In this post, I will list the sixteen figures and a general meaning for each one.
Every line of a figure is related to an element. Top to bottom, they are Fire, Air, Water and Earth. These elements are either passive or active based upon whether the line has one or two dots. One dot means the element is active and two dots indicate that the element is active. Additionally, each figure is ruled by a single element. The interactions of the elements on a figure lead to the figure being classified as either mobile or stable which can impact readings.
I have found that you can actually look at a figure and determine whether it is mobile or stable. The first example is Puer (Boy) and you will notice that it is shaped like a phallus. Additionally, the single dot at the bottom gives the figure the feeling that a strong wind could blow it over, which indicates that its quality is Mobile. Conversely, Populus (Crowd) has the most dots in any figure and stands firmly upon two dots and has a Stable quality. Although this may not apply to every figure, I have found that making these types of connections make it easier to remember the figures and divine meaning from each one.
Traditionally, when speaking about the elements, they also have qualities that are traditionally associated with them.
Puer (Boy) - ExampleFire – energy, purpose, activity
Air – interaction and relationships of all kinds
Water – form, receptivity, inner life
Earth – manifestation, results and material foundations
So again, some divinatory meanings can be gleaned by simply knowing what elements are active and which are passive in a figure. In our first figure, Fire, Air and Earth are all active. Water is passive. One could say that Puer represents active energy or purpose especially in the interaction and relationships involved in the question that lead to manifestations or end results, especially as they reply to material questions. If the question involves inner exploration or the ideas of being receptive to something, then the figure is not going to be favorable for that question. Given that the overall quality of the figure is mobile, it may also indicate that the situation is still developing and that manifestations and results may still be forth coming.
And that is all from just looking at one figure! You can begin to see the depth of information that can be gleaned from this simple divinatory tool.
John Michael Greer classifies the divinatory meaning of each figure as “favorable” or “unfavorable.” I prefer this method to others I have seen that require more memorization. I will continue with his observations regarding this. I will also point out that if you understand what the elements mean within a figure and know which element rules the figure, understanding whether or not a figure if favorable to a question or unfavorable to a question is pretty straight forward.
One more note, unlike some tarot cards which have come to be associated with “bad” outcomes, most geomancers I have met do not like to talk about their divinatory readings in terms of “good and bad outcomes.” Instead they tend to refer to outcomes as, just that, possible outcomes. Some outcomes may lead to a more favorable situation for you OR they may lead to a unfavorable situation for you. It may also be worth noting that what you THINK is favorable today, may actually be very unfavorable for you once all the information is in, which is another way that these figures can be of help. The warnings of Geomantic figures are to change course or continue to be open to the possible outcome presented by the figure. Either way, the decision remains yours to make largely because the consequences of those decisions will also be yours to endure.
Puer (Boy)Fire: Active
Air: Active
Water: Passive
Earth: Active
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Fire
Stands for everything little boys stand for, adventure, activity, high energy and an enthusiasm for everything. Favorable for anything involving action, taking risks and starting things; unfavorable for all other questions.
Amissio (Loss)Fire: Active
Air: Passive
Water: Active
Earth: Passive
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Fire
Represents the activity (fire) of the inner turmoil (water) that is created when the loss of interactions and relationships occur (air) or the loss of stable material basis (earth). Favorable in questions in love (thinking loosing the heart in love or ones virginity) and unfavorable for all other questions, especially if you are looking to gain anything.
Albus (White)Fire: Passive
Air: Passive
Water: Active
Earth: Passive
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Water
With Water as the ruling element, this figure is all about the inner explorations and our inner selves ability to be receptive to things. Given that the figure is stable and the other elements are passive, this brings a clarity and peacefulness to this figure. Favorable in all questions except those involving passion or violence.
Populus (Crowd)Fire: Passive
Air: Passive
Water: Passive
Earth: Passive
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Water
Water rules this element however, all the elements are passive, even water. This indicates that the figure, especially given its stable quality is extremely passive. Therefore, it is unfavorable in taking any positive action and favorable for going along with what is already in motion. Think of this figure, by itself, as a crowd lacking purpose.
Fortuna Major (Greater Fortune)Fire: Passive
Air: Passive
Water: Active
Earth: Active
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Earth
The activeness of Earth as the ruling element, lends a stable quality to this figure. Because Earth represents all material gains and fortunes, this element represents victory. Coupled with the active inner guide of Water, it also represents great strength. Picture this figure as a mighty tree, where Earth and Water are firmly grounded to uphold the heavier needs of Fire and Air. This is nearly always a favorable outcome though, just like even mighty trees experience uncertainty in their early lives, so might the situation have an unstable beginning.
Conjunctio (Meeting)Fire: Passive
Air: Active
Water: Active
Earth: Passive
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Air
Air rules this element lending its mobile quality to the figure. Because Air rules interactions and Water is the element of receptivity, this figure represents a combining and interaction of things. Favorable for meetings and making contacts with mixed results.
Puella (Girl)Fire: Active
Air: Passive
Water: Active
Earth: Active
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Water
Opposite of Puel (Boy), you can visualize this figure as a head at the top with two breast on the second line and the rest of the girl below. Water is often associated with the feminine given that we put forth water when we bring forth new life. Women, often being muses and in some myths the creatrix of the universe, this symbol stands for beauty and creativity. Despite its stable quality , Fire and Air are active, two very destructive forces once combined. Therefore, Puella is favorable in nearly all instances; however, the situation will be unstable and subject to change.
Rubeus (Red)Fire: Passive
Air: Active
Water: Passive
Earth: Passive
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Air
Rubeus (Red) Passion in all its form is represented by this figure. So whether it is the sexual passion or the passion that drives violence, Rubeus rules it all. This makes sense because Rubeus is ruled by Air and Air is the only active element. Given that , I visualize the mobility of air blowing through the stability created by the passivity of Fire, Water and Earth.
Acquisitio (Gain)Fire: Passive
Air: Active
Water: Passive
Earth: Active
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Air
Just as gain tends to be stable, meaning you typically gain something and keep it even if it is in your memory, the gain is there. Therefore, Acquisitio is also stable. Ruled again by an active Air, Earth lends its stability to the figure, allowing a multi branched tree to spring from the root of Earth. Therefore the relationship between the interaction of Air and Earth results in gain. Acquisitio rules profit and acquisition and is favorable for all questions unless you desire to lose something.
Carcer (Prison)Fire: Active
Air: Passive
Water: Passive
Earth: Active
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Earth
It is easy to visualize the bars on either side of this figure in the center. Again Earth provides this figures stability. However, with activity on top and bottom, the movement or air and water is trapped causing the prison of Carcer. Therefore, restriction, limitation and binding rule Carcer. It is only favorable in question of stability and limitation.
Tristitia (Sorrow)Fire: Passive
Air: Passive
Water: Passive
Earth: Active
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Earth
Tristitia’s sorrow is created by the fact that only the manifestation of physical things is the only active element in this figure. With the energy, interaction and inner knowledge of Fire, Air and Water being passive, the only thing left is the physical things. Therefore, there is a downward journey toward unhappiness. However, it is favorable in divination in questions about land, secrets, the earth and underground passages (physically underground). It is unfavorable for everything else.
Laetitia (Joy)Fire: Active
Air: Passive
Water: Passive
Earth: Passive
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Fire
Laetitia’s joy comes from the same joy a person on a long journey in the dark finds when they come across the candle. You can see the single flame sitting atop this figure. The mobility of this figure is created by the flickering fire above, exposing it to the universal energy and movement. Just as light reveals the darks secrets, so are secrets revealed by Laetitia’s single flame. Rejoice when Laetitia appears as it is favorable in all question unless you are trying to keep secrets.
Cauda Draconis (Dragon’s Tail)Fire: Active
Air: Active
Water: Active
Earth: Passive
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Fire
This figure is easily visualized as the back end of a dragon. With it haunches sitting on earth and its tail going out behind it. Just as tails move back and forth in agitation so is this figure mobile. As you might guess, we see the dragon disappearing so this figure rules endings and departures. This figure is unfavorable in most questions and only favorable when you wish to bring something to an end or say fair well to something.
Caput Draconis (Dragon’s Head)Fire: Passive
Air: Active
Water: Active
Earth: Active
Quality: Stable
Ruling Element: Earth
Being grounded in the Earth and Water brings this figure stability. As the tail indicates all things leaving and ending, the head will naturally signify beginnings and entering. You see the dragon’s head pushing up from its stable body to emerge in Fire. An extremely favorable figure especially when things begin or something is to be gained.
Fortuna Minor (Lesser Fortune)Fire: Active
Air: Active
Water: Passive
Earth: Passive
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Fire
With the activity of Air and Fire, this figure is mobile and favors the swiftness you can visualize as the top of the figure waves in the energy of the universe. If you wish however to build things that last only Earth and Water can develop those for you. With Fire and Air, change will be swift and then may change just as swiftly again. This figure is favorable for all things needed to change or be done quickly. It is unfavorable for anything that needs to last.
Via (Road)Fire: Active
Air: Active
Water: Active
Earth: Active
Quality: Mobile
Ruling Element: Water
Of course this figure is favorable for voyages and journeys; however, like great adventures, for other things Via represents both favorable and unfavorable things. The mobility comes from all the elements being exposed to the energy of the universe.
ReferencesThe Geomancer's Handbook by John Michael Greer
The Geomantic Campus Yahoo Group
Geomancy Workshop, PantheaCon 2008
Personal Practice and Experience
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