Soothsaying

A selection from the Orphic Argonautika showing elements of yavana soothsaying and ritual.

And you have learned the ways of divination by beasts and birds,
and what the order of entrails,
and what is presaged in their dream-roaming paths by souls of mortals overcome in sleep;
answers to signs and portents, the stars’ courses, the purification rite, great blessing to men, placation of gods, and offerings poured out for the dead.

-adapted from the translation by M West.