Germanic Oracles: Signs, Lots and Sacred Horses

Hardly a decision was made without a divine sign. Tacitus describes in the Germania several oracle forms of the Germani, carefully and with respect.

The lot oracle

They cut the twigs of a fruit tree into small pieces, marked them with signs, scattered them on a white cloth and drew three times, praying to the gods. A priest or the head of the family read the signs.

Sacred horses and bird flight

Especially sacred were white horses kept in consecrated groves: from their neighing and snorting the will of the gods was read. Added to this were bird flight, bird calls and the ritual single combat as an omen.

"To omens and the lot they pay attention like hardly any other people."after Tacitus, Germania 10 (public domain, own translation)

The oracles show how closely everyday life and the will of the gods were interwoven. Continue with the Germanic priests and sacrifices.

Read more with us

Germanic Priests & Seeresses · Germanic Sacrifice & Sanctuaries · Germanic Religion · The grove of the Semnones · Nerthus – the earth goddess.

Sources & literature

Tacitus, Germania 10; quote public domain (own translation).

Visit the Shop More posts