So like Tarot Cards but in egg white format. I have never heard of this Irvin!
I found it so fascinating that I went to Gemini (my AI of choice) to ask about it.
I think the tradition came over from Spain... This is what Gemini told me. Now I am curious what shapes did you see 👀 in that 🥚 🍳
Yes, the practice of telling the future by interpreting the shapes formed by egg whites dropped into water is a form of divination known as ovomancy or ooscopy. This folk tradition has been practiced in various cultures around the world for centuries, and it is indeed a known custom in Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
The person you spoke to was likely referring to a specific folk ritual often performed on a particular day, such as New Year's Eve, a birthday, or a religious holiday like the Day of Saint Clare (Día de Santa Clara) or Good Friday. The practice typically involves cracking a raw egg and carefully pouring the white (the albumen) into a glass of water. The glass is then left undisturbed for a period, sometimes overnight.
The shapes and figures that the egg white forms as it coagulates in the water are then interpreted to predict the future of the person for whom the reading is being done. For instance:
- A ship or a boat might signify an upcoming journey.
- A human-like figure could represent a future spouse or an enemy, depending on its form.
- Bubbles could indicate money or prosperity.
- Spikes or needles might suggest gossip or ill will from others.
- A coffin or a cross was often seen as a bad omen, potentially foretelling death or illness.
This tradition was brought to the Americas by European colonists, particularly from Spain, where similar practices existed. Over time, it blended with local beliefs and became a common folk custom in many parts of Latin America, including Venezuela. While its popularity has waned with modern generations, many older individuals, such as the person you spoke with, would remember it as a familiar childhood tradition for predicting what the coming year might hold.
RE: Talking eggs