What is sacred geometry and geomancy?

There are numerous forms of “mancy” (the suffix almost always involves divination). One form of mancy was used in the Old Testament of the bible involved scattering arrows on the ground (probably to interpret the patterns) and looking at the liver or entrails of dead animals, called haruspicy or hepatomancy. In Ezekiel 21:21 it reads: “For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.”

There is what they call arithmancy, which is divination using numbers, especially when letters of the alphabet are converted into numbers, such as in numerology. Arithmancy is in the Harry Potter books as a subject taken at Hogwarts by Harry and his classmates.

One that seems to be common in the West is necromancy, which is divination via contact with the supposed dead. Getting involved in a séance, mediumship, or consulting a medium is engaging in divination as well as in spiritism. An ouija board, which has been marketed towards children, is one tool to contact the alleged spirits of the dead.

But what about sacred geometry and geomancy? According to one source, “Sacred geometry ascribes symbolic and sacred meanings to certain geometric shapes and certain geometric proportions.” It is associated with the belief that a god is the geometer of the world.

One source reads about geomancy: “The word ‘geomancy’ derives from the late Greek word ‘geōmanteía’ with the literal meaning of ‘foresight by earth.'” Geomancy comes from the Greek words ge, “earth,” and manteia, “Prophecy.” It is “divination by earth.” It is believed the Greeks got it from an Arabic term meaning “science of the sand.” The practitioner interprets the shapes and patterns for a supposed meaning and effect on man, whether present or future. It can be found in several pagan religions. Interestingly, geomancy forms the basis of the Chinese practice of Feng Shui.

Numerous variations of geomancy exists, and detailing each one could fill a book. Practitioners of geomancy can use stones, pebbles, sand (sometimes tossed in the air), patterns in the sand, making patterns in the earth while communing with spirits. Some of it is connected to astrology. Technically speaking, sacred geometry is a category of geomancy, which is the broader term. However, sacred geometry is the more common term used in the West.

There are videos on YouTube showing the practice of geomancy (I suggest not want to watch if it would make you uncomfortable, and if you do watch it only do so briefly, and pray before you watch it). There is one which takes place in Africa, it states that geomancy (or sand divination) is used to connect to spirits (which are really demonic spirits) for guidance while making patterns in the sand. The video was made by New Agers visiting Africa who are very favorable toward divination.

Know that the shapes or figures are not inherently evil. It becomes an occult activity when one ascribes the figure a hidden meaning and/or uses spirit guidance to draw or interpret them. The shapes, lines, and figures are likely neutral in themselves and, in fact, are part of God’s creation.  An object (such as pencil or branch) in of itself without a link to an intelligent source cannot provide supernatural information or guidance.

Biblical condemnation of divination and its potential spiritual dangers

I covered many forms of divination from fortune-telling, numerology, astrology, horoscopes, dowsing (or water witching), tarot cards (or oracle cards, angel cards, etc.), palm reading, scrying (such as crystal grazing, hydromancy, etc.), pendulum, I Ching, to contacting the “dead” (necromancy). Almost anything can be used for divination. All forms of divination are associated with spirit contact, either deliberately or unintentionally, as a result of the practice itself. Some who practice divination have spirit guides. Geomancy, like all forms of divination, is a door opener to demonic spirits (which can come in any guise such as your ancestors) and therefore spiritual deception, for the goal of satan’s kingdom is to deceive (Rev. 12:9). God strongly denounces and forbids divination in many Bible passages (Deut. 18:10-12; 2 Kings 17:17, 21:6; 2 Chron. 33:6; Ezek. 13:23; Acts 16:16). And for good reason: it’s a form of idolatry as one should go to God for guidance (Isaiah 8:19), and it’s a possible doorway to demonization. When one is going beyond the normal five senses to get information or advice or answers that is outside scriptural constraints, then it is very likely to be divination.

Perhaps you are involved with sacred geometry and stay clear from any kind of divination, but I would still renounce it as it is in the realm of the New Age. When one looks up sacred geometry posts on Instagram, it is predominately posted by New Agers and associated with other New Age practices. What spirit do you think is working behind it? The Spirit of the living God is definitely not behind sacred geometry. It is not a game or something to fool around with.

Please feel free to leave a comment for feedback.

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If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can receive Him into your heart, and He can deliver you from darkness and sin and have your name written in His Book of Life.

If you are sincere, you can say this simple prayer to the Father (it doesn’t have to be word for word):

“God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. Please forgive me of all of my sins, just as I forgive others. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross, I believe in my heart Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in the Lord and GOD Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.”