Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 7, 2026

Cephalonomancy

Cephalonomancy is an ancient form of divination which used two different methods; one was concerned with the shape of the skull, somewhat like extispicy or phrenology. The other involved heating the skull of a donkey or goat while reciting various phrases, often the names of criminal suspects. If the skull crackled or the jaw moved while a name was spoken, this was taken to identify the guilty party.

Last revised
Jun 7, 2026
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Cephalonomancy (also known as cephaleonomancy or kephalonomancy) is an ancient form of divination which used two different methods; one was concerned with the shape of the skull, somewhat like extispicy or phrenology. The other involved heating the skull of a donkey1 or goat2 while reciting various phrases, often the names of criminal suspects.3 If the skull crackled or the jaw moved while a name was spoken, this was taken to identify the guilty party.3

References

References

  1. Bennett, Catherine (February 16, 1995). "Well, you can never tell". The Guardian. pp. T2.
  2. Kelly, Stuart (July 29, 2007). "Words of wisdom". Scotland on Sunday. p. 4.
  3. "Kephalonomancy". The Element Encyclopedia of the Psychic World. Vol. 10. Harper Collins. p. 357.
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