Phyllorhodomancy (Divination using rose leaves and petals)

Phyllorhodomancy
Derived from the Greek phullon (leaf) and rhodon (rose), is a form of divination using rose leaves or petals. During ancient Greece, they would clap a Rose leaf on the hand and judge the potential success of their desires on the basis of the sound of the clap.

Three methods of divination by roses are available for use. The first consists of placing a fresh rose petal in the palm of your left hand, then smartly snapping your right hand against the petal. If this creates a loud sound, the signs are favourable or the answer is yes. If there is a little sound, the reverse has been divined.

Alternately, obtain three fresh roses. Place these in three vases that aren’t filled with water. Name the left rose “yes”, the middle rose “no answer” and the right rose “no”. The flower that remains fresh after the other two have withered reveals the outcome. Check them several times a day to observe their progress.

For a rose love oracle, fill a basin with rose water or plain water. Pluck three leaves from a rose plant. Name each for a specific person that you wish to become involved with. Place these leaves on the surface of the rose water. The leaf that floats for the longest time on the water’s surface indicates the favoured choice.

Today, the practice of pulling flower petals to determine someone's interest is still commonly used. Each petal is pulled while reciting the phase "he loves me... he loves me not ..." until the last petal is pulled. The final answer is the last verse that corresponded to the last petal.