Bibliomancy is the use of books in divination. The method of employing sacred books, especially specific words and verses, for magical purposes, to remove negative entities, or for divination is widespread in many religions of the world.

Among Christians, the Bible is most commonly used, and in Islamic cultures the Quran. A historical precedent was the ancient Roman practice of divination by casting lots. In the Bible, the Book of Psalms was often used for bibliomancy, with readers opening the book at random and interpreting the passage that they landed on as guidance or inspiration. Because these books represent the holy word of God, using them for spiritual guidance is permitted, unlike other forms of divination such as Tarot cards and spirit boards. Some people believe that old family Bibles, often inscribed with birth and death dates, are especially powerful when it comes to bibliomancy.

The key to successful bibliomancy, according to most practitioners, is that you should try to use a book that’s important to you. Once you’ve chosen your material, find a quiet spot to sit. Hold your book in your hands, and breathe deeply, centering yourself and becoming grounded. Focus your mind on the question at hand. When you’re ready, open the book to any page. Some people like to point to a random spot on the page and see what words are at their fingertips, while others prefer to simply look and note which passages catch their eye first. Some people like to roll dice to determine what page to turn to.

Are they words of hope or inspiration? Are they simply telling you what things you should be mindful of in the future? Sooner or later, you’ll figure out how they apply, and what relevance they have to the situation at hand.