The Book of Talismans, Amulets, and Zodiacal Gems

CHAPTER X

The Orient--The Koran--Jochebed--Bead Necklaces--Mashallah--Hassan and Hussein--Hand of the Lady Fatima--Five Principal Commandments--Zufur Tukiah--Nasiree--Gadiri--Mohammed--Merzoum--The Diamond--Cube of Amber--Scorpion-charming--Early Christian and Mediæval Talismans--Clement of Alexandria--The Fish--Dag--Palm Branch--The Ship--Sacred Monogram--Shen--Constantine the Great--Thoth--The Cross--Household Cross--Yucatan--Hand and Cross--Wheel Cross 97-106

CHAPTER XI. The Agnus Dei--the Coventry Ring--Ananizapta--Tau

The Agnus Dei--The Coventry Ring--Ananizapta--Tau Cross--Cross of St. Benedict--Byzantine Ring--Simsum Ring--Abracadabra--Pentalpha, Pentacle, Pentagram, or Five-pointed Star--The Kabala--The Table of Jupiter--The Ten Divine Names--The Planetary Angels--The Agla--Dr. Dee 107-117

CHAPTER XII. Tetragrammaton--Phylactery--Talismans Against All Mischiefs,

Tetragrammaton--Phylactery--Talismans against all mischiefs, the Magus--Venus Talisman--Totaphoth--Abraxas--Eye of a Cock--Bells--Gargoyles--Cramp Rings--Blessing of Rings--Musseltaub--Posie Rings--Gemmel Rings--Zodiacal Rings--The Signs of the Zodiac in Rhyme--General Talismans--The Lee Penny--Crystal--The Moon Talismans--Peacock--Juno--Fire Talismans--Gold Nugget--Coins--Card Talismans--Badger’s Tooth--Four-leaved Clover 118-130

PART II. Chapter I

CHAPTER I

ARIES--THE RAM

The Zodiac--Zodiacal and Calendar Months--The New Year--The Constellation--Hamal--The Passover--Characteristics of Aries People--Gems of Aries--The Bloodstone and Heliotrope--Mars the Ruling Planet--Marbodeus Gallus--The Diamond--The Qualities of the Diamond--Tavernier--The Regent--The Koh-i-Noor--The Hope Diamond 133-48

CHAPTER II. Taurus--the Bull

TAURUS--THE BULL

The Constellation--Aldebaran--The Chaldeans--The Temples--Apis Bull--Aphrodite--Characteristics of Taurus--Training--Gems of Taurus--The Sapphire--Bishop’s Ring--St. Jerome--Qualities of the Sapphire--Star Sapphire--Solomon’s Seal--Charlemagne’s Talisman--The Turquoise--Bœtius de Boot--Horseman’s Talisman--Qualities of the Stone 149-60

CHAPTER III. Gemini--the Twins

GEMINI--THE TWINS

Period--The Twins, Castor and Pollux--The Argonauts--King Solomon’s Pillars--Maia--Ovid and Wedding of Mary Queen of Scots--Gemini Number--Characteristics--Agates and their Virtues--Orpheus--Chrysoprase--Alexander the Great--Virtues of the Stone 161-73

CHAPTER IV. Cancer--the Crab

CANCER--THE CRAB

The Dark Sign--Its Duration--Origins--Summer Solstice--Hercules and the Crab--Characteristics--Goddess Esmeralda and the Ancient Peruvians--The Emerald Isle--Moonstones--Blue Moon--Pearls--Cat’s Eyes--Rock Crystals--Crystal-gazing--Virtues of the Crystal 174-86

CHAPTER V. Leo--the Lion

LEO--THE LION

Period--Constellation--The Fiery Sign--Hercules and the Lion--Characteristics--Personal Magnetism of the Type--Disposition --Money-makers--Entertainers--Health Defects--Marriage and Love Affairs--Artistic Tendencies--Gems of the House--The Sardonyx--Qualities of the Stone--The Chrysolite and the Romans--The Tourmaline--Peculiarities of the Stone--Amber--Virtues and Medicinal Uses--The Topaz 187-98

CHAPTER VI. Virgo--the Virgin

VIRGO--THE VIRGIN

Period--Constellation--Mythology--Symbols--Paris under Virgo--Reflecting Qualities of the Sign--Characteristics--Marriage --Professions--Ailments--Harmonious Types--Gems of the House--Cornelian--Virtues of the Cornelian--Napoleon’s Seal Talisman--Clairvoyant Properties of the Stone--Jade--New Zealanders’ Faith--The Tiki--Jade as Racing Talisman 199-211

CHAPTER VII. Libra--the Balance

LIBRA--THE BALANCE

Period--Constellation--Origin of the Sign--The Yoke--The Altar--Characteristics of the Type--Influence of Saturn--Inclination for Companionship--Marriage--Moods--Partnership --Professions--Health Defects of the Type--Gems of the House--The Opal--Coral--Lapis Lazuli--The Modern Ill-luck of the Opal--Its Ancient Virtues--Sensitiveness of the Opal--Its Virtues as a Libra Gem--Coral--Virtues--As Infant’s Talisman--Lapis Lazuli--Egyptian Talisman--Qualities of the Stone 212-23

CHAPTER VIII. Scorpio--the Scorpion

SCORPIO--THE SCORPION

Period--Ruling Planet--Mythology--Symbology--Characteristics of the Type--Effect of the Malefic Aspects--Health Defects--Professions--Religion--Marriage--The Gems of the House--The Beryl and Aquamarine differing only in Colour--Qualities of the Beryl--Clairvoyant Properties--The Carbuncle as Transmitter of Light--Noah’s Lamp--Talisman against Infection--The Lodestone--Magnetic Qualities as an Amulet against Shipwreck and Gout 224-34

CHAPTER IX. Sagittarius--the Archer

SAGITTARIUS--THE ARCHER

Period--The Constellation--The Bow in the Cloud--Mythology-- Characteristics of the Type--Appropriateness of the Symbol--Fresh Air a Necessity--Professions--Ailments--Marriage Relations--Gem of the House--The Topaz--Nan-Ratan--Pliny and the Topaz--Discovery of the Stone--The Emperor Hadrian and his Ring--Appropriateness of the Stone to the Type--The Stone of Strength--As a Talisman against Asthma--Marbodus and the Topaz--Chrysolite also Favourable 235-44

CHAPTER X. Capricornus--the Goat

CAPRICORNUS--THE GOAT

Constellation--Period--Ruling Planet Saturn--Mythology--The Symbol of the Goat--Characteristics--Constitution and Health Defects--India under the Rule of Capricorn--Professions --Marriage--Saturn favourable for the Elderly--Gems of the House--The Ruby--Spinel--Qualities of the Gem--Sensitiveness for Good or Evil--The Malachite--Copper as a Talisman against Colic and Cholera--Black Onyx--Favourable and Unfavourable Influence of the Stone--Jet--The Afflictions of Saturn--Effects on other Types 245-56

CHAPTER XI. Aquarius--the Water-Bearer

AQUARIUS--THE WATER-BEARER

Constellation--Period--Symbol--Early Religious Teachings--The Glyph--Rulers of the House--Saturn and Uranus--Characteristics of the Type--Temper--Professions--Health Defects--Marriage and Friendships--Gems of the House--Garnets and Zircons--The Garnet and Ruby--Qualities of the Stone--Virtue, as a Keepsake--The Zircon--The Hyacinth--The Jargoon--The Jacinth as a Talisman for Sleep--Set in Gold for Restlessness--The Lyncurion of the Ancients: its Virtues 257-68

CHAPTER XII. Pisces--the Fishes

PISCES--THE FISHES

Period--Constellation--Precession of the Equinoxes--Ichthyes the Fishes--Mythology--Symbol--The Rulers of the House--Characteristics--Ailments of the Type--Professions-- Friendship and Marriage--Harmonious and Inharmonious Types--The Gem of the House--The Amethyst--Virtues of the Stone--Talisman against Inebriety--Its Calming Influence--The Stone of St. Valentine--As a Lovers’ Talisman--The Effect of Purple Rays--The Amethyst Beneficent to all Types--Real and Artificial Gems, and how to test and select them 267-81

LIST OF PLATES

Gems, Symbols, and Glyphs of the Zodiac Frontispiece

DESCRIPTION.

1. Aries the Ram, Diamond, Iron. 2. Taurus the Bull, Sapphire, Copper. 3. Gemini the Twins, Agate, Silver. 4. Cancer the Crab, Emerald, Silver. 5. Leo the Lion, Chrysolite, Gold. 6. Virgo the Virgin, Cornelian, Silver. 7. Libra the Balance, Opal, Copper. 8. Scorpio the Scorpion, Aquamarine, Iron. 9. Sagittarius the Archer, Topaz, Tin. 10. Capricorn the Goat, Ruby, Lead. 11. Aquarius the Water-bearer, Garnet, Lead. 12. Pisces the Fishes, Amethyst, Tin.

PLATE TO FACE PAGE.

I. Primeval Talismans; Chinese, Indian, and Thibetan Talismans 14

II. Indian and Thibetan Talismans (continued) 30

III. Chinese and Japanese Talismans 40

IV. Egyptian Talismans 60

V. Egyptian Talismans 66

VI. Egyptian Talismans 72

VII. Egyptian and Gnostic Talismans 78

VIII. Etruscan, Greek, Roman, and Oriental Talismans 95

IX. Early Christian and Mediæval Talismans 104

X. Mediæval Talismans 120

PART I. Amulets and Talismans

AMULETS AND TALISMANS

THE BOOK OF TALISMANS, AMULETS & ZODIACAL GEMS

CHAPTER I

Introduction.--The Psychic and Magnetic Influence of Talismans and Gems.

From remotest times, back even to the birth of humanity, Precious Stones and Talismans have been held in high estimation by all nations; the former, primarily because of their beauty, and the latter on account of their virtues, as transmitters of good luck and to avert misfortune. The association of Gems with power, civil and religious, has ever been noticeable; and to the fascination of antiquity may be added the allurement of mystery. Moreover, of the many and varied signs of wealth and luxury, jewels have played a most important part in the lives of the great, not only on account of their beauty but because they contained in a small compass the equivalent to a large sum of money and in times of danger could easily be concealed and carried from place to place.

As tokens or symbols they conveyed joy and confidence to their owners, and were thought to give warning of coming events, inspiring courage and faith in the fearful, and the romances and tragedies in which they have played a part, together with their marked influence on the lives of individuals and nations, intensifies our interest in them so that it is little wonder that faith in the mysterious properties ascribed to them should have survived the growth of ages and still find so many believers in all countries. The philosophers of thousands of years ago, understanding their suitability as a medium for the transmission of astral forces and vibrations, invested them with much importance, attributing to them spiritual as well as material powers, special characteristics and medicinal and curative qualities.

In all probability gems had their origin in the very remote period of the Earth’s history when it was still in a molten state subject to deluge and fire, before its solidification made it possible for vegetation to appear, and the translucent lustre of certain gems is due to the action of the floods which preceded the fiery volcanic period. The colouring which forms their greatest fascination is due to various metallic oxides in combination with oxygen which in varying quantities gives red, blue, yellow, or green colourings, as shown by the Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Topaz, and Amethyst.

It is most difficult to determine with any certainty in what country Precious Stones were first worn as ornaments, but the consensus of opinion seems to point to India, as far as recognised history is concerned, as their birthplace, for every rare and beautiful production of Nature, Gems and Pearls are associated with the East.

The earliest records of humanity do not, however, stop with known histories, for traces of man’s love for gems are found in the discoveries of travellers and the traditions of South America, evidence proving an inheritance from past civilisations of great antiquity. There is an innate attraction to the marvellous in mankind, the imagination leading us to endow the rare and precious with peculiar qualities, particularly when the source of its beauty and rarity is not readily perceptible. It is akin to the extraordinary magnetic influence which one person may exercise over another without any tangible evidence of super-physical powers, or the mysterious attraction which the Magnet exercises over Iron, and establishes the inference that other minerals may be similarly endowed with properties at present unrecognised by our ordinary physical senses.

Modern research confirms the old teaching that the Universe was created from the four elements, Fire, Air, Water, Earth, in the order given, each growing as it were from its predecessor and all animated in turn by the Word breathed upon them at the Creation; this force, or energy, permeates all existing things from man, who is the highest of apparent physical manifestations down through the animal and vegetable kingdoms to the mineral, in which this energy, by reason of its very slow atomic changes, is least obvious. This Force manifests in the form of vibrations moving in waves through every composite part of the physical world, and, according to the condition of its medium, helping and giving power when in harmony, and thwarting or nullifying action when under unfavourable conditions. To this Force, or Etheric influence, is due the law of Evolution, or progress, which operates in every department of the Universe, not being confined to any one kingdom, but harmonising each with the other, being naturally most powerful in man whose evolution is the highest, and forms the medium through which man can act on the lower kingdoms and receive desired vibrations from them. We may thus interpret Plato’s statement “that gems owe their origins to the stars” as an etheric influence acting on the auriferous matter which forms their composition.

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