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Divinatio
Spirits celestial influences and signs · A Chymical Dictionary
At a Glance
The word. A general term for foretelling.
In the book. Hydromancy concerns signs associated with water; Pyromancy concerns fire; Edelphus names someone who prognosticates through the nature of the elements.
A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 19; facsimile PDF page 347.
Historical Definition
Divinatio is prophesying or foretelling.
Meaning
The entry gives a broad activity without naming the medium from which a prediction is drawn. It therefore differs in scope from the dictionary’s more particular arts of presaging. Nothing here identifies a ritual, instrument or class of practitioner.
Use in the Book
Hydromancy concerns signs associated with water; Pyromancy concerns fire; Edelphus names someone who prognosticates through the nature of the elements. These distinctions can help a reader move from the general activity to a particular historical account of how foretelling is said to occur.
Places to Read
Edelphus. A practitioner of foretelling by the elements.
Hydromancy. Foretelling through manifestations associated with water.
Pyromancy. Divination through the signs of fire.
Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 19; facsimile PDF page 347 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary 1650, s.v. Divinatio
See also. Edelphus; Hydromancy; Pyromancy