Throwing Bones
Mar. 9th, 2024 07:21 amThrowing Bones

I don't often cast lots, but I have found the practice useful when other methods give unclear answers. The process I use is semi-ritualized, but also somewhat free form. I apply some general principles and then allow impressions to rise to the top as they may. My collection of bones are made of pieces I found on hikes and some antique mall finds.

My set of "bones" consists of 7 thrown pieces and 5 "fieldstones" that mark out a universe or house system. I assign a "house" to each of the cardinal (north, east, south, west) and ordinal (NE, SE, SW, NW) points around a circle.
South: House of Terra, none
SW: House of Luna, wooden triquetra
West: House of Venus, pink river rock
NW: House of Jupiter, striped river rock
North: House of Mercury, wooden spoon
NE: House of Sol, brass brooch
East: House of Mars, pointed stick
SE: House of Saturn, pewter ring
The House of Terra has no thrown pieces associated with it, but Terran aspects are included with the 5 large green and brown ceramic beads I use to mark out the "universe." In practice, I usually cast the 7 main pieces on the ground, then use my intuition to set the center bead and orient the four other beads based on where ever I may be sitting or standing. The House in which each piece lands guides my interpretation.
Example Reading

Prompt
What do I need to know about finding this demon?
Configurations
Interpretation
Venusian influence is at the heart of this matter (close to the center). Sol being in Saturn's House and Saturn being in Venus' House might suggest a lack of power or energy. Mars has been hammering away in the House of Venus, but results have yet to materialize. Jupiter in Terra's House suggests well-laid plans. However, Mercury in Jupiter's House suggests a need to be more flexible and perhaps rethink these plans. Finally, Luna in Mercury's House suggests things are not what they seem. Beware of red herrings and illusions.
Ianvs

I don't often cast lots, but I have found the practice useful when other methods give unclear answers. The process I use is semi-ritualized, but also somewhat free form. I apply some general principles and then allow impressions to rise to the top as they may. My collection of bones are made of pieces I found on hikes and some antique mall finds.

My set of "bones" consists of 7 thrown pieces and 5 "fieldstones" that mark out a universe or house system. I assign a "house" to each of the cardinal (north, east, south, west) and ordinal (NE, SE, SW, NW) points around a circle.
South: House of Terra, none
SW: House of Luna, wooden triquetra
West: House of Venus, pink river rock
NW: House of Jupiter, striped river rock
North: House of Mercury, wooden spoon
NE: House of Sol, brass brooch
East: House of Mars, pointed stick
SE: House of Saturn, pewter ring
The House of Terra has no thrown pieces associated with it, but Terran aspects are included with the 5 large green and brown ceramic beads I use to mark out the "universe." In practice, I usually cast the 7 main pieces on the ground, then use my intuition to set the center bead and orient the four other beads based on where ever I may be sitting or standing. The House in which each piece lands guides my interpretation.
Example Reading

Prompt
What do I need to know about finding this demon?
Configurations
- Luna (wooden triquetra) is in the House of Mercury.
- Venus (pink river rock) is in the House of Mars and close to the center.
- Jupiter (striped river rock) is in the House of Terra.
- Mercury (wooden spoon) is in the House of Jupiter.
- Sol (brass brooch) is in the House of Saturn.
- Mars (pointed stick) is in the House of Venus.
- Saturn (pewter ring) is in the House of Venus.
Interpretation
Venusian influence is at the heart of this matter (close to the center). Sol being in Saturn's House and Saturn being in Venus' House might suggest a lack of power or energy. Mars has been hammering away in the House of Venus, but results have yet to materialize. Jupiter in Terra's House suggests well-laid plans. However, Mercury in Jupiter's House suggests a need to be more flexible and perhaps rethink these plans. Finally, Luna in Mercury's House suggests things are not what they seem. Beware of red herrings and illusions.
Ianvs