Divination comes in many forms, from tarot cards to scrying with a crystal ball, and has been part of our social landscape for millennia. However, there's one form of divination that is happily making a resurgence in contemporary practices. It's known as geomancy. This type of divination appeals to those who want clear, concise answers to their questions - there is nothing vague about geomancy! Indeed, polymath, physician and occult writer Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa (1486-1535) called it 'the most accurate of divinations'.
You may have witnessed Hollywood's take on geomancy in blockbusters set in Ancient Rome or Egypt. The geomancer is inevitably a mysterious cloaked figure who speaks in cryptic riddles and forebodes of tribulations ahead. The real-life practice of geomancy is nothing like it is on screen. It's a refreshingly down-to-earth technique that requires a basic knowledge of the essential principles, and a little guidance from someone in the know, to get started.
What is geomancy?
Geomancy has numerous interpretations. The word translates literally as 'earth divination', which means it encompasses China's Feng Shui and India's Vastu Shastra. The iChing is another example of geomancy that students at The College of Psychic Studies may be familiar with. However, the geomancy that we describe here and teach at the College is European Renaissance geomancy. In his fascinating talk on the subject, Dr Alexander Cummins prefers Christopher Cattan's definition of this form of geomancy as 'relating to earthly matters' (1558) - that is, questions regarding the material plane - rather than the more popular handle of 'reading the earth'.
Geomancy is often used to address specific questions about personal matters, relationships, finances, and other life situations. As practitioners of geomancy, we rely on the taught system, as well as a little help from our intuition and experience, to provide readings. We either make marks in the earth, or we roll dice or flip a coin to deduct our patterns or geomantic figures. We then interpret these patterns through a system that has been handed down through the long tradition of geomancy. European Renaissance geomancy is recognisable from its use of a simple shield chart to organise and interpret the patterns or figures.
Learn to do geomancy in this course:
How to do geomancy?
Preparation: The practice of geomancy involves first writing down our question. Geomancy is a very specific divination practice and we are looking for a direct answer to this question. Examples are: 'Will I get the job?' or 'Will this relationship be harmonious?' or 'Should I do a geomancy course!?' We can include a planetary sigil to set the energy of the reading depending on the question. We also want to enter a clear frame of mind for our geomancy reading - use your usual personal grounding and protection practice.
Practice: Once we have suitably prepared ourself and our space, we then create a random set of odd or even numbers. We can do this either by drawing marks in the earth, or by throwing dice or flipping a coin. We group these marks or points into sets of lines, creating geomantic figures or patterns. These figures are interpreted based on the systems and methods handed down through the tradition of geomancy. Each figure has specific meanings and can represent different aspects of the situation or question being asked. We analyse the patterns and combinations of figures to gain insights into the past, present, or future, as well as to provide guidance or advice for ourselves or the seeker.
What tools do we need for geomancy?
You don't need much in the way of geomancy tools - no cards, crystal balls or candles! You can practice geomancy literally anywhere. The tools that are helpful to your geomancy practice are:
- Pen and paper.
- A stick and a patch of earth or sand, or a die or coin.
Once you know the basics of geomancy, you open the door to a vast field of incredible wisdom. There is no end to the depth of this practice! Discover all you need to know in our online geomancy course.
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