A decorative woodcut headpiece featuring symmetrical scrolling acanthus leaves with two outward-facing mythical creatures and a central mask-like face.

Henry Cornelius Agrippa,

of Geomancy.

Ornamental drop cap 'G' with floral motifs.

Geomancy is an art of divination The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means by which judgment may be given by lot, or destiny, for every question about anything whatsoever. However, the practice of this art consists especially of certain points, from which specific figures are derived according to the logic or rule of equality or inequality, likeness or unlikeness. These figures are also linked to celestial figures original: "Cœlestiall Figures"; astrological charts or planetary configurations, taking on their natures and properties according to the paths and forms of the signs and planets.

Despite this, we must first consider that this kind of art can reveal or show nothing of truth unless it is rooted in some sublime power original: "vertue". The authors of this science have shown this power to be twofold. The first part consists of religion and ceremonies; therefore, they insist that the projecting of the points of this art be made with signs in the earth. Because of this, the art is assigned to the element of earth, just as pyromancy original: "Pyromancy"; divination by fire belongs to fire, and hydromancy original: "Hydromancy"; divination by water belongs to the element of water. Furthermore, they believed the hand of the practitioner original: "Projector" or worker was most powerfully moved and directed by terrestrial spirits. Therefore, they first used certain holy incantations and prayers original: "deprecations", along with other rites and observations, to call upon and entice spirits of this nature for this purpose.

There is another power that directs and rules this lot or fortune, which exists in the very soul of the practitioner himself when he is driven to this work by a great outpouring of his own desire. For this art has a natural obedience to the soul itself,