St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 756

The method of raising the art is brief and easy because it is performed through points The foundational act of geomancy: making random marks in a medium to generate divinatory symbols.. One method is by long lines, etc., in an open area or in the manner of a ditch, etc., in a certain length and pace namely in the earth or on paper, whether it be done in a vein likely a vein of ore or a streak in the earth or in polished dust such as ash, or upon a waxed tablet original: tabula cerata; a common medieval writing surface that could be smoothed over and reused, or an open floor, etc. Whether it be done in sand or in another material, it is sufficient for raising this art until four lines [are made], in the likeness of the four fingers namely of the left hand in the hollow of the palm, as in this example:

A diagram in red ink. On the left is a grid of sixteen horizontal red lines. To the right is a line drawing of a left hand, palm-up. Each of the four fingers is divided into three segments, with each segment containing a horizontal row of small circles (geomantic points). The index finger has segments with 6, 8, and 10 points; the middle finger has 8, 9, and 11; the ring finger has 10, 11, and 12; and the little finger has 12, 13, and 15 (approximate counts). The thumb is on the right.

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And without that number and without that measure of the length of the lines—supposing there are not twelve lines drawn here—two points ought to be canceled or tied together The process of pairing points to determine if a line is odd (one point) or even (two points)., wherefore he makes a "tie" [ligature] as in the example of the part and it ends in the use of the left. And yet it must be noted that two points at the head are dismissed ii original: ii; indicating the Roman numeral for two or a pair of points they stand as one [when paired], yet they are left for the "raisings" of the figure for those having need in the first figures, because the natural figures [pertain to] the four elements original: iiii[or] eleme[n]ta, namely: fire, air, water, and earth. Afterward, other figures are extracted from them until they have sixteen, of which [the ones called] the Judge original: iudex; the primary figure used to summarize the reading and the Finisher original: finitor; also known as the Reconciler, the final figure that concludes the chart are properly named from the first.

Or, by making lines of points by following the raising in the natural matter of such figures from which others proceed, as in the example given in which area two points at the end of the line are dismissed. Diminution namely if the lines have [none], no utility would come from the line nor would the figure respond, and thus the art could not be raised. And if one point is found at the end of the line, it has no companion with which it might be tied, and therefore it must be left loose, so that now the order of elements and the integrity of the figures may be made. And just as the lines were in the order of the four elements, so it preserves every flow. And therefore the four first figures which are gathered through the sowing of points original: seminac[i]one pu[n]ctor[um]; the act of marking the surface to start the divination have each sign... which are sought by those inquiring and are called the Mothers original: matres; the first four figures of a geomantic chart, representing the foundation of the question. Indeed, those which come out from these four which are the Mothers are called [the Daughters] The text here uses abbreviations "ar. b. i." which likely refer to the Filiae or Daughters, the next set of figures generated in the process....