Part 10

Now perhaps you can better appreciate the wonderful stories which you hear about mediums (people who pass into these trances), who have spoken--or are alleged to have spoken, for the verdict of science is "Not proven"--with the voices of folk long dead, and whom they have never seen.

While everyone does not actively possess this power of releasing his spirit body, we all have it. That this is true can be seen in several ways. Have you never had a presentiment or feeling of evil to come, a strong feeling which it took all your determination and common sense to drive away? Anyway, you will have frequently heard other people saying, "I had a feeling that so-and-so would happen."

That feeling is explained by this wandering of the spirit body; for a short time we have had our spirit eyes freely opened, and have gained a glimpse of the unknown. As our spirit eyes are as yet undeveloped it is but a glimpse, then down falls the thick curtain, and the mystery is once more hidden from us!

Just as some children learn to walk more easily than others, so do some people learn to walk with their spirit body and to speak the spirit language more quickly than others.

Which seems very natural, doesn't it?

Let us briefly refresh our minds with the absolutely necessary facts which you must know to understand the first steps in fortunetelling by the crystal. What we are going to say next will then be more readily understood:--

_FIRSTLY._--We have not one body but two, an earthly and a spiritual body.

_SECONDLY._--Though normally contained in the earthly body, it is possible for the spirit to escape from its prison, and pass from place to place at a speed greater than light. This occurs during sleep, the artificial or forced sleep of the trance, and also when one gazes into the crystal.

_THIRDLY._--We have four eyes. Two earthly eyes, and two very much keener spirit eyes. It is with these spirit eyes that we see the future and the past in the crystal.

_FOURTHLY._--Each one of us is sending out thought-waves at this moment. These are known by spiritualists as our aura. It is found in different colors, which depend on our characters or the thoughts leaving us. Certain reds show rage, for instance.

WHAT THE CRYSTAL IS FOR

The first thing to get hold of is that there is nothing magic or in any way wonderful about the crystal itself. It is merely a means of fixing the attention of our earthly eyes, so that we may see the more clearly with our spirit eyes.

Now for a few hints upon actually looking into the crystal.

When you gaze into whatever object you have chosen, your earthly body and earthly eyes pass into a more or less sleepy state, thus enabling your spirit body to escape. That gives us our first point to remember.

Here it is: When you look into the crystal, whatever you do don't worry about whether or not you will see anything! Try to think steadily of what you wish to see; this will at first seem hard, but practice will help you, and practice makes perfect.

Then remember to keep any glare of light from the eyes; it is wise to sit with one's back towards the light. Let your surroundings be quiet and peaceful; there must be absolutely nothing which may catch your attention and so take it off the crystal. If, for instance, a noisy bus or other vehicle were to pass during the time in which you were making your attempt, it would probably disturb things very much.

One should never be discouraged if nothing whatever is seen at the first few attempts. A puppy cannot at first see out of its eyes, and it is the same with a beginner in crystal gazing; his spirit eyes may take some little time to open, while others, more fortunate, may find theirs open almost at once. Never strain the eyes in an unwinking stare. Let them wink and blink quite naturally. To do anything else would be sure to take your attention from the picture which you wish to see.

HOW TO BEGIN

The best thing to do is to try these various methods, and then see for yourself which is the most successful in your own individual case.

Here are a few means you might try, in order to test this for yourself.

Use either a (1) crystal, (2) a polished object, (3) a bright coin, (4) a sparkling gem, or (5) ordinary glass in the shape of a sphere or ball. There are others, but they are not important.

In conclusion, it will be of interest to know just what you may expect to see when, and if, your spirit eyes open. Probably a misty, fogged appearance will first be seen in the crystal. This will remain for some little time, until finally the scene or person (whatever it may be) will appear. The latter may be faint and dim, or it may be clear-cut like a good photograph.

The clearness or otherwise will depend among other things upon the keenness of sight of the spirit eye. It will also be influenced by the degree of quiet, and upon the absence of anything likely to disturb the searcher in the realms of the future.

THE MOON AND THE LUCK IT BRINGS

People of all ages have looked upon the moon as a provider of good and bad luck, and most of us have probably noticed that it has influenced our actions, at times. Here are some of the beliefs that are centuries old.

If you see a new moon over your right shoulder, it means that you will experience good luck all the month.

If you have money in your pocket and you meet the new moon face to face, turn the money over and you will not run short of money that month.

It is unlucky to see the new moon through glass. If you do, go out of doors, curtsey three times to the moon and turn some silver in your hand. This will break the spell which will be cast over you if you do not do as directed. There is one little point, connected with this superstition, which has set us thinking. What of all those individuals who wear glasses? We do not know the answer.

There is a strongly prevalent idea that everything falling to the lot of man when the moon is waxing will increase or prosper; but things decrease and do not prosper when the moon is on the wane.

Irish colleens were wont to drop on their knees when they first caught sight of the new moon, and say, "Oh, moon, leave us as well as you have found us." And, long ago, Yorkshire maidens "did worship the new moon on their bent knees, kneeling upon the earth-cast stone."

If the full moon known as the Harvest Moon appears watery, it is an ill sign for the harvest. (The Harvest Moon is due about the middle of September.)

If the moon shows a silver shield, be not afraid to reap your field: but if she rises haloed round, soon we'll tread on deluged ground.

If the moon changes on a Sunday there will be a flood before the month is out.

A Saturday moon, if it comes once in seven years, comes too soon.

A fog and a small moon bring an easterly wind soon.

In the waning of the moon, Cloudy morning: fair afternoon. Pale moon doth rain; red moon doth blow, White moon doth neither rain nor snow. When the moon's halo is far, the storm is n'ar (near). When the moon's halo is n'ar, the storm is far.

It has long been a custom for girls to go to the nearest stile, to turn their back on the first new moon after Midsummer and to chant these verses:

All hail, new moon, all hail to thee. I prithee, good moon, reveal to me, This night, who shall my true love be. Who he is and what he wears, And what he does all months and years.

If she were to be married in the course of the next twelve months, the moon answered her questions during her sleep of the same evening.

In many parts of the country it is supposed that, on Christmas Eve, the moon will help maidens to find out when they are to be married. The plan is for a maiden to borrow a silk handkerchief from a male relation and to take it and a mirror to some sheet of water, while the night is dark. She must go quite alone; but the sheet of water may be an unromantic pail, full to the brim, stationed at the bottom of the garden. As soon as the moon shows itself, the maiden places the flimsy piece of silk in front of her eyes, and, by holding the mirror half towards the moon and half towards the water, it is possible for her to see more than a pair of reflections. The number of reflections are the months which will ensue before her wedding bells ring out.

We recently came across the following information in a document quite three hundred years old:

"The first, second and third days of the moon's age are lucky for buying and selling; the seventh, ninth and eleventh are lucky for engagements and marriage; the sixteenth and twenty-first are not lucky for anything."

The same document affirmed that:

"A baby born before the new moon is twenty-four hours old is sure to be lucky. Anything lost during the second twenty-four hours of the moon's age is sure to be found. All things begun on the fifth twenty-four hours will turn out successfully. A dream experienced on the eighth twenty-four hours must come true."

FORTUNETELLING BY MEANS OF PLAYING CARDS

Telling fortunes, by means of playing cards, is one of the oldest amusements indulged in by civilized people. The ancients of the Far East used their Tarot packs for this purpose long before the birth of Christ, and, ever since, it has been recognized that cards can be made to give a surprisingly accurate reading of future events.

It is interesting to note that, until modern times, it was a common practice of men who had to make great and far-reaching decisions for them to consult a pack of cards and to be guided by what was revealed. Napoleon, it may be recalled, never made an important move unless the cards advised him to take the step. Julius Caesar was another great leader who placed his trust in card readings, and even Shakespeare, the shrewdest of all English writers, shows by a number of passages in his plays that he recognized the use of cards for purposes of divination. As for the noted men and women of today, it is rumored that several derive guidance from their packs when they are in doubt.

Whether the science of cartomancy, the name given to telling fortunes by the aid of cards, is taken seriously or not, there is no doubt that it will afford a good deal of merriment when indulged in by a number of pleasure-seeking friends and relations.

There are few rules governing this science, but those there are must be strictly observed. First, it is absolutely imperative that the person who is consulting the cards should set his or her mind on the matter. Thus, when a definite question is requiring an answer, the question itself must fill the mind. To let the mind wander to outside things or things that are not involved must lessen the psychic effect. Next, every consultant must cut the pack with the left hand, in order to set his or her seal on the order of the cards. Finally, to obtain the most accurate results, it is necessary that the consultant or person seeking the information should shuffle the pack.

THE FOUR-CARD DIVINATION

This method of fortunetelling is some hundreds of years old and references to it can be found in the works of people who wrote in Stuart times. After the consultant has shuffled the pack of fifty-two cards, he or she withdraws one of them at random and notes the suit. The card is, then, put back in the pack, which is again shuffled. Next, it is cut with the left hand, as already suggested.

Now comes the "lay-out." The cards are set face upwards on the table in four rows, each of thirteen. In doing this, it is imperative that all the rows should be commenced at the right-hand end.

That done, the key card is sought. In the case of a lady, the key card is the queen of the suit shown by the card which she picked from the pack at the outset. When it is a man who is seeking his fortune, the key card is the king of the suit indicated by the card he picked originally.

Having found the key card in the lay-out, count nine, eighteen, twenty-seven, thirty-six and forty-five spaces from it, and pick up the cards so placed. Remember that in counting, a line must be always begun from the right; also that it may be necessary to revert to the first or subsequent rows in order to obtain the full set of four cards.

In picking up the four cards, be careful to preserve their order; the first must be set out first, the second must come second, and the same with the third and the fourth. Each card stands for some definite portent, and the four portents supply the reading which affects the consultant.

The portents supplied by each card are as follows:--

Hearts

_ACE._--Interests will center more in the home than outside it.

_KING._--A person who has the good of others at heart.

_QUEEN._--Energy and ability are denoted. There is, however, a strong tendency towards admiration for many members of the opposite sex.

_JACK._--Inclined to be selfish and somewhat averse to following the desires of others.

_TEN._--A happy marriage is indicated.

_NINE._--A somewhat restless nature which soon tires and requires a change of scene.

_EIGHT._--This is not a good card for those desiring marriage. If such a ceremony does occur, it will be late in coming.

_SEVEN._--There is evidence that an open-air life is what is required.

_SIX._--A happy marriage in the near future is heralded.

_FIVE._--Happiness will be provided, but it will not be the result of riches.

_FOUR._--Marriage is likely, but the measure of affection resulting from it appears to be small.

_THREE._--Life will entail many reverses, but a broad mind will conquer them.

_TWO._--Marriage will result, but not before many trials have beset the path to happiness.

Diamonds

_ACE._--Friendships will spring up where enemies have existed.

_KING._--There is a clear indication of social happiness, but the home may be neglected.

_QUEEN._--This suggests a strong character, but no great amount of affection is displayed.

_JACK._--Amiability is the chief character indicated by this card.

_TEN._--There are signs of a large and happy family.

_NINE._--There is no need to worry over financial matters; money will flow in when most required.

_EIGHT._--The consultant should keep a firm check on bad habits.

_SEVEN._--A very upright and high-minded individual.

_SIX._--A person who wavers when a decision has to be made.

_FIVE._--A somewhat shallow character is indicated, one who takes insufficient thought of the morrow.

_FOUR._--The consultant displays too little trust in him or herself. An inferiority complex is possessed.

_THREE._--A person of considerable merit, but is shy and retiring.

_TWO._--Do not tire of waiting for the good things of life; they will come without any doubt.

Clubs

_ACE._--A successful life is ensured in the commercial world for men, and in the home for women.

_KING._--The consultant will succeed in whatever he or she most desires, but it may entail a tedious wait.

_QUEEN._--There are signs that too high a value is placed on the opinions of others.

_JACK._--One who loves recreations and who gives too little attention to the necessary things in life.

_TEN._--Expect many trials unless the other cards point to favorable issues.

_NINE._--Money affairs will cause a good deal of anxiety.

_EIGHT._--There are definite signs that many so-called friends will only flock to you when you can be of use to them.

_SEVEN._--You will have your share of sorrows.

_SIX._--Divide your life into three equal portions. One will be pleasant, one will be very happy and the other, more or less ordinary. The fates say nothing of the order in which they will come.

_FIVE._--You will have few causes for regrets, if you continue as you are acting at present.

_FOUR._--There are people who are prepared to damage your reputation. Therefore, be on your guard.

_THREE._--If a request is made of you in the near future, be cautious how you reply. Much will depend on the answer.

_TWO._--Beware of coming storms.

Spades

_ACE._--Much good fortune attends the one who finds this card among the four that are chosen.

_KING._--A card which indicates that the consultant revels in doing kind actions.

_QUEEN._--This indicates that the consultant is, frankly, a flirt.

_JACK._--One who tries to make happiness a feature of his or her surroundings.

_TEN._--Fix your thoughts on something devoutly wished for and the Fates will grant it to you.

_NINE._--You are given to worrying over things that do not really matter.

_EIGHT._--Do not set such store on money. It is not the only thing worth having.

_SEVEN._--Be very careful that you do not marry for anything but love.

_SIX._--There is every prospect of a comfortable home, surrounded by children who bring you happiness.

_FIVE._--Happiness will come to you either early in life or very soon.

_FOUR._--You do not know how to handle money and you must be careful that you do not trust it to an unworthy person.

_THREE._--You expect too many luxuries. You would be far happier if you valued the simple things of life.

_TWO._--Do not be depressed by troubles. They will pass away.

Now that the meaning of all the fifty-two cards is known, one thing more requires to be explained. Let us suppose that the four cards have been drawn from the lay-out, as already directed. It may happen that one of them directly contradicts another card. What happens then? In such a case, the second card to be drawn from the lay-out has the effect of cancelling the first, but the force of the second card is weakened thereby and its portent is lessened. It is because of this that it is highly necessary to remember the order in which the four cards are taken from the lay-out.

THE THREE-CARD DIVINATION

In this case, the first thing is to run through an ordinary pack and separate the court from the non-picture cards. The latter are then shuffled by the person seeking information, who finally cuts them with the left hand. That done, the matching card is sought. The matching card, it must be explained, is a card which matches the consultant. Thus:

(a) A lady with brown hair is matched by the Queen of Clubs. A gentleman, by the King of Clubs.

(b) A lady who is blonde, is matched by the Queen of Hearts. A gentleman by the King of Hearts.

(c) A lady with auburn hair is matched by the Queen of Diamonds. A gentleman, by the King of Diamonds.

(d) A lady with black hair is matched by the Queen of Spades. A gentleman, by the King of Spades.

(e) Grey or white hair is matched according to its original color.

As soon as the matching card is decided on, the consultant shuts his or her eyes, and, with the left hand, picks up a portion of the non-picture card pack. With the right hand, he or she places the matching card on the rest of the pack and the whole is reformed.

Thus, the pack now consists of forty-one cards, forty of them being numeral cards and the remaining one, a picture card. On no account may there be any shuffling at this point.

All is ready. The cards are turned over one at a time, no notice being taken of them until the matching card is reached. Then, the next three cards of the same suit as the matching card are withdrawn from the pack and set out on the table, in the order in which they were found. These three cards provide the reading sought by the consultant.

The interpretations are as follows:

_ACE._--You will be lucky in love affairs, if you have not already been so. You will make your partner very happy and your home will be your greatest pride.

_TWO._--You are inclined to take life too easily and you are not very keen on hard work.

_THREE._--You are a rover and are liable to be very unsettled at times. Remember the old saying that a rolling stone gathers no moss.

_FOUR._--You will experience four sorrows in your life that you will never forget.

_FIVE._--There is not the slightest doubt that you will accumulate wealth. Probably, some of it will come as a legacy.

_SIX._--You will gather many friends around you. All of them will not be of equal worth.

_SEVEN._--Your health will be one of your strongest points, unless you neglect it, when it will be sure to rebel.

_EIGHT._--You are a fortunate person, and there will be more than one occasion in your life when you will experience a very lucky escape.

_NINE._--Do not expect to gain riches by means of games of chance, lotteries, etc. Your fortunes will not be increased by them.

_TEN._--You have the habit of looking on the bright side of things. This is a quality worth more than all the gold in the world. Cherish it.

THE MAGIC SQUARE

This is a very old way of divining what the Fates have planned for yourself, your friends and your enemies. The first thing is to take out of the pack all the court cards, as well as the twos, threes, fours, fives and sixes. Thus, all that is left are the cards ranging between the sevens and the tens--sixteen in all.

The second thing is to take your matching card, as described under the previous heading, and to place it with the sixteen cards. These are, then, well shuffled and cut with your left hand.

The next step is to turn over the cards from the pack, one by one, preserving the order carefully, until the matching card is reached. When this is found, the cards that have been turned over are placed at the bottom of the stack that is left in hand and the "lay-out" is commenced.

The first card in hand is placed on the table and the eight that follow are arranged around it to form a square. This square will thus consist of three rows, each made up of three cards, with the matching card in the center.

It is very important that the eight cards are placed in definite positions, as follows: The first is set down to the right of the matching card; the second to the left of it; the third immediately above it; the fourth just below it; the four remaining cards are placed in the upper left-hand corner of the square, the upper right-hand corner, the lower right-hand corner and the lower left-hand corner, respectively. (See the diagram.)

All these cards are read in the following manner: The three above the matching card refer to the past; the card on either side of it to the present; and the three below it to the future. Next, the three cards on the left-hand side of the matching card refer to your friends; the card above and below the matching card refers to yourself; and those on the right of it to your enemies.

Following this, you must note that a heart stands for very fortunate things, a club for good things, a diamond for things that are passable, and spades for things that are no good at all.

Thus, should a heart come in the middle of the bottom row it shows that you are to be very fortunate in the future; if a diamond fills the same position in the upper row, it is clear that your past was only passably happy; and if a spade comes immediately on the right of the matching card, it is a clear proof that the particular enemy you have in mind is being harassed by a period of ill-luck. And so on, according to which suit fills each of the remaining positions.

THE FORTUNETELLING PYRAMID

A simple way of discovering what kind of luck is awaiting you in the future consists in taking a complete pack of fifty-two cards, shuffling them well, and cutting them with the left hand.

Following this, you place one card on the table, face up. Below it you set out two cards, also face up, and continue with a row of three cards below the two. Other rows follow with four, five, six, seven, eight and nine cards in each, so that the whole forms a pyramid. This accounts for forty-five cards. The surplus of seven are placed on one side when the figure is completed or they may be thrown aside, one at a time, while the figure is being made at any point desired, but it is important that they must be rejected before being seen.