Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 11, 2026

Abacomancy

Abacomancy, also known as Amathomancy a form of divination based on the interpretation of the patterns in dust, dirt, silt, sand, or the ashes of the recently deceased. Reading the patterns is believed to give some insight into the future. Readers drop the dirt, sand, or ashes on a flat surface and start looking for a pattern that may represent symbols or pictures. They interpret these symbols and pictures to what is going to happen in the future. Some look for certain symbols that are seen over and over. American abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock was famous for his series of paintings on abacomancy, which focused on the patterns in the paintings he made to foretell the future.

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Abacomancy, also known as Amathomancy (from the Greek word "amathos" meaning sand) a form of divination based on the interpretation of the patterns in dust, dirt, silt, sand, or the ashes of the recently deceased. Reading the patterns is believed to give some insight into the future. Readers drop the dirt, sand, or ashes on a flat surface and start looking for a pattern that may represent symbols or pictures. They interpret these symbols and pictures to what is going to happen in the future. Some look for certain symbols that are seen over and over. American abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock was famous for his series of paintings on abacomancy, which focused on the patterns in the paintings he made to foretell the future.1

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Naifeh, Steven W.; Smith, Gregory White (1989). Jackson Pollock: An American Saga. C.N. Potter. ISBN 9780517560846. Retrieved 8 December 2015.