Geomancy is a system of divination beneath the presidency of the forces of Earth. It is a place of confusion to many students that the name is also used to explain the Chinese exercise of Feng-shui, the manipulation as well as direction of telluric energies, but this utilization of the word dates only from the 19th century whereas geomancy has been the name given to Earth divination since the early middle ages. Some authorities believe that geomancy originated within the deserts of Arabia understanding that the method regarding consulting the oracle had been to prod the sand with the sharp end of a camel-goad. It reached the peak of it’s popularity in Europe both being a method of divination and as a system of magic at the time of the Renaissance. Michael Scott as well as Gerard Cremoneusis each wrote books on the divinatory aspect regarding geomancy and Agrippa includes a chapter on the geomantic figures in his Occult School of thought.

Since the 16th century, however, geomancy (arithmancy) has sunk into oblivion as far as the United Kingdom can be involved, though French occultists maintain a pastime in the system which is still widely practiced in a few parts of The african continent, notably Madagascar. But, apart from an effort by the Hermetic Order with the Golden Dawn to revive geomancy to it’s former glory, one hears or reads little with the subject today. Coming under the dominion with the powers of Earth, geomancy is strongly influenced through the number 4. We talk with the Earth having 4 quarters and 4 corners, thus the ideas of 4 and Earth can be observed to share certain resonances. Likewise, each geomantic figure consists of four parts and there are 16 (four x 4) figures in all. The four parts which go to make up each and every figure are made up of either a single dot or a pair of dots, so no greater than the 16 standard geomantic figures can be formed.

Prashnavali, Unlike some methods of divination there are usually no reversals in geomancy though a few of the figures are clearly simply other figures ugly. For instance, Laetitia (which means joy) is made up of single dot previously mentioned three pairs regarding dots, while Tristitia (which means sorrow) comprises of three pairs regarding dots set on the single dot. Thus both in meaning and design those two figures constitute a pair of opposites. This is not necessarily the case, however. Fortuna Major as well as Fortuna Minor are opposite in appearance yet there is just a slight difference inside their meanings.

Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.