Editing Geomancy

{{Short description|Method of divination that interprets markings on the ground}}
{{Redirect|Geomancer}}
{{About|the African and European divination technique|the Chinese art of aesthetics|Feng shui|the Chinese philosophical tradition|Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)}}
[[File:Ghoreh 001.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Geomancy tool]]
[[File:Geomantic instrument Egypt or Syria 1241 1242 CE Muhammad ibn Khutlukh al Mawsuli.jpg|thumb|Geomantic instrument, [[Egypt]] or [[Syria]], 1241–42 CE, by Muhammad ibn Khutlukh al Mawsuli. When the dials were turned, random designs of dots would appear, which were then interpreted. [[British Museum]].]]
'''Geomancy''', a compound of Greek roots denoting "earth divination", was originally used to mean methods of [[divination]] that interpret geographic features, markings on the ground, or the patterns formed by [[soil]], [[rock (geology)|rock]]s, or [[sand]].<ref>“Geomancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geomancy . Accessed 26 Jan. 2023.</ref> Its definition has expanded over time (along with the recognized definition of the suffix ''-mancy''), to include any spiritual, metaphysical, or pseudoscientific practice that is related to the Earth. In recent times the term has been applied to a wide range of other occult and fringe activities, including [[Earth mysteries]] and the introduction of [[ley lines]] and {{interlanguage link|Bau-Biologie|de|Baubiologie}}.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

Geomancy was one of the forms of divination throughout Africa and Europe in premodern times,<ref name=Hartlieb/> but was considered a forbidden practice by Christians in medieval Europe.<ref name=Hartlieb>[[Johannes Hartlieb]] (Munich, 1456) ''The Book of All Forbidden Arts''; quoted in {{cite book|access-date=9 February 2025 |first1=Benedek |last1=Láng |pages=124, 125 |quote=Hartlieb wrote his handbook between 1456 and 1464 in Munich, and described the divinatory methods of the seven forbidden arts—geomancy, hydromancy, aeromancy, pyromancy, chiromancy, scapulimancy, and necromancy—in great detail, illustrating his descriptions with exhaustive reports on concrete practices. .... Theologians saw in every branch of divination first of all a demonic enterprise, and the abuse of divine privileges (that is, foreknowledge of the future). They did not allow themselves to be persuaded that most of these branches, such as palmistry and geomancy, could function without any visible application of demonic help. |title=Unlocked Books Manuscripts Of Learned Magic In The Medieval Libraries Of Central Europe (Magic In History) By Benedek Lang |url=https://archive.org/details/unlocked-books-manuscripts-of-learned-magic-in-the-medieval-libraries-of-central/page/123/mode/2up |publisher=Penn State Press |date=2010}}</ref> In other regions and cultures, geomancy practices include ''Sikidy'' and ''[[Ifá]]'' (found in Africa), [[I Ching]] and [[Feng shui]] (found in China), [[Kumalak]] (found in parts of [[Central Asia]]), [[Vastu shastra]] (in India), [[Kahuna]] kuhikuhipu'uone (in [[Ancient Hawai'i]]).

==Etymology and history==
[[File:Geomantic figures.svg|thumb|The sixteen [[geomantic figures]] of [[Arabic geomancy]].]]

The word ''geomancy'', from [[Late Greek]] {{Lang|grc|*γεωμαντεία}} {{Lang|grc-latn|*geōmanteía}}, translates literally to {{Gloss|earth divination}}. In Latin it becomes {{Lang|la|geomantia}}.<ref name="princeton">{{cite web |title=Medieval Geomancy.  Geomancy Step-by-Step |url=https://www.princeton.edu/~ezb/geomancy/geostep.html |website=princeton.edu |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref> Earlier Greek renditions of this word borrowed the Arabic word {{Lang|ar-latn|raml}} ({{Gloss|sand}}) directly, rendering it as {{Lang|grc-latn|rhamplion}} or {{Lang|grc-latn|rabolion}}.  Other Arabic names for geomancy include {{Lang|ar-latn|khatt al-raml}}, {{Lang|ar-latn|darb al-raml}},<ref name="Skinner_80">Skinner, Stephen (1980). ''Terrestrial Astrology: Divination by Geomancy''. London: Routeledge & Kegan Paul Ltd.</ref>{{rp|14–15}} and {{Lang|ar-latn|'ilm al-raml}}, (literally {{Gloss|the science of the sand}}).<ref name="princeton"/> The origins of geomancy are Arabic and the original geomantic figures were created by "making lines of random numbers of dots in the sand".<ref name="princeton"/>  

Geomancy was one of the forms of divination throughout Africa and Europe, particularly during the [[Middle Ages]].<ref name=Hartlieb/> However it was classified by Christians as one of the seven "[[Artes prohibitae|forbidden arts]]", along with [[black magic]], [[hydromancy]], [[aeromancy]], [[pyromancy]], [[palmistry|chiromancy (palmistry)]], and [[scapulimancy]].<ref name=Hartlieb/>

==Forms==
===Arabic geomancy===
{{main|Geomancy (Arabic)}}
The [[Arab culture|Arabic]] tradition consists of sketching sixteen random lines of dots in [[sand]]. This same process survived virtually unchanged through its introduction to Europe in the [[Middle Ages|medieval era]], and survives to this day in various Arabic countries.
 
===African geomancy===
{{main|Ifá}}
Like Arabic geomancy, ''[[Sikidy]]'' and other forms of African divination follow techniques that have remained virtually unchanged.
As an example, Sikidy is the most important method of divination for the [[Malagasy peoples]] of [[Madagascar]]. The process involves a mathematical grid of disk-shaped seeds in sixteen figures arranged in rows which the sorcerer uses to divine the future.<ref> Sikidy article and instructions in ''Occult World'' [https://occult-world.com/sikidy/]</ref>

One traditional form of geomancy in [[Africa]] consists of throwing handfuls of dirt in the air and observing how the dirt falls. It can also involve a mouse as the agent of the earth spirit. [[Ifá]], one of the oldest forms of geomancy, originated in West Africa, and uses the same sixteen [[geomantic figures]] as in Arabic and Western geomancy with different meanings and names; the process is shortened to using only two figures.

===Chinese geomancy===
In [[China]], the diviner may enter a trance and make markings on the ground that are interpreted by an associate (often a young or illiterate boy).  Similar forms of geomancy include [[scrying]] involving the patterns seen in rocks or soil.

====I Ching====
[[File:Family Ba Gua.gif|thumb|The eight trigrams used in I Ching.]]
The Chinese divination practice of the [[I Ching]] has several striking similarities to geomancy.  It includes a series of binary trigrams (as opposed to tetragrams used in geomancy) that are generated at random, the resulting figures of which are taken in combination.  However, the figures are not added or reorganized as in geomancy, but are instead taken to form a single hexagram.  While there are 2<sup>3</sup>, or eight, trigrams, there are 2<sup>6</sup>, or 64, hexagrams.  This yields a smaller set of resulting charts than geomancy.

====Feng shui====
{{main|feng shui}}
In the 19th century, [[Christianity in China|Christian missionaries]] in China translated ''[[feng shui]]'' as "geomancy" due to their observations of local [[shamans]] and [[priests]] manipulating the flow and direction of [[Qi|energy]] based on aesthetics, location, and position of objects and buildings.  Although it stems from a distinct tradition, the term ''geomancy'' now commonly includes feng shui.  Similarly, the introduction of a similar Indian system of aesthetics and positioning to harmonize the local energies, ''[[vastu shastra]]'', has come under the name "geomancy".  

===Indian Vastu shastra===
{{main|Vastu shastra}}
{{see also|Vashtu}}
[[Vastu shastra]] is a traditional Indian system of architecture<ref>{{cite book|last1=Quack|first1=Johannes|title=Disenchanting India: Organized Rationalism and Criticism of Religion in India|date=2012|publisher=Oxford University Press |page=119 |isbn=9780199812608|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TNbxUwhS5RUC&pg=PA119|access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> which literally translates to "science of architecture".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Narlikar|first1=Jayant V.|editor1-last=Percy|editor1-first=John|editor2-last=Pasachoff|editor2-first=Jay|title=Teaching and Learning Astronomy: Effective Strategies for Educators Worldwide|date=2009|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=165|chapter=Astronomy, pseudoscience and rational thinking}}</ref> These are texts found on the Indian subcontinent that describe principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, space arrangement, and spatial geometry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vastukarta.com/principles_of_vastu.php|title=GOLDEN PRINCIPLES OF VASTU SHASTRA Vastukarta|website=vastukarta.com|access-date=2016-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405212738/http://www.vastukarta.com/principles_of_vastu.php|archive-date=2016-04-05|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=pka>Acharya P.K. (1946), [https://archive.org/stream/encyclopaediaofh07achauoft#page/n9/mode/2up An Encyclopedia of Hindu Architecture], Oxford University Press</ref> Vastu Shastras incorporate traditional Hindu and in some cases Buddhist beliefs.<ref>{{cite book|title=Vastushastra|first=Vijaya |last=Kumar|publisher=New Dawn/Sterling|year=2002|isbn=978-81-207-2199-9|page= 5}}</ref> The designs are intended to integrate architecture with nature, the relative functions of various parts of the structure, and ancient beliefs utilizing geometric patterns ([[yantra]]), symmetry, and [[Direction (geometry, geography)|directional]] alignments.<ref name=stellakramrisch76>Stella Kramrisch (1976), The Hindu Temple Volume 1 & 2, {{ISBN|81-208-0223-3}}</ref><ref name=vsgt2>{{cite book|last1=Vibhuti Sachdev, Giles Tillotson|title=Building Jaipur: The Making of an Indian City|url=https://archive.org/details/buildingjaipurma00sach_849|url-access=limited|date=2004|isbn=978-1861891372|pages=[https://archive.org/details/buildingjaipurma00sach_849/page/n156 155]–160}}</ref>

Vastu Shastra are the textual part of ''Vastu Vidya'', the latter being the broader knowledge about architecture and design theories from ancient India.<ref name=vsgt1>{{cite book|last1=Vibhuti Sachdev, Giles Tillotson|title=Building Jaipur: The Making of an Indian City|url=https://archive.org/details/buildingjaipurma00sach_849|url-access=limited|date=2004|isbn=978-1861891372|page=[https://archive.org/details/buildingjaipurma00sach_849/page/n148 147]}}</ref> Vastu Vidya knowledge is a collection of ideas and concepts, with or without the support of layout diagrams.  These ideas and concepts do not follow rigid rules but rather are models for the organization of space and form within a building or collection of buildings, based on their functions in relation to each other, their usage and to the overall fabric of the Vastu.<ref name=vsgt1/> Ancient Vastu Shastra principles include those for the design of ''Mandir'' ([[Hindu temple]]s),<ref>George Michell (1988), The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms, University of Chicago Press, {{ISBN|978-0226532301}}, pp 21–22</ref> and the principles for the design and layout of houses, towns, cities, gardens, roads, water works, shops and other public areas.<ref name=pka/><ref name="GD Vasudev 2001 pp 74-92">GD Vasudev (2001), Vastu, Motilal Banarsidas, {{ISBN|81-208-1605-6}}, pp 74–92</ref><ref name="Sherri Silverman 2007">Sherri Silverman (2007), Vastu: Transcendental Home Design in Harmony with Nature, Gibbs Smith, Utah, {{ISBN|978-1423601326}}</ref>

===Central Asian Kumalak===
{{main|Kumalak}}
[[Kumalak]] is a type of geomancy practiced in [[Kazakhstan]], [[Tuva]], and other parts of [[Central Asia]]. Kumalak makes use of a three by three grid, wherein a [[shaman]] will ritually place up to 41 beads.  These shamans use kumalak more to connect with their ancestors and spiritual guides than to obtain information through divination.  Further, shamans who use kumalak must be initiated and taught how to perform the rituals of kumalak correctly.  According to them, kumalak is an ancient system of knowledge reaching back to the roots of their civilization.

===Korean geomancy===
{{Lang|ko-latn|P'ungsu}} (which like ''feng shui'' literally means {{Gloss|wind water}}), is the [[Korea]]n word for geomancy.<ref name=Pungsu>{{cite web| url=http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/cel/geomancy.htm |title= Korean Society Celebrations. Geomancy |website=Asian info.org |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>  As a method of divination it seeks to locate favorable sites for cities, residences and burial.<ref name=Pungsu/>

This tradition was popularized in [[Korea]] in the ninth century by the Buddhist monk Toson ([[Doseon]]), who studied and adapted the ideas and practices of the different Chinese Daoist schools of Feng-shui to the Korean landscape situation and cultural traditions.<ref name="Mason-san-shin">{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=David A. |title=Pungsu-jiri    풍수지리 Korea's  System of Geomancy or Feng Shu |url=https://san-shin.net/Pungsu-jiri.html |website=san-shin.net/ |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

In Korea, geomancy takes the form of interpreting the topography of the land to determine future events and or the strength of a dynasty or particular family.  Therefore, not only were location and land forms important, but the topography could shift causing disfavor and the need to relocate.  The idea is still accepted in many South East Asian societies today, although with reduced force.<ref>Peter H. Lee and Wm. Theodore de Bary eds, ''Sources of Korean Tradition Volume 1'', New York:  Columbia University Press, 1997.</ref>

==See also==
{{Artes prohibitae}}
* {{anli|Dowsing}}
* {{anli|Earth mysteries}}
* {{anli|Ley line}}
* {{Anli|Methods of divination}}
* [[Spiritual mapping]] – Charismatic Christian process of discovering and mapping demonically controlled regions
* {{anli|Tiang Seri}}
* {{anli|Vashtu}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wiktionary}}
* [http://www.princeton.edu/~ezb/geomancy/geohome.html Medieval Geomancy, Elizabeth Bennet's web site]
* [http://www.collegeofgeomancy.com/ Collegium Geomanticum, John Michael Greer's web site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100308034801/http://www.rpi.edu/~eglash/eglash.htm Ron Eglash's web site (Ethnomathematician)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090224195643/http://shikanda.net/ancient_models/index.html Wim van Binsbergen's web site (African studies professor)]
* [http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/astrologicalgeomancy.html Astrological Geomancy at Renaissance Astrology]
* [http://www.astrogemgeomancy.com/ Astrogem Astrological Geomancy]
* [https://www.landandspirit.net/m/history-of-geomancy/ A Potted History of Geomancy, article by Richard Creightmore]
{{Divination}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Geomancy| ]]
[[Category:Divination]]
[[Category:History of astrology]]