The art and practice of divination by interpreting the patterns of smoke from incense.
In this branch of Pyromancy, the air in the area must be still while the casting takes place, and prophetic observations are taken from how slow or fast the incense burns, as well as the formations and directions taken by the smoke.
Libanomancy was employed specially in times of war and conflict. Interpretation of smoke patterns were done after sprinkling the incense into the fire. Ancient Babylonian divination texts offer us a glimpse into Libanomancy interpretation:
"If the flame produces lots of smoke, it is a sign that your army will be soundly defeated; if the smoke drifted to the right, you will prevail over your adversary; if the smoke drifted to the left, your adversary will prevail over you; if the smoke goes to the east and does not go towards the crotch of the diviner, downfall for your adversary; if the smoke goes towards the crotch of the diviner and does not go to the east, your adversary prevails; if the smoke goes equally in all directions, equal weapons or stalemate; if the smoke clustered, a sign of success or profit; if the smoke were fragmented, defeat or financial loss; if the smoke was cleft in two, madness; if the smoke was cut off, hard times; if the smoke gathers like a date-palm, is thin and/or flows downward, hardship will seize the person or army; if the smoke after a while pushes through and gets out, hard times will come to an end; if the smoke looks like the brickbasket of Šamaš, disease is imminent."
Libranomancy is a very ancient form of divination, dating back to pre-Christian times. Incense was, and still is, an essential tool in the occult arts, including divination. Amongst its other uses are the invocation of spirits, and the promotion of states of meditation.
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