The history and practice of anthropomancy
Anthropomancy is the practice of divination by examining the entrails of a person during sacrifice. Anthropomancy is also believed to be performed on younger kids or virgins fundamentally. Those who practice anthropomancy are called anthropomantists. It is an ancient practice about which the famous Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote before anyone else conceivably. He described in his text how the Greek mythology king, Menelaus, used anthropomancy when he was captured in Egypt. Menelaus is also had said to sacrifice two younger children in order to acknowledge his destiny.
Another figure which is synonymous with the practice of anthropomancy is Heliogabalus. The legend indicates that his magical powers in the shape of Julian the Apostate victimized or sacrificed a considerable amount of children in order to fulfill his prophecy and destiny. On another incident, Heliogabalus on his visit to Mesopotamia locked himself in the ‘Temple of the Moon’ and purportedly performed anthropomancy. He also strictly ordered the doors of the temple to remain sealed until his permission was granted to reopen them. Shortly, he left and was killed on the battlefront while combating the Persians. After Heliogabalus’s death the doors of the temple were reopened and a dead woman, most likely a virgin, was revealed to have been anthropomized. Ever since then the strong connection between the practice of anthropomancy and Heliogabalus is memorable.
Although the practice of divination is very archaic, it is still prevailing today in minor societies and on a very tiny level. It was started somewhere perhaps in the Stone Age era and was passed on ever since. The Egyptians were considered to be firm practitioners of this act.
With the passage of time the practice of anthropomancy evolved and took a more ‘civilized’ face. During the era of Roman Empire anthropomancy was still being practiced on a gigantic scale but the victims slightly shifted from virgins and young children towards animals and birds. Sacrificing animals and birds was seen as a more humane way; and accounts show that wherever anthropomancy is practiced today it victimizes animals and birds rather than humans. Anthropomancy was also on the rise during middle ages and dark ages and was used as a means by the corrupt to dominate the unsophisticated. During the Dark Ages, a significant amount of mainly birds were sacrificed in the practice of anthropomancy.
Sources:
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/anthropomancy.html
http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/eop_01/eop_01_00262.html
