.
One important thing to consider is finding which culture's pantheon suits you best. Usually, we find that the one of your lineage is optimal. Some members even choose to undergo genetic testing to find which nationality, etc. is most prevalent. For example, if you are an African American, finding African or Vodou interpretations may lead to the most empowering experiences and truer revelations. Remember that our ancestors made connections with those deities, that folklore. People with complex bloodlines should find out which culture is most prominent in their genes. Those with European descent for example should find whether they are Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Scandinavian, etc.
Most traditions that spoke on animal totems, omens and the like also spoke of shapeshifting.
People who could turn into the animal of their totem. This is a subject of study for much later.
Interestingly, many of the animal omen interpretations are fairly universal in nature. If you have a mixed lineage or are unsure, pick the folklore of your current homeland. As you grow in knowledge you will be able to cross-reference and draw from multiple cultures (the branches).
Some of the cultures that have the richest natural Omen folklore are:
Native American (multiple tribes)
Celtic
Scandinavian (Norse)
African (various tribes)
Chinese
Aboriginal (Australian region)
Indian (Hinduism)
Weather
Like animals, weather events too were taken much more seriously in times of old. For obvious survival reasons of course, but also for mystical reasons. Nowadays meteorology is commonplace and something we all rely on. Weather is much more direct and shows how connected all of nature is. The power of rain for instance can lead to plant life flourishing, including a good harvest, and in turn means well-fed animals and a revival of the whole ecosystem. It goes to show how deeply profound the consequence of something as simple as a little drizzle is.
Thinking of weather in terms of the four elements (Air, Water, Earth, Fire) typically lends a lot of insight into the event. People use these concepts in metaphors in common language all the time. 'Going against the wind' (Air), 'Up in flames' (Fire), 'shaking to the foundation' as in an earthquake (Earth), or the 'tides having turned' (Water) are examples of nature used in metaphor to address different levels of existence and their interaction.
Aeromancy is the umbrella term for divination based upon atmospheric conditions as a whole.
Nephomancy Clouds and what form they take is a common practice in this field of divination.
Ceraunoscopy is thunder/lightning divination.
Austromancy is Wind divination.
Meteormancy is self-explanatory and can be associated with astrology.
But there is deeper lore at hand.
Take Winter for example.
To the Ojibwean Native American the story of Peboan is used.
He is the symbol of 'Old Man Winter', with a cold gaze and presence.
For the Greeks, there was the tale of the kidnapping of Persephone. Persephone's mother Demeter, the personification of fertility and the harvest, would every year mourn the loss of her daughter and cause Winter.
In the Norse tradition, we find the slaying of Baldr. Hodr, a personification of Winter itself, was tricked by Loki into slaying Baldr, a symbol of brilliance and Summer.
This is a clear example of how different the lore can be when it comes to the same event. But the underlying similarity is that all three attempt to describe how Winter occurred to begin with. Each story uses the entities as anthropomorphized characterizations to act in a sort of play. Each example plays out a negative act that resulted in the first Winter.
Many cultures speak of a time when the earth was in a constant state of temperate climate. We feel that these stories convey an important lesson from the distant past if they are properly interpreted. Keep in mind that Winter happens because of the Earth's tilt. The 2011 Fukushima earthquake was enough to shift the earth's axis 6 1/2 inches and actually shortened the earth day.
The speaker in the above video hits the nail on the head for us. Not just with insight into how divination works but much of the Arcane itself. Seemingly superstitious, strange stories and traditions offer insight into the foundation of patterns in creation. A kind of peek under the hood into the mechanics behind universal law. The mythological stories use high language, metaphor and the use of entities and other arcane symbolic fashions interacting in specific ways.
The shamans would have known this well, but none more than the . Tempestarii were those who could manipulate the weather. While not divination, this art is only performed with the kind of behind-the-scenes understanding of nature that we are describing. Remember that Divination is important not just for prediction but for forging the neural connections, the pathways of the mind in relation to that field of reality. Though these may seem like ramblings of a mad person right now, we will work more closely with these mysteries deeper on the Green Path.
Plantlife
Of course, plant life has also taken an important role in the past concerning divination. Most famously the Celtic tribes, with their horoscope that depicted the important trees of their area and specific dates that designated a particular tree sign similar to astrological signs.
Trees and other plant life are quite literally connected to the natural world and have a variety of ways to give signs of what is to come.
Here we should cover a little on the Ogham of the Celtic peoples.
The Ogham is a type of alphabet that, like many ancient languages, had many connections that came along with each letter. Each of the letters of their writing system correlated not only to a tree, but a rich and dynamic knotwork of lore and additional correlations that gave profound meaning to each symbol.
Trees were used by these forested people often, and for various purposes. This alone gave special meaning to each individual tree. For example, a Yew tree's wood is known for its flexibility, and was often utilized for bow making. This representation of adaptability could be meaningful on many levels and mentioned in metaphorical language or stories.
In this way, you can start to understand the spirit of each individual tree, the folklore, and wood types. The behavior of the trees themselves, their uses, which animals are related to them and how they were used in mythologies are all taken into consideration. And, of course, there are the Entities that the underlying concept or archetype might draw lines to.
The most basic glimpse into the Ogham will suffice for now as those with an interest in Nature in general will work toward the Green Focus or otherwise do their own studies in this form of Divination.
Birch: Dec 24th - Jan 20th: Beth
Rowan: Jan 21st - Feb 17th: Luis
Ash: Feb 18th - Mar 17th: Nion
Alder: Mar 18th - Apr 14th: Fearn
Willow: Apr 15th - May 12th: Saille
Hawthorn: May 13th - June 9th: Uath
Oak: Jun 10th - Jul 7th: Duir
Holly: Jul 8th - Aug 4th: Tienne
Hazel: Aug 5th - Sept 1st: Coll
Vine: Sept 2nd - Sept 29th: Muin
Ivy: Sept 30th - Oct 27th: Gort
Reed: Oct 28th - Nov 23rd: Ngetal
Elder: Nov 24th - Dec 23rd: Ruis
The enchantment, protection and blessing tree. The most closely tied with Apotrope (or protection/white spirituality), this wood was often used in charms for protection and enchantment. Interestingly, if one of its berries are cut in half, you will find a pentagram inside.
The Druids held three trees in particularly high regard: The Ash, Oak and Thorn. The Ash is historically important in much of folklore, including in Norse mythology. The World Tree (Blueprint page ) was an Ash tree. This tree corresponds to connections and an intermediary, mercurial nature. The tree's branches shoot up into the heavens, while also having roots that steep down into the Underworld. This reminds us of Mercury and other psychopomps.
Alder is the Divination or Bridge tree. Mediation of a different nature is considered here as Alder is connected to Oracles. Psychic and Divinatory pursuits utilize this wood. Similar to the Ash, this is a tree about mediation. Alder can grow in swampy areas and not rot, which relates strongly to being able to tap into the Otherworld or world of the dead. We are reminded of the practice of Seance and talking to the Dead.
Feminine Aspect. The Witch tree. The Old English word for willow gives us the root word for Witches, wicker (often made from willow wood), and wicked. This tree is very much attached to water and the cycles of the moon. Magic goddesses like Hecate and moon Goddesses in general are closely connected with this magic- infused tree. Wicca is another word that comes from the same root.
Masculine energy. This tree is covered in thorns and is identified as such in association with warfare, but particularly defense. In folklore this tree is an important connection to the world of the Fae. This wood is primarily used for martial properties and invocation. Personal power, self-defense, strength and progress, even aggression in nature is considered here. Cleansing of Evil.
The King Tree. Associated with Dagda (the chief God of the Celts), Zeus, El and other King or Thunder Gods. Perhaps the tree that was held by the Druids in highest regard, the Oak is known for having particularly hard, strong and durable wood. Reliable and powerful, trustworthy and stoic are key interpretations. Duir may also be the root word for Door and Oak was the chief wood used for this purpose (as doors). This may remind us of opportunities or knowledge, hidden behind a door. The Arcane.
Holly means Holy. Because it survives through winter, the evergreen is a symbol of the undying, or even resurrection. It has been used in winter festivals since at least Saturnalia and it's interesting that it's still used in Christmas decoration to this day. It is related to many representations of the battle between Winter and Summer (Holly and Oak). In antiquity, this letter probably corresponded to an evergreen tree that was a 'twin' of the Oak. In Christian times, the Holly has been linked with Jesus.
The tree of the Otherworld. The Hazel tree produces both flowers and fruit (or nuts). Flowers represent the cycle of life and the beauty of life. While fruit represents the wisdom or the final product of creation. Folklore surrounds eating the nuts producing mystical inspiration. Vultures and Ravens, figures tied with the afterlife are seen perched in this tree. Closely tied with 'Wells of Wisdom' and the Underworld.
Seduction. With binding qualities, this plant is toxic and has been used for intoxication in times of old. It is also closely related to the spiral as it climbs things when it grows. This relates to ascension and higher levels. When used in practices, we use its wood for promotion or love-oriented properties.
Reed was often used in the making of arrows. It sprouts quickly and is versatile as it can be used for thatching and twined together for all sorts of things. This is a plant of action and energy. Used for giving a clear directive and motivation or inspiration.
Wood of plenty. The vine is an often-used symbol. Vines bear fruit and signify roots, or a lineage of something. Having to do with the past, physicality and abundance, the vine was sacred to such figures as Dionysus. In the Bible we find terms like 'the root of David' and Jesus is referenced as the Vine while his followers are to represent the fruit. This wood is used for wealth, joy and other physical abundance motives.
The Dark Tree. Whereas the Birch tree drives away evil spirits, the Elder tree seems to welcome them. It is associated with an 'Old Mother' figure. Used for curses and other dark arts, Judas is said to have hung himself on an Elder tree. Though it has practical medicinal or therapeutic properties, this tree is surrounded by dark folklore including witches especially since Christian times.
Typically the first to produce leaves in the Spring. New Beginnings, change, rebirth, regrowth and purification. These self-propagating trees' wood was made in rods in a ritual to drive out the spirits of the Old Year. With medicinal properties, we are reminded of healing and rejuvenating properties.
It used to be Ancient Alphabets were closely tied with spiritual practices. Each letter used to represent something. Like with the Hebrew letters, there was Gematria for instance. Each tree above corresponded to one of the letters used by the Celts or Druids called the Ogham. This was also connected to their calendar system.
Nordic Runes
Another of these sacred alphabets were the runes. We won't cover each rune, but these are often used in divination by shaking up a bag of runes and blindly drawing a set amount of them to interpret what Fortune (Urdr in Norse) had to say on the matter.
The word Rune literally meant 'hidden' or 'secret'. They were thought of as symbols of spirit itself.
The Elder Futhark (early runic writing system of Germanic origin) as well as the Ogham are primitive precursors to European written language. Because of the deep associations, these letters can be used in enchantment- inscribing symbols and invoking the corresponding power in ritual to produce an object, place or thing of power.
Cosmological events of course straddle the line between astrology and augury. Hopefully we have conveyed a little about what the Green Focus starts to get into and you are seeing the importance of learning the many different languages if one pursues the Blue path.
We will call it to a close for now as any more on this topic gets into things beyond divination and how it applies to the practition of spirit.
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.
30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. -Luke 21:25