alomancy

{{Short description|Ancient form of divination}}

File:SeaSalt.JPG

{{Portal|Religion}}

Alomancy, also called adromancy, ydromancie, idromancie, and halomancy, is an ancient form of divination. Similar to many other forms of divination, the diviner casts salt crystals into the air and interprets the patterns as it falls to the ground or travels through the air.{{cite news|author = Sara Sklaroff|title = Stolen babies, a lost ship and a new kind of alchemy. By Sara Sklaroff|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = July 30, 2006}}{{cite news|author = Ron Wolfe|title = Entry-level instructions for wizards|publisher = Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date = August 13, 2003}} The diviner can also interpret patterns that are formed from the residue of a salt solution as it evaporates in the bowl. The exact interpretations are unknown, but it probably follows a similar method to aleuromancy.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}

Salt itself is often intertwined with luck, and some of this ancient tradition can be seen in the superstitions, such as the perceived misfortune when the salt cellar is overturned, and the custom of throwing salt over the left shoulder for good luck.{{Cite encyclopedia | title = Alomancy | encyclopedia = The Element Encyclopedia of the Psychic World | pages = 17 | publisher = Harper Element | year = 2006 }}

One form of alomancy consists of the casting of salt into a fire, which is considered a type of pyromancy.