The Meaning of Fortuna Minor

This page serves as an outline of the meaning of Fortuna Minor – 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 Lesser Victory…

This is the geomancy figure of Fortuna Minor

Overview of the Meaning of Fortuna Minor

Fortuna Minor is Latin for ‘Lesser Fortune’, and is one of the two ‘fortune’ figures in Western Geomancy (with ‘Greater Fortune’ being the other). The central concept here is of Fortune, meaning chance, luck or fate.In Latin, Fortuna is a word also associated with the deity Fortuna (occasionally associated with Tyche, the Greek goddess). This Goddess was the personification of luck and fortune in ancient Rome, said to have remained popular through to the Renaissance.

The name of this figure in Arabic is Nuṣraht al-Kharij, which translates to ‘Outer Victory’. Thus the name is more associated with victory than it is fortune. The figure is usually taken to mean that the querent will receive Victory, though some effort are required. The Arabic word Nuṣraht (نصرهّ) can also translate as ‘championing’ or ‘supporting’ something. Therefore another way of translating this, that isn’t as traditional, is ‘Outer Support’ or ‘External Support’. This translation is quite useful in a way, as Fortuna Minor in the West has come to mean success coming through external sources – suggesting the need to ask for external help in matters.

Fortuna Minor is an even figure, and therefore it is an objective figure that can appear as a judge. Those figures that have an odd number of points cannot be judges, and are sometimes called ‘subjective’ figures.

Fortuna Minor is a fiery figure associated with the Sun. Fortuna Minor’s solar pairing associates this figure with the sense of self. In Hellenistic Astrology, the Sun is the “instrument of perception of the soul” (Valens) and represents the authority, mind and judgement. Sun is the main source of light in our universe, and whilst light represents life (and our souls, by extension) it also represents things ‘coming to light’. This can be knowledge, science, and even the results of true divination or oracular work. Fortuna Minor is an external figure too, so if questions were about whether a secret would be kept – this figure is a shore as hell ‘no, this secret is coming out and into the light’!

As a mobile and external figure, as well as a fiery one to boot, Fortuna Minor is a fast acting one. J.M. Greer states that the success brought about by Fortuna Minor, brought about by external help and circumstances, is “easily gained, the success of Fortuna Minor is just as easily lost”. As such this figure can represent success, but that which may be unstable or not long lasting.

With this figure, more than Fortuna Major, I think of Fortuna’s Wheel or the Rota Fortunae. The wheel, traditionally seen as being held by the blindfolded Goddess Fortuna, is a lesson about the cyclical and unpredictable nature of fortune in human life. The wheel is sometimes depicted as having four people on it; one at the bottom crushed by the wheel, one figure slowly making their way to the top of the wheel, another figure sitting on top of the wheel (usually on a throne) and the last one slowly descending the wheel. Each of these stages are sometimes paired with a Latin phrase:

• • • Regnabo (“I shall reign”) – spoken by the one rising on the wheel, ascending to a possible future fortune.

    • Regno (“I reign”) – uttered by the one at the top of the wheel, currently enjoying power and success.

    • Regnavi (“I have reigned”) – said by the one descending, who is in the process of losing their former glory.

    • Sum sine regno (“I am without a kingdom”) – the lament of the lowest figure on the wheel, now powerless, waiting for the next turn of the wheel.

It’s key lesson is the transient and fleeting nature of luck. Those riding the wheel experience constant change rising, reigning, falling, and eventually losing all luck, power and status they once held.

In general, Fortuna Minor is considered a generally good, beneficial and auspicious figure.

Fortuna Minor is favourable for:

• • • Quick and Fast Change.

    • Seeking or asking for external help – that’s exactly what is needed.

    • Success in all matters – though partially unstable!

    • Gaining favour of other people

    • Charity

    • When movement or travel is required.

Fortuna Minor is unfavourable for:

• • • Where stability or the long term is required.

    • Anytime that you want something to be well-thought out and measured.

    • Finding lost property – it implies they are still on the move… away from you.

Reflections on Geomantic Figure of Fortuna Minor

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

• • • A mountain with a pole or flag on top – symbolising victory. A mountain climber has reached the summit – but probably from the help and hard work that has come along the way.

    • An Arch – I always think of the arches they built for great war victories. Such as the Triumphal Arches of Rome (e.g. Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus)

    • Two rays of sunlight divulging from a single source – representing the life giving light of the sun.

As we’ve said, Fortuna Minor is a figure associated with Fire, but it is made up of both Fire and Air. Together these elements are very quick, expansive and almost explosive – symbolising the fires being fanned, or maybe even bellowed, until they roar with heat. Fire and Air both share the ‘hot’ quality, and thus can represent an excess of expansive ‘heat’ in any problem – whether medical or psychological!

Fortuna Minor tells us to take advantage of fleeting and temporary opportunities. The figure teaches us to accept and rely on external help and the fleeting burst of energy to achieve quick, short-term success and goals. However, luck and victory is transitory – just as the wheel of Fortuna teaches us.

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 Taurus