A heraldry of geomantic animalia spell-craft in sixteen totem beasts.

Eye of newt and toe of frog... The pre-modern world - prior to the division of natural philosophy into mutually exclusive categories like "science" and "sorcery" - looked at the meanings and magics of animals in a somewhat different manner than today. Literacy in the 'emblematic' meanings of beasts allowed one to read interplays of folklore, occult cosmology and nascent zoology simultaneously, in the cunning of the fox, in the wisdom of the owl, in the hearts' blood of the pelican. The heraldic comprehension and articulation of fauna sign, spirit, and signal fluttered across battlefields upon banners, were emblazoned upon wedding decorations of political marriages, and declared long-standing pacts, purviews, and power. They also filtered into the common idiom and secret cants alike of speech, thought, and culture.

Wool of bat and tongue of dog... The attuned thaumaturge should be adept at harvesting and deploying materia magica of apt occult virtue for the accomplishment of their operations - from the potent underlying secrets of roots and gems to the mysteries of leaves, barks, shoots, fruits, and seeds. And yet it is sometimes said the quickest - that is, the most enlivened and vitally transmutational - spell components are those of animals who have lived lives embodying the elemental virtues with which the sorcerer seeks to conjure. 

Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting... In this course we examine sixteen totem animals - four Beasts, four Birds, four Fish, and four Crawling Ones - corresponding to the virtues and spirits of the Sixteen Figures of the oracle of geomancy. We investigate their values as familiar shapes, as living mandala-emissaries of their Figure's forms and forces, and study the use of certain preparations of their bodies and spirits in operative geomantic spell-craft.

The course includes access to scans of primary source texts of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century geomancy, along with reading notes and further bibliography, for all inquiring students. All of these resources are of course additional support, as we cover everything necessary during the course proper.

The four sessions of this course series break down as follows:

Session 1: the Animal Heraldry of the Fiery Figures
In which we consider the emblematic virtues of animalia lore as relates to the choleric Fiery figures and vivifying our works with the heat and dryness of Fire: from the occult philosophising of beasts to humoural theorising concerning animal virtues of morphology, habit, habitat, and passions. We analyse the bestial allies of Fiery Beasts and how, why, and in what manner one might work these into one’s geomantic spellcraft: how – amongst many other choleric beasts – excitable Puer is aided by the fleetfooted Horse, how enduring Fortuna Major is assisted by the indefatigable Ox, how expansive Acquisitio is supported by the fecund Rabbit, and how wrathful Cauda Draconis is unleashed by the draconic Serpent.

Session 2: the Animal Heraldry of the Airy Figures
In which we consider the emblematic virtues of animalia lore as relates to the sanguine Airy figures and catalysing our works with the warmth and moisture of Air: from further exploring the occult philosophy of Nature and Spirit to humoural theorising concerning the coherence, manipulation, and deployment of occult virtues from animal materia and immateria. We analyse the avian allies of Airy Birds and how, why, and in what manner one might work with these emblems and entities in one’s geomantic spellcraft: how – amongst many other sanguine beasts – intellectual Albus is aided by the wise Owl, how Fortuna Minor is assisted by the boisterous Cockerel, how nigromantic Tristitia is empowered by the cunning Crow (and their corvid brethren), and how loving Puella is inspired by the peace-bringing Dove. 

Session 3: the Animal Heraldry of the Watery Figures
In which we consider the emblematic virtues of animalia lore as relates to the phlegmatic Watery figures and refreshing our works with the coolness and moisture of Water: from considering the tripartite nature of the Aristotelian imaginative soul, to humoural theorising concerning reading magics and medicines across the species barrier via animal materia and immateria. We analyse the swimming spirits of Watery Fishes and how, why, and in what manner one might work with these emblems and entities in one’s geomantic spellcraft: how – amongst many other phlegmatic beasts –slow Populus is engendered by the house-bearing Snail, how changeable Via is instantiated by the vicissitudinous  Octopus, how venomous Rubeus is marshaled by the stinging Scorpion, and how celebrant Laetitia is companioned by the friendly Dolphin.

Session 3: the Animal Heraldry of the Earthy Figures
In which we consider the emblematic virtues of animalia lore as relates to the melancholy Earthy figures and nourishing our works with the coldness and dryness of Earth: from further exploring the fundamental occult mechanics of Nature to humoural theorising concerning the talismanic cultivation and consecration of occult virtues via animal materia and immateria. We analyse the humble spirits of Earthy Creeping Things and how, why, and in what manner one might work with these emblems and entities in one’s geomantic spellcraft: how – amongst many other melancholy beasts – armoured Carcer is bolstered by the long-lived Tortoise, how connecting Conjunctio is mapped by the web-spinning Spider, how underlying Amissio is excavated by the burrowing Mole, and how kindly Caput Draconis is inspired by the gentle Elephant.

By purchasing this class, you agree that you understand that no part of the material dictated or provided throughout the duration of the course may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any other form (neither electronic nor mechanic, including photocopies and recordings), without the direct and written consent of the instructor, Dr Alexander Cummins.