#cleromancy

Unend S2 E08: Thought Exercise

X: Like iron shavings falling into alignment in a magnetic field, the pieces come to rest on the ground in a strangely perfect linear formation. 

S: The bird skull earring. 

X: A pebbly petrified black egg. 

M: A quartz point. 

S: A coin, a button, 

X: a speckled bean, a snail shell, 

M: a tiny cocktail fork, and every single other item from the pouch – 

S: all tidily lined up in a row like beads on a string, all pointing the same way as Cleo’s lights. 

Photo 1: On the dark city street a line of varied small colourful objects, straight as an arrow, recedes into the near distance. The line of objects begins with a shiny silver bird skull earring, followed by several other objects: a black lava stone egg, a clear quartz point, a brassy coin with a square hole, a green button with 2 holes, a brown and white speckled bean, a light aqua sea snail shell, a vintage cocktail fork with ivory and gold filigree handle, a bent silver bottle cap, a small birch clothespin, a spiralled twist of contorted copper wire, a weathered peach pit, a small knot of red bandana, and many other objects continuing in a line.

Photo 2: A table in Lark’s cabin. Her divination bag has been laid out flat to form a casting mat. The stones, bones, baubles and crystals, pieces of trash, rocks and eggs are laid out in a colourful spiral on her table. In the background, the wall is hung with a southwestern blanket and there are oddments along the edge of the table including 2 candle-lit lanterns, some incense, assorted desert rocks, a spindly desert plant, and an articulated wooden snake.

Photo 3: A closer view of the items from Lark’s bundle.

The items and meanings are derived from Midst or Unend episodes and Lark’s journal, or invented.

Hello beautiful souls ✨

You hold a collection of objects in your hands. You ask a question. You cast them onto cloth. Where they land, how they fall, which ones touch—this is your answer.

This is casting divination: reading meaning in the patterns created when objects are thrown.

Unlike tarot (where cards have fixed meanings) or pendulums (which give yes/no), casting divination is raw, organic, and endlessly variable. Every throw is unique. The same question asked twice will give different configurations—because the energy shifts, the situation evolves, you change.

Today we're exploring three major casting systems:

Bone reading (osteomancy) - ancient, intuitive, deeply personal

Charm casting (cleromancy) - accessible, customizable, modern

Rune casting - structured, symbolic, rooted in Norse tradition

All three share core principles:

You cast objects

You read patterns, positions, relationships

Interpretation is intuitive + structural

The randomness isn't random

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on interpretive divination. Let's dive in.

THE CORE PRINCIPLE: PATTERN AS MESSAGE

All casting divination works on the same foundation:

1. OBJECTS = SYMBOLS Each item in your set represents something (concept, energy, person, theme).

2. POSITION = CONTEXT Where the object lands matters (near/far, center/edge, upright/fallen).

3. RELATIONSHIPS = MEANING Which objects touch, overlap, or point toward each other creates the reading's narrative.

4. INTUITION + STRUCTURE = INTERPRETATION You use both learned meanings and gut instinct to decode the pattern.

Whether you're throwing bones, charms, or runes, you're reading the language of organized chaos.

BONE READING (OSTEOMANCY)

WHAT IT IS:

Bone reading is one of the oldest forms of divination—practiced across Africa, Asia, Indigenous Americas, and ancient Europe.

You cast a collection of bones (and often other natural objects) and read their positions, orientations, and relationships.

TRADITIONAL PRACTICE:

African diaspora traditions (particularly Southern African sangomas): Sets include bones from different animals, shells, stones, seeds, coins—each with specific meaning passed down through lineage.

Readings are done in sacred space, often with ancestor invocation.

Asian traditions: Oracle bone divination (China) used heated bones that cracked—cracks were read as messages.

Indigenous practices: Vary widely by tribe/region. Some traditions are closed; approach with respect and research.

MODERN/ECLECTIC PRACTICE:

Many practitioners create personal bone sets using:

Chicken bones (small, accessible, ethical if you eat chicken)

Cleaned bones from meals (beef, pork, fish)

Animal bones found in nature (check local laws about collection)

Craft/replica bones (if you're uncomfortable with real ones)

Shells, stones, seeds as supplementary pieces

Important: If you're working within a specific tradition (like African diaspora practices), seek proper teaching and initiation. We're discussing eclectic/personal bone reading here.

BUILDING A BONE SET:

START SMALL (5-7 PIECES):

Basic set might include:

Vertebra = backbone, support, foundation, alignment

Rib = protection, breath, vitality

Small limb bone = action, movement, direction

Knuckle/joint = connection, flexibility, transition

Tooth = power, aggression, defense, communication

Shell = emotions, femininity, protection, water element

Stone = stability, grounding, permanence, earth element

You assign meanings based on:

The bone's function in the body

What animal it came from (if known)

What it represents to YOU intuitively

EXPAND OVER TIME:

As you practice, add:

More bones (build complexity)

Seeds/pods (growth, potential)

Coins (money, value, exchange)

Glass/crystals (clarity, energy, intention)

Found objects with personal significance

Traditional sets can have 60+ pieces. Start small.

HOW TO CAST BONES:

1. PREPARE YOUR SPACE

Casting cloth (light-colored so bones are visible, 2-3 feet square)

Mark center (optional—some use a circle drawn/sewn in the cloth)

Cleanse space and bones

2. HOLD YOUR QUESTION

Be specific. Hold bones in both hands. Close eyes. Focus on question until you feel ready.

3. CAST

Methods:

Overhead throw: Toss from above your head (traditional, dramatic)

Gentle toss: Release from chest height (more controlled)

Pour: Let bones flow from hands (gentle, less chaos)

Let them land where they land. Don't adjust.

4. OBSERVE BEFORE INTERPRETING

First impression: What jumps out immediately?

Note:

Which bones landed on the cloth (relevant to question)

Which fell off (not relevant, or "not yet")

Clustering (which bones are grouped)

Distance from center (close = immediate, far = distant future/indirect)

Orientation (pointing toward/away, upright/flat)

Touching (these energies are interacting)

5. READ THE PATTERN

Zones (if using marked cloth):

Traditional approach (many African traditions use compass directions):

North: Future, goals, what's ahead

South: Past, foundation, what's behind you

East: New beginnings, birth, rising energy

West: Endings, death, setting energy

Alternative approach:

Center: Present, you, main issue

Near center: Immediate concerns

Edge: Distant future, external influences

Off cloth: Not relevant or blocked

Relationships:

Bones touching = energies connected

Bones pointing at each other = communication, interaction

Bones crossed = conflict, intersection, choice

Bones parallel = harmony, alignment

Isolated bone = standing alone, independent factor

Example Reading:

You cast about a job decision.

Vertebra (foundation) lands center, upright.Small bone (action) lands near it, pointing toward north.Tooth (power/communication) lands in south (past), flat.Shell (emotion) lands far east (new beginning), but off the cloth slightly.

Interpretation: Your foundation/support system is central and solid. Action is needed and it points toward future growth. Past communications or power struggles are resolved (flat = settled). Emotions about new beginnings are present but not fully in play yet (barely off cloth = emerging).

Read: The foundation is there. Take action toward the future. Past conflicts are done. Emotional readiness is coming but not quite here yet.

DEVELOPING YOUR BONE-READING LANGUAGE:

Spend time with your bones:

Hold each piece

Meditate on its energy

Journal what it means to YOU

Cast repeatedly with simple questions

Track accuracy

Your intuitive meaning matters more than any book's definition.

Over time, you'll develop a relationship with your set. You'll know what a certain bone in a certain position means without thinking.

ETHICS & RESPECT:

If using real bones:

Thank the animal (even if it's chicken from the grocery store)

Treat bones with respect—they were once living beings

Cleanse regularly

Store properly (wrapped in cloth, not tossed in a drawer)

If working within closed traditions:

Don't appropriate without permission/training

Acknowledge sources

Don't claim lineage you don't have

CHARM CASTING (CLEROMANCY)

WHAT IT IS:

Charm casting is the modern, accessible cousin of bone reading.

Instead of bones, you use a collection of small objects (charms, trinkets, beads, stones, dice, buttons—anything meaningful) and cast them to read patterns.

This is the most customizable form of divination. Your set is entirely personal.

WHY CHARM CASTING APPEALS TO MODERN PRACTITIONERS:

No bones needed (good for vegetarians, people uncomfortable with animal parts)

Highly personal (choose items that resonate with YOU)

Accessible (raid your junk drawer, craft store, nature walks)

Evolving (add/remove charms as your life changes)

Instagrammable (let's be honest—pretty charms are more photogenic than bones)

BUILDING A CHARM SET:

CHOOSE 7-15 ITEMS (to start):

Categories to consider:

ELEMENTS:

Feather = air

Stone/crystal = earth

Shell = water

Red bead/charm = fire

Small mirror = spirit

LIFE AREAS:

Key = home, security, unlocking, access

Coin = money, value, exchange

Heart = love, relationships, emotion

Book/page = knowledge, learning, communication

Wheel/gear = career, movement, cycles

PEOPLE:

Crown = authority figure, boss, father

Ring = partnership, commitment, marriage

Baby shoe = children, new beginnings, innocence

Animal figurine = wild card, instinct, pet

ENERGIES:

Dice = chance, risk, gamble, luck

Arrow = direction, focus, goal

Anchor = stability, holding steady, being stuck

Wings = freedom, flight, escape, transcendence

WILDCARDS:

Your own symbols (a charm from your grandmother, a found object, something personally meaningful)

Where to source:

Craft stores (miniature charms in jewelry section)

Dollhouse miniatures

Game pieces (Monopoly tokens work great)

Nature (small stones, shells, seed pods, feathers)

Thrift stores (old jewelry, tchotchkes)

Online (Etsy, Amazon—search "miniature charms")

Make sure items are:

Small enough to cast easily (thumbnail to quarter-sized)

Distinct enough to identify when cast

Meaningful to you (even if the meaning is intuitive, not logical)

HOW TO CAST CHARMS:

Process is nearly identical to bone casting:

Prepare space (casting cloth, cleanse, center)

Hold question (focus while holding charms in hands/bag)

Cast (toss onto cloth)

Observe (what landed, where, how, relationships)

Interpret (use your assigned meanings + intuition)

Example Reading:

Question: "What do I need to know about this new relationship?"

Key (home/security) lands center, uprightHeart (love) lands close to key, touchingDice (chance) lands far north (future)Feather (air/communication) lands west (endings), pointing toward center

Interpretation: Security and love are at the center—this feels stable. There's an element of chance/risk in the future (not bad, just unpredictable). Communication about endings or from the past is relevant—maybe past relationship patterns need discussion.

Read: This relationship has potential for security and genuine love. There's risk ahead (all relationships have this). Address past communication patterns before they sabotage the present.

CHARM CASTING VS. BONE READING:

Similarities:

Same interpretive framework (position, relationship, pattern)

Both highly personal

Both intuitive + structural

Differences:

Charms are symbolic (a tiny key represents security—it's not made from something that was alive)

Bones carry ancestral/animal energy (some practitioners feel this deeply)

Charms are lighter/brighter (aesthetically and energetically)

Bones feel more primal/shamanic; charms feel more witchy/eclectic

Neither is "better." Choose what resonates.

RUNE CASTING

WHAT IT IS:

Runes are the letters of ancient Germanic alphabets (primarily the Elder Futhark—24 symbols).

Each rune is a letter, a sound, AND a symbolic concept.

Rune casting involves throwing marked stones/wood pieces and reading which runes land face-up, their positions, and relationships.

BRIEF HISTORY:

Origin: Scandinavia/Northern Europe, 150-800 CE

Original use: Writing system, not divination (though magical use is ancient)

Modern revival: 20th century (influenced by occultism, Norse revivalism, unfortunately also white supremacist appropriation)

Important: Runes belong to Norse/Germanic cultural heritage. Modern practice should be respectful, not appropriative or tied to racist ideologies.

THE ELDER FUTHARK (24 RUNES):

I'm not listing all 24 here (whole books exist on this), but examples:

Fehu (ᚠ): Wealth, cattle, abundance, mobile resources

Uruz (ᚢ): Aurochs (wild ox), strength, primal force, health

Thurisaz (ᚦ): Thorn, giant, protection, destructive force

Ansuz (ᚨ): God/Odin, communication, divine wisdom, breath

Raidho (ᚱ): Ride/journey, travel, movement, rhythm

Kenaz (ᚲ): Torch, knowledge, illumination, craft

Gebo (ᚷ): Gift, exchange, partnership, balance

Wunjo (ᚹ): Joy, harmony, fellowship, well-being

Each rune has layers:

Letter/sound: Linguistic meaning

Literal meaning: The word it represents (thorn, journey, gift)

Symbolic meaning: Esoteric concepts

Reversed meaning: Some systems read runes differently when upside-down

Study required: You can't effectively cast runes without learning their meanings. This isn't intuitive like bones/charms—it's a structured symbol system.

CREATING A RUNE SET:

MATERIALS:

Traditional:

Wood (especially ash, oak, yew—sacred to Norse tradition)

Carved and burned (or painted)

Modern:

Stones (smooth, flat pebbles—paint or carve runes)

Clay (sculpt, carve, fire)

Crystals (more expensive, energetically charged)

Pre-made sets (widely available online/metaphysical shops)

DIY option: Collect 24 similar-sized stones from a river/beach. Paint runes with permanent marker or acrylic paint. Seal with clear coat.

Consecration: Once made, consecrate your runes (with whatever tradition/ritual feels right—smoke cleansing, moonlight, blood, breath, dedication to Norse gods if you work with them).

HOW TO CAST RUNES:

UNLIKE BONES/CHARMS (where you cast everything), RUNE CASTING HAS OPTIONS:

METHOD 1: SINGLE RUNE DRAW

Simplest. Hold question, draw one rune from bag. That's your answer.

Quick daily guidance, yes/no questions (modified), straightforward answers.

METHOD 2: THREE-RUNE CAST

Draw three runes:

Rune 1: Past/Situation

Rune 2: Present/Challenge

Rune 3: Future/Outcome

Most common method. Good for narrative readings.

METHOD 3: FULL CAST (Multiple Runes Thrown)

Pour/cast multiple runes (5-9 or all 24) onto cloth.

Read only face-up runes (face-down = not relevant to this reading).

Interpret based on:

Which runes appear (themes)

Positions (similar to bone/charm reading—center vs. edge, near vs. far)

Clusters (runes touching = related concepts)

Patterns (do they form a shape?)

This is closest to bone/charm casting method.

METHOD 4: CASTING CLOTH WITH ZONES

Use a cloth divided into sections (past/present/future, or other meaningful divisions).

Cast runes. Where they land determines timing/context.

Example:

Question: "How do I move forward in my career?"

Cast 7 runes. Four land face-up:

Raidho (journey): Center, prominent

Kenaz (knowledge/torch): Near Raidho, touching

Ansuz (communication): North (future), upright

Thurisaz (thorn): South (past), reversed

Interpretation: Journey is central—you're in movement/transition. Knowledge/craft is directly connected to this journey. Future requires communication (maybe teaching, speaking, networking). Past had a destructive force or protection that's now reversed/completed.

Read: You're on a journey of skill-development. Your craft/knowledge is the vehicle. Future success involves communication/sharing what you know. Past obstacles have been overcome—don't let them hold you back.

LEARNING RUNES:

This takes time. You're learning a symbol language.

Steps:

Study one rune per day (24 days minimum)

Meditate on each rune's shape, sound, meaning

Draw the rune repeatedly (embody it through your hand)

Journal personal associations (what does "journey" mean to YOU?)

Practice single-rune daily draws (build familiarity)

Graduate to three-rune spreads

Eventually, full casting

Resources:

The Book of Runes by Ralph Blum (controversial but accessible)

Nordic Runes by Paul Rhys Mountfort (more scholarly)

Runelore by Edred Thorsson (deep dive, Odinic perspective)

Online communities for rune study and discussion.

CULTURAL RESPECT:

Runes come from Norse/Germanic culture.

Respect means:

Study the cultural context (don't just grab symbols divorced from meaning)

Acknowledge the source

Don't mix them carelessly with other closed/specific traditions

Be aware of white supremacist appropriation (Nazi use of runes) and actively distance yourself from that

If you work with Norse gods as part of rune practice, do so respectfully

You don't have to be Scandinavian to use runes, but you should respect where they come from.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR ALL CASTING METHODS

CREATING YOUR CASTING CLOTH:

SIZE: 2-3 feet square (large enough for patterns, small enough to manage)

MATERIAL: Cotton, silk, velvet (something bones/charms won't bounce off)

COLOR: Light (white, cream, light blue) so items are visible

MARKINGS (optional):

Circle in center

Compass directions marked

Zones drawn/sewn (past/present/future, elements, life areas)

Or leave blank (read intuitively)

CLEANSING YOUR SET:

Regular cleansing keeps energy clear:

Smoke (incense, sage, palo santo)

Moonlight (especially full moon)

Salt (briefly—don't leave bones/some metals in salt long-term)

Sound (bell, singing bowl)

Intention (hold each piece, breathe clean energy into it)

After heavy/difficult readings, cleanse immediately.

STORING YOUR SET:

Bag/pouch (drawstring, fabric)

Box (wooden, lined with cloth)

Keep together (bones/charms/runes should be a set, stored as one)

Respectful location (not tossed in a junk drawer)

PRACTICE EXERCISES:

EXERCISE 1: Daily Single-Item Draw

Each morning, draw/cast one piece. What guidance does it offer for the day?

Journal results. Track accuracy.

EXERCISE 2: Yes/No Simplification

Assign "yes" meanings to some items, "no" to others. Cast for yes/no questions.

Not ideal long-term, but helps beginners build confidence.

EXERCISE 3: Comparison Casting

Ask same question. Cast bones. Note answer.

Ask again. Cast charms (or runes). Note answer.

Do they align? Contradict? Complement?

This develops discernment about which method speaks clearest for which questions.

EXERCISE 4: Pattern Recognition

Cast without a question. Just observe the pattern.

What story does it tell? What do you see?

Trains your eye to read relationships and positions.

WHEN CASTING DIVINATION WORKS BEST

IDEAL FOR:

Complex questions with multiple factors (not just yes/no)

Seeing relationships between life areas (career + love + money + health simultaneously)

Timing questions (using zones for past/present/future)

Visual learners (you SEE the answer laid out spatially)

Kinesthetic practitioners (the act of casting is embodied, not passive)

LESS IDEAL FOR:

Highly specific information ("What day will X happen?")

People who need fixed answers (casting is interpretive, not absolute)

Beginners with no divination experience (might be overwhelmed by complexity)

THE BOTTOM LINE (PART 1)

Casting divination—bones, charms, runes—is reading the language of organized chaos.

You throw objects. They land in patterns. Those patterns contain meaning.

The skill isn't in the throwing. It's in the reading.

Choose your method:

Bones for primal, ancestral, deep work

Charms for personal, accessible, evolving practice

Runes for structured, ancient wisdom, strategic guidance

Or use all three. Different tools for different questions.

Start simple:

Small set (5-10 items)

Clear casting space

Begin with yes/no or simple questions

Build complexity over time

Trust your intuition as much as structure

The randomness isn't random. Your subconscious guides where things land. The universe speaks through pattern. Or both.

Next up: PART 2 - Reading methods (tea leaves, coffee grounds, wax)

These methods don't involve casting—they involve substances that form patterns you then interpret. Different mechanism, similar interpretive skills.

YOUR TURN

Do you practice any casting divination? Which method calls to you?

Have you built a bone, charm, or rune set? What's in it?

What's the most accurate casting reading you've received or given?

Let's discuss. Casting divination is deeply personal—your set, your meanings, your relationship with the practice.

Blessed be 🦴

Asking if cleromancy (the practice of divination by the throwing of small marked items such as stones, bones, sticks, dice, etc.) is closed is like asking if cartomancy is closed. The broader practice cannot be considered closed because it does not belong to any one particular culture. There are versions of cleromancy in many traditions worldwide.

It's certainly worth looking into cultural context if you find yourself interested in a SPECIFIC type of cleromancy or discover that the particular iteration you want to try is strongly associated with a closed tradition or path.

The best thing to do is research first using mundane sources. This is Look into the history of cleromantic divination and where the various types of the practice come from. If something catches your interest and it's not intrinsically associated with a closed tradition, give it a try!

You can also try making your own runes, if you feel like getting a little creative with it. I tried this several years ago and have had very good results with my personal set.

Hosting another free in-depth dice reading game with picture for followers to plow (literally) through the dead of winter and certainly not as an excuse to use some of my candles 😆

Ask one question by DM (no inbox!)

Tell me your name or initials and a cozy memory ☕

Readings are purely for entertainment purpose and a little touch of parlor romance! So do take these with a grain of salt and bring along your sense of humor 🖤

Lil trinkets sitting around collecting dust, a few colorful rock-like things I got in a scam nat geo advent calendar that someone probably bought from a dollar tree, a couple coins, some rings that don’t fit my skinny lil fingers. Some delightful lil finds. After my cleromancy post, couldn’t really help but want to try out a new divination technique. Certainly good for giving use to objects just lying around with no use