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Gastromancy
An ancient
method of divination
that is now speculated to have been ventriloquism. The voice of the seer
seemed to come from the ground.
Eusebe Salverte, author of the Des Science Occultes (Paris, 1834),
put forth the following opinion: "The name of Engastrimythes,
given by the Greeks to the Pythiae (priestesses of Apollo), indicates that they made use of the sacrifice."
This explanation, however, is only partial, but the text of Isaiah, "Thy
voice shall die as one who hath a familiar spirit," is inapplicable
in such an argument.
All who are familiar with the phenomena clairvoyance recognize that the
voice becomes very low in the consequence of a change in respiration. Such
was the behavior of the Pythonesses, although this too could have been the
result of ventriloquism; such a phenomena presently occurs among the wizards
of Greenland.
.Another method of practicing gastromancy is with crystal glasses, round
and filled with clear water, which are placed in front of lighted candles.
Also, this method is related to crystal
gazing. In this instance, a young boy or girl
acts as the seer, and the magician summons the demon. The relies or answers are interpreted
by observing the magical appearances that are seen in the illuminated glass
vassals. A.G.H.
Source: 9.