Alternatively known as Carromancy, Carromantia, Ceromantia, Ceremancy, Ceroscopia and Ceromancy.
Derived from the Greekcarro ('waxen') and manteia ('divination'), this is an ancient system of divination that draws omens by melting wax and interpreting the resulting shapes and symbols.
According to most occult traditions, Ceroscopy is a form of Hydromancy, developed by the ancient Celts and Romans, and at one time commonly practiced in Britain, Sweden, and Lithuania. It appears that the candle burned during the Druids' vigil was poured into a bowl and then into a clear pool of cold water. The auguries for the future would then be read.
This new version gives a shamanic spin to the ancient divination tool.
Several types of Ceroscopy have been historically recorded. In the most common form of Ceromancy, wax was heated in a brass bowl until it was a liquid. The diviner then slowly poured it into a container of cold water. This action created shapes of hardened wax, forming distinct patterns, letters, numbers and/or symbols, for the skillful interpretation of the Carromancist. Standard interpretations were compiled over the centuries, resulting in a system anyone could learn. The same interpretations were later applied to Tasseomancy and its many variants.
An alternate method uses boiling water, and the shapes are read after the water cools. Another technique involved the study of an ordinary candle burning. The movements and erratic actions of the flame and the shape of the melting wax were observed for divining the past, the present and the future.
Customarily, the diviner, after listening to the inquirer's questions and pondering about it, speaks it loudly. He then carefully melts wax or paraffin in a Balneum Mariae (double-boiler), never using an open flame for the task, to avoid igniting the fumes and causing a dangerous explosion. Finally, the melted wax is poured into cold water, where it congeals. The shapes and meanings are then interpreted.
Contemporary candle divination is based in ancient Ceroscopy traditions and techniques, but in it, candles color and shape play a part in the divinatory process. The preferred method uses a black candle with the question for the wanted answer written on its side. The candle is then anointed with three drops of myrrh oil. After these first preparatory steps, the candle is lit. The melting wax can be dropped into a bowl of cold water or into a white piece of paper. The symbols formed by the hardened wax in the water or paper are then interpreted.
This website is best viewed with the latest
versions of
Microsoft
Internet Explorer or
Firefox.
Occultopedia
makes extensive use of
Flash and Scripting in its pages and interface. Make certain your browser
permissions are set
accordingly and that you have the latest
Flash plug-in for the full experience, proper look and accurate
layout. You can do it with confidence. This site does not contain any viruses, malicious software
or scripts.
Occultopedia is the genuine article, the
original and the best internet index of the extraordinary and uncanny,
shamelessly copied by many, but never equaled. Online since 1995 — at first in a free web space provider
(Tripod.com), and in 1997 finally
with its own domain name and hosting — Occultopedia still is the
principal online resource for those looking for the unexplained, the
curious and the unusual.
Occultopedia respects your privacy. As
such, no cookies or any other tracking software will be installed as a
part of this website's original programming. I do not seek to obtain any personal information
beyond what is volunteered through electronic communications
(e.g. emails & forms).
Occultopedia may appear to be a for profit site, but my site is
not in reality a commercial one. All of the commercial links are from affiliate
programs, and the little revenue I get from these is to pay for hosting,
bandwidth — that can be quite costly if you have a lot of traffic, graphics and
pages — and any other expenses related to Occultopedia's upkeep, support, and maintenance.
For more details, visit my
ordering
information page.
Occultopedia is a
FREE online
resource available to the whole world. Usage of my word definitions and articles
by educational institutions, teachers and students alike, is here by granted.
Reproduction for profit, and for display in another web site is strictly
forbidden, and will be handled as copyright infringement and prosecuted to the
full extent of the law. However, if you follow
some simple guidelines,
I will grant permission for limited reproduction. For more information, please consult my
intellectual property rights, warranties and
disclaimers information page. Support Occultopedia and make it your
online shopping
destination. If you prefer, you can also make a donation.
HELP FOOT THE BILL: this website
is created and maintained by one guy, who also pays the hosting bill.
Please donate if you like and/or use Occultopedia.
Participate in Occultopedia and submit a word
definition or article for the occult encyclopedia at my
entry submission
page. If you would like to suggest a web site or page for
addition into Occultopedia's links database, please go to my
URL submission page.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
