Beginner’s Guide: Creating Your First Geomancy Chart

Geomancy, often referred to as “divinatory geomancy” or “earth divination,” is an ancient form of divination that employs symbolic interpretations based on random markings or figures. Traditionally, geomancy is practiced by interpreting a geomantic chart created through a method of chance, yielding insights into various life situations or questions. If you are keen to explore this fascinating practice, this beginner’s guide will take you step-by-step through the process of creating your first geomancy chart.

What is Geomancy?

Geomancy originates from the Greek words “geo,” meaning earth, and “manteia,” meaning divination. This practice has roots in various cultures, including African, Arabic, and European traditions. At its core, geomancy involves generating a series of lines or dots (commonly referred to as geomantic figures) based on random chance—often achieved through tossing soil or stones or even drawing lines in the sand. The resulting figures are then interpreted to provide insight into the question posed by the practitioner.

Understanding Geomantic Figures

Before diving into the creation of a geomancy chart, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the basic geomantic figures. In traditional geomancy, there are 16 primary figures known as “houses.” Each house consists of four lines that can either be broken (represented by a single dot) or unbroken (represented by a line).

The geomantic figures and their meanings are as follows:

1. Via (The Way) – A figure symbolizing movement and change.
2. Puer (The Boy) – Representing youthful energy, impulsiveness, and creativity.
3. Amissio (Loss) – Reflecting loss or removal.
4. Acquisitio (Gain) – Indicating gain or acquisition.
5. Carcer (The Prison) – Signifying restriction or confinement.
6. Tristitia (Sorrow) – Representing sadness or emotional challenges.
7. Laetitia (Joy) – Reflecting happiness and positive outcomes.
8. Fortuna Major (Greater Fortune) – Indicating significant success and fortune.
9. Fortuna Minor (Lesser Fortune) – Suggesting minor successes or transient good luck.
10. Conjunctio (Union) – Representing connections and partnerships.
11. Rubeus (The Red One) – Symbolizing danger, passion, or chaos.
12. Cauda Draconis (Dragon’s Tail) – Indicating endings, closure, or transformation.
13. Caput Draconis (Dragon’s Head) – Signifying beginnings and new ventures.
14. Sors (Fate) – Reflecting destiny and inevitability.
15. Temporis (Time) – Indicating the influence of time on a situation.
16. Mundus (The World) – Symbolizing completion, wholeness, and potential.

Preparing to Create Your Geomancy Chart

Materials Needed

To create your first geomancy chart, you’ll need the following materials:

• Paper: A blank sheet for drawing your geomantic figures.
• Pen or Pencil: For making marks on your paper.
• Randomizing Tool: This could be a set of dice, sticks, coins, or simply drawing marks in the dirt or sand.

Setting Your Intention

Before starting any divination practice, it’s crucial to set your intention clearly. Take a moment to focus on a specific question or issue you want insight about. The clearer your intention, the more focused your reading will be.

Creating Your Geomancy Chart

Step 1: Generate Random Marks

Using your chosen randomizing tool, generate four rows of marks based on chance. If you’re using dice, roll them four times; if you’re using sticks or coins, decide how many will be used for each row.

For example:

• Row 1: Three lines
• Row 2: Two lines
• Row 3: One line
• Row 4: Four lines

Each row should consist of either broken lines (dots) or unbroken lines based on how many marks you make.

Step 2: Structure Your Figure

Using the results from your random marks generation, structure your figure in rows to create the geomantic figure(s). Each row of marks will determine whether the line is broken or unbroken.

For instance:
Row 1: — — •
Row 2: • • • —
Row 3: — •
Row 4: — — —

After structuring all four rows vertically as per your marks generated above, you will have one geomantic figure.

Step 3: Interpreting Your Figure

Next, consult a geomantic reference guide to interpret the figure you’ve created based on its position in relation to your question and its inherent meanings.

You may also want to create multiple figures—traditionally four primary figures are created for deeper readings:

1. The Question Figure, directly addressing your inquiry.
2. The Witness Figure, offering support and context to your Question Figure.
3. The Judge Figure, reflecting overall outcomes influenced by both previous figures.
4. The House Figure, which may provide additional layers of meaning based on the context of your reading.

Step 4: Assembling Your Chart

Once you’ve interpreted each figure individually, integrate their meanings as a cohesive narrative pertaining to your question.

You may want to organize these insights into categories such as past influences, current circumstances, obstacles faced, potential outcomes, and actions suggested.

Cleaning Up After Your Reading

After completing your reading and interpretation:

1. Thank any energies you invoked during your session—whether they be divine entities or universal forces—and close down any spiritual connections made during the reading period.
2. Document your findings in a journal for future reference. Keeping track of past readings can help you identify patterns over time.

Practicing Regularly

Like any skillful art form, mastering geomancy takes practice. As you become more familiar with generating figures and interpreting them:

• Experiment with different questions and contexts for your readings.
• Explore multiple interpretations by consulting various resources on geomantic traditions from different cultures.
• Consider engaging with other practitioners through forums or workshops for shared insights and experiences.

Final Thoughts

Creating a geomancy chart is an exciting journey into self-discovery and intuitive understanding of life’s complexities. While it may seem daunting at first glance due to its historical depth and intricacies in interpretation, remember that divination is inherently personal; trust your instincts as you develop your skills over time.

By following these steps laid out in this beginner’s guide—generating random marks carefully while keeping focus on intention—you are well on your way to creating meaningful geomantic readings that can illuminate your path forward in mysterious yet enlightening ways!