Gyromancy is a method of divination by going around in a circle which circumference was marked with letters of an alphabet. The presage evolved as words formed from the letters onto which the inquirers stumbled when becoming too giddy to stand up.
There is a curious connection between the practice of this divination and the familiar technique of psychic circles. In this practice all siting in a circle place a finger on a glass surrounded by letters of the alphabet. The glass will touch letters in turn to indicate words or messages.
The principle of the repeated circling is to exclude the interference of the will so to reduce the selection of letters to mere chance.
In few species of enhancement, however, the art of turning round is to induce prophetic delirium. Some religious dances, particularly the rotation of certain devotees on one foot with arms out stretched, are of this nature. Such incidents indicate a sort of mystical secret.
Another form of gyromancy is where the person walks around in a circle until the individual collapses. The position that the person falls in relation to the circle determines the outcome of future events.
In the phenomenon known as the St. Vitus’ Dance manifestations of spirit intelligence were observed the movements of those in convulsions. The action of the spiritual force tends to be spirally rhythmically, whether in language or bodily members. A.G.H.