Background
Cowrie shells have been used in several distinct divination traditions, best documented in West Africa and the African diaspora and also recorded in India and East Africa. This tool is a modern, secular adaptation of the basic "how many land open side up" idea — it is not Merindilogun or any initiated system.
How it works
A set of virtual cowries is cast at random; the number landing with the opening upward selects one of a small set of original, non-sacred reflection texts written for this site.
Notes and limits
Culture: Cowrie divination in Yoruba, Santería and Candomblé traditions (Merindilogun / Diloggún) is a sacred, initiated practice with its own odu and verses. This tool deliberately does not use those names, meanings or verses; to learn the real tradition, seek out its priests and communities.
Safety: A random cast is a prompt for reflection, not a prediction.
At a glance
- Also called
- Cowrie toss, Shell casting, Kauri
- Traditions
- Modern adaptation
- Regions
- Worldwide / modern, Africa, South Asia
- You need
- A question, A random draw
- Time
- About 2 min
- Price
- Free