The Meaning of Rubeus

This page serves as an outline of the meaning of Rubeus – 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 Red…

This is the geomancy figure of Rubeus

Overview of the Meaning of Rubeus

The Latin name for this figure translates to ‘red’, and it is traditionally associated with similar things that the colour is attributed to. This includes blood, war, violence, passion, and sex – all things that are considered negative or taboo. Due to this, it is often seen as one of the few extremely negative figures in Geomancy.
Rubeus has only one active line – the neck line – and can then be seen as a ‘pure’ elemental geomancy figure, representing the element of air. The figure is an exiting figure

As mentioned, in Western Geomancy this figure represents those things that are usually considered negative or taboo. In some traditions of Geomancy, this figure is so feared that when it appears in the first house (the house which represents the querent, the person asking the question) the chart is destroyed and the reading is stopped. The figure is seen as exerting an evil influence on the reading, and representing the querent means that they are bringing an evil energy or presence to the reader.

Whilst the traditional literature focuses on the evil of this figure, stating that the figure delights in all that is evil and finds evil in all that is good, J. M. Greer tells us that this figure is one of “passion and involvement in life, balancing the abstract detachment of Albus”.The figure here becomes more about red representing the blood of life, and Rubeus can then be seen as representing that passionate feeling of one’s emotions. Greer beautifully deduces that “passionate involvement in the world comes from focusing on how we relate to others and to the world itself”, and how this can be a two-sided coin – with one side opening up to the potential to joyous participation in life’s experience, whilst the other a blind intoxication with appearances. I’d add to this that an over-passionate involvement in life’s affairs can become unbalancing – causing a confluence, reducing our sense of self separate as from events. To put it bluntly, we can become overly passionate about situations to the point where we see it as ‘personal’. That the situation and it’s outcome is a representation of us, and thus will fight tooth and nail for the outcome we want without the ability to step back and abstractly reflect (which would be the energy of Albus). I have also seen this figure also occur where addiction is present – drugs and substance abuse, but also gambling addictions.

In Arabic this figure is called Ḥumrah (حمره) which is translated exactly the same as Rubeus, to ‘Red’. Rubeus is an odd figure, and as such cannot appear as a judge. Odd figures are occasionally referred to as ‘subjective’ – hinting at the fact that they are not objective enough to be a judge. You’ll note that the odd figures tend towards emotions or states of being, whilst the even figures tend towards more rational or ‘matter of fact’ situations.

In Western Geomancy, Rubeus is attributed to Mars, and the element of Air. You can easily see why Mars rules this figure, as Rubeus can represent war, blood and violence, but also lust and sex. The other figure which is ruled by Mars is Puer, and Puer takes the energy of Mars into a more positive direction. Mars’ energy is expressed through Puer as confidence, ‘masculine energy’, force and fast action or sudden change.

Rubeus is favourable for:

• Any question which involves sex and passion

• Any question involving drugs or intoxicants

• Any question around blood or violence.

• Any situation where strong action without much thought is required.

Rubeus  is unfavourable for:

• Most matters – it generally is seen as quite bad or evil.

Reflections on Geomantic Figure of Rubeus

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

• An Upturned Wine Glass – spilling the red wine of its contents over the table. Perhaps it was thrown in an angry fit?
• Two lines entwinted – Rubeus is two lines entwined at the neck, the place of communication.

Geomantically, Rubeus is made up of all passive lines except one – the neck line – indicating that this figure is made up of pure air.

Rubeus represents the wild and uncontrollable forces residing within all of us. It stands for the lack of restraint and impulsiveness in situations, and symbolises what happens when we let our emotions or animal instincts override our wisdom. The presence of Rubeus in a chart, whilst being an ill-omen, invites us to examine our tendancy towards uncontrolled excess, drives towards destructive behaviour and unbridled madness – with the ultimate goal of channelling that raw energy into a more constructive way.

Rubeus is all of what makes us animals. Whilst some aim to distance themselves from their innate animal drives (Albus), Rubeus reminds us that we are part of the animal kingdom – with primal instincts that are untempered by reason or discipline. When it is present, we have a simple choice; embrace the reddening rage of Rubeus despite the consequences, or separate ourselves from the emotional impulses long enough to consider a new course of action.

Elemental Ruler:

Planetary Ruler:

Zodiac Ruler:

Given to the sign Cancer