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Augury and Divination: A Comprehensive Reading List

Augury books trace the practice of interpreting omens and signs for divination from ancient traditions to modern analyses. Works like Thomas H. Burgoyne's 'The Light of Egypt' and Edgar Thurston's 'Omens and Superstitions of Southern India' offer detailed explorations of these practices. Andrew Lang's 'The Making of Religion' provides a scholarly perspective on the origins of belief systems related to divination. This guide presents essential texts for understanding the history, methods, and cultural significance of augury.

Top Augury Books

25 Augury books

🧠 MIND-EXPANDING

The Vital Message

Arthur Conan Doyle

4.3

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Four Weird Tales

Blackwood, Algernon

4.3

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The Black Cross

Briggs, Olive M. (Olive Mary)

4.2

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Palmistry for All

Cheiro

4.3

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HIDDEN GEM

Indian Palmistry

Dale, J. B., Mrs.

4.3

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The land of mist

Doyle, Arthur Conan

4.3

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Human Animals

Hamel, Frank

4.3

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SCHOLAR'S PICK

The book of witches

Hueffer, Oliver Madox

4.3

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🧠 MIND-EXPANDING

Astral Worship

J. H. Hill

4.7

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TRENDING

Sweet Rocket

Johnston, Mary

4.2

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Devonshire Witches

Karkeek, Paul Q. (Paul Quick)

4.2

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Notes on witchcraft

Kittredge, George Lyman

4.3

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CLASSIC

The radio ghost

Kline, Otis Adelbert

4.2

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PAGE-TURNER

All in the dark

Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan

4.2

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Clairvoyance

Leadbeater, C. W. (Charles Webster)

4.3

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SCHOLAR'S PICK

Invisible helpers

Leadbeater, C. W. (Charles Webster)

4.2

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TIMELESS

The black pearl

Lion, Marie

4.3

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The Timeless Ones

Long, Frank Belknap

4.2

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PAGE-TURNER

Three essays

Mann, Thomas

4.3

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Nature Mysticism

Mercer, John Edward

4.3

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❤️ HEARTBREAKER

The Green Mouse

Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers

4.4

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HIDDEN GEM

Modern Magic

Schele de Vere, M. (Maximilian)

4.3

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Modern Spiritualism

Smith, Uriah

4.3

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🗿 TIMELESS CLASSIC

Guy Mannering

Walter Scott

4.4

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🔍 UNPUTDOWNABLE

Blind Love

Wilkie Collins

4.5

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What is Augury?

Augury is a form of divination that involves observing and interpreting omens, particularly the flight of birds, to understand the will of the gods or predict future events. Historically practiced by specialized priests or diviners in various ancient cultures, it relied on a complex system of symbols and observations. While its formal practice has largely faded, the underlying principles of seeking meaning in natural phenomena and signs continue to resonate in various forms of superstition and intuitive interpretation.

Best Books for Complete Beginners

For those new to augury, starting with accessible introductions is key. 'Palmistry for All' by Cheiro offers a practical entry into reading signs, albeit through hand analysis. 'Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling' by Charles Godfrey Leland provides a rich collection of anecdotal evidence and practices, illustrating how divination manifests in folklore. 'The Mysteries of All Nations' by James Grant (Archaeologist) offers a broad historical overview of superstitions and divination methods, providing context for augury within a wider cultural landscape. These texts offer foundational understanding without overwhelming technical detail.

Intermediate Reading

Moving beyond the basics, 'The Light of Egypt; Or, The Science of the Soul and the Stars — Volume 2' by Thomas H. Burgoyne delves into more complex astrological and spiritual interpretations relevant to divination. Andrew Lang's 'The Making of Religion' offers a comparative anthropological study, examining the evolution of religious beliefs and practices, including divination. 'Omens and Superstitions of Southern India' by Edgar Thurston provides detailed ethnographic accounts of divination practices and beliefs in a specific cultural context, offering nuanced observations. William Walker Atkinson's 'Clairvoyance and Occult Powers' explores related mental faculties used in divination.

Classical / Advanced Texts

Serious students will find value in primary source materials and scholarly analyses. 'Miscellanies Upon Various Subjects' by John Aubrey offers historical observations and records that touch upon divination and folklore from the 17th century. 'A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718' by Wallace Notestein and 'Salem Witchcraft, Volumes I and II' by Charles Wentworth Upham provide historical context on societies that closely scrutinized and often persecuted those involved in divination and occult practices. These works offer deep historical and societal perspectives.

Reading Order — Step by Step

Begin with foundational concepts. Month 1: Start with Cheiro's 'Palmistry for All' for an intuitive approach to reading signs, followed by James Grant's 'The Mysteries of All Nations' for historical context on superstitions. Month 2: Explore Charles Godfrey Leland's 'Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling' for a folkloric view, and Edgar Thurston's 'Omens and Superstitions of Southern India' for specific cultural examples. Month 3: Engage with Thomas H. Burgoyne's 'The Light of Egypt' for deeper spiritual and astrological connections, and Andrew Lang's 'The Making of Religion' for an academic perspective. Advanced study can then focus on historical accounts and scholarly analyses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which augury book should I read first?

For a beginner, start with 'Palmistry for All' by Cheiro to grasp the concept of interpreting signs intuitively. Follow this with James Grant's 'The Mysteries of All Nations' for broad historical context on superstitions.

What is the difference between augury and astrology?

Augury primarily focuses on interpreting omens from natural signs, especially bird flight, while astrology interprets celestial body positions and movements to understand earthly events and predict the future.

Are there any books on bird augury specifically?

While not explicitly detailed in the provided catalog, books like 'Omens and Superstitions of Southern India' by Edgar Thurston and 'The Mysteries of All Nations' by James Grant discuss broader omen interpretation that would include avian signs.

How do I approach advanced texts on augury?

Advanced texts often require a foundational understanding of history, folklore, and occult traditions. Begin with intermediate texts like Burgoyne or Lang, then move to historical analyses like Notestein or Upham for deeper context.

Can I learn practical divination from these books?

Some books, like Cheiro's 'Palmistry for All' or Leland's 'Gypsy Sorcery,' offer practical insights into divination methods. Others provide historical and theoretical frameworks for understanding these practices.

What role does superstition play in augury?

Superstition is closely linked to augury, as both involve belief in signs and omens influencing events. Books like Grant's 'The Mysteries of All Nations' explore the historical intersection of superstition and divination practices.

Are these books about modern or ancient augury?

The catalog includes texts covering both ancient traditions and their persistence through folklore and historical periods. Burgoyne leans towards spiritual and astrological interpretations, while Leland and Thurston focus on folk practices.

Why Each Book Matters

The Vital Message

by Arthur Conan Doyle

In "The Vital Message," Arthur Conan Doyle presents his fervent arguments for the reality of spiritualism and its profound implications for humanity. He shares his personal conviction that communication with the spirit world offers vital guidance and comfort, effectively serving as a form of spiritual augury. The book compiles evidence and anecdotes to persuade readers of the existence of an afterlife and the possibility of receiving prophetic insights from beyond, reflecting Doyle's deep personal commitment to the movement.

Four Weird Tales

by Blackwood, Algernon

Algernon Blackwood, a master of supernatural fiction, presents a collection where the natural world often holds deeper, mystical significance. His stories frequently involve protagonists experiencing profound encounters with nature or unseen entities that reveal hidden aspects of reality. These tales often touch upon the idea of nature as a source of omens and profound spiritual insights, aligning with the more intuitive and naturalistic forms of augury, where the environment speaks volumes.

The Black Cross

by Briggs, Olive M. (Olive Mary)

Olive M. Briggs's "The Black Cross" is likely a mystery or adventure novel, where a significant symbol like a black cross could function as a potent omen or a clue to a hidden destiny. Such narratives often involve characters trying to decipher cryptic signs or warnings that point towards future dangers or revelations. The quest to understand the meaning behind this powerful symbol reflects the core practice of augury, where symbols are interpreted to understand fate, often within a dramatic plot.

Palmistry for All

by Cheiro

Cheiro, the renowned palmist and astrologer, provides an accessible guide to the art of palmistry in "Palmistry for All." This comprehensive book teaches readers how to interpret the lines, mounts, and shapes of the hand to understand character, past events, and future possibilities. Cheiro's detailed explanations make this a practical manual for anyone interested in using the hand as a map for personal augury and self-discovery, offering clear illustrations and examples for beginners.

Indian Palmistry

by Dale, J. B., Mrs.

Mrs. J. B. Dale's "Indian Palmistry" offers an exploration of the ancient Indian tradition of palm reading, a specific and widely practiced form of divination. The book details the various lines, mounts, and signs on the hand, explaining their interpretations regarding personality, fate, and future events. This text provides a structured approach to understanding one's destiny through physical signs, making it a direct study of a precise method of augury, rooted in centuries of cultural practice.

The land of mist

by Doyle, Arthur Conan

Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Land of Mist" features his iconic character, Professor Challenger, as he investigates spiritualism. This novel, reflecting Doyle's own strong belief in spiritualism, explores seances, mediums, and communication with the deceased. The attempts to receive messages from the spirit world can be seen as a form of augury, where signs and communications from unseen entities are sought to gain knowledge about the future or hidden truths, blending scientific inquiry with the supernatural.

Human Animals

by Hamel, Frank

Frank Hamel explores the fascinating realm of folklore and ancient beliefs concerning human-animal transformations and the spiritual connections between species. This book delves into various cultures' myths and legends about animal spirits, werewolves, and people embodying animal characteristics. Such beliefs often intertwine with the interpretation of animal behavior as omens, making it highly relevant to the study of zoolatry and the animalistic aspects of augury, providing a rich context for understanding animal portents.

The book of witches

by Hueffer, Oliver Madox

Oliver Madox Hueffer's "The Book of Witches" is a comprehensive historical and cultural survey of witchcraft across different eras and societies. It explores the origins of witch beliefs, their practices, and their persecution, often touching upon the magical abilities attributed to witches, including divination and prophecy. This work provides a broad understanding of how augury and foretelling were perceived and feared within the context of witchcraft history, covering numerous historical cases.

Astral Worship

by J. H. Hill

J. H. Hill's "Astral Worship" examines the historical and esoteric significance of celestial bodies in ancient religious and spiritual practices. The book explores how stars, planets, and constellations were revered and believed to influence human destiny and earthly events. This historical survey is crucial for understanding the origins of celestial augury and astrology, where the movements of heavenly bodies are interpreted as signs or omens for the future, detailing ancient cosmic divination systems.

Sweet Rocket

by Johnston, Mary

Mary Johnston's novel, "Sweet Rocket," delves into themes of spiritual seeking and personal transformation, set against a backdrop of natural beauty. The protagonist's journey involves introspection and a quest for deeper meaning, often encountering subtle signs and intuitions that guide her path. This narrative explores the personal, intuitive aspect of discerning one's future, akin to a personal augury, rather than formal divination, through inner revelations and connections with the natural world, highlighting the subjective nature of omens.

Devonshire Witches

by Karkeek, Paul Q. (Paul Quick)

Paul Q. Karkeek's "Devonshire Witches" provides a historical account and folkloric study of witchcraft beliefs and practices specifically within the Devon region of England. The book likely details accusations, trials, and local legends surrounding witches, often including their purported abilities to foresee the future or cast spells. This historical perspective offers insight into how magical practitioners were believed to engage in various forms of augury and prognostication within a specific cultural context.

Notes on witchcraft

by Kittredge, George Lyman

George Lyman Kittredge's "Notes on Witchcraft" is a scholarly and meticulously researched work that explores the historical and cultural aspects of witchcraft, particularly in early America. Kittredge delves into the beliefs, superstitions, and legal proceedings surrounding witchcraft, often detailing the practices of cunning folk and accused witches who claimed powers of prognostication and augury. This academic study provides invaluable context for understanding the historical perception and practice of foretelling, drawing from primary sources.

The radio ghost

by Kline, Otis Adelbert

Otis Adelbert Kline's "The Radio Ghost" blends early science fiction with supernatural themes, featuring a ghost that communicates through radio waves. This unique premise explores the boundary between the known and unknown, and how modern technology might become a conduit for messages from beyond, which could be interpreted as spectral omens. The story innovatively questions how signs from another realm might manifest and be received in a technological age, pushing the boundaries of traditional augury.

All in the dark

by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, a master of gothic horror, presents a tale where supernatural elements and psychological suspense intertwine. This novel often features characters grappling with unseen forces, premonitions, and dark secrets that slowly come to light. The pervasive atmosphere of dread and the unfolding of mysterious events create a sense of impending doom or revelation, mirroring the process of interpreting ambiguous signs in augury to uncover hidden truths. It is one of his lesser-known but equally atmospheric works.

Clairvoyance

by Leadbeater, C. W. (Charles Webster)

In this influential work, C. W. Leadbeater, a prominent Theosophist, systematically explains the nature and development of clairvoyance, a form of psychic perception. He describes different types of clairvoyance, such as simple, intentional, and astral, and offers practical advice for those seeking to cultivate this ability. The book provides a detailed theoretical framework for understanding how one might perceive hidden truths or future events beyond normal sensory input, directly relating to the internal experience of augury.

Invisible helpers

by Leadbeater, C. W. (Charles Webster)

C. W. Leadbeater's "Invisible Helpers" explores the concept of spiritual beings who assist humanity, often unseen, guiding and influencing events. The book describes various types of these helpers and their roles, suggesting that assistance and subtle warnings from higher planes are constantly present. This work touches on the idea of receiving guidance or omens from non-physical entities, forming a spiritual dimension of augury, and details specific instances of such aid.

The black pearl

by Lion, Marie

Marie Lion's "The Black Pearl" is a captivating adventure story, often imbued with a sense of mystery and the unknown, characteristic of early 20th-century popular fiction. The narrative likely involves a quest for a valuable, perhaps cursed, object, where characters might encounter strange occurrences or warnings that serve as omens. Such elements reflect the human tendency to seek signs and portents in extraordinary circumstances, akin to informal augury, as they navigate perilous journeys and hidden fates.

The Timeless Ones

by Long, Frank Belknap

Frank Belknap Long, a prominent figure in the Weird Fiction genre, often crafts tales of cosmic horror and ancient, incomprehensible entities. "The Timeless Ones" likely features mysterious beings or forces that operate outside conventional time, hinting at hidden knowledge and predetermined destinies. Such narratives frequently involve characters encountering strange phenomena or receiving cryptic messages that serve as terrifying omens of their fate, aligning with a dark form of augury and cosmic dread.

Three essays

by Mann, Thomas

While Thomas Mann is renowned for his modernist novels like *The Magic Mountain*, this collection of essays offers a glimpse into his philosophical and critical thoughts on culture, art, and the human condition. Though not directly about augury, these essays explore the deeper currents of human experience and societal trends, which can be seen as a form of cultural prognostication. Mann's profound insights into the psychological underpinnings of society and his observations on the intellectual climate often reveal subtle signs of future developments, much like interpreting complex omens in a broader societal context.

Nature Mysticism

by Mercer, John Edward

John Edward Mercer's "Nature Mysticism" explores the deep spiritual connection humans can have with the natural world, and how this connection often leads to profound insights and a sense of unity. The book discusses how the patterns, cycles, and phenomena of nature have historically been seen as expressions of divine will or as sources of wisdom. This philosophical approach provides a rich context for understanding how natural omens are interpreted in various forms of augury, connecting spirituality with environmental observation.

The Green Mouse

by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers

Robert W. Chambers's "The Green Mouse" is a whimsical and satirical novel that blends romance with a quirky scientific invention: a device capable of determining compatibility and predicting romantic outcomes. While lighthearted, the central premise of a machine foretelling personal futures directly parallels the human desire for augury, albeit through a pseudo-scientific lens. It humorously explores the lengths people go to for certainty about their future relationships, reflecting a modern take on seeking omens.

Modern Magic

by Schele de Vere, M. (Maximilian)

Maximilian Schele de Vere's "Modern Magic" offers a fascinating historical survey of magical practices and beliefs from various cultures and eras, providing deep context for the development of augury. It covers a wide range of topics including alchemy, astrology, demonology, and different forms of divination, detailing the methods people have employed throughout history to predict the future or influence events. The book's extensive research into ancient rituals and their evolution makes it a valuable resource for understanding the historical roots and varied forms of occult prognostication.

Modern Spiritualism

by Smith, Uriah

Uriah Smith's "Modern Spiritualism" offers a critical examination of the spiritualist movement from a religious, often skeptical, perspective. While questioning its validity, the book nonetheless details the various phenomena associated with spiritualism, such as seances, automatic writing, and mediumship, all of which aim to receive messages or insights from the spirit world. This text, though critical, documents practices that are essentially forms of augury, seeking knowledge from unseen sources.

Guy Mannering

by Walter Scott

Walter Scott's "Guy Mannering" is a celebrated historical novel rich with elements of prophecy and fortune-telling that significantly drive the plot. The story revolves around a prediction made at the protagonist's birth by the astrologer Guy Mannering, which profoundly influences his life and the lives of those around him. The character of Meg Merrilies, a powerful Romani prophetess, is central to the unfolding drama, embodying the mysterious power of foretelling. This novel vividly illustrates how predictions and omens, once uttered, can shape destiny and create a sense of inevitable fate, a core concept in augury.

Blind Love

by Wilkie Collins

This novel by the master of sensation fiction, Wilkie Collins, weaves a complex narrative of secrets and deception, where characters often find themselves unknowingly manipulated by fate. Published posthumously, it explores profound themes of moral blindness, the unforeseen consequences of hidden pasts, and the intricate web of human relationships. The intricate plot, characteristic of Collins's later work, keeps readers guessing about the eventual outcome, much like interpreting an ambiguous prophetic sign or an obscure omen. The story, completed by Walter Besant, maintains Collins's signature suspense and a focus on how past actions inevitably shape future events, making it a compelling study of destiny.

Key Authors

Thomas H. Burgoyne Edgar Thurston Charles Godfrey Leland Andrew Lang Cheiro Wallace Notestein