Patterns and Combinations in Bone Casting

Bone casting reveals insights through the patterns and positions of items on your casting surface (cloth, dirt, or paper). Here’s a concise guide to interpreting these patterns, based on my approach, to help you read the bones effectively.

 

Basic Interpretation Guidelines

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• Center Focus: Items in the center of your casting area represent the core issue or current situation. An empty center or multiple items shifts the reading’s focus accordingly.

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• Directional Reading: I read from the center outward:

  • Left of Center: Past influences.

  • Right of Center: Future possibilities.

  • Top of Center: Things moving away.

  • Closest to You: New elements entering the situation.

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• Remove Irrelevant Items: Discard items landing outside the casting area or cloth, as they don’t contribute to the reading. I also set aside isolated items to avoid distractions.

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• Face-Down Items: I keep face-down items, interpreting them as having a weaker influence, though some readers remove them.

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• Groupings and Connections: Items in clusters form mini-readings within the larger throw. Thin bones, arrows, chains, or strings may indicate direction or link groups.

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• Linear Patterns: Items in a straight line suggest a progression or connected storyline.

 

Readings may feel scattered, like clues at a crime scene. Focus on key items, using intuition to weave them into meaningful insights, and don’t feel obligated to interpret every piece.

 

 

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Common Patterns and Their Meanings

 

Patterns in bones or curios reveal specific messages. Here’s my quick reference guide:

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• T Shape: Blockage; the top item obstructs the lower.

• Parallel Lines: Balance or harmony.

• X Shape: A strong wish or desire.

• Horizontal Line: Feminine energy, receptive, or “no.”

• Vertical Line: Masculine energy, dynamic, or “yes.”

• Diagonal Line: Separation; examine items on either side.

• Horseshoe: Upright = good luck; reversed = bad luck.

• Upright Triangle: Growth or manifestation.

• Reversed Triangle: Something diminishing.

• “H” Shape: Storms, chaos, or transformative growth.

• Overlapping Items: Indicate obstacles or challenges.

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Chicken Bone Combinations

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Specific bone combinations carry unique meanings, especially when using animal bones:

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• Wing + Leg: Message from guides or intuition.

• Wishbone + Wing: Curved up = wish granted; curved down = wishful thinking or fleeting luck.

• Wishbone + Broken Wing: A lie or deception.

• Leg + Neck: Loss or financial struggle.

• Leg + Wishbone: Abundance, a suitor, or flirtation.

• Rib + Wing: Freedom from restrictions or curse removal.

• Vertebrae: Fears or concerns; intensity depends on quantity and proximity to the center (fewer in center = weaker influence; more = stronger).