Other forms: auspices
An auspice is a little glimpse of the future, like a sign or omen. If a ladybug lands on your arm, you may see it as an auspice of good luck.
The 16th-century definition of auspice was "observation of birds for the purpose of taking omens," from a Latin root with the same meaning. If you see a single crow as an auspice of good fortune, you are literally taking omens from birds! In its plural form, auspices are a kind of guidance or assistance: "She's teaching accordion in my school under the auspices of a state fund for music education."