Aeromancy is a form of divination that uses the air element observing the sky, in particular the meteorological and cosmological events, including the movements of the clouds, the winds and the comets, the appearance of the rainbow and other phenomena such as the auroras.

The word aeromancy comes from the Greek Aero for «air» and Manteia by «divination.»

Synonyms: Aeromance, Arologie, Aeriology, Aërology, Heromanty.

Origins of aeromancy

It is believed that aeromancy was practiced by the former Babylonian priests and that his practice in the Bible was mentioned and condemned.

Albertus Magnus believed that it was a form of necromance and appeared as one of the seven forbidden arts of Renaissance magic, along with nigromancia, geomance, hydromoncia, pyromance, surveying and spatulance.

Some believe that the signals that were made to the aeromant were messages of air elementary or of gods associated with the air element, the sky and the climate.

François de la Tour Blanche believed that the images discerned by the aeromant were spectra that were manifested with the help of spirits or demons. Elliphas Levi believed that the practice of aeromancy was simply a means of opening the practitioner’s own imagination and skills and that there was no real meaning in what the reader observed, that the reading came from within.

Bells, ribbons, wakes and other objects can be used to discern wind movements for divinatory purposes or the sound of the wind when passing between the leaves or the grass can transmit the message. The movement of the smoke of a sacrifice fire was also carefully observed to determine the opinion of the gods about the sacrifice. Aeromers used many modern instruments to predict time, such as barometers and thermometers, and it is likely that the practice of aeromancy would greatly influence the development of modern weather.

Specific aeromancy types

• Anemoscopy and Austromance – Logination by observing wind patterns
• Capnomancy
• Ceraunoscopy – Divination by observing thunder and lightning patterns
• Chaomancy
• EROMANCIA
• Iteormancia: divination by observing meteoros, comets and fleeting stars.
• Nephomance – divination through the observation of patterns and forms of clouds
• Roadomancy

Although aeromancy is an ancient practice with little formal teaching today, there are many modern pieces of popular wisdom that are aeromantic.

My mother always used to say – Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take notice.

Other superstitions include the idea that thunder in the East foresees bloodshed and that strong winds in yuletide predict the death of a king.

The Wicca Rede (Dorreen Valiente) also contains some aeromantic instructions:
Pay attention to the strong storm of the North Wind, close the door and give the candles.
When the wind comes from the south, love will kiss you in the mouth.
When the wind blows from the west, the deceased souls have no rest.
When the wind blows from the east, except the new and establish the party.

More information on the web

• http://www.occultopepedia.com/a/aeromancy.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/aeromancy
• http://www.teenwitch.com/divination/aeromancy.html