Nephelomancy – Divination By Clouds

I first became interested in reading cloud formations when I was about 12 years old. I was fascinated by the imagery and symbols I was able to see in the shapes of clouds.

Due to my mother visiting another country, I was living at that time with a Dutch family for a while. They had two daughters and a son, and treated me as if I was one of their own. They were nurturing and very open, and they shared many of their own experiences and hopes with me.

The mother, a gentle lady, told me of how just a few months previously she’d received a frantic message from Holland to fly back urgently, because her mom was dying. But just two hours into the flight back home, as she was gazing out of the aircraft window, her departed mother showed herself very clearly in the cloud formation, as if she gently stepped out of the clouds to communicated with her.

Just thinking back to her telling me this story so long ago still gives me the shivers. Her mother then informed her telepathically that she need not rush, as she had already passed to spirit. She then said that she no longer felt stressed about missing her mom’s actual passing. Instead she now felt an incredible sense of inner peace and calm, knowing that all was well.

From that time forward, I became very aware of cloud formations and I would often look for signs from spirit, or try to see if one of my deceased pets or ancestors might be floating by to say hello! I also became more interested in what their formations might represent in the way of a prediction, omen or forewarning of any sort.

There is divinity in the clouds ~ Lailah Gifty Akita

In later years, my late husband introduced me to Nephelomancy. I’d never heard the term until he used it, so I researched its meaning. The practice is described as a method of divination which can touch on the past, present and future by observing clouds. The word nephelomancy is derived from the Greek for cloud (nephele) and divination (manteia).

My husband had been brought up in the countryside, and he’d observe the cumulus clouds as a youngster. He spoke of how he’d spend hours looking up, interpreting the various shapes in their fluffy white formations.

We used to sometimes observe the clouds together and share our interpretation of what each cloud might mean. It was fun and meditative, and I heard recently that some teachers are encouraging their pupils to get away from technology for a while and amuse themselves with nature and focus on the clouds instead!

The druids had their own term for cloud divination, namely Neladoracht. A Wiccan friend told me how, in ancient times, royalty would send a druid off into the hills to consult the clouds for any prediction they was required by the King or Queen.

She also told me how Celtic elders read cloud formations where rain water had collected, for example in a hollowed rock. They would read the clouds via the reflection of the water, similar to the scrying technique the famous astrologer, Nostradamus, used with a bowl of water.

I have seen in recent years many photos posted on social media of angels in cloud formations. The shapes of animals in clouds can also depict the characteristics associated with a particular animal, for example the higher wisdom of a cat, or a warning of deception if it’s a crocodile. An eagle can suggest you are about to soar, with success being imminent – a very empowering symbol to receive.

Cloud divination may sound difficult at first, but it is actually quite simple and most likely one of the earliest forms of divination in existence ~ Alanna C.

In my experience, there are basically two ways to practice Nephelomancy. Depending on your surroundings, you can either lay on the ground to get a clear view of the sky, or alternatively, fill a container with water into which the sky would then be reflected, with the water acting like a mirror.

Ideally the sky should be cloudy, yet clear, with enough wind to keep the clouds in motion. Be aware of which way the clouds are headed geographically, for additional information.

To develop your cloud divination skills, pose a question to the clouds that you really would like a specific answer to. It is important to be precise when you ask a question.

At a later stage, once you are more adept with your cloud readings, you will simply be able to meditate as you observe the clouds and allow messages to present themselves to you. The process will become like a meditation in itself.