Aeromancy (Divination conducted by interpreting Atmospheric Conditions)

Aeromancy
Other spelling include; Arologie, Aeriology and Aërology and is derived from Greek aero (air) and manteia (divination) is divination conducted by interpreting atmospheric conditions.

Aeromancy uses cloud formations, wind currents and cosmological events such as comets to attempt to divine the future.

The first recorded instance of the word Aeromancy being used was found in Chambers, Cycl. Supp, 1753. It was defined as "That department of science which treats of the atmosphere", rather than a form of divination. However, variations on the word have been used throughout history with the earliest instance being in the Bible, though the practice is thought to have been used by the ancient Babylonian priests.

Some forms of modern aeromancy have taken a more introspective turn than their historical counterparts. For instance, modern nephomancy is a receptive, almost meditative process, by which a person is said to be able to examine their unconscious. The nephomancer studies the clouds, whose formations are random and constantly changing. The images and symbols the diviner picks out from the chaos are believed to have some sort of significance to the diviner, so long as he applies his own personal interpretations to the symbols, rather than those written or spoken about by another.

Within the text of “The Witches Rede”, four lines refer to the practice of aeromancy; when the wind comes from a particular cardinal direction it is associated with an omen or symbolic meaning:




There are a few sub-types of this practice which are as follows:

Austromancy is a study of the winds (particularly the winds of the South). Derived from the Latin word Auster (South Wind). Some sources extend the meaning of Austromancy to include the practice of cloud observation – the movement of the clouds can help to determine the direction of the wind.

Anemoscopy, derived from the Greek anemos (wind), is Austromancy in which the wind direction and intensity is interpreted, this practice can be as simple as standing outdoors and intuitively sensing a change in the air, or it can involve the use of various tools. The latter method of Anemoscopy should not be confused with the intuitive or clairsentient experiences some paranormal investigators have when investigating the paranormal. Often times, during the process of a paranormal investigation, the investigator can sense a shift in atmospheric conditions from one location to another or from one room to another; the investigator may suddenly note a heavier feeling or more oppressive feeling in a room, home, or location or the investigator may indicate that they have an eerie feeling about something and that they are unable to clearly identify the cause of the eerie feeling or the uneasiness that they sense. The latter experience is either rooted in mundane causes yet unidentified or the investigator has honed clairsentient senses, but it is not an act of Anemoscopy.

Anemoscopy is another term used to indicate the study of the winds and divination via the wind. An anemoscope is defined as a tool that is utilized to determine the change in direction of the wind. Some practitioners of Anemoscopy utilize a pendulum to determine directional changes. A pendulum, in conjunction with other tools like a pendulum board or the use of runes or stones can also serve as anemoscopic tools. It takes into account the speed of the wind as well as the intensity of the wind and its direction in the process of interpretation. Some practitioners use the rising and swirling smoke from burning incense or from a fire to divine the future; by observing what direction of the smoke and the speed that it is carried away on the wind, the aeromancer can interpret the meaning of the omen they are receiving. The latter form of Anemoscopy is not to be confused with Capnomancy.

Nephomancy derived from the Greek word nephos (cloud) is the study of cloud movements also called Nephelomancy. Nephology is the scientific study of clouds, and is a term that was first used in 1894. With the latter definition, it serves to state that nephomancy is a form of divination that involves the movement and patterns of cloud formations. In Nephomancy, the shape, the size, the patterns, the motion, and the colour of clouds are observed by the practitioner and then interpreted for their symbolic meaning in order to gain insight into the future or into a current situation.

Ceraunoscopy, Derived from acient Greek word keraunos (lightning, thunderbolt) also referred to by various sources as keraunoscopy, is a form of aeromancy that involves the observation of both lightning and thunder. Lightning and thunder have been associated with a number of different gods and goddesses in various cultures and were believed to be a sign from the gods indicating their approval or disapproval in given situations.
Aeromancy also involves the practice of interpreting signs and omens from natural phenomenon like lightening and thunder. Ceraunomancy involves the observation of lightning bolts in order to interpret omens and Brontoscopy is a form of divination that involves the interpretation of the sound of thunder. Lightening is observed in terms of what cardinal direction the lightening appears in, and thunder is observed by the day that the thunder occurs or by what direction the thunder is heard in.

Chaomancy, derived from Ancient Greek - Paracelsian - chaos, (the atmosphere) another term that falls underneath the definition of Aeromancy, is a rare term pertaining to sky divination. A form of chaomancy can be identified in the practice of Cometomancy whereby a practitioner observers the behaviour of comets and the appearance thereof (“Aeromancy”).

Roadomancy is still yet another form of aeromancy, one that is not to be confused with astrology – Roadomancy does involve divining via observation of stars, meteors and comets, but it diverges from astrological practices. In fact, sources suggest that Roadomancy is the forefather of astrology, whereby the practitioner using Roadomancy would note sudden changes in sky activity and interpret it as omens while astrology focuses on sudden changes in the sky as well as the fixed properties of planets and stars. Cometomancy is a form of Roadomancy and Meteormancy are forms of divination that derives its interpretations from falling stars and meteor showers.