Geomancy: Rubeus, the red figure of passion, anger and excess

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Who is Rubeus?

Rubeus means “the red”, “the red-haired”. It takes its name from a strong colour: that of blood, of fire, of anger as well as of desire. Its drawing is just as striking: a single point on the second line, the line of Air, framed by double lines, like a lone spark in a dark space.

The figure is linked to Mars, like Puer, but in its nocturnal version, more inward, and to Scorpio. It is the reversed figure of Albus (the same drawing upside down) and the opposite of Puella. Here are its lines:

Line	Points
Fire (the head)	• • (two)
Air (the neck)	• (one)
Water (the body)	• • (two)
Earth (the feet)	• • (two)

Traditional meaning

In tradition, Rubeus evokes passion, anger, violence, excess, burning desire and deceit. Ancient authors judged it very unfavourable, regarding it as the most difficult of the sixteen figures, to the point of making it an example of what to avoid in most consultations.

This severity deserves nuance. Scorpio and Mars also speak of intensity, blunt frankness and depth of feeling. Today’s readers often see in Rubeus a warning: a strong emotion is at work, better acknowledged than denied. They read in it the invitation to ask yourself what part of you, or of the situation, is carried by an emotional charge.

Rubeus does not predict violence or any bad surprise: it names an intensity.

Traditional correspondences

Reference	Traditional attribution
Latin name	Rubeus (the Red)
Element	Air
Planet	Mars (nocturnal)
Sign	Scorpio
Nature	Mobile
Total of points	7 (odd: partial figure)

The attributions (planet, sign, element) follow the most widespread planetary list today; older authors, including Gerard of Cremona, give others, and no complete agreement exists on the signs.

In a chart: houses and roles

A few classical readings of Rubeus by house (they vary between authors):

• House I: you are under tension, or going through a moment of intense emotion.
• House V: romantic passion, excessive pleasures, rivalry in love.
• House VII: a conflictual or intense relationship, a power struggle.
• House VIII: tensions around inheritance, sharing and deep stakes.
• House XII: suppressed anger, secrets, hidden tensions.
• As witness: Rubeus is odd (seven points); it cannot judge, but it colours the reading with a charge of intensity.

Neighbouring figures and combinations

Rubeus stands opposite Albus, the white figure of peace, with which it forms a pair of opposites. A few neighbours:

With	Possible reading
Albus	Anger against calm: a conflict to soothe
Puella	A passionate relationship, an ardent seduction
Puer	An impulse running away with itself, an open conflict
Laetitia	An emotion turned into positive energy
Carcer	Contained anger, a tension with no way out

These are reading leads, not rules: meaning arises from the question asked and the house concerned.

A reflection exercise

Think of a situation that stirs a strong emotion in you. Write down what this emotion protects, then what it demands. Draw Rubeus to ask yourself, without judgement, how to recognise the emotion before it takes the floor. If it becomes overwhelming, talk to a trusted person or to a professional: a geomancy figure is not a form of support.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to geomancy.