Xenomancy
Alternatively Xenomantia and Xenomancie.
Derived from the Greek xenos ('foreigner, stranger') and manteia ('divination'), it is the art and practice of divining the past, the present and the future by studying the first stranger or strangers you meet, and their actions.
The practice of interpreting omens from chance meetings is almost as ancient as man himself. Primeval shamans practiced it at mankind's dawn, as did the Egyptians and the Romans. These meetings could happen in a road, event, social gatherings, or specific locations, such as temples, squares, taverns, etc.
In ancient Greece, to chance meet a cleric or priest was always considered to be a very unlucky portent, but for men more so than for women. It would be considered even unluckier if the priest happened to be riding a donkey. To chance meet someone that was physically disable was also considered to be tremendous bad luck. However, running into a crazy and insane person was believed to be a good omen, the same for a chance meeting with a woman accompanied by a child.
However, Xenomancy chief aspect was concerned with the actions of the person met. Common interpretations had to do with hands and arms movements; a raised right hand was a positive sign, a left hand raised was unfortunate. A pointing hand was significant, as it was wild gesticulation. If there was an interaction among met strangers, meanings and interpretations would be numerous and assorted.
Traditionally, Xenomancy is considered to be an extension of Cledonomancy, and like most divinatory systems, is quite ancient, have been practiced since time immemorial.
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See Apantomancy, Abacomancy, Dendromancy, Tephramancy, Diviner, Divination, Augur, Dowsing, Tarot, Heptameron, Demonology, Sortilege, Demonomancy, Tasseography, Astrology, Acutomancy, Agalmatomancy, Coscinomancy, Cleidomancy, Stoichomancy, Tarot, Heptameron, Demonology, Sortilege, Idolomancy, Demonomancy, Tephramancy, Anemoscopy, Eromancy, Austromancy, Chaomancy, Roadomancy, Capnomancy, Pyromancy, Meteormancy, Ceraunoscopy, Zoomancy, Love Spells -- Use these powerful love spells to help you find and keep your true love, Unbroken Curses, Mystic Gifts and Charms - New Age Gift Shop & Wicca and Pagan Supplies, The Chakra Store, The Tarot Store, Divination & Scrying Tools and Supplies, Unique Amulets, Talismans, Good Luck Charms, and Love Tokens, Powerful Witch Doctor Spell Kits, Powerful Spells - Cast by Andreika the Witch, Webmasters Make $$$, AzureGreen - Celebrating All Paths to the Divine, ISIS - Tools for Your Soul's Journey, and The Pyramid Collection - Myth, Magick, Fantasy and Romance.
Sources: (1) Spence, Lewis, An Encyclopedia of Occultism, Carol Publishing Group; (2) Dictionary of the Occult, Caxton Publishing; (3) Buckland, Raymond, The Fortune-Telling Book: The Encyclopedia of Divination and Soothsaying, Visible Ink Press.
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