The Meaning of Carcer

This page serves as an outline of the meaning of Carcer – the Geomantic Figure. This page is partly a summary of my thoughts and feelings about a particular figure, but it’s also a collection of notes and references. I will update this page over time with more information – a one-stop shop! I hope that it serves other students of Geomancy.

To view one of the other figures, click here to go an article on the 16 figures of Geomancy:

The Geomantic Figure of Isolation…

This is the geomancy figure of Carcer

Overview of the Meaning of Carcer

Carcer is usually translated from Latin to mean ‘prison’, though the word was also used in Roman times to refer to the stalls at the starting line on a Roman racecourse. The word is where we derive the English words ‘incarcerate’ and ‘carceral’. The figure’s meaning is centred around restriction – including binding and imprisonment, yet can mean severe delays. It is a stable figure, and therefore is beneficial for questions relating to anything that requires stability, and the need to be isolated.

In Arabic, this figure is called ‘Aqlah (عقله) which I’ve usually seen translated as ‘mind’ or ‘head’. It’s root (‘Aql) primarily means intellect, reason and sometimes wisdom, though can also mean fetter, hobble or shackle. It’s these latter meanings which have seen it translate to the Latin ‘Carcer’.
Carcer is an even figure, and thus it can appear as a judge. You sometimes see ‘even’ figures (those that have an even number of points) referred to as ‘objective’ figures, versus ‘subjective’.

Carcer is aptly associated with the planet Saturn, and the element of Earth. Saturn is an ideal pairing with this figure, as in astrology Saturn represents discipline, structure and limitations. In mythology, Saturn was the previous ruler of the heavens, during a time that was depicted as a ‘Golden Age’ of abundance and peace. During this time, peace was brought about through the stringent following of rules, boundaries and authority figures, for which Saturn represents too.

To me, Carcer’s focus on isolation is reminiscent of melancholy; a deep form of depression. The word Melancholy stems from humoral medicine, and refers to an excess of Black Bile. Saturn’s effect was seen to increase the level of black bile in the body, thus causing sadness, depression and a desire to withdraw from society and isolate. That said, the more emotional side of Saturn (sadness, depression etc) is best represented by it’s other associated geomantic figure – Tristitia. Here, Carcer is more about the physical and action side of Saturn, whilst Tristitia represents the emotional and psychological.

Whilst many of the figures have their ‘opposite’ or reversed figure (Laetitia/Tristitia, Puer/Puella), Carcer is the same upright and reversed. There are four figures in Geomancy of this nature; Via, Populus, Conjunctio and, of course, Carcer. These four figures are considered ‘liminal’, as they are neither entering nor exiting. Conjunctio and Via are considered mobile liminal figures (i.e. they move), Populus and Carcer are considered stable liminal figures. The movement or stability of the figure was assigned in the West by their meanings. As mentioned, Carcer is assigned as a stable figure as it’s meaning implies constriction – the restriction of movement, usually by external forces.

Conjuctio is a stable figure of Earth, indicating that it’s heavy energy will make things slow down. Earth symbolises stability, grounding and the physical world. It’s platonic solid, a cube, really indicate that it’s not going anywhere! Not something you want to have when the aim is to move or go somewhere, but when the intent is to stay put then it’s much appreciated – such as when it represents whether money or possessions will be safe.

Carcer is seen as a mixed, but generally inauspicious (unlucky) figure.

Carcer is favourable for:

• Things staying safe and secure – whether that’s your home, or even a secret, it’s unlikely to go anywhere.

• When you want to separate things. One of the figure’s meanings is isolation, so where you want something to separate – this is the figure.

• Want some quiet me-time away from the busy world? Then the energy of Carcer is what you need. You can see it like a little warm cave or a cozy book-nook – ready for you to live your best hermit life.

• Rules and order.

• When you do not want things to move or change.

Carcer is unfavourable for:

• Most things – it’s usual tendency is being an inauspicious (mixed) figure.

• Anytime you need movement – this is saying you’re restricted. Prevented either due to time delays, or by being ‘restrained’ in some physical way.

• Lost items – it is the opposite to Conjunctio here, saying that you will remain isolated from your property.

• If you are looking to connect with anyone or anything – such as other people.

Reflections on Geomantic Figure of Carcer

Looking at the ‘patterns’ which can be created by the points in the figure of Carcer, we can see:

• Two triangles, one formed at the bottom with it’s point facing down, and the other at the top with it’s point facing up – these triangles are moving away from eachother, implying separation and isolation.

• A container – whether you see it as a prison, a cell, a seed, a box or even a bank, whatever is inside is not going anywhere anytime soon.

• A head – very similar to a container, but as the Arabic ‘Aqlah can be translated as ‘mind’ I thought it useful to purposely state this.

Geomantically, Carcer is constructed with two active, single dots. One in it’s ruling sign Earth, and the other in Fire. Both of these elements share the ‘dry’ quality, meaning this figure is quite ‘drying’. The image that comes to mind is that of scorched earth, bringing things back down to their basic and fundamental. Destructive, but necessary for new growth. In this figure we have the heaviest element together with the lightest – one is moving upwards, and the other is going to sit at the lowest point it can. This demonstrates the figure’s ‘separation’ quality.

Carcer teaches us that sometimes it is necessary to strip things back to the very basics – oneself. When we are restrained we have two choices; either fight against that which confines, or to accept one’s limitations. Carcer tells us to accept our current limitations, and to turn inwards (rather than outwards) through the act of meditation and reflection. In short, Carcer can tell us of the need to restrict and isolate from situations and the profound transformation that can stem from the lessons of patience and discipline.

Elemental Ruler:

Planetary Ruler:

Zodiac Ruler:

Given to the sign pisces