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Bones, Shells,and Curios: A Contemporary Method of Casting the Bones
Bone reading is an ancient method of divination practiced throughout human history in various forms by diverse world cultures. "Bones, Shells, and Curios" describes a method of bone divination that is intuitive, personal, and accessible to all. Using bones and other small objects, you will learn how to assemble, care for, and read your bone set. Sample readings are provided that show you how to interpret actual readings step-by-step. Lavishly illustrated by the author, this book will get you started and well on your way to developing a relationship with the bones and with your ancestors.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 8, 2015
Well written with the understanding of what people need to know to start their own collection and to divine. A very useful book and I really enjoyed reading it. Painstaking explanations in a readable way.
My only complaint is the constant pumping to buy Cat Yronwode's books, but I guess that's to be expected if she publishes your books.
My only complaint is the constant pumping to buy Cat Yronwode's books, but I guess that's to be expected if she publishes your books.
October 18, 2016
It was like sitting across the table from the author with tea or coffee as she explained how the oracle worked. It was a relaxed, friendly, and easy read.
It seemed at first as if the author tended to contradict herself, but I realized that, instead of contradictions, this system actually had paradoxes. What was consistent throughout, though, was emphasis on including God (or "Spirit"), ancestor spirits, and spirit guides as one did readings. She indicates that you shouldn't really do readings with this oracle without them. It seems to defeat half the purpose, since it apparently relies as heavily on sentient otherworldly beings as it does on symbols and symbolism. I got the impression it was a very fluid system.
The book shows you...not just tells you...how to build your own oracle, how to decide each piece's meaning, and cleansing, dedicating, and introducing your oracle to the ancestors. She even suggests keeping a "bone journal." Since her way is only based on a traditional oracle system (Sangoma style), it seems flexible enough that no two oracle sets would appear to be alike...each set would be personal. She uses examples from her own experiences to give you an idea on how castings might be read, and suggests practicing a while to get a sense for how to cast, how to read, what to look for, and how to open and close a reading. Nevertheless, she stresses her book is only an intro to the art rather than a complete reference. I guess that's all she could do, since it only has ninety-six pages. Apparently, the only way you can familiarize yourself with this kind of divining system is with lots of practice and lots of experience. You just can't lean on books as if it were the Tarot, nor can you skip out on practice.
It's a smooth book, but I don't particularly like the idea of relying on the dead for information. It looks intriguing, but I doubt it's for me. That doesn't mean it's not meant for someone else...it just might be. And they just might be simply an amazing natural at it, too.
It seemed at first as if the author tended to contradict herself, but I realized that, instead of contradictions, this system actually had paradoxes. What was consistent throughout, though, was emphasis on including God (or "Spirit"), ancestor spirits, and spirit guides as one did readings. She indicates that you shouldn't really do readings with this oracle without them. It seems to defeat half the purpose, since it apparently relies as heavily on sentient otherworldly beings as it does on symbols and symbolism. I got the impression it was a very fluid system.
The book shows you...not just tells you...how to build your own oracle, how to decide each piece's meaning, and cleansing, dedicating, and introducing your oracle to the ancestors. She even suggests keeping a "bone journal." Since her way is only based on a traditional oracle system (Sangoma style), it seems flexible enough that no two oracle sets would appear to be alike...each set would be personal. She uses examples from her own experiences to give you an idea on how castings might be read, and suggests practicing a while to get a sense for how to cast, how to read, what to look for, and how to open and close a reading. Nevertheless, she stresses her book is only an intro to the art rather than a complete reference. I guess that's all she could do, since it only has ninety-six pages. Apparently, the only way you can familiarize yourself with this kind of divining system is with lots of practice and lots of experience. You just can't lean on books as if it were the Tarot, nor can you skip out on practice.
It's a smooth book, but I don't particularly like the idea of relying on the dead for information. It looks intriguing, but I doubt it's for me. That doesn't mean it's not meant for someone else...it just might be. And they just might be simply an amazing natural at it, too.
December 12, 2015
This is a wonderful book from first time author Michele Jackson. She has presented us with her passion for Bone Casting (which I share), bringing us a glimpse into her own wonderful and unique style of divination. Her's is a fresh look at an ancient and diverse form stretching back through many ancient and diverse cultures. Michele's book is also fantastically illustrated which enriches the experience of the journey that this tome guides you through.
Michele takes the mystery out of bone reading and takes you step by step into this ancient art, while Michele's bone reading technique is very complicated resembling the Sangoma bone readers on the continent whom she also learned from, she simplifies and demystifies it. You will not only learn to read the bones but will create your own system. Michelle always invokes and honor the ancestors before doing a reading, this is a critical component in these type of divination systems as we work with spirit and the ancestors who guide us through the readings.
This book reaches out to both experienced and new Bone Readers alike, in such an easy and comfortable reading style that ensures all will take away insights, and little treasures to enrich their own skillsets. I would like very much to recommend this book, and truly hope that this but the first of many such publications.
Michele takes the mystery out of bone reading and takes you step by step into this ancient art, while Michele's bone reading technique is very complicated resembling the Sangoma bone readers on the continent whom she also learned from, she simplifies and demystifies it. You will not only learn to read the bones but will create your own system. Michelle always invokes and honor the ancestors before doing a reading, this is a critical component in these type of divination systems as we work with spirit and the ancestors who guide us through the readings.
This book reaches out to both experienced and new Bone Readers alike, in such an easy and comfortable reading style that ensures all will take away insights, and little treasures to enrich their own skillsets. I would like very much to recommend this book, and truly hope that this but the first of many such publications.
December 28, 2019
This was a fascinating look at an entirely different form of divination than I'm used to. I appreciate that the author made it clear she had a background in the Afro-Carribean traditions it evolved from and at the same time was presenting the technique in a way that could be used by non-practitioners. I look forward to developing the technique for myself and fully intend to continue to research and gain greater understanding of the traditions it evolved from.
October 26, 2020
Simple and easy to read. If you are looking for a way to learn bone reading this is a great starting point.
May 16, 2022
Very helpful info
October 13, 2015
Very interesting. Simple, clear. Lots of illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews