First we must understand that our aim is to serve both the planet and human beings. It is not one instead of the other. It has to be about both. Geomancy begins from the premise that human needs and creative interests can be balanced with the needs of our natural environment and the natural lives abiding here. Needs of the Earth and the quality of earth energies are of utmost importance in geomancy. But human needs and interests are also important, because the human kingdom has its own very special purpose in life, which includes creativity and enjoyment, as well as many other values.
Thus, geomancy does not deny the value and importance of human needs and enjoyment. But there must be right balance in this. There has to also be a serious consideration of what the earth needs or what the land needs, to be balanced with our human needs and wishes. We too are important in this life on earth, yet we have a responsibility and ethical obligation to also care for the needs of nature and the natural environment in which we live.
So we have to come into a balance – a balance between our human desires and what is needed for the land, the Earth. Both have to be considered. This is the ideal or the goal of geomancy work – to serve both the land and the people living there. In some cases, in some places, this ideal of a win-win balance will not be perfectly attainable, but we still must always work towards this ideal of a beneficial balance for both human and earth needs.
Yet what we also must realize in this balancing act is that we humans are intimately affected by the energies and quality of the natural area in which we abide, as well as being affected by the local natural environment around us. In other words, the quality of nature's energy, harmony and beauty, which we stand upon and are surrounded by, has a very real effect on us, physically and psychologically.
Thus, whatever we do to the natural world around us has a reverberating echoing effect back upon us. So if we neglect a respectful consideration for the natural world and earth energies surrounding us and in which we abide, then whatever harm or disruption we create will reverberate back to us. Whatever is done to the natural environment is then also done to us! Because wherever we are, we are unavoidably in some kind of energy-quality of the natural environment, and these subtle energies that will unavoidably affect us, either beneficially or detrimentally. All aspects of geomancy work are based on this realization.
The very first Principle of geomancy is to live and create in harmony with nature, with the natural earth energies and with the natural energy flow. This is basic to all work. It involves a humble understanding of how to live in natural harmony and in health on our planet. This involves principles of healthy eco-maintenance and long-term vision regarding land-uses and human living areas (such as buildings, gardens, forests, eco-systems, etc). We need to have a holistic and long-range vision of how the human world shall maintain harmony with the natural world.
We must learn how to maintain a healthy Life Environment – a healthy human environment existing in a healthy natural environment. Both environments go hand, and we need to remember that all human life can only exist in a natural environment and thus depends on a healthy natural environment – which requires a functionally healthy physical ecology as well as a healthy energy ecology. Essentially, our overall health, including our emotional and mental well-being, depends on the natural free flowing earth energies. As people become more spiritually and energy sensitive, they will realize this.
In addition, we must learn how to heal what is harmed or out of balance. This involves doing whatever we can to help life, the environment and human beings get back into natural harmony and health.
Another principle of geomancy is that we can create new human environments to bring forth new potentials of harmony and beauty, for the greater benefit of ourselves and all life on the planet. This involves an exploration into new realms of creative possibility for the land and the environment, while staying in the bounds of natural laws and respect for all life.
A first goal in geomancy work is to preserve or maintain the positive energy sites and flowing energies already present on the land or in an area. This could be viewed as a protecting world, but it might also involve strengthening the natural powers and flows already there. The most essential principle in this protecting or maintenance work is to do no harm; or in other words, where things are already good, healthy, flowing and beautiful, then don't mess it up. Protect and strengthen what is already positive and working well.
Next, discover what is not positive, or what is not working well, or what is out of balance, or what has been harmed; then work to fix it, heal it, and restore the area back to positive energy and flow. Many places have become out of balance. Many places have been harmed by the hands of greed or due to violence at the place. So there are many places in need to healing and restoration. This will be a major work of geomancy in years to come, as people become more sensitive to these energies and to the harm done.
Next, besides the work of maintenance and healing, the third work of geomancy is to create new harmony and new beauty on the land, in the natural environment. This is the creative geomancy work. But this creativity is not merely 'whatever'. It needs to abide by, or be attuned with, the needs of the overall natural environment. Any creative geomancy needs to be sensitive to the surrounding energies and to the energy flows moving through the area, and then be in harmony with all of this. So within the principles of geomancy we can be artistically creative on the land and in the natural environment. But this artistic creativity needs to be sensitive to and harmonious with its surrounding natural environment – with the physical and the energy environment. This creativity-in-harmony is the art of geomancy.
A fourth aspect of geomancy is more subtle. It is to bring forth the natural-divine potentials of a place and also the potentials of enhanced energy flow. This kind of work is used in the other three aspects of work. It requires a recognition of the potential that is there, that which is present in potential but which has not yet come to be. It is a seeing of what is possible but not yet manifest. It is a sensitivity to what is seeking to be in a place or on the land; then helping to bring forth what is naturally in potential and seeking to be. This work is like being a midwife for the emergence of potentials and energies which have been sleeping or waiting to be actualized. It might also be a work of bringing forth the positive potentials of an area, which have been latent and dormant, awaiting a specially needed catalyst, or a reason to come forth, or perhaps awaiting someone to bring love and recognition to its sleeping potential.
Geomancy work is a vast subject. In a general sense, most everything taught about geomancy is an aspect of 'geomancy work'. But the emphasis of this chapter is mostly about the actual work of making changes or of protecting and enhancing what is already present. Geomancy's primary aims are to maintain and sometimes heal the sacred energy flows on Earth, yet geomancy is also concerned with building on the land in harmony with the energies and flows of nature.
Geomancy uses certain principles and techniques for healing and harmonizing, and for creating order and beneficial pattern on the land. Geomancy uses pattern, symbolism, and even intentionally directed thought to create benefit and healing on the land and for those who abide there. Designing with and using sacred geometry is also a very powerful way of enhancing the land and everyone there, with healing and harmonious energies. In summary, geomancy is working with the subtle earth energies; which involves a possible use of these energies for our own well-being and for others, but also we learn to work harmoniously with these energies.
The work of geomancy may involve creative building and landscaping, defining space and function for better use, improving the natural eco-system, or working with the subtle and psychological energies of the land. One kind of geomancy work is to actually affect the flow of earth energies. It is possible to attract and bring positive energy-flows from the surrounding area into a particular place or land site. It is also possible to protect areas from any negative energies in the surrounding area caused by inharmonious structures or actions.
In geomancy work, we first need to define the overall goals and objectives for the work, as well as understand the responsibilities and permission concerning the land. Then throughout everything we do, we should continuously stay attuned in our intention to serve the needs at hand, both human needs and land needs, while using all of our knowledge and abilities possible. These are the fundamental aims and principles.
This can be phrased into helpful questions to be clarified:
1) Who is primarily responsible for this land and what permissions are granted?
2) What are the responsibilities of the land's caretakers and geomancers?
3) What are the human needs and interests asking to be fulfilled?
4) What are the general Goals or Needs, and what are some specific wishes?
5) What is needed for the well-being of the land and the flow of energies?
6) How can this land sing with love and bring goodness to those present?
7) How can this area fit in harmoniously with the larger surrounding Area?
This
is a lot to consider and think about, but the task is best done in an
organized and thorough manner.
Next, make a thorough study of the particular land, making note of its most prominent physical features, shapes and contours, places with different vegetation or different soul/rock. Also make special note of any unique places on the land, whether positive or negative or just unusual, which can be further studied. In addition, the area and landscape and even vistas of the surrounding land needs to be noted and taken into consideration.
One purpose for this physical study of the land is for determining geomancy-energy considerations, while another purpose is for determining appropriate practical uses for different places on the land. For example, a garden would best be placed on the best soil and with best sun, while also considering accessible water and water drainage. And for example, a higher area with a fine vista would be a good place for leisure or meditation. And any buildings should not be placed in natural-physical low or swampy areas.
Then,
after making note of the physical features and differences, or while
doing so, the geomancer needs to assess the subtle energies and
energy-flows of the land, as well as the specific energy qualities of
each area and flow. In many cases, the earth energies have a
correspondence to the physical features and qualities of the land; so
this is why geomancy needs to consider both the physical landscape,
as well as the subtle earth energies.
The most prominent and influential physical features and values.
The most important human needs, interests or wishes for the land use.
* The influential energies entering into and flowing through the land.
* The most positive energy places, and any lesser positive or negative places.
* Specific places to best preserve, or to enhance, or to transform or heal.
Generally, we want to clarify and hold in mind the most positive Values now present on the land – considering both physical features and earth-energies. These present Values must then be protected or enhanced in any work or design planning. These finest features, energies and power places of the land will then lead all subsequent planning, because everything else can draw upon those positive Values.
Also, one will have to consider the most important Needs (both natural and human-social) and how the physical features and earth energies can possibly help fulfill those needs. One will have to see what is possible to accomplish, with what is already present (physically and energetically) and also by way of special geomancy techniques for either transforming or redirecting certain energies.
Thus, in geomancy we have to carefully look at all of the important Needs and Values, and what energies are actually possible to bring into use, and what is actually possible to transform for positive purposes.
Keep in mind these two very important questions:
* What is actually present right now? Especially noting what is of most value.
* What is actually possible? (to accomplish, to change, or to bring in). What can be done, what can be changed, and what positive energies can be brought into the land from surrounding sources or ley lines.
To know what is possible, a geomancer needs to make a special inventory of the land's Potentials. This could be done for both the physical land and its subtle energies. A geomancer will want to find places having a particular potential quality of energy, (not yet actual, but possible to actualize), to be brought forth into actualization by some kind of method or work. There are Energy Potentials on the land, even potential power spots, which have yet to be brought forth, or they are in need of restoration (or healing). As well, there are Potential Energy-flows (or ley lines), which have yet to be brought into the land, or they need unblocking.
So any geomancy study, inventory or work should also take into consideration the energy Potentials of the land and its surroundings, as well as what is now present and beneficially flowing. Therefore, a full Inventory of the land will need to include what is now actually present, but also what are the Potentials (and what is possible). To know better what is in Potential, one can also ask of the land itself, or of the spirits present, what is seeking to be expressed or actualized. Remember that a geomancer is also somewhat of a shaman, who is sensitive to the energies and communicative with the spirits.
So make an inventory of what is now present, as outlined above. But also make an inventory of what are the Potentials (in energy) and also what is possible to accomplish, change, or bring in.
Make a list or map of:
* what is now present.
* what is in potential and what is possible.
* any wishes, visions, and possible ideas, based on Needs and Goals.
Also to consider are the limitations of any possible work and the permissions necessary to work. Before anything, ask permission from the land and its spirit guardians, and always hold an intention to serve the land, the earth, and the real needs of people.
One must attune to the highest need and destiny possible at this time and in this place. The specific immediate needs of the people involved with the land are considered and clarified, as well as the overall long-term needs. Then these immediate and longer-term needs are integrated with the planetary and ecological needs, as much as possible.
We attempt to serve the overall planetary energy-ecology and harmonize with the greater geomantic patterns of the surroundings, while doing what we can to help a specific area and serve the human needs there. Reiterating again, a geomancer has to serve both natural-ecological needs and human needs, or attempt to balance these in some way.
First of all, not all geomancy necessarily involves work or making any changes in anything. That is, geomancy can just be about being sensitively awake to the earth energies and the beauty of where one is, and in love with what is. In other words, we don't necessarily have to do anything at all in an area, nor try to fix or improve anything. This needs to be first understood. There is nothing inherently deficient in natural places, and the natural environment of the earth is inherently spiritual and beautiful. Thus, for instance, a geomancer or any student of geomancy might have nothing to do at all as for serving the land or improving the area. It might all be just fine the way it is. This is important for anyone learning or getting into geomancy - this sense of reverence and appreciation for the harmony-beauty already present in an area. Always look for this first. Wherever one is, first see and love what is already naturally wonderful, harmonious and beautiful. This then becomes the first Value, and we need to first protect this - what is already wonderful, lovely, harmonious and beautiful. So really, the very first 'work' or 'task' of a geomancer is to awaken to the harmony and beauty already present, to experience this and enjoy it; because geomancy is first of all to become consciously sensitive and appreciative to the natural energies and beauty already here - without needing any human action to 'improve it'.
However, if our sensitivity reveals some kind of problem or trouble, or a need for improvement, or perhaps we see possibilities for enhancement; then a process of geomancy work can begin. There are two important concepts to realize before beginning. One is about process, and the other is about intention.
Every work is a process, especially in geomancy, because an intended goal in geomancy will most always take time and steps to reach. One should never expect that a final result will be achieved immediately. This is because any intended goal and the results of anything we do will depend on how the natural area and its surrounding area responds energetically to what we do. So any geomancy work involves an energetic interaction between what is humanly done and how the natural energies respond to this, which then gives rise to further geomancy work. This continuous and inevitable interaction means that there is always process going on.
In many cases, or in many places, the work of geomancy is a learning experience or a learning process. For instance, something is done to make a certain positive effect on the land. Yet one must then patiently wait and see what actual effect this has, if any. Then perhaps something new might need to be done introduced, or some adjustment made, in response to how the natural energies responded to what was first done. This then becomes an interactive process of back and forth responses; as the geomancer senses or sees the changes in natural energies in response to what is done, and then makes adjustments or introduces new actions as part of this interactive process.
So, every work or intended goal in geomancy involves interaction, time, and process, and also involves a process of learning, adjustment, and ever-new response.
Any successful work has to involve intention. The success will also have to involve commitment and perseverance, until the intention is completed. Many times we sense or see what could be done, as in having a vision or an intuition of how to help or improve the harmony of an area, but unless we make a firm intention to actually do something, it never gets done. One sees a goal, or one has a vision of what could be done, but nothing really gets done. Ideas, visions and intuitions come, but then soon fade away, because no intention is made to complete them. This happens to all of us. A vision, an idea, an intuition comes. This is a possible positive result. But there needs to be a power of intention and action, in order to make actual the possible. There has to be intention and work to make it happen.
Geomancy
work is first of all an assessment of what is present and what is
possible, involving energies both on the particular land in question
and in surrounding area. The goal of any geomancy work or geomantic
changes on the land is to first maintain and protect the best (most
valued) energy sites and flows. One might also see ways to help
enhance the positive energies already present. The next goal is to
heal or modify those areas that are not-so positive, or to improve
those areas that could be better in energy. And finally, a third
possible goal of geomancy might be to create new forms or new designs
on the land, which have positive effects or which lead to finer
degrees of harmony, beauty and goodness on the land.
Any geomancy work on the land should involve a process of:
a) sensitivity and intuition
b) realizing what could be done or how to help
c) intention, planning, and actual work
d) the natural energy results, or responses, to any human work or changes
e) then the process might be repeated again, and needed adjustments made
When one works at designing or building something, or doing any geomancy work, there is at least some idea of an intended result, or a goal to be accomplished. Let us use the example of planting a fruit tree. The intended result, or goal, is a healthy growing tree which will eventually produce a fruit that is good for our health and also deliciously enjoyed. The goal could be defined as both health and enjoyment, yet there are actually many goals along the way. Maybe there is even a greater goal, than health and enjoyment. Maybe this fruit tree is especially significant to a larger landscape design or even to a greater earth purpose.
We need to have in mind what we want as a result of our work; such as appropriate use of certain areas of land, beauty on the land, and harmony with the surrounding environment. Some intentions are just functional; such as helping water to flow where one needs it, or having more sun in a certain area, or needing build a house somewhere or a garden. Other intentions might be more artistic, for creative or for aesthetic purposes. One might simply want to help enhance the overall beauty of the land, or one might want to add a special piece of beauty in a particular place. Some intentions could be quite general yet nonetheless important, such as an intention or goal for greater harmony on the land, or harmony with larger surrounding areas of earth energies.
The next part of process is the actual work. This includes the steps taken to produce the intended result, and also how the work is done. The process of work involves our right use of knowledge, skills, materials, tools, labor and time. Using the example of planting a tree, we need to consider the preparation of gathering the right materials, tools, knowledge and skills for doing the work, and use these in the best way. We then need to provide the substances needed, such as water and nutrients, and find the best place to plant.
The work is what we do, how we do it, and the necessary study of our work's consequences in order to learn and to see what next needs to be done. And as already said, the process of geomancy work also involves steps of adjustment – interaction with nature, perception of the result, and adjustment depending on how the natural environment and its energies responded to what we did.
The actual result of our intentional work (or goal-directed work), to be known later on, is the measure of our success and of the quality of work done. A positive good result is evidence of a work well done. If the result or by-product of something done is either not positive or ineffective, then the work failed to accomplish what it intended to do and the goal was unsuccessful. What may happen, though, is that a certain work partially accomplishes something positive, but does not accomplish all that was intended; in other words, it was a partial success, not a total success. Then, one must make another round of intention and work, to see if the total goal can then be accomplished. If there is a failure, or a work is found to be either ineffectual or only partially successful, then one does not need to fret about it, because geomancy work very often requires stages of work then adjustment, then adjustment again, etc.
Fundamentally, we need to accept that nature and the natural earth energies cannot simply be manipulated, like a computer game. We can only do what we believe can help, fix, or improve things; and then we must wait to see how nature responds to our work or actions. Then we make new adjustments to what we shall do next time. So geomancy work is a process of interaction, responses, and adjustments; and one has to learn each step of the way – learning more about the energies around, how they respond to human activity, and how to make adjustments in what we do in order to create more harmony in the area. Essentially, we need to continuously learn how to best be in harmony with the natural energies of the land we are on, and then make adjustments in what we do in order to improve on that harmony.