Learn about itLearn onlyHistorical practice
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
Coscinomancy used a sieve and shears in ancient Greece, medieval and early modern Europe and 17th-century New England, to identify a guilty party or answer questions.
How it works
A sieve and shears were used together, and the movement of the sieve was taken as the answer.
Notes and limits
Safety: Historically used to accuse people. Never use any divination to judge guilt or accuse anyone.
At a glance
- Also called
- Sieve and shears
- Traditions
- Ancient Greek, European folk, Colonial New England
- Regions
- Ancient Mediterranean, Europe, Americas
- You need
- Nothing
- Price
- Free