Bones of Wisdom: Madame Verveine Unearths the Ancient Art of Bone Throwing Divination

The Head Honcho
Jul 18
12 min read

Greetings, fellow magic-makers! Madame Verveine here, ready to delve into a truly captivating corner of our craft, right here in the pages of BeWitchy®. When we talk divination, many of you might immediately envision the vibrant spreads of tarot cards, the gentle sway of a pendulum, or the mysterious patterns in tea leaves. These are, indeed, magnificent tools for peering into the unknown. But there's one ancient, earthy method that, surprisingly, doesn't get as much airtime in modern witchcraft circles: Bone Throwing.

Perhaps it conjures images of archaic practices, something decidedly "old world." But I promise you, throwing the bones offers a uniquely profound experience, a direct conduit to your deepest inner knowing. This isn't just about predicting the future; it's about igniting your inner voice, that innate psychic part of you that simply knows, waiting for a gentle nudge to unlock its true potential.

What, Precisely, Are Throwing Bones?

At its heart, a throwing bone set is a collection of diverse tools designed to illuminate your path. While "bones" are in the name (and often included!), a set is a wonderfully eclectic mix of bones, shells, meaningful trinkets, bits of nature, and other beloved miscellany. Here's the truly enchanting part: no two bone-throwing sets are ever the same! Each witch thoughtfully crafts and collects their pieces, allowing the set to grow and evolve alongside their personal practice, often changing significantly over time.

Every single piece in your set holds a meaning, yes, but the real magic isn't in isolating individual definitions. It's in the relationship between the pieces. How they land, where they touch, their distance or proximity to one another – all of it weaves together to form a rich, dynamic narrative that beautifully answers the question posed by the caster.

Now, I hear the whispers: "Madame Verveine, this sounds so intuitive, so... un-concrete! Tarot books give me clear meanings." And it's true, bone throwing is more interpretive and deeply intuitive. Yet, I assure you, it is not difficult to learn. In fact, the very process of creating your set is the most vital step in learning to use them. This intimate act familiarizes you with each piece, forging a connection far deeper than you might ever achieve with commercially produced divination tools. It's a relationship, darling, built from the ground up!

But first! Where does the art of bone throwing come from? A Global Tapestry of Divination

The use of bones and other natural objects for divination is a testament to humanity's enduring quest for understanding and guidance from the unknown. Here are some of the most significant historical threads:

Ancient China (Oracle Bones): Perhaps one of the most well-known historical examples comes from ancient China, particularly during the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE). Here, diviners used what are famously called "oracle bones" – typically ox scapulae (shoulder blades) and turtle plastrons (undershells). Questions about weather, crops, royal family fortunes, and military endeavors were inscribed onto these bones, which were then subjected to heat. The resulting cracks were interpreted to reveal the answers from deities or ancestors. This practice, known as pyro-osteomancy, is incredibly significant because the inscriptions on these bones represent the earliest substantial body of ancient Chinese writing.
Africa (Sangoma Traditions): Bone throwing is a vibrant and deeply respected tradition in many African cultures, particularly among the Sangomas (traditional healers and spirit mediums) of southern Africa. Their divination sets are rich mixtures of bones, shells, stones, coins, and other personal objects. The way these items fall, their groupings, and their orientations are meticulously interpreted to diagnose ailments, offer guidance, and understand spiritual influences. This form emphasizes the personal connection to each object and its symbolic meaning within the context of the reading.
Ancient Mesopotamia & Egypt (Cleromancy & Knucklebones): The practice of "casting lots" using bones, stones, or marked sticks can be traced back to the earliest human civilizations, including Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. For example, the ancient Sumerians practiced "astragalomancy," using animal knucklebones (astragali), often marked with symbols. In Egypt, four-sided dice made from animal ankle bones, each with distinct markings, were tossed by priests to discern the will of the gods or spirits.
Europe (Cleromancy & Scapulimancy): In ancient Greece and Rome, bones and other small objects were used for divination, often associated with various deities. This practice, known as cleromancy, played a role in political, military, and legal decisions. There's also evidence of scapulimancy (divination by examining shoulder blades) in parts of Europe, where bones, sometimes boiled or heated, were read for omens. Accounts from medieval scholars suggest variations of this practice in regions like Flanders.
Indigenous Americas: Bone divination also developed independently among various Indigenous peoples in the Americas, particularly in North America. For example, some Algonquian-speaking peoples utilized scapulimancy, interpreting the patterns of cracks on caribou shoulder blades.

The Enduring Spirit of Bone Divination

While the specific methods and cultural contexts varied widely, the core principle remains consistent: bones, as a tangible part of life, death, and the natural world, serve as powerful conduits for spiritual messages. They connect us to the primal wisdom of the earth, to the ancestors, and to the subtle whispers of intuition.

The "bone throwing" you see today in modern witchcraft, often blending elements of African Diasporic traditions with intuitive personal practices, is a beautiful continuation of these ancient lineages. It's a testament to the enduring power of listening to the universe through the most natural and personal of tools.

Isn't it fascinating how witches across time and continents found similar ways to connect with the unseen? What aspect of bone throwing's history surprises you most?

Throwing Bones: Pros & Cons from Madame Verveine's Perspective

As with any tool in our craft, bone throwing isn't for everyone. Here’s a quick rundown to help you decide if this ancient art calls to your soul:

The Pros (Why You'll Love It!):

Utterly Personal: This is perhaps its greatest strength. While I'll offer a recommended starting set, your bone-throwing collection is entirely yours. You're free to add, remove, invent meanings, and adapt it to your unique energy. There's no "right" or "wrong" way for your set to be – only your way!
Psychic Ignition: If you're struggling to tap into your psychic gifts, bone throwing is an exceptional catalyst. It forces you to listen to those subtle nudges, access deeper intuitive messages, and in turn, massively improve your intuition. It's a direct psychic workout!
Primal Connection & Raw Power: Let's be honest, there's something undeniably badass about this form of divination. It offers a profound connection to the earth, to generations of witches who came before, and to your own primal nature. This is a tool born from what's available – natural elements, cherished trinkets, hand-me-downs. It’s shaped by your reality, a tangible link often lost in our digital age. If you sometimes yearn to connect with the physical, human essence of your spiritual self, bone-throwing can feel like a revelation.

The Cons (What to Consider):

Energetic Volatility: Bone throwing can be quite sensitive to your energy. If you're not in the right headspace, having a "psychically blocked" day, or if the bones simply don't resonate with your question, you might get no answer at all. Thankfully, this is usually obvious: a reading will feel flat, uninspired, and you'll know to put them away for another time.
Psychic Engagement Required: If you genuinely feel disconnected from your psychic side, this method might be challenging. Now, let me be clear: I firmly believe everyone possesses psychic capabilities. But many have unknowingly blocked them since childhood, dismissed their intuition, or discounted their imagination. If you're currently feeling un-psychic but wish to develop these skills, bone throwing can be a magnificent tool to help you break through those barriers.
Delicate Travelers: Bone sets can be quite delicate. This makes them less ideal for frequent travel or public readings (imagine a precious bone skittering across a crowded floor!). If you're a nomadic witch, you might want to create a sturdier, more travel-friendly set or simply reserve this powerful practice for your sacred home space.

Madame Verveine's Recipe for Collecting & Creating Your Bone Set

Creating your own set of throwing bones should be a joyful, intuitive journey. It might come together in an afternoon, or more likely, it will unfold organically over time. Once you begin, pieces truly tend to find their way to you. You might start with three or five pieces, but as you go about your daily life, you'll start noticing objects that simply beg to be added. Friends might unexpectedly bring you odd gifts, or you'll stumble upon calling items. Before you know it, your unique bone-throwing set will be complete.

So, what should you look for? Despite the name, not every item needs to be a bone! If animal bones make you squeamish, omit them entirely! While I've always loved collecting feathers, bones, and beautiful rocks, your preference might lean towards seashells, antique buttons, bits of driftwood, sparkling crystals, tiny carved figures, or anything else that speaks to your soul. The main criterion is: Does it feel right in your set?

Each piece will come to represent something. You'll need to choose one piece to represent yourself (this should be comparatively a bit larger than the others). The meanings you assign are entirely up to you. Below is a list of common archetypes I've included in my own sets. Feel free to adapt, add, or subtract to suit your preferences, but ensure you have enough variety for detailed readings.

The Self (your anchor piece)
Health
Wealth / Abundance
Family
Love / Relationships
Magic / Spirituality
Yes / Green Light
No / Stop Sign
Evil / Malicious Intentions
Male (useful for clarifying unknown parties)
Female (useful for clarifying unknown parties)
One / Many (a two-sided item indicating singularity or multiplicity)
Truth (reveals your heart's true desires)
Other (for readings on behalf of someone else)
Fated / Decision (a two-sided item indicating if a situation is predetermined or open to change)

My current set does include but in the past it did not include every single one of these, and yours doesn't have to either! For an absolute beginner's foundational set, I recommend pieces representing: Self, Health, Wealth, Family, Love, Magic, Evil/Bad Intentions, Male, Female, and Truth. That's a strong 10-piece start that will provide insightful readings without an overwhelming collection process.

Please, take your time with the finding process. If it comes together quickly, wonderful! But if it's slow, do not rush it. There's nothing more frustrating than a bone set that lacks cohesion and refuses to give a clear reading. Trust your intuition when it whispers, "Ooh! That's it!"

While you can consecrate your pieces, I've always found that they simply know. The pieces that find their way into my set resonate with their purpose inherently.

Casting the Bones: Madame Verveine's Method for Reading

Once your unique collection is complete, you'll also need a throwing cloth. This is a piece of fabric with markings that help you interpret the significance of each piece's placement.

A basic setup involves a cloth with two concentric circles:

The smaller, inner circle represents what's directly involved or most immediate to the question.
The larger circle signifies things indirectly involved or influencing the situation.
Anything falling outside the large circle is currently not a factor.

My personal throwing cloth is simply a black cloth and I painted a circle on it with fabric paint. Pieces inside the circle are relevant, those vaguely within the circle area are related, and outside are irrelevant. Feel free to experiment with this basic structure, or create your own system entirely. Remember, this divination set is meant to be completely yours!

It's also wise to have a bag or box to keep your precious pieces safe. A lost piece can throw off an entire reading!

When you're ready to begin casting, prepare to delve deep and connect with your psychic self. Don't worry, we'll take this step by step.

Set the Stage: Lay your throwing cloth on a soft surface like a carpeted floor or a yoga mat. Hard surfaces can cause pieces to bounce and scatter too widely.
Anchor Your Intent: Place your "self" bone precisely in the center of the cloth. Gather the rest of your set into your hands (or a bowl, if preferred).
Focus Your Query: Hold your question or the situation you wish to illuminate firmly in your mind. Toy with the bones, shake them, or let them tumble from hand to hand to build energy.
The Cast: When you feel ready, cast the bones onto the cloth. This takes practice! Initially, they might clump together, or fly off the cloth. Practice until they spread out nicely, though a piece or two flying off can often signify factors that are truly not involved.

Now, my dear witches, comes the part that I cannot teach you, but must be learned through experience: reading the bones.

Observe how they fall. Know what each piece represents. Then, simply let your mind go blank. Don't overthink it, don't try to force an answer. Just be still. Listen and wait.

Does a narrative begin to play out in your mind that seems to match the arrangement?
Can you feel what certain bones are trying to convey, a subtle resonance?
Does a persistent thought or image nag at you?

Pay attention to these things! They are often your intuition, your inner witch, relaying the messages the bones are offering.

If you don't feel anything at first, that's perfectly normal. Like any magical skill, this one takes time and consistent practice. Experiment, work with your set regularly, and most importantly, pay attention. Half of psychic intuition is simply learning to be aware of the messages you're constantly receiving. And above all, my dears, have fun!

While the "bone" is in the name, your set doesn't have to be exclusively bones, especially if you're squeamish about them. The key is to gather items that feel meaningful and speak to you, each carrying an intuitive "essence" or symbolic meaning you assign.

What Can You Use in Your Set?

Here's a breakdown of common categories and specific examples, keeping in mind that your unique path will guide your choices:

Bones (Ethically Sourced):
- Small animal bones: Chicken, rabbit, bird, or fish bones are often collected from meals (thoroughly cleaned, of course!). These are widely accessible.
- Naturally found bones: Sometimes, you might find small bones on a nature walk. If you do, ensure they are legally and ethically collected in your area. Always clean and consecrate them.
- Vertebrae or small joint bones: These can represent strength, flexibility, or foundational elements.
- Rib bones: May symbolize protection, support, or vulnerability.
- Jawbones or teeth: Could represent communication, biting wit, or ancestral wisdom.

Shells:
- Cowrie shells: Historically used as currency and symbols of fertility, prosperity, and the divine feminine.
- Scallop shells: Often associated with journeys, paths, or emotional depth (as they are bivalves that "open").
- Snail shells: Can represent home, slow progress, protection, or cycles.
- Mussel or clam shells: May symbolize hidden truths, emotions, or protection.
- Abalone shells: Known for holding cleansing herbs like sage, they can represent emotional balance, intuition, or the ocean's vastness.

Stones and Crystals:
- Smooth river stones: Can represent grounding, stability, or specific elements (water, earth).
- Crystals: Each crystal carries its own metaphysical properties. For example:
  - Amethyst: Intuition, spiritual protection.
  - Rose Quartz: Love, emotional healing.
  - Clear Quartz: Amplification, clarity.
  - Black Tourmaline: Protection, grounding.
  - Hematite: Grounding, breaking negative ties.
  - Selenite: Cleansing, high vibrations.

Botanical & Natural Elements:
- Acorns or small seed pods: Growth, potential, new beginnings, resilience.
- Dried flower buds (e.g., rosebuds): Love, beauty, completion.
- Feathers: Communication, air element, spiritual messages, freedom.
- Small pieces of driftwood: Journeys, resilience, the flow of life, grounding.
- Cinnamon sticks: Prosperity, protection, passion.
- Star Anise: Divination, good luck.
Man-Made & Trinkets (Meaningful Items):
- Old buttons: Connection to ancestors, hidden talents, choices.
- Charms (from old jewelry): Each charm's image (key, heart, star) holds symbolic meaning.
- Coins: Wealth, value, exchange, opportunities.
- Small metal objects (e.g., a tiny thimble, a old key): Domesticity, unlocking secrets, journeys.
- Dice: Chance, fate, decision-making (you can assign meanings to numbers).
- Playing cards (individual cards): Each suit and number can have meaning.
- Figurines: Small animal totems, miniature human figures representing archetypes or people.
- Glass beads: Clarity, reflection, emotional states.

Madame Verveine's Tips for Choosing Your Pieces:

Intuition First: This is the most crucial rule. When you see an item, does it "speak" to you? Does it feel like it wants to be part of your set? That undeniable pull is your intuition guiding you.
Assign Meaning: As you collect each piece, consciously decide what it will represent in your readings. This personal connection is what makes your set unique and powerful. You can write these meanings down in your grimoire.
Balance: Aim for a good variety of meanings to give you detailed and nuanced readings. Don't be afraid to start small and add pieces over time as your understanding and connection grow.
Ethical Sourcing: Always ensure any natural elements (bones, feathers, shells) are collected ethically and legally. Respect the earth and its creatures.
Cleanse & Consecrate: Before adding a new piece to your set, cleanse it of any previous energies and consecrate it to its purpose within your divination practice.

Your bone-throwing set is a living extension of your unique magical path. It will grow and change with you, reflecting your evolution as a witch.

What piece are you most excited to find for your very own bone-throwing set? Tell me your first thought!

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International Psychic Medium Witch Madame Verveine+

Witchcraft Practitioner Demonologist Author Artist Mentor Owner and Founder of BeWitchy

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