What is "botanomancy"

Botanomancy \Bot"a*no*man`cy\, n. [Botany + -mancy: cf. F. botanomantie.] An ancient species of divination by means of plants, esp. sage and fig leaves.

alt. 1 divination by plants. A form of pyromancy in which tree branches and leaves are burnt. Branches of brier and vervain were used, the question was etched into the branch. 2 also referred to as tea-leaf reading, or tasseomancy. n. 1 divination by plants. A form of pyromancy in which tree branches and leaves are burnt. Branches of brier and vervain were used, the question was etched into the branch. 2 also referred to as tea-leaf reading, or tasseomancy.

Botanomancy is the art of divination by burning branches of trees or herbs. The most common branches used are Vervain and Briar. The fire and the smoke are both read to indicate which course of action should be taken. Botanomancy can be traced back to Druidic tree worship.