Geomancy is a system of divination underneath the presidency of the forces of Earth. It is a point of confusion to many students that the name can be used to describe the Chinese training of Feng-shui, the manipulation and also direction of telluric powers, but this utilization of the word dates only from your 19th century whereas geomancy may be the name directed at Earth divination since the early middle age range. Some authorities believe that geomancy originated within the deserts of Arabia understanding that the method associated with consulting the oracle had been to prod the sand with the sharp end of a camel-goad. It reached the peak of its popularity in Europe both as a method of divination and as a system of magic at the time of the Renaissance. Michael Scott and also Gerard Cremoneusis both wrote books around the divinatory aspect associated with geomancy and Agrippa features a chapter on the geomantic figures within his Occult Viewpoint.
Since the 16th century, however, geomancy (arithmancy) has sunk into oblivion so far as the United Kingdom is worried, though French occultists maintain a pastime in the system and it is still widely practiced in a few parts of Africa, notably Madagascar. But, apart from an endeavor by the Hermetic Order with the Golden Dawn to restore geomancy to its former glory, one hears or reads little with the subject today. Coming under the dominion with the powers of Earth, geomancy is strongly influenced from the number 4. We talk with the Earth having 4 quarters and 4 corners, thus the principles of 4 and Earth may be observed to share certain resonances. Likewise, each geomantic figure includes four parts and there are 16 (four x 4) figures in most. The four parts which head to make up every figure are made up of either a individual dot or a couple of dots, so no more than the 16 conventional geomantic figures may be formed.
Prashnavali, Unlike some ways of divination there are usually no reversals within geomancy though a number of the figures are clearly simply other figures upside down. For instance, Laetitia (this means joy) includes a single dot over three pairs associated with dots, while Tristitia (this means sorrow) comprises of three pairs associated with dots set over a single dot. Thus both within meaning and design those two figures constitute a couple of opposites. This is not always the case, however. Fortuna Major and also Fortuna Minor are opposite in appearance yet there is just a slight difference in their meanings.