BIBLIOMANCY

March 29th, 2024 - What's in My Name?
Book Referenced: Self-Meditation by Barbara Ann Kipfer

What is Bibliomancy?
bibliomancy is the use of books for the purpose of divination. To the layman, bibliomancy is like fortune-telling with books. People use it to seek guidance or glimpses into the future. Those more skilled in the art of divination understand that all divining practices are excersized of intuition, to be used for self- improvement, confirmation of what one already knows, and psychological growth (for example shadow work.) Traditionally, sacred texts were used, with passages chosen at random offering cryptic messages. Today, any book that holds meaning for you can be used in bibliomancy.

The following example was derived by using a book of Self-meditation affirmations and quotes. Rather than divining my energy, or telling my fortune, my intent is to use the following for my personal meditative practice during the following week. In my practice, I often use the bible, kyballian, select grimoires, emerald tablets, and many other texts for actual divination purposes. I intend to include this practice in my upcoming content, alongside other divination practices I use daily for personal guidance and growth.

To perform bibliomancy, one often opens with the same prayer or invocation of spirit that would be used for other divination practices. If you have a specific problem or question you are seeking guidance on, ask it aloud or in your mind. Then simply open any book, and shuffle through the pages at random. When you are ready, drop your finger on the text and read what it is pointing to. I find this practice often yields incredible and accurate results. If you are new to divination, I recommend calling to the Angel of Divination, Eistibus, although there are many dieties one may call.

The following was derived by allowing the wind to take the pages, stopping them at random, and choosing the affirmation that started with the letters of my name until all letters were filled. Note, I filled in the second t in my last name with a quote that I overheard from the other room as I performed this, as my roommate had youtube videos playing in the house. It was a beautifully windy day out here in the desert, and I found great joy in this excersize while sitting on the porch watching the doggos play in the yard.

B- Be careful not to dwell on painful memories or indulge in pleasant ones. Remember all thoughts and experiences are impermanent.
R - Read or listen to a tape of the Tibetan Book of the Dead
A - Abandon artificial words and silences and live in your own Zen.
Y - You are your only master, straighten your crooked self.
D - Drop what you are doing and listen, as if you are hearing for the very first time.
O - Overcome anger with gentleness.
N - Notice the different patterns you develop when you make a genuine effort to live well, and when you do not.

P - Practice right mindfulness while sitting, standing, and walking.
O - Open a window and see how wonderous life is. Be attentive to each moment, letting your mind be clear like a calm river.
T - To do good means to share, to love, to serve, and to be compassionate.
T - Touch not my anointed ones. (**Overheard from the other room while working on this, not found in the book.)
E - Enlightenment is intimacy with ALL things. - Jack Kornfield
R - Rest in openness, wherever you are.