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Magic in the Landscape: Earth Mysteries and Geomancy
Learn to cultivate a traditional, beneficial relationship with the land by embracing the forgotten practices of our ancestors
• Details the ancient art of geomancy and Earth magic, including how to work with ley lines, astrology, and the four directions to honor a space and make it a place of power
• Explores the magic of the land around us and how our ancestors interacted with Earth energies and the forces of Nature
• Discusses the power of boundaries and magic circles, the proper “feng shui” of graveyards and cemeteries, and magically powerful places such as crossroads, fairgrounds, and the mystic triangles found in “no-man’s lands”
Our ancestors were deeply aware of the magical power of their local landscape, no matter where they lived. Every interaction with their environment--from building to farming to the layout of ancient cities--took into account terrestrial energies, ancestral memory, and the many seen and unseen presences in Nature. They developed sophisticated procedures for orienting their living spaces and respectfully working with the magic of the landscape. Yet, much of the art of geomancy and of working with the forces of Nature has been forgotten by modern builders, architects, foresters, gardeners, and homeowners. The treatment of land as mere property has led to a loss of its meaning for those who dwell upon it. Our landscape has become disenchanted.
In this book, geomancy expert and scholar Nigel Pennick details the ancient and sacred practices of geomancy and Earth magic and reveals how we can reenchant and reconnect to the sacred landscape that surrounds us, whether you live rurally, in the suburbs, or in cities. Pennick begins with a vivid look at our modern “wasteland” and what he calls “the ensouled world,” with specific examples from Britain and Iceland of our ancestors’ way of perceiving the world they lived in. Exploring the art of geomancy, he examines how its techniques work with ley lines, astrology, and the old understanding of the four directions and the eight winds to honor a space and make it a place of power. He looks at the power of boundaries and magic circles, including laying ghosts and dismissing spirits, as well as the proper “feng shui” for cemeteries and graveyards. The author then takes the reader back into the traditional landscape to discuss magically powerful places, such as crossroads, the occult nature of the “fairground,” and the mystic triangles found in what are popularly known as “no-man’s lands.”
Revealing how the landscape can be reenchanted, Pennick shows how the magic of place is a living system that each of us can interact with.
• Details the ancient art of geomancy and Earth magic, including how to work with ley lines, astrology, and the four directions to honor a space and make it a place of power
• Explores the magic of the land around us and how our ancestors interacted with Earth energies and the forces of Nature
• Discusses the power of boundaries and magic circles, the proper “feng shui” of graveyards and cemeteries, and magically powerful places such as crossroads, fairgrounds, and the mystic triangles found in “no-man’s lands”
Our ancestors were deeply aware of the magical power of their local landscape, no matter where they lived. Every interaction with their environment--from building to farming to the layout of ancient cities--took into account terrestrial energies, ancestral memory, and the many seen and unseen presences in Nature. They developed sophisticated procedures for orienting their living spaces and respectfully working with the magic of the landscape. Yet, much of the art of geomancy and of working with the forces of Nature has been forgotten by modern builders, architects, foresters, gardeners, and homeowners. The treatment of land as mere property has led to a loss of its meaning for those who dwell upon it. Our landscape has become disenchanted.
In this book, geomancy expert and scholar Nigel Pennick details the ancient and sacred practices of geomancy and Earth magic and reveals how we can reenchant and reconnect to the sacred landscape that surrounds us, whether you live rurally, in the suburbs, or in cities. Pennick begins with a vivid look at our modern “wasteland” and what he calls “the ensouled world,” with specific examples from Britain and Iceland of our ancestors’ way of perceiving the world they lived in. Exploring the art of geomancy, he examines how its techniques work with ley lines, astrology, and the old understanding of the four directions and the eight winds to honor a space and make it a place of power. He looks at the power of boundaries and magic circles, including laying ghosts and dismissing spirits, as well as the proper “feng shui” for cemeteries and graveyards. The author then takes the reader back into the traditional landscape to discuss magically powerful places, such as crossroads, the occult nature of the “fairground,” and the mystic triangles found in what are popularly known as “no-man’s lands.”
Revealing how the landscape can be reenchanted, Pennick shows how the magic of place is a living system that each of us can interact with.
- GenresNonfictionOccult
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2013
5 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Pennick
126 books91 followersNigel Campbell Pennick, born 1946 in Guildford, Surrey, England in the United Kingdom, an author publishing on occultism, magic, natural magic, divination, subterranea, rural folk customs, traditional performance and Celtic art as well as runosophy.
He is a writer on marine species as well as an occultist and geomancer, artist and illustrator, stained-glass designer and maker, musician and mummer. He also writes on European arts and crafts, buildings, landscape, customs, games and spiritual traditions. He has written several booklets on the history of urban transport in Cambridge and London . He is best known for his research on geomancy, labyrinths, sacred geometry, the spiritual arts and crafts, esoteric alphabets and Germanic runic studies.
He has written many books in German and has over 50 published books and hundreds of published papers on a wide range of subjects.
He is a writer on marine species as well as an occultist and geomancer, artist and illustrator, stained-glass designer and maker, musician and mummer. He also writes on European arts and crafts, buildings, landscape, customs, games and spiritual traditions. He has written several booklets on the history of urban transport in Cambridge and London . He is best known for his research on geomancy, labyrinths, sacred geometry, the spiritual arts and crafts, esoteric alphabets and Germanic runic studies.
He has written many books in German and has over 50 published books and hundreds of published papers on a wide range of subjects.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 2, 2022
A very gentle introduction to the layout of the landscape showing how little of the original still remains.
When archaeologists move stone circles away from the construction of a new road, then they inevitably change the orientation of the circle and the genius loci, the spirit of the place.
An interesting fact from the book is that when Charles Dickens was travelling away from home, he would change the orientation of his bed using Feng Shui principles.
When archaeologists move stone circles away from the construction of a new road, then they inevitably change the orientation of the circle and the genius loci, the spirit of the place.
An interesting fact from the book is that when Charles Dickens was travelling away from home, he would change the orientation of his bed using Feng Shui principles.
February 23, 2021
This book has some really interesting information, but it’s not a how-to book. It introduces some concepts involving geomancy but more as a jumping off point for further research if you’re interested in actual workings. It definitely has a place on my witchy bookshelf but I’m glad I found it second hand (I think I would have been disappointed to have paid full price, $17 US).
The author writes quite a bit about specifically English happenings. I gave 3 stars instead of 4 because the title and description doesn’t tell the reader that 1/3 of the writing is location specific. Though I still found it interesting, I felt a tiny bit mislead.
The author writes quite a bit about specifically English happenings. I gave 3 stars instead of 4 because the title and description doesn’t tell the reader that 1/3 of the writing is location specific. Though I still found it interesting, I felt a tiny bit mislead.
May 4, 2021
Nigel Pennick gibt mal wieder faszinierende Einblicke in ein breites Spektrum an Themen rund um die Geomantie. Zu breit vielleicht? Manchmal wirkt das Buch dann doch so, als ob ein roter Faden fehlt und man von einer Thematik in die nächste stolpert. Dadurch mangelt es etwas an einem spannenden Erzählfluss und es liest sich eher wie ein Lexikon. Dazu ist der Sprecher des Hörbuchs leider gewöhnungsbedürftig und es fällt schwer aufmerksam zuzuhören. Aber wie bei allen Werken von Pennick, gibt es immer viele spannende Details zu erfahren.
January 9, 2026
I respect Nigel Pennick for his accurate research and this book certainly has that. Some interesting facts and history. The book almost seemed to be more about social commentary than “earth mysteries & geomancy”. Perhaps it’s an effect of our current cultural crises in the U.S. with the oligarchs but I found the tone of the book very melancholy, since Pennick starts out taking about the rapaciousness of rich people in British history and ends with the heartlessness of archaeologists disturbing sacred sites.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews