chaomancy
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Ancient Greek (Paracelsian) chaos, "the atmosphere".
Noun
[edit]chaomancy (uncountable)
- Divination by aerial visions, a form of aeromancy.
- 1650 French tr. Paracelsus Nine Books Of the Nature of Things (1674) ix.
- Chaomancy shews its Signs by the Stars of the Air and Wind, by the discolouring, destroying of all tender and subtil things […] If the Stars of Chaomancy are moved, Spirits fall from the superiour Air, and Voices and Answers were often heard […] There are seen Hobgoblins, Household Gods, airy Spirits, and Woodmen, &c. also a heavenly Dew and Manna falls upon Trees and Herbs.
- 1908 Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dict. i.
- chaomancy...Fortune-telling by aerial apparitions.
- 1650 French tr. Paracelsus Nine Books Of the Nature of Things (1674) ix.