hydromancy

occult practice

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Hydromancy is an occult practice involving divination by water or other liquids. This practice dates back to at least the 14th century.12

Methods of hydromancy can include:
* Observing the motion of tides.1
* Contacting spirits using still water.1
* Divination through visions seen within the liquid.2
* Interpreting how water moves objects floating on it.2

The term "hydromancy" is believed to originate from the Greek words for "water" (hydor) and "divination" (manteia), entering English via Latin. It is related to other forms of divination such as necromancy (divination by the dead) and pyromancy (divination by fire).1

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divination
Interpretive divination
Hydromancy (divination by water) is usually less dramatic, ranging from the reading of reflections in a shallow surface, in the manner of the crystal gazer, to construing the movements of floating objects, as in the reading of tea leaves.
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Hydromancy (divination by water) is usually less dramatic, ranging from the reading of reflections in a shallow surface, in the manner of the crystal gazer, to construing the movements of floating objects, as in the reading of tea leaves.
Read More