Runes are a popular form of divination that helps us to communicate and seek guidance from the gods. We are most familiar with Germanic runes but the Greek alphabet can also be used for divination.

With its growing popularity, Greek Alphabet Divination is steadily gaining traction as a popular method of communicating with the gods.

Origins of Greek Alphabet Divination

Greek Alphabet divination can be traced back to the city of Olympos in Lycia, and the method is similar to how Nordic runes are cast. Seers who used this method of divination often used Psephoi to do it.

Psephoi were often stones, pieces of wood, or shards of pottery (called Ostraca) that had the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet inscribed on them. Originally they were used as counters and in voting.

The art of casting Psephoi as a method of divination Even though the use of the Psephoi wasn’t the only method of divination in ancient Hellenic times it is one that is accessible to all of us.

Make Your Owns Psephoi

It’s fun and easy to make your own psephoi. You will need twenty-four objects that you can write each Greek letter on.

You can use small black tumbled stones and paint the letters on them.

Molded clay also works well with inscribed letters.

You may also purchase them online.

Process

John Opsopaus, a Pagan and Historian, explains in his book “The Oracles of Apollo” that Greek Alphabet Divination was done by placing all the Psephoi in a bowl and shaking it until one or more jumped from the bowl. His book The Oracles of Apollo is available from Llewellyn.

To begin place your psephoi in a bag or bowl.
Shake your container gently to mix them up.
Concentrate on a problem or question.
Then just pluck one from the bag without looking and voila!
Use the guide below to find out what your letter means.

What Does The Greek Letter Mean?

The 24 letters of the Greek alphabet all have different meanings. The interpretation of that meaning is always different depending on the situation, question, and deity you might be asking in specific.

As you become more comfortable with this form of divination you will be able to feel more confident in your interpretations.

The Greek Letters

Α: Alpha – Associate with the God Apollo and success. Your hopes will come true and everything will turn out the way you want it to.

Β: Beta –Right now you might be at a crossroads and unsure of what to do. You still have to work for what you want, but you will receive help from the gods in your decision or endeavor.

Γ: Gamma – Gaia, Mother Earth, will bless you for the ripe fruit of your labors. However, you need to work hard for her blessing.

Δ: Delta – don’t act rashly but wait for a more opportune moment.

Ε: Epsilon – Consider teamwork and cooperation with others to get what you desire.

Ζ: Zeta – Zeta warns you not to move forward right now and put this idea behind you.

Η: Eta – Helios the Sun God is watching you. This warns us to not have bad behavior.

Read our article on Helios to learn more about how you can worship him.

A fun video below in pronouncing the Greek letters.

Θ: Theta –Theta’s message is simple! You are on the right path here. Whatever question you had, the path you are already on is the right one.

Ι: Iota – Iota is here to tell you that you have to work in order to get what you want. Nothing comes for free, or without some hard work and elbow grease.

Κ: Kappa – Reassurance. Things might be difficult right now, or maybe you’re worried over a situation that you fear is coming. Stay true to yourself, things will turn out okay.

Λ: Lambda – Expect the unexpected. Help is coming.

Μ: Mu – Mu tells you that you need to work hard to get what you desire. When you finally do get what you want, it’s going to be even better than you hoped!

Ν: Nu – Something will happen that initially seems negative. However, will ultimately fulfill the end goal of your angst.

Ξ: Xi - If you feel that you have reached a dead-end in a relationship, a job, etc. Xi is here to tell you to fully give it up. Don’t hang on to something that is not working.

Ο: Omicron – Work hard to get the end goal and find success.

Π: Pi – After suffering or hardships, Pi has come to tell you, to assure you, that you will come out triumphant. Your suffering was not in vain, so keep moving forward.

Faience polyhedron inscribed with letters of the Greek alphabet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art — **Faience polyhedron inscribed with letters of the Greek alphabet** **at the Metropolitan Museum of Art**

Ρ: Rho –Step back and wait. You might be rushing into something that you don’t need to, so this letter is here to ask you to wait, to think, and continue on when the situation is better.

Σ: Sigma –Pause, just like Rho before it. Hold your ground in whatever the matter may be, and bide your time before advancing forward on your path.

Τ: Tau – Tau can indicate there is something you need to let go of. If it is a person, could it be a relationship you’ve been holding onto that isn’t working anymore? Or is it an idea you have in your head that there is a way to do things? Tau wants you to let it go, whatever it may be.

Υ: Upsilon – Upsilon is not always a positive indicator letter. You may need to figure out if your path and if you have good intentions. Is this really what you want? Upsilon is asking you to answer that question for yourself.

Φ: Phi – This letter warns you that your actions are no one’s fault but your own. You need to think things out and take responsibility for your own actions and thoughts.

Χ: Khi –Khi is here to assure you that you will successfully complete whatever objective you have. You will be successful on your path, so you should keep going and trying.

Ψ: Psi – Psi is here to tell you that the Gods have all determined the truth. You will not get what you seek.

Ω: Omega – This letter is here to warn you that acting too soon may be your downfall. Wait for the best time to act.

Understanding and Interpreting the Psephoi

Understanding the Psephoi is as simple as reading the meaning of it above, but interpreting that meaning and what it has to do with your question is something entirely different. Ultimately, the interpretation is up to you and the question you sought an answer for when you began the casting!