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Interpretation

The ancient Babylonians considered the liver of a sacrificial sheep, amutu, to be the mattalat šame, the "mirror of Heaven." In the same way that one can read the decisions of the Gods in the Heavens, by astrology, one can also read their minds in its image, the liver. I cannot do better than quote Babylonian Hepatoscopy's foremost living student, Ulla Jeyes of Copenhagen, for a concise introduction to its basic principles:

The visceral surface of the liver, which was the object of a thorough examination by the Babylonian diviner, was divided into zones. The main zones had the colorful names of "Station," "Path," "Strength," "Palace Gate," "Well-being," gall-bladder, "Path to the left of the gall-bladder," "Finger," "Yoke," and "Increase." These zones were always examined in the order given. Each zone consisted of its particular feature and the surrounding area, for which the term is "land." In the case of, for example, the "Station," the zone consists of the vertical crease of the left lobe and its "land."
The key principle in Babylonian extispicy is that the right represents pars familiaris and the left pars hostilis. This means that any depression or deficiency which in itself was considered of negative value would cause an unfavorable omen result when it appeared on a right side and a favorable one on a left side.

Extispicy, divining by the entrails of sacrificial sheep, and more specifically hepatoscopy, "liver-examination," was the highest form of the diviner's art.
Because I suspect the great majority of readers will neither be raising nor slaughtering their own sheep, I want to provide an adaptation for the Liver-oracle on cards.

The principle on which the cards are based is logarithmic. You stand a 50 percent chance of getting a normal feature, and a 50 percent chance of getting an anomaly. With the anomalous 50 percent, you stand a 50 percent chance of getting a less anomalous anomaly, and so on with decreasing chances for greater anomalies. The exception is the "Fortuitous Marks" (hereinafter called "Marks") pack, where you stand a less than 11 percent chance of getting a Mark on a certain Zone of the amutu; with a well-shuffled deck you should therefore expect 1 to 2 Marks on each side of each Zone.

It is difficult to say whether this principle reflects actuality, since I know of no statistical studies that have been done on these features of real sheep livers. It seems unlikely, however, since liver pathologies are not really random.

Although the use of cards can never really approximate the subtlety of interpreting a real liver, it can go a long way towards teaching the principles of hepatoscopy, and is a detailed source of divinatory information. I have adapted as much of the traditional material to this format as I could; even though some of the details may appear arbitrary, they are in fact in strict accordance with the available data. If you were to master this technique, you would no doubt be competent to examine a real liver if on ever came your way. For the ancient baru (diviner), practice livers and living instructors would have been abundant; the liver was there, they just had to interpret it. Our difficulty is that we first have to create a liver. Although it seems tedious, the process I have developed below is simple to master and rewarding to interpret. Once learned, an entire divination will take about an hour.

1. Buy 4 packs of 100 blank filing cards (3 x 5) or business card blanks.
2. Have a four-sided die or a six-sided die, and a coin.
3. One group of cards will be for the size of the Zones of the amutu:

• 32 cards leave blank, for "normal"
• 8 cards will have "larger" (than normal) on them
• 8 cards will have "smaller"
• 4 cards will have "very large"
• 4 cards will have "very small"
• 2 cards will have "double"
• 1 card will have "absent"
• 1 card will have "multiple"

4. The next group will be for the colors of the Zones and Marks:

• 32 cards blank, for "normal"
• 8 cards "darker" (than normal)
• 8 cards "lighter"
• 4 cards "black"
• 4 cards "red"
• 4 cards "white"
• 4 cards "green"
• 1 card "multiple" (colors)

5. The last group will be for the marks:

• 238 cards blank, for "no Marks"
• 9 cards "1" (Mark)
• 8 cards "2"
• 4 cards "3"
• 3 cards "4"
• 2 cards "5"
• 1 card "6"
• 1 card "7+" (a cluster)

To keep the cards separate, you could color their backs as elemental colors - "Marks" red for Fire; "Colors" dark blue for Water; "Zones" yellow or pale blue for Air; the liver itself is Earth. Copy the Liver blank, and write the information you get on the sections provided.

1. Do the operation at night; say the Prayer of the Divination Priest or the "Prayer to the Gods of the Night" (Maqlu tablet I).
2. Make an offering by lighting incense (juniper or frankincense) and pouring a libation of fresh water.
3. Ask your question and shuffle the Zones pack; draw a card for the general size of the liver; write it above the liver on the blank (if you get "absent" or "multiple" cards, reshuffle and draw again; if you get either of them again you should probably wait a day before attempting another divination).
4. Shuffle the Colors pack, and draw a card for the color of the liver in general, and write it under the size (use colored pens or pencils to make it easier);

• If you get a "red," "green," "black," or "white" card, interpret it as "reddish," "greenish," etc.; remember that, however many colors you get in Zones 1-12, the general color of the liver is the most important guide (any color but "normal" indicating some health anomaly).

• If you get the "absent" card shuffle again, and if you pull it a second time draw a big X over the spot and consider it a very bad sign (and ignore it when placing Marks); you may wish to abandon the divination entirely.
• If you get the "multiple" card, draw a card from the Marks pack for the number; a "normal" cancels a multiple on the second draw;
  • note what you draw and interpret them each separately (with added implications below under "Interpretation"
• If you get a "double" card for the left or right side, it applies to both sides; the "double" cards apply to all Zones;
  • note the fact of a "double Zone" and interpret each Zone separately, with the added implications below under "Interpretation"

• (remember to reshuffle between steps 5 and 6)
• If you pull "absent," "multiple," or "double," follow the instructions in note 5 above

• Zone 3 may or may not be present; shuffle and draw a card for each of them from the Zones pack; if it is a blank card, it is not present; anything else is extremely lucky
• Zone 6 may or may not be present; do the same as for Zone 3; its presence is extremely lucky;
  • Check to see how it lies by rolling the die:
  • 1 is horizontal - the Gods will prevent any harm
  • 2 is vertical to the right
  • 3 is vertical to the left
  • 4 is vertical and straight in the middle
  • (if using a six sided die, roll until a number from 1 to 4 comes up)

• To shuffle the large deck, I advise the following method:
  Cut it in two and shuffle like normal, then cut each half again, and riffle together until thoroughly shuffled; then cut the halves and exchange with other halves, until all the cards are thoroughly shuffled

• "absent,""multiple," and "double" cards do not apply here (because you already have a number); if you get one of these cards, draw again until you get a size card.

• if you get one or more 12's, shuffle and draw cards until you get a color other than "normal" (Mark 12 is a patch of a certain color distinct from the rest of the liver)

• For the Zones, roll the die for the head, middle, base and "all over;" 1 is head, 2 is middle, 3 is base, and 4 is "all over"
• If you have one or more Mark 1 on any place, roll the die to see in which direction each one points: 1 is straight up, 2 is to the left, 3 is to the right, and 4 is lying down
• If you have a Mark 10, flip the coin to see if it is soft or hard; heads is hard, tails is soft (or vice versa if you prefer)
• If you have a Mark 13, flip the coin to see if they are "binding" or "barring" anything; first flip tells you yes or no - heads yes, tails no; if "yes," flip again - heads "bars" another Mark, tails "binds" two features

There are six basic principles to follow when interpreting the amutu, the usuratu kayyanatu (the "Normal Drawings"), the siru (the "Flesh"), and the Marks:

1. Right or Left
   • Right is "my side" (Myself, my house, my family and friends, my city, country, etc.)
   • Left is the "Enemy's side" (anyone whose advantage works to my disadvantage)
   Right and left can also be interpreted as parts of one person, such as when you can't decide between two alternatives - in this case decide beforehand which side will represent which alternative, the two sides can represent any duality you wish to explore
   
2. Number:
   • 1 is normal for the usuratu kayyanatu and siru;
   • 0 is normal for the Marks;
   • Numbers generally follow the pattern of:
     • 1 should be interpreted in isolation
     • 2 shows myself and my opposer; 2 of any feature can often be better than only 1
     • 3 is overcoming opposition
     • 4 is my opposition and I being equal
     • 5 is my opposer being stronger
     • 6 is us being equal after 2 encounters
     • 7+ is my opposition winning
   • The details of all of these numbers depend on the other criteria
3. Size:
   • Depends entirely on which side and part is being considered. Generally, my side larger is good for me, my side smaller is bad; my enemy's side larger is bad for me, smaller is good
4. Color:
   • Any color than "normal" is an extraordinary circumstance;
   • Red indicates a great deal of energy and power for the side it is on;
   • Green indicates health for the side it is on, or that it is time to move;
   • Black is a very serious message, death, or an indication to stay put;
   • White is an indication of famine or disease; it is never good
5. Head, Middle and Base:
   • These indicate respectively "near,""less near," and "distant" future.
6. Particular instructions for the features (see note 13 above).

Interpreting the usuratu kayyanatu and siru (collectively called the "Zones"):

1. manzazum / naplastum / naplasum - the "Presence" / "View;" symbolizes the God and Goddess, and sometimes the client. This is the situation at the outset: its circumstances, demands, the background and other factors that occasioned the question.
   • Normal means that the Gods have accepted the sacrifice and the divination can go ahead.
   • Doubling of this feature is a good sign, meaning that the messages of the reading also concern the diviner in some way.
2. Padanum / harranum / kibšum neptu - the "Path," / "Campaign" / "Course" / "Breach," symbolizes the military campaign, the journey, or any course about to be or just undertaken.
   • Doubling is good, meaning the successful completion of the course.
   • Tripling is bad, meaning the work will be fruitless.
   • Subsections:
     1. (ruqqi) nasraptim - "(the Hollow of) the Crucible"
     2. pusqum / subtum - "The Narrowing", symbolizes the encampment, the materials and efforts of the path
3. Ruqqi pitir sarim / pu tabu the "Hollow of the Windcleft" / "Pleasing Word" - if present, it indicates complete success for what is undertaken, modified by other features; it is not always present.
   • Doubling is very good; it means that "God has heard the man's prayer."
4. Dananum / puzrum, the "Strength" / "Secret" - symbolizes a secret desire or result, or an ulterior motive behind the question.
   • Doubling is good, meaning everything is going well with what concerns the question.
   • Any damage or discoloration means that a secret has been leaked, trust has been lost, some sort of security has been breached.
5. Bab ekallim / abullum - "The Palace Gate" / "City Gate;" symbolizes the Palace, the Business or Career, as well as its income and personnel, and the security of assets.
   • Doubling or extra width can be good or bad, depending on the question. If it is about rivalry or treason, it could be that there will be open rebellion or takeover; if it is about assests, growth, or the future in general, it could be that the "gates will be widened," there will be greater growth than anticipated.
   • Subsections:
     1. sippi imittim - "The Right Doorjamb," symbolizes helpers and friends in your endeavors;
     2. sippi šumelim - "The Left Doorjamb," symbolizes detractors and those against your endeavors.
6. Šulmum / padan imitti martim - "The Well-being" / "The Path to the Right of the Gall-bladder;" symbolizes safety and prosperity for the journey or campaign; this Zone is not always present; if it is it is unmitigatedly positive, showing help from the Gods - roll the die to see where that help will arrive.
7. Martum / re'um - "The Gall-bladder" / "The Shepherd;" symbolizes King and Throne, the clients themselves in their public capacities; roll the die to see how the Martum lies:
   1. The Gall bladder is stuck to the left - the enemy's army is strong;
   2. The Gall bladder is completely unstuck - the client is directionless and not trusted;
   3. (and 4) The Gall bladder lies normally - things are well for the client (if a six sided die is used, 5 and 6 indicate normalcy as well).
   • If the Martum is absent - the client should not proceed with anything new, but concentrate on getting things in order.
   • Subsections:
     1. qutnum - "The Neck;" the thin end of the Gall-bladder, symbolizing the client's relationships with advisors and public relations people;
     2. masrahum - (the cystic duct), symbolizes the secret aspects of the former.
8. Padan šumel martim / mihiš pan umman nakrim - "The Path to the Left of the Gall-bladder" / "The Defeat of the Enemy's Army;" symbolizes the enemy's campaign, the actions of rivals and detractors, their course.
9. Nidi kussem - "The Throne Base;" symbolizes private life of the client, strength and discipline, and the hidden aspects of life such as scandals, intrigues, love affairs.
10. Ubanum - "The Finger;" symbolizes the foreign, hostile, sinister and secluded; secret forces working deeply hidden; (the middle plain is counted left in evaluating sides);
    • Doubling is very bad, indicating strong enemies;
    • Subsections:
      1. Šer ubanim qablum / šer biritim - "The Middle Plain of the Finger" / "The Intermediate Plain;" symbolizes gossip, the reflection of the household;
      2. rupšum / ekallum - "The Width" / "The Palace;" the Right and Left plains of the Finger, symbolizing the enemy's intelligence, access to private affairs, secret things going on inside the household.
11. Nirum - "The Yoke;" symbolizes the City, State, and Countr, larger concerns.
12. Šibtum - "The Increase;" symbolizes the economy and finances in general;
    • Doubling is generally good - roll die for how the double lies:
      • 1-5 very good, the "Increase" is sequential; means great increase in wealth, abundance;
      • 6 bad, the two "Increases" are side by side; your wealth will be stolen or squandered;
      • (on a four sided die 4=6)
      • Three "Increases" means: "Your estate will be taken and given to another."

Marks:

1. Kakkum - "The Weapon;" symbolizes an army, an effort or a group of people acting for or against the client (depending on side and where it is pointing).
2. Kakšum - (a mushroom-shaped weapon), symbolizes a blunt weapon, and therefore defeat on whichever side it occurs.
3. Sepum - "The Foot;" symbolizes coming, invasion, conveyance.
4. Šilum / pilšum - "The Hole" / "The Perforation;" symbolizes a death, blindness or great loss; an eclipse or complete reversal of fortune.
5. Pitrum - "The Split;" symbolizes detachment, separation, a diversion of people or funds.
6. Erištum - "The Request;" symbolizes a demand made by God or the enemy which must be met.
7. Pillurtum - "The Cross;" symbolizes anarchy and chaos, insurrection or unavoidable confrontation.
8. Nekemtum - "The Hidden Part" or "The Recess;" symbolizes something taken away, like booty in victory.
9. Niphum - a type of configuration of Marks which cannot be interpreted favorably or unfavorably; the element of chance beyond the power of the diviner (it's like the joker in a deck of cards); if received:
   • It should be interpreted in light of the general tenor of the reading as a whole and the Zone in particular;
   • Look especially for extremely numerous Marks or another unusual feature like a color; it is in the quality of the anomaly that the character of the niphi's uncertainty will be found;
   • If no anomalies are present except the niphum itself, it means that something completely hidden and unexpected will affect the issue of the question
10. Sihhum - a grape-like pustule which is a symptom of the hydatid disease, which symbolizes rains, floods, and diseases (can be good or bad).
11. Ziqtum - "The Sting (of a Scorpion);" symbolizes heroism, rebellion, and thirst; a sudden and unpredictable change.
12. Pusum - "The White Patch;" a patch (of any color - see instruction 13), symbolizing famine or drying up of resources.
13. Qum - "The Filament;" symbolizes restraint or obstruction, or some kind of hurdle to cross.
14. Larum - "The Branch;" symbolizes expansion, achievement, growth.