Article on Ramal

“In my words Ramal is a group of few lines and some dotes, this combination has some secrets and with the study of Ramal Shastra we can reveal any answer of any question”.
“Geomancy” is another name of Ramal shastra, the art of geomancy was known in ancient Greek and Roman times, however, we do not know exactly how it was performed or interpreted. What information we do have comes to us from the Middle Ages, and this is what is set out below. The main knowledge of ramal/ geomancy came to Europe via Arabic texts in the 12th century in Spain, and from there spread across Europe. Its origins may be either Persian or Arabic. The Byzantines also called it Rabolion or Ramplion.
The variation discussed here is derived from the original method of obtaining the figures from lines in the sand. In fact the word geomantia (earth divination) was a direct translation from the Arabic khatt al-raml (sand writing), also known as ‘ilm al-raml (science of the sand) and darb al-raml or zarb al-raml (striking the sand). This last name came from the practice of hitting the sand several times with a stick to read the patterns left behind to decide whether one or two points.

The Arabs brought ramal/ geomancy to Africa and variations of it can today be found practised all over Africa. In North Africa it has developed into Afa (Afá in Mina, Fa in Fon) and Ifa in Nigeria (Ifá in Yoruba). In Madagascar, geomancy developed into an interesting variant called Sikidy. In India it is called Ramal Shastra.
Although ramal/ geomancy has been popular for millennia around the world, in the Western world it was widely practiced during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance but then its popularity died down until a recent small resurgence in interest. An offshoot of geomancy became Napoleon’s Book of Fate.
Many see this form of divination as too “simplistic” but its outward simplicity belies the depth of the answers it gives. Some use it to derive a single figure as an answer. Others prefer to combine it with astrology. Each figure has an association with a planet and an astrological sign. The figures are placed within a square medieval astrological chart and interpreted according to which houses they fall in. This chart is sometimes called a theme or ramal chart or ramal kundali.
The names given to the four lines of a geomantic figure, from top to bottom, are:
• Head
• Neck
• Body
• Feet
In France these lines are often called the Head, Chest (or Heart), Belly and Feet.
The figure is usually represented using centered points (dots on paper, holes in the sand). However there are some historical variations. In Medieval times, the dots were sometimes printed justified to the right which looks very disconcerting when you are not used to seeing them this way. Especially if you associate a mnemonic image with the figure, for example, two cups for Acqusitio (below). Arabic ramal consultants/ geomancers often wrote a line in place of two dots, as is used in Arabic handwriting.

There are classic associations linking the figures to planets and astrological signs dating from the middle Ages as well as the associations developed by Agrippa in the Renaissance. Agrippa calculates the Nieces (Nephews) differently from the classic way and places the figures into different houses. Many modern geomancers use this Renaissance model.
Have a geomantic spread done for you by the computer, or continue reading to learn the process yourself. You can also directly to the meanings of the geomantic figures below.

Here an example to make a Ramal Kundali or Ramal chart

Sit in a comfortable position, take 3 or 5 long breathes now focus on your question, take the dices in your right hand now throw the dices on Ramal chart. Now we will get some particular digits:
For example, a result of two, two, and one, one (even, even, odd, and odd) gives the figure.
The next step is simply using the top lines (“the heads”) of each of the Mothers to create the first Daughter. For example, if the top lines of each of the Mothers are two, two, one, two, and then the First Daughter will be the figure Albus, two, two, one, two.
The Second Daughter uses the second lines (“the necks”) of each of the Mothers. The Third Daughter is made up of the third lines (“the bodies”) of each of the Mothers. The Fourth Daughter comprises the fourth lines (“the feet”) of each of the Mothers.
Now it gets a little different. The next line of four figures is called the four Nieces or Neptes. Some modern books call them the four Nephews.
The First Niece is made by adding the corresponding points of the first two Mothers and coming to an odd or even result. Odd is one point, even is two points. So if the first two Mothers have top lines (“heads”) of two points and one point, then the first line of the First Niece will be one point. If the first two Mothers have second lines (“necks”) of one point and one point, then the second line of the First Niece will be two points. And so on.
What you got is:
• one point + one point = two points
• one point + two points = one point
• two points + two points = two points
The Second Niece is made by adding the points of the last Second and Third Mothers. The Third Niece is made by adding the points of the first two Daughters. The Fourth Niece is made by adding the points of the last two Daughters. Now there should be 12 figures in three rows.
The fourth row is made up of two Witnesses or Testes. The First Witness or the Right Witness is made by adding the first two Nieces together. The First Witness reveals the question’s past. The First Witness has also been called Past Testimony or the Father of the Judge.
The Second Witness or the Left Witness is made by adding the last two Nieces together. The Second Witness reveals the question’s future. The Second witness has also been called Future Testimony or the Mother of the Judge.
The last row has one single figure, the Judge or Iudex (Judex), made by adding the two Witnesses together. The Judge is the synthesis of the reading and reveals the Outcome of the question.
Only one of eight figures will ever end up as the Judge: Acquisitio, Amissio, Conjunctio, Carcer, Fortuna Major, Fortuna Minor, Populus and Via.
Now for interpreting the Final Outcome:
• Good Judge + good Witnesses = Excellent Outcome.
• Bad Judge + bad Witnesses = Bad Outcome.
• Good Judge + bad Witnesses = Success after delays and problems.
• Bad Judge + good Witnesses = No real or enduring success.
Place the geomantic figures you have created into the Geomantic Shield as shown below. If you wish to use Houses in the Shield, the 1st House is in the top right hand box (First Mother) and the Houses follow to the left, and finish with the 12th House where the Second Niece is placed.

Or place the geomantic figures you have created into the Geomantic Horoscope as shown below.

Agrippa (1655) places the figures in different houses to these. The Mothers go into the 1st, 10th, 7th and 4th Houses (the angular houses). The Daughters go into the 2nd, 11th, 8th and 5th Houses (the succedent houses). The Nephews (Nieces) go into the 3rd, 7th, 9th and 6th Houses (the cadent houses).
Some consider that if a figure occurs four times or more, then the reading is considered void. Others state that if Rubeus or Cauda Draconis falls in the 1st house then the reading is not fit for judgement and should be immediately abandoned for a few hours, or even that day.

Throw a geomantic spread
THE MEANINGS OF THE 16 FIGURES

VIA (THE WAY) Change. Also: Iter. This figure signifies a journey, action and forward movement. There is an element of loneliness connected with this figure as well as a sense of slowness or delay. This figure is generally unfavourable unless the question is about travel or progress. Life. Guide.
Associations: Mobile, Moon, Cancer, Monday, Water, Stomach

POPULUS (THE PEOPLE) Stability. This neutral figure denotes family, friends, and group involvement and generally indicates that the outcome depends on others. It can also mean messages and news as well as the environment around us. Going with the flow.
Associations: Stable, Moon, Cancer, Monday, Water, Breasts and Midriff

CONJUNCTIO (UNION) Interaction. This figure signifies love, friendship, sexual attraction, contracts, agreements and partnerships. Combination of forces for good or bad, a neutral figure. It also indicates the recovery of lost objects.
Associations: Mobile, Mercury, Virgo, Wednesday, Earth, Intestines and the Belly

CARCER (PRISON) Isolation. Confinement, limitations and restrictions Delays and reversals of fortune. Good for contracts and mortgages etc. Servitude and the need to accept the situation as it is. Mostly unfavourable unless the issue is about stability or security. Willpower.
Associations: Stable, Saturn, Capricorn, Saturday, Earth, Knees and Lower Legs

FORTUNA MAJOR (GREATER FORTUNE) Power. Success, good luck, great fortune, celebration, property and possessions. Honour and respect.
Associations: Stable, Sun, Leo, Sunday, Fire, Heart and Chest

ACQUISITIO (GAIN) Prosperity, promotion, benefit, gains from business or extension of existing property. Worldly success. Your difficulties are now behind you. Something is within one’s grasp.
Associations: Stable, Jupiter, Sagittarius (Agrippa: Pisces), Thursday, Fire, Hips and Thighs

AMISSIO (LOSS) Loss of money, sometimes loss of love. Things lost or taken away, illness, theft, financial problems. Negative outcome. However, if you wish to lose something (weight etc), you will be successful.
Associations: Mobile, Venus, Taurus (Agrippa: Libra), Wednesday, Earth, Neck and Throat

LAETITIA (JOY) Joy, laughter, happiness, good luck, delight, beauty, good health, harmony and peace of mind. Favourable for almost everything. A secret is revealed. Agreement.
Associations: Mobile, Jupiter, Pisces (Agrippa: Sagittarius), Thursday, Water, Feet

TRISTITIA (SADNESS) Unexpected disappointment, sadness, humiliation, loneliness, change for the worse. Loss and destruction of something that has been carefully built up. Illness. Pain. Unfavourable unless the issue involves building and the Earth. A secret is kept.
Associations: Stable, Saturn, Aquarius, Saturday, Air, Ankles

ALBUS (WHITE) Peace. Illumination, wisdom, good results in business through moderation and careful decisions. Spiritual growth and harmony. Patience, thoughtfulness and the ability to balance all areas of life. Good for beginnings and profit. Favourable but weak. Sleep, slow down. Ice, snow.
Associations: Stable, Mercury, Gemini, Friday, Air, Shoulders and Lungs

RUBEUS (RED) Passion. Vice, temper. Sexuality. This is a warning for caution and a need for retreat. Negativity and upheaval. Stop and listen to your inner voice to find the correct path to follow. Good in all that is evil, and evil in all that is good.
Associations: Mobile, Mars, Scorpio, Tuesday, Water, Genitals and Reproductive System

PUELLA (GIRL) Harmony. Girl, lady, purity, cleanliness, external appearances, including superficiality, indecisiveness and fickleness. Good relationships with women. Healing and nurturing. Music and the arts. Passivity.
Associations: Stable, Venus, Libra (Agrippa: Taurus), Friday, Air, Kidneys and Lower Back

PUER (BOY) Strife. Young man, men, employee. Rashness and combativeness. Violence. Traditionally good for love and war, but negative for other matters. Great energy that needs to be harnessed. Intiative and leadership. Impulsive behaviour.
Associations: Mobile, Mars, Aries, Tuesday, Fire, the Head

CAPUT DRACONIS (DRAGON’S HEAD) Beginning. A place of entry. New starts, birth and innocence. Alertness and shrewdness. Profit. Both favourable and unfavourable (mixed). Introversion, mysticism.
Associations: Stable, North Node of the Moon, Thursday, Earth, Right Arm

CAUDA DRACONIS(DRAGON’S TAIL) Ending. An exit, a way out. Bad luck, a downward path, death and endings. Evil. You need to walk away from something and start anew. Good in all that is evil, and evil in all that is good. Illusion, fraud, deception.
Associations: Mobile, South Node of the Moon, Saturday, Fire, Left Arm

THE HOUSES

The Arabic Names of the Figures