Cromniomancy
Cromniomancy is divination by onions. It is usually done by interpreting their sprouting behaviour, after some kind of ritual to state the topic of the divination. This often involves inscribing the onions, dedicating them on an altar or something similar. But cromniomancy is/was also done in idiosyncratic way not involving sprouting them. It is not known why the onion was chosen for that kind of divination, as opposed to other fast-sprouting plants. Comparing other divination methods shows that plants used for divination have or had some significance as important food source and/or as medicinal herbs. The onion is rich in Vitamin C and was important because of this, and it was widely used as medicinal herb against colds and other infections. Etymology The word is derived from the Ancient Greek word for onion = κρόμμυον(phonetically crom-mee-on) and oracle = μαντεία (phonetically man-dee-ah). History Cromniomancy was historically performed across Europe, Africa and northern Asia. The sphere within a sphere of the onion made it a much-revered symbol of spirituality and eternity, to the extent that the ancient Egyptians took their sacred oaths with their right hand on an onion. There are many forms of cromniomancy, from divining the weather by the