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Episode 193: Osteomancy pt.2
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Welcome back, Witches! In Part 2 of our Osteomancy series, we’re getting practical and stepping into the lived experience of bone divination. We’ll explore what it looks like to work with osteomancy, how practitioners approach it, and what unfolds when the bones are cast and read. The history set the foundation—now we’re moving into practice. So get in, Loser—because the bones are ready to speak.
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- Awaken Center for Human Evolution (n.d.). Bone Casting (Osteomancy) & Ancestral Wisdom. https://university.awakenche.org/knowledge-base/bone-casting-osteomancy-and-ancestral-wisdom/
- The Future is Known Bone Throwing.Org (n.d.) Historical Origins and Development. Throwing.Org. https://bonethrowing.org/historical-origins-and-development/
- Mrs. B (n.d.). Throwing the Bones: An Appalachian Practice of Divination and Ancestral Wisdom. https://luna-owl.com/2025/05/15/%E2%9C%A8-throwing-the-bones-an-appalachian-practice-of-divination-and-ancestral-wisdom-%E2%9C%A8/
- Phansi Museum (n.d.). Throwing the Bones: Divination in Southern Africa. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/throwing-the-bones-divination-in-southern-africa-phansi-museum/jwXR4TVSwdHqeA?hl=en
- Reality Pathing (2025). The Cultural Significance of African Geomancy Explained. https://realitypathing.com/the-cultural-significance-of-african-geomancy-explained/
- Jack Wellman (n.d.). What is Casting Lots? Should Christians Cast Lots Today?. https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-is-casting-lots-should-christians-cast-lots-today/
- Grant, A.J.. Osteomancy: The Ancient Tradition of Bone Throwing. (2025). https://ajgrant.substack.com/p/osteomancy-the-ancient-tradition
- Throwing Bones: How to Make & Read Osteomancy Sets. (2024) https://otherworldlyoracle.com/throwing-bones-osteomancy/
- Asher, Lucas. The Power of Bones: History & Myth (2024). https://www.veritastabletop.com/osteomancy-history/
- Otherworldly Oracle. (2024). Throwing Bones: How to Make and Read Osteomancy Sets. https://otherworldlyoracle.com/throwing-bones-osteomancy/
Due to character restrictions, not all resources used in this episode are shown. If you would like the complete list, feel free to email us to request them at weredoingwitchcraft@gmail.com
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Transcript
Introduction to Witchcraft Podcast
00:00:00
Speaker
Do you feel drawn to learn more about witchcraft and the occult, but feel lost on where to start? Then welcome to Get In Loser, We're Doing Witchcraft, a podcast all about what it means to be a witch and where to get started on your journey.
00:00:11
Speaker
Join us as we navigate through various witchy topics and share what we've learned about
Osteomancy Series Conclusion
00:00:15
Speaker
the craft. So get in witches for the final part of our osteomancy series, this time looking at the mechanics, ethical considerations, and how to practice.
00:00:45
Speaker
So small disclaimer before we start anything. Both of my dogs are in here. Hopefully they just continue to nap. Fingers crossed.
00:00:56
Speaker
Yeah. If not, it's okay. We can say hi to the pups. Yeah. i'm here Poor little Nix. My little allergy prone dog is covered in a rash right now and she keeps trying to chew it. So she has to be in here.
00:01:10
Speaker
And then Rune, of course, has to be in here because if he's not, he's just going to cry at the door. Yeah. He's like, but mom, I'm your favorite animal in this house. also should be here. Right.
00:01:22
Speaker
Like, you already, like, the fact that you would take my sister and separate me, like, are you trying to say I'm not the favorite anymore? Literally. Wow. So, sorry if they're noisy. Hopefully they just continue to nap.
00:01:39
Speaker
Yeah. They probably will. But yeah, so welcome back to the second episode on our Osteomancy series.
Osteomancy History Reference
00:01:46
Speaker
um If you haven't listened to part one, where we discussed what osteomancy is, the history and its origins, the cultural significance, etc.,
00:01:57
Speaker
pause this episode and go listen to episode 192. And it's just the episode right before this. So you shouldn't have to scroll very far because if you don't know what osteomancy is, you're going to be highly confused when listening to this episode. Yeah. Yeah.
00:02:12
Speaker
Yeah. So go and check that out. And then especially too, if you're one of those people who are trying to email us to tell us about how we're not thinking about the cultural significance of osteomancy, we did that.
00:02:25
Speaker
Okay. It's just, and part one. no Yeah. So go listen to that. But without further ado, let's kick off this episode with the mechanics of
Symbolic Meanings in Osteomancy
00:02:36
Speaker
osteomancy. So there are various types of bones that have been used in bone throwing, depending on the specific tradition and what was available at the time.
00:02:45
Speaker
Some more common bones include things like animal bones, specifically elk and deer. fish bones, bird bones, and sometimes even human bones.
00:02:56
Speaker
And when we look at the meaning of the different objects in regards to bone throwing, it's not just about how the bones land, which Tiffany will go deeper into a bit later. It's also about the symbolic meaning that each bone conveys.
00:03:11
Speaker
So the backbone or the spine symbolizes structure and stability It's connected to things like material matters, motivation, personal values, and where your power of influence lies. The sternum or breastbone points toward love, emotion, and internal strength, and it refers to the matters of the heart, resilience, and what you truly feel deep down. The leg bones speak to movement and direction, whether that's physical travel, forward progress, and personal growth. Broken leg bones signify setbacks, obstacles, or delays, and it can hint at a halt in movement that could require healing or reassignment.
00:03:49
Speaker
The pelvis or hip bones represent balance, grounding, and personal identity. The ribs symbolize protection, health, and shelter, whether that be physical or emotional. Shoulder blades speak to responsibilities and burdens, and the support that you carry or the emotional weight that is on your shoulders. Thigh bones are associated with spiritual growth and guidance, and they represent a connection to spirit guides, ancestors, or deeper wisdom.
00:04:16
Speaker
Wing bones represent freedom, aspiration, and elevation, um and as well as your desire for growth, change, or even travel. Broken wing bones, on the other hand, can signify feeling stuck, limited, or unable to reach your potential and can be a sign that healing or a change in perspective is needed.
00:04:36
Speaker
The wishbone is the iconic bone of wishes, hopes, and dreams, and it represents the things that we want to manifest in our life. And the xiphoid process, which is at the base of the sternum, represents foundation and anchoring forces in life and the things that keep you steady, whether that be people, places, or roles in your life.
00:04:56
Speaker
And then as far as teeth goes, teeth need their own moment here because They are both bones and weapons. Teeth interact directly with the world, unlike other bones, and because of that, they are associated with boundaries and survival.
00:05:11
Speaker
In many traditions, they are seen as associated with truth, speech, and confrontation, and they can represent what needs to be said, what has been bitten back, and issues around honesty, self-advocacy, or unspoken tension. They are also often tied to ancestral memory as they survive long after death and after some other types of bone, and they can indicate the presence of an ancestor and hold onto familial power and identity.
Creating Personalized Osteomancy Sets
00:05:40
Speaker
So modern osteomancy sets are going to differ from practitioner to practitioner, but let's just go over some basics just to help get an understanding of what these sets could look like.
00:05:52
Speaker
So the first section would be found objects. In modern osteomancy, bones aren't the only tools being used. Many practitioners build their sets from found objects, which could include things that they discover in nature or just in their everyday life.
00:06:09
Speaker
They might include stones, feathers, shells, keys, buttons, bits of metal, charms, or small like natural fragments. And these objects often come with stories like where they were found, what was happening at that time, or how they felt when they were picked up.
00:06:28
Speaker
Found objects bring a sense of intuition into the practice. Instead of buying a standardized kit, the practitioner assembles a collection that feels meaningful and alive, almost like the set chooses the practitioner as much as the other way around.
00:06:44
Speaker
Next is going to be symbolic items. So beyond being visually interesting, every object in a bone throwing set carries symbolic weight. If feather might represent communication or freedom, a coin could symbolize resources or exchange.
00:06:59
Speaker
A bone might signify ancestry, endings, or transformation, but these meanings aren't fixed. They're shaped by culture, personal experiences, and context.
00:07:10
Speaker
What makes osteomancy unique is that symbolism isn't abstract. It's embodied. You're literally throwing symbols onto a surface and watching how their relationships unfold in real time.
00:07:23
Speaker
So one of the differences here is that osteomancy is more of a personalized system. Unlike structured systems like tarot or astrology, osteomancy is often radically personal.
00:07:38
Speaker
There's no universal guidebook that says if this bone lands here, it means this. So each practitioner develops their own internal logic over time. Meanings evolve, new objects get added, and old ones change significance. So in many ways, bone-throwing set becomes a living system, and it's part intuition, part tradition, and part personal mythology.
00:08:03
Speaker
Two people could throw similar objects and read completely different messages, and both interpretations could be valid within their own frameworks. And then there's this idea of a language of objects, So at its core, osteomancy functions like a language.
00:08:23
Speaker
Each object is a word, its position, distance from other objects, orientation, and grouping become grammar and syntax. The entire spread becomes a sentence or even sometimes a story that the practitioner learns to read. So over time, the practitioner becomes fluent in this language.
00:08:42
Speaker
Patterns start to repeat. Certain objects speak, like quote unquote speak, louder in specific contexts. And relationships between items begin to carry consistent meanings. So instead of asking, like, what does this single object mean? Osteomancy asks, what are these objects saying together right now? It's not just about symbols, but it's about a conversation.
Preparing Space and Casting Bones
00:09:06
Speaker
Yeah, so looking at the actual throw, to prepare to cast an osteomancy, you want to cleanse your space however you see fit, whether that be through smoke cleansing, prayer, drumming, or intention. a lot of practitioners suggest laying down a cloth on whatever surface you are using to also catch the bones.
00:09:26
Speaker
And once your space is cleansed, your cloth is placed, it's important to center yourself taking a few deep breaths, and focusing on your intention. At this time or even before, you can invoke whatever spirits you're working with, whether that be ancestors, guides, or even protective spirits.
00:09:44
Speaker
And when we look at the casting process, once the practitioner has their set of bones, objects, and charms, they're going to cast them onto a surface, often with intention or a question in mind.
00:09:57
Speaker
And I was reading, I don't know if this is going to be different based on what tradition you're using, but I was reading that it's best to gently toss your bones from your dominant hand onto the cloth, letting them fall naturally and not arranging them once they fall. And so like, and I, the reason why, like I put that in there, because obviously like you don't want to like chuck them, right? Yeah. But I didn't even think about like using like the power and using your dominant hand versus your non-dominant hand in this situation. So I put that in there because that was something that I learned that I did not know about this before. Yeah.
00:10:34
Speaker
um Unlike structured divination systems, there's no predetermined layout. So the meaning emerges organically from how the objects land. The randomness is part of the message, but this is really a randomness infused with intention.
Interpreting Bone Throws
00:10:50
Speaker
I like that. So there are some common types of throwing techniques that you can use in osteomancy. So the first one is the three bone throw. And obviously this is not like an exhaustive list. This is just like the main ones that I found when I was researching.
00:11:07
Speaker
The three bone throw is using three bones to answer a yes or a no question. The casting circle, which would be creating a circle of bones and interpreting the patterns formed inside of the circle. And then the last one, the elemental spread. So assigning elements to different bones and interpreting their elemental relationships.
00:11:28
Speaker
The next part we're going to look at is how items fall. So in osteomancy, the way an object lands can be just as important as what the object itself is.
00:11:39
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So is the bone upright or flat? Did an object land face up or hidden? Did something roll far away from the rest of the set or did it stay close to the center? Did two items touch, overlap? or point toward each other. These are all subtle details that add layers of meaning. The physical behavior of the objects becomes part of the interpretation, almost like body language in a conversation.
00:12:06
Speaker
So practitioners often look for patterns in how the objects group together. Clusters might suggest themes that are interconnected or energies that are working in harmony. or maybe even displaying tension.
00:12:22
Speaker
Distance can indicate emotional closeness, separation, obstacles, or future possibilities. Direction might point toward movement, change, or external influences.
00:12:34
Speaker
Orientation matters too, so an object facing inward might symbolize introspection or internal processes, while one facing outward could suggest external forces or action in the physical world.
00:12:47
Speaker
Rather than reading one object in isolation, the diviner will read the spatial dynamics of the entire throw. And this is where osteomancy truly differs from many other divination systems. It's not just about what each object represents, but it's about how objects relate to each other in that moment. So meaning is created through interaction.
00:13:13
Speaker
a bone next to a coin might tell a very different story than that same bone next to a feather. The message isn't static. It's relational, contextual, and alive. In that sense, osteomancy is less like reading a dictionary and more like interpreting a conversation.
00:13:31
Speaker
The objects aren't just symbols. They're speaking to each other and the practitioner is translating what they're saying. Yes. And when it goes When we look more into interpretation, as Tiffany mentioned, it's less about following that rigid system and more about learning how to listen. Intuitive bone reading depends in large part to exactly that, your intuition. How do you feel after you've thrown the bones? Are you immediately drawn to particular items or clusters? Do any symbols appear to you? Are there any words or images or emotions that surface without any effort? The initial response is the most honest part of the reading.
00:14:10
Speaker
There are some common patterns that practitioners may encounter when throwing bones even though osteomancy isn't a standard system. These patterns don't dictate meaning, but they can help frame your understanding. So the crossroads, this usually symbolizes a decision or a choice that needs to be made and often represents movement or affirmation. So obviously when we think about a crossroads, we think of, you know, bones intersecting, right? When the bones don't touch at all, it can indicate hesitation, resistance, and a need to pause. intersecting bones like a crossroads can amplify a message and suggest clarity or refusal in either direction.
00:14:49
Speaker
And then you could also include this in a yes or no reading as well. So if the bones touch, this is usually a sign that your answer is yes. If they don't touch at all, the answer is no If several bones cross, then that means a resounding yes, and the further apart the bones appear, the stronger the no.
00:15:07
Speaker
Additionally, there's also the circle, or any sort of circular formation that is formed after you cast the bones. This usually represents unity, completion, or cycles, and it can indicate something is coming full circle or that a chapter is closing.
00:15:22
Speaker
If you cast bones and it seems to form a triangle, this could signify balance, harmony, or spiritual growth. And as far as a spiral goes, if you cast your bones and they appear in this sort of a spiral shape, this can refer to transformation, evolution, or a journey.
00:15:39
Speaker
Beyond the shapes they can form, interpretation can also come from how the bones relate to one another, as Tiffany has mentioned. If they are clustered tightly, it could symbolize the need for focus or intensity If they are scattered, this could indicate fragmentation or a choice that needs to be made.
00:15:55
Speaker
When it comes to interpretation, the important thing to note is that osteomancy isn't about memorizing a system. It's about the relationship you develop with your intuition and the tools that you use and how they connect with the spiritual and physical worlds.
Ethical Considerations in Osteomancy
00:16:09
Speaker
And so lastly, the last topic that we're going to cover is about ethics, responsibilities, and boundaries. As we've seen from these last two episodes, osteomancy can be very powerful and evocative, but there are a lot of ethical considerations we need to talk about as well. We need to understand that bones are the remains of lives that once breathed. And in many traditions, as I've said now four times, I believe, on this podcast episode and the last one, they carry memory and spirit. That means that sourcing them ethically isn't just a practical concern, it's a spiritual one as well.
00:16:45
Speaker
We need to ensure that when we are sourcing bones for this practice, they're done so in a way that respects the animal's life and spirit, and it avoids contributing harm, exploit exploitation, or environmental damage, and it honors the interconnectedness of ecosystems and our role within them. One of the most mindful approaches uses bones from animals who died naturally, and many modern practitioners often emphasize aligning bone work with local ecologies and traditions and not importing exotic materials, that could have been harvested unsustainably or unethically. One of the most important ethical boundaries in not just osteomancy, but any practice in general, is understanding what it's not for. Divination isn't a tool to control other people's choices, emotions, or paths. It's not about manipulating outcomes, spying on others, or trying to override someone else's autonomy.
00:17:42
Speaker
Ethical practice means recognizing that the bones are meant to offer insight, not dominance. Questions that center personal growth, clarity, and self-awareness are very different from questions designed to influence or control someone else's will.
00:17:58
Speaker
At its healthiest, osteomancy is a conversation with the self, the ancestors, or the unseen. Another key responsibility is psychological grounding because osteomancy can feel powerful and symbolic. It's easy to give it more authority than it should have.
00:18:19
Speaker
Ethical practitioners understand that divination is a lens and not absolute truth. Grounding means staying rooted in reality, critical thinking, and emotional awareness.
00:18:31
Speaker
It means knowing when to trust intuition and when to step back and seek perspective or even seek professional support. Osteomancy should deepen agency, not replace it. It should offer reflection, not obsession. and it should complement lived experience, not override it.
00:18:51
Speaker
In that sense, responsible bone throwing isn't about surrendering your power to the bones. It's about using them as a mirror, one that helps you see more clearly, less.
Episode Wrap-Up and Community Engagement
00:19:10
Speaker
That's a wrap on this episode of Get In Loser, We're Doing Witchcraft. We hope you had as much fun as we did. If you love this episode, we'd be eternally grateful if you left us a five-star review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
00:19:21
Speaker
It helps more witches, seekers, and magical misfits find our show. Want even more Get In Loser content? Join our Patreon or Supercast Coven. As a member, you'll get early access to episodes, a monthly newsletter, exclusive critical shadow work and grimoire pages, access to our witchy book club, promo codes for merch, and so much more.
00:19:39
Speaker
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00:19:53
Speaker
Join us next week for part two of our altar series, this time focusing on Ostara. Until then, stay magical, stay curious, and as always, blessed be the day.