The Meaning of Fortuna Major
This page serves as an outline of the meaning of Fortuna Major – 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 Greater Victory…
This is the geomancy figure of Fortuna Major
Overview of the Meaning of Fortuna Major
Fortuna Major is Latin for ‘Greater Fortune’, and is one of the two ‘fortune’ figures in Western Geomancy (with ‘Lesser 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-Dahkhil, which translates to ‘Inner Victory’. We can see that the Arabic versions of these figures are more associated with victory than they are fortune. The figure is usually taken to mean that the querent will gain victory easily. The Arabic word Nuṣraht (نصرهّ) can also translate as ‘championing’ or ‘supporting’ something. Therefore another way of translating this is ‘Inner Support’ or ‘Internal Support’. This echoes Fortuna Major’s Western meaning of success coming through internal sources – success which ‘unfolds naturally rather than having to be forced’ (J.M. Greer, 2009).
Fortuna Major 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 Major is an Earthy figure associated with the Sun. In Hellenistic Astrology, the Sun is the “instrument of perception of the soul” (Valens) and represents the authority, mind and judgement. The Sun is the main source of light in our universe. Fortuna Major is an internal figure, so it is about brining the good, beneficial light energy into oneself. The Earth elemental association here can mean some hard work, but equally earth brings stability and organisation to projects – helping them grow into successful fruition.
As an earthy, stable and internal figure, Fortuna Major is slow to act but long lasting. J.M. Greer states that the success brought about by Fortuna Major comes “without apparent effort”. We can see this in the passivity of it’s active elements, Earth and Water. That said, it doesn’t mean effort hasn’t already occurred to bring about this success.
In general, Fortuna Major is considered a good and auspicious figure that is usually beneficial for all questions.
Fortuna Major is favourable for:
Success in all matters – a success which comes naturally.
Looking for internal strength.
Pressing ahead and forging on.
When considering one’s options.
Fortuna Major is unfavourable for:
Taking journeys or travel – it’s an incoming figure.
Escaping from situations
Speed.
Revealing secrets.
Reflections on Geomantic Figure of Fortuna Major
Looking at the ‘patterns’ which can be created by the points in the figure of Fortuna Major, we can see:
- A burning torch – Like the old Olympic games, this is a burning torch of victory.
- A valley with a river running between – A beautiful image of the power of Earth (in the mountains) and the power of Water (river) to leave it’s mark even on stone over time.
- A Stang – a horned staff, symbolising journeys, knowing oneself, and the masculine Wild God energy.
Fortuna Major is a figure associated with Earth, but it is made up of the elements Earth and Water. Both of these elements are passive, slow and are about finding one’s foundation (or lowest point). Earth and Water share the quality of cold, which is a quality of contraction – bringing things together and reducing them down to their very essence.
Meaning of Fortuna Major teaches us that success and fortune emerges gradually through perseverance, stability and sustained effort – reminiscent of it corresponding to the Earth element. This is not the quick and rapid changes associated with Air and Fire, both quick to come but equally quick to leave. As the element of Earth is passive, it also teaches us that success can come about by letting go, and believing that the hard work you’ve already put into a project mature into success.
Elemental Ruler:
Source | Date | Element |
Standard Element | Earth | |
Agrippa Vulgar | 1655 | Earth |
Agrippa Sign Based System | 1655 | Fire |
Agrippa Planet-Based System | 1655 | Fire |
John Heydon | 1663 | Fire |
John Case | 1697 | Fire |
Robert Fludd | 1687 | Earth |
Christopher Cattan | 1591 | Earth |
Martin of Spain | 1200s | Fire |
Planetary Ruler:
Source | Date | Planet |
Standard Planet | Sun (Rising) | |
Agrippa | 1655 | Sun (D) |
Agrippa Vulgar | 1655 | Venus |
Martin of Spain | 1200s | Sun (D) |
Zodiac Ruler:
Source | Date | Sign |
Standard Zodiac |
| Aquarius |
Agrippa | 1655 | Leo |
Gerard of Cremona | 1150 | Aquarius |
Given to Taurus
What does Agrippa say about the meaning of Fortuna Major?
In The Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy (1665), Agrippa says:
Fortuna Major being found in the first House, giveth long life, and freeth from the molestation of Diseases: it demonstrateth a man to be noble, magnanimous, of good manners, mean of stature, complexion ruddy, hair curling, and his superiour members greater then his inferiour.
In the second House, he signifies manifest riches and manifest gain, good fortune, and the gaining of any thing lost or mis-laid; the taking of a thief, and recovery of things stollen.
In the third House, he signifies brethren and kinsmen, Nobles and persons of good conversation; journyes to be prosperous and gainful with honour: it demonstrateth men to be faithful, and their friendship to be unfeigned.
In the fourth House, he represents a father to be noble, and of good reputation, and known by many people: He enlargest possessions in Cities, increaseth Patrimonies, and discoverth hidden treasures. In this place he likewise signifies theft, and recovers everything lost.
In the fifth House, he giveth joy by children, and causeth them to attain to great Honours: Embassages he rendereth prosperous; but they are purchased with pains, and prayeres: He noteth rumours to be true: he bestoweth publike Honours, and causeth a man to be very famous after death: foresheweth a woman with childe to bring forth a man-childe.
In the sixth House, he freeth from diseases; sheweth those that have infirmities shall in a short time recover; signifieth a Physitian to be faitful and honest to administer good Physick, of which there ought to be had no suspicion; houshold-servants and ministers to be faithful: and of animals, he chiefly signifies Horses.
In the seventh House, he giveth a wife rich, honest, and of good manners; loving and pleasant: he overcometh strifes and contentions. But if the Question be concerning them, he signifieth the adversaries to be very potent, and great favourites.
In the eighth House, if a Question be proposed of the death of any one, it signifies he shall live: the kinde of death he sheweth to be good and natural; an honeset burial, and honourable Funerals: He foresheweth a wife to have a rich dowry, legacies and inheritance.
In the ninth House, he signifies journeys to be prosperous; and by land on horseback, rather than on foot, to be long, and not soon accomplished: he sheweth the return of those that are absent; signifies men to be of good faith, and constant in their intentions; and religious; and that never change or alter their faith; dreams he presageth to be true; signifieth true and perfect sciences.
In the tenth House, he foresheweth great Honours, bestoweth publike Offices, Magistracie, and Judgements; and honours in the Courts of Princes: signifieth a mother to be noble, and of long life.
In the eleventh House, he signifies true friends, and profitable; a Prince rich and liberal; maketh a man fortunate, and beloved of his Prince.
In the twelfth House, if a Question be proposed of the quality of enemies, it demonstrateth them to be potent and noble, and hardly to be resisted: but if a Question shall be concerning any other condition or respect to the enemies, he will deliver from their treacheries. It signifieth faitful servants; reduceth fugitives; hath signification of animals, as horses, lions, and bulls; freeth from imprisonments; and eminient dangers he either mitigateth or taketh away.
What does John Case say about Fortuna Minor
In The Angelic Guide (1697), John Case dedicates book three to Geomancy (or ‘The Angelical Lotts’). Chapter three says that Fortuna Major is:
- Element: Fire
- Sign: Sun Retrograde in Taurus
- Meanings: Sun Direct in Aquarius
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