Part 1

Chapter 13,759 wordsPublic domain

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FORTUNES AND DREAMS

A PRACTICAL MANUAL OF FORTUNE TELLING, DIVINATION AND THE INTERPRETATION OF DREAMS, SIGNS AND OMENS

BY ASTRA CIELO

NEW YORK GEORGE SULLY AND COMPANY

Printed in U. S. A.

CONTENTS

PAGE INTRODUCTION vii

ASTROLOGY 1 Historical Review—Astrological Readings—The Astrological Guide to Fortune—Horoscope and Tables—Character as Told by Astrology—How to Determine the Lucky and Unlucky Days of Any Month—Derivations of the Names of the Months—Derivations of the German and English Days of the Week.

THE ANCIENT ORACLES 30 Napoleon’s Oraculum—Oraculum Table.

FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS 52 The Origin and History of Playing Cards—Suits and Symbols—Mystic Meaning—The Charm and Power of Cards—What the Cards Signify—Meaning of the Various Cards—Telling One’s Fortune with Twenty-one Cards—Italian Method—The French System—English System—The Gypsy Method—Creole Method—Card Oracles.

FORTUNE-TELLING WITH DICE AND DOMINOES 92

THE SCIENCE OF PALMISTRY 119 Principal Lines of the Palm and Their Meaning—The Shape and Length of the Phalanges—Form of the Hand—Character from the Shape of a Hand and Fingers—The Mountains—A Reading of the Lines and Other Characteristics.

THE SCIENCE OF PHRENOLOGY 136

THE SCIENCE OF PHYSIOGNOMY 141 What Different Eyes Indicate—Reading Character by the Color of the Eyes—Disposition by the Shape of the Nose—Reading Character by the Form of the Lips—Reading Character by the Shape of the Ear.

FORTUNE-TELLING BY GROUNDS IN A TEACUP 147

DREAMS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION 150 Do Dreams Foretell the Future?—How Dreams Should Be Interpreted—A Dictionary of Dreams.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS 191

POPULAR BELIEFS AMONG THE ANCIENTS AS TO THE INFLUENCE OF PRECIOUS STONES 205 The Language of Precious Stones.

THE LANGUAGE OF POSTAGE STAMPS 211

THE MEANING OF MOLES 213

WEATHER PROPHECIES FROM AN OLD ALMANAC 215

HOW TO TELL ONE’S AGE 218

HOW TO BE BEAUTIFUL 220

MEMORY RHYMES 222

INTRODUCTION

There is a Latin saying that “Fortune frustrates, single-handed, the plans of learned men.” There are moments in the lives of each of us when we do not seem to be masters of our actions, but are led by blind chance into paths which bring success or failure in spite of our own individual efforts. We stand in awe before a power which seems inimical to us, or rejoice over a series of coincidences that boost us into fame and fortune.

It is easy to understand, therefore, why men of all ages have had a restless striving to search out the Unknown and the Unknowable, and to endeavor to foretell the future and its mysterious dispensations. In all ages, men have endeavored in various ways to penetrate the mysteries of the future. They have consulted the stars, the oracles, deities of their own manufacture, cards of various devices, etc., in an effort to solve the problems about them.

There is a vein of superstition in every human being, and some of the world’s greatest geniuses, statesmen, scientists and warriors have not been ashamed to seek information from prophets and seers, when the tangle of life seemed too difficult for them to unravel thru their own efforts. The pages of history as well as the Holy Bible are full of instances where the power of divination was invoked to settle important decisions.

This book has been compiled for the use of intelligent people who desire to know the various ways in which events have been prophesied by occultists the world over, and who wish to test their own faculties and consult the Book of Fate in their own behalf. The various methods and tables are offered to the reader at their own value, without any special claim for their accuracy or efficacy. Each inquirer must determine for himself how far he may trust the oracle that he has consulted. Some of the material is new and is not to be found in modern books of this nature. Most of the tables have been gleaned from very old authorities.

It must be understood that successful consultations depend in a great measure on the psychic operations in the mind of the inquirer, who must approach the subject with a desire to know the truth. There is an intuitive perception in all minds, which can be developed by practice. The inquirer should not be discouraged by lack of success at the start. It must be remembered that any attempt to force a favorable divination by cards or astrology is unfair and makes the whole operation void.

ASTROLOGY

Historical Review

Astrology, the science of the stars and their influence on the lives and destinies of human beings, is a very old and honorable subject. It was early developed in Egypt and flourished chiefly in Chaldea, whose star-gazers and prognosticators were so famous that the name “Chaldee” came to be used as having the same meaning as Astrologer, not only in the Bible but among ancient writers. In the East it still has its followers and is much practiced by the Arabs and Asiatics. Its vogue in Rome and Greece was great, but it was forbidden by the Emperor Augustus, only to be revived later. The Moors in Spain held it in great respect and made it popular among the nations of Europe.

Astrology continued to be popular until the sixteenth century. It was practiced by the European courts as late as the eighteenth century, even in England. It was considered a worthy science even by the great astronomer Kepler, and Lilly, another astronomer, was called before the House of Commons in the reign of Charles II to give his opinion of future events.

Astrology teaches us that the heavenly bodies influence not only the earth but all living creatures on the globe. Every child born is subject to the planet or star under which it came to life. When a child is born its mind is still a blank and its character unformed. The stars find a ready tablet on which to record their marks for good or evil, and the character, disposition, passions, gifts, talents, etc., which the child will show in later years are decided on thru the influence of the heavenly bodies. Thus, the planet Mercury gives wisdom and force of mind; Venus gives the power of loving; Mars, the desire to work and fight; etc.

The general method of procedure in discovering the characteristics or deciding the fate of a man is to draw a horoscope, representing the position of the stars and planets in the whole heaven or within one degree of the eastern horizon, at the time of the individual’s birth. If the horoscope is to decide the success of an undertaking the date of the same is taken as a starting-point. Significance is given to each of the heavenly bodies as they appear singly or in conjunction and the horoscope is interpreted according to these significations.

The great physician, Paracelsus, was enthusiastic in his teachings that the heavenly bodies had a great effect upon the bodies of men, especially upon their diseases, and many doctors until recent years consulted the stars in an endeavor to find the proper remedies for the suffering.

The Bible has many instances which show the esteem in which Astrology was held. In the very first part we read that God made the stars to serve as “signs, seasons and days.” We read that the “stars in their courses fought against Sisera.” This shows how the heavenly bodies were supposed to influence the deeds of men.

We all know that the tides are caused by the pulling of the moon, and that this planet would be a dreary waste were it not for the light and heat it gets from the sun. We have recently discovered that the sun’s rays also give us health, that they possess a great curative power and that the ultraviolet rays are of benefit in many diseases. It is but natural to suppose, therefore, that other planets and even distant stars influence this earth and its inhabitants. Many of the stars of which we see but dim specks are many thousands of times bigger than our sun and may exert a correspondingly great influence.

All celestial bodies probably do have some influence on our minds and our bodies. They move in their orbits just as each human being has his own circle or orbit in which he moves from birth to death. It seems rational to suppose that every individual is subject to the influence of some particular planet which was in the ascendant at the time of his or her birth, and that a knowledge of the planet may help decide the ultimate career and fortune of the child.

We may go further and claim that the planet of a child may affect the future of the parents and that there is a mysterious relation between the parents and their offspring. The orbits of the parents are often entirely changed by the coming of a child. It is not a rare occurrence to have the influence of the child completely overpower the lives of the parents. We all are acquainted with folks who date their good or bad fortune from the birth of a particular child. People who have been respected and prosperous seem suddenly hounded by misfortune after the birth of a son, and end in poverty. On the other hand, many a family can date its good fortune from the day a son or daughter was born to them.

Dame Fortune is certainly a fickle fairy who dispenses her good and bad gifts with an erratic hand, and no one can tell what fate may befall. “Read the answer in the stars,” is the only logical reply to the many puzzles that come up for solution.

Warnings and danger signals are shown to us by nature more often than we think. But we are so intent on our troubles or on making money that we fail to recognize them. Nature has resource to dreams, premonitions, signs and omens to tell us of our impending fate. We are often agitated without knowing why, have moods of depression and causeless fears. They are portents on the part of nature that we are often too ignorant to heed.

A study of Astrology may help us avoid many pitfalls. It must not be considered from a superstitious point of view, but as a possible fact in nature that may lead us to better things.

Astrological Readings

A system which will tell with exactitude what every person born under a particular star can accomplish, or what his particular bent or talent may be, is manifestly impossible. Every individual is subject to so many outside influences, is attracted or repelled by so many subtle, mental or psychic influences, that his astrological status is constantly undergoing some change. Just as every planet is subject to the force of gravity of every other heavenly body which pulls it out of its ordained course, so is every human mind swayed and turned from its original course. Only the expert in astrological lore can reconcile these various influences and give a correct reading of the future.

The following tables, however, will give the reader a fairly correct estimate of his character, traits, faults and talents.

The Astrological Guide to Fortune

First find the exact date of your birth, express the numbers in one line. For instance: Let us say you were born April 5, 1876. April is the fourth month of the year; you must therefore write the date 4.5.1876. Now add these numbers thus 4 + 5 + 1 + 8 + 7 + 6 = 31. Repeat the addition with the resulting number 3 + 1 = 4. You now have a sum resulting in a single digit. This digit is your “Key of Fortune,” which gives you access to your planetary future. Now you must find your planet by adding the number of your present month to this Key. If the present month happens to be July, add 7. 4 plus 7 equals 11. Repeating the addition 1 plus 1 equals 2. You must now look for No. 2 in the “Planetary Chart” on page 9. You will find that Jupiter is the custodian of your Key. You will find in the table on page 9, that the house of Jupiter is designated by the letter B. Next consult the table of Primal Questions on page 9 and select one of the 12 questions which you desire answered.

Let us suppose you selected question No. 1, “Does—— love me? ”Consult the Horoscope Chart on page 8 and you will find that question No. 1 is ruled by Aquarius. You will now turn to Table B, which was the letter corresponding to the house of Jupiter and look for Aquarius, which gives the answer “The person loves others besides you.”

This is but one of the ways in which these astrological tables can be used. It is always best to consult an expert in this science, in order to obtain scientific results. Those counting their birthdays according to the Hebrew or Russian calendars will find the answer equally correct. Another method of consulting the oracle is to add the letters in your first name, counting one for A, two for B, etc., and proceeding as in the case of the dates, until there is one digit.

Names have in all religious systems been considered of great influence in determining a person’s fate. The ancients were careful in selecting names for their children, believing that certain names could bring good or bad luck. Names were often changed in order to coerce Dame Fortune. Thus Abram had his name changed to Abraham; Jacob had his name changed to Israel. Among the orthodox Jews it is still customary to change the name of a very sick or an unlucky person.

Shakespeare may well ask, “What’s in a name?” According to Astrology, the name signifies very much.

HOROSCOPE (See Chart in Frontispiece.)

NO. 1 governed by AQUARIUS 2 governed by PISCES 3 governed by ARIES 4 governed by GEMINI 5 governed by CANCER 6 governed by LEO 7 governed by VIRGO 8 governed by LIBRA 9 governed by SCORPIO 10 governed by SAGITTARIUS 11 governed by CAPRICORN 12 governed by TAURUS

PRIMAL QUESTIONS 1. Does —— love me? 2. Will —— return to me? 3. Is —— sincere in his dealings with me? 4. Will our marriage be a happy one? 5. Will I have luck in speculation? 6. Shall I make the journey I have in prospect? 7. Am I going to change my residence or place of business? 8. Will my domestic conditions improve? 9. What fortune awaits me in my business schemes? 10. Will my plans succeed? 11. Will my future be a happy one? 12. Will I get rid of my troubles?

PLANETARY CHART No. Planet Table 1 Sun A 2 Jupiter B 3 Neptune C 4 Saturn D 5 Earth E 6 Mercury F 7 Venus G 8 Mars H 9 Moon J

TABLE A. SUN.

1. ARIES. Keep out of chance games. 2. CAPRICORN. Do not make the trip now. 3. SCORPIO. Things are going to improve. 4. LEO. A friend will help you. 5. SAGITTARIUS. Do not move this season. 6. CANCER. Beware of your enemies. 7. VIRGO. Don’t undertake it. It is dangerous. 8. GEMINI. A good friend. 9. LIBRA. It is safe to engage in the business. 10. TAURUS. That person will return soon. 11. PISCES. Your marriage will be happy. 12. AQUARIUS. Do not count on his love.

TABLE B. JUPITER.

1. LIBRA. It makes no difference just now. 2. CANCER. Change your occupation. 3. ARIES. Fortune awaits you in business. 4. SAGITTARIUS. Not out of town. 5. GEMINI. He is sincere, but don’t marry him. 6. TAURUS. Will return soon. 7. CAPRICORN. No, remain here. 8. PISCES. Marriage will be happy. 9. SCORPIO. In spite of your faults. 10. VIRGO. Only with friends to help. 11. AQUARIUS. The person loves others besides you. 12. LEO. Not so soon as you expect.

TABLE C. NEPTUNE.

1. VIRGO. Do not carry out your plan. 2. SCORPIO. Change your residence at once. 3. LIBRA. Do not engage in business. 4. CANCER. Economy will bring fortune. 5. ARIES. Do not speculate or gamble. 6. CAPRICORN. It is advisable. 7. GEMINI. A true friend. 8. AQUARIUS. He loves you more than you think. 9. LEO. Beware of difficulties. 10. PISCES. Marriage will be happy. 11. SAGITTARIUS. You should move to another city. 12. TAURUS. Will be prevented by another.

TABLE D. SATURN.

1. SAGITTARIUS. Don’t move yet. 2. PISCES. The present is auspicious for marriage. 3. LEO. Sooner than you expect. 4. TAURUS. Will return soon. 5. SCORPIO. Disregard everybody’s advice. 6. ARIES. Your gains will overbalance losses. 7. AQUARIUS. Don’t rely on others. 8. LIBRA. Unquestionably. 9. VIRGO. With work, you will succeed. 10. GEMINI. He is fickle but faithful. 11. CAPRICORN. Not at present. 12. CANCER. Your fortune will be secure.

TABLE E. EARTH.

1. TAURUS. May return and not for long. 2. LEO. Consult a business friend. 3. CAPRICORN. With a companion you may risk it. 4. SCORPIO. Yes, if you love each other. 5. LIBRA. Stick at what you are doing now. 6. PISCES. Fortune will come. 7. CANCER. Happy, if you are on your guard. 8. VIRGO. Yes, if you go quickly and carefully. 9. SAGITTARIUS. You may move anywhere at present. 10. AQUARIUS. Loves you, but conceals it. 11. GEMINI. Quick-tempered, but faithful. 12. ARIES. You will never get fortune thru gambling.

TABLE F. MERCURY.

1. LEO. Beware of a return. 2. TAURUS. Is prevented from returning by family. 3. GEMINI. Most of the time. 4. PISCES. Your fortune will come after marriage. 5. CAPRICORN. You will be successful. 6. SAGITTARIUS. Remain, till you get a better chance. 7. ARIES. Your losses will be great. 8. CANCER. Not fortunate without thrift. 9. AQUARIUS. He is true to you. 10. SCORPIO. Not now, but soon. 11. VIRGO. Proceed slowly and cautiously to success. 12. LIBRA. You will find a fortune in business.

TABLE G. MARS.

1. PISCES. Depends upon the person you marry. 2. ARIES. You may, with care. 3. CANCER. Children will make you happy. 4. AQUARIUS. As you love, so will you be loved. 5. VIRGO. You will succeed. 6. GEMINI. Means well, but can’t keep promises. 7. SCORPIO. Put your shoulder to the wheel. 8. SAGITTARIUS. You will do well anywhere. 9. TAURUS. You will hear from .... soon. 10. LIBRA. Work will bring happiness. 11. LEO. Yes, but not entirely. 12. CAPRICORN. Another journey soon.

TABLE H. VENUS.

1. CANCER. You will be rich and happy. 2. LIBRA. Begin business alone. 3. AQUARIUS. His love is true. 4. ARIES. Not at the present time. 5. LEO. It will bring good fortune in the end. 6. VIRGO. Take your time. 7. PISCES. Marry only one in your own station. 8. TAURUS. Will return soon. 9. GEMINI. Very sincere. 10. CAPRICORN. It is advisable. 11. SCORPIO. It will, if you beware of false friends. 12. SAGITTARIUS. Stay near friends.

TABLE J. MOON.

1. GEMINI. You can depend upon his sincerity. 2. VIRGO. Will succeed, if you work hard. 3. SAGITTARIUS. Do not move out of neighborhood. 4. LIBRA. Do not engage in business. 5. CANCER. You will be rich, but not happy. 6. AQUARIUS. His love is selfish. 7. LEO. With effort, you will succeed. 8. CAPRICORN. Yes, very soon. 9. PISCES. Your fortune will come after marriage. 10. ARIES. Do not gamble. 11. TAURUS. Is prevented from returning. 12. SCORPIO. Children will improve things.

Character as Told by Astrology

JANUARY.—Those born in January are earnest, truthful people, usually not over-enthusiastic, but keen and possessing commercial and executive ability. They are slow to undertake anything, but once they are started they have grit and endurance. They are idealists and have a deeply religious nature. They are tolerant of others and charitable. Their love of society often makes them leaders in social and benevolent organizations. They are fond of great enterprises, in which they are usually successful. If they speculate, they win, altho they should be doubly cautious. They make good parents and excellent neighbors. Are inclined to neuralgia and rheumatism, which can be averted by proper care and diet.

FEBRUARY.—Those born in this month are calm, judicious and even-tempered. They are good talkers and slow to show anger. In their business, they are faithful and earnest. What they begin is usually well planned and carried to a successful issue. They are fond of home life and indulgent to wife and children. They are inclined to be susceptible to cold and should beware of enervating diseases. Women born in February, especially the second half, frequently have psychic powers. Men make good lawyers or doctors and often rise to great prominence. Are liable to catarrhal and pulmonary troubles, but often live very long.

MARCH.—People born in March are usually sensitive and critical. They are fond of domesticity and keep much to themselves. They often have great ability, are inventive and have a keen analytical mind. Many mathematicians are born in this month. They command psychic power and become good musicians. As a rule they are trustworthy as employees, and the women usually are fond of the mysterious. They are inclined to mental illness and often troubled with headaches and rheumatism. They should beware of all speculation and gambling. Headaches and nervous troubles may assail them in old age.

APRIL.—This month produces people who are capable and successful. They take unusual interest in scientific questions, are inventive, argumentative and become good politicians, lawyers or preachers. Are usually religiously inclined and sensitive. Have a strong will and great executive powers. Many architects, electricians and scientists are born in April. In their home life they are happy and easily satisfied; apt to be dominated by their opposite partner, but never relinquish their opinion if the other is in the wrong. A little speculation is safe, but should be approached cautiously. Usually live to a good old age, but should guard against gout and diabetes.