[Note: In the original text, the Concise Dictionary ofAstrological Terms displayed a small astrological glyph illustrationnext to each term, but I have not indicated these in this online text. ] HOW TO READ THE CRYSTALOR, CRYSTAL AND SEER WITH A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF ASTROLOGICAL TERMS BY SEPHARIAL AUTHOR OF "BOOK OF CARDS, " "THE LITTLE BOOK OF MAGIC, " ETC. LONDON FOULSHAM & CO. , LTD. 10 & 11, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET, E. C. 1922 _Printed in Great Britain_ CONTENTS Chapter I. A Postulate 5Chapter II. Qualifications 13Chapter III. Preliminaries 17Chapter IV. The Vision 21Chapter V. Difficulties 25Chapter VI. Symbols 29Chapter VII. Some Experiences 35Chapter VIII. Directions for Using the Ovoids and Spheres for Crystal or Mirror Vision 51Chapter IX. Consise Dictionary of Astrological Terms 53 CHAPTER I. A POSTULATE Any attempt at a scientific explanation of the phenomenon of"crystal seering, " to use an irregular but comprehensive term, would perhaps fall short of completeness, and certainly woulddepend largely upon the exercise of what Professor Huxley waswont to call "the scientific imagination. " The reasons for this areobvious. We know comparatively little about atomic structure inrelation to nervous organism. We are informed to a certain degreeupon atomic ratios; we know that all bodies are regarded by thephysicist as a congeries of atoms, and that these atoms are"centres of force. " Primarily, the atomic theory would refer allheterogeneous bodies to one homogeneous substance, from whichsubstance, by means of a process loosely referred to as"differentiation, " all the elements are derived. These elements arethe result of atomic arrangement, and the atoms of each are knownto have various vibrations, the extent of which is called the "meanfree path of vibration. " The indestructibility of matter, the fact thatall nature is convertible, and the absolute association of matter andforce, lead to the conclusion that since every change in matterimplies a change of force, matter must be ever living and active, and primarily of a spiritual nature. The great Swedenborg, no lessa scientist than a spiritual seer, laid down his doctrine of"Correspondences" upon the primary concept of the spiritualorigin of all force and matter. Matter, he argued, was the ultimateexpression of Spirit, as Form was that of Force. Spirit was to Forcewhat Matter was to Form--our ideas of Matter and Form beingclosely related. Hence, for every _Spiritual Force_ there is acorresponding _Material Form_, and the material or natural worldcorresponds at all points with the world of spirit, without beingidentical. This, in brief, is the conclusion to which the "scientificimagination" of the present day, extending as it does from theknown into the unknown, is slowly but surely leading up. Taking as our postulate the scientific statement of the atomicstructure of bodies, atomic vibration and molecular arrangement, we turn to consider the action exerted by such bodies upon thenervous organism of man. The function of the brain--which must be regarded as the bulbousroot of a nervous plant whose branches grow downwards--istwofold; to affect, and to be affected. In its active or positivecondition it affects the whole of the vital and muscular processesin the man, finding expression in vital action. In its passive ornegative state it is affected by impressions coming to it in differentways through the sense-organs, resulting in nervous and mentalaction. It is this latter phase of brain-function with which we areimmediately concerned. The range of our sense-perception puts us momentarily andcontinually in relation with the material world, or rather with a_certain portion_ of it. We say a certain portion because weknow from scientific experience that the scale or gamut ofsense-perception is limited, both as to its extent and as to itsquality. Many insects, birds, and quadrupeds have keener perceptionsin some respects than man. The photographic plate can registerimpressions which are beyond the perception of our highest senseof sight. The Röntgen rays have put us into relations with a neworder of impression--records quite beyond the range of our normalvision. The animalcule and microbic life, itself microscopic, hasyet its own order of sense-organs related to a world of vitalitybeyond our ken. These, and a host of other observations, serve toshow that our normal perceptions are extremely limited, and, further, that nature does not cease to exist where we cease toperceive her. The relation of our sense-organs to the several degrees of matter, to solids, fluids, gases, atmospheric and etheric motions, vary indifferent individuals to such a wide extent that the averagewool-sorter leaves many an artist behind in his perception ofcolour-shades. The same odour is perceptible by one person andunrecognisable by another. In the gradation of sound, too, thesame differences of perception will be commonly noticed. Butquite apart from the scale or range of perception, the _quality_ of asense-impression is found to vary with different persons. By thiswe mean that the same body will affect different persons indissimilar manner. Hence arises the variety of "tastes" in regard toforms, colours, flavours, scents, sounds, fabrics, etc. , what isagreeable to one being highly objectionable to another. Theexperience is to common to need illustration; but the conclusion towhich we are led is that, in relation to the nervous system of man, every material body has a variable effect. And this clears theground for a statement of our views in regard to the Crystal and itseffects upon the seer. The Crystal itself is a clear pellucid piece of quartz or beryl, sometimes oval in shape, but more generally spheroidal. It isaccredited by Reichenbach and other researchers with highlymagnetic qualities capable of producing in a suitable subject astate analogous to the ordinary waking trance of the hypnotists. Itis believed that all bodies convey, or are the vehicles of, a certainuniversal magnetic property, variously called Od, Odyle, etc. , which is regarded as an inert and passive substance underlying themore active forces familiar to us in kinetic, calorific, andelectrical phenomena. In this respect it bears a position analogousto the Argon of the atmosphere. It is capable of taking up, sympathetically, the vibrations of those bodies or elements towhich it is temporarily related. But of itself it has no activity, although in its still, well-like, and calm depths it holds thepotentiality of all magnetic forces. This Odyle, then, is particularlypotent in the quartz or beryl, when brought into activity by theintention of the seer. It produces and retains more readily in thatform the various images communicated to it from the soul of man. And the soul, in this connection, must be regarded as therepository of all that complex mass of emotions, thoughts, impressions, perceptions, feelings, etc. , included in the inner lifeof man; for the soul of man is not the less a scientific fact becausethere are those who bandy words concerning its origin and nature. Reichenbach has shown by a series of experiments upon sensitiveand hypnotised subjects that metals and other substances producevery marked effects in contact with the human body. Thoseexperiments showed, too, that the same substance affecteddifferent patients in diverse manner. The hypnotic experiments ofDr. Charcot, the well-known French biologist, also demonstratethe _rapport_ existing between the sensitive patient and foreignbodies when in proximity or contact; as for example, when a bottlecontaining a poison was taken at random from among a number ofothers of exactly similar appearance, and applied to the back of thepatient's neck, the hypnotised subject would once develop all thesymptoms of poisoning by arsenic, strychnine, prussic acid, etc. , itbeing afterwards ascertained that the bottle thus applied actuallycontained the toxine whose effects had been portrayed by thesubject. It need not, then, be a matter of surprise to learn that the Crystalexerts a very definite and sensible effect upon the nervous systemof a certain order of subjects. It does not affect all alike, nor actin exactly the same way on those whom it does so affect. Where itsaction is more or less rapid and remarkable, the quartz or berylCrystal may be taken as the most effective medium for producingthe vision. In other cases the concave mirror, either of polishedcopper or black japan, will be found serviceable for inducing theclairvoyant state. In some other cases, again, a bowl of water issufficient. The ecstatic vision was first induced in the case ofJacob Boehme by the sun's rays falling upon a bowl of waterwhich caught and dazzled his eyes while he was engaged in thehumble task of cobbling a pair of shoes. As a consequence of thisexaltation of the sense of sight we have those remarkableworks, "The Aurora, " "The Four Complexions, " "The SignaturaRerum, " and many others, together with a volume of letters andcommentaries which, in addition to being of a highly spiritualnature, must also be regarded as scholarly when referred to theirauthorship. In cases like the above it may be said that the clairvoyant faculty isconstitutional and already fully developed, waiting only thecircumstances which shall serve to bring it into active play, Emanuel Swedenborg, if we remember rightly, was 54 years ofage before he awoke to the consciousness of his spiritual vision. The medium employed for inducing the clairvoyant state cannotbe definitely prescribed. It must remain a matter of experiment foreach investigator. This, however, may be said: _Every personwhose life is not wholly sunk in selfish and material pleasures, butin whom the aspiration to a nobler and purer life is a hunger theworld cannot satisfy, has within himself the power to see andknow that which he seeks behind the veil of his earthly senses. Nature has never produced a desire she could not satisfy. There isno hope, however vague, that the soul cannot define, and noaspiration, however high, that the wings of the spirit cannot reach. Therefore be patient and strive_. That there are some in whom the psychic faculties are more proneto activity than in others is certain, as also some in whom thesepowers are native, by spiritual or hereditary succession; all ofwhich may be determined from their genitures by the astrologicalart. In others, the determination of the natural powers takes a morepractical and mundane tendency, making them more successful inthe affairs of daily life than in aught of a spiritual nature St. Paulhas spoken of a diversity of gifts. "One star differeth from anotherin glory, " he says, in very truth. This distribution of natural giftsproceeds from the celestial world, and is so ordered that eachperson born on this earth may fulfil his part in the economy oflife. And because the spiritual needs of mankind are of primaryimportance, there are those born in whom the power of spiritualinterpretation is the dominant faculty, such persons being thenatural channels of intercourse between the superior and inferiorworlds. These are to mankind what a certain order of microbic lifeis to the body of man--organic interpreters, translating theelements of food into blood, nerve, fibre, tissue, etc. , agreeably tothe laws of their being. For those who would aspire to the gift of pure vision, and in whomthe faculty is striving for expression, the following pages arewritten. To others we would say, Be content. All birds are noteagles. The nightingale has a song, the humming-bird a plumagewhich the eagle will never possess. The nightingale may sing tothe stars, humming-bird to the flowers, but the eagle, whosetireless eyes gaze into the heart of day, is uncompanioned in itslofty loneliness in the barren mountain-tops. CHAPTER II. QUALIFICATIONS There are in existence certain magical works, such as those ofTrithemius and Barrett, wherein the use of the Crystal isaccompanied by certain rites and invocations. This ceremonialmagic we are disposed to repudiate as highly dangerous. It bringsinto play a number of forces which may well prove disastrous ininexperienced hands. All action and reaction are equal andopposite. A child might easily fire a cannon, but could notpossibly withstand its recoil. So in the education of the spiritualfaculties, it is better to encourage their natural development bylegitimate exercise than to invoke the action of stimulants whichwe may not afterwards be able to control. The continual fretting ofthe water will wear away a rock, though none doubts the water issofter than the rock. If the barrier between this and the soul-worldbe like granite, yet the patient and persistent action of adetermined mind will sooner or later wear it away, the last layerwill break down, and the light will stream through, dazzling theunaccustomed eyes with its effulgence. It is our desire to indicate by what means and by what persons thenatural development of the clairvoyant faculty may be achieved. First, in regard to the subject, medium or seer. There are twodistinct temperament in which the faculty is likely to be dominant, and capable of high and rapid culture. There is the nervoustemperament associated, with a high muscular development, classified as the "mental-motive" temperament. It is characterizedby extreme activity of body and mind, a certain nervousexcitability, prominent features, full osseous development, prominent brows, intent gaze, and generally a swarthy complexion. This type represents the _positive_ seers, in whom the mindgoes out towards the images of the soul. The other, in whomthe _passive_ temperament is present, and to whom the soul-imagescome by passive reflection, as things mirrored in a movelesslake, are known by the following characteristics: Full andlymphatic habit, pale or delicate complexion, generally blueeyes, straight fine hair; small, plump, and cold hands; a high, piping or feeble voice, and languid disposition. These two types--of which there are many varieties--achieve theirpsychic development by quite opposite means. The positive seerworks with effort, throwing out the soul-images by the power ofhis will, perceiving them with more or less accuracy, andthereafter turning them over in the mind, reasoning andquestioning concerning their import and meaning. The passiveseer, on the contrary, works not at all and makes no effort, thevisions coming slowly, almost imperceptibly, and in most caseshaving a literal interpretation. The visions in this case are notallegorical, emblematic, or symbolic, as in the case of the positiveseer, but are actual visions of facts just as they have happened, orwill transpire in the future. Of the two orders, the passive is themore serviceable because the more perspicuous, but it has thedisadvantage of being largely under the control of externalinfluences, and hence is frequently incapable of "seeing" anythingwhatever. The positive type of seer exercises an introspective vision, searching inwardly towards the soul-world whence the revelationsproceed. Of what nature these revelations are will appear in thefollowing pages. The passive type of seer, on the contrary, remains_in statu quo_, open to impressions coming inwards towards theperceptive faculty, but making no effort towards either outwardor inward searching. The success of each depends upon theobservance of that method which is agreeable to their respectivetemperaments. In regard to the qualifications which should supplement andsustain the natural aptitude of the seer or seeress, the followingremarks may be of general service. Self-possession and confidence in one's own soul-faculties mustbe the firm rock upon which all revelations should rest. The purerthe intention and motive of the seer, the more lucid will be thevisions accorded. No reliable vision can be obtained by one whosenature is not inherently truthful. Any selfish desire dominantingthe mind in regard to any thing or person will distort the visionsand render them misleading, while a persistent self-seeking spiritwill effectually shut the doors upon all visions whatsoever. Therefore, above all things it is essential for the investigator tohave an unflinching love of truth, to be resigned to the will ofHeaven, to accept the revelations accorded in a spirit of gratefulconfidence, and finally to dispel all doubt and controversyby appeal to the eyes of one's own immortal soul. These arequalifications with which the seer or seeress should be invested, and if with these the quest is unsuccessful after a period of earnesttrial, it must be taken as sufficient warrant that the faculty is notin the category of one's individual powers. Haply, the samequalifications brought to bear upon some other psychic facultywill result in a rich recompense. CHAPTER III. PRELIMINARIES Having obtained a good Crystal, as free as possible from blemish, care must be taken to keep it is much as possible in a dark placewhen not in use. The best covering therefore is a black one of softmaterial, such as velvet, which will not scratch the polishedsurface of the quartz. [*] Exposure to the sun's rays not only scoresthe faces of the crystal, but also puts the odylic substance intoactivity, distributing and dissipating the magnetic force stored uptherein. It must not be understood that the visions are in the crystalitself. They are in the soul of the seer. But the odylic substance isacted upon by the nervo-vital emanations of the body of the seer, and reacts upon the brain centres by means of the optic nerves. That is why it is necessary to keep the crystal as free as possiblefrom disturbing elements. For the same reason, when in use, thecrystal should be overshadowed by the seer, and so placed that _nodirect rays_ of light from sun, or lamp, or gasalier may fall uponit. The odyle, as has been already stated, rapidly responds tosurrounding magnetic conditions, and to the vibrations ofsurrounding Bodies, and to none more powerfully than the ethericperturbation caused by combustion--indeed, to light of any kind. [*] It is bad policy to buy a cheap article. A good crystalis more than worth the outlay. Our publishers supply crystals, varying from 15s. 6d. Upward, and from what we have seen ofthem we can safely recommend them as reliable articles. For similar reasons the room in which the sitting is conductedshould be only moderately warm and shady as possible, providedit be not actually dark. A light by which one can just see to readaverage print is sufficient for the purpose in view. The crystal withwhich we have had the most satisfactory and surprising results is acube of fine azure beryl, the deep blue of its serene depths beingpeculiarly restful and inspiring. But, as we have said, nothing ismore effective than the white quartz crystal when found suitable. It is important that all persons sitting in the same room as the seershould be at arm's length away from him--farther if possible. Silence should be uniformly observed by those present. A recordershould be at hand to set down everything the seer may give voiceto. If any questions are addressed to the seer while the sitting is inprogress, they should be spoken in an undertone and as nearly amonotone as may be so that the seer is not suddenly surprised intoconsciousness of his surroundings, and the psychic thread therebybroken. At first the sittings should not be of longer duration than fifteenminutes, but it is important they should take place _regularly_, every day if possible, and always at the same hour and in the_same place_. By this method of procedure it will be found that acumulative effect is produced and success more speedily ensured. The reason is obvious. All actions tend to repeat themselves, tobecome automatic, to pass from the purposive into the habitual, and hence the psychic faculties will, if actuated at any set time andplace, tend to bestir themselves towards the same end as that towhich they were first moved by the conscious will and intention ofthe seer. Until definite and satisfactory results are obtained, not more thantwo persons should be present at the sittings, and these should bein sympathy with the seer and each other. When the sitting is over, it will be found agreeable and useful to discuss the resultsobtained; or if none are elicited, the seer can give an account of hisor her impressions and feelings during the sitting. It will beinteresting to note these experiences and to compare them fromtime to time. The seer or seeress must not be disheartened if at the first fewsittings nothing of any moment takes place, but must persevere, with patience and self-control. Indeed, when one comes toconsider the fact that for hundreds of generations the psychicfaculties inherent in mankind have lain in absolute neglect, thatperhaps the faculty of "clear vision" has never yet been broughtinto activity by any save the most remote of our ancestors, it willnot be thought remarkable that it should be at first difficult get anydefinite results. Rather should it be a matter of surprise that thepower is still with us, that it is not wholly irresponsive to the voiceof the soul. While, in the course of physical evolution, manyimportant functions have undergone remarkable changes, andorgans, once active and useful, have become stunted, impotent, and in some cases extinct; yet it is said that seeds have laindormant in arid soil for hundreds of years, to spring into leaf andflower as soon as the rains have fallen and the climate changed. The faculty of pure vision is like the latent seed-life. It waits onlythe conditions which favour its growth and development; andthough for hundreds of years it may have lain dormant, yet in afew days, weeks, or months it may attain the proportions of abeautiful flower, a thing of wonder and delight, gracing the gardenof the soul. CHAPTER IV. THE VISION Visions seen in the crystal are of two kinds, both of which may beconveyed to the perception of the seer in two ways. The two kindsof visions are: 1, Direct visions; 2, Symbolic visions. The first ofthese is a representation of scene or incident exactly as it willtranspire, or has already happened, either in relation to the seer, those sitting with him, or yet in relation to public affairs. Thesecond order of vision is a representation, by means of symbol, ideograph, or other indirect means, of events similar to thoseconveyed by direct vision. In most cases it will be found that answers, to questions take theform of symbols. But this is not always so, as will appear fromthe following remarks concerning the manner in which theseimpressions or visions are conveyed to the perception of the seer. The vision is conveyed in one of two ways--first, as a vivid pictureaffecting the focus and retina of the eye, perfect in its outline andcolouring, and giving the impression of being either distant or nearor at moderate range, Secondly, it may be conveyed as a vividimpression accompanied by a hazy and undefined formation in thecrystal field. In this form it becomes an apperception rather than aperception, the consciousness receiving the impression of thevision to be conveyed before it has had time to form and defineitself in the crystal. The _direct_ vision is more generally found in association with the_passive_ type of seer. It is not usually so regular and constant asthe symbolic vision, owing to the peculiarities of the negativetemperament. When it does appear however, it is particularly lucidand actual, and has its literal fulfilment in the world of experienceand fact. It is an actual representation of past or future event, oryet of what is then presently happening at some place more or lessdistant. The _symbolical_ vision is more closely associated with the_positive_ temperament. It has the advantage of being more readyand constant in its manifestation than the _direct_ vision, while onthe other hand it is frequently a matter of speculation as to whatthe symbolic vision may portend. The positive temperament, centripetal and forceful in its action, appears to throw off the soul-images, afterwards going out towardsthem in a mood of speculative inquiry. The passive temperament, however, centrifugal and sensitive, most frequently feels first andsees afterwards, the visionary process being wholly devoid ofspeculation or mental activity. The one sees and thinks, the otherfeels and sees that, in a word, is the distinction between the twotemperaments. In the early stages of development the crystal will begin to cloudover, first becoming dull, then suffused with milky clouds, amongwhich sparkle a large number of little specks of light like gold dustin the sunlight. The focus of the eyes is inconstant, thepupil rapidly expanding and contracting, the crystal at timesdisappearing entirely in a haze or film which seems to pass beforethe eyes. Then the haze will disappear, and the crystal will loomup into full view again, accompanied by a lapse of the seer intofull consciousness. This may be the only experience of the firstfew sittings, it may be that of many; but, sooner or later, there willcome a moment when the milky clouds and dancing starlights willsuddenly vanish--a bright azure expanse like an open summer skywill occupy the field of vision; the brain will take up a spasmodicaction, as if opening and shutting in the superior coronal region;there will be a tightening of the scalp on a level with the base ofthe brain, as if the floor of the cerebrum were contracting; the seerwill catch his breath with a spasmodic sigh, and the first visionwill stand out, clear and life-like, against the azure screen ofheaven. The danger at this supreme moment is that the seer will besurprised into full waking consciousness. During the process ofabstraction which precedes every vision or series of visions, the consciousness of the seer is gradually and imperceptiblywithdrawn from his surroundings. He forgets that he is seated inthis or that room, that such a person is at his right hand, suchanother at his left. He forgets that he is gazing into the crystal. Hehears nothing, sees nothing, save what is passing before the eyesof his soul. He loses sight, for the time, even of his own identity. Therefore, when his vision is suddenly arrested by an apparition, startling in its reality and instantaneous production, even thoughhoped for and expected, the reaction is so violent and rapid thatthe seer is frequently carried back into the full consciousnessof his physical conditions. Therefore, the qualifications ofself-possession and confidence in one's own soul-faculties have beenstated as of primary importance in this domain of research. Excessof joy or fear at sight of the vision will be fatal to its continuanceand to the condition of mind required for the process ofdevelopment. This fact must therefore be borne in mind. CHAPTER V. DIFFICULTIES Under this head we propose to cite a few of the obstacles to be metwith in the process of inducing the psychic vision, and some alsowhich may be expected in connection with the faculty wheninduced. Putting aside the greatest of all obstacles--that of constitutionalunfitness--as having been already discussed in preceding pages, the first obstacle to be avoided is that of ill-health. The importanceof a moderate and sustaining diet in regard to psychic developmentcannot be too strongly urged. All overloading of the stomach withindigestible food and addiction to alcoholic drinks tends to cloudthe spiritual perception, It depletes the brain-centres, gives theheart too much work, and overthrows the equilibrium of thesystem. Ill-health follows; the mind is centred upon the sufferingbody, spiritual aspiration ceases, and the soul folds its wings andfalls into the sleep of oblivion. The consciousness of man worksfrom a centre, which co-ordinates and includes all the phenomenaof thought, feeling, and volition. This centre of consciousness iscapable of rapid displacement, alternating between the mostexternal of our bodily functions and the most internal of ourspiritual operations. It cannot be active in all parts of our complexconstitution at one and the same moment. Hence it follows thatwhen one part of our nature is active another is dormant ashappens in sleeping and waking, dream-life being that wherein thecentre of consciousness hovers between the body and the soul. With these considerations in mind it will be obvious to every onethat a condition in which the consciousness is held in bondage bythe infirmities of the body is not one conducive to psychicdevelopment. The constitution need not be robust, but it should atall events be free from disorder and pain. Some of the mostethereal natures are associated with a delicate organism, but whilethe balance is maintained the soul is free to develop its latentpowers. It is advisable not to sit for crystal reading, or indeed for any orderof psychic exercise, immediately after or before a meal. The bodyshould be at rest, and the mind contented and tranquil. Again, theattitude of the seer should not be too expectant or over-anxious inregard to the production of the vision. Let the development take itsnatural course. Do not force the young plant in its growth or it willcome to a premature end. Take time, as Nature does. It is a greatwork, and much patience is needed. The acorn becomes the sturdyoak only because Nature is contented with small results, becauseshe can afford to wait and is never in a hurry to see the result ofher operations. And because she is patient and careful in herbeginnings, her works are wonderfully great and complete in theirissues. Above all, they endure. Whoever breathes slowest will livethe longest. This is an Eastern saying which voices a fundamentaltruth. The vision is produced. The faculty of clairvoyance has becomemore or less under the control of the mind. New difficulties arise, and, of these, two will be conspicuous. The first is that oftime-measure, and the other is that of interpretation. The former ispeculiar to both orders of vision, the _direct_ and the _symbolic_. The difficulty of interpretation is, of course, peculiar to the latterorder of vision. Time-measure is, perhaps, the greatest difficulty encountered bythe seer. It is sometimes impossible to determine whether a visionrelates to the past, the present, or the future. In most cases, however, the seer learns by experience how to distinguish, andfrequently it will be found that an intuitive impression ofthe period involved comes with the vision itself. In our ownexperience the foreground, middle distance, and background, markoff the present, the approximate, and the distant future. In tracingthe succession of events, we have found it convenient to think oftime-measure at the outset, bending the sight upon, each month oryear separately and in succession, noting the visions that arise witheach in order. And as regards the past or future, we distinguishbetween them by an intuitive sense rather than by any othermeans, and very rarely is this sense deceived, for it is part of thepsychic faculty we had in training. Therefore, if the vision appears in the foreground and, as it were, at the feet of the seer, then it may be taken as relating to thepresent or a quite recent date. In the same way, the middle distanceindicates the near past or future, and the background denotes themore distant past or future. The other difficulty we havementioned is that of interpretation of such symbols as may arise. The following pages will indicate some of the symbols and theirmeanings. The rest must be left to the intuition of the seer. CHAPTER VI. SYMBOLS Symbols are thought-forms which convey, by the association ofideas, a definite meaning in regard to the mind that generatesthem. They depend wholly upon the laws of thought, and thecorrespondence that exists between the spiritual and materialworlds, between the subject and the object of our consciousness. Among the ancients symbols were the original form of record, ofcommunicating ideas, and of writing. The hieroglyphs of theEgyptians, the word-pictures of the aborigines of Central America, the ideographic writing of ancient Mongolia, are all formsof symbolic writing, drawn from natural objects. The Hebrewalphabet, the names of its 22 letters, clearly indicate the nomadicand simple life of those "dwellers in tents. " Thus the names of theletters include such objects as ox, tent, tent-door, tent-peg, camel, fish, fish-hook, an eye, a hand, a basket, a rope-coil, a head, anox-goad, water, etc. From the combination of these simple forms thewords are constructed. Thus the word used to signify "knowledge"is derived from three letters, Yod, Daleth, Oin, which mean ahand, a door, an eye. The _hand_ denotes action, power, etc. ; the_door_ denotes entering, initiation, etc. ; the _eye_ denotes seeing, vision. Therefore the three ideograph; when combined, denote"opening the door to see, " which is a very graphic way ofconveying the idea of acquiring knowledge. One cannot helpseeing the hand of the young Hebrew drawing aside the canvasdoor of the tent and peeping in to see what secrets may be learned! All symbols, therefore, may be translated by reference to theknown nature, quality, and uses of the objects they represent. Thusa foot signifies a journey, and also understanding; a mouth denotesspeech, revelation; an ear news, information, and, if ugly anddistorted, scandal or abuse. The sun, shining brightly, denotesprosperity, honours. The moon, when crescent denotes success, increase, and improvement. When gibbous, it denotes sickness, decadence, losses, and trouble. The sun eclipsed shows death orruin of a man; the moon, similarly afflicted, denotes equal dangerto a woman. These are natural interpretations. Every symbol, however, has a threefold interpretation, and thenature of the inquiry or the purpose for which the vision is soughtmust determine the meaning of the symbols. If they refer to thespiritual world the interpretation must be agreeable to the nature ofthe spirit, and similarly if they refer to the intellectual or physicalworlds. Thus a pair of scales would denote Divine Justice in thespiritual sense, judgment in the intellectual sense, and obligationin the material sense. If the scales were evenly balanced theaugury would be good. But if weighed down on one side it is_Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin_, "Thou art weighed and foundwanting"; it shows a corrupt judgment, a wrong conclusion, anunbalanced mind, failure in one's obligations, injustice, etc. And ifa sword should lie across the scales or be seen overhead, then aspeedy judgment will be meted out. A ship is a symbol of intercourse, of trading, of voyaging, etc. If infull sail it shows that the communication with the spiritual world isincreasing, that news from far-off lands will come to hand, thattrade will increase, that a voyage will be taken. If aught is writtenon the sails it will be an additional source of enlightenment. If thesymbol of death be written there, it shows speedy translation to afar-off country in which the subject will die. That far-off countrymay be the spiritual world itself in which case the death would bea natural one. But if the ship's sails are drooping, then it denotes afalling away of spiritual influx of intelligence, and of trade. Expected news will not come. Black bread denotes a famine, and if it be spotted with yellowblotches it shows a plague. This symbol was seen, with a goatbutting at it, in June, 1896. There followed a famine and plague inIndia, which country is said to be ruled by the zodiacal signCapricorn! The symbol was not deciphered till the event came tothrow light upon it. In the same way a leaf of shamrock, denotingthe Triple Alliance, has been seen split down the centre with ablack line, denoting the fracture of the treaty. It would also seemto indicate that Ireland, whose symbol is the shamrock, will beseparated by an autonomous government from the existing UnitedKingdom. In similar manner all symbols arising in the crystal may beinterpreted by reference to their known qualities and uses, as wellas the associations existing between them and other things, persons, and places, in the mind of the seer. As we have alreadysaid, however, the meanings of most of the symbols will beconveyed to the consciousness of the trained seer at the time oftheir appearance in the crystal. Experience will correct manyerrors, and a symbol, once known, will assume a constant meaningwith each seer, so that after repeated occurrence it will hold adefinite signification. It should be mentioned, however, that the same symbol will havedifferent meanings with different seers. It is difficult to say whythis is the case. But it probably arises from the difference ofindividual temperament, and the Order to which the soul belongsin the spiritual world. These dissimilarities exist betweenindividuals down to the lowest of our sensations. We have thesame laws of thought and the same general constitution. Humanityholds us all within the bonds of a single nature. Yet, despite thisfact, we have differences of opinion, of emotion, of sympathy andantipathy, of taste, and so forth, Therefore it would appear that thesoul images projected by the magical power of the mind must havedifferent significations with each of us, their interpretation beingin some peculiar way in agreement with the nature of the personwho sees them. Necessarily no definite rule can be laid down as tointerpretation, but it is advisable that the seer or seeress should behis or her own interpreter. Thus, although every symbol has some general signification inagreement with its natural qualities and uses, yet it obtains aparticular signification in regard to each person. It is withincommon experience that this is the case in regard to dreams, wherein the faculty of seership is acting in its normal plane. Everyperson is a seer in dream-life, but few persons pay that attention todreams that their origin and nature warrant. The crystal is but ameans of bringing this normal faculty of dreaming into activity inthe waking life. Yet, as stated above, the differences of import ormeaning, even in the dream-world, of any particular symbol is acommon experience. Thus one person will dream to be wading inwater whenever there is trouble ahead. Another will dream of anaked child when similar troubles are about to occur, Butcher'smeat will signify financial troubles to one person, to another afortunate speculation. The controlling factor in this matter isprobably to be found in the constitution of the mental and psychicqualities conferred by the hereditary and psychic influencesconverging at the conception of an individual, and expressed in thebirth. Probably, too, an argument could be established in regard tothe influence of the planets ruling at the nativity, and also from thedominion of the signs of the zodiac in the horoscope of birth. Butthis would be beyond the scope and intention of this short treatise. CHAPTER VII. SOME EXPERIENCES The following facts, in connection with predictions made from theCrystal, have come within the knowledge of the writer, either aspersonal experiences or in association with others in which thefaculty of clear vision is active. A lady of title visited the seer in the month of June, 1896, and wastold that she would hear news from abroad in some hot countryconcerning the birth of a child, a boy, who would arrive in thefollowing year in the month of February. The lady did hear suchnews, and in February, 1897, a boy was born to the lady's sister inIndia. The same lady was told that on a certain date, whiletravelling, she would meet with an accident to the right leg. Shefell between the platform and the footboard while getting into atrain, and suffered severe abrasion of the right leg, together with aserious muscular strain which laid her up for several days. Previous to that the lady was to be surprised by some good fortunehappening to her son in connection with papers and a contest. Thishappened at the time specified. Her son passed his examination forthe military college with honours. Mrs. H. Was consulted by a lady of some ability in a special line ofliterature. This fact was not, however, within the knowledge of theseeress. She was told that she would go up a certain staircase intoa dingy room with a roll of something under her arm. She wouldsee a dark man who was thick-set and of quiet demeanour. Theman would take the roll, and it would be a source of good fortuneto her at a later date. The lady-consultant did so take a certain manuscript rolled upbeneath her arm. She went up the dingy staircase described by theseeress, and saw the man whose description had been given. The manuscript was transferred from her hand to that of thepublisher, for such was the man's occupation. The manuscript wasaccepted, and later on was published. So the prediction wasliterally fulfilled. In the first case cited the vision was _symbolical_, and theinterpretation was made by the seer himself. In the second case thevision was literal, and needed no interpretation. These two caseswill serve for an illustration of the two types of vision. Mrs. A. Was consulted by a lady of the writer's acquaintance in1893. She was told that she would not marry the person to whomshe was then engaged, but would have to wait till a certain person, who was described, should come from a foreign country and takeher away. This would happen, it was said, in the month of January, three years later. This event transpired in due course exactly aspredicted, though nothing was further from the probable course ofevents; in fact, the lady was not a little irate at the allusion tothe breaking off of her then existing relations, while the idea ofmarrying a person whom she had never seen, and for whom shecould have no sort of regard, was naturally revolting to one sowholly absorbed as she was at the time. Mrs. G. Consulted the seer on September 27th, 1894. She was toldshe would have sickness incidental to the loins and shooting painsin the knees. [A figure was seen with a black cloth around theloins, the figure stooping and resting its hands upon its knees. ] Shewould be the owner of a house in the month of December. [Ahouse was seen covered with snow; the trees were bare. ] Aremoval would be made when the trees were without leaf. [A birdwas seen on a branch without leaf; the bird flies off. ] Theconsultant would be engaged in a dispute concerning money. [Several hands seen grabbing at a pile of money. ] These events came to pass at the time predicted. It is advisable tonote that in the first instance the symbolical vision is seen; in thesecond, a _literal_ vision supervenes; and in the third and fourthcases the vision reverts to the symbolical. Here we have aninstance of the overlapping of the two conditions of thetemperament, the active and the passive state alternating. As an illustration of the extreme difficulty of interpretation in thenormal state of consciousness a symbol may be cited which wasseen in the crystal for Miss X. "A shield, and a lion rampantthereon, in red. " Now this might mean anything. It suggests thearmorial bearings of a princely family. The lion rampant mightmean the anger of a person in authority, as the lion is the avowedking of beasts. Its colour, red, and its attitude are naturallyexpressive of anger. The shield might be a protection, though littleneeded by a lion, especially if the assailant were the fragile MissX. To whom the vision had reference. Now observe the interpretation of the seer. "You will hear newsfrom a man of medium height and fair complexion concerning aforeign country. A letter will come in reference to somethingwritten by you which will be the very best thing that could happen. You will score a great success. " This interpretation, which is quitein line with the fact and which afterwards transpired, is probablyas far removed from all that one might have expected as anythingcould well be. But we have to remember that the condition inwhich the seer voices the interpretation of symbols seen by him isa psychological one, and no doubt in that state natural symbolstake on quite a different signification to that which they wouldhold in the normal state of waking consciousness. How often dodreams have a marked influence upon the dreamer while stillasleep; how often do they assume proportions of magnitude andbecome pregnant with meaning to the dreamer, only to dissolveinto ridiculous triviality and nonsense as soon as the personawakes! It would indeed appear that a complete hiatus existsbetween the visionary and the waking states of consciousness, sothat even the laws of thought undergo a change when the centre ofconsciousness is removed from the outer to the inner world ofthought and feeling. The writer has known cases of sickness predicted with remarkableaccuracy, the time and the nature of the sickness being foretoldwith more or less accuracy. The reception of unexpected lettersand telegrams; their import and consequences; the variouschanges, voyages, business negotiations and speculationsoccurring in the consultants' lives have been foretold by means ofthe crystal. Deaths have been foreseen, and even changes in thereligious views of the consultant or his associates. In one case the writer saw a vision of a public square in which wasthe effigy of a lamb mounted upon a pedestal. The lamb was madeof solid silver and was mounted on marble. A Catholic priest camealong and pointed at the lamb. Immediately a flash of lightningcame from the sky and struck the effigy, melting off one of itsears. This was stated to signify that the community to which the consultantbelonged would immediately lose a member by conversion tothe Roman Church. By the next mail the consultant learnedthat such was the case--an important member of the communityhaving gone over to the Roman Catholics exactly as predicted. In another case a man was seen dressed in black and wearing thehabit of a judge. He held some papers in his hands which he wasendeavouring to conceal. He appeared unsuccessful in his efforts. A snake was seen at his feet. It rose up against him. A change tookplace in the field of the vision and the same man was seen lying onhis death-bed. From this it was predicted that the man designatedby the vision would be guilty of misrepresentation, and would becut off by death three years from that time. The prediction was inevery respect verified. Not unfrequently the visionary state is induced by excessiveemotion, during which the prophetic faculty is considerablyheightened. Some temperaments of a peculiarly sensitive orderwill fall into the clairvoyant condition while engaged in thought. The thread of thought is broken, and there appears a vision whollyunconnected with the subject but a moment ago in the mind. Itwould appear that the soul of the sensitive, while probing thedepths of its inner consciousness, suddenly comes into contactwith the thin partition which may be said to divide the outer worldof thought and doubt from the inner world of intuition and directperception, and, breaking through, emerges into the light beyond. The same may be said of cases which manifest the faculty of clearvisions while in the hypnotic state, whether spontaneous orinduced. The trance condition frequently manifests this faculty inconjunction with others, such as clairvoyance or clear-hearing andthe sense of psychic touch. The following instance, which was reported in the _MorningLeader_ of Friday, 14th August, 1896, is remarkable for itsextreme pertinence to the subject under consideration: "Last month a man named David Thomas, who had for a shorttime been employed by Lord Windsor as his estate carpenter, wasfound shot dead in a lonely spot on the roadside near Fairwater, avillage not far from Cardiff. No trace of the murderer could befound, and no motive has been supplied for the fell deed. "David Thomas was, from all accounts, a quiet, peaceable fellow, well liked by his intimates, and happy in his domestic relations. He was a native of the little fishing village Aberaeron, inCardiganshire, but he had lived in Glamorganshire for some years, and had married a respectable woman, a native of the Vale ofGlamorgan. A few months ago he received the appointment ofcarpenter on Lord Windsor's estate. He then removed with hisfamily to live in the little village of St. Fagan's a few miles out ofCardiff. He had hardly settled down there when the tragedy tookplace. It happened on a Saturday night. He had given up workearly, and had come home to cut the grass in the little green infront of his cottage, and to tidy up his new home. Early in theafternoon he seems to have grown tired of the work and wentindoors. His wife asked him to take the children out for a stroll. Hemade no reply, and his wife, busy in another part of the house, didnot pay much attention to his subsequent movements. She knows, however, that he washed and went upstairs to put himself tidy, andthen went out--without the children. "He seems to have met a friend on the road, and went for a walkwith him. They called at a public-house, and had a glass or two ofbeer. Then, about ten o'clock, they parted. Thomas was quitecheerful, and started for home at a brisk pace. He came presentlyto a lonely part of the road. A wayfarer heard a pistol shot and ascream, and presently met a man who was hurrying away from thedirection of the scream, and who wished him a gruff good-night. Two hundred yards farther on the traveller saw in the dim nightthe body of a man stretched out on the side of the road. He fetchedassistance: the body was that of David Thomas. He had been shotabout a hundred yards behind, but he had not been killed outright. He had run in terror up the road, spouting blood as he went, andleaving a ghastly trail behind him. "But a weird story which is told in the _Western Mail_ of Cardiffserves to lend that touch of horror to the tale which renders it morethrilling than any story which the most daring novelist wouldventure to create. "A young girl, who is not yet 20, has been in the habit for sometime past of attending séances held by the Cardiff PsychologicalSociety. One night at a séance, while in a state of trance, she wasseized with a strange convulsion. Through her lips came thewords: "'I--WILL--have--my--revenge. ' "'Who are you, friend?' asked the interlocutor. "'David--Thomas. I--was--shot. ' "This entirely unexpected answer was followed by sensationalstatements concerning the murder and the identity of the murderer. Some days after she was taken out to Fairwater--which she hadnever before visited--and reenacted in a trance the scene of themurder. "The story leaked out, and came to the ears of the _Western Mail_. Doubts were cast at once on the _bôna fides_ of the girl and thewhole story. An offer was made to repeat the experiment in thepresence of two _Mail_ representatives. The offer was accepted, and one night this week, at ten o'clock, the little party met outsidethe Railway Inn, where poor David Thomas had had his last drink. "A start was made. The medium walked at an easy pace between amale and female friend, whose arms were linked. The faint outlineof the road ahead led always on towards a wall of blackness. "At last they came near Fairwater. Suddenly the medium spoke: "'I see a pistol right in front of me--held towards me--it is a shinyone--there it is, held up--it has a large mouth. ' "Forty yards farther on the medium spoke again: 'Hark! I hearfootsteps! I see a man!' "'Where?' "'Right in front of us. There he is, creeping along the hedge. He iskeeping out of sight. ' "'What is he like? How is he dressed?' "The medium described her vision very minutely. Her paceincreased suddenly; she dragged her linked companions on with alurch forward. The farmhouse where she first saw the phantomstranger was well passed. She was following him, eagerly now. "A piercing scream came from the girl. A pressman sprang to herside and helped to prevent her body pitching headlong forward. "This was at the spot where David Thomas fell at the first shot. "'O--o--oh!' moaned the medium, twisting her left arm round tothe back, to a spot immediately below the shoulder-blade, as if inintense agony. Then, supported on either side, she staggeredforward. "A light was struck to see her face. It was the hue of death. Hereyes were turned until the whites only were visible. "'Let her go down!' "Moaning, she was allowed to sink, and lay there prone. Hermoans expressed intense agony, and were like those of a mandying, blood gurgling in the sound; it was scarce conceivable awoman actually lay there. "'Speak, friend, ' said her interlocutor, and presently came the slowanswer, a whisper: "'David--T-T-Thomas. ' "'What do you want of us, friend?' "'I--was--shot!' The tones of the voice were those of a man. "'Who shot you?' "A name was given. "'What do you want to do, my friend?' "Slowly, distinctly, with relentless purpose came the answer: "'I--will--have--my revenge. He shot me. ' "Then the medium told them where the pistol had been bought bythe murderer a year ago under an assumed name, and where thepistol would be found. All this while the poor girl lay prone on theroadside under the thin sinister telegraphic pole. "Gradually she revived. 'Look, look!' she cried, in a voice ofhorror, 'Look at the blood. ' "'Where?' "'Here--look! Look here!' indicating spots not visible to any oneelse. 'Take me away, ' she shuddered, but before her frightenedexclamation could be obeyed her body suddenly stiffened. ' He isthere!' she said, with a pitiful horror in her tone, but with her faceexpressionless and her eyes still white. "'What do you see?' "'The ghost. ' "Then the party returned, shaken in mind and surfeited withhorrors. " Examples of a similar nature might be multiplied indefinitely, andwould but serve to show what has already been stated as a matterof personal experience among all those in whom the psychicfaculties have attained any degree of development, viz. , that the_rapport_ existing between the human soul and the world ofsubjective consciousness is capable of being actively induced byrecourse to appropriate means, or cultivated, where it exists to anydegree, by means of the crystal and other accessories, such as themetal disc used in China, or the Shiva-lingam stones used in India. The following example of the psychic sense of feeling will serveto show that all the senses, not that of vision alone, are capable ofdevelopment under suitable conditions. A contributor to the_Westminster Budget_, in December, 1893, sends the followingaccount of the use of the divining rod for the purpose ofspring-finding: "A few weeks ago took place some operations with the diviningrod by Mr. Stears, of Hull, who was called to Mr. S. Campion'sfarm at East Heslerton, near Malton, to search for a water supply. At that time he marked two places near the farmhouse where, hesaid, the presence of water was indicated by the rod. Since thenMr. E. Halliday, plumber of Malton, has bored an artesian well atone of the places indicated, and found a very copious supply ofwater at a depth of 87 feet, after going through sand, clay, and abed of what Mr. Halliday says is quartz and lead ore. Mr. Campion, who was previously without a supply of pure water, isdelighted with the results of the visit of the 'diviner, ' and has faithin his power with the rod. Mr. Stears has since been called in toexperiment on several farms on the Birdsall estate of LordMiddleton, the operations being conducted in the presence ofJulia, Lady Middleton, the Hon. Geoffrey and Mrs. Dawnay, Mr. Persons (Lord Middleton's agent), and others. Other farms werevisited, and Mr. Stears, after employing the rod, indicated thepresence of water at each. Mr. Halliday has also receivedinstructions to make tests at these places, and operations are nowin progress. Mr. Stears has successfully 'divined' for water on twoof Mr. Lett's farms in the East Riding, and also at Amotherby, nearMalton; and his success is drawing fresh attention to the 'diviningrod' and its capabilities in the hands of a duly 'inspired' professor. Mr. Stears claims that he can also discover metals as well as water, and he alleges that not one person in 10, 000 can use the rodsuccessfully. His explanation of the power he possesses beyondthe ordinary run of his fellow-men is that it is what he would call'animal electricity, ' because at times, after using the rod for a longperiod, he loses his power with it, and only recovers it after a shortrest and refreshment. In the presence of Lady Middleton and therest of the company he made several interesting experiments--forinstance, standing on a china dish, to show that china is anon-conducting agent (the rod ceasing to oscillate even when overwater); finding metals hid in the ground, etc. " Mrs. Louise Cotton, writing of the operation itself, says: "When a sensitive person who has the power of feeling theexistence of water or mineral under the surface of the earth, stepsexactly over the course of a spring or running water, or metallicvein, etc. , the piece of wood or other medium used turns inthe hands--in most cases upwards for water and downwardsfor minerals. The motion varies according to individualtemperaments: in some hands the turning is slow and but slightlyfelt, or scarcely perceptible by lookers-on; with others it rotatesrapidly, and when held tightly by the thumb, the bark of the branchor twig often peels off; and, with very susceptible operators. I haveseen the rod fly, out of the hands, or, if very tightly held, break. " As yet, however, the majority of people are wholly oblivious tothe fact that such psychic faculties exist, and even those whopossess them, _i. E. _, who have them in something like workingefficiency, are conscious of having but an imperfect control overthem. Probably it is as suggested by Mr. F. H. Myers, these things are, asyet, imperfectly understood. Genius, far from being a conditionbordering on neurosis or other nervous ailments--as Lombroso andNordau have erroneously taught--is an exaltation of faculty whichbrings its subject into relations with a plane of life possibly far inadvance of one's normal experience; so that while new centres ofactivity are as yet under imperfect control, the normal functions ofthe brain and other centres of action are left in neglect. Hence, tothe casual observer, the erratic nature of Genius is notdistinguishable from some incipent forms of insanity. In just the same way the opening up of new centres of activity inthe psychic nature of man is frequently attended by temporary lossof control over the normal brain functions. Loss of memory, hysteria, absentmindedness, unconscious utterance of one'sthoughts, illusions and hallucinations, irritability, indifference toone's surroundings, and similar perversions, are among theproducts of the newly-evolved psychic faculty. These, however, will pass away when the faculty has been broughtunder control of the mind. Nature is jealous of its offspring, andconcentrates the whole of its forces when in the act of generation. That is the reason of its apparent neglect of powers and functionalready under its control while the evolution of a new faculty is inprocess. The would-be seer, therefore, must be prepared to pay the price ofany success which may attend his efforts in the direction ofinducing clairvoyance by means of the crystal. "The universe is thine. Take what thou wilt, but pay the price, " isthe mandate of Nature. "What shall be the price of this newfaculty?" the reader may ask. The answer is the same in regard tothis or any other faculty of the soul: "What is it worth to yourself?That is the price you must pay. " With this equation in mind the reader is asked to considerseriously the phenomena indicated in the foregoing pages. CHAPTER VIII. DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE OVOIDS AND SHPERES FOR CRYSTAL OR MIRRORVISION Daylight and artificial light are both equally suitable. A Northlight is the best suited to the human eye. Observer should sit back to the light, holding the Ovoid or Spherein the palm of the hand, which may rest comfortably on the lap, orit can be placed on a table with a stand under it, and a back screenof black velvet or dark material. The latter materially assists bycutting off side lights and reflections. Steady gazing in completesilence is absolutely necessary, for unlike other occult phenomena, the distraction the attention of primary (ordinary) consciousness isa great disadvantage. Success depends chiefly upon idiosyncrasyor faculty in the gazers, for "Seers" are very often men and womenof imperfect education, in fact they seem "born rather than made"but the faculty may be developed in many people, seemingly atfirst insensitive, by frequent short trials, say fifteen to twentyminutes at a time, or less if they get tired. Success is indicated when the Sphere or Ovoid, ceasing to reflect, becomes milky, a clouded colour following (generally red, and itscomplementary green), turning to blackness, which seems to rollaway like a curtain, disclosing to the view of the student, pictures, scenes, figures in action, sentences of warnings, advice, etc. , etc. Revival of latent or lapsed memory is one of the leading featuresof this experiment. A book of instructions, carefully copied byRaphael from the old astrological works, is prepared specially forhis crystals, price 1s. 2d. Post free. THE PRACTICE OF CRYSTAL VISION Magi Spheres are considered the best. The price a few years agowas £3 3s. Each, but the sale having become larger and the processless expensive, they are now sent packed with instructions for 15s. 6d. , in a velvet-lined specially made jewel case. "Some personssee at once, others after a time. Women see better than menvisions of the past, present, and future, on the subjects upon whichthe mind feels anxious. It does not require a knowledge ofastrology to be able to use the crystal. " No. 1, in case, with instruction, 15s. 6d. " 2, " " " 21s. " 3, " " " 50s. " 4, " " " 60s. CHAPTER IX. CONCISE DICTIONARY OF ASTROLOGICAL TERMS AFFLICTION. --When a planet is on the cross (square) or inopposition, it is said to afflict. AIRY SIGNS. --Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These are the mentalsigns. ANGLES. --The cardinal points forming the cross or square; thefirst, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses. APPLICATION. --As its name implies, when one planet applies toanother. The Moon applies to all the planets, being the quickesttraveller. AQUARIUS (the Water bearer). --The eleventh sign of the zodiac, or 300° from the 0° of Aries. The Sun enters Aquarius about the21st of January each year. ARIES (the Ram). --The first sign of the zodiac. In making up the360° in the zodiac, we count from 0° of Aries. The Sun entersAries on the 21st of March each year. ASCENDANT. --This is the first house, or that point which rises atbirth. ASCENDING. --When a planet is between the fourth and tenthhouse; it is always the east. ASPECTS. --This means the relationship one planet, or sign, has toanother in the zodiac. The Table of Aspects should be wellstudied; it is important. BENEFICS. --Jupiter and Venus are always good, because theygive Hope and Love, and, if we add the Sun, we have Faith, Hope, and Charity. BESIEGED. --A term used when a planet is found between twoothers; if between Jupiter and Venus, it is good; if between Saturnand Mars, evil. BI-CORPOREAL SIGNS. --So-called because they are double. Itis rarely used. The signs are Gemini, Sagittarius, and Pisces. CADENT. --The third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth houses are cadent. It means falling from angles. CANCER (the Crab). --The fourth sign of the zodiac; it is 90° from0°. The Sun enters Cancer on 21st June. CAPRICORN (the Goat). --The tenth sign of the zodiac, intowhich the Sun enters on the 21st of December. CARDINAL SIGNS. --Aries, Cancer, Libra, and, Capricorn. Thesefour signs form the S E + W N they are important signs. COMMON SIGNS. --Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. CONJUNCTION. --When two planets are close together, or withinorbs of each other. At New Moon the Moon is conjunction Sun. CULMINATE. --When a planet is in the mid-heaven, it is said toculminate; it means being on the cusp of the tenth. CUSP. --The beginning of any house. At noon the Sun is on thecusp of the tenth house. It means the first point of the houses. DECLINATION. --The distance any planet is North or South ofthe Equator. DECREASING IN LIGHT. --When a planet is past the oppositionof the Sun, it is then said to be weak. DEGREE. --The 360th part of the zodiac; its mark is °; 90° is asquare; 120° a trine of the zodiac. DESCENDANT. --The seventh house, or opposite to theAscendant; the West. DESCENDING. --When a planet is between the tenth and seventhhouses. DETRIMENT. --A planet in a sign opposite to its own house is inits detriment. The house of the Moon is Cancer. When the Moon isin Capricorn, it is in its detriment. DIGNITIES. --When a planet is in exaltation, or in an angle, increasing in light, etc. DIRECT. --When the planets are moving in their true orderthrough the zodiac. DIRECTIONS. --The period after birth. The position of the planetsas life advances. The Sun moves about one degree per day, andthis is equivalent to one year. The thirtieth day after birth woulddenote the thirtieth year of life, and the Directions would be takenout of the ephemeris for this day, the Sun's aspects forming theprimary directions and the Moon the secondary. DRAGON'S HEAD. --The Moon's North Node, or when she crossesthe ecliptic into north latitude. The Moon's course is ofserpentine form, having a head and tail. DRAGON'S TAIL. --The Moon's South Node when she crosses intosouth latitude. EARTHLY SIGNS. --Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. ECLIPSE. --An obscuration of a heavenly body, owing to theinterposition of another. The Moon in the shadow of the Sun iseclipsed. ECLIPTIC. --The circle of the heavens which the Sun appears todescribe in the course of the year, in consequence of the earth'smotion round him. ELEVATED. --The planet nearest to the mid-heaven is elevatedover any other. EPHEMERIS. --A Table for each day, giving the latitude andlongitude of the planets. "Raphael's" _Ephemeris_, price 1s. , isconsidered the best. It is all that is needed to cast the horoscope. EQUINOCTIAL SIGNS. --Aries and Libra. EXALTATION. --There are certain houses in which a planet isexalted, as follows: Sun, Aries; Moon, Taurus; Mercury, Gemini;Jupiter, Cancer; Saturn, Libra; Mars, Capricorn; Venus, Pisces. FALL. --When a planet is in a sign opposite to its exaltation, it isweak. FEMININE SIGNS. --The odd signs, as Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces. FIERY SIGNS. --Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. FIGURE. --A map of the heavens is called by astrologers a figure. FIXED SIGNS. --Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius. FORTUNES. --Jupiter, Venus, and the Sun when well placed. FRUITFUL SIGNS. --Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. GEMINI. --The third sign, or house of Mercury. The Sun enters thesign about 21st May. GENETHLIACAL. --That which applies to the geneture in nativity. GEOCENTRIC. --As viewed from the centre of the earth. GELIOCENTRIC. --As seen from or having reference to the centreof the Sun. HOUSES. --One of the twelve divisions of the zodiac. IMUM COELE. --The fourth house, or lower meridian. INCREASING IN LIGHT. --When the Moon or any planet is leavingthe Sun, until the opposition is reached. INFORTUNES. --Saturn, Mars, and Uranus when afflicted. INTERCEPTED. --A sign lying between the cusp of two houses. LATITUDE. --The distance of any planet north or south of theecliptic. LEO. --The fifth sign in the zodiac; the house of the Sun. LIBRA. --The seventh sign and house of Venus. LOGARITHMS. --Of great use to astrologers. A Table of artificialnumbers; to be found at the back of "Raphael's" _Ephemeris_. LONGITUDE. --The angular distance of a heavenly body from thefirst point of Aries, measured from the ecliptic as seen from theearth. LORD. --The ruler of a sign or house. Mars is the lord of Aries, and if Aries was in Ascendant, it would be lord and ruler. LUMINARIES. --The Sun and Moon. LUNATION. --A lunar period. MALEFICS. --See Infortunes. MASCULINE SIGNS. --Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius. MASCULINE PLANETS. --Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn. MODERN ASTROLOGY. --A monthly magazine of interest to allthinkers. NORTHERN SIGNS. --Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo. OCCIDENTAL. --The western portion of the map. OPPOSITION. --When two planets are opposite each other, or180° distant. ORBS. --The orbs of the planets are the number of degrees allowedto each in which their influence is felt. Five degrees all round isthe safest number to give. ORIENTAL. --When a planet is in the eastern part of the heavens. PARALLELS. --The declination north or south of the equator. It isa position considered of the nature of a conjunction. PART OF FORTUNE. --A point in the horoscope where the raysof the Sun and Moon converge. PISCES. --The twelfth sign of the zodiac. QUERENT. --One who asks a horary question. QUESITED. --The one enquired about. QUINTILE. --An aspect of 72° in longitude. RADICAL. --That which is connected with the radix, or root, dealing with the horoscope. RECEPTION. --The planet that receives the aspect. RECTIFICATION. --A method by which the true Ascendant isdiscovered. RETROGRADE. --An apparent motion of a planet that is not in theorder of the signs. REVOLUTIONS. --A solar revolution is the return of the Sun to itsplace at birth. SAGITTARUS. --The ninth sign of the zodiac. SCHEME. --A map of the heavens. SEMI-SEXTILE. --A difference of 300 in longitude; a weak, goodaspect. SEMI-SQUARE. --An aspect of 450 difference in longitude; anevil aspect. SEPARATION. --When a planet is separating from another. SESQUIQUADRATE. --An evil aspect being a difference of 1350in longitude. SEXTILE. --A good aspect, a difference of 60° in longitude. SIGNIFICATION. --The ruling planet, or word, of the Ascendant. SOUTHERN SIGNS. --Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. SPECULUM. --A Table of the aspects in the horoscope. STATIONARY. --When a planet appears to have no motion, it issaid to be stationary. SUCCEDENT. --Those houses which follow the angles. The second, fifth, eighth, and eleventh. TABLE OF HOUSES. --A Table for calculating nativities. TAURUS. --The second sign of the zodiac and the house of Venus. TRANSITS. --The passing of the planets over places or points inthe horoscopes by daily motion, as seen from the Ephemeris. TRINE. --A good aspect; a difference of 120° in longitude. URANUS. --The name given to the planet Uranus, or Herschel. VIRGO. --The sixth sign in the zodiac; the house of Mercury. ZENITH. --The point directly overhead. The pole of the horizon. ZODIAC. --The belt of the heavens containing the twelve signs, divided into 300 parts each, making 3600.