Oinomancy


Oinomancy (sometimes spelled oenomancy) is an ancient Roman technique of divination. Traditionally oinomancy was performed by a Bacchante (a priestess who was protected by bacchus, the Roman god of wine).

Oinomancy could be performed in several ways:

  • Wine would be spilled on cloth and the resultant stains studied.
  • Wine would be spilled on paper and the resultant stains studied.
  • Cloth would be soaked in wine and its resultant appearance studied.
  • Cloth would be boiled in wine and its resultant appearance studied.
  • The physical attributes such as color, taste and smell would be studied.
  • The sediment in the bottom of the glass, bottle, or container would be studied.

It is doubtful that this form of divination is currently being practiced.