Chinese Geomancy

Geomancy is a method of divination that interprets markings on the ground or the patterns formed by tossed handfuls of soil, rocks, or sand. The most prevalent form of divinatory geomancy involves interpreting a series of 16 figures formed by a randomized process that involves recursion followed by analyzing them, often augmented with astrological interpretations. Once practiced by people from all social classes, it was one of the most popular forms of divination throughout Africa and Europe in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Books and treatises on geomancy were published up until the 17th century when most occult traditions fell out of popularity. In Renaissance magic, geomancy was classified as one of the seven "forbidden arts", along with necromancy, hydromancy, aeromancy, pyromancy, chiromancy (palmistry), and spatulamancy. Geomancy is also another word for earth magic and the associated powers of the earth, such as healing. In China, geomancy is also known as feng shui which is the art of divining by reading of the "luopan" or geomancer's compass to determine the proper orientation of a building or tombstone. And then on down to the orientation of the doors and windows. Quotations in the book are taken from academic sources to establish the origin of geomancy, a Chinese pseudo-science, and an analysis of a few luopan is made so that what they contain can be presented with clarity. The objectives of this book can be summarized briefly; one, to explain feng shui; two, to present a collection of historical records and "rules-of-thumb" governing geomancy; and three, to reveal a few examples of the luopan. It is hoped that by understanding the mysteries and philosophies of the myths that shroud this ancient Chinese art of divination the reader will be able to distinguish the practical aspects from the superstitious and symbolic implications.