The 12 Branches of Geomancy
In its broadest sense, Geomancy is the amalgamation of humanity’s knowledge about how to live in harmony with the Earth, particularly related to finding the most appropriate locations for human activities and structures, and taking care of landscapes and ecosystems to create an abundant and sustainable supply of food, water, and shelter.
The “Twelve Branches” is my attempt to broaden the concept of what geomancy is all about, and bring together all the various disciplines and practices from ancient and modern societies that fit into this expanded picture. Each section briefly describes one branch of geomancy, outlines its various aspects, and points to the various ways in which it can serve humanity. Use this as a guide to discover which facets of geomancy you are drawn to explore, learn, and apply in your life.
1. Placemaking
The main practical function of geomancy is to help us find the best locations for all human activities so that we live in harmony with the Earth, and strengthen our sense of connection to a place so that we naturally desire to take care of the physical environment.
Sense of Place — the components, qualities and characteristics of landscapes and human settlements that engender a sense of community and connection to our surroundings.
Finding the Right Place — the most appropriate and auspicious location for all human activities, buildings, roads and other infrastructure.
Creating a Sense of Place — placemaking criteria and principles, like Richard’s “Center, Boundary, Gateway” Model, that can guide you to consciously and predictably create public places, urban landscapes, office spaces and homes that convey a recognizable sense of identity and elicit a sense of identification with or connection to the place.
Enhancing Sense of Community and Connection to Place — the use of particular forms in and layout of towns and cities that help people feel at home and comfortable in the settlement; drawn into and welcomed; and embraced, protected and held by the physical and resultant social environment.
2. Environmental Design
Architecture and site planning evolved out of what we now call geomancy. This branch returns those disciplines to their roots, restoring some of the missing pieces of the original practices, particularly the metaphysical, spiritually-based considerations for good design.
Feng Shui Design — common-sense principles of good environmental design, based on the laws of Nature and developed over thousands of years, through astute observation of the interplay between the lay of the landscape and natural forces and processes (like the movement of wind and water) — and how those external influences affected the quality of life for humans, plants and other animals. A set of guidelines for the harmonious layout of spaces to maximize positive energetic flow, feeling and functionality, and create conditions that make it easier to do what you want to do in a space.
Timeless Architecture — cross-cultural, metaphysical approaches to design that create buildings that resonate with the body and feed the human soul, by utilizing the arts of harmonious placement, sacred geometry, and awareness of earth energies.
Metaphysical, Ecological Site Planning — an approach to site planning that tunes into the subtle energetic qualities of each spot, as well as physical geography and pragmatic considerations, to locate all functions, structures and infrastructure in harmony with the spirit of place.
Environmental Psychology — the understanding of how the physical environment effects human behavior, attitudes, and sense of well-being, which enables designers to create environments that feel and function in the desired way.
Design Principles from Nature — wisdom from the ecological principles, processes, patterns and proportions that Nature uses to support life, applied to site planning and architectural design so that the results mimic Nature while supporting human dwelling.
PermaCulture Design supplemented with geomantic principles and practices to transform homes and yards into eco-habitats that sustain a greater abundance of plant and animal life in complex symbiotic relationships.
3. Sensing Spirit of Place or Divining the Earth Spirit
Ways to tune into the essential underlying vibratory qualities and consciousness or presence of a place, and tap into its “place memory.”
Dowsing, Water Witching and other Divination Techniques — ancient practices to enhance intuition that enable you to reach beyond what you consciously know — to find the best sources of water, the best spots for activities, currents of subtle Earth Energies, mineral deposits, missing persons, lost objects, human auras, information to help make decisions, and answers to questions.
Sensing and Channeling Life Energy — techniques to increase your innate abilities to feel, shape and transmit life energy through your body and hands, so you can assess or revitalize the energy fields of other humans, plants or animals.
Communicating with Nature Spirits — interspecies communication techniques to commune with devas, faeries, tree spirits and landscape angels to be able to tap into their memory of the history of a place or the current health of the environment — information useful for site planning, earth acupuncture or tree healing treatments.
Reading the Landscape — knowing the qualities of a landscape from interpretation of the visible forms. See below in “regional geomancy.”
4. Regional Geomancy
Ways to understand the “Story of Place,” and what created a region’s essential characteristics. How to choose regions in which to live that will help you thrive, because they resonate with you. A way to understand why human regional cultures are literally created from the ground up, generated through adaptation to local natural conditions.
Geological Formation of the Landscape — the beginning of the “story of place,” of how geological processes create an essential tone that is often picked up by human culture.
Weather Patterns and pathways of wind and water currents — reveals the patterns of life force circulation through a region as a way to determine which areas possess the appropriate level of energetic stimulation to support specific human endeavors.
Bioregional analysis and watershed mapping — to know the true natural boundaries of a region, rather than the often arbitrary political boundary lines.
Natural History — the story of how plant and animal associations evolved to adapt to regional conditions that, when preserved, can maintain the vitality and abundance of the ecosystem and provide more essential resources for human life.
Indigenous People’s History — a treasury of knowledge embedded in native place names, habitat management practices, survival techniques, and seasonal festivals that can guide you to get to know and live in harmony with the spirit of place.
Reading the Landscape — observation techniques and a body of knowledge from western geomancy and Land Form Feng Shui that enables you to evaluate the general auspiciousness of a landscape and its specific influences on human life, based on the particular shapes and configurations of land forms and watercourses that can be seen in the environs.
Astro-Cartography — a related astrological technique that maps the regions that possess planetary alignments in harmony with your psychological makeup and conducive to your self-actualization.
5. Earth Mysteries
The study of anomalous energy patterns, sacred geometry ratios and grids, and astronomical alignments at ancient megalithic monuments, classical temples, cathedrals, and natural power spots. A metaphysical approach to archaeology that utilizes dowsers, psychics, and specialized scientific instruments to detect more subtle energetics and to offer alternative explanations for mysterious constructions and phenomena.
Exploration of the subtle energies flowing through the body of the living Earth (energy leys, dragon lines, etc.).
Study of Beneficial Effects of Earth Energies on Human Consciousness.
Shrines of the Earth Spirit — study of ancient customs and modern uses for natural features in the landscape where elemental powers are more palpable and accessible. Mountain peaks; caves and grottoes; waterfalls; holy wells, springs and trees; etc.
Geomantic Enhancement of Power Spots — amplification of Earth Energies to stimulate altered states of consciousness in humans and greater fertility in the land.
Archaeo-astronomy — discovery of astronomical alignments incorporated into the orientation and geometries of ancient temples that often provide explanations for the choice of location for these monuments.
Crop Circles — patterns that mysteriously appear in grain fields in a matter of minutes, which exhibit coherent geometries and have led to new understandings in mathematics, astronomy and physics.
6. Sanctuaries & Sacred Spaces
The recognition, use and creation of places that bring you closer to the Creator, the Source of Creation, and your own essential nature.
Temples, shrines, chapels, cathedrals, mosques, etc.
Meditation Gardens
Labyrinths — ancient archetypal patterns that provide a meandering pathway to a central goal, which when used as a walking or running meditation provides one of the most effective ways to become centered, grounded, balanced, and present.
7. Earth Healing
Metaphysical procedures to adjust the subtle energetic vibrations of a place, to create an environment that is most conducive for the desired use of the place and the well-being of humans, plants and animals.
Earth Acupuncture — the use of human intention along with metal rods, quartz crystals, or megalithic stones (as acupuncture needles for the earth) to stimulate the flow of Earth Energies or to release blockages in underground water veins and Earth Energy meridians.
Tree Healing — Techniques to provide a Cosmic Qi infusion for declining or diseased trees to strengthen and revitalize them.
Space Clearing — Processes to shift the energetic tone of a place, or release unwanted residual energies from previous occupants or disembodied spirits.
Site Blessings — Ceremonies that can be used at the beginning of new construction or when moving in to a new building or property to ensure that life in this place will proceed in a harmonious and peaceful way.
8. Sacred Geometry
The study and application of the underlying proportions found universally in all creation — that form the basis for the material world. The physics of the ancient world, i.e., the way early humans sought to understand creation and the universe, through astute observation of Nature, shamanic trances, and mystical experiences. Mundane geometry is a branch of mathematics, whereas sacred geometry is cosmology, philosophy and psychology united into a single subject.
Patterns of Nature — the patterns, shapes and processes that Nature uses to create and sustain all forms of life, consisting of the sphere, radial/explosion, meander, branching, close packing, alternation, spiral and helical patterns. Observation of how these patterns function in plants, animals, and the movement of wind and water led to the development of feng shui.
Natural Proportions applied to building design, so that the structure resonates with the human body and the natural world, feels good to be in, and is perceived as beautiful.
Laws of Resonance, Harmony and Beauty — the basis for creating harmony and beauty in art, architecture and music.
Sacred Art — art that is generated from universal geometrical grids, and archetypal shapes and symbols while in expanded meditative states of consciousness, which can bring a viewer into union with the Source of Creation. Cosmological Mandalas, Islamic Patterns, Tibetan tangkas, etc.
Symbolic Language of Numbers, Shapes and Ratios — that can be used to infuse art and architecture with symbolic meaning and keys to ancient wisdom.
Laws of Manifestation — ways to apply the generative processes of the universe to human creativity and consciousness, through the translation of ancient texts, like the Biblical Genesis Creation story, into geometrical mandalas that reveal the hidden mysteries of such stories.
9. Earth Rhythms
Finding the right time for human activities. Scientific and mythological knowledge that guides humans to ride the waves of the natural cycles of the sun, moon and Earth, to be more productive and connected to the Earth.
Cycles of Nature — knowledge from modern life sciences and ancient societies about the regular repetitive rhythms in the natural world, including bio-rhythms, tidal actions, solar and lunar cycles, and reproductive cycles In human, plant and animal life.
Seasonal and Lunar Festivals — celebrations created by native cultures to tune into the cycles of Nature and make them the basis for the rhythms of human life, like the best time to plant, harvest, begin and end new projects, and when to rest, repair and reflect.
Natural Calendars of Indigenous Peoples — provide a way for non-native people to shift away from calendars that reflect the often-irrelevant seasonal changes in the “old country,” and become aware of the local rhythms of Nature.
Year Cycle Myths — stories that translate the rhythms of Nature into the stories of gods and goddesses — terms that humans can recognize as emotional and psychological cycles within.
Re-unified Astronomy-Astrology — enables us to interpret the effects of the movements of the planets on the human psyche, emotions, bio-rhythms, and behavior.
10. Sacred Ecology
A way to live in harmony with the laws of Nature through a combination of modern ecological science and earth-centered spirituality, especially from indigenous cultures.
Deep Ecology, Spiritual Ecology, and “Green” political movements
Gaia Hypothesis — Treating the planet as a self-organizing single organism
Ecosystem Management, Habitat Restoration, Integrated Pest Management, Land Ethics, etc.
11. Social Geomancy
Application of the principles and models that help us create and enhance our sense of place to the functioning of social institutions, businesses, and community groups.
Community and Organizational Development with applied geomancy — strengthening the sense of identity and purpose with the “Center-Boundary-Gateway” Model.
Models of Wholeness — like the the Five Voices Celtic Wisdom Wheel or the Chinese Five Dynamics, used to discover the perspectives or skills that are missing in the community, business or state, that if brought in would improve social functions, productivity and sustainability.
12. Geomantic Paradigm — Earth-centered Cosmology
The context and foundation for practicing geomancy, based on the original worldview of human cultures, which relates to the Earth as a conscious living being, and perceives the Earth’s physical body as a landscape animated by life energy, flowing in meridians or arteries, like in the acupuncturist’s view of the human body.
Primal Myths or Creation Stories — which when interpreted metaphysically become primers on the underlying universal principles and laws of consciousness and physics that gave birth to our world, and the eternal process of creativity and manifestation.
Mythology of dragons, serpents, and other depictions of the Earth Spirit
Yin-Yang Theory, the Ba Gua cosmogram, the Five Dynamics (Elements) Theory from the I Ching Book of Wisdom, the foundation of Chinese culture, philosophy and natural sciences
Celtic Geomancy “Five Provinces” Wheel — or the “Five Voices” of the Land & its People
Native American Medicine Wheels