The Twelve Houses of the Heavens are a means of dividing the sky through which the stars wander in orbit. Specifically, they divide an entire set of conditions into twelve facets by which a situation can be assessed through divination. These Houses are known in the Latin as Vita (Life), Lucrum (Wealth), Fratres (Brothers), Genitor (Parent), Nati (Children), Valetudo (Health), Uxor (Spouse), Mors (Death), Iter (Journeys), Regnum (Kingdom), Benefacta (Friendship), and Carcer(is) (Restrictions). Despite working by sortilege or other non-astronomical means, whether casting shield charts or house charts, knowledge of the Twelve Houses is essential in geomantic divination for navigating the facets of the querent's circumstances and, crucially, the available options for remediation or ensuring success.

Whether casting shield charts or house charts, knowledge of the Twelve Houses of the Heavens is essential in geomantic divination for navigating the facets of the querent's situation and, crucially, the available options for remediation or ensuring success.

Astrologers and geomancers alike - of various schools and specific trainings - continue to debate exact delineations. Are pets that are treated as family better found in the Fifth than the Sixth? And exactly what is the size differentiation or cut-off point between pets and/or small service animals from the large animals found in the Twelfth? (Medieval lore says the size of goat distinguishes them, but surely this raises the further question: well, how big of a goat?) In matters of witchcraft and nigromancy, when should the Twelfth be consulted and/or when should we look to the Eighth? Beyond these different emphases or details about exactly which house should be consulted for a particular matter, there is plenty to be said about the specific geomantic placements of Figures in each of the Houses.

This is exactly the sort of information that this course’s recordings deliver. Not simply what each House rules or concerns, but exactly what questions are best resolved in each, and precisely how the Sixteen Figures of this oracle speak in their various places. This includes detailed reading and analysis of the core texts of early modern European geomancy - the works of Christopher Cattan, John Heydon, the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy and even the summaries listed in John Case's Angelic Guide - as well as a few particular interpretative "tricks" and techniques from these sources.

In the three class recordings of this course, students are be taken through each of the Twelve Houses: they are given examples of specifically geomantic approaches to elemental affinities, contraries, and conflicts; they are offered perspective on how to delve deeper into interrelations of the chart outlined by techniques such as the Via Puncti; and even presented with guidelines for magically working with particular Quesited placements to secure the blessings of a favorable reading and/or avoid the problems warned of by an unfavorable chart.

The course includes access to scans of primary source texts of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century geomancy, along with reading notes and further bibliography, to all inquiring students. All of these resources are of course additional support, as the Good Doctor covers everything necessary to understand the fundamentals of the Twelve Houses as used geomantically in the course itself.

This three-part course series breaks down into the following sessions:

Session 1: The Mothers
In which we explore the first four Houses in a geomantic shield chart, known collectively as the Mothers. We will assess – amongst many other topics and techniques – how the First House, Vita, can mark the personality and both current and recent life events of the querent; how the Second, Lucre, can be quesited to successfully consider financial decisions as well as some of its deeper contexts as the Gate of Hades; how the Third House, Fratres, can offer perspective on siblings and kin, as well as hold forth some of its Watery mysteries as the Place of the Goddess; and how the Fourth, Genitor, can teach us about not only homes, land, and fathers, but the ancestral roots, strengths, and tensions present in a situation or difficulty. 

Session 2: The Daughters
In which we explore the second set of four Houses in a geomantic shield chart, known collectively as the Daughters. We will assess – amongst many other topics and techniques – how the Fifth House, Nati, governs not only children and creativity, but also skills, diet, clothing, and all the blessings of the Place of Good Fortune; how the Sixth House, Valetudo, offers us advice about best holistic health practice by assessing malady and disease as the Place of the Ill Fortune; how the Seventh, Uxor, can inform us of not only partners – romantic and business alike – but also known enemies and indeed any Other in an unfolding situation; how the Eighth House, Mors, can assess the activity of restless spirits as well as chart the operative sorceries and witchcrafts that the querent may usefully practice.   

Session 3: The Nieces
In which we explore the third set of four Houses in a geomantic shield chart, known collectively as the Nieces. We will assess – amongst many other topics and techniques – how the Ninth House, Iter, can help us navigate journeys of the body, mind, and soul, as well as offer practical solutions for improving the clarity of our dream-work and divination; how the Tenth House, Regnum, can teach us about not only about the actions of bosses, judges, and superiors but also about the beneficial regimen that can return us to the sovereignty of our own life-kingdoms; how the Eleventh, Benefacta, can be helpfully quesited to present general good advice and solid foundations of support for the querent moving forward; and how the Twelfth House, Carcer(is), can be sensibly read to warn of both mundane and spiritual restrictions, dangers, and delays that they may be avoided when we can.

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.