The art of geomancy was known in ancient Greek and Roman times, however, we do not know exactly how it was performed or interpreted. What information we do have comes to us from the Middle Ages, and this is what is set out below. The main knowledge of geomancy came to Europe via Arabic texts in the 12th century in Spain, and from there spread across Europe. The variation discussed here is derived from the original method of obtaining the figures from lines in the sand. In fact the word geomantia (earth divination) was a direct translation from the Arabic khatt al-raml (sand divination), also known as 'ilm al-raml (science of the sand) and zarb al-raml (hitting the sand). The Arabs brought geomancy to Africa and variations of it can today be found practised all over Africa. In North Africa it has developed into vodou Fâ. In Madagascar, geomancy developed into an interesting variant called Sikidy. Although geomancy has been popular for millennia around the world, in the Western world it was widely practised during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance but then its popularity died down until a recent small resurgence in interest. Many see this form of divination as too "simplistic" but its outward simplicity belies the depth of the answers it gives. Some use it to derive a single figure as an answer. Others prefer to combine it with astrology. Each figure has an association with a planet and an astrological sign. The figures are placed within an astrological chart and interpreted according to which houses they fall in. According to Caslant, each figure has four different parts to it: Tête — The head, Fire (top line) Cœur — The heart, Air (second line) Ventre — The belly, Water (third line) Pieds — The feet, Earth (bottom line)

• • •• •• 4th Mother --> 4th House (Genitor - Father)	•• • • • 3rd Mother --> 3rd House (Fratres - Brothers)	• • • • 2nd Mother --> 2nd House (Lucrum - Riches)	• • •• •• 1st Mother --> 1st House (Vita - Life)
•• • • •• 4th Daughter --> 8th House (Mors - Death)	•• • • •• 3rd Daughter --> 7th House (Uxor - Wife)	• • • • 2nd Daughter --> 6th House (Valetudo - Health)	• • •• • 1st Daughter --> 5th House (Nati - Sons)
•• •• •• •• 4th Nephew --> 12th House (Carcer - Prison)	•• •• • •• 3rd Nephew --> 11th House (Benefacta - Good Fortune)	• •• • • 2nd Nephew --> 10th House (Regnum - Kings)	•• •• • • 1st Nephew --> 9th House (Itineris - Journeys)
	•• •• • •• 2nd Witness (Secundus Testis)	• •• •• •• 1st Witness (Primus Testis)
• •• • •• Judge (Judex/Iudex)

There are classic associations linking the figures to planets and astrological signs dating from the Middle Ages as well as the associations developed by Agrippa in the Renaissance. Agrippa also calculates the Nephew figures differently from the classic way. The associations are found in the table below.

Have a geomantic spread done for you by the computer, or continue reading to learn the process yourself. You can also directly to the meanings of the geomantic figures below.

Are you ready to consult the Oracle of the Earth? First, you need to decide on a way of getting a one/two response. Use either a Roman dice (two-sided, bone and male), a coin or a randomly drawn line of dots which gives an either odd or even answer. To start you need four one/two answers to draw a figure. For example, a result of two, two, one, one (even, even, odd, odd) gives the figure Fortuna Major. Continue until you have four geomantic figures. These are the four Mothers or Matres. The next step is to create the four Daughters or Filiae. Simply use the top lines of each of the Mothers to create the first Daughter. For example, if the top lines of each of the Mothers is two, two, one, two, then the first Daughter will be the figure Albus. The second Daughter uses the second lines of each of the Mothers and so on until you have four Daughters. Now it gets trickier. The next line of four figures is called the four Nephews or Neptes, sometimes called the 4 Nieces. The first nephew is made by adding the corresponding points of the first two Mothers and coming to an odd or even result. So if the first two Mothers have top lines of two and one, then the first line of the first Nephew will be one. The second Nephew is made by adding the points of the last two Mothers. The third Nephew is made by adding the points of the first two Daughters. The last Nephew is made by adding the points of the last two Daughters. Now there should be 12 figures in three rows. The fourth row is made up of two Witnesses or Testes. The first Witness is made by adding the first two Nephews together. The second Witness is made by adding the last two Nephews together. The last row has one single figure, the Judge or Judex (Iudex), made by adding the two Witnesses together. Only one of eight figures will ever end up as the Judge: Acquisitio, Amissio, Carcer, Conjunctio, Fortuna Major, Fortuna Minor, Populus and Via. Now for interpreting the Final Outcome: Good Judge + good Witnesses = Excellent Outcome. Bad Judge + bad Witnesses = Bad Outcome. Good Judge + bad Witnesses = Success after delays and problems. Bad Judge + good Witnesses = No real or enduring success. Throw a geomantic spread THE MEANINGS OF THE 16 FIGURES VIA (THE WAY) This figure signifies a journey, action and forward movement. There is an element of loneliness connected with this figure as well as a sense of slowness or delay. Change. However, it signifies being on the right path. This figure is generally unfavourable unless the question is about travel or progress. Medieval: Waning Moon/Capricorn Agrippa: Moon/Cancer POPULUS (THE PEOPLE) This figure denotes family, friends, group involvement and generally indicates that the outcome depends on others. It can also mean messages and news as well as the environment around us. Change. Medieval: Waxing Moon/Capricorn Agrippa: Moon/Cancer CONJUNCTIO (UNION) This figure signifies love, friendship, sexual attraction, contracts, agreements and partnerships. It also indicates the recovery of lost objects. Medieval: Mercury (R)/Virgo Agrippa: Mercury/Virgo CARCER (PRISON) Confinement, limitations and restrictions Delays and reversals of fortune. Good for contracts and mortgages etc. Servitude and the need to accept the situation as it is. Medieval: Saturn (D)/Pisces Agrippa: Saturn/Capricorn FORTUNA MAJOR (THE GREATER FORTUNE) Success, good luck, great fortune, celebration, property and possessions. Honour and respect. Medieval: Sun (D)/Aquarius Agrippa: Sun/Leo FORTUNA MINOR (THE LESSER FORTUNE) Smaller good fortune, assistance from others, influence, protection from misfortune and harm. You may have to work hard but success is yours. Medieval: Sun (R)/Taurus Agrippa: Sun/Leo ACQUISITIO (GAIN) Prosperity, promotion, benefit, gains from business or extension of existing property. Worldly success. Your difficulties are now behind you. Medieval: Jupiter (D)/Aries Agrippa: Jupiter/Pisces AMISSIO (LOSS) Loss of money, sometimes loss of love. Things lost or taken away, illness, theft, financial problems. Negative outcome. However, if you wish to lose something (weight etc.), you will be successful. Medieval: Venus (R)/Scorpio Agrippa: Venus/Libra TRISTITIA (SADNESS) Unexpected disappointment, sadness, humiliation, loneliness, change for the worse. Loss and destruction of something that has been carefully built up. Medieval: Saturn(R)/Scorpio Agrippa: Saturn/Aquarius LAETITIA (JOY) Joy, laughter, happiness, good fortune, delight, beauty, good health, harmony and peace of mind. Favourable for creative endeavours. Medieval: Jupiter (R)/Taurus Agrippa: Jupiter/Sagittarius RUBEUS (RED) Passion, vice, temper. This is a warning for caution and a need for retreat. Negativity and upheaval. Stop and listen to your inner voice to find the correct path to follow. Medieval: Mars(D)/Gemini Agrippa: Mars/Scorpio ALBUS (WHITE) Illumination, wisdom, good results in business through moderation and careful decisions. Spiritual growth and harmony. Patience, thoughtfulness and the ability to balance all areas of life. Medieval: Mercury(D)/Cancer Agrippa: Mercury/Gemini PUELLA (GIRL) Girl, lady, purity, cleanliness, external appearances, including superficiality, indecisiveness and fickleness. Good relationships with women. Healing and nurturing. Music and the arts. Medieval: Venus(D)/Gemini Agrippa: Venus/Taurus PUER (BOY) Young man, men, employee. Rashness and combativeness. Traditionally good for love and war, but negative or other matters. Great energy that needs to be harnessed. Intiative and leadership. Impulsive behaviour. Medieval: Mars (D)/Libra Agrippa: Mars/Aries CAPUT DRACONIS (DRAGON'S HEAD) A place of entry, a beginnning. New starts, birth and innocence. Alertness and shrewdness. Medieval: North Node/Virgo Agrippa: North Node/Capricorn CAUDA DRACONIS (DRAGON'S TAIL) An exit, a way out. Bad luck, a downward path, death and endings. Evil. You need to walk away from something and start anew. Medieval: South Node/Sagittarius Agrippa: South Node/Scorpio Throw a geomantic spread Sikidy (geomancy from Madagascar) Kumalak (geomancy from Kazakhstan) Go visit Ancient Divination & Astrology on the Web (primarily Greco-Roman links) Top of Page | Home