Bibliomancy

Background

The term 'bibliomancy' was first recorded in 1753 in Chambers' Cyclopædia, deriving from Greek roots meaning 'divination by books.' A related term, 'stichomancy,' refers specifically to divination by lines of verse and was first recorded in Urquhart's Rabelais. The practice has ancient precedents, such as the Roman sortes—drawing lots using texts—which evolved into sortes Homericae (using Homer), sortes Virgilianae (using Virgil), and sortes Sanctorum (using the Bible).

In Islamic cultures, bibliomancy has a long history, with the Quran often used. Persian Falnama manuscripts, produced from at least the late 14th century, were large books used for divination; readers performed purification rituals, opened a random page, and interpreted the painting and text. In Iran, The Divān of Hafez is especially popular for this purpose, though the Quran and the Mathnawī of Rumi are also used.

Among Christians, the Bible is most commonly employed. In the Middle Ages, Virgil's Aeneid was used in Europe. A modern variant involves selecting a random book from a library before opening it. The poet Robert Browning used this method, accidentally choosing Cerutti's Italian Grammar, where he found a sentence about loving to eternity.

Did You Know?

• In ancient Rome, sortes Virgilianae used Virgil's Aeneid for divination.
• Persian Falnama manuscripts were unusually large, ranging from 40 cm to over 66 cm high.
• Robert Browning used bibliomancy to ask about his attraction to Elizabeth Barrett, finding a sentence in an Italian grammar.