Pyromancy & Candle Divination

[Shadowulfe]

I am just curious,
Has anyone ever tried Pyromancy(fire-scrying)? i never had myself and thought maybe someone here has.....

[Lilu]

I haven't heard of it before, but I imagine it may be similar to crystal ball scrying in a way. By sort of staring into a flame or fire and seeing if there are any images that come to you. That's my guess.

BB
Lilu

[Rick]

I've used the glowing embers, after the flames have essentially died down. Maybe technically not the same, but gotta be close... :flamer:

[Myst]

Yup. At every bonfire.

Last year someone had a neat pic of a dragon in the embers.

[loopy]

I've tried it, and it's worked in a vague sort of way. :) It's fun though.

[Mythrel]

I have done this, but it always happens when I am in a weird frame of mind and somehow find myself in front of a camp fire or the fireplace just staring and I begin to notice images or words in the flames and the embers... I can honestly say that every time I have intentionally tried to scry in the flames it hasn't worked very well...
:flamer: Mythrel :flamer:

[Emy]

Have tried it several times, but hmmm well I am not all that good at it I think, but its getting better every time :D :)

[Swanspirit]

Pyromancy......... a very old form of divination.... and not as bloody as haruspicy......


This is the divination by fire, which was embodied in the ancient practice of extispicy. The presage
was good when the flame was vigorous and quickly consumed the sacrifice; when it was clear of all
smoke, transparent, neither red nor dark in color, but burnt silently in a pyramidal form. However, if
the fire was difficult to kindle, or if the wind disturbed it, or it consumed the victim slowly, the presage
was evil.

Besides the sacrificial fires, the ancients divined by observing the flame of a torch, or even throwing
powdered pitch into a fire; if it caught quickly the omen was favorable.

An omen interpreted by the flame of a torch was good if the flame formed one point, bad if it formed
two, and three points were better than one.

The presage of the bending of the flame signaled sickness for the healthy, death for the sick, and
frightful disaster if the flame extinguished.

The vestal virgins in the Temple of Minerva at Athens were assigned the duty of making particular
observations of the light which perpetually burned there. A.G.H.

Simply staring into a flame can induce trance.... and some can use trance to divine .....There are many ways to use this....
A HOT rock in the fire that "explodes" or splits open can be ominous......or a special message from the Goddess ......
Love and Light
Swannie

[Myst]

Thanks for that information, Swan. It's certainly something I will take to the next bonfire with me to consider. We also look to visions formed by the flames and the colours and height of the flames, but our "sacrifices" normally consist of wood, and sometimes pine needles, sage, incense, tobacco, and alcohol - more offerings to the Fire spirits I think.

[Silver Venus]

Ive also do it quite allot when Im with a fire or candle and start to get carried away by it, but I have never seen anything of great relevance (kind of like cloud watching) but lots of great images of animals and plants!
I feel drawn to fire and can often see the energies around been attracted then igniting them with heat and light in a way ~ sometimes if you look at a candle flame its like its growing roots outwards! Thats such fun!

Here in England we have Bonfire night on the 5th of November for Guy Fawkes (who tried to burn down The House's of Parliment years ago..) and we light a big bonfire for that! Pagan's have very mixed views on this festival here because of the old time burnings but my friends and I light a bonfire in the name of him as he went to our old school and we like to honour him, and scry with the fire throwing in offerings that we have made at Samhain :)

[Swanspirit]

and my offerings are usually pine cones , sage or other herbs.......
sometimes even a marshmellow or popcorn victim which is consumed affterward........;)
but mostly offerings to the fire spirits in thanks for keeping us warm ........
while we are having visions ........
Love and ohh right light too ......

[Myst]

Originally posted by Silver Venus
Pagan's have very mixed views on this festival here because of the old time burnings but my friends and I light a bonfire in the name of him as he went to our old school and we like to honour him, and scry with the fire throwing in offerings that we have made at Samhain :)

Hm I never thought of that. To me, fire is life-giving and powerful, an element to be celebrated. It gave me people warmth and protection and cooked their food well before the burning times happened, so that's what I associate it with. Though I guess it's a bit different when it's a festival with everyone including non-Pagans around. We always make jokes around our bonfires about who's going to be sacrficed and imitating "burn the witches" of monty python fame, and we're all Pagan hehe :)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Fun, fun, fun.....never know unless you try it! ;)

http://www.ozwicca.com/fire.htm

[Adri-Talia]

I thought Pyromancy was a word used to describe a pyromaniac's love for the flame, fire in general... also causing a bit of havoc with it too! (being one myself) But I guess it does also fit this divination form too.

I do candle-scrying and that's similar to pyromancy...

[mol]

I must admit that I meditate to fire. The water has always been my chosen element...what I feel close to anyways...but fire has always seemed to 'speak' to me.

There are stories in those flames if you just sit, watch, and listen.

[Swanspirit]

in your chart............. but Fire definitely calls to me ...... I cannot live in a house without a fireplace..........
Love and Light of the dancing flames.......
Swannie

[Sequoia]

hmm. . . . I've never scryed with fire. . . but hai, I know what you mean, Mol. . . .

I've heard fire before. It doesn't talk to me. . . not unless I call a bit of it up so tiny you can't see it. . . . no. . . fire is so many at once, that it howls, to me. . . it screams, like a mindless wild creature struggling to break free of the bounds of the fireplace or bonfire pit. . . it howls. And it entices you to come closer.

But if you can call up a tiny tiny bit of it between your fingers. . . just a "molecule" of fire. . . you can get it to tell you things, like a spirit. . . .but fire is insane. Watch it around fire.

For me, anyway ^^;; and the funny thing is, I think I have no fire in my chart anywhere whatsoever LOL

[Flar's Freyja]

A Multi-Candle Divination

Set up as many identical candles in holders as you have choices facing you. If you wish an answer to a simple question, two candles: one for yes, one for no. In an area free of breezes name each candle for one of your choices individually and light them.

The first to burn down and sputter out is your best bet.



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Three-Candle Divination
Set up three candles, all of the same color and in identical holders, if possible, in a windless space. Arrange them into a triangle and light them. If one burns more brightly than theh others, you'll have a period of unexpected good luck. A quenched flame signifies a period of negativity. If the flames move in circles, someone may be working against you. Sparks shooting out are also negative signs. {I see these as 'changes' too, not necessarily negative, so use your intuition} If all the candles burn steadily, undisturbed and peacefully, your life will be the same.



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One-Candle Divination
Light a candle. Keep it lit for several hours, with no drafts nearby. Ask a yes or no question. Now sit quietly and watch the candle.

If the right side burns faster than the left, the answer is yes. If the reverse, the answer is no.

When burning a candle to determine future influences, the right signifies good forture. However, if the left side burns more quickly than the right, prospects are ill.



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Another candle divination
You can also light a candle, focus on your question and drip the melted wax into a dish or pan of water, then interpret the symbols/shapes the wax makes as it hardens. I believe this is also from .



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Candle Drip Divination
For this you will need a number of long tapers (8 inches or longer) of the 4 basic elements, green, yellow, red and blue. One of these is necessary for every reading. You will also need a large round or square vessel filled with cold water. This can be of any material, but pottery or glass are best, for they can withstand heat. Plastic is not recommended.

Put the candles, a book or matches or lighter and the vessel of water on a table or other flat surface.

(I touched on this next part in the last one) If you have a particular question you want answered, use the appropirate candle color. If the question does not seem to be related to any of above the elements colors, use white. If you have no question but are simply desiring a glimpse into your future, use yellow, for this is the color of divination in general.

Light the candle and hold it upright over the water for a moment, thinking about your question or simply calming your mind.

When the candle is fully flaming and has begun melting the wax, tilt it and hold steadily about an inch over the water's surface. The wax will begin dripping onto the water.

If the tiny drips (which harden into small droplets of wax, smooth on the top but round on the bottom) do not merge and create a pattern, you aren't concentrating on the question. Sweep all else from your mind. The wax drops will form a pattern on the surface of the water. If you are having trouble achieving this, begin moving the candle slowly, allowing the drops to touch one another and so to form a line on the water. If this is done for a few minutes a definate shape will appear on the water. When this happens quench the candles flame with your fingers or a candlesnuffer and set aside. Look at the shape. What does it look like? Pick it up carefully so as not to break it and turn it over. Does it look the same or different? Study its thickness to see if it says anything to you symbolically.

Here are some shapes and patterns commonly found in the drip method and their traditional meanings. As you can see, this form of divination is rather limited.



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Spirals
The most common, because of the way the wax rotates on the surface of the water, spirals represent reincarnation, the universe, the world or perhaps a particular life. It could mean you need to evolve beyond it, or that it is something from a previous life. Perhaps, depending on the nature of the question, the problem or its solution is in the home. This is an excellent example of how interpretation must be a personal thing, no one else can tell you exactly how these symbols relate to you. Usually the first meaning that comes into your mind is the correct one.



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Circles
Circles represent eternity and fertility, and both of these attributes can be interpreted according to the question asked. Fertility would perhaps represent a new activity, financial security, or even a new baby on the way. It may also signify the successful completion of a project. Eternity may mean just that - it will be a long time before something is completed or comes to pass. Circles also represent religion and spirituality, and thus can bee seen in this context during interpretation.



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Broken Lines
If the wax drops form into lines but they aren't connected, it represents a scattering of forces, or lack of focus in your life, business or other pursuits. It can also signify forces working against you. but don't take this too literally - such 'forces' may well be within your own being. This isn't a postive patternn to find, for it is a sign that changes must be made to bring order into your life.



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Dots
Dots, unconnected wax drops, sometimes are the only thing you can get. As stated above, this sometimes signifies lack of attention to the divination, but it can also mean that the problem us too complex for an answer at this time. If you try wax divination several times with only dots coming up each time, you're either asking the wrong questions, or if you haven't asked one, you shouldn't be seeking a glimpse into your future at this time- at least not through wax and water. it's probably best to let the candles and water rest, and to attempt a different method - perhaps one mentioned elsewhere in the book.


Earth, Air, Fire & Water- Scott Cunningham

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Coffeehouse/4578/Divination.html

[Flar's Freyja]

This site has more information on candle divination and some interesting info on doing magick with the Seals of Solomon:

Candle Magick - Reading the Glass (http://psychicbozo.homestead.com/CandleMagicReadingTheGlass.html)

[fire_Raven]

I read somewhere that starring into an open flame, or even that of a candle can cause visions to come, i was just curious if any one had anyhting furhter on this, because for me, clearing my mind (or at least attempting to clear my mind) and gazing into the flame, does nothing... if there something specific anyone can tell me? then again i haven't tried in a while... hmm...

[Rick]

Bump for Fire Raven

[Rick]

I've bumped up a thread on pyromancy for you...

[Flar's Freyja]

Bump

[Flar's Freyja]

And I bumped another on candle divination, and will probably merge the two............

[FaerySong]

I tried my first wax divination this evening, and I did it four times. In this order, I got the shapes of a deer head, a spiral, a circle, then a rather large glob that looks like Africa. I am trying to decipher what in the blessed world it could mean, but so far my mind has drawn a blank. If anyone could give me an idea that would be most helpful.

[Flar's Freyja]

There are some guidelines in this thread, which I recently bumped. I'm going to merge it with the pyromancy thread:

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21854

[Flar's Freyja]

Merging......and here's an interesting article on fire and candle gazing:

http://athena523.tripod.com/divination/firecandle.htm

[Flar's Freyja]

bump