As the moon fills, take up a length of thread and let your fingers do the asking that your tongue cannot. This is the plainest oracle in the old craft.
A yes, a no, and the winding road between are read from nine knots tied while a question turns in your mind. The waxing moon lends its rising will to the cord, so that what you tie holds fast and what you read rings true.
The Working
- On a waxing night, choose a thread the length of your forearm and pass it once through the smoke of burning herbs.
- Hold your question clearly in mind, then ring a small bell once to mark the asking.
- Tie nine knots along the thread, one after another, saying the question silently with each.
- When the last knot is tied, lay the cord across your open palm and close your eyes.
- Run your fingers slowly from the first knot to the last, feeling for the one that snags, tightens, or seems to warm.
- Read its place: knots near the start speak of yes and soon, those near the end of no and not yet, and the middle of a road still forking.
- Untie the cord knot by knot to release the asking, and keep the thread for the next moon’s question.
The Incantation
Waxing moon and rising tide,
into these knots let truth abide.
Nine I tie and nine I ask;
hold my question, keep it fast.
Finger to knot and knot to sign,
tell me true what will be mine.
The cord answers only what it is asked; put one clean thing to it at a time, and it will never mislead you.