Chapter I: Preface

The subject of Talismans and Gems of the Zodiac covers a wide area, and the difficulty of arriving at a definite conclusion is increased because of the varying opinions between writers on these subjects as to the stones referred to, or intended by the Ancients, complicated still further by the different languages from which these records have been translated, and where Month or Zodiacal gems are referred to many of the writers are obviously unacquainted with Astrology or Astronomy.

The present volume, being the result of many years of study and research, it is not easy in all cases to specify the original source of our information, which has been collected, not only from ancient and modern writings, but also from personal experience and experiments, noted at the time they occurred, long before this book was contemplated. Again, we find that many, and more especially modern authors, quote from one another in places, and the original source of the information is obscure; we have, therefore, endeavoured to give as far as possible our authorities, although, owing to the antiquity of the subject, much is necessarily left to deduction and conjecture; and it is more than probable there may be unintentional omissions, to remedy which we give a list of books that we have at different times consulted and studied with advantage.

We have endeavoured throughout to make the subjects dealt with as interesting as possible, believing that the symbols expressing the faiths of bygone days form the basis of occult forces, a proper understanding of which is becoming more and more recognised by scientists as necessary in the interests of progress at the present day.

It will be noticed that many of the gems have similar qualities attributed to them which, according to the ancient authorities, were specifically arranged for the benefit of those types whose planetary aspects brought them into harmony with the particular stone specified.

With regard to characteristics dealt with in the second part of the book, this must be regarded as general, and liable to variation according to the remaining Planetary influences, which would be indicated in a horoscope. With this proviso, the information given will be found reliable and very helpful in giving a knowledge of our own dispositions and those of our friends and associates and should pave the way to a sympathy and understanding impossible without this knowledge. It will also afford a simple and easy means of at least proving there is something in Astrology, and if interest is aroused the fullest information may be obtained by a study of the books mentioned, dealing with the subject.

We have greatly benefited from the assistance given us by Mrs. G. M. Walker in lending us scarce and valuable books for reference, and by G. H. Greenop, Esq., kindly translating many old Greek and Latin writings; we should also like to acknowledge our obligations to the Directors of the British Museum for the facilities given in obtaining information, and their permission to make drawings from the actual Talismans in their collections.

WM. THOS. PAVITT

17 HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W.
_3rd August, 1914_

CONTENTS

PART I

CHAPTER I
PAGES
The Psychic and Magnetic Influence of Talismans and Gems 3-12

CHAPTER II

Talismans of Primitive Races--The Axe--Arrow-head--The
Swastika--The Serpent--The Interlaced Triangles 13-22

CHAPTER III

The Tau Cross--Aum Ma Ni Pad Me Hum--Indian Talismans--Ganesa
the Elephant-headed--Hanuman the Monkey God--The Eight
Glorious Emblems of Buddha--The Wheel of Life--The Conch
Shell--The Two Fishes--The Lucky Diagram--The Lotus--The
Frog--The Three Gems 23-33

CHAPTER IV

Talisman for Wisdom--Buddha’s Footprints--The Dorje--Knots--Chinese
Talismans--The Trigrams--The Five Bats--The Goose--Stork--Pine
Tree--Peach--Lucky Sentence--The Phœnix--The Dragon--Horse
Hoof--Siva’s Charm--The Money Sword--Red in Talismans--The
Lock--Bells--The Tortoise--The Tiger--Pigs--The
Black Cat 34-43

CHAPTER V

The Pear Charm--“Show Fu”--Jade--The Blue Gown for
Longevity--Japanese--The Tiger--Wolf--Fox--The
Thunder, Fire and Echo--The Fan of Power--Hotei,
the God of Contentment--The Eagle--The Millet
Dumpling--Carp--Sacred Dog--Stork--Tortoise--Crane--Child’s
Hand--Mitsu-Domoe--Hammer of Daikoku--The
Keys--Anchor--Crystal Ball--Leaf Talisman--Ota-fu-ku--Bow--Temple
at Ise 44-54

CHAPTER VI

Egyptian Beliefs--Crux Ansata--The Menat--The Two
Plumes--The Single Plume--The Nefer--The Cartouche--The
Angles and Plummet--The God Bes--Aper--The
Tat--The Heart 55-65

CHAPTER VII

The Buckle of the Girdle of Isis--The Scarab--The Eye of
Osiris--The Two Fingers--The Collar--The Hawk--The
Sma--The Ladder and Steps--The Snake’s Head--The
Serpent--The Sun’s Disc--The Frog--The Fish--The
Vulture--The Sa, or Tie 66-75

CHAPTER VIII

Gnosticism--Abraxas--Sacred Names--Khnoubis--The
Seven Vowels--The Magic Symbols--The Archangels--Lion-headed
Serpent--Aum--The Ineffable Name--Horus--Osiris--Isis--Etruscan,
Greek, and Roman--The Crescent Symbol--The Horseshoe--Tusk, or
Horn--Stable Keys--Amalthæa’s Horn, or Cornucopia--Serapis--Bull’s
Head--Diana--Harpokrates--Anubis--Bellerophon--Salus
Ring--Hygiea 76-85

CHAPTER IX

The Bulla--The Tusk--Pine Cone--The Frog--Skull of an
Ass--Key Talismans--Grylli, or Chimeræ--Goat--The
Ox--Lion--Eagle--The Caduceus--Mercury--Health
Rings--Boar’s Head--Clenched Hand--Open
Hand--Figured Hands--The Lizard--The Spider--The
Fish--Snails 86-96

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
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,
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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