Definition of the word geomancy

The word "geomancy" is derived from the ancient Greek words "geo" and "manteia," meaning "earth" and "divination," respectively. In Greece, geomancy was one of several forms of divination that involved interpreting the patterns created by naturally occurring objects, such as clay, sand or water, thrown or poured on the ground. Specifically, geomancy referred to the practice of interpreting patterns formed by handyards, or figures created by drawing lines in the sand or dirt, to forecast future events or to answer questions. The concept eventually spread throughout Europe, where it became associated with superstition and earnest efforts to derive meaning from the ground became less common. However, the origins of geomancy as a form of divination from natural objects remain noteworthy in its historical significance and representation of the deep-rooted human fascination with connecting the physical world to interpretations of the future.