AMULETS AND CHARMS,

supposed to be the name of a Syrian Genius, whose aid was considered invoked by the wearers of the talisman, and it was thus thrown into the form of an isosceles triangle, by those who wished to test its efficacy.

ABRACADABRA

The herb Lunaria, gathered by ABRACADABR moonlight and worn round on the ABRACADAB neck, has, according to many very

ABRACADA

ABRACAD

ABRACA
ABRA C
ABRA
ABR
A B

respectable authorities, performed surprising cures in agues, fevers, and similar disorders. The anodyne necklace of Dr. Chamberlayne, will be remembered as an amulet which long maintained a high position amongst mothers and nurses for lulling the infants under their charge into a healthy repose, and indeed numerous similar instances might be cited of the popularity of their employment. Sufficient, however, has perhaps been said to show the interesting nature of the subject, and we shall resume our investigations as frequently as time and space will permit.

A

ASTRONOMY AND MESMERISM.-Let an untutored Indian hear,

for the first time, that the moon which rolls above his head is suspended there by the power of gravitation; that she obeys the influence of every little speck which his eye can discern in the firmament; of orbs placed beyond them again, but invisible to us, cannot be shaken, and the shock not communicated through the because their light has not yet reached our globe; that the earth whole system of the universe; that every pebble under his feet as virtually rules the motions of Saturn as the sun can do.Let him then be told that one sentient being, placed in the vicinity of another sentient being, can, by a certain action of his nervous system, produce the daily phenomenon, sleep, and the rarer one, somnambulism; and which of these lessons would he be the most prompt to credit? Certainly not that which inculcates an impalpable action and reaction between infinite masses, separated by infinite distances. The pride of learning, the arrogance of erudition, deem it ignoble to believe what they cannot explain; while simple instinct, struck with awe by everything, is equally open to credit what it cannot as what it can comprehend, and admits no scholastic degrees of marvellousness.

ALL remedies for diseases, or anything worn about the person
for protection against specific evils, may be termed amulets, and
of these various kinds are described by the old authors. By the
Jews they were called Kamea; by the Greeks, Phylacteries, by
the Romans, Amuleta or Ligatura; by the Catholics, Agnus Dei,
a consecrated relic; and by the natives of Africa, where they
are still held in the highest estimation, Fetishes. Different
materials have been venerated and supposed capable of preserving
from danger and infection, as well as presumed to be of great
efficacy in removing diseases when actually present. The
electro-galvanic ring, now to be purchasedin every street, asa cer-
tain mode of alleviating the pains of rheumatism, and similar ex-
cruciating disorders, is only a species of amulet, and of its surpris-
ing and apparently miraculous effects upon the system, there are
hundreds of persons who will daily furnish examples. These
remedies work as it were sympathetically on the body, and are
frequently adopted by persons of excellent understanding. Lord
Bacon, whom no one can accuse of being ignorant, says, that if
a man wear a bone ring or a planet seal, strongly believing that
by that means he might obtain his mistress, or that it would
preserve him unhurt at sea, or in battle, it would probably make
him more active and less timid, and that, consequently, his en-
terprises would be more likely to succeed. The learned Boyle
considered them as an instance of the ingress of external effluvia
into the habit, in order to show the great porosity of the human
body. He moreover adds, that he is persuaded some of these
external medicaments do answer, for that he was himself subject
to a violent periodical bleeding at the nose, and that a rather
repulsive remedy which he applied, as an amulet worn round
the neck, proved immediately efficacious. A remarkable instance
of this nature was communicated to Zwelfer, by the chief physi-
cian to the States of Moravia, who having prepared some troches
or lozenges of toads, after the manner of Van Helmont, found
that not only being worn as amulets they preserved him, his
friends, and domestics, from the plague, but when applied to those
suffering under its dire effects, a cure was in every case effected.
Boyle, Bellini, Dr. Wainwright, Dr. Keil, and others, have
strongly advocated the use of the amulet. A striking example
of the power of music, in producing beneficial vibrations of the
atmosphere occurred in the last century, when Orazio Benevoli
composed a mass for the cessation of the plague at Rome, and
may be here considered as a vocal charm. It was performed in
St. Peter's Church, of which he was maestro di capella, and the
singers, amounting to more than two hundred, were arranged in
different circles of the dome, the sixth choir occupying the sum-
mit of the mighty cupola. On the following day, say the his-
torians of that time, the plague abated, and the following week
became totally extinct. The origin of amulets may be traced to
the most remote ages of mankind. In very early history traces
of their existence may be discovered. The learned Dr. War-
burton is evidently in error, when he assigns the origin of these
magical instruments to the age of the Ptolemies, which only
preceded the Christian era by three centuries. Indeed, Galen
tells us that the Egyptian king, Nechepsus, who reigned 330 years
before Ptolemy, had written, that a green jasper cut into the
form of a dragon, surrounded with rays, if applied externally,
would strengthen the stomach and organs of digestion. The
earrings which Jacob buried beneath the tree of Sechem, as
related in Genesis, were also amulets, and we are minutely in-
formed by Josephus, that Solomon discovered a plant efficacious
in the cure of epilepsy, and that he employed the aid of a charm
or spell for the purpose of assisting its virtues-the root of the
herb being concealed in a ring, which was applied to the nostrils
of the patient, and Josephus remarks that he himself saw a
Jewish priest practise the art of Solomon with complete success
in the presence of Vespasian, his sons, and the tribunes of the
Roman army. From this art of Solomon, exhibited through the
medium of a ring or seal, we have the eastern stories which ce-
lebrate the seal of Solomon, and record the potency of its sway
over the various orders of demons or of genii who are supposed
to be the invincible benefactors or tormentors of the human race
in the Eastern Mythology. The most famous amulet amongst
the ancients was that which embraced the word Abracadabra,

INFLUENCE OF THE MOON.-It is a fact well known to most

gardeners that the trees which are planted, and the seeds which are sown, in the decrease or wane of the moon never thrive, and it was long ago observed by the ancient philosphers that her occult influence extended even to matters of general business. Let those, therefore, who would have any pursuit or undertaking successful, observe the course of the moon, and above all things begin nothing of consequence in the decrease, for long experience has proved that there does not exist half the chance of success to any pursuit during that time, and that on the contrary affairs and speculations of every kind which are began in the moon's increase, have a far better prospect of success, allowing for natural obstacles, than at the opposite period. It may be added as as a singular corroborative fact, that nearly all the unsuccessful publications which are continually appearing and as constantly failing, are ushered forth to public notice whilst the moon is in her decrease, and the successful periodicals on the contrary. The astrological reason is, that the moon signifies not only the community at large, but also those changes in popular opinion, which are apparently without motive so continually occurring.

POSSIBILITY AND CREDIBILITY.-How strangely must they estimate nature, how highly must they value themselves, who deny the possibility of any cause, of any effect, merely because it is incomprehensible! For, in fact, what do men comprehend? Of what do they know the causes? When Newton said that gravitation held the world together, did he assign the reason why the heavenly bodies do not fly off from each other into infinite space? He did but teach a word; and that word has gained admittance, as it were, surreptitiously, amid causes, even in the minds of the most enlightened, insomuch that to doubt it now were a proof of ignorance and folly.

16

THE ASTROLOGER'S CALENDAR.
A Diary of Auspicious and Inauspicious days, with Weekly Indica-
tions of the Weather, deduced from Planetary Influences.
SUNDAY, Feb. 23rd.-Dull and cold. Frosty night. Dangerous.
Avoid quarrels.

MONDAY, Feb. 24th.-Clear Frosty weather. Speculations fail, and pecuniary losses occur.

TUESDAY, Feb. 25th.-Changes: sleet, and in the North, snow. An excellent day for love, matrimony, or pleasure, the planet Venus being remarkably well aspected.

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26th.-Fairer, but cold. All influenced by Mars will thrive.

THURSDAY, Feb. 27th.-Windy and cold. Avoid dealings with ladies, nor make assignations.

FRIDAY, Feb. 28th.-Dull fog and misty. Write no letters of importance-journey not-nor apply to lawyers and booksellers.

SATURDAY, March 1st.-Temperate and fair. Good and evil influences both prevail, but ask no favours; if not immediately refused, they will be finally rejected.

THE ASTROLOGER'S STUDY:

Being Predictions of the Chief Events from Week to Week.

As the month wanes with the moon, new events arise to arrest the attention of the seer, foremost amongst which we find the indications of strife in the houses of legislation. Venus, the bright star of love and hope, meets in the house of pleasure a conjunction of the planet Mercury, from which we augur well to literary pursuits especially those in which females share, and some new debutante charms the critics. A churchman of eminence resigns his mitre, and some alterations are seen in the commercial world. The death of one noted for his attainments takes place about the 28th day; and towards the end of this month Saturn will pass over the mid-heaven in the nativity of the Queen Dowager, causing sickness or family afflictions. A railway collision in the North excites apprehension in the beginning of the week, and a deed of violence is perpetrated in the east of London. The miscreant is, however, not suffered to escape.

THE ORACLE OF DESTINY.

n which all Questions from Correspondents are answered gratuitously, in accordance with the true and unerring principles of Astrological Science.

TO OUR QUERISTS.-This department of our work involves the solution of "horary questions," so called from a figure of the heavens being erected for the hour in which the question is asked, and from the indications manifest in which the corresponding answers are derived It will, therefore, be absolutely necessary for all correspondents to specify the exact hour and day on which they commit the question to paper for our judgment, and the replies will then be given accordingly. As this important feature of the starry science will necessarily occupy considerable time which he is willing to devote without reward to benefit the public. THE ASTROLOGER hopes that the liberality of his offer will protect him from the correspondence of those who desire adjudication upon frivolous subjects, or who are merely actuated thereto by motives of idle and foolish curiosity. All subjects on which they may be really anxious, can be solved with absolute certainty; and the election of favourable periods for marriage, speculation, or commencing any new undertaking with advantage, will be cheerfully and readily pointed out from week to week. All communications addressed to "THE ASTROLOGER " will be considered as strictly confidential, and the initials only given in the oracle.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

G. R.-The constellation Ursa Major is now on the meridian at midnight Any modern treatise on astronomy will give him the position of the stars, but a celestial globe is best adapted for the calculations he requires.

E. R. S.-Mars is now in his own sign of Scorpio. We would advise him to select the 26th day for the enterprise he mentions.

VINCENT-An article on Palmistry, or the art of divining by the lines of the hand, will appear forthwith.

S. H.-We are open to the contributions of those who have proof to adduce of the influence of the stars, and shall be happy to affordroom to the lucubration of our correspondent,

W. K.-Yes. There are professors of Astrology in the University of Cambridge,

at this monent.

L. L-We have erected a figure for the time mentioned by our correspondent, and find the querent is now environed by circumstances of doubt and difficulty, His genius appears decidedly adapted to mechanical pursuits, and moderate success is indicated. The party inquired after is deceptive, though with no evil intention; he will soon be embarrassed in pecuniary matters. The indications in the seventh house are very singular, and seem to show this is not the first time he has been engaged in adventures of the kind. There is one, however, who is endeavouring to supplant the querent, and who will eventually prove a dangerous rival. The crisis will be in a fortnight--wait that time and then communicate again.

ROSE. Your lover is not the faithless swain you imagine. Under the guise of
triendship your confidence has been abused.

S. S., W. R., MASK, &c.-We cannot undertake private correspondence, except
under circumstances of a peculiar nature. The time of committing the ques-
tions to paper should be exact to the minute, as the Astrologer has afterwards
to correct it to astronomical time. It would trespass less upon our space if
one question only were given us by each querent to answer in each number,
as always preserving the figure we can make reference again.
GEORGIUS-Let our correspondent extend the circulation of our work by recom-
mendation to his friends, and he will best advance the interests of our pub-
lisher. The Astrologer himself reaps his 1eward in the continual proofs of
that truth for the advancement of which he labours.

E. B. (SOно), who has forwarded to us the nativities of himself and family, must
allow us a few days to give our judgment thereon. It is gratifying indeed to
find the art studied by those who have perhaps less time for its contemplation
than the arrogant philosophers of the day, who refuse to examine aught that

is not reducible to the elements of matter.

INQUIRENDO.---You will be speedily, through a friend, inducted to a mechanical pursuit which will, with perseverance, extricate you from the presen difficulties. There is, in the scheme we have erected, an indication of former extravagance, if not dissipation. Is this so?

A STUDENT.-The figure is not sufficiently perfected to enable us to give a decision. For the back numbers of the Ephemeris write to Mr. John Lyon, 13, Humber Dock Street, Hull, who had, and doubtless has, a complete set.

R. P. (Ely).You have trafficked heretofore in the produce of the earth, do not hastily reject what has been profitable to your health, though it has not to your purse. Avoid dealing in metals. Should you desire further advice write again; we cannot spare time always for personal consultation.

J. C. S.---Your unhappy malady requires the judgment of a physician rather than of an astrologer. We can see no prospect of relief.

J. P.You are too young. Read and learr.

J. C. (Somers town).---Answered as wished.

E. W. H. (Kennington.)--The Astrologer will give an outline of the judgment, if the time of birth be stated.

JOSEPHUS. Feer not; you will speedily recover.

J. W. (Norwich).---You and your brother have not long to suffer. A termination is indicated shortly.

LA MERE. Could we communicate privately with our correspondent? The
scheme of the hour has unfolded some strange disclosures. When we see the
fond, affectionate and romantic girl, still surrounded by the singular fatalities
which have pursued her through life, we feel anxious to caution her against
those to come. You have had one link to bind you to your husband's heart,
but the love of THE PAST is not yet extinct. You are still thought of at mid-
night.

"ANXIETY.' ---So courtecus a querist need not fear trespassing.
indeed, has been a chequered one: A gleam of good fortune appears upon the
Your life,
horizon of your destiny which should be manifest in a fortnight-Wait that time,
and then write again.

All letters and communications are requested to be addressed to "The Astrologer," 11, Wellington Street North, Strand, London.

London: Printed by J. HADDOCK, 130, Drury Lane. Published by G. Vickers; and sold by Strange, Cleave, Berger, Purkess, Clements, Barth, and all Booksellers.

good definition of this said chance-or is it from an innate per-| ception of coming good or evil, communicated to us by influences of which we are unconscious? Take any of our recognised feelings - the passion of love, for example-and see what can be made of it, according to the cold theories of your analytical lecturers. Reduce it to the most primitive elements of ordinary matter, and what then? Is it possible to explain why there should be such a thing as love, at first sight, or why-as is frequently the case-that two persons, never before introduced, should there and then intuitively feel that they were destined to be husband and wife? We pause for a reply! If none more satisfactory be received in the interim, we shall, next week, advance a theory of our own upon the subject, with a wish to afford some insight, if possible, into one of the most wonderful properties of the human mind.

THE GHOST-HAUNTED.

WHAT an incomprehensible mystery is the spiritual world-the
region of departed spirits-the ærial halls where disembodied
beings only walk-the terra incognita to which there is but one
thoroughfare- the grave. I have ever been a lover of the occult
and to me there is something truly beautiful in the idea that
those we have loved on earth forget not the scene of their for-
mer wanderings when they have bodily gone from amongst us.
I have studied Ghostcraft with the enthusiasm of a poet-I have
endeavoured to penetrate its arcana with the perseverance and
zeal of a philosopher. My little library chiefly consists of old
Glanville's
and scarce works on Astrology and Alchymy.
"Sadducismus Triumphatus', lies before me on my table; Aubrey,
Balthazar Bekker, Behmen, and Eugenius Philalethes, are
amongst my constant companions, and so imbued have I become
with the black-letter lore of the ancients, that nightly do I fall
into a reverie, in which the world of spirits hold my soul. By
day I am a dreamer-ridiculed by my brother earth-worms, and
living in a sphere of my own creation-a world of which I am
the sole occupant. It may be that I have dwelt on this subject
over the midnight oil till I have become really-but let me not
anticipate.

The reader will have the goodness to understand that the apartments I occupy consist of three rooms, two bedrooms and a sitting-room, all on the same floor; and that the bedroom adjoining mine was, at the period I am speaking of, tenanted by an old schoolfellow, who is now in the country. Soon after I had taken up my abode at these lodgings, my nocturnal slumbers were repeatedly disturbed by some extraordinary noises, which I attributed to the gambols of rats and mice, whose avocations prevented them from taking exercise at a more seasonable time during the day. Although averse to inflicting pain upon even the meanest of animals, these riotous ebullitions at last grew beyond mortal endurance, and I therefore purchased a trap, which, desirous of providing good entertainment for my four-footed guests, I liberally baited, for many nights, with a prodigal allowance of the best toasted double-Gloucester. My invitation, however, was declined; for although every morning the cheese had gone, the thief, despite my anxiety for his safe-keeping, had disappeared also; and, at the same time, was unpolite enough to omit leaving his card of address. Under these embarrassing circumstances I domiciled a cat under my roof, but the very first night she appeared to be seized with a panic, and repaid my hospitality by jumping on the dressing-table, swearing most disgracefully, and smashing my dressing-glass to pieces, she made her exit through a door of her own making in the largest window-pane I possessed. Night after night the noises I had heard continued with increased loudness, until I was finally startled by my bedroom door being opened and shut. "Did you hear that?" enquired my friend from his own apartment, "Yes," replied I, and in the course of a few minutes the opening and shutting process was repeated. The truth then flashed across me, but as the invisible visitor had not molested me, or yet made himself ocularly apparent, I buried my face in the pillow, pulled the bedclothes snugly around me, and went to sleep undisturbed until morning, when the servant aroused me with the usual monitory announcement of "Shaving water 's getting cold, sir!"

At breakfast next day my friend and I agreed that my bedroom door had actually been opened and shut twice, and that therefore there could be no doubt our abode was, to use the com"Shall you stay here still?" he interromon phrase, haunted. gated. "Of course," was my reply, and here I have continued ever since, and intend still to continue. Such was the first notification I received of this strange visitor's presence, and as I always made it a rule to sleep with the door unlocked, to facilitate escape in case of fire, a clever ghost-one who had not forKnow then that I verily believe myself at times to be subject gotten how to turn a handle-might have found, as my visitor to spiritual influences, and to the visits-I can scarcely call in- did, free ingress to my bedroom whenever he thought proper. trusion-of invisible visitors, who, having been my intimate Iu consequence of this, the visit I have mentioned was often friends during life, cannot refrain from enjoying the full freedom repeated, so often indeed, that, at last, I came to think little or of their invisibility by becoming my familiars. The reader must nothing of the occurrence, merely wondering which of my debe well aware that I am not singular in my opinion, in addition ceased friends the visitor could be. One night, however, I was to which, be it remembered that those who agree with me on this awakened from a slight doze, by hearing the rustling of the cursubject have, like myself, special reasons to advance, and un- tains at my bed-side, and although I turned sharply round to doubted proofs to adduce, in favour of their faith. I well re-look, and ignited a lucifer-match to assist me in my search, I saw member an elderly lady whose son, long after his bodily decease, nothing. I listened, but the noise had ceased, so I again rested continued to frequent his mother's card-parties, at which he had my head upon the pillow, and was speedily asleep. been accustomed to take a hand. One evening, becoming, I suppose, excited by the game he was watching, he terrified the whole assembly by inflicting a vigorous blow on the table the instant one of the players threw down the winning card, and the sound of footsteps was at the same time heard as if the giver of the blow had retreated to another side of the room. be alarmed," exclaimed the hostess, "it is only my son." And then she proceeded to explain, that such noises were far from unusual, and that she had frequently felt him place his hand upon her shoulder, giving a gentle pat by way of encouragement, which was his customary habit when alive. I select this anecdote from many others of a similar purport which I could mention, because it happened to fall more particularly under my own observation, and also because it is a case in point which bears out my owning the bedclothes about," theory, that disembodied spirits take a delight in frequenting the scenes of their earthly enjoyment, and manifesting their spiritual sympathies. Of my own experiences I can yet speak more positively; and first of that which introduced me to my invisible acquaintance-an introduction I cannot add, made under the most favourable or agreeable auspices,

"Do not

Now only picture to yourself some facetious phantom playing at hide-and-seek behind your bed-curtains, and wantonly waiting until you are asleep, in order that he may make the intimation of his presence more startling and impressive. Picture this, and then learn that the sly rogue actually waited till I slept, and doubtless continued his ghostly pranks until I was aroused by feeling that the bed-clothes were being pulled from me, and that I was becoming gradually denuded of all covering. Up I jumped, exclaiming, as I did so, that the chamber should be exorcised forthwith, when the noise alarmed my friend in the next room, and brought him to see what was the matter. "Nothing," replied I, with something like composure, "but that boisterous invisible gentleman, who makes this place his house of call, pull"Good heavens!" he ejaculated, hurrying precipitately to his own room, locking my door on the outside, and taking the key with him. The remainder of the night I slept undisturbed.

Now, reader, you may, perhaps, think that here the matter ended; no such thing; the ghostly gentleman came again, and this was the first visit he paid me in my sitting-room. One night