Between the dead and the earth - between this world and the other - span the toils of geomantic spirits of divination, glimmering like the sheen upon pearls of wisdom brought to the light from the mouths of both caves and those who have gone decidedly before us. The "invisible king" to whom the gnomes entreat in their prayer popularized by Levi is undoubtedly of a hadean -and more specifically plutonic - shape: an unseen ruler of the workers beneath the earth ruling a kingdom of gems and the riches of the under-world. Here we call upon these archivists of history, indexing ashes to Albus, the yellowing White of old pages, tomes and scrolls. The White bones of ancestral wisdom.

By the earth that holds them close, the class recordings of this course chart and explore how geomantic divination and magic can help align you along the supporting trunk of your ancestral tree. It offers coaching in geomantic techniques for more fully gaining from their wisdom, guidance, and support. The bonds of the familial being wrought and cherished in both blood and calling, we consider constellating the personal heroes of our family dead as well as seeking wisdom from the lineage ancestors of early modern European geomancy - that is, both well-known authors of geomantic handbooks and the countless unnamed professional geomancers and cunning-folk who worked the arts of this oracle before us.

A few specific fields upon the geomancer's shield are paid particular attention. Placements in Genitor - the Fourth House of Home, Hearth, and Heritage - can offer counsel on how to strengthen the beloved ancestors who support you through observances, offerings, and other techniques. Placements in Mors - the Eighth House of Death Itself - offer perspectives on both restless dead and working so-called "low magics" alongside our ancestors to achieve particular ends. Our training will considers means and methods to propitiate unhelpful dead and mitigate their influence, as well as making firmer connections with potent or even elevated ancestors.

As part of this training, students are also offered a dedicated one-to-one coaching session with the instructor, Dr Cummins: allowing private space and time to consider the course material's techniques and applications as they relate to the inherently personal matters of family and ancestors in a respectful and supportive manner.

Finally we explore various sorcerous ways of using the sixteen figures and their geomantic sigils to work alongside one's ancestors to secure our blessings, avoid or remedy obstacles and difficulties, and ensure success in our endeavors. Ashes to Albus.

The three recorded sessions of this course series break down as follows:

Session 1: The Familial Dead
In which we explore work with familial ancestors and ancestral spirits – including considerations for approaching the dead of the land you are on – celebrating the Hearth as shelter and sanctuary, and considering family spirit-work in terms of inheritances, privileges, and pressures. This session presents detailed study of how the Sixteen Figures speak in the Fourth House, Genitor (the House of Home and Heritage) and a few figural workings with ancestors are outlined and explored: from blessed feasting with Laetitia to calling for Puella’s benedictions throughout the home. 

Session 2: The Restless Dead
In which we explore how geomancy can help identify and present strategies for dealing with passing ghosts, unhappy ancestors, and hauntings. Safety precautions concerning hungry ghosts are rehearsed, with this session focusing on patterns of virtue marked by the Sixteen Figures in the Eighth House, Mors, the House of the Dead and the Witchcraft You Do (About Them). A few figural workings for dealing with such intrusive spirits are also presented and analysed: from calling at the crossroads with Conjunctio to appealing to Via to shift spirits and their influences. 

Session 3: The Mighty Dead
In which we explore how geomantic divination, spellcraft, and spiritwork can assist in cultivating working relationships with especially wise and powerful dead; particularly geomancer ancestors and the tutelary shades of dead magicians. Along with considering how the Via Puncti, Index and Part of Fortune in the Fourth or Eighth Houses may mark specific issues and resolutions with the dead, this session focuses on the hows, whos, and whys of working with dead geomancers for improving and deepening your own practices.

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.