The Meaning of Acquisitio

This page serves as an outline of the meaning of Acquisitio – 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 Gain…

This is the geomancy figure of Acquisitio

Overview of the Meaning of Acquisitio

Acquisitio is associated with the planet Jupiter, and the element of Air. As an even figure (having six points) it can be a judge, and thus is considered an ‘objective’ figure.

Jupiter is the planet of good fortune, symbolising growth, abundance, wisdom and expansion. This is a good ruling planet for Acquisitio as ‘Acquisitio’ translates to ‘Gain’. The figure is Stable and Entering, qualities which seem a perfect fit for it – emphasising things that are incoming, as well as holding onto things. As it’s stable, it implies a figure that is slightly slow acting, yet long lasting.

I usually liken the figure of Acquisitio to a little money bag (almost looking like a stereotypical ‘wonton’ style money bag) with a corded top. The money bag keeps hold of it’s contents (compared to Amissio, where they are spilling out).

Acquisitio in geomancy is a figure that simply means ‘gain’ – either future (will gain) or past (your gains). There’s something about this figure that is about things coming in, but also holding onto things. ‘Seizing’ or ‘Grasping’ can form part of it’s name when translated from Arabic. So this figure is not just about getting something, but it’s also about keeping something. This is good when you want to keep hold of something (or get hold of something), though there are times when you would rather not.

For instance, traditionally this figure is seen as a negative omen for sicknesses. It implies that you will ‘get a cold’, or ‘hold onto’ the sickness. It’s also traditionally not seen a good sign for love, where it implies that the querent doesn’t ‘lose his heart’ to the other person. I have seen it as a good representation of keeping things bottled up inside too – unable to express oneself or speak out in a situation. Where it is implying a more negative reading of the figure, then sadly the situation wont change quickly due to it’s stable nature.

All that said, Acquisitio is a primarily positive ‘good’ figure. It’s presence in a reading usually indicates that things will go the way that the querent wants them to.

Acquisitio is favourable for:

• Meaning “gain”, the figure is favourable for any situation where getting something or holding onto something is required. If you are looking for something coming to you, such as money or possessions, a letter, or news then this figure signals that it’s on its way, or maybe even arrived.
• Recovering something that is lost.
• Something that you want is within your grasp or reach.

Acquisitio is unfavourable for:

• Any situation where you want to ‘lose’ something – such as illnesses, phobias, or even a bad relationship or situation.
• Acquisitio is traditionally seen as a negative sign for love, as it symbolises ‘holding onto’ one’s heart, and not ‘losing’ it to someone (which would fall with Amissio).

Reflections on Geomantic Figure of Acquisitio

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

• The Money Bag – The two points at the top (the passive head line) is the top of the bag, with the draw string at the neck (air point), and then holding onto it’s contents in the Water/Body line.
• An Incoming Hand – you can see the bottom earth point as the tip of someone’s incoming hand, the water line being the palm, and the air point being the wrist. This symbolises something being given, or you receiving something.
• A Plant Sprouting from a Seed – What was interpreted as the ‘bag’ could also be seen as a seed (maybe even a coconut!) with two leaves sprouting from the top. Here Jupiter’s influence of ‘growth’ and expansion is really present.

Acquisitio is the Latin phrase for “Gain”, whilst in Arabic traditions this figure is called ‘Qubiḍ al-Dakhil’ meaning “Inside Seizure” (sometimes translated as ‘seizure from the inside’). If we compare this against Amissio (‘outside seizure’), we can see this as whether something is held by oneself (inside) or another (outside). The imagery here is of holding.

Think back to Caput and Cauda Draconis. These were figures to do with going to, or going from the threshold (doorway of a property). Comparing Acquisitio to the figure of Caput Draconis, it almost looks like the figure of Acquisitio is formed of Caput Draconis and a small container (diamond – not dissimilar to Carcer). Hence we have ‘seizure’ or ‘capture’ on the ‘inside’ of the threshold. Therefore we have a container of something, let’s pretend it’s our money, inside our house. A good thing.

If you flipped this figure upside-down, we have the figure of Amissio – translating to ‘loss’. Now we have the threshold of Cauda Draconis (the outer threshold) and our container seems to be the other side of the door. Here our ‘container’ of possessions is ‘outside’ and thus out of our hands.

I’m aware that Nick Farrell recently posted a series of blogs talking about the Arabic meanings of the figures. Last I checked, these were removed and unavailable. However, in the article on Acquisitio he reasoned that the Arabic name insinuated that there ould be a restriction or tightening of the incoming wealth or resources (Qubid being translated as ‘grasping’ or ‘constricting’, whilst Al-Dakhil translated as ‘that which enters’). Due to this emphasis on restriction, Farrell reasoned that Acquisitio is more likely to be a ‘bad figure’. I disagree. From my (limited) understanding of the Arabic tradition of Geomancy, this is not the case. In fact, the figure is attributed as a ‘good’ figure (not even a mixed).

Geomantically, Acquisitio is constructed with two active (single points) elements – in Air and Earth. These elements are opposites, holding no similar qualities, and therefore usually attenuate each other. In Tarot, presence of Air and Earth cards would negate the importance of those cards – instead favouring another card in the reading. Yet here in Geomancy, whilst the figure is made up of competing elements the meaning is more about gain, and potentially about growth and expansion. So here I see it as an expansive mass of land with the air stirring above it. Because we’re looking at Geomancy, my mind is instantly transported to images of sand dunes with winds raging above. The wind creating whirling dervishes of sand, maybe even sand storms, levelling everything with a new layer of sand in it’s path.

So when this figure appears, it signals a time when wealth, opportunities, or resources are within reach and ready to be claimed. It points to the flow of profit and positive outcome—what is sought can be found and gained.

Elemental Ruler:

Planetary Ruler:

Zodiac Ruler:

Given to the sign Aries