Puer

The Grail Knight – Boy – Energy, Sword, Testicles, Warrior – Outer Fire, Inner Air

Puer is the Geomantic figure of virility and untamed manhood, not yet tempered by the experience and wisdom that comes with age. Its outer element is Fire, meaning that the figure of Puer outwardly exhibits energy, drive and willpower, and this fire is, fittingly, fueled by Air on the inside. In terms of the construction of the figure, Puer has all of the elements active save for water – meaning that Puer has the will of fire, the idealism of air, and the materialism of Earth. It lacks the compassion of Water, and it is for this that this figure – the Grail Knight (an idea put forward by John Michael Greer in his book, The Art and Practice of Geomancy) – seeks, in the form of the Grail. Puer lacks the femininity of water, and so is incomplete.

Understandably, Puer is a Mobile element, and represent the young male youth at his finest. He is brave, courageous, fiery, and driven by high-minded ideals of truth and justice that manifest in his constant need for action and questing. He can be rash and impetuous at times, as well as unstable, forceful, and unpredictable. Like his opposite, Puella, Puer is highly sexualized, and represents male virility. He is, unsurprisingly, associated strongly with the astrological symbols of Mars and Aries, and so is often confrontational, energetic, driven by a purpose, enthusiastic, and assertive: Puer imprints his will on others. He also, however, lacks the ability to receive ideas and other things on an inner level (as he lacks Water).

Puer often symbolizes action without thinking, virile energy, devotion to a higher purpose, a lack of receptivity to new ideas, thoughtlessness, courage, bravery, activity, conflict, and seeking completion. Puer is the opposite of the female figure Puella.