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PREFACE
PREFACE
In these pages a sincere attempt is made to blend modern science with the ancient and occult philosophy of the precious, semi-precious and common stones of the earth. It will be shown that many of the seemingly absurd narratives of old authors are but cunningly concealed truths, the unravelling of which can be followed with interest and profit along the lines herein indicated. The ancient masters held that the influences exerted by the heavenly bodies entered into harmonious relations with vario
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CHAPTER I STUDY OF PRECIOUS STONES INEARLY TIMES
CHAPTER I STUDY OF PRECIOUS STONES INEARLY TIMES
INSPIRATION AND KNOWLEDGE: EXPERIMENTS ON SENSITIVES: GEMS AND COLOUR ATTRACTIONS: ANCIENT GEM CLASSIFICATION: SCIENCE HERMETIC AMONG ANCIENT NATIONS: PUNISHMENT OF THE PEACH TREE: MODERN CLASSIFICATION. The study of the precious and semi-precious stones of the earth has commanded the attention of man from the mists of ages when, according to Enoch, the angel Azazzel came to the earth plane to teach him the use of them. Hence man considered the actual benefit to himself of these stones until his
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ASTROLOGY: COLOURS OF THE HEAVENS.
ASTROLOGY: COLOURS OF THE HEAVENS.
The old science of Astrology was known amongst the Hebrews as the Wisdom of Foreknowledge ( HOK MAT HA NISSAYON ), and with it was included Astronomy or Star Knowledge ( HOK MAT HA HOZZAYON ). It is spoken of as of heavenly origin having been communicated to man by the angels after he had lost Eden. It was written that: Kokabel communicated Astrology, Wisdom of the Stars. Rakiel or Barakel communicated Astronomy, Star Gazing. Shehakeel communicated The Wisdom of the Clouds. Arkiel communicated T
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THE EPHOD OF THE HIGH PRIEST: THE HEAVENS, THE GATES, THE CAVES: THE FOUR WORLDS.
THE EPHOD OF THE HIGH PRIEST: THE HEAVENS, THE GATES, THE CAVES: THE FOUR WORLDS.
In the 28th chapter of Exodus we learn that those that are “wise hearted” and “filled with the spirit of wisdom” were selected to make for Aaron consecrated garments—a breastplate and an ephod, a broidered coat, a mitre and a girdle. On the shoulders of the Ephod (Hebrew, Hepod) which was to be made “of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet”—these being the colours of divinity—“and fine twined linen, with cunning work” were to be placed two stones, each to be engraved after the manner of a si
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CHAPTER IV THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT
CHAPTER IV THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT
“ The future things and those which are to happen, let them foretell unto thee. ” Isaiah XLIV. 7. ATTACHED to the Ephod was the famous HOSHEN-HA-MISHPAT or Breastplate of Judgment which was of “cunning work,” fashioned like the Ephod “of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen.” It was a square pouch when doubled, a span in length and a span in breadth. Josephus writes that there were “twelve stones upon the Breastplate, extraordinary in largeness and beauty: and t
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CHAPTER V INTERPRETATION OF THE BREASTPLATE ACCORDING TO ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
CHAPTER V INTERPRETATION OF THE BREASTPLATE ACCORDING TO ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
It is apparent that the identification of the stones in the Breastplate must present many difficulties. Lord Arthur C. Hervey in his Dictionary of the Bible, says: “Whether the order followed the ages of the sons of Israel or, as seems most probable, the order of the encampment, may be doubted; but unless any appropriate distinct symbolism of the different tribes be found in the names of the precious stones, the question can scarcely be decided.” Dr. C. Keil in “Biblical Archaeology” says: “The
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CHAPTER VI THE STONES OF THE BREASTPLATE AND THE ZODIAC
CHAPTER VI THE STONES OF THE BREASTPLATE AND THE ZODIAC
The foregoing chapter dealing with the identification of the stones of the Breastplate has necessitated study and research, and the classification reproduced in the table following rests on a secure base. Many of the scholars of the past when endeavoring to render Hebrew stone names into our own language were hampered by a none too technical knowledge of the gems themselves, whilst many of the later writers were handicapped by lack of astrological knowledge so essential in a matter of this kind.
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CHAPTER VII OLD LEGENDS
CHAPTER VII OLD LEGENDS
THE LEGEND OF THE SHAMIR: THE RING OF SOLOMON: RABBI LOW BEN BEZALEL: AND HIS GOLEM: THE AUTOMATON OF ALBERTUS MAGNUS: DIOCLETIAN AND THE OSTRICH: PRECIOUS STONES AS GIFTS: MAGICAL STONES: METEORITES: PRECIOUS STONES OF THE BUDDHISTS. It was forbidden to use metal in the engraving of the stones of the Breastplate, neither was it permitted to mark them with pigments or paint. The work was done by the magical Shamir which had the power of eating into the hardest substances at the will of its holde
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CHAPTER VIII STONES IN VARIOUS MYTHOLOGIES
CHAPTER VIII STONES IN VARIOUS MYTHOLOGIES
THE DWELLING PLACE OF INDRA: THE SERPENT KING: THE CHARIOT OF SURYA: SURYA’s TEMPLE: RAMA AND THE BRIDGE OF ADAM: THE AVATARAS: THE TEMPLE CAVES OF KANHARI: NECKLACE OF THE KING OF MAABAR: JAIPAL’s NECKLACE: THE BUDDHIST TWELVE HEAVENLY JEWELS: THE TREASURES: THE OFFERINGS OF THE FOUR DEVA SAGAS: THE BLACK STONE OF MECCA: ROLAND AND THE JEWEL OF THE FOREST KNIGHT: IRISH CHARM STONES: DENDRITES: GARDEN CHARMS. Meru or the North Pole, the abode of the great Indra who, according to the Rigveda, “fi
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CHAPTER IX STONES AND THEIR STORIES
CHAPTER IX STONES AND THEIR STORIES
ABRAXAS STONES. These were stones used by the Gnostics or Knowers who existed in the early ages of Christianity. “Amongst this Christian philosophic sect,” writes King, “the figure of Abraxas was held in high esteem. They used it as a teacher in obedience to whom they directed their own peculiar transcendental inquiries and mystic doctrines: as a token or password amongst the initiated to show that they belonged to the same sect: as an amulet and talisman: and lastly as a seal for their document
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CHAPTER X THE GREATEST CHARMS IN THE WORLD
CHAPTER X THE GREATEST CHARMS IN THE WORLD
“ A deceased King is said to have entered the boat of the Sun in the form of the scarab. ” We will now turn to the ancient land of Egypt and dwell awhile on the sacred Scarabaeus which was, without doubt, the most popular and venerated charm of antiquity. The Scarab was a copy in steatite, faience, obsidian, gold, beryl, crystal, haematite, cornelian, jasper, amethyst, turquoise, lapis lazuli, granite, serpentine and other stones, of the large black beetle, scarabaeus sacer. It was known in anci
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CHAPTER XI AGATE-AMAZONITE
CHAPTER XI AGATE-AMAZONITE
AGATE The name occurs as agath, agget, agot, agat, agett, agott, aggat, aggot, achate, etc. The great Greek philosopher and scientist, Theophrastus, in his writings “Of stones,” says that the agate obtained its name from the river Achates—now known as the Drillo—in Sicily, because near its banks the first specimens were found. Dr. Bochart derived the name from the Hebrew word NAKAD, meaning “spotted.” Most authorities agree that this stone was the eighth stone in the Breastplate of the High Prie
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CHAPTER XII AMBER—AZURITE
CHAPTER XII AMBER—AZURITE
AMBER Amber is a fossil vegetable resin which has undergone change owing to chemical action. The name is derived from the Arabic word AMBAR. Amber is also known as Succinum (a word derived from the Greek Succum, juice) on account of its vegetable origin. At one time it was also known by the Oriental word Karabe, straw-attractor. Hash-mal was its name in Hebrew and by the Greeks it was known as ELEKTRON, from which our word electricity has been derived. That painstaking scholar of the 17th centur
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CHAPTER XIII THE BERYL FAMILY
CHAPTER XIII THE BERYL FAMILY
THE BERYL FAMILY: SOME LARGE SPECIMENS: VAUQUELIN’S DISCOVERY: THE CELESTIAL SIGN OF THE BERYL FAMILY: OLD MINES OF KLEOPATRA: WOMEN SEARCHERS OF EGYPT: THE CANOPY OF HOLOFERNES: STARS OF THE PLEIADES: EMERALD AND THE EYES: POPE JOHN XXI AND HIS ASSERTION: THE SERPENT’S GAZE: TAURUS, SCORPIO AND THE STORY OF EDEN: THE TRUE VENUS: REPTILES OF OVER-INDULGENCE: CIRCE AND THE SWINE: DIANA, GODDESS OF THE MOON: VIRTUES ASCRIBED TO THE EMERALD: ESMERALDA: THE DRAGON OF THE EMERALD MINE: PRESCOTT’S STO
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CHAPTER XIV BALAS—CRYSOCOLLA
CHAPTER XIV BALAS—CRYSOCOLLA
BALAS: BLOODSTONE: BONE TURQUOISE: CAIRNGORM, AN ANCIENT CAUTERISER: CARBUNCLE: THE PATHWAY OF THE FOURTH HEAVEN ILLUMINATED THE ARK OF NOAH: “A BURNING GEM”: THE MAGICIAN OF KING KAJATA: THE LUSTROUS CARBUNCLE OF CEYLON: NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE’S STORY: VIRTUES OF THE STONE: A CAPTAIN’S TALISMAN AT GALLIPOLI: CARNELIAN AND THE SARD: SENSITIVENESS OF THESE STONES: SARD INTAGLI: ALARIC THE GOTH AND HIS CARNELIAN: MADAME BLAVATSKY AND THE SHAMANS OF TARTARY: OCCULT VIRTUES OF THE CARNELIAN: MEANING IN
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CHAPTER XVII SOME FAMOUS AND WONDERFUL DIAMONDS AND THEIR STORIES
CHAPTER XVII SOME FAMOUS AND WONDERFUL DIAMONDS AND THEIR STORIES
THE KOH-I-NOOR: PITT OR REGENT: THE ORLOFF: THE SANCY: THE BLUE HOPE: THE PAUL THE FIRST: THE DRESDEN: THE NIZAM: THE CUMBERLAND: THE NAPOLEON: THE EUGENIE: THE POLAR STAR: THE SHAH: THE MOON OF THE MOUNTAINS: AKBAR SHAH, OR THE SHEPHERD’S STONE: THE RIVER OF LIGHT: THE GRAND MOGUL: THE GRAND TABLE: THE NASSAK: THE PIGOTT: THE PACHA: THE TUSCANY: THE STAR OF ESTE: THE WHITE SAXON: THE GREAT WHITE: THE MATTAM: THE STAR OF THE SOUTH: THE ENGLISH DRESDEN: THE DE BEERS DIAMONDS: THE STAR OF SOUTH AF
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CHAPTER XXIII THE FLAME QUEEN
CHAPTER XXIII THE FLAME QUEEN
The Flame Queen, the rarest stone yet won from the barren sun-baked opal fields of Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, near the borders of Queensland, Australia—takes its place amongst the famous gems of the world. It is a large oval-shaped stone measuring 2.8 inches by 2.3 inches and weighing 253 carats. In structure and colour phenomena it is unique—the centre slightly in relief whilst the surrounding border stands out boldly as a frame to a picture. Looking directly on to the stone the inspirat
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CHAPTER XXIV VARIOUS KINDS OF OPAL
CHAPTER XXIV VARIOUS KINDS OF OPAL
CACHOLONG, THE OPAL OF FRIENDSHIP: FLOAT STONE, THE LOVERS’ OPAL: GIRASOL, THE FIRE OPAL: HYALITE, THE EYE OPAL: HYDROPHANE, THE MAGIC OPAL: MENILITE, THE LIVER OPAL: OPAL JASPER: ROSE OPAL: SEMI-OPAL, THE FOREST OPAL: TABASHEER: MARCO POLO’S ACCOUNT OF THE EXPEDITION OF THE GREAT KAAN: THE OPAL OF INVULNERABILITY AND REMOVER OF DREAD: THE MARVEL OF TRANSFORMATION. CACHOLONG. An opaque white or bluish-white variety of opal which obtains its name from the river Cach in Bokhara, according to some
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CHAPTER XXVI PEARL
CHAPTER XXVI PEARL
THE BISHOP OF CHIAPA CHAMPIONS THE INDIAN PEARL DIVERS: SIZE OF THE OLD PEARL FIELDS: VALUE OF EXPORTS TO EUROPE IN 16TH CENTURY: THE PERSIAN GULF: THE CEYLON FISHERIES: THE “BINDER OF SHARKS”: THE PEARL CHARM OF THE DIVERS: CLASSIFICATION OF PEARLS IN CEYLON: THE RED SEA FISHERIES, THE SOURCE OF KLEOPATRA’S PEARLS: THE AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES: NEED FOR THEIR PROTECTION: OTHER FISHERIES: STORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF NEW GUINEA PEARLS: TOWN OF THE NYMPHS: RIVER FISHERIES: A RIVER PEARL IN THE BRITISH C
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CHAPTER XXX TITANITE—TOPAZ
CHAPTER XXX TITANITE—TOPAZ
TITANITE: TOPAZ: THE MYSTERY OF THE “ISLAND OF THE MISTS”: THE RING OF THOMAS A’ BECKET CALLED A PERITOT BY THE ABBOT OF GLASTONBURY: THE MEANING OF THE WORD TOPAZ: TOPAZ REMARKABLE FOR ITS CLEAVAGE: ITS USE IN ANCIENT AND MODERN MEDICINE: TOPAZ RHOMBICUS OF THE MINERALOGISTS: M. DUMELLE DISCOVERS HOW TO CHANGE THE COLOUR OF A TOPAZ: “PINGOS D’AGOA,” “ GOUTTES D’EAU, ” “MINAS NOVAS”: “DIAMOND OF SLAVES”: 12 LBS. OF TOPAZ FOR THREE SHILLINGS: HOW QUEEN MARY’S GREAT BLUE TOPAZ WAS FOUND: THE TOPAZ
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CHAPTER XXXII STONES IN SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS
CHAPTER XXXII STONES IN SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS
Those who labour for the world belong to the world, no matter which little part of it may be claimed as their birthplace. This applies to the humblest as well as to the greatest, as in a play the excellence of individual players contributes to the artistic harmony and influence of the entire production. So it is that William Shakespeare, the inspired master of the “spacious times of great Elizabeth,” breaks through the narrow limits of sea-girt England and encompasses the whole world of women an
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CHAPTER XXXIII FORMS, COMPOSITIONS, CHARACTERISTICS, ZODIACAL CLASSIFICATION, AND PLACES OF ORIGIN
CHAPTER XXXIII FORMS, COMPOSITIONS, CHARACTERISTICS, ZODIACAL CLASSIFICATION, AND PLACES OF ORIGIN
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CHAPTER XXXIV GEMS IN HERALDRY, MAGICAL SQUARES OF ABRA MELIN THE MAGE, CHARUBEL’S GEM INFLUENCES, GEMS OF COUNTRIES
CHAPTER XXXIV GEMS IN HERALDRY, MAGICAL SQUARES OF ABRA MELIN THE MAGE, CHARUBEL’S GEM INFLUENCES, GEMS OF COUNTRIES
Without doubt the science of Heraldry was evolved from ancient astrological philosophy. Various distinctive badges, shields and tokens were employed by the peoples of the past, but the system as known today did not properly evolve much before the 13th Century. In the present book, that section of Heraldry known as Blazoning by Planets and Precious Stones deserves some passing notice. By Blazoning the Sovereigns and Peers were distinguished, the former by the Planets and the latter by precious st
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CHAPTER XXXV THE INEVITABLE LAW OF TRANSMUTATION
CHAPTER XXXV THE INEVITABLE LAW OF TRANSMUTATION
CHAMPIONS OF PROGRESS, XENOPHANES, PLATO, ARISTOTLE, ZENO, LEONARDI DA VINCI AND THEIR SPECULATIONS: THE HARNESSING OF INVISIBLE AGENCIES: THE WAY OF THE SPIRIT: DESTINY, THE LAW: POINT OF UNION OF FORCES KNOWN TO THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHERS: UNIVERSAL ORDER AND HARMONY. Transformation, under the various forms of transfiguration, transmutation and change, forms the subject of many fascinating stories which adorn the pages of romance, mythology, science and symbology. It may be said to exhibit itse
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