Cledonism
In the occult of classical antiquity, cledonism, or cledonomancy, was a kind of divination based on chance events or encounters, such as words occasionally uttered. The word is formed from the Greek κληδών, which signifies rumor, a report, omen, fame, name.[1]
According to Pausanias, cledonism was popular at Smyrna, where the Apollonian Oracles were interpreted.[3] He also mentions its use at the shrine of Hermes Agoraios in Pharae. An individual, upon whispering a question into the god's ear, plugged his own ears, left the agora, and then listened for the god's answer among the chance words of pedestrians. This was likely popular because the individual selectively chose which words formed the answer.[4]
An example of cledonism occurs in the Odyssey, Book XX. Before taking vengeance on the suitors, Odysseus asks for a divine sign, and Zeus answers with a clap of thunder. This is immediately followed by words from a servant-woman, asking Zeus to "let this be the very last day that the suitors dine in the house of Odysseus."[4]
See also
References
- ^ Liddell and Scott Κληδών
- ^ This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chambers, Ephraim, ed. (1728). "Cledonism". Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (1st ed.). James and John Knapton, et al.
- ^ Shepard, Leslie A., ed. Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc., 1991.
- ^ ISBN 0-520-02758-2. 1975. P 131-2.