Today's Magickal Question is from Gem:
Is it possible for someone, a spirit, deity, someone to communicate through the smoke of incense? Is that possible?
Is it possible for someone, a spirit, deity, someone to communicate through the smoke of incense? Is that possible?
Messages in Smoke
Yes, it is certainly possible. Some might even say that spirits or deities will use any means to get their message across so anything is possible. Incense smoke, however, is a highly possible medium through which the divine would communicate because it is often used for that very purpose by magickal practitioners. People of many faiths use incense to send prayers, requests, thanks, and messages to the spirit world. This is often done because of the aetheric nature of both fire (the burning of the herbs and resins) and air. Neither can be held in our hands and both have a shifting nature, making them fantastic conduits for spirit.
2 forms of using smoke for this form of spirit communication are called Libanomancy and Capnomancy.
2 forms of using smoke for this form of spirit communication are called Libanomancy and Capnomancy.
Libanomancy
Libanomancy is divination through incense smoke, usually frankincense. Ancient Babylonians, Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and later Europeans used libanomancy though its popularity has declined over the centuries. This form of divination is different from regular smoke divination in that is is specific to smoke from incense and that the omens can also come from ashes of the incense as well as the smoke. Interpretations of incense smoke will vary from person to person, as it does in many forms of divination, however most of the reading comes from the direction the smoke sways towards, how it clusters, and if any images can be seen in the smoke. It is recommended to read these signs when conditions include calm wind (or when the air condition or fan aren't blowing) and to use loose incense on coals rather than stick or cone incense due to variances in manufacturers and elements used in their creation. |
Capnomancy
Capnomancy differs from Libanomancy in that it is divination of smoke after a fire has been made - not necessarily smoke just from incense. Readings can be done with any smoke-causing fire but were traditionally done over the fires were sacrifices were made to see if the sacrifice was pleasing to the gods.
Like Libanomancy, reading the smoke is often a matter of deciding the meaning behind which direction it is going, if there are any breaks or clusters in the plume, etc.
Yet another form of smoke divination that falls under the umbrella of Capnomancy is Dendromancy which is a Druidic practic using specifically oak wood and mistletoe.
Like Libanomancy, reading the smoke is often a matter of deciding the meaning behind which direction it is going, if there are any breaks or clusters in the plume, etc.
Yet another form of smoke divination that falls under the umbrella of Capnomancy is Dendromancy which is a Druidic practic using specifically oak wood and mistletoe.
Practical Use & Recommendations
If you tend to burn incense when doing other forms of divination such as tarot reading, make a practice of recording the smoke's signs and reactions during the reading in your tarot journal or book of shadows. See if there are any patterns to the smoke depending on the type of reading, person you are reading for, or even depending on your mood or which tarot deck you use.
I recommend capnomancy after any spell or ritual that involves fire, especially when a spell is burned or disposed of in the flames. This can give signs as to how long and how well the spell or ritual will turn out in the days or weeks to come.
You can also practice capnomancy when smudging a home. Rather than guiding the smoke with a fan, allow the smoke to guide you to where it is most needed and use it to see where in the home needs focused cleansing or banishing.
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