Callia Underhill's book, The Wicca Book of Divination, published in 1996 by Barnes & Noble, Inc. contains the following information on the figures obtained from the Druid Sticks under the section on "geomancy." I strongly recommend Ms. Underhill's book for anyone interested in studying divination beyond the usual Tarot. It includes diagrams including "Herne's Head," "The House of the Goddess," and "The Witch's Drum," geomancy, talking stones, and the Druid's Wand, and trance methods such as the "Dance of the Lame God," the "Sword Trance," and the "Omen Walk."


Mars, The Lord of Death
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"This figure can be likened to an upraised sword, a traditional symbol of Mars. As a weapon of the God, this figure is called the Lord of Death. To receive this figure is more good than bad. However, it also denotes rash and inconsiderate actions, so one must be on one's guard. It can also indicate a man or boy. Traditionally, this figure is bad for most situations, but good for love and war."


Venus, the Lady of Life
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"This figure resembles a standing woman, a fitting symbol for the Goddess, who is present in all women. As complementary to the Lord of Death as a Mars figure, the Lady of Life is a Venus figure. This is also a reference to the love affair of Venus and Mars or Aprodite and Ares in Greco-Roman mythology. This is a good figure to receive, especially if the question relates to women. It can represent a beautiful girl or woman with a pretty face. However, one of the messages of this figure is not to be decieved by beauty, since beauty does not guarantee benevolence. Be on your guard. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true."


Sun, The Chalice Emptied
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"This resembles an upturned chalice spilling its contents, and is not a good figure to receive. It usually indicates fortune or good luck passing out of one's life in some way. However, some compensating aid or protection will be offered to the person receiving this figure. It can also indicate a loss of confidence, and needing to rely on other people for emotional support."


Sun, The Chalice Filled
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"As a complement to the Chalice Emptied, this emblem represents a chalice filled with the sacred drink. It is a wonderful figure to receive, because it indicates good fortune, protection, safeguard, confidence, and success. Trust your intuition. You will receive inner guidance."


Venus, The Pentacle
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"This figure obviously resembles a pentacle with its five points. The pentacle is an earth symbol. Venus rules it here because Venus rules Taurus, the sign of fixed earth. This is a bad figure to receive since it represents Venus in a poor cosmic state, or "afflicted" as astrologers would say. It indicates loss and material things being taken away from the person who receives this figure; therefore, it is very bad for gain. However, it is good for questions relating to love or friendship."


Jupiter, The Cauldron
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"The bottom three dots of the figure represent the Cauldron. The top three dots signify its vapors. The Cauldron is a symbol of the Celtic god Dagda, who owned the Cauldron of Plenty. In comparative mythology, Dagda is seen as a Jupiter figure. Hence, Jupiter is assigned here. It is a good figure to receive, and it indicates attainment, fulfilling desires, success, receiving material things, comprehension, and a good grasp of the situation at hand. It also indicates an addition to existing possessions or money, and is excellent for profit."


Mars, The Censer
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"The bottom four dots represent the Censer, and the upper three dots represent the smoke of the incense arising from it. The Censer is a tool assigned to the element fire, and so the fiery planet Mars is assigned to it. It is a bad figure to receive, as it indicates a fiery temper, rashness, and acting out of passion instead of common sense. It can also indicate using sexuality for immoral or emotionally manipulative ends."


Mercury, The Altar
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"The bottom three dots represent the base of the Altar, while the top four dots represent the top of the Altar. The Altar is the focus of the circle, the meeting place between humanity and the Gods. Meeting places and markets are traditionally assigned to Mercury, as this figure is. It is a good figure to receive, since it indicates wisdom and clear thoughts. You may proceed without too much worry, since it is good for beginning an undertaking."


Saturn, The Knotted Cord
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"These six dots make a circle, a symbol of eternity, but also of restriction. Saturn is the planet related to restriction and limitations, and so it is assigned to this symbol. This is a bad figure to receive, as it denotes imprisonment, confinement, an inability to act, delay, and binding. Now is not the time to proceed with a new undertaking."


Mercury, The Great Rite
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"The bottom three knots, forming an upward pointing triangle, represent the Earth Mother. The upper three dots, forming a downward pointing triangle, represent the Sky Father. Here they come together in the marriage of Heaven and Earth, the Great Rite. You will note that if you add together the figures of the Lady of Life and the Lord of Death by geomantic addition, the figure of the Great Rite will result. Goddess meets God, and so their conjoining is ruled by Mercury, which has to do with meetings and communications. This figure is more good than bad. It indicates union, coming together, agreement, marriages, relationships, allies."


Saturn, The Guardian
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"This emblem represents a downward-pointing stone that blocks the path through the Gateway. Since it is a form of limitation it is assigned to Saturn, and is a bad figure to receive. It indicates loss, sorrow, disappointment, grief, worry, condemnation, and perversion."


Jupiter, The Gateway
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"It is quite clear that this emblem represents a doorway or gateway. The planet Jupiter is associated with long travels, and so it is assigned to this figure as the beginning of a journey. It is a good figure to receive, and indicates joy, laughing, good health, and progress. It can also indicate beauty, grace, or a pleasing manner."


Saturn and Mars, The Underworld
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"The focus of this figure is the two dots at the botttom of the figure. It represents a path (the upper three dots) leading downward and opening to a gateway. Thus, it is symbolic of the Underworld. It is ruled by Saturn (death) and Mars (male force of the God). It is a bad figure, representing strife, contest, fighting one's way through a bad situation. It is a sign of disaster to come. It can also indicate unpleasant karmic repurcussions."


Jupiter and Venus, The Summerlands
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"This figure is a path leading upwards, symbolically toward the Summerlands. It is ruled by Jupiter (the sky) and Venus (symbolic of happiness and peace). It is a good figure, indicating attainment and success. It can also represent pleasant karmic rewards."


Moon, The Path of the Seeker
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"This emblem represents the Path. It is ruled by the moon, since the moon is a symbol of our inner nature. The Path leads inward toward spiritual development. This figure is neither good nor bad, but generally has a bad effect on good figures. It can mean a street, path, or journey. Solitary meditation will reveal your answer."


Moon, The Coven
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"This figure is composed of eight dots, the most dots of any figure. Therefore, it symbolizes the coming together of people, or a coven. It is ruled by the moon, becaus the moon traditionally symbolizes large gatherings or the public. It is neither good nor bad; it indicates people, the public, congregations, a crowd. A friend may hold the answer to your question. Consult that person."

Note that Ms. Underhill also has explanations of what certain combinations mean. I'm not going to put them here for two reasons: 1. I'm bored and my hands hurt, and 2. It's her book. She'd be upset if I didn't give you a good reason to buy it.

This page copyright January 14, 2000. Material is copyrighted to Callia Underhill, 1996.

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