Cleromancy
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(n.) A divination by throwing dice or casting lots.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
(from Κλῆρος , A Lot, and Μαντεία , divination) is a method of divination by lot, in use among the ancient Greeks and Romans. It was generally performed by casting beans, pebbles, dice, or small bits of various substances into an urn, and drawing them out. By the particular marks on the pieces drawn the diviners were enabled to form their conclusions. Among the Germans (see Tacitus, De Germania), this kind of divination was practiced by casting small pieces of the twigs of fruit-trees, previously marked, on a white garment, and on removing them the marks were interpreted. After the introduction of Christianity similar practices were continued by. using the glide, opened at random, the passage which first met the eye being regarded as the solution of the difficulty. The custom, however, was condemned by various councils. (See Divination).
