Scatomancy
Encyclopedia
Scatomancy is the reading of a person's fortune by examining their bodily excrement. It is also known as Spatalomancy, Spatilomancy, Cropomancy, and Spatalamancy
by excrement," though it has been used alternatively in a context similar to necromancy
. The process by which the excrement that is scrutinized is referred to in modern medical terminology as a scatoscopy. (see scatology
)
. In one of scatomancy's forms, popular in ancient Egypt, kleptoparasitic dung beetles were employed. These amazing insects were actually held sacred and immortalized by the Egyptians. They shape, roll and weave dung balls as a sexual display and courtship attractor. The beetles speed and behavior, as well as the appearance of the dung balls, were all taken into consideration for the prognostications.
The examination of feces and urine by physicians and folk medicine practitioners has also been performed since ancient times. Medicine men and women were knowledgeable on it, and made predictions as well as diagnoses from feces examination, resembling today's medical professionals and laboratories.
Definition
Scatomancy is literally "divinationDivination
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
by excrement," though it has been used alternatively in a context similar to necromancy
Necromancy
Necromancy is a claimed form of magic that involves communication with the deceased, either by summoning their spirit in the form of an apparition or raising them bodily, for the purpose of divination, imparting the ability to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge...
. The process by which the excrement that is scrutinized is referred to in modern medical terminology as a scatoscopy. (see scatology
Scatology
In medicine and biology, scatology or coprology is the study of feces.Scatological studies allow one to determine a wide range of biological information about a creature, including its diet , healthiness, and diseases such as tapeworms. The word derives from the Greek σκώρ In medicine and biology,...
)
History
In ancient times scatomancers were often influential members of their community called upon to assist in medical diagnosis and trial by ordealTrial by ordeal
Trial by ordeal is a judicial practice by which the guilt or innocence of the accused is determined by subjecting them to an unpleasant, usually dangerous experience...
. In one of scatomancy's forms, popular in ancient Egypt, kleptoparasitic dung beetles were employed. These amazing insects were actually held sacred and immortalized by the Egyptians. They shape, roll and weave dung balls as a sexual display and courtship attractor. The beetles speed and behavior, as well as the appearance of the dung balls, were all taken into consideration for the prognostications.
The examination of feces and urine by physicians and folk medicine practitioners has also been performed since ancient times. Medicine men and women were knowledgeable on it, and made predictions as well as diagnoses from feces examination, resembling today's medical professionals and laboratories.
See Also
- Dictionary of the Occult. Caxton Publishing
- Dunwich, Gerina. A Wiccan's Guide to Prophecy and Divination. Carol Publishing Group
- Pickover, Clifford A.. Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of Prediction. Prometheus Books
- Spence, Lewis. An Encyclopedia of Occultism. Carol Publishing Group
- Walker, Charles. The Encyclopedia of the Occult. Random House Value