Intuition 101: The Art of Finger Oracles, Part 2—Bibliomancy
I’ve always believed that books are sacred; they open us to new ideas, spark our imaginations, and help us make changes in our lives. My own bookshelves are stacked with books I’ve collected over the years on everything from oracle spreads to business. In fact, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for certain books that have pushed me to new heights. Indeed, we all have favorites that have touched us in some way. But, did you know that books can also be used as a divination tool?
A few weeks ago in my blog Intuition 101: The Ancient Art of Finger Oracles, Part 1, I talked about psychometry, a form of divination in which you use your sense of touch. Today, I’d like to introduce you to another ancient finger oracle—bibliomancy.
Bibliomancy is a form of divination in which you seek spiritual insight by randomly selecting a passage of a book. Bibliomancy has been in practice for over 3000 years and is sometimes used synonymously with the terms stichomancy (divination from lines) or rhapsodomancy (divination through a random passage of a poem).The Ancient Greeks often used Homer’s Iliad or Odyssey for guidance. In the middle ages, Virgil’s Aeneid was a popular choice. The I Ching and the Bible have also been used in a similar manner.
You don’t have to go get one of these sacred texts to practice bibliomancy. All that’s really required is a book that speaks to you at that moment. It could be a spiritual book, fiction, nonfiction, a guidebook, etc. You can use one you have at home or go to a bookstore or library and let your intuition guide you to a particular section and then a particular book. You may even want to close your eyes and run your fingertips along the spines on the shelves until you feel a subtle change in your sense of touch signal for you to pick that book.
Once you’ve picked a book, take a moment to ground yourself and connect with Spirit. Take a few deep breaths, think of your question, and pray for Divine guidance. Then close your eyes as you hold the book on its spin and allow it to fall open. (You can also run your fingers along the pages and let them guide you to a page. There’s no right or wrong way.) Next, keeping your eyes closed, use your pointer finger to guide you intuitively to a place on the open page. Then open your eyes and read that word, sentence, or passage for guidance from Spirit.
After writing the above, I thought I’d ask Spirit for a message for all my readers this week. So, I went to my bookshelf and picked up the first book I looked at, which also happened to be my second book—Messages From Spirit. I prayed for guidance for all of us, closed my eyes, and followed the other steps I outlined above. Here are the two sentences my finger rested on:
This is the time to ritualize a relationship such as marriage, to legalize partnerships, or to study spiritual matters. It’s a sign to recognize that spirituality is the essence of all of Life.
These sentences are part of a section in the book in which I talk extensively about the 27 universal unfoldments. In this particular passage, I write about The Holy Bridge, which is about divine guidance and taking steps to reach your Truth. In this case, we’re being encouraged to recognize active ritual and symbolism that bridge matter and Spirit. How appropriate!
Exercise:
Ask for Divine guidance using bibliomancy this week! Use the steps I outlined above and tell us about your message.
Also remember that sometimes the guidance may not be obvious right away, but it will contain the right message for you. You may want to write it down and come back to it. Spirit also speaks through symbols. So, you may want to consider any symbols such as numbers or references to nature and animals within your passage. (If you’d like insight into particular symbols, there’s also a detailed chapter on sacred sign bearers and their meanings in Messages From Spirit.)
And please share your experiences with us, I’m sure we’d all love to hear how spirit helped you with bibliomancy.
Love,
Colette
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Wow! I decided to use Jan Spiller’s Book – New Moon Astrology – The Secret of Astrological Timing to Make All Your Dreams Come True. I’ve been using this as a tool to utilize the energy of the New Moon for manifestation.
This is what I flipped to:
I want to easily find myself taking action on the prompting of my ethical nature
I want to easily find myself strengthening my connection with truth
I want to easily find myself acting in alignment with my conscience
How it resonates:
Just today I was discussing the importance of finding a career with some sort of like-minded group or organization. I come from a Marketing Background and I’m hesitant to return to that life because I feel like it is built around deception. I can’t turn a blind eye anymore. I can no longer do what doesn’t feel right just to make some cash.
What’s more!!!
This sentence was found in the section that discusses those who were born with N. Node in Sagittarius. Well – that’s ME – so of course I can relate to this!
Thank you for the message, Collette.
I totally want to try this.
I am very fond of books too. I have memories of another life as a monk in medieval England. I have cherished those memories for so long so, to connect with books through divination is a new project for me. Im stoked–a profound message awaits.
Sometimes, I “accidently” turn to pages that contain sentences that help me with a problem that Im having. I’ve always taken those moments very seriously.
Bless you, C.
Umarmungenund Küsse**!!!!!!!!!!!
(hugs and kisses)
xoxo
Thanks for the information. I attended a spirituality workshop last month and the “intuitive” did the same thing except with a dictionary. Perhaps I’ll try it again with one of my books because I could use divine guidance on a few matters in my life.
I am struggling with anger and resentment which is causing great anxiety and depression. The book I came to was Conversations with God Book 1 and the message I got was “what would love do now?” I know what love would do, but how to let go????
This is a wonderful technique. I had been feeling off and fearful for a couple of days. I prayed for clarity – for my Highest Good – and opened Healing Mantras to:
“Through meditation on OM, worry is extinguished and the mind becomes serene”.
Thank You Colette. I needed to be reminded that I’m Always surrounded by Love and Peace.
Some years ago, a friend gave me a copy of A Guide for the Advanced Soul for just this purpose. Created and handwritten by Susan Hayward, this little red book is filled with wisdom from Yogananda to Walt Whitman. Just now I selected a page with this quote from Ursula Le Guin: “It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” This is especially relevant for me right now as I am seeking my higher purpose and frequently find myself struggling with impatience.
this is so interesting! i have been using this method for about a year. each day i randomly select a passage from a dr. dyer book. gives me something to contemplate on my way to work.
I’ve been unemployed for a while and been building my new (and small) company from the ground up. I’m reaching the point where funding is about to run out and I have made the decision to go back to work and run my company part-time. Even still, I’ve been feeling unsure and agitated about all the change, worrying that I might make the wrong decision (my previous job was a BIG wrong decision). As a result, I’ve been seeking out guidance everyday, both from Colette’s wonderful oracle cards and my own intuition. Reading this blog about bibliomancy is exciting because it gives me something new, simple and fun to try.
Following Colette’s directions, I let my intuition guide me about which book to choose: “Baby Buddhas: a guide for teaching meditation to children”, by Lisa Desmond. This book has been out of sight for almost a year. Earlier, I was motivated to share the title with my followers on Twitter and so, the book is sitting next to me. As I give my intent and allow my fingers to select a “random” page I open my eyes to find my finger gently resting on top the children’s meditation called “Catching Blessings Meditation”. I smile because the meditation is a simple exercise to “catch” blessings of light and love in your hands and then place that energy in the spots that need it most: my intuition asked me to put my caught blessings on all my chakras. I have been reminded to cleanse myself of any former low energy and fear-based worries. Just the reminder I wanted! And such a simply beautiful way about which to do it – all along with the intent of childish fun.
And so now, to continue my journey of energy renewal I shall enjoy a sea salt bath and read some more meditations from “Baby Buddhas”. Thank you Colette for the inspiration to continue my spiritual adventures!
I’ve always loved libraries full of books. The power of the potential that exists within each of the books, just patiently lining up and offering themselves to me like some door just waiting to be opened, has always been delicious and comforting to me. Sitting and reading a good book from a public library is something sacred to me in that it is after all a communion of sorts. I might be the 1st, 2nd or 150th person to spill my fingers, eyes and spirit over the book. On my latest trip to the library I was fortunate to borrow Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” and it is what I used for this bibliomancy exercise. Eyes closed I asked “What is your Will?”. I opened up and pointed to “The source meets our needs through people, places, and things” on page 96.
Thank you Colette
I love doing bibliomancy, I didn’t know it had a name for just randomly opening a page that spirt has draw en me to.
Thank you for the lovely intuition guide lines to follow, i will but them to great use.
You Rock:)
I really wanted to see if this really worked. So I got out the book I am currently reading, Ask and it is given ( the teachings of Abraham) by Esther and Jerry Hicks.
I thought it would be fun to ask the question “When will the big things I want start showing up in my life?” the answer? page 122. it saids once you are in control of the way you feel, you will enjoy it all.
Spot on perfect!! Thanks Colette!
I do this all the time and I did not even know this was something that has been around for so long. Interesting!!! Fascinating synchronicities happening all the time. Amazing. Thank you for sharing!
I just bought your book “The Map” and before I started reading it I decided to open it randomly to see what messages were there for me in your book, so it’s so good to see this article now.
I opened it to the top of page 52…
“Am I able to bring a fulfilling vision of the future into the now by beginning down a path toward it? Do I resist the journey because it feels more comfortable to remain in wishful thinking?”
This was so appropriate because I have been considering starting school for a career in Psychology and have up until now not wanted to face the idea of this career because I didn’t want to have to face the shadow and do the healing work it take, and I had been thinking that this was the reason I chose an arts career instead, to stay in the fun creative sphere and not go deep. So I have been resisting that journey because it feels more comfortable to look only at the light and not the shadow.
And then a few days after that I decided to open the book randomly again,
and this is what I opened to, the top of page 124…
reference
“Sealing the Emotions Genie: The Effects of physical closure on PSYCHOLOGICAL closure,” Psychological Science.
WHAT A SYNCHRONICITY!!!
Not only a sign to pursue psychology, but also a great reference for me to research : )
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