Nggamdu Divination: Ask a Spider
The Arachnids Know.
Hello, folks. Hi.
Life has been full of clinical work, astrology classes and consults, and (this past weekend) a roadtrip to pick up an oversized piece of 19th century stained glass destined for the Heartward Sanctuary temple. Amidst it all I haven’t been finding much time for Substack. That’s not to say I haven’t been writing, but I’m not sure yet whether or how this particular writing project will find a home here. To say it’s a bit of a departure is an understatement — but then, there’s a section around here for that (see: Departures). So perhaps I’ve no excuse.
At the risk of tantalizing you unduly, I’ll say that this mysterious project began after I underwent hypnosis after the fashion of Dolores Cannon, whose work in past life regression I wrote about last time. I had quite an interesting hypnosis experience, but it’s the aftermath that’s been most interesting of all. I had no idea what it would open up: something in the realm of channeled writing. All too new and tender to share just yet, but we’ll get there.
I appreciate your patience, which isn’t to say I expect too many of you are waiting with baited breath for the next Seeds post — but a growing number of you are paying subscribers (thank you), so I don’t want to lie idle for too long.
So, while the aforementioned ‘departure’ is on the cutting table (and while another piece or two is percolating), I offer this link to the practice of Nggamdu, a beautiful form of divination from Cameroon involving spiders (or crabs). Just when you think that, as a divination nerd, you’ve heard it all, well. Take a look.
I learned about Nggamdu not an hour ago while reading an article in the TLS (Times Literary Supplement, that’s the London Times, by the way), specifically a book review of Divination, Oracles and Omens by Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn. The authors, anthropologists both, have also curated an ongoing exhibit called Oracles, Omens and Answers at the Bodleian Library in Oxford: almost enough to make a certain someone hop across the pond. Needless to say I’ve ordered a copy of their book and look forward to diving in.
More on all that soon. For now, enjoy the spiders.
