The Meaning of Tristitia

This page serves as an outline of the meaning of Tristitia – 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 Sorrow…

This is the geomancy figure of Tristitia:

Overview of the Meaning of Tristitia

Tristitia is associated with Saturn (in it’s direct movement) and the element of Earth. It is an odd figure (therefore cannot be a judge), that is a non-mobile/stable and entering. Tristitia represents Sorrow, grief, and everything in downwards motion (moods, directions, thoughts…). As earth is, Tristitia is pretty slow going and long lasting – so when this figure appears, whatever is happening is going to remain ‘happening’ for a while.

Generally speaking, Tristitia is an unpleasant figure and thus it’s pretty unfavourable. However, there are times when seeing Tristitia may be a good thing…

Tristitia is favourable for:

Anything which benefits from a downward momentum – which could be someone getting more serious to the issues and concerns in their life, needing to build foundations (figuratively or literally), things you want to be long lasting, or times when grief and sorrow are needed to bring about finality and change. It is favourable for anything that you wish to be lost, remain secret or dead – dark secrets, something you want to bury or hide literally. Tristitia really forms the darkness of night after the daylight of Laetitia. All things come to rest, all things go to ground.

Tristitia is unfavourable for:

Most things. Tristitia is sorrow, sadness and grief. It’s bad for moods and emotions, spirits, and in any area where you want success… well, maybe unless you want to hide something. If you want something to go quick and painless, then Tristitia is a bad sign. It’s the opposite – long and painful. It is bad for things you want to be known (your success, career promotions etc, because Tristitia is about burying things), or anything that requires being quick and light. It’s not great for things where creativity, ideas or enthusiasm is needed.

Reflections on Geomantic Figure of Tristitia

Tristitia is often translated as ‘Sorrow’, coming from the Latin word tristis meaning ‘Sad’. The word can also mean grief, melancholy, gloom, or seriousness and severity. Tristis can also refer to something being harsh or bitter in taste, or foul and offensive by smell. So we can already get a feeling that Tristitia is not necessarily a ‘positive’ figure.

In Arabic traditions, the figure is referred to as Ankis meaning ‘Reversal’.

The figure is made up of a single, active point in the ‘foot’ row, with all other rows being passive. This means that Tristitia is made up of the pure, unadulterated element of Earth. The positive associations of Earth are practicality, sensibility, organised, methodical, or even ‘present’ (there, or existing). Whilst the negative or destructive associations can be stubbornness, laziness, sullenness, being weighed down or heavy, detail orientated or control-freakery (!), and inflexible or critical.

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

• The symbol of a ‘ditch’ or hole in the ground – a symbol that hints at something buried, hidden or secret. But also one that symbolises the grave and death.
• The symbol of a downward pointing triangle – symbolising things that are down, or moving downwards. This could be mood being ‘low’, lost objects being low down or underneath something, or anything that could be ‘low’ (blood pressure, metabolism etc).
• The shape of a nail – nailing something down, fixing it or binding it, keeping it in place. But also could be coffin nails, perhaps.

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Elemental Ruler:

Planetary Ruler:

Zodiac Ruler:

Given to the sign Sagittarius

What does Agrippa Say about Tristitia?

In The Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy (1665), Agrippa says:

Tristitia in the first House doth not abbreviate life, but afflicteth it with many molestations; signifieth a person of good manners and carriage, but one that is solitary, and slow in all his business and occasions; one that is solitary, melancholly, seldom laughing, but most covetous after all things.

In the second House it giveth much substance and riches, but they that have them, shall not enjoy them, but shall rather hide them, and shall scarce afford to themselves food or sustenance therefrom; treasure shall not be found, neither shall the thief nor the theft.

Tristitia in the third House signifieth a man to have few brethren, but sheweth that he shall outlive them all; causeth unhappy journeys, but giveth good faith.

In the fourth House Tristitia consumeth and destroyeth fields, possessions and inheritances; causeth a Father to be old and of long life, and a very covetous hoorder up of money.

In the fifth House it signifies no children, or that they shall soon die; sheweth a woman with child to bring forth a woman-child, giveth no fame nor honors.

In the sixth House Tristitia sheweth that the sick shall die; servants shall be good, but slothful; and signifies cattel shall be of a small price or value.

In the seventh House Tristitia sheweth that the wife shall soon die; and declareth suits and contentions to be very hurtful, and determining against you.

In the eighth House it signifies the kinde of death to be with long and grievous sickness, and much dolour and pain; giveth legacies and an inheritance, and indoweth a wife with a portion [Dowry].

Tristitia in the ninth House, sheweth that he that is absent shall perish in his journey; or signifies that some evil mischance shall happen unto him; causeth journeys to be very unfortunate, but declareth men to be of good Religion, devout, and profound Scholars.

In the tenth House Tristitia signifies Princes to be severe, but very good lovers of juistice; it causeth just Judges, but such as are tedious and slow in determining of causes; bringeth a Mother to a good old age, with integrity and honesty of life, but mixt with divers discommodities and mis-fortunes; it raiseth to great Offices, but they shall not be long enjoyed nor persevered in; it signifies such Offices as do appertain to the water, or tillage, and manuring of the Earth, or such as are to be imployed about matters of Religion and wisdom.

In the eleventh House Tristitia signifies scarcity of friends, and the death of friends; and also signifies little love or favour.

In the twelfth House it sheweth no enemies; wretchedly condemneth the imprisoned; and causeth many discommodities and disprofits to happen in ones life.

What does John Case say about Tristitia?

In The Angelic Guide (1697), John Case dedicates book three to Geomancy (or ‘The Angelical Lotts’). Chapter three says that Tristitia is:

Element: Air
Sign: Saturn Retrograde in Scorpio.
Meanings: Sadness, Damages, Crosses.