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diff --git a/26622.txt b/26622.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2cf363a --- /dev/null +++ b/26622.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1921 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of How to Read the Crystal, by Sepharial + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: How to Read the Crystal + or, Crystal and Seer + +Author: Sepharial + +Release Date: September 14, 2008 [EBook #26622] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO READ THE CRYSTAL *** + + + + +Produced by Ruth Hart + + + + + + + +[Note: In the original text, the Concise Dictionary of +Astrological Terms displayed a small astrological glyph illustration +next to each term, but I have not indicated these in this online text.] + + + +HOW TO READ THE CRYSTAL +OR, 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 5 +Chapter II. Qualifications 13 +Chapter III. Preliminaries 17 +Chapter IV. The Vision 21 +Chapter V. Difficulties 25 +Chapter VI. Symbols 29 +Chapter VII. Some Experiences 35 +Chapter VIII. Directions for Using the Ovoids and + Spheres for Crystal or Mirror Vision 51 +Chapter 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 would +depend largely upon the exercise of what Professor Huxley was +wont to call "the scientific imagination." The reasons for this are +obvious. We know comparatively little about atomic structure in +relation to nervous organism. We are informed to a certain degree +upon atomic ratios; we know that all bodies are regarded by the +physicist as a congeries of atoms, and that these atoms are +"centres of force." Primarily, the atomic theory would refer all +heterogeneous bodies to one homogeneous substance, from which +substance, by means of a process loosely referred to as +"differentiation," all the elements are derived. These elements are +the result of atomic arrangement, and the atoms of each are known +to have various vibrations, the extent of which is called the "mean +free path of vibration." The indestructibility of matter, the fact that +all nature is convertible, and the absolute association of matter and +force, lead to the conclusion that since every change in matter +implies a change of force, matter must be ever living and active, +and primarily of a spiritual nature. The great Swedenborg, no less +a scientist than a spiritual seer, laid down his doctrine of +"Correspondences" upon the primary concept of the spiritual +origin of all force and matter. Matter, he argued, was the ultimate +expression of Spirit, as Form was that of Force. Spirit was to Force +what Matter was to Form--our ideas of Matter and Form being +closely related. Hence, for every _Spiritual Force_ there is a +corresponding _Material Form_, and the material or natural world +corresponds at all points with the world of spirit, without being +identical. This, in brief, is the conclusion to which the "scientific +imagination" of the present day, extending as it does from the +known into the unknown, is slowly but surely leading up. + +Taking as our postulate the scientific statement of the atomic +structure of bodies, atomic vibration and molecular arrangement, +we turn to consider the action exerted by such bodies upon the +nervous organism of man. + +The function of the brain--which must be regarded as the bulbous +root of a nervous plant whose branches grow downwards--is +twofold; to affect, and to be affected. In its active or positive +condition it affects the whole of the vital and muscular processes +in the man, finding expression in vital action. In its passive or +negative state it is affected by impressions coming to it in different +ways through the sense-organs, resulting in nervous and mental +action. It is this latter phase of brain-function with which we are +immediately concerned. + +The range of our sense-perception puts us momentarily and +continually in relation with the material world, or rather with a +_certain portion_ of it. We say a certain portion because we +know from scientific experience that the scale or gamut of +sense-perception is limited, both as to its extent and as to its +quality. Many insects, birds, and quadrupeds have keener perceptions +in some respects than man. The photographic plate can register +impressions which are beyond the perception of our highest sense +of sight. The Roentgen rays have put us into relations with a new +order of impression--records quite beyond the range of our normal +vision. The animalcule and microbic life, itself microscopic, has +yet its own order of sense-organs related to a world of vitality +beyond our ken. These, and a host of other observations, serve to +show that our normal perceptions are extremely limited, and, +further, that nature does not cease to exist where we cease to +perceive her. + +The relation of our sense-organs to the several degrees of matter, +to solids, fluids, gases, atmospheric and etheric motions, vary in +different individuals to such a wide extent that the average +wool-sorter leaves many an artist behind in his perception of +colour-shades. The same odour is perceptible by one person and +unrecognisable by another. In the gradation of sound, too, the +same differences of perception will be commonly noticed. But +quite apart from the scale or range of perception, the _quality_ of a +sense-impression is found to vary with different persons. By this +we mean that the same body will affect different persons in +dissimilar manner. Hence arises the variety of "tastes" in regard to +forms, colours, flavours, scents, sounds, fabrics, etc., what is +agreeable to one being highly objectionable to another. The +experience is to common to need illustration; but the conclusion to +which we are led is that, in relation to the nervous system of man, +every material body has a variable effect. And this clears the +ground for a statement of our views in regard to the Crystal and its +effects upon the seer. + +The Crystal itself is a clear pellucid piece of quartz or beryl, +sometimes oval in shape, but more generally spheroidal. It is +accredited by Reichenbach and other researchers with highly +magnetic qualities capable of producing in a suitable subject a +state analogous to the ordinary waking trance of the hypnotists. It +is believed that all bodies convey, or are the vehicles of, a certain +universal magnetic property, variously called Od, Odyle, etc., +which is regarded as an inert and passive substance underlying the +more active forces familiar to us in kinetic, calorific, and +electrical phenomena. In this respect it bears a position analogous +to the Argon of the atmosphere. It is capable of taking up, +sympathetically, the vibrations of those bodies or elements to +which it is temporarily related. But of itself it has no activity, +although in its still, well-like, and calm depths it holds the +potentiality of all magnetic forces. This Odyle, then, is particularly +potent in the quartz or beryl, when brought into activity by the +intention of the seer. It produces and retains more readily in that +form the various images communicated to it from the soul of man. +And the soul, in this connection, must be regarded as the +repository of all that complex mass of emotions, thoughts, +impressions, perceptions, feelings, etc., included in the inner life +of man; for the soul of man is not the less a scientific fact because +there are those who bandy words concerning its origin and nature. +Reichenbach has shown by a series of experiments upon sensitive +and hypnotised subjects that metals and other substances produce +very marked effects in contact with the human body. Those +experiments showed, too, that the same substance affected +different patients in diverse manner. The hypnotic experiments of +Dr. Charcot, the well-known French biologist, also demonstrate +the _rapport_ existing between the sensitive patient and foreign +bodies when in proximity or contact; as for example, when a bottle +containing a poison was taken at random from among a number of +others of exactly similar appearance, and applied to the back of the +patient's neck, the hypnotised subject would once develop all the +symptoms of poisoning by arsenic, strychnine, prussic acid, etc., it +being afterwards ascertained that the bottle thus applied actually +contained the toxine whose effects had been portrayed by the +subject. + +It need not, then, be a matter of surprise to learn that the Crystal +exerts a very definite and sensible effect upon the nervous system +of a certain order of subjects. It does not affect all alike, nor act +in exactly the same way on those whom it does so affect. Where its +action is more or less rapid and remarkable, the quartz or beryl +Crystal may be taken as the most effective medium for producing +the vision. In other cases the concave mirror, either of polished +copper or black japan, will be found serviceable for inducing the +clairvoyant state. In some other cases, again, a bowl of water is +sufficient. The ecstatic vision was first induced in the case of +Jacob Boehme by the sun's rays falling upon a bowl of water +which caught and dazzled his eyes while he was engaged in the +humble task of cobbling a pair of shoes. As a consequence of this +exaltation of the sense of sight we have those remarkable +works, "The Aurora," "The Four Complexions," "The Signatura +Rerum," and many others, together with a volume of letters and +commentaries which, in addition to being of a highly spiritual +nature, must also be regarded as scholarly when referred to their +authorship. + +In cases like the above it may be said that the clairvoyant faculty is +constitutional and already fully developed, waiting only the +circumstances which shall serve to bring it into active play, +Emanuel Swedenborg, if we remember rightly, was 54 years of +age before he awoke to the consciousness of his spiritual vision. + +The medium employed for inducing the clairvoyant state cannot +be definitely prescribed. It must remain a matter of experiment for +each investigator. This, however, may be said: _Every person +whose life is not wholly sunk in selfish and material pleasures, but +in whom the aspiration to a nobler and purer life is a hunger the +world cannot satisfy, has within himself the power to see and +know that which he seeks behind the veil of his earthly senses. +Nature has never produced a desire she could not satisfy. There is +no hope, however vague, that the soul cannot define, and no +aspiration, 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 prone +to activity than in others is certain, as also some in whom these +powers are native, by spiritual or hereditary succession; all of +which may be determined from their genitures by the astrological +art. In others, the determination of the natural powers takes a more +practical and mundane tendency, making them more successful in +the affairs of daily life than in aught of a spiritual nature St. Paul +has spoken of a diversity of gifts. "One star differeth from another +in glory," he says, in very truth. This distribution of natural gifts +proceeds from the celestial world, and is so ordered that each +person born on this earth may fulfil his part in the economy of +life. And because the spiritual needs of mankind are of primary +importance, there are those born in whom the power of spiritual +interpretation is the dominant faculty, such persons being the +natural channels of intercourse between the superior and inferior +worlds. These are to mankind what a certain order of microbic life +is to the body of man--organic interpreters, translating the +elements of food into blood, nerve, fibre, tissue, etc., agreeably to +the laws of their being. + +For those who would aspire to the gift of pure vision, and in whom +the faculty is striving for expression, the following pages are +written. To others we would say, Be content. All birds are not +eagles. The nightingale has a song, the humming-bird a plumage +which the eagle will never possess. The nightingale may sing to +the stars, humming-bird to the flowers, but the eagle, whose +tireless eyes gaze into the heart of day, is uncompanioned in its +lofty loneliness in the barren mountain-tops. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +QUALIFICATIONS + +There are in existence certain magical works, such as those of +Trithemius and Barrett, wherein the use of the Crystal is +accompanied by certain rites and invocations. This ceremonial +magic we are disposed to repudiate as highly dangerous. It brings +into play a number of forces which may well prove disastrous in +inexperienced hands. All action and reaction are equal and +opposite. A child might easily fire a cannon, but could not +possibly withstand its recoil. So in the education of the spiritual +faculties, it is better to encourage their natural development by +legitimate exercise than to invoke the action of stimulants which +we may not afterwards be able to control. The continual fretting of +the water will wear away a rock, though none doubts the water is +softer than the rock. If the barrier between this and the soul-world +be like granite, yet the patient and persistent action of a +determined mind will sooner or later wear it away, the last layer +will break down, and the light will stream through, dazzling the +unaccustomed eyes with its effulgence. + +It is our desire to indicate by what means and by what persons the +natural development of the clairvoyant faculty may be achieved. + +First, in regard to the subject, medium or seer. There are two +distinct temperament in which the faculty is likely to be dominant, +and capable of high and rapid culture. There is the nervous +temperament associated, with a high muscular development, +classified as the "mental-motive" temperament. It is characterized +by extreme activity of body and mind, a certain nervous +excitability, prominent features, full osseous development, +prominent brows, intent gaze, and generally a swarthy complexion. +This type represents the _positive_ seers, in whom the mind +goes out towards the images of the soul. The other, in whom +the _passive_ temperament is present, and to whom the soul-images +come by passive reflection, as things mirrored in a moveless +lake, are known by the following characteristics: Full and +lymphatic habit, pale or delicate complexion, generally blue +eyes, 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 their +psychic development by quite opposite means. The positive seer +works with effort, throwing out the soul-images by the power of +his will, perceiving them with more or less accuracy, and +thereafter turning them over in the mind, reasoning and +questioning concerning their import and meaning. The passive +seer, on the contrary, works not at all and makes no effort, the +visions coming slowly, almost imperceptibly, and in most cases +having a literal interpretation. The visions in this case are not +allegorical, emblematic, or symbolic, as in the case of the positive +seer, but are actual visions of facts just as they have happened, or +will transpire in the future. Of the two orders, the passive is the +more serviceable because the more perspicuous, but it has the +disadvantage of being largely under the control of external +influences, and hence is frequently incapable of "seeing" anything +whatever. + +The positive type of seer exercises an introspective vision, +searching inwardly towards the soul-world whence the revelations +proceed. Of what nature these revelations are will appear in the +following pages. The passive type of seer, on the contrary, remains +_in statu quo_, open to impressions coming inwards towards the +perceptive faculty, but making no effort towards either outward +or inward searching. The success of each depends upon the +observance of that method which is agreeable to their respective +temperaments. + +In regard to the qualifications which should supplement and +sustain the natural aptitude of the seer or seeress, the following +remarks may be of general service. + +Self-possession and confidence in one's own soul-faculties must +be the firm rock upon which all revelations should rest. The purer +the intention and motive of the seer, the more lucid will be the +visions accorded. No reliable vision can be obtained by one whose +nature is not inherently truthful. Any selfish desire dominanting +the mind in regard to any thing or person will distort the visions +and render them misleading, while a persistent self-seeking spirit +will effectually shut the doors upon all visions whatsoever. +Therefore, above all things it is essential for the investigator to +have an unflinching love of truth, to be resigned to the will of +Heaven, to accept the revelations accorded in a spirit of grateful +confidence, and finally to dispel all doubt and controversy +by appeal to the eyes of one's own immortal soul. These are +qualifications with which the seer or seeress should be invested, +and if with these the quest is unsuccessful after a period of earnest +trial, it must be taken as sufficient warrant that the faculty is not +in the category of one's individual powers. Haply, the same +qualifications brought to bear upon some other psychic faculty +will 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 place +when not in use. The best covering therefore is a black one of soft +material, such as velvet, which will not scratch the polished +surface of the quartz.[*] Exposure to the sun's rays not only scores +the faces of the crystal, but also puts the odylic substance into +activity, distributing and dissipating the magnetic force stored up +therein. It must not be understood that the visions are in the crystal +itself. They are in the soul of the seer. But the odylic substance is +acted 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 possible +from disturbing elements. For the same reason, when in use, the +crystal should be overshadowed by the seer, and so placed that _no +direct rays_ of light from sun, or lamp, or gasalier may fall upon +it. The odyle, as has been already stated, rapidly responds to +surrounding magnetic conditions, and to the vibrations of +surrounding Bodies, and to none more powerfully than the etheric +perturbation caused by combustion--indeed, to light of any kind. + +[*] It is bad policy to buy a cheap article. A good crystal +is more than worth the outlay. Our publishers supply crystals, +varying from 15s. 6d. upward, and from what we have seen of +them we can safely recommend them as reliable articles. + +For similar reasons the room in which the sitting is conducted +should be only moderately warm and shady as possible, provided +it be not actually dark. A light by which one can just see to read +average print is sufficient for the purpose in view. The crystal with +which we have had the most satisfactory and surprising results is a +cube of fine azure beryl, the deep blue of its serene depths being +peculiarly restful and inspiring. But, as we have said, nothing is +more effective than the white quartz crystal when found suitable. + +It is important that all persons sitting in the same room as the seer +should be at arm's length away from him--farther if possible. +Silence should be uniformly observed by those present. A recorder +should be at hand to set down everything the seer may give voice +to. If any questions are addressed to the seer while the sitting is in +progress, they should be spoken in an undertone and as nearly a +monotone as may be so that the seer is not suddenly surprised into +consciousness of his surroundings, and the psychic thread thereby +broken. + +At first the sittings should not be of longer duration than fifteen +minutes, 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 a +cumulative effect is produced and success more speedily ensured. +The reason is obvious. All actions tend to repeat themselves, to +become automatic, to pass from the purposive into the habitual, +and hence the psychic faculties will, if actuated at any set time and +place, tend to bestir themselves towards the same end as that to +which they were first moved by the conscious will and intention of +the seer. + +Until definite and satisfactory results are obtained, not more than +two persons should be present at the sittings, and these should be +in sympathy with the seer and each other. When the sitting is over, +it will be found agreeable and useful to discuss the results +obtained; or if none are elicited, the seer can give an account of his +or her impressions and feelings during the sitting. It will be +interesting to note these experiences and to compare them from +time to time. + +The seer or seeress must not be disheartened if at the first few +sittings nothing of any moment takes place, but must persevere, +with patience and self-control. Indeed, when one comes to +consider the fact that for hundreds of generations the psychic +faculties inherent in mankind have lain in absolute neglect, that +perhaps the faculty of "clear vision" has never yet been brought +into activity by any save the most remote of our ancestors, it will +not be thought remarkable that it should be at first difficult get any +definite results. Rather should it be a matter of surprise that the +power is still with us, that it is not wholly irresponsive to the voice +of the soul. While, in the course of physical evolution, many +important functions have undergone remarkable changes, and +organs, once active and useful, have become stunted, impotent, +and in some cases extinct; yet it is said that seeds have lain +dormant in arid soil for hundreds of years, to spring into leaf and +flower as soon as the rains have fallen and the climate changed. +The faculty of pure vision is like the latent seed-life. It waits only +the conditions which favour its growth and development; and +though for hundreds of years it may have lain dormant, yet in a +few days, weeks, or months it may attain the proportions of a +beautiful flower, a thing of wonder and delight, gracing the garden +of the soul. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE VISION + +Visions seen in the crystal are of two kinds, both of which may be +conveyed to the perception of the seer in two ways. The two kinds +of visions are: 1, Direct visions; 2, Symbolic visions. The first of +these is a representation of scene or incident exactly as it will +transpire, or has already happened, either in relation to the seer, +those sitting with him, or yet in relation to public affairs. The +second order of vision is a representation, by means of symbol, +ideograph, or other indirect means, of events similar to those +conveyed by direct vision. + +In most cases it will be found that answers, to questions take the +form of symbols. But this is not always so, as will appear from +the following remarks concerning the manner in which these +impressions or visions are conveyed to the perception of the seer. + +The vision is conveyed in one of two ways--first, as a vivid picture +affecting the focus and retina of the eye, perfect in its outline and +colouring, and giving the impression of being either distant or near +or at moderate range, Secondly, it may be conveyed as a vivid +impression accompanied by a hazy and undefined formation in the +crystal field. In this form it becomes an apperception rather than a +perception, the consciousness receiving the impression of the +vision to be conveyed before it has had time to form and define +itself 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 as +the symbolic vision, owing to the peculiarities of the negative +temperament. When it does appear however, it is particularly lucid +and actual, and has its literal fulfilment in the world of experience +and fact. It is an actual representation of past or future event, or +yet of what is then presently happening at some place more or less +distant. + +The _symbolical_ vision is more closely associated with the +_positive_ temperament. It has the advantage of being more ready +and constant in its manifestation than the _direct_ vision, while on +the other hand it is frequently a matter of speculation as to what +the symbolic vision may portend. + +The positive temperament, centripetal and forceful in its action, +appears to throw off the soul-images, afterwards going out towards +them in a mood of speculative inquiry. The passive temperament, +however, centrifugal and sensitive, most frequently feels first and +sees afterwards, the visionary process being wholly devoid of +speculation or mental activity. The one sees and thinks, the other +feels and sees that, in a word, is the distinction between the two +temperaments. + +In the early stages of development the crystal will begin to cloud +over, first becoming dull, then suffused with milky clouds, among +which sparkle a large number of little specks of light like gold dust +in the sunlight. The focus of the eyes is inconstant, the +pupil rapidly expanding and contracting, the crystal at times +disappearing entirely in a haze or film which seems to pass before +the eyes. Then the haze will disappear, and the crystal will loom +up into full view again, accompanied by a lapse of the seer into +full consciousness. This may be the only experience of the first +few sittings, it may be that of many; but, sooner or later, there will +come a moment when the milky clouds and dancing starlights will +suddenly vanish--a bright azure expanse like an open summer sky +will occupy the field of vision; the brain will take up a spasmodic +action, as if opening and shutting in the superior coronal region; +there will be a tightening of the scalp on a level with the base of +the brain, as if the floor of the cerebrum were contracting; the seer +will catch his breath with a spasmodic sigh, and the first vision +will stand out, clear and life-like, against the azure screen of +heaven. + +The danger at this supreme moment is that the seer will be +surprised into full waking consciousness. During the process of +abstraction which precedes every vision or series of visions, +the consciousness of the seer is gradually and imperceptibly +withdrawn from his surroundings. He forgets that he is seated in +this or that room, that such a person is at his right hand, such +another at his left. He forgets that he is gazing into the crystal. He +hears nothing, sees nothing, save what is passing before the eyes +of 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 though +hoped for and expected, the reaction is so violent and rapid that +the seer is frequently carried back into the full consciousness +of his physical conditions. Therefore, the qualifications of +self-possession and confidence in one's own soul-faculties have been +stated as of primary importance in this domain of research. Excess +of joy or fear at sight of the vision will be fatal to its continuance +and to the condition of mind required for the process of +development. 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 met +with in the process of inducing the psychic vision, and some also +which may be expected in connection with the faculty when +induced. + +Putting aside the greatest of all obstacles--that of constitutional +unfitness--as having been already discussed in preceding pages, +the first obstacle to be avoided is that of ill-health. The importance +of a moderate and sustaining diet in regard to psychic development +cannot be too strongly urged. All overloading of the stomach with +indigestible food and addiction to alcoholic drinks tends to cloud +the spiritual perception, It depletes the brain-centres, gives the +heart too much work, and overthrows the equilibrium of the +system. Ill-health follows; the mind is centred upon the suffering +body, spiritual aspiration ceases, and the soul folds its wings and +falls into the sleep of oblivion. The consciousness of man works +from a centre, which co-ordinates and includes all the phenomena +of thought, feeling, and volition. This centre of consciousness is +capable of rapid displacement, alternating between the most +external of our bodily functions and the most internal of our +spiritual operations. It cannot be active in all parts of our complex +constitution at one and the same moment. Hence it follows that +when one part of our nature is active another is dormant as +happens in sleeping and waking, dream-life being that wherein the +centre of consciousness hovers between the body and the soul. + +With these considerations in mind it will be obvious to every one +that a condition in which the consciousness is held in bondage by +the infirmities of the body is not one conducive to psychic +development. The constitution need not be robust, but it should at +all events be free from disorder and pain. Some of the most +ethereal natures are associated with a delicate organism, but while +the balance is maintained the soul is free to develop its latent +powers. + +It is advisable not to sit for crystal reading, or indeed for any order +of psychic exercise, immediately after or before a meal. The body +should be at rest, and the mind contented and tranquil. Again, the +attitude of the seer should not be too expectant or over-anxious in +regard to the production of the vision. Let the development take its +natural course. Do not force the young plant in its growth or it will +come to a premature end. Take time, as Nature does. It is a great +work, and much patience is needed. The acorn becomes the sturdy +oak only because Nature is contented with small results, because +she can afford to wait and is never in a hurry to see the result of +her operations. And because she is patient and careful in her +beginnings, her works are wonderfully great and complete in their +issues. Above all, they endure. Whoever breathes slowest will live +the longest. This is an Eastern saying which voices a fundamental +truth. + +The vision is produced. The faculty of clairvoyance has become +more or less under the control of the mind. New difficulties arise, +and, of these, two will be conspicuous. The first is that of +time-measure, and the other is that of interpretation. The former is +peculiar to both orders of vision, the _direct_ and the _symbolic_. +The difficulty of interpretation is, of course, peculiar to the latter +order of vision. + +Time-measure is, perhaps, the greatest difficulty encountered by +the seer. It is sometimes impossible to determine whether a vision +relates to the past, the present, or the future. In most cases, +however, the seer learns by experience how to distinguish, and +frequently it will be found that an intuitive impression of +the period involved comes with the vision itself. In our own +experience the foreground, middle distance, and background, mark +off the present, the approximate, and the distant future. In tracing +the succession of events, we have found it convenient to think of +time-measure at the outset, bending the sight upon, each month or +year separately and in succession, noting the visions that arise with +each in order. And as regards the past or future, we distinguish +between them by an intuitive sense rather than by any other +means, and very rarely is this sense deceived, for it is part of the +psychic 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 the +present or a quite recent date. In the same way, the middle distance +indicates the near past or future, and the background denotes the +more distant past or future. The other difficulty we have +mentioned is that of interpretation of such symbols as may arise. +The following pages will indicate some of the symbols and their +meanings. The rest must be left to the intuition of the seer. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SYMBOLS + +Symbols are thought-forms which convey, by the association of +ideas, a definite meaning in regard to the mind that generates +them. They depend wholly upon the laws of thought, and the +correspondence that exists between the spiritual and material +worlds, between the subject and the object of our consciousness. + +Among the ancients symbols were the original form of record, of +communicating ideas, and of writing. The hieroglyphs of the +Egyptians, the word-pictures of the aborigines of Central America, +the ideographic writing of ancient Mongolia, are all forms +of symbolic writing, drawn from natural objects. The Hebrew +alphabet, the names of its 22 letters, clearly indicate the nomadic +and simple life of those "dwellers in tents." Thus the names of the +letters 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, an +ox-goad, water, etc. From the combination of these simple forms the +words are constructed. Thus the word used to signify "knowledge" +is derived from three letters, Yod, Daleth, Oin, which mean a +hand, 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 of +conveying the idea of acquiring knowledge. One cannot help +seeing the hand of the young Hebrew drawing aside the canvas +door of the tent and peeping in to see what secrets may be learned! + +All symbols, therefore, may be translated by reference to the +known nature, quality, and uses of the objects they represent. Thus +a foot signifies a journey, and also understanding; a mouth denotes +speech, revelation; an ear news, information, and, if ugly and +distorted, scandal or abuse. The sun, shining brightly, denotes +prosperity, honours. The moon, when crescent denotes success, +increase, and improvement. When gibbous, it denotes sickness, +decadence, losses, and trouble. The sun eclipsed shows death or +ruin of a man; the moon, similarly afflicted, denotes equal danger +to a woman. These are natural interpretations. + +Every symbol, however, has a threefold interpretation, and the +nature of the inquiry or the purpose for which the vision is sought +must determine the meaning of the symbols. If they refer to the +spiritual world the interpretation must be agreeable to the nature of +the spirit, and similarly if they refer to the intellectual or physical +worlds. Thus a pair of scales would denote Divine Justice in the +spiritual sense, judgment in the intellectual sense, and obligation +in the material sense. If the scales were evenly balanced the +augury would be good. But if weighed down on one side it is +_Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin_, "Thou art weighed and found +wanting"; it shows a corrupt judgment, a wrong conclusion, an +unbalanced mind, failure in one's obligations, injustice, etc. And if +a sword should lie across the scales or be seen overhead, then a +speedy judgment will be meted out. + +A ship is a symbol of intercourse, of trading, of voyaging, etc. If in +full sail it shows that the communication with the spiritual world is +increasing, that news from far-off lands will come to hand, that +trade will increase, that a voyage will be taken. If aught is written +on the sails it will be an additional source of enlightenment. If the +symbol of death be written there, it shows speedy translation to a +far-off country in which the subject will die. That far-off country +may be the spiritual world itself in which case the death would be +a natural one. But if the ship's sails are drooping, then it denotes a +falling 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 yellow +blotches it shows a plague. This symbol was seen, with a goat +butting at it, in June, 1896. There followed a famine and plague in +India, which country is said to be ruled by the zodiacal sign +Capricorn! The symbol was not deciphered till the event came to +throw light upon it. In the same way a leaf of shamrock, denoting +the Triple Alliance, has been seen split down the centre with a +black line, denoting the fracture of the treaty. It would also seem +to indicate that Ireland, whose symbol is the shamrock, will be +separated by an autonomous government from the existing United +Kingdom. + +In similar manner all symbols arising in the crystal may be +interpreted by reference to their known qualities and uses, as well +as the associations existing between them and other things, +persons, and places, in the mind of the seer. As we have already +said, however, the meanings of most of the symbols will be +conveyed to the consciousness of the trained seer at the time of +their appearance in the crystal. Experience will correct many +errors, and a symbol, once known, will assume a constant meaning +with each seer, so that after repeated occurrence it will hold a +definite signification. + +It should be mentioned, however, that the same symbol will have +different meanings with different seers. It is difficult to say why +this is the case. But it probably arises from the difference of +individual temperament, and the Order to which the soul belongs +in the spiritual world. These dissimilarities exist between +individuals down to the lowest of our sensations. We have the +same laws of thought and the same general constitution. Humanity +holds us all within the bonds of a single nature. Yet, despite this +fact, we have differences of opinion, of emotion, of sympathy and +antipathy, of taste, and so forth, Therefore it would appear that the +soul images projected by the magical power of the mind must have +different significations with each of us, their interpretation being +in some peculiar way in agreement with the nature of the person +who sees them. Necessarily no definite rule can be laid down as to +interpretation, but it is advisable that the seer or seeress should be +his or her own interpreter. + +Thus, although every symbol has some general signification in +agreement with its natural qualities and uses, yet it obtains a +particular signification in regard to each person. It is within +common experience that this is the case in regard to dreams, +wherein the faculty of seership is acting in its normal plane. Every +person is a seer in dream-life, but few persons pay that attention to +dreams that their origin and nature warrant. The crystal is but a +means of bringing this normal faculty of dreaming into activity in +the waking life. Yet, as stated above, the differences of import or +meaning, even in the dream-world, of any particular symbol is a +common experience. Thus one person will dream to be wading in +water whenever there is trouble ahead. Another will dream of a +naked child when similar troubles are about to occur, Butcher's +meat will signify financial troubles to one person, to another a +fortunate speculation. The controlling factor in this matter is +probably to be found in the constitution of the mental and psychic +qualities conferred by the hereditary and psychic influences +converging at the conception of an individual, and expressed in the +birth. Probably, too, an argument could be established in regard to +the influence of the planets ruling at the nativity, and also from the +dominion of the signs of the zodiac in the horoscope of birth. But +this would be beyond the scope and intention of this short treatise. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +SOME EXPERIENCES + +The following facts, in connection with predictions made from the +Crystal, have come within the knowledge of the writer, either as +personal experiences or in association with others in which the +faculty of clear vision is active. + +A lady of title visited the seer in the month of June, 1896, and was +told that she would hear news from abroad in some hot country +concerning the birth of a child, a boy, who would arrive in the +following year in the month of February. The lady did hear such +news, and in February, 1897, a boy was born to the lady's sister in +India. The same lady was told that on a certain date, while +travelling, she would meet with an accident to the right leg. She +fell between the platform and the footboard while getting into a +train, and suffered severe abrasion of the right leg, together with a +serious muscular strain which laid her up for several days. +Previous to that the lady was to be surprised by some good fortune +happening to her son in connection with papers and a contest. This +happened at the time specified. Her son passed his examination for +the military college with honours. + +Mrs. H. was consulted by a lady of some ability in a special line of +literature. This fact was not, however, within the knowledge of the +seeress. She was told that she would go up a certain staircase into +a dingy room with a roll of something under her arm. She would +see a dark man who was thick-set and of quiet demeanour. The +man would take the roll, and it would be a source of good fortune +to her at a later date. + +The lady-consultant did so take a certain manuscript rolled up +beneath her arm. She went up the dingy staircase described by the +seeress, and saw the man whose description had been given. + +The manuscript was transferred from her hand to that of the +publisher, for such was the man's occupation. The manuscript was +accepted, and later on was published. So the prediction was +literally fulfilled. + +In the first case cited the vision was _symbolical_, and the +interpretation was made by the seer himself. In the second case the +vision was literal, and needed no interpretation. These two cases +will serve for an illustration of the two types of vision. + +Mrs. A. was consulted by a lady of the writer's acquaintance in +1893. She was told that she would not marry the person to whom +she was then engaged, but would have to wait till a certain person, +who was described, should come from a foreign country and take +her away. This would happen, it was said, in the month of January, +three years later. This event transpired in due course exactly as +predicted, though nothing was further from the probable course of +events; in fact, the lady was not a little irate at the allusion to +the breaking off of her then existing relations, while the idea of +marrying a person whom she had never seen, and for whom she +could have no sort of regard, was naturally revolting to one so +wholly absorbed as she was at the time. + +Mrs. G. consulted the seer on September 27th, 1894. She was told +she would have sickness incidental to the loins and shooting pains +in the knees. [A figure was seen with a black cloth around the +loins, the figure stooping and resting its hands upon its knees.] She +would be the owner of a house in the month of December. [A +house was seen covered with snow; the trees were bare.] A +removal would be made when the trees were without leaf. [A bird +was seen on a branch without leaf; the bird flies off.] The +consultant 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 to +note that in the first instance the symbolical vision is seen; in the +second, a _literal_ vision supervenes; and in the third and fourth +cases the vision reverts to the symbolical. Here we have an +instance of the overlapping of the two conditions of the +temperament, the active and the passive state alternating. + +As an illustration of the extreme difficulty of interpretation in the +normal state of consciousness a symbol may be cited which was +seen in the crystal for Miss X. "A shield, and a lion rampant +thereon, in red." Now this might mean anything. It suggests the +armorial bearings of a princely family. The lion rampant might +mean the anger of a person in authority, as the lion is the avowed +king of beasts. Its colour, red, and its attitude are naturally +expressive of anger. The shield might be a protection, though little +needed by a lion, especially if the assailant were the fragile Miss +X. to whom the vision had reference. + +Now observe the interpretation of the seer. "You will hear news +from a man of medium height and fair complexion concerning a +foreign country. A letter will come in reference to something +written by you which will be the very best thing that could happen. +You will score a great success." This interpretation, which is quite +in line with the fact and which afterwards transpired, is probably +as far removed from all that one might have expected as anything +could well be. But we have to remember that the condition in +which the seer voices the interpretation of symbols seen by him is +a psychological one, and no doubt in that state natural symbols +take on quite a different signification to that which they would +hold in the normal state of waking consciousness. How often do +dreams have a marked influence upon the dreamer while still +asleep; how often do they assume proportions of magnitude and +become pregnant with meaning to the dreamer, only to dissolve +into ridiculous triviality and nonsense as soon as the person +awakes! It would indeed appear that a complete hiatus exists +between the visionary and the waking states of consciousness, so +that even the laws of thought undergo a change when the centre of +consciousness is removed from the outer to the inner world of +thought and feeling. + +The writer has known cases of sickness predicted with remarkable +accuracy, the time and the nature of the sickness being foretold +with more or less accuracy. The reception of unexpected letters +and telegrams; their import and consequences; the various +changes, voyages, business negotiations and speculations +occurring in the consultants' lives have been foretold by means of +the crystal. Deaths have been foreseen, and even changes in the +religious views of the consultant or his associates. + +In one case the writer saw a vision of a public square in which was +the effigy of a lamb mounted upon a pedestal. The lamb was made +of solid silver and was mounted on marble. A Catholic priest came +along and pointed at the lamb. Immediately a flash of lightning +came from the sky and struck the effigy, melting off one of its +ears. + +This was stated to signify that the community to which the consultant +belonged would immediately lose a member by conversion to +the Roman Church. By the next mail the consultant learned +that such was the case--an important member of the community +having gone over to the Roman Catholics exactly as predicted. + +In another case a man was seen dressed in black and wearing the +habit of a judge. He held some papers in his hands which he was +endeavouring to conceal. He appeared unsuccessful in his efforts. +A snake was seen at his feet. It rose up against him. A change took +place in the field of the vision and the same man was seen lying on +his death-bed. From this it was predicted that the man designated +by the vision would be guilty of misrepresentation, and would be +cut off by death three years from that time. The prediction was in +every respect verified. + +Not unfrequently the visionary state is induced by excessive +emotion, during which the prophetic faculty is considerably +heightened. Some temperaments of a peculiarly sensitive order +will fall into the clairvoyant condition while engaged in thought. +The thread of thought is broken, and there appears a vision wholly +unconnected with the subject but a moment ago in the mind. It +would appear that the soul of the sensitive, while probing the +depths of its inner consciousness, suddenly comes into contact +with the thin partition which may be said to divide the outer world +of thought and doubt from the inner world of intuition and direct +perception, and, breaking through, emerges into the light beyond. +The same may be said of cases which manifest the faculty of clear +visions while in the hypnotic state, whether spontaneous or +induced. The trance condition frequently manifests this faculty in +conjunction with others, such as clairvoyance or clear-hearing and +the sense of psychic touch. + +The following instance, which was reported in the _Morning +Leader_ of Friday, 14th August, 1896, is remarkable for its +extreme pertinence to the subject under consideration: + +"Last month a man named David Thomas, who had for a short +time been employed by Lord Windsor as his estate carpenter, was +found shot dead in a lonely spot on the roadside near Fairwater, a +village not far from Cardiff. No trace of the murderer could be +found, 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, in +Cardiganshire, but he had lived in Glamorganshire for some years, +and had married a respectable woman, a native of the Vale of +Glamorgan. A few months ago he received the appointment of +carpenter on Lord Windsor's estate. He then removed with his +family to live in the little village of St. Fagan's a few miles out of +Cardiff. He had hardly settled down there when the tragedy took +place. It happened on a Saturday night. He had given up work +early, and had come home to cut the grass in the little green in +front of his cottage, and to tidy up his new home. Early in the +afternoon he seems to have grown tired of the work and went +indoors. His wife asked him to take the children out for a stroll. He +made no reply, and his wife, busy in another part of the house, did +not pay much attention to his subsequent movements. She knows, +however, that he washed and went upstairs to put himself tidy, and +then went out--without the children. + +"He seems to have met a friend on the road, and went for a walk +with him. They called at a public-house, and had a glass or two of +beer. Then, about ten o'clock, they parted. Thomas was quite +cheerful, and started for home at a brisk pace. He came presently +to a lonely part of the road. A wayfarer heard a pistol shot and a +scream, and presently met a man who was hurrying away from the +direction of the scream, and who wished him a gruff good-night. +Two hundred yards farther on the traveller saw in the dim night +the body of a man stretched out on the side of the road. He fetched +assistance: the body was that of David Thomas. He had been shot +about a hundred yards behind, but he had not been killed outright. +He had run in terror up the road, spouting blood as he went, and +leaving a ghastly trail behind him. + +"But a weird story which is told in the _Western Mail_ of Cardiff +serves to lend that touch of horror to the tale which renders it more +thrilling than any story which the most daring novelist would +venture to create. + +"A young girl, who is not yet 20, has been in the habit for some +time past of attending seances held by the Cardiff Psychological +Society. One night at a seance, while in a state of trance, she was +seized with a strange convulsion. Through her lips came the +words: + +"'I--WILL--have--my--revenge.' + +"'Who are you, friend?' asked the interlocutor. + +"'David--Thomas. I--was--shot.' + +"This entirely unexpected answer was followed by sensational +statements concerning the murder and the identity of the murderer. +Some days after she was taken out to Fairwater--which she had +never before visited--and reenacted in a trance the scene of the +murder. + +"The story leaked out, and came to the ears of the _Western Mail_. +Doubts were cast at once on the _bona fides_ of the girl and the +whole story. An offer was made to repeat the experiment in the +presence of two _Mail_ representatives. The offer was accepted, +and one night this week, at ten o'clock, the little party met outside +the Railway Inn, where poor David Thomas had had his last drink. + +"A start was made. The medium walked at an easy pace between a +male and female friend, whose arms were linked. The faint outline +of 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 shiny +one--there it is, held up--it has a large mouth.' + +"Forty yards farther on the medium spoke again: 'Hark! I hear +footsteps! I see a man!' + +"'Where?' + +"'Right in front of us. There he is, creeping along the hedge. He is +keeping out of sight.' + +"'What is he like? How is he dressed?' + +"The medium described her vision very minutely. Her pace +increased suddenly; she dragged her linked companions on with a +lurch forward. The farmhouse where she first saw the phantom +stranger was well passed. She was following him, eagerly now. + +"A piercing scream came from the girl. A pressman sprang to her +side 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 to +the back, to a spot immediately below the shoulder-blade, as if in +intense agony. Then, supported on either side, she staggered +forward. + +"A light was struck to see her face. It was the hue of death. Her +eyes were turned until the whites only were visible. + +"'Let her go down!' + +"Moaning, she was allowed to sink, and lay there prone. Her +moans expressed intense agony, and were like those of a man +dying, blood gurgling in the sound; it was scarce conceivable a +woman actually lay there. + +"'Speak, friend,' said her interlocutor, and presently came the slow +answer, 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 by +the murderer a year ago under an assumed name, and where the +pistol would be found. All this while the poor girl lay prone on the +roadside under the thin sinister telegraphic pole. + +"Gradually she revived. 'Look, look!' she cried, in a voice of +horror, 'Look at the blood.' + +"'Where?' + +"'Here--look! Look here!' indicating spots not visible to any one +else. 'Take me away,' she shuddered, but before her frightened +exclamation could be obeyed her body suddenly stiffened.' He is +there!' she said, with a pitiful horror in her tone, but with her face +expressionless and her eyes still white. + +"'What do you see?' + +"'The ghost.' + +"Then the party returned, shaken in mind and surfeited with +horrors." + +Examples of a similar nature might be multiplied indefinitely, and +would but serve to show what has already been stated as a matter +of personal experience among all those in whom the psychic +faculties have attained any degree of development, viz., that the +_rapport_ existing between the human soul and the world of +subjective consciousness is capable of being actively induced by +recourse to appropriate means, or cultivated, where it exists to any +degree, by means of the crystal and other accessories, such as the +metal disc used in China, or the Shiva-lingam stones used in India. + +The following example of the psychic sense of feeling will serve +to show that all the senses, not that of vision alone, are capable of +development under suitable conditions. A contributor to the +_Westminster Budget_, in December, 1893, sends the following +account of the use of the divining rod for the purpose of +spring-finding: + +"A few weeks ago took place some operations with the divining +rod by Mr. Stears, of Hull, who was called to Mr. S. Campion's +farm at East Heslerton, near Malton, to search for a water supply. +At that time he marked two places near the farmhouse where, he +said, the presence of water was indicated by the rod. Since then +Mr. E. Halliday, plumber of Malton, has bored an artesian well at +one of the places indicated, and found a very copious supply of +water at a depth of 87 feet, after going through sand, clay, and a +bed of what Mr. Halliday says is quartz and lead ore. Mr. +Campion, who was previously without a supply of pure water, is +delighted with the results of the visit of the 'diviner,' and has faith +in his power with the rod. Mr. Stears has since been called in to +experiment on several farms on the Birdsall estate of Lord +Middleton, the operations being conducted in the presence of +Julia, Lady Middleton, the Hon. Geoffrey and Mrs. Dawnay, Mr. +Persons (Lord Middleton's agent), and others. Other farms were +visited, and Mr. Stears, after employing the rod, indicated the +presence of water at each. Mr. Halliday has also received +instructions to make tests at these places, and operations are now +in progress. Mr. Stears has successfully 'divined' for water on two +of Mr. Lett's farms in the East Riding, and also at Amotherby, near +Malton; and his success is drawing fresh attention to the 'divining +rod' 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 rod +successfully. His explanation of the power he possesses beyond +the 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 long +period, he loses his power with it, and only recovers it after a short +rest and refreshment. In the presence of Lady Middleton and the +rest of the company he made several interesting experiments--for +instance, standing on a china dish, to show that china is a +non-conducting agent (the rod ceasing to oscillate even when over +water); 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 the +existence of water or mineral under the surface of the earth, steps +exactly over the course of a spring or running water, or metallic +vein, etc., the piece of wood or other medium used turns in +the hands--in most cases upwards for water and downwards +for minerals. The motion varies according to individual +temperaments: in some hands the turning is slow and but slightly +felt, or scarcely perceptible by lookers-on; with others it rotates +rapidly, and when held tightly by the thumb, the bark of the branch +or twig often peels off; and, with very susceptible operators. I have +seen the rod fly, out of the hands, or, if very tightly held, break." + +As yet, however, the majority of people are wholly oblivious to +the fact that such psychic faculties exist, and even those who +possess them, _i.e._, who have them in something like working +efficiency, are conscious of having but an imperfect control over +them. + +Probably it is as suggested by Mr. F. H. Myers, these things are, as +yet, imperfectly understood. Genius, far from being a condition +bordering on neurosis or other nervous ailments--as Lombroso and +Nordau have erroneously taught--is an exaltation of faculty which +brings its subject into relations with a plane of life possibly far in +advance of one's normal experience; so that while new centres of +activity are as yet under imperfect control, the normal functions of +the brain and other centres of action are left in neglect. Hence, to +the casual observer, the erratic nature of Genius is not +distinguishable from some incipent forms of insanity. + +In just the same way the opening up of new centres of activity in +the psychic nature of man is frequently attended by temporary loss +of control over the normal brain functions. Loss of memory, +hysteria, absentmindedness, unconscious utterance of one's +thoughts, illusions and hallucinations, irritability, indifference to +one's surroundings, and similar perversions, are among the +products of the newly-evolved psychic faculty. + +These, however, will pass away when the faculty has been brought +under control of the mind. Nature is jealous of its offspring, and +concentrates the whole of its forces when in the act of generation. +That is the reason of its apparent neglect of powers and function +already under its control while the evolution of a new faculty is in +process. + +The would-be seer, therefore, must be prepared to pay the price of +any success which may attend his efforts in the direction of +inducing clairvoyance by means of the crystal. + +"The universe is thine. Take what thou wilt, but pay the price," is +the mandate of Nature. "What shall be the price of this new +faculty?" the reader may ask. The answer is the same in regard to +this 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 consider +seriously the phenomena indicated in the foregoing pages. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE OVOIDS AND SHPERES FOR CRYSTAL OR MIRROR +VISION + +Daylight and artificial light are both equally suitable. A North +light is the best suited to the human eye. + +Observer should sit back to the light, holding the Ovoid or Sphere +in the palm of the hand, which may rest comfortably on the lap, or +it can be placed on a table with a stand under it, and a back screen +of black velvet or dark material. The latter materially assists by +cutting off side lights and reflections. Steady gazing in complete +silence is absolutely necessary, for unlike other occult phenomena, +the distraction the attention of primary (ordinary) consciousness is +a great disadvantage. Success depends chiefly upon idiosyncrasy +or faculty in the gazers, for "Seers" are very often men and women +of imperfect education, in fact they seem "born rather than made" +but the faculty may be developed in many people, seemingly at +first insensitive, by frequent short trials, say fifteen to twenty +minutes 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 its +complementary green), turning to blackness, which seems to roll +away 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 features +of this experiment. A book of instructions, carefully copied by +Raphael from the old astrological works, is prepared specially for +his crystals, price 1s. 2d. post free. + +THE PRACTICE OF CRYSTAL VISION + +Magi Spheres are considered the best. The price a few years ago +was L3 3s. each, but the sale having become larger and the process +less expensive, they are now sent packed with instructions for 15s. +6d., in a velvet-lined specially made jewel case. "Some persons +see at once, others after a time. Women see better than men +visions of the past, present, and future, on the subjects upon which +the mind feels anxious. It does not require a knowledge of +astrology 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 in +opposition, it is said to afflict. + +AIRY SIGNS.--Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These are the mental +signs. + +ANGLES.--The cardinal points forming the cross or square; the +first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses. + +APPLICATION.--As its name implies, when one planet applies to +another. The Moon applies to all the planets, being the quickest +traveller. + +AQUARIUS (the Water bearer).--The eleventh sign of the zodiac, +or 300 deg. from the 0 deg. of Aries. The Sun enters Aquarius +about the 21st of January each year. + +ARIES (the Ram).--The first sign of the zodiac. In making up the +360 deg. in the zodiac, we count from 0 deg. of Aries. The Sun enters +Aries on the 21st of March each year. + +ASCENDANT.--This is the first house, or that point which rises at +birth. + +ASCENDING.--When a planet is between the fourth and tenth +house; it is always the east. + +ASPECTS.--This means the relationship one planet, or sign, has to +another in the zodiac. The Table of Aspects should be well +studied; it is important. + +BENEFICS.--Jupiter and Venus are always good, because they +give 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 two +others; if between Jupiter and Venus, it is good; if between Saturn +and Mars, evil. + +BI-CORPOREAL SIGNS.--So-called because they are double. It +is 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 deg. from +0 deg. The Sun enters Cancer on 21st June. + +CAPRICORN (the Goat).--The tenth sign of the zodiac, into +which the Sun enters on the 21st of December. + +CARDINAL SIGNS.--Aries, Cancer, Libra, and, Capricorn. These +four 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 within +orbs of each other. At New Moon the Moon is conjunction Sun. + +CULMINATE.--When a planet is in the mid-heaven, it is said to +culminate; it means being on the cusp of the tenth. + +CUSP.--The beginning of any house. At noon the Sun is on the +cusp of the tenth house. It means the first point of the houses. + +DECLINATION.--The distance any planet is North or South of +the Equator. + +DECREASING IN LIGHT.--When a planet is past the opposition +of the Sun, it is then said to be weak. + +DEGREE.--The 360th part of the zodiac; its mark is deg.; 90 deg. is a +square; 120 deg. a trine of the zodiac. + +DESCENDANT.--The seventh house, or opposite to the +Ascendant; the West. + +DESCENDING.--When a planet is between the tenth and seventh +houses. + +DETRIMENT.--A planet in a sign opposite to its own house is in +its detriment. The house of the Moon is Cancer. When the Moon is +in 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 order +through the zodiac. + +DIRECTIONS.--The period after birth. The position of the planets +as life advances. The Sun moves about one degree per day, and +this is equivalent to one year. The thirtieth day after birth would +denote the thirtieth year of life, and the Directions would be taken +out of the ephemeris for this day, the Sun's aspects forming the +primary directions and the Moon the secondary. + +DRAGON'S HEAD.--The Moon's North Node, or when she crosses +the ecliptic into north latitude. The Moon's course is of +serpentine form, having a head and tail. + +DRAGON'S TAIL.--The Moon's South Node when she crosses into +south latitude. + +EARTHLY SIGNS.--Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. + +ECLIPSE.--An obscuration of a heavenly body, owing to the +interposition of another. The Moon in the shadow of the Sun is +eclipsed. + +ECLIPTIC.--The circle of the heavens which the Sun appears to +describe in the course of the year, in consequence of the earth's +motion round him. + +ELEVATED.--The planet nearest to the mid-heaven is elevated +over any other. + +EPHEMERIS.--A Table for each day, giving the latitude and +longitude of the planets. "Raphael's" _Ephemeris_, price 1s., is +considered 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 is +exalted, 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 is +weak. + +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 the +sign 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 centre +of 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 leaving +the 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 the +ecliptic. + +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 artificial +numbers; to be found at the back of "Raphael's" _Ephemeris_. + +LONGITUDE.--The angular distance of a heavenly body from the +first point of Aries, measured from the ecliptic as seen from the +earth. + +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 all +thinkers. + +NORTHERN SIGNS.--Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, +Virgo. + +OCCIDENTAL.--The western portion of the map. + +OPPOSITION.--When two planets are opposite each other, or +180 deg. distant. + +ORBS.--The orbs of the planets are the number of degrees allowed +to each in which their influence is felt. Five degrees all round is +the 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 is +a position considered of the nature of a conjunction. + +PART OF FORTUNE.--A point in the horoscope where the rays +of 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 deg. 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 is +discovered. + +RETROGRADE.--An apparent motion of a planet that is not in the +order of the signs. + +REVOLUTIONS.--A solar revolution is the return of the Sun to its +place 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, good +aspect. + +SEMI-SQUARE.--An aspect of 450 difference in longitude; an +evil aspect. + +SEPARATION.--When a planet is separating from another. + +SESQUIQUADRATE.--An evil aspect being a difference of 1350 +in longitude. + +SEXTILE.--A good aspect, a difference of 60 deg. 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 is +said 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 in +the horoscopes by daily motion, as seen from the Ephemeris. + +TRINE.--A good aspect; a difference of 120 deg. 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. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of How to Read the Crystal, by Sepharial + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO READ THE CRYSTAL *** + +***** This file should be named 26622.txt or 26622.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/2/26622/ + +Produced by Ruth Hart + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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