Stichomancy is a form of divination that involves opening a book at random and selecting a passage as a source of guidance or inspiration. In Wilkie Collins’ novel, The Moonstone, a character named Betteredge turns to Robinson Crusoe for advice by opening random pages and discovering hidden predictions and messages. Similarly, I find myself practicing stichomancy with the works of philosopher Gilles Deleuze. In this essay, I will explore the concept of stichomancy and its application to my personal relationship with Deleuze’s works.
Stichomancy is a practice that dates back to ancient times and has been used by various cultures throughout history. It involves randomly selecting a passage from a book and interpreting its meaning as a form of guidance or insight. The word “stichomancy” is derived from the Greek words “stichos” meaning “verse” and “manteia” meaning “divination.” This practice is often associated with mystical or spiritual traditions and is used to gain a deeper understanding of the self and the world.
In The Moonstone, Betteredge turns to Robinson Crusoe for advice by opening the book at random and selecting passages that offer guidance or insight. He believes that the book contains hidden predictions and messages that can help him navigate the challenges of his life. This practice of stichomancy reflects a desire to find meaning and guidance in the world around us.
The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung explored the concept of synchronicity in his work and saw it as a way of understanding the relationship between the individual and the collective unconscious. He believed that synchronistic events were meaningful coincidences that occurred when an individual’s unconscious was in resonance with the collective unconscious. In this sense, synchronicity can be seen as a way of gaining insight into the deeper workings of the psyche.
Similarly, stichomancy can be seen as a way of accessing the collective wisdom contained within books. The selected passage may contain insights that are relevant to the individual’s current situation or challenge, but it may also contain insights that are relevant to humanity as a whole. In this way, stichomancy can be seen as a way of accessing the collective wisdom of humanity.
In conclusion, stichomancy and synchronicity are two concepts that are often associated with divination and mystical practices. They share a common theme of randomness and unpredictability and can be used together to deepen the insights gained from each practice. When used together, they can provide a powerful tool for gaining insight and guidance into the deeper workings of the psyche and the collective wisdom of humanity.
Regenerate response