From the very grounds of Earth’s foundations root vast crystalline structures glittering in the safe and secret dark. Whether mined, faceted, and polished for the particularities of human artifice and exchange or found raw and untumbled, such minerals, gemstones, and the soils in which they are embedded present potent earthy allies with which geomancers may work their divinations and spellcrafts.

This course offers students in-depth consideration of thirty-two individual gems and minerals as well as a host of soils, earths, and dirts to be worked in cohering virtues and conjuring spirits of the Sixteen Geomantic Figures: presenting how these stone allies may be worked, for what ends, and in what manners. Particular attentions are paid to the strategic coherence, regulation, and deployment of geomantic virtues and the influences and effects of geomantic spirits through such sorcerous gemology, crystallography, and dirt sorcery for remediation, for charming, and for empowerment.

While indefatigable gnomes, pygmies, and other earth-people may form a wise and industrious workforce in your spiritual path and community, they are far from the only elementals a geomancer may work with via such magical mineralia. The lessons and training of this four-part course series also offer insight and advice on working various gemstones and dirts for engaging with the sylphs in the forests of trees and libraries alike, the naiads in the riverbeds and sea-glass, and the salamanders of volcanic rocks and lustrous stones enclosing draconic light and heat.

This course’s materials are drawn from historical texts of astrological medicine and astrological magic, as well as treatises of natural magic and occult philosophy, collected tomes of popular kitchen physick, and the closely-guarded pages of working spellbooks. Particular attention is paid to folk magical traditions of cunning stone-lore, with both historical record and evidences of extant practices considered.

Along with scholarly research, this course draws on Dr Cummins’ years of personal and professional experimentation with geomantic divination and magic, and includes – among other things – observations concerning spirit contact to tips on framing experimental operations and even divining for designing, debriefing, and troubleshooting our dirt sorcery and crystal magics.

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

Session 1: Mineral Allies of the Fiery Figures
In which we consider the potent gemstones and mineralia magica of red-blooded enthusiasm, shining brilliance, burning ambition, and indomitable conflagration; analysing significant locations at which to seek Fiery dirts, as well as sorcerous means and methodologies of gathering such earths especially suitable for works of protection, victory, prosperity, destruction, and much more. We consider especially Fiery ways of actually working these stones and soils: whether empowering with fire, as by heating or even reducing to ash; or deploying with fire, as by fixing candles or adding to fire-pits.

Session 2: Mineral Allies of the Airy Figures
In which we consider the potent gemstones and mineralia magica of industrious ingenuity, smooth transitions and quick fixes, shady black magics, and diplomatic charm; analysing significant locations at which to seek Airy dirts, as well as sorcerous means and methodologies of gathering such earths especially suitable for works of mental clarity, easy fortune, potent nigromancy, crafty artisanship, and much more. We consider especially Airy ways of actually working these stones and soils: whether empowering with air, as by drying or by the breath of prayer and song; or deploying with air, as by inclusion in incensing fumigations or blown powders.

Session 3: Mineral Allies of the Watery Figures
In which we consider the potent gemstones and mineralia magica of inner city sorcery, reversal work, blood magic, and joyful revitalisations. This session analyses significant locations at which to seek Watery dirts, as well as sorcerous means and methodologies of gathering such earths especially suitable for works of stabilising orderly continuance, transformations of spirit and circumstance, violently maddening witchcrafts, and the cheerful revivifications of cleansing and strengthening baths and washes. We consider especially Watery ways of actually working these stones and soils: whether empowering with water, as by asperging and infusing; or deploying with water, as by hydrating and dehydrating.

Session 4: Mineral Allies of the Earthy Figures
In which we consider the potent gemstones and mineralia magica of binding fortification, pacting alliances, healing of heartfelt harm, and planting new seeds of opportunity and development. This session analyses significant locations at which to seek Earthy dirts, as well as sorcerous means and methodologies of gathering such earths especially suitable for works of containment and justice, combination and coming-together, reduction and unbinding, and gentle benedictions and new beginnings. We consider especially Earthy ways of actually working these stones and soils: whether empowering with earth, as by ritual inhumation to charge magical items; or deploying with earth, as by powdering and burying.

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.