People used dice for divination and gaming throughout ancient history.
And it is easy to understand why dice were so popular. Dice were bagged and tied to the waist or inside a coat. Carrying a pair of dice around was easy and convenient. Soldiers could take them for gaming betting on the go. It also meant people used dice to divine the future or help one make a decision when far from home.
Astragali was divination by knucklebones, the origin of dice. This form of divination goes back to at least 4000 BCE.
Cleromancy is divination by dice or lots. Dropping dice from a bag to read the numbers or symbols was a common practice at one time.
Used in Psychokinesis Studies
While not directly related to divination, I did find this interesting.
A 1945 report tells us that researchers used dice to study psychokinesis at Duke University.
In an attempt to see if people could influence the dice rolled, researchers found that people who concentrated did influence the dice. Alcohol, distractions, and strong, negative emotions reduce a person’s ability to control the dice. However, caffeine helped people focus and increased their accuracy scores. [Source: Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich), 11 Nov. 1945.]
How Dice Were Used in Divination
Begin by drawing a white circle on the ground or on a table.
Shake and roll three dice into the circle.
Any dice that lands outside of the circle is not read.
Add up the number on the dice and look up the number meaning.
Number Meanings
3 Good luck or a wish is about to come true.
4 Expect disappointment.
5 Unexpected happiness will befall you.
6 You are about to lose money or an object of importance.
7 Scandal is afoot. Keep your head low.
8 Change course. You are moving in the wrong direction.
9 Success in matters of the heart.
10 Contentment in family and business.
11 You will hear news of sickness.
12 You are faced with a decision.
13 A time of sorrow ahead.
14 Time to start a new friendship.
15 Let your inner voice guide you.
16 Take full advantage of an offer to travel.
17 A stranger will reveal your path to wealth.
18 Great fortune and wealth ahead.
Black and White Sides
Some dice used colors instead of numbers to help decision-making.
For instance, three sides of a die would be painted white, and three sides painted black.
Speak a yes or no question to the dice. An example of this would be, “Should I risk going out for dinner tonight?”
Roll three dice with black and white faces onto the ground.
Three black faces = definitely no, not a good idea
Two black faces and one white = no, with slight chance it will be good
One black face and two white = the odds are in your favor, but be aware
Three white faces = definitely yes, go for it
Dice Regaining Popularity?
Because people are once again turning to hobbies and even research, the interest in dice is back on the uptick.
Blank wooden dice are sold online. These small blocks are being made into familiar dies with paints or woodburning.
People are also making multi-sided dies using resin. Resin craft is trendy now, and die molds are available for purchase.
If you are looking into making your divination tools, research runic dice, and astrological divination dice.
