The History and Practice of Casting Bones for Divination
Casting bones, also known as osteomancy or bone divination, is an ancient form of divination practiced by various cultures across history. The art of reading bones involves interpreting the messages or symbols revealed by the way bones, shells, stones, or other small objects fall after being cast or tossed.
This practice has evolved over millennia, used for gaining insight into the future, solving problems, and connecting with spiritual forces. In this guide, we’ll explore the rich history of bone divination, its cultural significance, and how modern practitioners perform readings today.
The Historical Roots of Bone Divination
Early Beginnings
Bone casting is among the oldest divination methods, with evidence stretching back to ancient civilisations. Early humans sought meaning in the natural world, and bones, being remnants of life, were seen as spiritually significant. These objects were believed to hold the essence of the creatures from which they came, making them conduits for communication with deities, spirits, or ancestors.
Cultures that Practiced Bone Divination:
- China: The earliest known form of osteomancy, oracle bone divination, dates to the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE). Here, ox scapulae or turtle shells were inscribed with questions, then heated until they cracked. The resulting patterns were interpreted by priests as answers from the gods.
- Africa: Various African cultures developed their own traditions of casting bones, particularly in South and West Africa. The Zulu and San peoples are among the most well-known for their bone-reading traditions. These bones often included a mix of natural objects like shells, stones, and bones from birds or animals, each representing a different meaning.
- Indigenous Tribes of North America: Native American tribes like the Lakota and Apache also used bone divination, often interpreting animal remains or using knuckle bones in ritualistic contexts.
- Europe: In Norse and Celtic traditions, rune stones or animal bones were sometimes cast for insight, drawing upon animistic beliefs and connecting with ancestral spirits.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
The power of bones in divination comes from their association with life and death. In many cultures, bones are seen as repositories of wisdom, housing the spirit or essence of the living being. When cast, these bones were thought to reveal messages from the spirit world, providing insight, guidance, or warnings about future events.
- Ancestor Worship: In cultures that practice ancestor worship, bones were seen as a direct link to the deceased. By casting bones, diviners could communicate with the spirits of their ancestors, seeking their wisdom or intervention in earthly matters.
- Animism: Many societies with animistic beliefs regarded all elements of nature—stones, bones, plants, and animals—as being imbued with spirit. Bones were considered sacred and capable of delivering messages from the natural world.
- Shamanistic Traditions: Shamans, as spiritual intermediaries, often used bones to enter trance states or receive visions. They believed the bones served as tools to access hidden knowledge from the gods or the spirit realm.
Modern Bone Divination Practices
Although bone casting has ancient roots, it is still practiced today in various forms, particularly in African Traditional Religions (ATRs), certain shamanic traditions, and neo-pagan paths such as Hoodoo and modern witchcraft. Contemporary practitioners may use traditional bones, but they often incorporate modern objects like coins, dice, or crystals, each assigned symbolic meanings.
Common Tools for Bone Readings:
- Bones: Chicken bones, coyote bones, or other small animal bones are often used. Some practitioners prefer bones from animals that have died naturally or were ethically sourced.
- Shells: Cowrie shells are a frequent addition to bone sets, especially in African-based traditions.
- Stones and Crystals: Representing different energies or elements, stones and crystals may supplement the bones to enhance symbolic meaning.
- Personal Objects: Some diviners use small personal items like rings, buttons, or beads in their casting sets.
How to Use Bones for a Reading
Performing a bone divination reading involves preparing a sacred space, focusing your intention, casting the bones, and interpreting their arrangement. Here’s a step-by-step guide for beginners:
Prepare Your Casting Set
- Assemble a set of bones or small objects, each with an assigned meaning. For example:
- A leg bone might represent movement or travel.
- A small shell could symbolize emotions or feminine energy.
- A stone might stand for obstacles or challenges.
- Cleanse the bones energetically before a reading, using smoke, salt, or moonlight.
Set the Space
- Find a quiet, calm space where you won’t be disturbed.
- You may choose to create an altar or sacred circle to focus the energy.
- Set your intention for the reading, whether it’s to gain clarity on a specific issue or receive general guidance.
Ask the Question
Hold your bones in both hands and concentrate on your question or the situation you want insight into. This could be a specific question like, “What should I focus on in the coming month?” or a general inquiry like, “What message do the spirits have for me?”
Cast the Bones
Toss the bones onto a cloth or surface, letting them fall naturally. Some practitioners use a designated area called a “casting board” or mat, which may have lines or symbols to help interpret the spread.
Interpret the Fall
Interpretation is the heart of bone divination. Each bone or object’s position, proximity to others, and orientation can carry meaning.
Here are some general rules of interpretation:
Positioning: Objects that fall closer to the center of the casting space are often more significant than those farther out. Objects near each other may influence one another’s meaning.
Orientation: Upright, upside down, or on their sides—all can alter the meaning of a particular object.Patterns: Look for patterns in how the objects land—shapes, clusters, or even directions (north, south, east, west) can provide clues.
Use Intuition
While meanings can be assigned to bones and objects, intuition plays a major role in interpretation. Experienced diviners learn to trust their gut feelings about what the bones are communicating.
Common Symbols in Bone Casting
In bone divination, each bone or object carries a unique meaning, either culturally assigned or intuitively developed by the practitioner.
Here are a few common symbols and interpretations:
- Animal Bones: Each animal’s bone may reflect its traits. For example, a rabbit bone may represent speed, fertility, or fear, while a coyote bone could symbolize trickery or transformation.
- Cowrie Shells: Often associated with wealth, prosperity, and female energy.
- Knucklebones: Typically used in African and ancient Greek practices, knucklebones are seen as indicators of chance, fate, or gambling with destiny.
- Stones: Represent grounding and obstacles but can also indicate stability and long-term foundations depending on their orientation.
Conclusion: The Living Tradition of Bone Divination
Casting bones for divination remains a deeply spiritual practice that connects practitioners to the wisdom of ancestors, spirits, and nature itself. Though the specific tools and interpretations vary by culture and tradition, the underlying principle is the same: using the natural world to gain insight into the unseen forces that shape our lives.
Whether practiced in an African village, by a modern witch, or in a shaman’s ritual, bone divination offers timeless wisdom for those who seek to understand their path in life. To become proficient in this ancient art, one must study both the symbolic meanings of the bones and trust their intuition, allowing the bones to speak and guide them in their journey.
© Colin Lawson Books