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Geomancy
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), rocks, or sand. 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 . Geomancy was one of the forms of divination throughout Africa and Europe in premodern times, but was considered a forbidden practice by Christians in medieval Europe.Johannes Hartlieb (Munich, 1456) ''The Book of All Forbidden Arts''; quoted in In other regions and cultures, geomancy practices include ''Sikidy'' and ''Ifá'' (found in Africa), I Ching and Feng shui (found in China), Ku ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Feng Shui
Feng shui ( or ), sometimes called Chinese geomancy, is a traditional form of geomancy that originated in ancient China and claims to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. The term ''feng shui'' means, literally, "wind-water" (i.e., fluid). From ancient times, Landscape, landscapes and bodies of water were thought to direct the flow of the universal qi – "cosmic current" or energy – through places and structures. More broadly, feng shui includes astronomical, astrological, architectural, cosmological, geographical, and topographical dimensions. Historically, as well as in many parts of the contemporary Chinese world, feng shui was used to choose the orientation of buildings, dwellings, and spiritually significant structures such as tombs. One scholar writes that in Western culture, contemporary Western societies, however, "feng shui tends to be reduced to interior design for health and wealth. It has become increasingly visible th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geomantic Figures
The 16 geomantic figures are primary symbols utilized in geomancy, an ancient divinatory practice. Each figure consists of four lines representing the classical elements and can be interpreted through various methods and questions. Originating from Middle Eastern traditions, geomancy was introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages, where it acquired astrological meanings and new interpretive layers. These figures exhibit a superficial resemblance to the ''ba gua'', the eight trigrams in the ''I Ching'', a Chinese classic text. Each figure carries distinct attributes and meanings. Figures are classified by qualities like stability or mobility, impartiality or partiality, and entering or exiting. These classifications provide nuances in interpretation. The figures are associated with elements, zodiac signs, planets, and body parts. They can be paired according to their qualities and properties. The figures' astrological correspondences introduced in the European tradition further enr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sikidy
''Sikidy'' is a form of Algebra, algebraic geomancy practiced by Malagasy peoples in Madagascar. It involves Algorithm, algorithmic operations performed on Randomness, random data generated from tree Seed, seeds, which are ritually arranged in a tableau called a and Divination, divinely interpreted after being mathematically operated on. Columns of seeds, designated "slaves" or "princes" belonging to respective "lands" for each, interact symbolically to express ('fate') in the interpretation of the diviner. The diviner also prescribes solutions to problems and ways to avoid fated misfortune, often involving a sacrifice. The centuries-old practice derives from Islamic influence brought to the island by Islam in Madagascar#Historical background, medieval Arab traders. The is consulted for a range of divinatory questions pertaining to fate and the future, including identifying sources of and rectifying misfortune, reading the fate of newborns, and planning annual migrations. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ley Lines
Ley lines () are straight alignments drawn between various historic structures, prehistoric sites and prominent landmarks. The idea was developed in early 20th-century Europe, with ley line believers arguing that these alignments were recognised by ancient societies that deliberately erected structures along them. Since the 1960s, members of the Earth Mysteries movement and other Western esotericism, esoteric traditions have commonly believed that such ley lines demarcate "Energy (esotericism), earth energies" and serve as guides for alien spacecraft. Archaeologists and scientists regard ley lines as an example of pseudoarchaeology and pseudoscience. The idea of "leys" as straight tracks across the landscape was put forward by the English antiquary, antiquarian Alfred Watkins in the 1920s, particularly in his book ''The Old Straight Track''. He argued that straight lines could be drawn between various historic structures and that these represented trade routes created by ancien ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Divination
Divination () is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic ritual or practice. Using various methods throughout history, diviners ascertain their interpretations of how a should proceed by reading signs, events, or omens, or through alleged contact or interaction with supernatural agencies such as ghost, spirits, gods, god-like-beings or the "will of the universe". Divination can be seen as an attempt to organize what appears to be random so that it provides insight into a problem or issue at hand. Some instruments or practices of divination include Tarot card reading, Tarot-card reading, Runic magic, rune casting, Tasseography, tea-leaf reading, automatic writing, water scrying, and psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and DMT. If a distinction is made between divination and fortune-telling, divination has a more formal or ritualistic element and often contains a more social character, usually in a religion, religious context, as se ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vastu Shastra
Originating in ancient India, ''Vastu Shastra'' (, ' – literally "science of architecture") is a traditional Hindu system of architecture based on ancient texts that describe principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, space arrangement, and spatial geometry. The designs aim to integrate architecture with nature, the relative functions of various parts of the structure, and ancient beliefs utilising geometric patterns ( yantra), symmetry, and directional alignments. Vastu Shastra are the textual part of ''Vastu Vidya'' – the broader knowledge about architecture and design theories from ancient India. Vastu Vidya is a collection of ideas and concepts, with or without the support of layout diagrams, that are not rigid. Rather, these ideas and concepts are models for the organisation of space and form within a building or collection of buildings, based on their functions in relation to each other, their usage and the overall fabric of the Vastu. Ancient ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Artes Prohibitae
The seven ''artes prohibitae'', or ''artes magicae'', are arts prohibited by canon law as expounded by Johannes Hartlieb in 1456. They were divided into seven types reflecting that of the artes liberales and artes mechanicae. The categories were nigromancy, geomancy, hydromancy, aeromancy, pyromancy, chiromancy, and scapulimancy. The division between the four elemental disciplines (viz., geomancy, hydromancy, aeromancy, pyromancy) is somewhat contrived. Chiromancy is the divination from a subject's palms as practiced by the Romani (at the time recently arrived in Europe), and scapulimancy is the divination from animal bones, in particular shoulder blades, as practiced in peasant superstition. Nigromancy is distinguished from scholarly high magic derived from High Medieval grimoires such as the '' Picatrix'', '' Liber Juratus Honorii'', and '' Liber Razielis Archangeli''. Categories of artes prohibitae Nigromancy While the term "nigromancy" broadly construed includes the si ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Black Magic
Black magic (Middle English: ''nigromancy''), sometimes dark magic, traditionally refers to the use of Magic (paranormal), magic or supernatural powers for evil and selfish purposes. The links and interaction between black magic and religion are many and varied. Beyond black magic's historical persecution by Christianity and its inquisitions, there are links between religious and black magic rituals. For example, 17th-century priest Étienne Guibourg is said to have performed a series of Black Mass rituals with alleged witch La Voisin, Catherine Monvoisin for Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart, Marquise de Montespan, Madame de Montespan. During his period of scholarship, A. E. Waite provided a comprehensive account of black magic practices, rituals and traditions in ''The Book of Ceremonial Magic'' (1911). The influence of popular culture has allowed other practices to be drawn in under the broad banner of black magic, including the concept of Satanism. While the invoca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hydromancy
Hydromancy (Ancient Greek ὑδρομαντεία, ''water-divination'',Liddell, H.G. & Scott, R. (1940). ''A Greek-English Lexicon. revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones. with the assistance of. Roderick McKenzie.'' Oxford: Clarendon Press. from ὕδωρ, ''water'', and μαντεία, ''divination'') is a method of divination by means of water, including the color, ebb and flow, or ripples produced by pebbles dropped in a pool. It also refers to the entering of a trance by staring at a chosen form of water, which is a form of scrying. Methods of hydromancy There are various methods of hydromancy. Hydromancy with rain water was termed "hydatoscopy", and hydromancy with water from a spring was termed "pegomancy". The Jesuit M. A. Del Rio (1551–1608) described several methods of hydromancy. The first method described depicts a ring hanging by a string that is dipped into a vessel of water which was shaken. A judgment or prediction is made by the number ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aeromancy
Aeromancy (from Greek ἀήρ ''aḗr'', "air", and ''manteia'', "divination") is divination that is conducted by interpreting atmospheric conditions. Alternate terms include "arologie", "aeriology", and "aërology". Practice Aeromancy uses cloud formations, wind currents, and cosmological events such as comets, to attempt to divine the past, present, or future. There are sub-types of this practice which are as follows: austromancy (wind divination), ceraunoscopy (observing thunder and lightning), chaomancy (aerial vision), meteormancy (meteors, AKA shooting stars), and nephomancy (cloud divination). History Variations on the concept have been used throughout history, the practice is thought to have been used by the ancient Babylonian priests, and is probably alluded to in the bible. Damascius, the last of the Neoplatonists, records an account of nephomancy in the 5th century CE, during the reign of Leo I: Cultural influence The ancient Etruscans produced guides to brontos ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
