Capnomancy is divination by examining smoke. This is done by looking at the movements of the smoke after a fire has been made. A thin, straight plume of smoke is thought to indicate a good omen whereas the opposite is thought of large plumes of smoke. [1] [2] If the smoke touches the ground, this is thought to be a sign that immediate action must be taken to avoid catastrophe. [3]
When capnomancy involves the smoke from incense, then it is called libanomancy. [4]
The word capnomancy comes from two Greek words: καπνός (kapnós), meaning smoke, and μαντεία (manteía), meaning divination or to see. [5]
The first recorded use of capnomancy was in ancient Babylonia, where the ceremony was performed at religious dates throughout the year, using cedar branches or shavings. [3] [6] In ancient Greece, priests would burn animal sacrifices and then perform capnomancy over the smoke that was produced by the fire. [4] [7]
The Celts were thought to practice dendromancy, a form of capnomancy, using oak and mistletoe branches. [3]
It was also used by the Semang of Malaysia, who would use the ritual to determine whether a camp was safe for the night. [4] There is reference made to the practice in both 17th and 19th century religious texts, although these do not describe how the practice was performed. [7]
Capnomancy has been reportedly used as late as 2003 in New England, where citizens would practice the ritual by using smoke plumes from chimneys. [6] Other modern variations of the ritual involve burning cedar sticks, incense, or candles with ribbons tied around them. [4] Hands are sometimes used to manipulate the smoke, with practitioners reading the shapes that are then produced. [4]