Daphnomancy

This art seeks to divine the future after burning a laurel branch.
 
It is believed that the more intense the fire, and the louder the crackle, the more favorable presages shall be. If the branch burnt without any noise, this was taken as a negative answer to the query.

There was also another, less practiced, divination art that involved laurel, which was to have a virgin chew the leaves and enter a trance during which she could mediate communication with the gods.
 
Also pythonesses, sibyls, priestesses and priests (all known as laurel-eaters) chewed laurel to enter trance and divine augurs.
Daphnomancy is based on an ancient Greek legend, that’s been transmitted in two versions.
 The first version speaks of Daphne, a beautiful nymph, who was desired by Apollo. To avoid his pursuit, she transformed into a laurel plant. When Apollo discovered this, he threatened her saying she’d forever stay laurel and he’d wear her leaves as a crown, which would stay evergreen, if she did not accept him as her lover.

The second version states that Gea, mother to the nymph, transforms Daphne into a laurel plant so Apollo would not find her.

From this myth daphnomancy was born, as the ancient Greeks believed that laurel stimulates prophetic gifts.

The seer would typically make a crown out of a laurel branch that was later thrown into the fire. Based on interpretation of the ensuing crackling sound and smoke as it burned, presages were drawn.
 As far as the shape and appearance of the flames, they were also observed for interpretation:

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