The Sortes Sanctorum

Record summary

Sortes Sanctorum refers to Christian divinatory practices using lots, often involving opening or selecting passages from biblical or saintly texts to obtain guidance. References appear in late antique and medieval condemnations, penitentials, manuscripts, and discussions of clerical or lay practice. The tradition is important for comparing bibliomancy with officially sanctioned prayer, pilgrimage, prophecy, and prohibited magic. Terminology is broad and may cover different procedures in different regions. Surviving condemnations demonstrate concern about the practice, but do not by themselves establish how frequently or exactly it was performed.