Divination is a rich and vast world, made up of methods that are more or less complex depending on the cultural context. Through our esoteric shop, we know about tarot, the crystal ball, the pendulum, and cowrie shells, but there are actually dozens, even hundreds, of other methods. Among them, matchstick reading is particularly popular for its simplicity and accessibility, as it uses an everyday object. But how should you cast the matches? And how should you interpret them? Find the answers in this article.
A brief history of divination with matches
Divination with matches, although less well known than other divination practices, is actually part of the practice known as acutomancy, a method using pointed objects, especially pins and nails. In ancient Japan, pins were considered prophetic symbols: on the one hand, Shintoism holds that everyday objects can be inhabited by spirits, called kami, and points are particularly good at concentrating intentions because of their shape.
Around 1600, ladies of the Japanese imperial court scattered pins over their mirrors during full-moon nights, in a ritual intended either to influence their lovers' hearts or to cast spells on rivals.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this practice was adapted... in Brittany, using matches instead of pins. Why Brittany? There is no formal proof, but exchanges between Europe and Japan intensified from the 19th century onward by sea, which may have allowed these rituals to spread. That would explain it.
What is divination with matches?
The process involves taking nine matches, one of which has been cut in half, holding them in your hand to concentrate, and then dropping them without aiming in any particular direction. The interpretation is based on the arrangement of the matches, so you will find the corresponding meanings further down in this article.
Today, there are two main casting methods: casting the matches onto a blank sheet of paper, for general questions, and casting them into a container of water, to determine whether or not you are the victim of the evil eye. The two methods can complement each other, or you can choose one over the other depending on your objective.
How to perform the matchstick ritual
As indicated above, I will introduce the two main methods.
Performing the matchstick ritual in water
You will need the following for this ritual:
- 2 matches without defects
- A container filled with clear water
To perform the matchstick ritual in water, begin by filling a transparent glass with clear water. Then take one match in each hand and focus intensely on the question or doubt troubling you, asking yourself whether there could be a negative or harmful influence around you. Once you are ready, gently place both matches simultaneously on the surface of the water, without touching the water, and make sure to let them float freely without interfering with their natural movements.
Observe the behavior of the matches:
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If the matches remain far apart from each other, this suggests the absence of harmful influences.
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If the matches move closer together and eventually touch, this indicates the presence of negative energies that may affect you.
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If the matches cross each other, you are the target of the evil eye, and it is advisable to prepare some form of protection, such as a ritual or talisman.
Performing the matchstick ritual on a sheet of paper
You will need the following for this ritual:
- 9 matches without defects
- A blank sheet of paper
Once your materials are ready, place the sheet on a flat, stable surface. Then hold the matches in your hand for one minute, focusing on the question or subject that concerns you. When you are ready, let the matches fall naturally onto the sheet, without giving them any particular direction.
You can refer to the figures above to interpret the positions in your casting. However, the result is not always so clear.
In that case, the interpretation is based on their arrangement: a horizontal match represents an unavoidable destiny, while a curve indicates temporary delays or obstacles. If the matches form a broken line, this suggests upcoming journeys or changes. Matches aligned parallel to one another are a sign of good business or harmony, while matches placed diagonally warn of health problems or imbalances.
The first castings may be confusing, or even impossible to read; this is normal. This type of divination requires concentration and practice before the messages become clearer to you.
There you have it—you now know how to use matches and, above all, how to interpret them to discover what awaits you in the near future!
Par Olivier of Aeternum
Passionate about esoteric traditions and the history of the occult from the earliest civilizations to the 18th century, I share some articles on these topics. I am also co-creator of the online esoteric shop Aeternum.
J’ai mis deux allumettes dans un bol d’eau.
Elles se sont accolées l’une à l’autre par le bas du corps formant une ligne droite avec la tête à l’opposé l’une de l’autre.
J’ai séché les allumettes et j’ai voulu les brûler, elles se sont repliées l’une sur l’autre, comme si elles se faisaient un câlin.
Quelle interprétation puis je en faire ?
Je vous remercie par avance pour votre réponse.
Bien à vous M