Kephalomancy (or Cephalomancy)

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Kephalomancy (or Cephalomancy)

A method of divination that was practiced by interpreting various signs on the baked head of an ass. It was familiar to the Germans, and the Lombards substituted the head of a goat. The ancient diviners placed lighted carbon on an ass's head and pronounced the names of those who were suspected of any crime. If a crackling coincided with the utterance of a name, that person was believed to be guilty.