Rats are associated with the spiritual realm in many different cultures around the world, throughout different eras. This page is a jumble of info taken from various websites.
Unfortunately, I am too lazy too re-write this information into my own words as my own article, nor do I remember where exactly some of this info came from (I appologize).
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Myomancy is a type or subdivision of Zoomancy, consisting of divination by means of rats or mice. This method was extensively practiced in Egypt, Rome and Assyria. Some diviners interpreted the omens by the noise made by the rodents, but the most popular form involved allowing a caged mouse its freedom, and reading futurity in the direction and/or manner in which the little mammal escaped. Other less popular methods included freeing the mouse inside an especially constructed maze - reading the auguries or answering questions according to the route the creature had taken - and a very unusual technique of reading the critter's dropping patterns.
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Myomancy refers to a form of divination by means of rats or mice. Some diviners interpreted the omens by the noise made by the rodents, but the most popular form involved allowing a caged mouse its freedom, and reading futurity in the direction and/or manner in which the little mammal escaped.
Myomancy
was a form of divination involving rats during ancient Egypt, Rome and Assyria.
There cries were believed to indicate the presence of evil.
When King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Egypt, his soldiers discovered their quivers and bows had been knawed by rats.
Chinese
Astrology;
RAT PERSONALITY: Charming, crafty, adaptable, creative, spendthrift, gregarious,
clever with numbers.
RAT YEAR: Time is ripe for new ventures. Good time to move or start new job.
Health and finances good but save for the coming year.
Myomancy
divination using rats or mice. Their peculiar cries or some mark of devastation
denotes evil. In a study of Egyptian Hieroglyphics, the rat is described as
the symbol of destruction, and the Hebrew name for the animal comes from the
root meaning separate, divide, or judge.
The Egyptians and Phrygians deified rats. In Egypt the rat symbolized utter destruction, and also wise judgment, the latter because rats always choose the best bread. The Romans drew omens from rats and to see a white rat foreboded good fortune. Clothing or equipment gnawed by rats presaged ill fortune.
In Hinduism the rat is the most powerful of the demons and represents foresight and prudence and as such is the vehicle of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god (of wisdom, prosperity and successful endeavour), and is an object of veneration.
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The rat is the first of the animals of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches of the Chinese Zodiac. In Japan a white rat accompanies the god of happiness and is also an attribute of the god of wealth. Among the Ainu of Japan a legend says that God created the rat to punish the Devil, the rat bit off the Devil's tongue and he was so enraged that he caused rats to increase until they became a plague and God had to create cats. Among the Australian Aboriginals the rat is a totem animal. It was an old superstition among sailors that rats deserted a ship before she set out on a voyage that was to end in her sinking.
Apollo was sometimes called rat-killer; he received this derogatory title from the following incident: Apollo sent a swarm of rats against Crinis, one of his priests, for neglect of his office; but the priest seeing the invaders coming, repented and obtained pardon and the god had to annihilate the rats with his arrows.
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