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The medieval texts describe several methods for interpretating the completed tableau. Some methods are purely mechanical, while the more complex methods owe a great deal to medieval astrological practices. All the methods depend on interpreting the meaning of particular geomantic figures in particular locations in the tableau; as in astrology, the more sophisticated techniques also take into consideration the relationships of the figures to one another. The astrological method (which is briefly described in Turner's Of Geomancy) involves drawing up a horoscope in which the positions of the planets and signs in the houses are determined by the geomantic tableau rather than by calculations based on astronomical tables or the use of an astrolabe.
The simplest method of interpreting the geomantic tableau is to determine which house governs the subject of the question, consider the qualities and properties of the figure in that house, and judge the question accordingly. However, most geomantic treatises advise the geomancer to consider a number of other factors before giving judgement. These include, among others:
- the nature of the figure in the first house, which signifies the querant
- locus: is the figure in a favorable or unfavorable house?
- aspectus: are the figures in favorable or unfavorable aspect to one another? (The geomantic aspects, similar to the aspects of astrology, are association, trine, square, sextile, opposition, translation, occupation, conjunction, mutation, and prohibition.)
- motus: how to the figures pass from one house to another?
- paternitas: which figures generated the figure in question?
- the nature of the witnesses, the judge, and the super-judge
- various numerical procedures, e.g., is the total number of points in the tableau odd or even?
- the via puncti or way of the point
The Geomantic figures, being attributed to the planets and Signs, are dignified according to the rules of Astrology. Dignity means the strength of a Figure when found in a particular House. A figure is, therefore, strongest when in its house, very strong when in its exaltation, strong in its Triplicity, very weak in its Fall; weakest of all in its Detriment. A figure is in its Fall when in a House opposite to that of its Exaltation, and in its Detriment when opposite to its own house. Thus, the Ascendant or First House answers to Aries, the Second House to Taurus, the Third House to Gemini, and so on to the Twelfth answering to Pisces. Therefore the figures of Mars will be strong in the First House, but weak in the Seventh House, and so forth.
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